Father's House Blog

What an amazing eight days we have just had at Latimer! Over 30 churches joined together to lift Jesus high in a big tent in the middle of a field at a time of the year notorious for being wet and cold. On the last night 1500+ turned up to meet with God! All who were there are in awe of the Lord.

Looking back, I have a number of reflections on the legacy of the Latimer outpouring. First of all, the unity we experienced was orchestrated in a sovereign way by the Lord and it must be cherished and nurtured. If nothing else came out of all this, this new network would be a priceless gift.

Second, there was a terrific response to the message of the Gospel. The Gospel was preached all week. The focus was on Jesus, on the Cross, on getting our hearts right with God. On one evening we had 104 people respond! We must keep preaching the Gospel in this region.

Third, the key that unlocked the change in the atmosphere spiritually was inspirational, Christ-centred worship. Roy Fields led and modelled this in a unique way.  We mustn't lose this passion for Jesus in our churches. Worship is so critical. It releases the holy presence of the glory of God.

Fourth, there was a very strong emphasis all week on the call to be a church without walls - to be a people that hear and obey the commission to break out of the box and go to the lost with the Gospel in the power of the Spirit. All of us need to help one another to do this. We must get out more.

Finally, there was a constant call to move away from the Christian celebrity culture, and to understand that revival in the UK is going to involve countless, faceless, nameless heroes - ordinary people doing extraordinary things for God, MAKING JESUS FAMOUS (and only Jesus).

In the summer, the angels of the Lord came into the field dressed for battle. They were ready for war. In the autumn, God's people joined them. Now it's time to go from the boot camp to the battlefield. It's time for us to bring about an invasion of heaven on earth. We have our marching orders.

Mark Stibbe