This week I had the opportunity to visit my friends in the north west who are part of a new leadership network called Synergy, made up of youth pastors and leaders from mainly pentecostal evangelical churches: AOG, Foursquare and independents, but there was also a baptist youth pastor and Salvation Army guy from the StreetLevel ministry in the city. The meeting was at Filipino Christian Fellowship - The Church on the Highway, in Michinbury and being a more conservative Sydney evangelical I wasn't sure what to expect at the meeting. But throughout the night as I got to meet and chat with the the leaders at the meeting I was impressed and endeared with their deep love for the gospel of Jesus to reign forth in our city and their Kingdom mindset to work together to support each other in their ministries, breaking down denominational and church boundaries. Synergy is led my friend Joel Chan and the purpose of the network is to provide training and development for leaders and provide a place to network and learn from each other on matters of life and ministry.
The experience really helped me to breakdown my preconceptions and stereotypes of pentacostals and was encouraged to know that we are all one in Christ, having the same passion for the mission of Jesus. What I found most encouraging was how Spirit-filled, open and unhibited the pentacostals expressed their love and praises to God. During the meeting we were interupted by a group of adult men downstairs singing whole heartedly together. Quite funny to see Joel's speech interrupted with a manly rendition of Ancient of Days, and you know the Filipinos can sing! But I thought that was fantastic! I wish to see the same zeal for God in the men at the churches I'm more familiar with.
We closed the night with prayers in a prayer circle and as I jumped back on the M4 highway to head home, I thanked God for broadening my horizons, for experiencing the love and unity in Christ with my new friends at Synergy and I prayed that God will grow and mature the Synergy ministry to equip and fuel leaders to faithful and fruitful service that will bless the churches and their communities.
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