On July 11, 2010, well over 3,000 gathered at Lawrence High School in Massachusetts for an all New England worship service, picnic and play day. (shared from www.bostoncoc.org/)
The spirit, singing, fellowship and fun were electric. Disciples, children and friends gathered from across the Northeast to proclaim Jesus Lord and be united with one another in our common goal to please Him and make a difference in our world.
The 11 AM service began with high-powered singing, accompanied by the Boston church musicians. A fantastic blend of old and new songs moved our hearts. As Tony Singh, Boston evangelist, pointed out – “The angels and elders are already worshipping before God’s throne and all we have to do is join them!”
New Hampshire evangelist, Mike Fix, led our hearts to the cross in communion by focusing on the simple concept, “Be Still.” If we are to ever focus on Jesus and all He has done and is doing for us, we must remove the myriad of things that cloud our minds and meditate 
on Him.
Next, Jimmy Allen and teen leader Julius Ferrer from Hartford presented a contribution message. Julius carried a very large rock and Jimmy a much lighter one. The overall point was, “Bigger is not always better and more doesn’t always go well.” We must all watch our desire to “get” larger salaries and things. For Biblical examples like Solomon and the Rich Young Ruler, this did not turn out well. Actually, Jesus’ calling is to focus on being givers and not getters.
After another song, Boston’s Douglas Arthur preached a hard-hitting and fast-paced message on Philippians 4 called “What Are You Thinking?” Following God’s call to “Rejoice Always,” He called us to train our minds on things that are admirable, right, pure, and excellent. Weaving in humor, powerful people examples, wedding stories and other passages, Douglas’ call was to shape our minds in ways that would give our lives’ meaning and purpose in these challenging times.
Perhaps the focus and highlight of the day was the prayer for and sending off of disciples to a new frontier and a church planting. Niles Radl and 
Maggie Jenkins were sent by the Spirit from the Boston campus ministry to the Pioneer Valley congregation to prayerfully penetrate the great campuses of that region – U Mass, Amherst; Smith College, Springfield College; etc. Next, as the entire Portland, Maine, mission team stood before the crowd, they were encouraged by campus leader Kevin Miller to live the dream of God and lead that state to the good news of our Father. All of the elders from around New England laid hands on the group as John McGuirk and then Wyndham Shaw prayed.
As the service closed out, a baptism took place that certainly highlighted the reason we were all together. Then, the masses spread out to eat – some from their own sack lunches and others from many selections designed to raise money for missions. Following that quick stop, many sports’ competitions and games for kids began on the massive premises. At 5 PM, the place was still jumping; the sun was still shining and many of the Christians were beginning to slowly wind down.
It had been an amazing day. There were slices of so many wonderful things. But perhaps mostly – there was a glimpse into the future, when we will all gather forever praising our Savior and King. As we dream of the impact we want to have over the next 10 years (2020 Vision), it is always best to focus on the “why,” and that is because this isn’t just about 10 years. It is about 10’s of thousands of years and then 10’s of millions of years and then 10’s of billions of years before the throne of God . . . probably doing pretty much what was done on July 11, 2010.
Photos courtesy of Vanessa Embling - VEE Photography
posted by Jerry Maday, Worcester, MA