This was the World Race’s second annual Awakening, and this gathering lived up to its name.
We believe that the Holy Spirit lives in each of us who believe and follow Christ. When such people are gathered, the presence of God is amplified, which is what happened. His presence electrified the environs, permeating through everything that went on.
Jonathan David Helser and his band led worship biblically – in Spirit and in truth and in the manner of David, who danced with all his might before the Lord. Just as a piece of music is dynamic – ranging from pianissimo (very soft) to fortissimo (very loud) and everything in between – so were the times of worship.
There was a good amount of standing on chairs, declaring loudly the promises of God, and jumping and shouting, approaching the throne of grace with boldness and confidence. There were also moments of quiet, waiting and listening for the Lord, kneeling face down to the ground in humility. In the midst of praise there was also petition and intercessory prayer broke out – even over the internet (thank God for technology!).
- Life at its best = you at your best + Jesus as His best + the church at her best
- The ways the earth groans for the sons and daughters of God to realize their identity, mature and fill the earth with the knowledge of the glory of God
- What it means to be adopted into the family of God and receive our inheritance, getting on with the “family business” a.k.a. the kingdom (some of Andrew’s messages are also available here)
- The old and new covenants, that the church today has been living a newer version of the old covenant. (Fuller versions of Anthony’s messages: part 1, part 2, part 3 and part 4)
- Seth showed some ways to turn kingdom dreams into reality.
- Jimmy shared with some Racers what life after the World Race might look like and tips on how to navigate through that transition
- The Helsers shared some of their heart and story with worship leaders and had them find their sound and open up the wells of their soul.
- Allison and Caroline demystified prophesy and facilitated some practice of the prophetic.
And just as life on the World Race isn’t always super-spiritual, there was also a good amount of fun and play. Racers played kickball and Capture the Flag which were fun, but not many participated. Instead, most of them focused on rehearsing for the Dance-Off, the much anticipated inter-squad dance competition of the Awakening.
Complete with some Irish river dance, an homage to traditional Ugandan dance, a parody of a robbery set to MC Hammer, hip-hop, the compulsory Christmas song, and the Maori Haka, the N Squad (January 2010) easily took first place. The L-Squad (October 2009) and P-Squad (July 2010) took second and third place, respectively. Even the alumni, who represented all past World Races, got to flash their dancing prowess.
Wednesday night after the evening session, World Racers — like Michelle Euperio, Matthew Rock, Kirsten George and Rachel Hurt — danced, painted, poeticized, and sang, offering their art as worship. For a couple nights and days, photography was exhibited (artfully orchestrated by Ashley Huizenga – from Africa!), a powerful and poignant display of the places and people God puts on the hearts of World Racers.
