May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

[From “World Conference: A Lasting Experience,” Bob Walker, May/June 2023 Herald, p. 42]

Conference is a cacophony of sound—choirs (large and small) and music of many genres, cultures, languages. You try to sing along, though you don’t know the words. But you know the meaning: some facet of God’s love and care. Guitars, drums, organ, piano, brass, and woodwind all mix with loving gusto or meditative reverence. People greet and laugh deeply, children run and chatter excitedly. And they all pray reverently. All this noise stimulates the extroverts and somewhat drains the introverts.

Conference also is a cacophony of color. Tahitians wear long patterned dresses with flowers in their hair. Africans dress in intricate patterns and rich colors. Skin tones range from deep black to rich brown to light, and more. And hair colors include pink, purple, gray, white, black, and more.

People share and interpret beautiful languages. Striking worship centers artistically use materials to help focus on the diversity and beauty of God’s creation. Flowers, arranged with love, decorate and inspire. All this connects and uplifts visually stimulated people.

The photographs, words, and thoughts can only do so much to convey all that is World Conference. It needs to be experienced in person to fully understand. But parts of Conference that all can understand are the love and ministry we share with family, friends, neighbors, and communities in which we interact daily. Laughing, listening, reaching out to others far away sharing joys and tears are all parts of Conference that we can experience daily.

Maybe you didn’t make it to Independence, but you can make it to your congregation and feast on the worship and fellowship that nourishes. And if words and pictures on a page or online aren’t enough for you, ask someone who was there. They’ll gladly share their experience.

Prayer Phrase

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them” (Matthew 18:20).

The International Community

Find (or imagine) a globe or map of the world. Look at all the nations and find a country other than your own. Notice the geographic distance between your homeland and this one. Picture a person living there. Pray for this person. Sense God’s love connecting you just as the oceans connect the continents. Thank God for the spiritual connection you have with all of God’s people around the globe. Ask a blessing on the church as a community sharing Christ’s peace, drawing all into the family of God.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.