Conference 2016

We felt that there is real significance in the name "Vulindlela". It does mean opening the way but has stronger connotations of blazing a trail and making a way where there has been no way before. So often people leave conferences like this and then are frustrated when they encounter resistance back in their home churches and dioceses. We feel the Lord is saying very strongly, "Don't wait for others to move the roadblocks; blaze a trail, find a way to proceed where there has been no way before. Fire doesn't stop for obstacles, it goes around them.

We sensed that this might connect with the word from Craig Stewart referring to Thomas and calling us to move towards the wounds, wherever we encounter them, because that is where we truly prove the presence of the resurrected Christ. I (Rob) was very conscious throughout the conference of the simultaneous crisis being played out on our university campuses because of constant messages on my phone regarding the front-line engagement of members of my and other churches in peace monitoring and mediation.

The challenge is always to make sure that the conference experience and its call to our hearts, is not left behind when we leave. We felt this with particular intensity with regard to this "Vulindlela" call. It was a big part of what the Lord said to the listening team at the last Anglicans Ablaze Conference, and we feel it is even more urgent now. We will face increasing situations of crisis in each of our local contexts and in them Jesus will give us opportunity to blaze new trails.

The Lord said to us "I heed the cry of my people and I have come down to rescue them." What are we crying out for? Are we listening and responding to the revelation God is giving us? Are we willing to follow his ways and not our ways? We particularly felt the Lord is calling us to hear the many cries of need from our young people. They will lead us into the places of woundedness where Jesus' resurrection presence will be made known.

We felt the Lord assuring us that, "You have not lost your fire." We Anglicans are not just a church concerned about maintenance and preserving our structures. We are still a church uniquely placed to step into the public issues in out nations with a confident voice and, in the power of the Holy Spirit raise up a prophetic banner for the Lord. Like Advocate Thuli, we too are called to an Esther role in this time.

The wonderful depth, unity and enthusiasm of our worship shows that there is "something very good" here. We were directed to Psalm 133 that where there is unity God commands his blessing. Also we were reminded of the praise singers going ahead of Joshua's army in the conquest of Jericho. Our worship in unity builds a platform for discipleship in unity.

Stories

We were blessed to be invited to dance for the whole of Anglicans Ablaze, and we are proud to say that everyone "loved us" and invited us back a second time. What a privilege and what a joy it was to express our God-given talents in such a positive and amazing surrounding. Just before we left Cape Town, we went up Table Mountain, which we'll never forget. Then we went to the beach-Yay! WOW! As we grow up, we hope to be a part of the Anglicans Ablaze Youth Leadership Team. Anglicans Ablaze in Durban, two years from now – here we come!
- St. John the Divine Orphans and Outreach Delegates
Johannesburg
During the question and answer session on #LetsTalkAboutSex, a brave young lady got up and told the speaker that she hates men and has difficulty relating to men, as she had been abused from age 4-18. The speaker listened to her intently; and after speaking to this young lady, asked all the males in the room to stand up, as we were going to stand in agreement in asking forgiveness for all the wrong that was committed to this young lady by men. Corporate prayer then followed. I was moved so much that I later asked the young lady if I could give her a "daddy hug" to which she reciprocated. The next day and the following days, I noticed an amazing transformation happening in the life of this young lady, as her face became radiant.
- Nicholas Joseph Haupt
Cape Town
I was playing in one of the worship bands. Our sound was outsourced to a professional sound company, and the gentlemen were Muslim. I wondered how these guys would cope with hearing the inside story of Christianity... On Thursday morning, I felt the prompting of the Holy Spirit to ask the guys if they wanted prayer. They agreed, and Zaheed called his team together. I grabbed +Martin to pray with me. On Friday morning when Thuli Madonsela arrived, Faried came down from his balcony seat and joined me in worship. He was really trying to learn the songs and to dance in time with the music. We joined hands and danced together.
- Colleen Thomas
Cape Town
During Anglicans Ablaze, God graciously revealed a taste of heaven during our diverse worship. It blew my mind away!
- Noon Chevalier
Cape Town
What an absolutely fabulous AA conference. Our Windhoek group was 16 in which eight were teenagers. They loved it to bits.
- Dean Mike Yates
St George's Cathedral, Namibia
This was my third AA conference, and this one will be in my heart forever because it not only dealt with spiritual matters but also dealt with issues that young people face daily–drug abuse, sex and gangsterism. Hosting Mme Thuli Madonsela and the social justice panel was good, and young people were offered an opportunity to ask or raise their concerns. I thought going to the UK was the highlight of my life, but attending this year's AA will be the highlight of my life for a very long time.
- Kgowe Moleme
Matlosane
What stood out for me is that God loves us, and he wants us to have a relationship with him.
- Logan Harris, 15
Cape Town
To me the conference was life changing and a really great experience. I listened and learned a few things that I never would have... It was really great to meet a lot of different people from all over the country and world.
- Janilee Meiring
Cape Town
Thank you for your prophetic final message, Trevor. I think the issue of unity is the one that is facing us, and I do believe that our Province has the unique possibility of saying to the world: We can hold different views and yet we can stand together.
- Revd Dr Rachel Mash
Green Anglicans
I was struck by the amount of thought and obvious prayer that went into every session from the Eucharist and worship to the plenary sessions and logistics. The Holy Spirit's presence was hovering and evident throughout. Every session was impressive, and I appreciated how well the spiritual talks were merged with our social responsibility.
- Estelle August
Christ the King
It was truly a blessing to be at the conference. Every minute was soaked in the presence of the Holy Spirit, and people responded accordingly.
- Johan Ferndale
Cape Town
On Thursday after the "sex talk" in the youth auditorium, the platform was open for ministry. This was the first time l could share with a someone the story of what happened in my life earlier this year. I had been trapped in guilt, shame and hopelessness for four months but walking around saying to people and myself that "I am okay". That ministry time was my saving grace because l suddenly thought more clearly and more sensibly and slowly experienced the grace of God over my life.
- Young Lady
St Mark's the Evangelist
Having attended the 2014 conference as well, I enjoyed the quality of the youth track in 2016. Even the sound crew, who we learnt were Muslim, sometimes struggled, sometimes embraced the deep and penetrating messages by the speakers. Seeds were planted in those sessions.
- Brad Sitzer
False Bay
Anglicans Ablaze was immensely filled with the Spirit of love and grace... To all who worked tirelessly for the Kingdom of God, much thanks and appreciation.
- Revd Ronald Dias
Cape Town
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