Portland Week 2
Back to Prophet’s Notebook June 2009
The Gathering of Eagles This has been an annual event since the early 1990’s and attracts fivefold ministers from all over the USA. This year others attended from Zambia, and Canada as well as myself. The theme for the Gathering was Luke 1:17, “He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” The main speakers were Apostle Richard Wright (host ministry) and Apostle Bret Wade from Hunstville Alabama. The ‘round table’ session was my favourite which allowed people to discuss their own views and what God had been showing them concerning things to come. Making new friends and renewing old acquaintances Eagles Wings has a couple of guest rooms they use to allow ministers to come on retreat. I was sharing one of these with a young pastor from Ndola, Zambia and a Sri Lankan Pastor exiled in Vancouver, Canada. It was great to exchange stories into the early hours of how God had led our individual journeys. I hope to meet up with these guys again either here or in some other part of the world. I was also able to renew friendship with Prophet Willie Meade. We had shared ministry at a Prophetic Gathering in 2006 on my first trip to Portland. This time he brought his wife with him. They had driven over 20 hours to get here from San Jose, Texas. The Wedding Saturday 20^th was the day of Apostle Richard’s wedding to Cheryl. It was very different to anything I had seen in the UK and very special. Different parts of the ceremony were conducted by different ministers and everything was well rehearsed. I admit to shedding a few tears, there were boxes of tissues at the end of each row for that very purpose. Apostle Richard’s son was best man and also gave the short address. Very poignant and with great humour. During the service they held a presbytery, where the fivefold ministers are asked to bring a prophetic word or blessing over the couple. It was amazing how many of us had heard the same thing from God. I know this was a very special part of the event for the couple. It was great to see the joy in Richard and Cheryl, they are a special couple who I am sure God will richly bless. We look forward to receiving them in the UK next spring God willing. Picnic After the wedding the reception took the form of a picnic in the church grounds with a hog roast as the main feature. I really enjoyed it. There was an Hawaiian theme so everyone received a lei and all the men in the church wore the traditional shirts. Very colourful time. It was good to chat informally and get to know people. One thing I have learned about Christians, they know how to put on a feast. Sunday Service I love the way Apostolic churches worship. It was a powerful time in God’s presence. Every time they meet the fellowship first prays for the needs of the people and shares testimony. The testimonies were up-to-date and relevant with God doing amazing things amongst His people in Portland. I was the preacher for the meeting and shared from 2 Timothy 2 concerning the need to endure. I also was able to prophecy over several people and gave several words to the church. The word was received well and I felt that I had obeyed God’s voice. We will watch to see what fruit results. After the service the whole church met for lunch. Leftovers for the left over ministers was the original invite but there was so much food available from the wedding reception that the whole church ate. There’s still more left which I will be using up! Family at home I have been able to speak to the family almost every day. Thank you for your prayers for Jenny, she has a trial at a restaurant in the City next week so we praise God for answers to prayer. We’ve told her that she must also test the job as well as being tested. Aje and Chantal should have arrived as I write. They had a long flight via Turkey to get here so are probably resting. For those who can make it there is open house at our home this Wednesday from 8. You should avail yourself of the opportunity. Thanks again for the prayers. I am looking forward to two days of fishing by boat this week and a guided tour of the area around Portland tomorrow. The Pastor here is quite a historian so I am looking forward to it. Much blessing Graham, Annie, Ben and Jenny Unsworth