Sat outside our caravan on one of the sunny (pre-storm) afternoons watching the children playing together and the adults talking and sharing over coffee and cake, it crossed my mind that this is indeed what the family of God should look like. 

In this atmosphere of love and unity, God was at work. People were getting to know each other, sharing what they had learned in the excellent morning teaching sessions and the challenging seminars on offer, and encouraging one another to press on into all that God has for us as individuals, but also as church. 

There was excitement about the worship times where we could encounter the presence of God and spend time in adoration of the King – telling him how much we love him, and recommitting ourselves to service – ready for our return home to church life, full of renewed zeal and passion; after all, the following week the church youth would be heading off to youth camp, and our Holiday Club would be happening, where we would seek to make an impact on our town and in our community.

We heard at Creation Fest, from Paul’s inspiring letter to the church in Ephesus, that we could know God better. We were blessed to hear that our identity has changed as followers of Jesus– what we were, we no longer are! We learnt that at times, all we can do is kneel in worship and pray, that as we humble ourselves we could be strengthened in knowledge and understanding. We were encouraged to be united as the Body of Christ, a unity that the world cannot give but that God works out, through the power of the Holy Spirit, as each one exercises their spiritual gifts. Ephesians called us to EXTRAORDINARY FAITH.

There was so much from Creation Fest 2019 that benefitted our church family and challenged us to live as children of the light. The 60-plus who returned to our churches brought something back with them which has been passed on to the wider body, and we have since sensed the enriching and empowering presence of the Holy Spirit in our midst in new ways, and people coming to faith in Jesus for the first time. We have seen a greater fervency in prayer, a greater desire to share this good news with those around us and hearts that are bursting with praise – We Raise a Hallelujah!! (Our favourite song of the week).

Bob Hardman
Pastor of Hayle and Penzance Light & Life Churches