This year marked the 30th Annual Light Bearers Convocation. Our theme was “Faith to Faith,” based on Romans 1:16-17:
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written. The just shall live by faith.”
Martin Luther once described the book of Romans as the “clearest gospel of all.” This year our focus highlighted the gospel message of “Christ our Righteousness.” It included a heart-touching message on the cross of Calvary by Ty Gibson, a humble but clear presentation of the “Faith of Jesus” by David Asscherick, a number of powerful messages on righteousness by faith by Jeffrey Rosario and myself, as well as a series of practical health talks by Risë Rafferty.
This year’s attendance was the largest to date, including over 140 children and youth. We had an excellent group of leaders teaching children in cradle roll through young adults. Most of the attendees arrived at the beginning of the week and took in the entire Convocation.
The beautiful campground is buttressed by the Willamette River on the south side and gardens and greenhouses on the north, with hundreds of fruit trees scattered throughout. Attendees stayed in RVs with hook-ups, trailers, tents and at local hotels.
As this message gains more and more access to our members, powerful transformations will take place in God’s church…
One of the highlights this year was the baptism of eight young people whose families have been blessed by the ministry of Light Bearers. There were also two adults who decided it was time to be re-baptized. These decisions were an evidence of the Holy Spirit’s moving and His continuous work to bring souls to Jesus.
This year’s convocation was videotaped as well as audio recorded. The recordings, available from our Resource Center, can be found here.
In the last few years, the afternoon meeting schedule has been organized to include an interactive Bible study and this year was no exception. This is an opportunity for the attendees to grab a microphone (if Ty can get one to them) and ask questions or share insights with the panel of speakers. Normally we choose a subject to cover in each of these sessions but this year’s theme made that unnecessary. There were plenty of questions and comments about righteousness by faith and hardly enough time to get to everyone.
It became evident day by day why the message of “Christ our Righteousness” will “swallow up all others” (Review and Herald, December 23, 1890). As this message gains more and more access to our members, powerful transformations will take place in God’s church:
“Then the believers will be of one heart and of one mind, and the Lord will make His word powerful in the earth. New cities and villages and territories will be entered; the church will arise and shine, because her light has come, for the glory of the Lord is risen upon her. New converts will be added to the churches, and those who now claim to be converted will feel in their own hearts the transforming power of the grace of Christ. Then Satan will be aroused, and will excite the bitterest persecution against God’s people. But those not of our faith, who have not rejected light, will recognize the spirit of Christ in His true followers, and will take their stand with the people of God.”
It is our prayer that every person reading these words will open their hearts fully to the love of God, that individually we will each say yes to Jesus, allowing Him to take the reins of our lives, and that together we will swell the ranks of the redeemed, lightening the earth with the glory of God. We believe that this year’s “Faith to Faith” convocation will prove to be a great personal blessing. And we pray that you will be inspired and encouraged again and again as you take up the grand theme of “Christ our Righteousness.” Amen.
James Rafferty
James has spent more than 30 years preaching the gospel around the world in revival seminars and evangelistic meetings. He and his wife Risë have two adult children, Jeiel and Kierra.
