Celebration Update April 2011
Being a Voice
The voice of Jesus is described by John like the sound of rushing waters (Revelation 1:15). Later in Revelation, the voice of the overcoming Bride when she bursts out in praise to the Lord is again described as like the roar of rushing waters (Revelation 19:6). We have the same voice as our beloved Saviour! We are called to be God’s voice on earth. He has put the living water within us, and it is there to overflow to bless others. As we worship him the waters will break out!
The Greek word that is used for sound and roar of the rushing waters is the same one; phone pronounced fona. It has the meaning of light as well as sound. It is the same word used on the day of Pentecost, when the crowd were drawn because of the sound. The sound and the light flowing through the disciples from heaven, meant 3000 gave their hearts to Jesus in one day! As we echo the sounds of heaven in our worship and prayer and evangelism, there is light (heaven’s light) as well as sound; and people will come!
It reminds me of the vision that I had that started Celebration for the Nations. I saw water the colour of sapphire. Yet what was amazing to me was that the light was coming from within it. It was not reflected light from this earth. The water was carrying heaven’s light.
The Lord has given us a precious gift, our voice. Let us make sure that we use it to be full of life giving water carrying heaven’s light.
New worship teams
We are delighted that a new YWAM-based Korean worship team called One Voice can join us this summer. One Voice means that all nations, people, and tribes worship God together with their own music and culture, not losing their uniqueness but one voice like an orchestra. Their vision is very similar to that of Celebration. They focus on traditional Korean music to worship the Lord with other nations and we believe that they will help us to continue to re-open the ancient wells. Also another worship team, Father’s Love, was supposed to join us this year but due to the injury of team members, they’re not sure they can come. Please pray that this team can join us to worship and celebrate together.
We are also joined by an amazing Latin American team Remanente Londres (Remnant London) whom we met in the London Celebration last year. They are a very anointed group and will bring a Latin flavour to our worship helping to truly make this a Celebration for the Nations!
Mizoram and the Khasi Hills
A couple of weeks ago we had a visit from Pastor Miller, who is from Mizoram and working in the Khasi Hills. Both these areas were greatly blessed by the 1904 Welsh Revival. The Khasi Hills experienced a fresh outpouring in 2006 which gave us great hope as we were preparing for our first Celebration in 2007. Pastor Miller later wrote to me:
When I heard about your vision of Gathering Worshippers around the world especially for those who have been blessed through Welsh Revival of 1904, the Lord had prepared me to hear that news which I waited for a long time without knowing how it is going to be like. My spirit was just lifted up when you shared .... I know that I will be with you in these events that will take place as we said even if it may not be possible this year.
Soon after my return from Britain I had a fruitful Crusade in Dalu, Garo Hills near Bangladesh border. Hundreds of young and old gave their lives to Christ to be missionaries for Jesus.
We are also privileged to receive around 12 people from Mizoram this year at the Celebration. They are starting a 40-day fast for the UK during the Celebration.
St Elli
Thank you to those of you who have been standing with us for this property that we (Nations) are wanting to buy. Last time I wrote we had been told that the property had been offered to someone else who had offered more money than we have. We continued to pray, believing that the Lord has kept this building for us. The vendors have now come back to us, and asked us if we can increase our offer. We have now done that, offering £190,000. Please pray that they accept this, and stand with us for all the money to come in. It is so encouraging to us that we now have more than £110,000!
Ireland
Pray for the Celebration Mobile Team as they go to Ireland 6th - 16th May. There may be an Irish worship team to discover there for the Celebration. Pray too that they would be used to help unblock the ancient Celtic wells of blessing between Ireland and Wales, and that the Celtic nations would again bless the world.
New volunteer
We have a new volunteer who will help us set up Celebration this year! Ally is already here helping us and also Christine is coming some time in May to help our administration. Please pray for them to adapt themselves well to a new environment and not only work but also enjoy walking with God.
Ally- Hello! I’m a new administrator in the Celebration team and it’s great to be in Wales again. Administration is new for me so please pray for me that I can become accustomed to this environment and work well and be confident. Thank you!
Accommodation
This year we’re having more worship team and people so it’s quite urgent to make sure that we have enough accommodation for all people. Please continue to pray with us for more accommodation.
We would also value your prayer for 2013, the seventh Celebration for the Nations. We need to start preparing for this now in prayer, in giving, in planning.
May our voices join like a roar of rushing waters blessing the nations!
In Christ
Gail
