Autumn England Conference Report
by M.W.

This years autumn conference began for me when the A-team, made up of Sanda and Pat, arrived in Romford. We spent three very busy days together shopping, arranging, more shopping, and re-arranging as they helped me give my flat a new look. It was very exciting and a marvel to watch their energy and enthusiasm at work, We did manage to fit in a night at the theatre in London. I got the opportunity to speak faith to a very difficult situation when my central heating broke down on the morning they arrived and it couldn’t be repaired for two days!

We arrived at the Hollowford Training Centre in Castleton quite late on Friday night. We got straight into the swing of things by introducing our-selves and giving an update on how God had been working in our lives since our last get together. It was great to see some new faces this year and also some we hadn’t seen for awhile.

We did some singing and played some interesting and "involved" games over the next couple of days. But our main concentration was on teaching and highlighting again the basic truths that we believe and desire to live by. Christina Duncan gave a very clear and concise presentation on "Body, Soul, and Spirit" and "No Independent Self." There were opportunities for others to chip in, highlight various points and ask questions. There was time also for people to share and discuss at a more personal level what God was doing in their lives in various situations.

The youth program for the weekend was led by Scott Prewitt. They studied the book of Hebrews and in particular, references to faith and discipline. They also discussed their favorite scripture verses.

One point which was stressed in the adult group and is worth mentioning again is the part choice plays in our lives. Having the freedom to choose between opposites is what makes us persons. But we only have one choice. To make my point clearly, I would like to quote a few sentences on choice from a previous article, in the "Intercessor" by Brett Burrowes. "This is the only choice human beings have: whether or not to believe Satan’s lie that they can be independently self-operating selves who play at being gods. We can not actually choose to be independent selves; that is the lie. All we get to choose is our view or perception of ourselves, and by that choice we determine which spirit operates us. In fact, once we choose whether or not to believe Satan’s lie of independent self, every other action or choice is not free, but determined by the spirit which indwells and operates us."

We had some free time on Saturday which some of us used to get some fresh air and walk into Castleton and do some browsing in the many gift shops. It is a very beautiful part of the country and in some ways reminds me of the west of Ireland. So I felt very much at home.

There were sad farewells on Sunday afternoon as we all went our different ways. We look forward eagerly to our next fellowship week-end and also to our Easter conference next April.