When visitors enter the grounds of St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center on Seabrook Island, they may observe a road sign that says, “Strong Winds Possible.” The first time I saw that sign, I thought it was so apropos; St. Christopher is situated on a beautiful wooded piece of property at the confluence of the Atlantic Ocean and the Edisto River. Of course, since it is right on the water, it is susceptible to tropical storms and hurricanes. However, after many visits to this beautiful place for various diocesan events, I have come to realize that the sign isn’t really warning us about the weather. It is telling us that the Holy Spirit is often unleashed there and that many lives continue to be invaded and transformed by personal visits of God’s Spirit in that place!
We sing a praise and worship song at CrossPoint titled, “Spirit Break Out”.
Spirit break out
Break our walls down
Spirit break out
Heaven come down
Fifty days after Easter (the 7th Sunday), Christians celebrate Pentecost. The day commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus who were in Jerusalem to celebrate the Jewish Festival of Weeks.
“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues of fire appeared to them and rested on each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2: 1-4, ESV)
What a powerful description of “heaven coming down”! The indwelling of the Holy Spirit empowered those men to take the gospel into the world. The Apostle Peter brought 3,000 people that very day to belief in Jesus. When we become believers, we receive the Holy Spirit as Jesus promised. Jeremy Camp says in one of his songs, “The same power that rose Jesus from the grave lives in us.” We are empowered to take the gospel of Jesus into the world, too, and we are called by Jesus to do just that:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28: 19-20, ESV)
Prayer For A Spirit of Evangelism
“Almighty God our Savior, you desire that none should perish, and you have taught us through your Son that there is great joy in heaven over every sinner who repents: Grant our hearts may ache for a lost and broken world. May your Holy Spirit work through our words, deeds, and prayers, that the lost may be found and the dead made alive, and that all your redeemed may rejoice around your throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
(Anglican Book of Common Prayer)
Holy Spirit, come down…fill every part of our bodies, minds, and souls…refresh us…set our hearts on fire! May it be so, Lord; may it be so.
Lynelle Jensen
(For more information about St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center, its events, retreats, and camps visit –www.stchristopher.org)
