CONFERENCE PRAISE REPORT written a few hours after the commissioning on Saturday evening (May 9)

May 18 update: re 24/7 prayer.  Although there was much positive response to the idea of organizing a month or year of 24/7 prayer, we did not feel the Lord leading us to lead something like this right now.  However, we do plan to organize more 24/7 prayer initiatives in the future, so if you’d like to be involved and haven’t yet indicated so, please email us at contact@movein.to.  In the meantime, if you can be in prayer for us, we would be deeply grateful; your prayers are invaluable.

It is 3:02 am early Sunday morning as we write this and, thinking on what God has done, two words come to mind: “Praise God!”

God was with us! About 600 mostly-young people attended the Friday night service. Together, we worshiped God, prayed together–at one point everyone on their knees–listened to the stories and testimonies of people on existing teams, and dug into the Word - particularly Matthew 6 (”Seek ye first the Kingdom”) and Luke 10 (”Love your neighbour”) - in the context of what “breaks God’s heart” in the world and in our cities.

Afterwards, attendees said things like, “I believe this was one of the most life-changing nights of my life”, “This helped me to really think about if I’m loving my neighbour”, and “Praying together on our knees was my favourite part.” Charles Price said the following day, “Last night was one of the most thrilling times of my eight years in Toronto.”

The following day, an encouraging 140 or so showed up for a day that was clearly communicated as being for those “seriously considering ‘moving in.’” It was wonderful to have so much potential in one room, and the Holy Spirit working to release it. Free books for all from George Verwer (as the night before); God-glorifying worship; more communication on the ‘move in’ commitment; and 36 hosts presenting 36 neighbourhoods simultaneous to 18 “coaches” having one-on-ones with about 90 people over the course of the day. (Amazingly, there were no “no shows” and no one called in sick.)

There was a wonderful buzz in the air. After a pizza lunch, almost everybody piled into cars to go on neighbourhood prayer-walks. Although it had hailed that morning–”the biggest hail stones I had ever seen,” said one person, “I thought they were going to dent my car”–and although it was drizzling when the cars set out, it was clear skies upon arrival in the various neighbourhoods.

The 100+ people came back full of stories and excitement. One of the prayer-walkers was a young police officer. He and those with him came across a young man whom he had once arrested. This time, though, he was able to pray for him and share the good news. Also, one girl said, “On my prayer walk, although a little scared, I knew that God was calling me–right then–to ‘move in’ [to one of these neighbourhoods].” “The people we talked to were surprisingly open” said another.

After filling in the “Afternoon MoveIn sheet”, more prayer together, and praising God through song again, everyone streamed into the gym for a momentous last hour. Based on what the participants had shared with us throughout the day, we had been able to form and now name and commission several new “Emerging MoveIn teams.” Praise God, 9 teams representing 36+ people were commissioned by the rest of the conference participants - for 9 different neighbourhoods. In Toronto, 7 neighbourhoods; and in Ottawa, 2 neighbourhoods.

*This* very week, these teams will begin to carry out a commitment to pray for an evening per week for their neighbourhoods and about ‘moving in.’ The times and places for the first meeting have already been established. Please pray for these new teams at this critical time.

Praise God for choosing to bless this conference. Despite our “chaff” and unprofessionalism and things we could have done better, God used our feeble efforts to birth what we are praying will be neighbourhood-transforming salt-and-light that leads to new life for many, the expansion of God’s presence throughout our cities, and more and more new disciples to ‘love their neighbours’.

There were no mishaps of any significance over the course of the conference. Instead, many were blessed and challenged to action, and God was glorified. We believe this is due in large part to your prayers - augmented by the prayers of the incredible on-site prayer truck that went 24-7 from Thursday evening to Sunday evening (72 hours), the prayers of many others, and God’s grace. We are also deeply grateful to Peoples Church, those who helped with promotion, our hosts and coaches, and the many others God provided to carry out this task–this conference–from the inception of it 12 short weeks ago until its completion.

“Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.” Psalm 150:1-3