ABC Conference

The conference was wonderful. It was so nice to meet other pastors from all over the world. There are now about twenty ABC (Association of Bridge Churches) churches. People came from England, Honduras, Canada and across the United States. There will be one opening in Hawaii. It was enjoyable to meet new people and see friends we haven’t seen in a while.

The couple from England, Dwee and Tony, were simply delightful and extremely funny. They kept us laughing the whole week. I’m afraid from now on I’ll be saying, “Oh that’s just lovely.” Amy and Robert are missioners from Honduras working to start a training center in Honduras. It was great to encourage them and spend time getting to know them better. Michael and Elisha are friends from Alabama. Elisha is delightful, smart and funny. She gave us more than a few chuckles. It was great to see old friends, like Greg and Patty, Eric and Joanie (another charming and funny gal), Scott, Recie, Jim, Amanda and Mike, and last but definitely not least, John Paul and Diane. I give a special shout out to Mike and Amanda who put the conference together. They did a great job and it was their first time.

There were different speakers; my husband was among them. Tom gave a passionate message about how Streams had a positive impact on the life of our church. He spoke encouragement and hope for the future to the other pastors. I thought he did a great job. Others spoke about the different resources Streams has to offer. John Paul’s messages were inspiring to me because it confirmed what God has been doing in my heart. I came away with a hunger for more of God’s presence in my life. Ministry times were life giving for people who have been going through hard times. It was great to see the healing that took place.

It wasn’t all business. Thursday was a day of fun. The ladies went shopping and the men went bowling. We also went to a rodeo. I had a great time. I’ve never been to a rodeo but I definitely would go back. I’m encouraged by the passion for God I’ve seen this week. It was exciting to hear about what God is doing around the world. Our days were very full and I’m tired, but it was all good.

© Nadine Z. 2008

Citywide Prayer Update: Tonight we gathered at one of the biggest churches in town and it was so encouraging. All the pastors got up kneeled and prayed for repentance for sins of the pastors. There was prayer for individual repentance. There was prayer for healing of the land. The turnout I heard is somewhere around the thousand mark. Even though I was tired, I was encouraged by how well this is progressing.