AFF Spring Gathering
Jackson, Tennessee
Why? I have been asked why I suggested we have this meeting. Well, I asked myself that several times. So, here’s my answer. The reason I suggested this meeting was because I have seen people mention it from time to time. Someone said, “We talked about it….”. Someone else said, “Well…we thought about it…”. So, I say “Lets do it!”
The fact is, from the time I first joined there forums, unity and fellowship has been a top priority for me. Anyone who has ever read anything I have to say will know that I am a strong believer in the unity of the faith. So…. In short…the answer is unity. You people have become more than internet acquaintances to me. You have become my friends. And…in 2008, you became more than friends… you have become like family. A church family. You see, I don’t have a church to attend close to home here. I don’t have a lot of fellowship with Apostolic believers here. That’s unfortunate, but, I am fortunate to have people in California, in Brazil, in Canada, in Texas, and in many parts of this country who I consider a family of friends. And< I want to meet those who can attend. That’s all. Just a meeting of friends. No agendas… no hidden purposes…nothing but friends getting together.
You see, this unity I speak of is not doctrinal unity. If it was, then we’d never have unity because we will never all agree on all points of doctrine. Its not “lifestyles” unity. AFF is composed of cons, mods and libs, and we all have differing views on “standards”. Truth is… I don’t care what your standards are. Stick to your convictions, live your life how you feel it pleases God. I’m not here to compare con views with lib views. I’m not here to argue three steps or one. The unity I believe is is found in
1Cr 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. Whether we are con or mod, whether we do the 3 step or do the 1 Step, I believe there is room in the Body of Christ for all who love the Lord to fellowship and unite together as one, just as Jesus prayed in the Garden (
John 17).
The theme for the Spring Gathering should be
“By One Spirit…ONE BODY”. That’s what I believe in, that’s what I believe we should be trying to achieve. I believe that’s what AFF is for, and that is what this Spring Gathering is about. Coming together. And, I believe we can do that through the Holy Spirit.
Now, that’s the purpose of this gathering. Just putting the FRIENDS in Apostolic Friends Forum. That’s what we are here. Friends. We may argue, we may disagree, but…if we’re not friends, then we shouldn’t be here. To those who say the word “Apostolic” should be removed from this forum, I say this: If we can’t be friends in spite of our differences, maybe it’s the word “Friends” that should be removed. But, no…. our roots are Apostolic. We are Friends. And this is a Forum.
So…to one and all…. Try to attend. If you can’t, try to set up a meeting like this in your area. (Please do, I’m just itching for an excuse to take a plane ride!) I have a goal to meet as many AFFers as I can this year. This Spring Gathering is the means to do just that!
I’m going to tell you a dream I had many years ago. This was when I was still serving as an evangelist. I dreamed a “sign” appeared in the skies over Tennessee. Great big letters was written from west to east. The words were “A Gathering of Pentecostals”. When I saw those words, I began to rise up and “flew” thru the sky westward. I landed in West Tennessee at a church I never had been to before. And I met a bunch of Christians I had never known.
Now….here it is…many years later and we are planning a “Gathering” at a place called “The Gathering Place”. Renda first called this a “Gathering”. And I didn’t know the name of the hall we will be meeting at is called “The Gathering Place” until I talked to Sherri by PM about having the meeting there. And I have never been to Love and Truth Church. So…is this the fulfillment of my dream? I don’t know, but, I do believe this: This Spring Gathering has a purpose, and God is in it. So, if no one else is there…I will be there. And I am looking forward to meeting many of you there…my friends… my family of friends!
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