8 Things I Saw, Felt, and Heard at the Acts 29 Global Gathering
Last week I spent some time in Orlando, Florida at Acts 29's Global Gathering. Acts 29 is a global church planting network, of which myself and New City Church is a part. It was a wonderful time away and a special time in so many ways.
Here are 8 things I saw, felt, and heard at the Acts 29 Global Gathering.
1. I have never been to any other conference like it
As a church planter and pastor, I've been to my fair share of ministry conferences, gatherings, trainings, etc. That said, the Global Gathering was unlike anything I have ever been to. As I'll share in the points to follow, it was truly unique.
I was told by many before we went (that attended the previous Global Gathering in 2017) that it's really a special time and something you don't want to miss. They were right.
2. The worship was special, unique, and global
Not only was the band comprised of people from different countries and ethnicities, but the songs we sang were as well. We sang songs in other languages, sang English songs in various genres, and got to experience how our different cultures worship.
Interestingly, I was more moved at times by attempting to sing a non-English song and not fully knowing what I was saying than singing songs that I knew. Experiencing a fuller picture of how God is the God of every nation and tongue was quite powerful.
3. Hearing preaching through a translator was a neat and much-needed experience
For one of our main sessions, the speaker preached and spoke in Portuguese with an English translator. As an American (and an English speaker), this was an eye-opening experience. Typically this happens in reverse. As we take mission trips or preach, teach, and/or communicate with others, it is often English speakers (and particularly Americans since many of us do not speak any other languages) who have translators with us.
It was a helpful thing to see what it is like to be the one translated to.
4. I'm thankful for new and strengthened relationships
One of the great joys of being a part of Acts 29 is the relationships the come from it. Learning and spending time with other pastors and ministry leaders is a real blessing. It was also a treat to have Christina at this gathering as she was able to meet many of the people I have met over the past couple of years, as well as connect with other pastor's wives.
These relationships are what is most helpful during difficult and discouraging times. It's also great to learn from and encourage one another as we all work to help people meet Jesus and grow in a relationship with him.
5. The conference was full of men AND women
For those who are familiar with the language, Acts 29 is a complementarian network. This means that we believe that men and women are equally gifted and needed for families and churches to flourish and that best happens when godly men lead in the servant model leadership that Jesus did and modeled for us.
Interestingly, the vast (and by vast, I mean all) majority of church leadership conferences I have been to have been comprised of 80% or more of men (which also means the men's line for the restroom is always really long).
This was not so at our Global Gathering. At this conference 40% of the attendees were women. 40%. And there were women who were platformed and spoke from the main stage as well.
That may not seem like a big deal to you, but I have never seen anything like it at any ministry conference I have been to.
6. It was a Global conference in deed, not just in name
Acts 29 currently has 800 churches as a part of the network in 52 countries. There were people from 45 of those countries at the Global Gathering. Just like the band, the speakers were as diverse as our network itself.
As I mentioned, our worship was global, the speakers were global, those attending our gathering were global. Acts 29 truly is a global church planting network. In fact, it is because of Acts 29 that we originally got connected with our partner church in Los Chilitos, Guatemala. That was possible, of course, because of the global nature of our network.
It really was like a small piece of what the Kingdom of God will be like being at a gathering of 1,300 people from all over the world.
7. I'm extremely grateful for Acts 29
It's such a joy and a privilege to be a part of a network that honors and loves Jesus above all else. There wasn't a hint of viewing our network or our churches as better or superior than others (in fact, we prayed that we would be a network known for our love and cooperation with other churches).
It's also amazing to be a part of something so global. Acts 29 isn't a global network that has mostly churches in the United States and just a few in other countries and then calls itself global. Acts 29 has churches in 52 countries speaking 35 different languages. Acts 29 also has specific initiatives for churches in Muslim contexts, rural contexts, and churches in hard places (i.e. urban contexts and places where finances and resources will always be a challenge and where living can be costly and dangerous).
To be able to experience such diversity at our Global Gathering was a special privilege.
8. I'm trying too hard
As great as our gathering was, I also walked away with a personal conviction; I'm trying too hard. I don't mean that I shouldn't work hard or do all that I can for New City and the various ministry-related things I am involved in. This doesn't mean I need to be doing less. But it does mean that my focus and security needs to shift.
Often times I am worried about doing what I can to help our church and others not just for the sake of the Gospel, but also to ensure that New City will be ok. After all, we are still a young church (just over two years old) and so there is still a very real financial need (among other things) that we face.
It doesn't mean I ignore these very real realities, but it does mean that I trust God more in the midst of what I do. It means that I want people to meet Jesus and grow in relationship with him for their own good and not also for the good of New City. It means I continue to work hard, but trust (and rest in) that God is on his throne and he will take care of his church. After all, like all churches, New City is his church.
Want to connect with Acts 29?
If you're interested in learning more about, connecting with, or planting churches through Acts 29, I'd love to connect with you. Feel free to send me an email, or click here to learn more about Acts 29.
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