Moving of God at Annual Conference in Brazil

I just have to write and tell you of God’s amazing power and goodness in response to the prayers of many. Our Annual Conference was a blessing. The opening service was a great time of fellowship, ending with a huge rainstorm and power outage. Pastor Joel from Bateias finished his sermon with a flashlight and everyone faced a few challenges in getting home in the downpour of rain.

Saturday was the day for business meetings and elections. The new council elected is composed of men from various churches and cities. The afternoon ended on a sad note, however, as old disagreements were aired and reconciliation was not complete. The time of silent prayer following the meetings prepared the way for the miracle God was working in human hearts.

Our Saturday night service was a blessing with much singing, presentations by the choir and a wonderful message from God’s Word. Yet, many hearts were heavy. Then Sunday morning dawned, a day for new beginnings. Near the beginning of the service pastor Jaime, president of the AFLC in Brazil, made his way to the pulpit and publicly asked for forgiveness for the hurtful things that had transpired during the last two years. The service continued with a wonderful message that Paul had prepared about perseverance in God’s work and total trust in Him to fulfill our calling. The Communion service was a special time as well. However, the best was yet to come.

At the end of the service one of the former council members came to the front and shared from his heart a sincere confession of sin accompanied by several Scripture passages and a heartfelt plea for forgiveness from people he and others and judged hastily in the past. His sharing opened the door for others to follow suit. The tears of sadness I had shed on Saturday were transformed into tears of joy as I witnessed the obvious working of the Holy Spirit bringing His people to repentance and forgiveness and restored unity.

The service Sunday ended with the congregation extending their hands to bless and pray for all the pastors in the front of the church. As we sang the final song men of God who had been estranged from one another came together in godly embraces, signs of forgiveness and reconciliation. It is truly a MIRACLE when stubborn pride is transformed into loving humility.

We are believing that 2007 will be a great year as we look to Jesus and work together for His glory!

Thank you for praying!
Paul and Becky