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AoG world conference in Australia

World Assemblies of God Congress delegates in Australia have heard eye-witness accounts of how thousands of tsunami survivors have found an ‘open door’ to new life and lasting hope.

Walking onto the stage of the fourth World Assemblies of God Congress, held in Sydney from 4th to 6th May, the Sri Lankan AoG General Superintendent looked up at the conference theme emblazoned on the banner above him: ‘Take the Nation, Shake the World’. Then, referring to the tragic Indian Ocean tsunami that killed around 280,000 people in December, he said that the world had already been shaken – and that God had since "opened the doors for us to take the nation".

Although still grieved and shocked by the devastation that led to the deaths of more than 40,000 fellow Sri Lankans, the GS told conference delegates that he had faith in God’s eternal purposes that stretched far beyond the short-term tragedy. "This thing has been a true ‘open door’ for the love of Jesus," he said, explaining how practical care that Christians extended to tsunami victims had started to break through barriers between believers and other communities.

Soon after disaster struck on 26th December, the General Superintendent urged fellow Sri Lankan AoG ministers to temporarily set aside midweek church activities and instead to establish ‘Project of Hope’ command relief centres across eight districts.

For the full story, see the July issue of JOY Magazine.