Togwell's Moving Report on Our Gathering in London - 28 Sep 2006
As the laughter at another of Brian Heasley’s crazy mission-stories subsided, he paused, looking around at the 45-or-so friends from Sweden and the States, South Africa, Ireland and Switzerland, Germany and Spain (and others I’ve forgotten). “You know, telling people about Jesus isn’t a challenge,” he said softly. “It’s living a life that attracts people to Jesus that is the challenge.”
 Jaz Jacob, Spain
 Carla Trundle, UK
 Jonah, Spain
 Etienne, Sth Africa
 Andrea Percy, UK
 Steve, Ibiza
 Joe Steinke, USA
 Dave B, USA
 Alec, Macedonia
 Susanna, Switz
 Doc, UK
 Karen, Canada
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Two weeks ago, I was in the City of London Boiler Room, listening to Brian Heasley talk about ‘mission’, and Andy Freeman talk about ‘justice’, as part of 24-7prayer’s 3-day annual Round Table (to find out more about the purpose of the 24-7prayer Round Table and International Leaders Gathering (ILG) look here).
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Someone asked me today how I would describe the RT/ILG week… and I replied: "inspiring and challenging, sometimes breath-taking, shocking even, a place to belong, home, frantic and rushed, soft and safe as pillows, fun, friendly, frightening, bewildering… (where is this thing going?), fulfilling… (I love where this thing is!), wild and untamed, infectious… and yet, in many ways, the RT/ILG isn’t what 24-7prayer is about at all. Meetings? A stage? A band and speakers? Programmes? Inward? A week of contradiction and paradox."
“It is the kindness of God that attracts people to Jesus, not the threat of judgement,”
So continued Brian. “To be kind is to be missional.” He told stories of the kindness that the Ibiza team have shown on the crowded, drunken, colourful streets of San An. "Being kind is to be a blessing.” continued Brian. He told stories of the kindness that the 24-7Ibiza team have shown on the crowded, drunken, colourful streets of San An. Being kind is to be a blessing. “To be missional is also to go,” he added. “Abraham went, and we must too.” There is a strong sense that 24-7prayer is building more, going more, sowing and seeding more intentionally. Which is probably inevitable as we seek (first) the Kingdom of God together.
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Spilling out from their upper room prayer-time encounter with Holy Spirit, the Pentecost disciples were propelled into immediate mission. And that prayer-encounter-mission (inevitably) produced fruit. Unexpectedly, thousands joined-in and became believers in Jesus on that day alone. In the days and weeks that followed, the building and sowing and intentional seeding increased. Communities formed in homes. People were set-apart for specific tasks… and eventually to take the message beyond the immediate location (Acts 13). Such is the way of the Kingdom of God. Andy Freeman (right) followed Brian's call to mission with an unexpected echo. 'To be just.' he said, 'is to be kind'. How kind are we towards one another? Mission and justice, formed in us in prayer. Unselfish kindness. I loved so much of our few days together in central London… …eating and talking with Angie and Joe Steinke in The Prophet bar, in Worship Street, swapping stories and family-anecdotes and reflections on how-we-hear-God. After that meal, they came to stay with Emma and I – it was a privilege to host them, and to share a few whiskeys and late night conversations with them, …listening to Carla preach her heart out, calling the movement to prayer and not simply to prayer rooms, …listening to friends tell extraordinary stories of God-at-work in each …admiring Jonah’s show-off Mac-presentation of the significant changes to the 24-7prayer International framework… pruning and adjustment for the sake of growth, …having Emma drop in with Megan, Poppy and Angel (and with cakes) a few times. I love that they love 24-7prayer, and that people love them, …talking and dreaming about monastic community life with different …being prayed for by Andreas and Magnus, and sensing that God really did know me, and know my hopes and dreams… and want them too! “John’s letters are all about Love. It really is that simple,” explained Pete Greig on the last night of the Round Table: |
nation… the student prayer rooms across 70 American universities, the 20-bedroom school base for the 24-7community in Germany, 1200 people prayed for on the streets of Ibiza, the Salvation Army praying non-stop in New Zealand, literally hundreds of 24-7prayer rooms (not to mention prayer-trees and prayer-rocks!?) in South Africa,
people. Finding so many friends, from all over the world, who are searching for a similar new-rhythm to their spiritual-life. And feeling like it was ok to do so.
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"Without Love, our values are at best meaningless, and at worst damaging… death even. Mission without Love is undignified and patronising and all about numbers. Justice without Love is merciless and unforgiving and often violent. Creativity without Love is arrogant and pretentious and self-centred. Hospitality without Love is begrudging, ungrateful and bitter. Learning without Love is puffed-up, proud and disconnected. And Prayer without Love is manipulative and formulaic. Money and buildings and great stories and prophecies and healing and popularity and networks and whatever else… without Love, it’s all meaningless, irritating noise. God, help us love one another…"
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