Epicenter Conference - Day One

Ann Graham Lotz is the daughter of Billy Graham and is highly gifted in teaching and public speaking. Hearing Ann speak is something splendid. After the lively worship and Joel Rosenberg's introduction to the Biblical book of Joel, Ann started the teaching from Joel, chapter one. If one wasn't awake after the zealous worship, there was no giving way to jet lag during Ann's proclaiming of God's Word.

Of the many voices in Christiandom I trust to bring a message from God's heart, it would be Ann Graham Lotz.  Her life, ministry and personal relationship with God is one of integrity, honesty and consistency.  She is a woman who lives by the Word of God, studies it faithfully and teaches it wholeheartedly.  I strongly urge you to listen to this message in its entirety by going to the Epicenter Conference website. This message is for everyone, not just those who were attending the conference, please listen and take heart.

Ann powered through the first chapter of Joel as she read it to us and then began to teach what God had given her from the passage.  Her message entitled A Wake Up Call for Israel and the Church set the tone for the rest of the conference.  She emphasized the importance of knowing the times we live in. Anne's presence, demeanor and passion for the Bible made her message unforgettable.  She taught us about the "Day of the Lord".  Her simple definition was it's the day when God gets fed up and draws a line in the sand. The "day" is fast approaching and Ann challenged the listeners to take stock in our own lives, repent of known sin, quit fooling around and get serious about our relationship with God.  Why?  Because the time is extremely short, we are right on the cusp of Messiah's return and we must be ready to meet Him that day.

Enjoying our box lunches in the atrium.

As you may have already thought, this was not a "feel good" kind of conference. Every speaker challenged and stretched us far beyond what we encounter in our Western Churches.  Leaving the context of the West and entering into another culture is one of the most invigorating experiences I've had.  My world can get very small when it is focused on my life, my family and my work.  Departing from the known and stepping into the unknown allows me to walk in faith, trust God and let Him direct me to the places and people He wants me to encounter.  It brings me the greatest joy imaginable to fellowship with believers from many countries when the common thread is Jesus Christ. I so wish each of you could have this blessed experience!

Lunch was carefully orchestrated with drink stations, tables with box lunches and chairs for us to sit in scattered all around the atrium area of the building.  As we made our way to pick up our lunches, we caught a familiar face behind the table....it was Ilan, our fabulous tour guide from last year!  He immediately remembered us and greeted us with a huge smile and handshake.  Each box contained more food than folks could eat.  Each day, all the unopened items from the lunch boxes were collected and distributed to those in need who live in Jerusalem.

During the lunch break we were finally able to exchange some money at a bank just outside the entrance.  For some reason the ATM machine would not allow us to take cash out of our US account. Some places will let you pay in American dollars but it gets very complicated trying to figure out the exchange rate.  Paying in shekels makes things easier. 

The afternoon session was equally riveting as we continued the study of Joel with Ray Bentley and Skip Heitzig.  One interesting fact about the book of Joel is that there is not a date as to when it was written or who specifically it was written to. Yet the main theme is The Day of the Lord is coming, so get ready!

Looking back at the notes several things stood out. 
1) God is sounding a wake up call to the world and to the church.
2) Judgment is coming, sooner than we think.
3) There is a little time to examine your life and repent!  God is still offering Grace and Mercy.
4) The Messiah's return is eminent!

Early birds get the front row seats!

5) Be committed to living out Biblical truth.

Everyone we talked to at the conference had the same sense of being "called" to attend the conference. I don't know where all of this is taking us but I do know we have a responsibility to share the message of urgency with anyone who will listen.

What direction is your life going?  Do you need to make a "u" turn, get serious about your relationship with God or fall on your knees before Him and acknowledge that HE IS God?  There is still time!