The Torch
An Update from Dave Hearn - District Superintendent
The excitement was over the top for my family as they witnessed the coming of the Olympic Torch to Abbotsford. They screamed with delight as each of them was given the opportunity to hold the torch in their very own hands. "Dad it was amazing", they exclaimed. The Olympic Torch is ignited several months before the opening celebration of the Olympic Games at the site of the ancient Olympics in Olympia, Greece. The torch is kindled by the light of the sun, its rays concentrated by a parabolic mirror. The Olympic Torch Relay ends on the day of the opening ceremony in the central stadium of the Games. After being lit, the flame continues to burn throughout the Olympics, and is extinguished on the day of the closing ceremony.
It was on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit lit a fire within the early church. It was so transforming that a small band of 120 was unleashed to spread the good news in an environment that was hostile and in many cases lethal. It was the "Gospel Torch" and it has never been extinguished nor will it ever be. The question I have for our family of Churches is "How is the fire of the Spirit and the flame of the Gospel being carried by us?" The Alliance began as a movement that was centered on the "power of the Holy Spirit and the life transforming message of Jesus Christ our Saviour, Sanctifier, Healer and Coming King". It was movement of contagious faith, extreme risk and unstoppable power. Simpson wrote:
"Let us, as Alliance people never forget our special mission and calling. God raised up this movement not to do what others are doing, but for a unique work, and with a very definite testimony. Let us be careful how we tone down that testimony, so as to be simply an echo of other voices. We are called to be witnesses for Christ in a very definite way and for His personal indwelling and power and baptism of His Holy Spirit and a special privilege of a consecrated Christian and the only secret of holiness and power. Let us hold fast to this in all this distinctiveness if we would expect God to honour us in calling out a people on whom He can depend for the special trusts which He is committing to us in these last days."
It sounds like he was saying "Hold the torch high!" May this coming year be a time of "fiery" renewal for our churches. The Holy Spirit and the Gospel are still ablaze with power and relevance. Are we?
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