Awakening Australia was held at the Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, 16 – 18 November 2018, culminating with a baptism service at St Kilda Beach on Monday 19 November.
This was the fifth such event: others were in Nuremberg in 2015, Stockholm in 2016, Prague in 2017 and Riga in 2018. Its purpose is “to boldly proclaim the greatness of Jesus across the nations”, based on Revelation chapter 11, verse 15. We anticipate another Awakening Australia in 2020!
There were three main sessions each day, with some workshops before some of the sessions, on Evangelism, Healing, Worship and Business. In between we were expected to do Outreach - go out into the streets and talk to people, telling them about Jesus or inviting them to come to a session.
There were even some impromptu flash mobs singing praise and worship in the plazas and train station.
The Great South Land of the Holy Spirit
Ben Fitzgerald – an Aussie – had the vision for the Awakenings and he and Daniel Hagan – also an Aussie, now in Bethel – led the event.
I was delighted to see the event opened with a strong prayer by an Aboriginal pastor re-affirming that this is the Great South Land of the Holy Spirit, and calling for unity among Christians and among the nations.
A number of speakers referred to the Great South Land of the Holy Spirit. And this theme of unity among Christians was echoed throughout the conference.
Worship
There was at least one hour of worship, led by the Bethel worship team, before any speakers. Several wonderful new songs were used and there were many times when the worship leaders themselves were prostrate on the floor before the Lord!
The Spirit of God was present in the stadium!
The stage was wide enough to accommodate some dancers and some using flags, not all the time but at significant moments. This in no way detracted from the worship itself, but enhanced it.
Variety of speakers
Daniel Kolenda, the successor to Reinhard Bonnke, certainly demonstrated that he was wearing Reinhard’s mantle: he drew our attention to how Jesus was moved with compassion on seeing crowds of people looking weary and helpless. The response is to go: preach the Kingdom, heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. You will never see the power of God unless you go!
Todd White, from Bethel, did not pull punches. He came to Christ from a life of addictions. Jesus set him free. He observed that we take grace and twist it to fit our culture, but any grace that doesn’t lead to transformation is demonic. He also stated that Jesus wouldn’t put things out there, such as lustful eyes, unless we can be free from it.
Bill Johnson affirmed that we were fashioned to see the Designer and to co-labour with Him. We misuse our authority if we pray to accuse or destroy – we must have mercy and contend for the heart of God to be manifest. Abraham was expected to come and stand in the gap for Sodom.
Bill also taught about the place of prophecies: Paul told Timothy that he was born into a war (that has already been won) and he was to fight the war and use the prophecies as weapons. Part of this war is our perceptions and responses. If we can’t navigate criticism, we can’t cope with honour. If we can’t navigate disappointment, we can’t handle trust.
Quick gems
“Lay down our logos and egos – unity is not an option” Ben Fitzgerald
“The gospel is a full contact sport – 24/7” Ben Fitzgerald
“We need to cut down the Tall Poppy syndrome by honouring our leaders” Ben Fitzgerald
“No one joins the army to watch the war” Dylan Long
“You don’t need a Comforter if you’re in the Comfort Zone” Dylan Long
“DISABLED: put GO in front and you have GOD IS ABLED” Nick Vuyicic
“We don’t want to be rehearsing, nursing and cursing the past. Only God can heal our past and our story. The blind man stood still and trusted” Nick Vuyicic
“If you gave your life to God, it’s not on loan” Heidi Baker
“We have taught bipolar Christianity for too long. The flesh can’t have dominion over you if you are in a relationship with God. If you don’t press into him, the world will press into you. There’s a difference between saying you love God and knowing that you are loved by God” Todd White
“The cross reveals how valuable you are to the Father” Todd White
“Realign (from Amos chapter 7), refire (from Jude verses 20,21), redesign (from Romans Chapter 10, verses 9-10)” Margaret Court
“Don’t hold God hostage to a lack of a breakthrough” Bill Johnson
Where to now?
After such a huge event, things don’t stop – we need to keep the momentum and not forget the lessons learnt. We need to make it our aim to share Christ daily and strengthen the local church by honouring the leadership.
When people are saved, we need to take them to a local church and help them grow, not leave them alone. At 7pm every day there is prayer for Australia, all across the nation, so join in.
And we need unity – recollecting the anthem of the 70s revival: “We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord… and they’ll know we are Christians by our love….” And make it a reality!
Aira Chilcott is a retired secondary school teacher with lots of science and theology under her belt. Aira is a panellist for Young Writers and indulges in reading, bushwalking, volunteering at a nature reserve and learning to play clarinet. Aira is married to Bill and they have three adult sons.
Aira Chilcott's previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/aira-chilcott.html
Aira Chilcott is a retired secondary school teacher with lots of science andtheology under her belt. Aira is an editor for PSI and indulges inreading, bushwalking and volunteering at a nature reserve. Aira’s husband Bill passed away in 2022 and she is left with three wonderful adult sons and one grandson.
Aira Chilcott's previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/aira-chilcott.html