The Power of One: A Recap of Wednesday Night at NAC 2012

By Susan Kane

On Wednesday evening, Jim Lyon, senior pastor at Madison Park Church of God, and Rev. Chuck Myricks, minister of finance and development at Arlington Church of God, led a special service featuring the rich musical heritage of the Church of God Movement and testimonies of those forever changed by a giant that God placed in their path.

Gretchen Wilson, middle school pastor at Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago, shared, “God chose pastors and mentors who took time to help me discern God’s voice. Because of those who supported me and spoke truth into my life, I know I am exactly where God wants me to be. Someone cared about the one, and God wrote a better story for my life than I ever could have imagined.”

Matt Anderson, pastor of McDowell Mountain Church, Scottsdale, Arizona, emphasized that we should never underestimate the power of our families and the faith passed from one generation to the next. We are called to pass the torch to the next generation to speak out of their heart language. Our worship is at the heart of the matter as we turn to God. “True worship moves us toward the Father. But we must also remember that worship will always be done differently from one generation to the next because it will always be spoken from our heart language.”

Bishop Vernon Lambe, of Bermuda, brought the evening full circle by sharing that God has always placed giants in our paths. “God strategically positions giants in our lives at the most providential moment because we need them in our path to assist us to our destination. None of us arrive to where we are without being shaped by God in some fashion.” It is God’s wise providence that leads us into places that we never thought we would go. The journey is worth it, because it allows us to bear witness of God’s power and faithfulness.

The service concluded with the lighting of hundreds of candles signifying unity of God’s people and true Power of One.