Our hearts were filled with gratitude this Thanksgiving, as we reflected on our November Freedom in Christ conference at Victory Church in Audubon, PA.
We kicked off the weekend with Practical Ministry Training at our Spring House location. Before a Freedom in Christ conference, we often offer this two-day training to those who want to grow in Unbound Ministry. We have teaching, ministry sessions, Q&A, and fellowship. The trainees then join our ministry teams for the opportunity to intercede in a conference setting. We had an eager group of 15 people join us from across the country.
I especially enjoyed meeting Lynne and Eric, a married couple from Georgia who drove up for the event. They recently completed our Basic Ministry Training E-Course. When Lynne asked Eric what he wanted to do for his birthday, he said “I want to go to Philly for Practical Training and the Freedom in Christ conference to keep going deeper.” We celebrated Eric’s birthday on Thursday, and the couple expressed major breakthroughs and growth in ministry throughout the weekend. I was edified by their zeal and deep desire to pursue the Lord as a married couple. May the Lord continue to sanctify many marriages through his healing love and send them out on mission!
On Friday we headed to Victory Church for the Freedom in Christ conference. Over the years, we have partnered with Victory Pastors Ed and Lisa Crenshaw and Pastor Jakob Kerlin, for our local conference. Home to a strong Unbound ministry team, they received us into their space with beautiful hospitality and a spirit of joy. Their facilities are especially welcoming, with many small break out rooms that are perfect for ministry sessions.
Nearly 200 conference attendees came hungry for deeper freedom from the moment we started worship on Friday night. The tissue boxes were in frequent use throughout the weekend as many souls opened their hearts to the Lord in deeper surrender and forgiveness. I was struck by how many attendees came as a part of a larger group. Some of the groups included 6 religious sisters from the Missionaries of Charity, a large church group from Cape May, NJ, a group from Living Streams Ranch in PA, a large church group from Middletown, DE, and a group of young adult women from Regum Christi in Philadelphia. When people step into deeper freedom alongside a group of believers who will continue to love and support them afterwards, the Holy Spirit seems to do His deepest work.
As we concluded the weekend, I reflected on the history of Unbound Ministry in Philadelphia. For over 25 years, we have gathered with thousands of people in the Philadelphia area to go deeper in freedom. All over this city there are traces of grace from the many souls who have come alive in the love of Christ Jesus through Unbound Ministry. It is our privilege to minister to the body of Christ in this way, and it is all possible because of you! Thank you for your continued support and know that you are in our prayers this Advent season. May you rejoice with the angel choirs who sing of your salvation and mine:
The angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:10-14)
