It was refreshing to be at our biennial national conference
held this year in The Capital City, Ottawa, ON.
In its inner core, Ottawa is a
truly beautiful city. For much that surrounds the downtown, well, not so much.
But that is another story.
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| View from Conference Centre.. |
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| Ottawa Conference Centre |
As a Canadian, it was gratifying to me to be able to walk
around and explore a square kilometer filled with history and significance. From
the locks of the Rideau Canal to the Parliament Square to the Remembrance
Memorial and everything in between I
embraced the fact that this was My Ottawa, and not merely a place that I visit.
And at the root of it all was a vision that He would have dominion from Sea to
Sea.
About the conference itself, well it was great. The speakers
were great. The worship was well led and it all just seemed to build.
Some
highlights.....well first was a segment regarding Reconciliation. This addressed
the legitimate grievances and wounds of our aboriginal brothers and sisters and
there was an exchange from both sides that was deep, authentic and simply powerful.
I very much appreciate the leadership of my colleague Jaz Ghag in bringing it
about. Read More Here..
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| Reconcilation. David Wells addresses our Aboriginal leaders |
There was the honoring of David and Norma Jean Mainse for 50
years of groundbreaking ministry. It was gratifying to see these wonderful people
honored by their brothers and sisters.
Another highlight?
Well it was the final service where missionary speaker Dick Brogden talked about three kinds
of martyrdoms and about living dead. Deep, simple, to the point and unspeakably
powerful. As the Mission Canada team debriefed afterwards about the conference, many of us mentioned this service specifically as the highlight of the conference.
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| My new colleague Jessica Sabatino addresses the conference. |
This was not just about people coming together to sing songs
and hear stuff. This was coming together to renew our vision as a national
movement, reconnect with each other as family and to chart our course together into the future. I was impressed
with our national leaders, Murray Cornelius ( international missions ), David
Hazzard ( Fellowship Services ) and Dave Wells, our General Superindent, who
put his stamp all over the conference.
