Be alert, be present... and be empowered

The recent Fresh Streams conference saw a strong call to commune with the Father, and be ready to follow the wind of the Spirit, reports Lois Delong 

"Forget about what's happened; don't keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new. It's bursting out! Don't you see it? There it is! I'm making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands." - Isaiah 43:18-19 (MSG)

The Fresh Streams Conference took place just over two weeks ago. More than 300 leaders from across the nation gathered at the Hayes Christian Conference Centre in Swanwick, Derbyshire from Monday 9 January to Wednesday 11 January 2023.  With it being my first Fresh Streams Conference, I was excited to spend time with God and other like-minded believers at the beginning of the year.

Worship was led by Florrie and Josh Bishop-Hall and the band, who lifted our eyes to Jesus over the three days. The very first of the talks featured Tarn Bright, CEO of Home For Good, based on Psalm 68:5-8 with a message titled, ‘Who Is The Lonely One?’ We were encouraged by Tarn to ‘unmask’ and to be a people who would choose to be uncomfortable and vulnerable, listening to the Holy Spirit and seeking to love and serve the needs of the marginalised in our church and local communities as Christ followers.

Steve Uppal closed the day off in Session Two with a word centred on Isaiah 43:18-19. We were encouraged to ‘Stop, Reset, Recalibrate, Release and Run,’ intentionally giving time to recognise all that God is doing around us. The charge was given to leaders to:

1. Know God
2. Know God’s ways
3. Know God’s big story and be people who God confides in (Psalm 25:14)

We started the conference with a call to go back to basics. God was simply inviting us into communion with Him. I was inspired by these small yet powerful reminders which enabled me to stop and remember my Maker. Having been deeply moved by all I encountered as the night drew to an end, I was enthused and filled with anticipation for what was to come the following day.

 

The dawning of day two started with morning prayers hosted by Renew Wellbeing, followed by a delicious breakfast spread and moments for conversation around the table with friends. Excitement from the previous day bubbled over; I was ready to embark on all that this new day had in store.

Hayley Young, the current President of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, opened up the third session with words from Revelation 21:1-7, speaking on the topic, ‘Empowered to be fully alive in God’s presence.’ Jesus came to bring us life, and life in abundance (John 10:10). Hayley simply reminded us that, ‘our God jumps into the mess and restores it,’ making all things new (Revelation 21:5), strongly relating to talks shared across the first day.

Tuesday afternoon featured a selection of seminars from great guests, with topics on mission in our communities to the young and old, to listening to the leading of the Lord and being digitally empowered. Mealtimes featured uplifting conversations and sparked the start of new friendships and connections.

In the evening on day two, Paul Harcourt began with a call to pursue the Father first, encouraging us not to settle and to keep pushing for renewal. As leaders, we need, ‘radical change,’ ‘God to take control’ and ‘fresh revelation’ empowered by the Holy Spirit. I spent a good amount of time mulling over this particular question posed by Paul; “Will we hold down our understanding, even tentatively, to let Him have His way?”

Andy Glover concluded our last day together with a message on Adaptive Leadership. In an ever-changing and fast-paced world, we must seek to be leaders who follow the wind of the Spirit. Times of challenge enables opportunities for growth and development. Andy encouraged us to be courageous as Joshua was, to learn to stand in uncomfortable places, to listen well, and to pursue transformation, enabling us to grow in maturity in Christ. Sometimes this will require us to learn as we go without a blueprint or a plan, but what an encouragement it is to know that God will never leave us.

The conference was a great reminder that there is beauty in simplicity. The invitation to commune with the Father is always available. Oftentimes, the busyness of life can overwhelm us if we let it, but there was a call; a call to pause, to listen first, and to meditate on God’s word. A call to consider our posture, moving from one of reactivity to one empowered by the Spirit, in His timing.

It was a fresh start, just like this New Year. My prayer is that we would not be too busy to miss what God is doing in, amongst, and around us and that we would move when He moves. 
 

Lois Delong lives and works in Lincoln. A member of Alive Church, Lincoln, she grew up in Edmonton Baptist Church in North London, and was a part of the Baptist Union Inspiring Leadership Programme in 2018. 

Next year's Fresh Streams national leadership conference takes place 15-17 January, 2024. The speakers are Joy Blundell, Mike Royal and Cris Rogers

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