News Archive
Day 11 (Friday)
What a privilege Zoe and I feel at being part of this conference. It has been truly extraordinary. There’s no doubt that at Willow, along with the satellite sites, plus other international venues to host this in the fall (sorry, Autumn), we have been part of the most significant, far-reaching leadership event on the planet, impacting around 100 thousand leaders. Today was unbelievably powerful; a range of speakers who were sharing their stories and principles, from Chuck Colson to a 31 year old woman called Catherine Rohr who mesmerised me with her bold leadership. She is a Wall Street high flyer who became a Christian and felt a call to set up a scheme called the prison entrepreneurship programme. To see former murderers, gangsters and drug dealers share their new found faith and their business ventures was just inspirational. Stories; changed lives; tips and principles; candour and courage; and definitely information overload. Will all take time to process.The media and music have also been outstanding. Laughter and tears in almost equal measure have been much in evidence. Went back stage with our hosts afterwards to see Willow behind the scenes. Unless you see it you would never believe it. The production values and attention to detail are the equal of the West End. Yet whilst the resources, and scale here could easily make guys like me feel totally intimidated - cos’ the place is like fantasy land – I don’t feel that, in fact the power in all this is to do with being part – big, small, rich or poor – of the greatest movement for transformation and love on earth. Just wonderful stuff.
“In you I trust, O my God” (Ps 24:2a). How do you know if you really trust God? I mean, really? Here’s a thought: if you can say ‘whatever the question is Lord the answer is yes,’ then you trust God. This is carte blanche yieldedness; it is the place of wanting to refuse Him nothing; it is to allow God to rock our world; and it is the most exciting place to be imaginable.