The time spent worshipping the Lord, hearing God’s Word and enjoying fellowship, plus good weather for the entire Conference, made for a fulfilling and blessed time. Approximately 100 people registered with many extra day and evening visitors, and more on Saturday and Sunday.
Each day began with early morning prayer, followed by four sessions—two in the morning, one in the afternoon and one in the evening. The theme of the conference was: The Church at Christ’s Checkpoint.
There was real expectation and an eagerness to hear the Word of God.
Meetings started promptly at 9am with wonderful singing of inspiring songs and hymns, and lovely worshipful music by the musicians. The conference’s main thrust was teaching the truth from the Word of God. All the messages blended well together.
In the first session Philip Powell introduced all the speakers and then brought his message entitled, Walking in the Truth - the biblical checkpoint in John's gospel and epistles.
The next session was by Paul Wilkinson of the UK who commenced a series on An introduction to Christian Palestinianism - Standing on the Shoulders of Goliath. He showed video clips of many well-known groups and leaders, including Christians, speaking out against Israel. His messages alerted us to the true situation in Palestine and how the entire world, including the so-called “church”, is turning against Israel. He reported on the Sabeel Conference in Jerusalem, where he witnessed firsthand the error being taught about Israel and the land. Later in the Conference Paul spoke at an evening meeting on The Palestinian Jesus – how evangelicals are reinterpreting the Bible; and twice more on The Church’s boycott of Israel – the fruit of Replacement Theology; and The set time has come (Psalm 102:13), which was the message that concluded the Conference.
At the first afternoon session Lionel Letcher from Victoria spoke on Every believer, a workman before God .
The church is not living what is being read or being taught. You can know the truth and still not live correctly. However to walk correctly we have to know the truth of God's Word. Lionel also spoke on Saturday evening on The spiritual believer – learning to think the thoughts of God.
Thursday evening meeting saw the numbers swell. Paul Cohen, director of Ariel Ministries in Australia, spoke on Daniel 9:25-26 & Matthew 16:16 – Is Jesus the Jewish Messiah or only the Church’s Christ? His other messages were The King without a land is a Church without a promise and Is Israel’s current return to the land in Bible prophecy?
The Friday morning session was taken by Laurie Cornish from NZ speaking on Learners becoming Teachers – the maturing process (Hebrews 5:12-14 & 6: 2-3). He stressed the importance of disciplining new Christians and helping them become mature and strong in the things of God.
Mark Mullins from the UK also spoke on Friday morning on Witnessing at Work and Leisure – Salt & Light . Prior to his talk Mark had been invited to address a group of Christian Lawyers in Brisbane. Mark’s other message was Worshipping the Lord in spirit and truth. The only way we can worship God truly is to die to self.
At the afternoon session Bob Bailey from NZ brought a message on The Ultimate Checkpoint - Crossing the finishing line. Before we reach the end it is important to have developed a relationship with the Lord based on “love and truth” so that we can walk triumphantly forward and hear those words “Well done good and faithful servant…”
Each speaker gave a distinctive and challenging message, based on God’s Word. We saw that it is very important for us as part of “the remnant church”, to realise the significance of Israel in these last days, and how urgently we need to pray for Israel.
The Conference concluded with a breaking of bread service – The Lord’s Table – during which time we sang an unscheduled rendition of The Holy City. In this IT age, with recently installed broadband access to the internet at CWM-Fellowship where the Conference was held, Jeff Pitman and his musical team managed to source the words and music at short notice:
Last night as I lay sleeping,
there came a dream so fair,
I stood in old Jerusalem,
Beside the temple there.
I heard the children singing,
And ever as they sang,
Me thought the voice of angels,
From Heav’n in answer rang;
Me thought the voice of angels,
From Heav’n in answer rang:
—Jerusalem! Jerusalem!
Lift up your gates and sing,
Hosanna in the highest,
Hosanna to your King!
(Words: Frederick E. Weatherly, 1892. Music: Michael Maybrick [1])
Pastor Philip Powell who is well known for his singing “inability” did his best in leading the congregation through all three verses, while we did our best to drown out his voice.
This conference was a time of getting to know people from many parts of Australia and from New Zealand and Great Britain. The BBQ lunch put on by the church fellowship after the final meeting on Sunday afternoon, was a great time and was much appreciated.
We were all greatly blessed and refreshed by the ministry and fellowship and trust that something similar can be put on somewhere next year.
Bob & Helen live in Te Kauwhata, North Waikato. They have two adult children, Stephen and Debbie, who is married to Philip. They have two granddaughters, and are now retired from pastoring churches. They enjoy attending a small fellowship in Thames. Bob takes opportunities when he is asked, to speak in churches around New Zealand. He is the NZ agent for Bill Randles’ Ministry
