Day Seven at CSU

...Interesting way to begin a new week. We were led in Praise and Worship by Keynote, but this group was mostly black. They have a very different culture and way of singing. We didn't connect with all the new songs and not many other whites did either, but it was still praise to God. But, the exciting thing happened next when we were led in teaching by Keith Battle who is the founding Pastor of Zion Church in Landover, MD. What a dynamic speaker. He taught from Romans 8:28-30, which is all about our calling and the fact God has chosen us to be ministers of the gospel. Theologically, he was right on target. He also showed us that with all trials, there is good. God doesn't give all trials or all good things, we need the mix to grow us.

We were also treated to a complete performance of "The Witnesses". It was the follow up to The Rock & The Rabbi musical drama we had seen in Tulsa. "Peter" was telling his story from Pentecost and many years following, including Paul's conversion and missionary journeys. After Peter told some of his story, it was followed by song. It was even better than the Rock & Rabbi.

Lunch was with some of the FamilyLife Staff followed by our afternoon sessions. The first one Hal attended was about reaching the black culture with blacks, not whites, and how different the cultures are. Philip Abode from Crossover Bible Church (church plant of Tulsa Bible Church) would love this guy. The second session discussed Ministry Partner Development.

Amy met all morning for Worship and Bible Study. This has been a great education for her to have worship for her age, not with adults. She even 'raised her hands' in worship (based on scripture the band shared) just like Pastor John Barnett taught us, with open hands, palms up in offering ourselves to God. She then helped with packing food for Africa. Her team of four packed 648 bags while all the kids combined packed over 66,000. She then had to hang with us the rest of the evening.

We met up with Charlotte's childhood pastor, Pastor Eugene Petersen last night. It was fun to hear them recall her parents involvement in the church, her dad playing the organ, and their memories of her as a child. We finally got back to our room about 10p.

Two more long days then we head home. God has been so good to us through this conference and reconfirming our call to FamilyLife.

Pastor Eugene and Marge Petersen