Global Gathering Reaction

I have to say that I think my time at the Global Gathering was the best four days that I have had in a really long time. I attended TEN worship services in four days (we skipped yesterday morning's service or it would have been eleven) and worshiped God by singing in multiple languages with CHOG members from over 60 countries. We took communion as a global church, commissioned missionaries and had an annointing for healing or other problems. The French-English bilingual service was especially awesome. The music was amazing every single day. The sermons were so inspiring that I don't even think I can pick a favorite! I also attended Brother Neville Tan's session on evangelism and discipleship, which was particularly interesting. And I went to the newly opened Interpretive Center and took a little walking tour around campus (it was held on the Anderson University grounds) to explore the history of the Church of God Reformation movement. I made some connections regarding going on mission trips (right now Paraguay is the front runner!), picked up a bunch of brochures and spoke to a few people about job opportunities because I've decided that I want to work for the church. God can use me somewhere! And my mom bought me a book by Patrick Nachtigall, the regional coordinator for CHOG missions work in Europe / Middle East. Can't wait to read it!

Videos off all the services and plenary sessions are available online. Please go watch the video from June 25's afternoon service, starting around minute 44. A boy got up and gave a better sermon than I think any preacher I've seen ever has! And it was MEMORIZED!

Highlights of the music: Singing heritage hymns. Singing the official worship song of the event. If You can use anything Lord You can use me If You can use anything Lord You can use me Take my hands, Lord And my feet Touch my heart, Lord And speak through me If You can use anything Lord You can use me. And they'll know we are Christians by our love. That was a fun one to sing.

The Isaiah passage that states "Here I am, Lord, send me!" was also very inspirational.

Global Gathering Through Pictures - The Instagram Edition

My bags all ready to go on Friday night!

This is where I get off of I 70 west to head north up to Anderson, at exit 115! I know the drive so well, I think I could do it in my sleep lol

First thing you see when you walked into the Wellness Center

First service of day two of the Global Gathering!

The entrance to Kardatzke Wellness Center, the main location for the Gathering

Day 2, service 2. Two down, two to go!

Miller Chapel during the bilingual French English service, which was service three of the day. I really need to work on my French skills.

Worship service number four for day two of Global Gathering. Wow, that's a lot of people!

The process of taking global communion. Awesome experience. I love the CHOG!

First worship of day three of the Global Gathering, from the other side of the sanctuary from where I had been sitting.

Listening to a singer from the Cayman Islands during the second service of day number three.

The Global Expo!

Mama and I are ready for round three of worship on the third day of the CHOG Global Gathering!

Singing after commissioning our missionaries during service three of day three!

The newly opened Church of God Interpretive Center. Amazing, especially for this little history nut!

Filing in for the 1:30 pm service on day four. We decided to skip the morning service.

Last service of this amazing experience known as the Global Gathering for the CHOG Anderson!

My Weekend Plans

I will be attending the Global Gathering, the Church of God (Anderson)'s world conference!

I'm really excited. My grandmother took me in 1999 (it was in Birmingham England that year) but I was 17 and in my rebellious phase so I don't feel like I took that much from it. Honestly, I don't remember attending more than one or two worship services. So when they announced that it was going to be in Anderson, where our church's headquarters are, this year, I practically registered on the spot.

I'll be leaving early Saturday morning to get there around noon or 1 pm and I'll return late Tuesday night. Four days of worship and fellowship with fellow CHOGers from around the world. There's going to be music, and a Global Expo of all the ministries we have all over the world (which I'm especially interested in), and of course several worship services and plenary sessions every day with speakers from around the world. There's going to be regional receptions and speakers from Christians Broadcasting Hope (radio ministry that has stations all over the world!) Sunday night, we'll participate in a global communion, and there's also a French-English worship service (which I'm really looking forward to!) They've also got a few 'connectors' planned where we can participate in service projects.

Told you I was excited. :) My bag's mostly packed and I've got directions, schedules, and lodgings all figured out.

Just have to get through two more days of work and then I get a vacation with my church family!

Titus 3:1-11

So in my reading of the New Testament (currently in Hebrews!), I came across a passage in Titus that I have found myself reading and re-reading. So I figured it deserved a post :)

Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men. For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men. But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.

                  Titus 3:1-11 (NASB, bold added)

Today's Bible Verse

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)

In other words, my recent mantra -- Worry less. Pray more.