Transformations II: The Glory Spreads Conference Report
July saw two extraordinary conferences in Cardiff and Birmingham and the premiere of the long-anticipated sequel to the Transformations video. Separate premieres were held in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
George Otis, Alistair Petire, Steve Fry, John Mulinde (Uganda) and Ruth Ruibal (Cali, Columbia), were joined by Roger Mitchell, Rachel Hickson, Donald John Smith and Mrs Jean Blanshard (Hebridean revival) from our own Islands, to impart to us with two days of teaching, testimony, questions and answers and prayer for our nation.
From the start at Birmingham, it was clear that this was no ordinary conference. There was a hunger and even a sense of desperation in the air as we sat down to listen to the principles and testimonies of transformation. "Can it happen here?" was the unspoken plea.
Participants at the Birmingham Conference
John Mulinde challenged us to repent that we have not been the church God has intended us to be. For us to see revival, he said, we need to offer ourselves afresh to God and make a new covenant with Him and with the land: Whether I live or whether I die, my town, my city, my nation, these Islands, this continent, will be saved.
Rachel Hickson continued the theme with "The Hannah Hour". Speaking from her personal experience, she challenged us to desire to see fruit rather than settle for blessings, even a double portion. God wants to break the barreness of the nation, but it will cost us. Are we willing to give God permission to trouble us so that we conceive in us a Hannah desperation for our nation?
A time of prayer followed with many making a new covenant to the land, some for the first time.
It was difficult to take the breaks, but when we reconvened for the opening premiere, it was as if we had picked up where we left off.
The sequel video is awesome and you must watch it, but even more awesome was the effect it had on the conference. All around the auditorium, people began weeping, some falling on their knees, crying out to God for forgiveness, others pleading with God for our nation. For a moment in time, heaven and earth met as God's heart and the heart of His people became one. Time was of no consequence as the majority of us heeded the call from Ruth's 23 year old daughter to stay a little longer into the night in prayer and intercession.
George taught on the seven characteristics of a true ministry, from his new book, 'God's Trademarks'; Alistair on ten factors why revival does not tarry; and Steve Fry gave a very powerful message on Pride. The Speakers' Panel took on some tough questions from participants.
Finally, 81 year old Donald John Smith shared his recollections of the Lewis revival and Mrs Jean Blanshard riveted the audience with her humble portrayal of her work in the Hebridean Revival. God met with us!
Left to Right: Jean Blanshard (Hebrides), George Otis Jr., Alistair Petrie,
Ruth Ruibal (Cali, Columbia), Donald John Smith (Hebrides), Roger Mitchell (Passion UK).
Conference audio sets are available from The Resource Centre