Recently I was debating going to this conference called Jesus Culture. "The conference is based on three principles: Encounter, Equip, Send. Our heart is to see a generation Encounter the presence of God and his radical love for them." - taken from their website. So I've had it on my heart to go. The ways I was sensing God telling me to go were just barely in the form of a whisper. Looking at my finances and how exhausted I was from travel it did not look like a good idea at all. I had been seeking to be more obedient to God's voice, so I decided to go in faith, trusting God to work out the details.
I arrived in Leicester with hours to kill before the registration for the conference opened up. After an hour at a coffee shop, I decided to go check out the venue. When I entered, bypassing the signs that read "Do not come in before 5PM!", I met a girl running around getting things in order. I explained that I had no where to be as I didn't have a place to stay and would be more than happy to help out in any way I could. She started to suggest different hotels, which I had looked into and knew were too expensive. I told her how I felt like God was going to provide something and asked her name. "Faith", she said. Oh yes! - I just met FAITH and felt like that was God just encouraging me that I didn't need to worry about it.
Since they didn't need any help, I set off in search of a park bench to read. Walking along I prayed silently... Abba, I know you're going to work something out for a place for me to stay tonight. Could it be with some lovely people in their home? and could I please have a bed and a room to myself? That would be really nice. I grinned to myself wondering what could happen.
When I returned a few hours later, I registered for the conference with a lovely girl named Sarah. While I was storing my backpack, she came up to me and asked if I would like to stay in their spare bedroom. (!) We hadn't talked more than a couple of minutes and she was opening her home to me. Thank you Lord! I later found out that normally she and her husband, Davy, would have taken in someone from the conference, but this year they didn't yet offer the room. God was saving a place for me!
The conference got off to a great start with every young person engaging in worship. There were probably around 400 young people there all passionately pouring out their praise. I had come expecting this and just enjoyed every minute. The Jesus Culture band plays wonderfully - but their hearts for Jesus are what shined brighter than the unified instruments. The whole time the speakers were dynamic and relevant, bringing fresh ideas. We all felt the presence of God moving among us during this time. As epic as it all was, I kept thinking about the days that follow a conference like this and how it was up to me daily to make the choice to follow Jesus in this same way.
I was especially impacted by one of the teaching sessions with Kim Walker, a worship leader. She simply told her testimony. Kim spent a few years not leading worship at all and during that time focused on loving Jesus with all she had. She said that she still was attending a school at Bethel Church and working, but any spare moment she had was an opportunity to connect more with the Lord. Her singular obsession was Jesus. Above all she guard this connection with His Spirit in every decision she makes. Later God slowly started opening up the doors for her to sing publicly... and now many many people are being ushered into the presence of God through her music. The title of her session was "Living a Lifestyle of Worship" which is exactly what I left desiring to explore more deeply on my own.
Personally, I was encouraged over all. God refreshed my weary heart and gave me lots of words and promises to lift me up. He has continued to add to my vision for future discipleship schools and give me new dreams.
Also, I needed a ride back to London. Someone in the conference pointed me in the direction of a guy named Nick who lived in London. I asked if I could ride with him and without hesitation he said yes. God provided again!
In general, I'm reminded of how we, as the body of Christ, should be like this naturally. So often we ignore the verses that say to take in the traveler or stranger in the name of fear or "what if...?" Most of my time I am that stranger in need. I was so blessed by the hospitality of Sarah, Davy, and Nick in Leicester. Throughout my year I can say there are many times that I encounter the love of Jesus in people that are willing to take me in as their own. I look so forward to someday having a home where I can extend the same generosity to others! Mi casa es su casa!
