Celebration Update May 2008

Dear Celebrators,

Celebration Summer is less than two months away! It is exciting to hear about what is happening in some parts of the world, like the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Lakeland, Florida (If you want to see some video clips, click here). It is also heart-wrenching as we watch the suffering on our TVs of hundreds of thousands in Burma, and now the recent earthquake in China. We are living in times when we need to prepare for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ!


The Spirit and Power of Elijah

John the Baptist was commissioned to prepare the way for the first coming of Jesus:

'And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous – to make ready a people prepared for the Lord' (Luke 1:17).

Today, as we prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus, that same spirit is on us.

Elijah repaired (the Hebrew word literally means 'healed') the altar of the Lord. He built it with twelve stones, one for each tribe, although the nation at that time was divided. He was prophetically declaring that Israel would again be one nation. Today, as in Israel, there is so much division in the 'holy nation', the church. Our hearts, like Elijah's, need to cry out for a unity of the Spirit. Whatever is in our power to do, to heal and unite, it is important in the run-up to this Celebration that we do it. Let us not come with any division in our own hearts. For the sake of all that Jesus did on the Cross, let us deal with anything that we feel uncomfortable with, forgiving and being forgiven.

Elijah then soaked the altar in water three times. Like John after him, he was baptising in water. It is as far as man can go. This baptism is saying 'I can't do anything in my own strength, I need You, Lord'. It is a baptism for the forgiveness of sins. It is a baptism of repentance. This again is part of our preparation in coming to Celebration Summer.

When Elijah's offering was prepared, God sent the fire in answer to his urgent prayer;

'Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, O Lord are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again' (1 Kings 18:37).

This was a prayer to turn the hearts of a nation back to God! This is revival! This is our prayer for Wales, for the whole of Korea, for the nations. We need the fire to come on us as we offer up our lives. It is then that people will see the power of God. They will see it in the lives that are given to the One who baptises in fire.

After the fire, Elijah heard the sound of heavy rain. He prostrated himself in prayer and worship, and would not give up until his servant saw the cloud the size of a man's hand. It was then that the Lord sent the deluge. We, too, can hear in our hearts that sound of heavy rain. We must not give up until we see the rain that will heal the land and save the people.

Practical

* At the invitation of Revival Korea, Gail will be in Korea 21st May - 3rd June. Please pray for her father who is critically ill in hospital at the moment.

We now have a backstop venue for London, though we are still looking for somewhere more Central. Thanks for your prayers.

* We have one more placement for teams to go to in Birmingham. People are considering receiving teams in Bridgend and other locations. Please pray for more placements in Wales.

* Pray for Welsh young people to join the three week Celebration Summer training.

* Help us make the opening week and the three week training known. If you need more literature just email us or phone 01554-778035.


Volunteers

This is a call for help! We need volunteers to help the Celebration run smoothly. If you are attending, and would be willing to serve in some way, please do get in touch. Below are some of the ways we need your help:

9th - 13th July :

Some volunteers to come early and help with anything that needs doing, preparing the venue and sleeping accommodation, photo-copying, buying food, etc.

13th -18th July :

- Stewards (you will still be in the meetings, but be helping people get seated and watching for safety issues).

- Drivers If you are attending the Celebration and will have a car with you, would you be willing to do a few trips to bus and train stations?

- Sandwich fillers etc. Giving an hour or so before meetings to help prepare food, and maybe help serve it at lunchtime.

- Local guides. If you know the area and can help people find where they are staying etc. we really need you!!

- I'll do anything to help people. These are the best of all! God bless you!


19th -26th July :

- Celebration Summer continues in North Dock. If you are willing to help with catering/transport please get in touch.


admin@celebrationforthenations.org

Some of you may have tried to email us on this address, and the email bounced. Sorry! It is now working, so please do use this email to register and also to volunteer. If you have written to us before on this address, could you please re-send. Thanks.

Yours in prayer for His Kingdom to come on Earth as it is in Heaven,

Gail and the Celebration Team.