The caravan departed Lakeland for Orlando, but the spiritual destination was far beyond what I imagined.

    Hillsong United opened its inaugural U.S.A. conference at the First Baptist Church of Orlando, Florida, on Friday, November 9^th. One speaker said there were 6,000 people in attendance. God is on the move, but let's start at the beginning.

    Jet Blue took off from JFK on a crisp November evening, delivering me to Orlando in the wee hours of Friday the ninth.
    My son, Keil, the youth pastor at Life Church in nearby Lakeland, had asked me to fly down from Long Island, NY. So, I came to hang out with Keil; and to see and experience his new life and ministry as a Floridian. We woke with the morning sun and headed over to a Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting at Lakeland Senior High School, home of the national champion Dreadnaughts football team. By midday we were gathering to caravan to Orlando with Amber, Robby, Travis, Will, Kristin, Elizabeth, Carrie and Ross.
     “United” is the right word for the heart attitude of the leadership and musicians of Hillsong and the conference. Senior Pastor Brian Houston and Youth Pastors Paul Andrew and Phil Dooley spoke a united vision of equipping the youth of today and tomorrow to radically impact the world for Jesus Christ.
    The worship was simply Hillsong United, praise manifested in hearts, minds, voices and bodies, rocking the house and feeding the passion to put the Lord first, and that cry out for action and justice, as reflected in Hillsong’s ongoing partnership with Compassion International.
     Friday evening we stayed in the home of the very gracious Davidsons, in Orlando. Fr. Scott, wife Michele, kids Blaine and London were very much a part of everything. Such great people. At 2:30 in the morning they were still cooking food for us, their gaggle of energized houseguests. 
    Bethany and Rebecca were dropped off by their dad, Pastor George to stay in Orlando overnight with all of us. Oh yeah, Chris stayed, too.
    A few hours later, early Saturday morning, the Davidsons were up cooking a huge breakfast for everyone. Then a Texas ministry friend of Keil’s, Pastor Rob Sumner, came over to give a Word in our morning devotional. The message of unity was not lost in our diverse and joyful gathering. Oh, how we could turn the world upside down, if we, the Church, would act as united as we were that morning. We desperately need the Holy Spirit, if we are to yield our prejudices and our independent spirits, for the sake of the Kingdom of God.
     After a time of prayer and thanksgiving for the INCREDIBLE hospitality of our hosts, we packed up and headed back for a full day of breakout sessions and more worship sessions.  
     Sunday morning came early and Life Church, Lakeland was a great place to be. That evening, I had the opportunity to share what the Lord had been putting on my heart about this great Youth Group, as well as sharing some of my passion for setting people free to witness and giving them some effective tools and encouragement. Thanks, Pastor Charles and Kathy, Brett and Molly, Elissa, Jackie, Meagan, and Sharon.
     Then Keil and I got to spend some down time together, with some great father/son conversation before I had to fly back north to the waiting cold weather.
     I am still processing all that transpired on the trip, but between the conference and the young men and women of Life Church, it was been a life-changing and energizing experience. And my time with Keil was a long overdue joy. 
     Amidst the hectic pace of the trip, the Lord pointed me to Mark 6:31, “Come away with me… to a quiet place and get some rest.” As I took ten minutes or so to listen and obey, I sensed the peace and the energy that carried me through it all with a willing and expectant heart. May each of you seek and find His peace, courage, and the strength to change the world and encourage one another, in Jesus’ Name.

Posted November 3, 2007
    Getting on Jet Blue next week, riding a big leather chair to Orlando, Florida. I am going to spend some time with my son, Keil, who is helping with a new church in the area. It is going to be a busy schedule that includes the opportunity to speak to the young adults and college group at Life Church of Lakeland, to encourage them to share their hope, and to talk about my passion,1-2-3 Witness. Check out 1 Peter 3:15 for a great three-step plan for sharing the hope you have in Christ! If you can take a moment, right now, ask the Lord to stir up a continual passion for witnessing in the churches of Lakeland and Orlando (and in your town, too).
    That would be enough for the trip for me, but there's more. A bunch of us are going to attend the Hillsong conference in Orlando. That should be a blast! I'll let you know all about it.
    You know what else would be great? After the cooler and stormy weather that hit Long Island, it sure would be great to get a few minutes in some Florida sunshine and heat.
    If anyone needs help putting together a witness workshop, I am always happy to chat.