Is it really 12 months since the last conference? Are we really here again? Is Hillsong London really with us? Yes, yes and yes again.

The lights were gently dimmed. There was total silence. A silence that cried out high expectation and excited anticipation.

The silence was broken by background music and an incredible trailer on the Local Church which then led into the song Nefol Dad. A welsh worship song written by our own pastor, Geraint V Jones and Gerwyn Thomas which truly expresses the love for our God. This was followed by many heart felt songs. Already the Selwyn Samuel Centre was filled with glorious worship and all felt the presence of God.

Geraint came onto the platform and welcomed all to the conference. He explained that this conference was all about the local church but it would not have happened had it not been for another local church – Hillsong Church, Sydney, Australia.

Hillsong, led by Pastor Brian Houston has been a fantastic inspiration to 21st Century Church. Geraint went on to explain how over the years, he and others from the church attended Hillsong conferences in Sydney and how there, they met with God. This was followed by the Hillsong Europe Conference in London and now, here we are, our own local church hosting a conference with – Hillsong London. How privileged we are.

After the welcome, Hillsong London burst into almighty worship which is something they do oh so well. We sang Take it All, Yahweh, This is our God and How Great is our God. Our God is great. He is indeed mighty and majestic. What a start to what an amazing night.

Tim Norbury, Hillsong called for the offering and did so with dignity. It was fantastic to hear Tim speak. He hails from Pontarddulais and a Scarlet’s supporter no less.
So many people were prevented from attending due to volcanic ash erupting from an Icelandic volcano creating a blanket of cloud of ash over the skies. All European flights had been being cancelled. Peter Wilson, senior worship leader with Hillsong was trapped in Sweden so the whole conference had to be rescheduled.

Kevin Adams stepped into the breach and brought forward one of his teachings to Friday night. What a fantastic message it was too, which, I hasten to add, was not without his wonderful sense of humour. We heard how Kevin travels the world from the comforts of his home – yes, via google earth. There was much more humour but the Biblical teaching was serious.

There were three main points –

• The Church is people;
• The Church is made up of believers; and
• The Church is all about relationships.

He said that we need each other and we can do nothing on our own.
We responded in worship by belting out – Tell the world that Jesus lives.
We left the centre that first night completely exhausted but so exuberant and encouraged. What would tomorrow bring? Could it get better?
Yes it did. The day dawned once again with the sun shining, brightening God’s creation but the sun shined in our hearts as well.
The Worship was, yes again, totally amazing. God was with us again. He is always with us, eagerly waiting for us to call on His name. As Geraint said last night, we only have to call Him. The Power and the Presence of God is as near as our uplifted voice.

We were treated to promotion videos of Hillsong Europe and Hillsong Colour (Women’s Conference) conferences coming up this year. We cried at the videos of Compassion where we witnessed the heartache of how so many children in 3rd world countries struggle with the challenges of life. We were encouraged to sponsor a child so that they may have a better life. Compassion is very much child focussed and Christ centred.

Steffan Jones, Geraint’s very gifted son delivered the first of the morning’s sessions. Steffan really knows how to punch a solid scriptural message. In his now recognised apologetic style of speaking he talked about ”What do you put your faith in”. Steffan, a mere 20 year old blasted the theory of evolution out of the water backing his message up with facts and figures. He has such a passion for Christ it has to be witnessed and he certainly is an inspiration to all – young and old.

The ever lovely, humorous, delightful, stylish and serious Andrea – yes, she is all of those things – delivered the next message which was all about the “Goodness of God”. I can’t argue with that. She encouraged us to be proactive and urged all to come, taste and see that God is good.

Andrea was quickly followed by Hillsong speaker Kris Mikkelson, who travelled down on the day to speak to us in place of Peter Wilson. Hillsong didn’t want to let us down and we were humbled by his graciousness and heartfelt message. It was about –

• The need to change the way we see God. We must say to God I know you love me, let’s do life together;
• We must change the way we see other people in our life; and
• Let’s change the way we see church.

The very talented Cath Wooldridge from the Going Public Theatre Company delivered a very moving performance of how Jesus’ death and resurrection personally affected Mary Magdalene. As of last year, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Tears flowed freely.

Next we were treated to a question and answer session; the panel was made up of members of 21CC and Hillsong worship teams. Viewpoints were shared on what is worship, song writing and the whole centre was deeply moved by Helen Parry Palfreman’s moving testimony of how we praise and worship God all of the time even in time of tragedy such as when she and her husband Martyn lost a new born child in December.

The evening session was action packed with amazing worship cumulating in “The Enemy has been defeated, death couldn’t hold you down”. The atmosphere was astonishingly electrifying and awakening to God’s almighty presence. Personally, I could feel the goose bumps on my arm.

Cath once again delivered a performance about someone who seemingly had everything she needed in life but at the same time led a very empty life. 
The effervescent Kevin delivered the final teaching which was all about the Kingdom. The main thrust was about the link between Jesus and the Kingdom which is the local church. Kevin added that the local church should be an expression of the Kingdom of God. The church is meant to be a close encounter of the Kingdom. The church is the body of Christ and we are the visible body of Christ. That is so mind blowing.

We finished the evening with joyful and beautiful worship. We all jumped up and down singing with all our might. The Selwyn Samuel centre once again, for the second year running became the glorious House of God. It was not to be missed. It was so energising to see so many young people wanting to glorify God’s name and yes, it was also both encouraging and inspiring.

The theme of the conference was the “Local Church – Hope of the World” and there were so many who came from different parts of Wales – Merthyr, Bridgend, Ammanford and Llandrindod Wells to name but a few.

We were all so encouraged by the worship and wonderful speakers. We loved Hillsong London sharing this fantastic conference with us; they are such wonderful, caring and humble people. We shared a mutual love for each other and of course more importantly for the one who made it all possible - Our Amazing, Awesome God.
I’ll finish as I did last year, and I make no apology for it. Geraint our leader and pastor always tells us – the best is yet to come. It’s true; it always does somehow get better.
2011! It will soon be with us. Better start planning!