Atlantic Link Conference October 2000

There is even a story of how I was led to go to this conference, which was the first residential conference I had attended for many years, When I first read Jenny's letter about it, ( Jenny is our county leader), my immediate reaction was : a) this is not for me, and b) even if it were , I can't afford it.The letter went in the bin, and in fact out to our wheelie bin as it was dustbin day.No sooner had I done this than The Lord said:"What about all that insurance money you've been sitting on for years?" A hasty calculation showed that the cost should be covered, so the letter was retrieved from the bin, and after having mentioned the matter to Derek, who really didn't take in that I was proposing to go to a conference 4000 miles away without him, I replied that I was interested. I truly didn't think I would get a place, so was really surprised at a phone call much later, when I'd virtually forgotten about it, to say I could go.

So why did God send me 4000 miles away? I'm still not sure, except that perhaps I could not have learned some of the things I was taught there , had I been to a similar conference in the UK Unlike the Lydia conference at Ashburnham, this was not a conference with a main speaker, or a theme.(The Lydia Conference at Ashburnham is our regional conference).

We spent a lot of time praying about the US presidential election, although we did not know why at the time. Later events showed the reason for that. We covered various areas of prayer: mission, Israel, the church, and out leaders. We also prayed a great deal for the nations. Our present to the USA Lydias was a banner , bearing the quote from the Psalms :

"Ask and I will give you the nations"

Partly because of being in the environs of the World Prayer Centre. The morning we spent praying there will stay with me for a long time.

The most well known speaker that we had, was, I suppose Dick Eastman , ,again speaking about praying for the nations, but also about the role of worship in intercession whilst doing this. We are actually commanded to fast and worship, as well as fast and pray!

 

The conference went all too quickly, but on the last Sunday, we went to Ted Hagggard's church "New Life".This was , in one way a total contrast to the Mission. They have a membership of 9000, and have two identical services on a Sunday, as the church only seats 4000+! Although the church is a lot more high tech, the actual format of the service was very similar to what we are used to. That church began from just 20 people meeting in a shop basement. It's history, and how Ted Haggard sees the mission of any church are detailed in his book: "Primary Purpose". It is stimulating and thought provoking reading

Other memories : Going to the top of Pikes Peak, even if I did suffer from altitude sickness.

We spent a lot of our free time walking in the Garden of the Gods- really beautiful with the autumn colours.

Of the conference itself, the freedom in worship, and the sheer exuberance of the USA ladies was truly liberating. The state banners all around the walls were beautiful.

Pamela, our morning waitress was a lovely lady, as was Pete, one of the many taxi drivers, and the restaurant manager had the patience of a saint!

Our visit to Focus on the Family on the afternoon of our World Prayer Centre visit was also interesting, especially as I am a supporter of the coorganisation "Care" in the UK. It was there that I bought my calendar with the beautiful pictures of biblical verses. It hangs in our hall now.

I was disappointed that the conference bookstall had sold out of ~Israeli silks scarves before I decided to buy one, but Nancy, a lovely lady at our conference table gave me her "I love Jesus " scarf, which is now waved as a banner in worship sometimes!

All too son the conference was over, and it was time to come home. Travelling overnight through 7 time zones is not to be recommended, but back at Gatwick, there was Derek, waiting to meet me. I was very privileged to go, and I am gradually sharing some of what I learned , as the Lord leads. If Her ever asks anyone reading this to do something like that, then do it. You will not regret it!

 

 

Carol is the one in the middle, wearing her scarf!