Wake-Up Winterfest
With over 600 young participants, Wake-Up Winterfest, organized by a team surrounding Jivko and Maite Jeliazkov, began another year of history. Since the number of participants is growing every year, a lot of organization, patience and discipline were required this year as well; but thanks to the great amount of volunteer co-workers it was possible to have a very special Wake-Up. Several small group leaders were present once again, to make sure no one would be lost in the crowd. They supported the young people and gave them the opportunity to begin each day with God by having devotions together.
The morning sessions were taught by Rodney Friend (ETS), Rosalie Suarez (ETS) and Jimmy Hong (CLW, Bonn), who spoke about sanctification, the love and heart of God.
By asking what was going to happen after Wake-Up, Michael Shreve (Mountain West Church of God in Atlanta, GA ) encouraged the young people to continue to burn for God even after Wake-Up and to give everything to influence their environment and make a positive change. Jimmy Hong began the evening preaching marathon with a sermon title which seemed shocking at first: “You Pig!” but then quickly added: “No, Not Anymore!” He spoke about overcoming bad habits and life as a new creation in Christ. On the third evening Cornelius Beier (BGG, Böblingen) continued this message by speaking about “From Pig to Conqueror” and made clear how important it is to be equipped with the Holy Spirit for life as a Christian. During the following prayer time the team prayed for every teenager and young adult, asking God to meet personal needs and to equip them with the Holy Spirit. The first time Michael Shreve preached during the evening service, he spoke about our life being like a book with many chapters. It is our task to watch that the chapters are not boring and monotonous, but filled with many interesting, wonderful, divine encounters.
This led directly to his second preaching, which was about “exhaling.” By this, however, he did not mean letting go and relaxing, as one might assume at first, but rather in the sense of becoming active – becoming active for God. We inhale God’s presence and now it is time to exhale and to pass on God’s power to our surroundings. The numerous preachers were supported by local bands and by the worship band, led by Jared Strong (Lawrenceville Church of God), which had traveled from the United States of America. Their music and ministry helped to create a divine atmosphere, which enabled the young people and co-workers to experience a time of refreshment, rest and strengthening in God’s presence.
Jivko Jeliazkov
© 2010 Church of God World Missions
