On May 23rd to the 25th we witnessed the love and the power of God in its maximum splendor. The "Festival of the Americas 2008" was a success. Approximately 700 people from 18 International Churches of Christ in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico were united with the desire to be strengthened and to be multiplied in Christ Jesus.
Editor's Note: This article was originally published on the website of the Boston Church of Christ.
On May 23rd to the 25th we witnessed the love and the power of God in its maximum splendor. The "Festival of the Americas 2008" was a success. Approximately 700 people from 18 International Churches of Christ in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico were united with the desire to be strengthened and to be multiplied in Christ Jesus.
The conference began Friday with a powerful leadership workshop where more than 100 leaders shared lessons and had discussion groups. The purpose of the workshop was to continue coaching one another in our work for God. Following the workshop we all enjoyed a succulent lunch together.
Friday night we had our grand opening ceremony. We sang wonderful praises to God. We cheered during a parade of flags from 23 Latin-American countries. Finally we were inspired by a powerful message from Rafael Lua, evangelist of Los Angeles. All this was framed in a great fellowship that delighted all equally.
On Saturday we enjoyed videos, classes, devotionals, a Latin America Mission Report and a presentation from HOPE in Mexico. After the HOPE presentation we collected $6,872.80 for this noble cause. That night, at the John Hancock Hall in Boston we trembled before the music and feast of the "Spanish Band" that delighted all with a vibrant Christian concert.
On Sunday we celebrated the closure of the conference with a powerful bilingual service along with all the members of the Boston Church of Christ. More than 2,200 people praised God, shared the Lord’s Supper, and listened to the word of God being preached openly. Disciples from the Teen and Campus Ministries did a performance reminding us of the love and power of God and His victories set against evil. Wyndham Shaw and Mark Buchholz, elders in the Boston Church, introduced two disciples in the Spanish Region as elder candidates.
Without a doubt the facilities of the Marriott Hotel were flooded with the flavor and heart of Latin Americans. Certainly this was an unforgettable, historic and radical weekend for each one of us. We will carry this same Christian zeal to all those that do not have a relationship with God yet.
Again, we thank everyone who, in one way or another, extended their services for the benefit of the "Festival." To you ... thanks so much! Without your devotion and effort the "Festival" would not have been the same. Because of it ... "I thank my God every time I remember you" (Philippians 1:3).
We pray for continual spiritual strengthening and radical Christian multiplication in our church, to let God know that we are thankful to live by His grace to do good deeds.