An Update from the Conference
We had a wonderful tim
e at our annual River Partners Conference 2016. The River Team theme for this year is “Together in the Harvest”. It was a great event of fellowship, celebration, and life changing teaching. We had over 120 national pastors and other church leaders who partner with the River Team attending daily over three days. The delegates came from 10 different countries and the majority were from S. E. Asian Nations.
It was great to also see the next generation of young leaders attending from Thailand’s bordering nations. They are already transforming the lives of 100’s of young people in their nations in creative ways. They came to be encouraged and empowered so that they can go back and be a greater blessing.
We were honoured to have amazing teaching by Ps Ross & Di Smith and River Team leader Ps Erik Klar. The teaching covered topics of forgiveness, the four characters traits of Jesus, looked at the life of Joseph and what we can learn from him. We also learnt about moving forward by not looking at our tough times through old thinking and that there is a new pathway that God has made for all of us. There was also focus in looking through the eyes of God’s Grace and that our job is not to change people but to speak grace into their lives. Grace does the work of building people up from the inside and then the gifts, skills and talents will flow from their lives.
During the evening celebration nights the atmosphere was electrifying as all celebrated God’s goodness and His plan and purpose for suffering humanity. There was also much time for fellowship and to share stories from the different nations.
We were all given the challenge to look at the things that clutter up our lives and what do we need to get rid of to make more room for God to build ‘New Pathways’ in our lives. We were all further challenged to engage in the people ‘encounters’ we have, because every person is uniquely created by God.
The River Team thanks and appreciates everyone who prayed and partnered to make this a successful event in transforming the people of S.E Asia.
