The Gathering

Yesterday, Gord and I took a drive to Osoyoos for a much needed beach walk.  The beach was nearly empty,  it was a gorgeous day, and we strolled mask-less, breathing in the fresh air and feeling a bit 'naughty!'  As we passed the Waterfront Hotel, I noticed that although no one knows whether or not there will be a tourist season this year, gardeners and cleaners were out in full force, enthusiastically preparing for an influx of tourists. I mention this  because it illustrates how we are feeling after nearly one year encapsulated in our family bubble.  This time has been so profitable for us:  we have found rest and restoration, sweet times with Jesus and reflection.  However, suddenly, we are sensing  a change in the wind.  And so, like the ground staff at the Waterfront Hotel, we are preparing in anticipation of an influx (an arrival or entry of large numbers of people) of seekers, sleepers and keepers.  

   Friends of the Gatherings:  It's been such a very long time since we gathered together in March of this year, and we can't adequately express how much we miss those times.   Corona Virus was ramping up a bit, and so we did our best to follow protocols as we knew them. We sanitized our hands before packing together in the Siewert's cozy living room, while bumping elbows as we greeted one another.  We worshipped, we prayed, we declared, we shared, we ate yummy food and we were certain it would soon be over, and our gatherings would continue.  And so, for that afternoon in March, we simply wanted to review the purpose for our gatherings  and, as well, share a sobering prophetic exhortation that we were sensing for the Boundary Country.

Ephesians 5:14 (NIV) This is why it is said: Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Grace and peace to you in great abundance during this time of a global pestilence. As you may know, Jan and I had plans to host and also support several gatherings over the spring and summer however, with the Covid 19 pandemic, community as we knew it has changed radically. With restrictions now in place regarding social distancing, self-isolation and quarantines we all need to adjust our way of communicating. What if this quarantine time was not a time to retire, but on the contrary a time to be active for God more than ever? As one commentator said, "you can close down the church buildings, but you cannot stop the Church from moving forward!"

Please join us for our first  gathering  of 2020, at the home of Walter and Lisa Siewart on Saturday, March 14th at 1:00 p.m.  Lunch will be served  followed by an extended time in praise, worship, exhortation, empowerment and intercession for the Ecclesia to arise in  Boundary   Country !  We are jealous to see Jesus lifted up from Beaverdell to Grand Forks and beyond as we have seen and heard at 'The Send' in Brazil, 'Battle for Canada' in Kelowna, Churches in S. Korea, The underground Church in China and Iran, and so many other places.  It's happening folks and it's our time, too!  Spread the word!  (We would appreciate knowing if you are coming as we need to make preparations for lunch.)  Testimonies following: From The Send Brazil, February 2020: What was a catholic doing at a solemn  gathering  organized by evangelicals? What was a catholic priest doing there? I went to see with my own eyes what we wi...

It was October 24th, 2017 and Gord and I were on the last leg of a four-week ministry tour of New Zealand, Australia and Tasmania. The schedule had been very hectic and I was feeling quite depleted and in need of some 'alone time' with Jesus.  I poured myself a coffee, plumped up some cushions on the  sofa and began to review our ministry time "down under'.  So many leaders passionate for more of Jesus, so much prophetic, so many healed, incredible times of extended worship, and yet most prominent in my thoughts were those who were not healed or touched.  My thoughts went from there to others I was praying for back home, fully believing for a miracle and yet seeing little movement.  It's interesting how quickly one can slide down the slippery slope of unbelief when we stop taking our thoughts  captive.  I thought about the ground being lost to addictions, to perversions, to greed,  to hatred, to violence, and I must have spoken out loud the erron...