Fiesta 2008 Conference Report

By John Evans

Guadalajara, Mexico

It’s 6pm on Friday, 14 November at a beautiful location just outside the city of Guadalajara, Mexico. A steady stream of cars and buses are making their way through the sunset, some from the big urban centres, some from the remote mountain villages, but all of them packed not just with bags but with infectious excitement. This is Fiesta 2008, the ninth annual gathering of the Newfrontiers family of churches in Mexico; a great weekend for enjoying God’s family, celebrating progress and renewing and enlarging our prophetic vision for the coming year.

Record attendance

There’s a record turnout on this occasion with over 900 people present, representing sixteen churches from four different nations. Throughout our days together we were blessed with a clear sense of God’s presence amongst us carried along by passionate times of worship superbly led by Oscar Suarez and his team. If you think Mexican food is great you really should try Mexican worship – spicy and hot!

Anointed preaching

We were ably served in God’s word by a string of anointed preachers. José Manuel Herrera from Leon kicked off on Friday night, encouraging us by the example of Nehemiah to build in and live out our core values in a practical way. On Saturday Ray Lowe from the UK gave us a timely reminder, in his inimitable style, of the wonders of grace and the constant need to guard against the twin dangers of legalism and control. For freedom we have been set free!

Sunday morning saw a stirring call to faith and generosity from Oscar Suarez (Guadalajara), and in the evening a challenge from John Evans (Guadalajara) to follow Jonathan’s example and launch out in new steps of faith.

On Monday morning Lee Yarbrough, who leads the Mexican apostolic team, shared an important pastoral word from Luke 24 and the disciples’ encounter with Jesus on the road to Emmaus, encouraging us to remember that He will be with us as we go back to live for God and build churches in what are often much less-than-perfect circumstances.

Church plant in Brazil

One of the highlights of the weekend, as always, was our evening of prayer. You can actually see and sense the faith of the churches growing year after year as people stand with zeal and pray not just for Mexico but for the vision of touching the Americas with the gospel of grace. It was a privilege to listen to David and Sarah Adhei as they reported on what God is doing in Santa Fe, Bolivia and to get behind the upcoming church plant in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. For so many years Mexico was a ‘receiving’ country as far as ministry and resources are concerned but God is turning the tide and a ‘sending’ wave is breaking on our beaches.

Offering doubled!

This was reflected in our offering as it rose by 100%(!) from last year, and in the news coming back from the children’s and young people’s meetings of God on the move, which fills us with excitement for the future. As I wandered around the conference grounds there was a wonderful mixture in the air: the delicious smell of fresh Mexican barbecues, the sound of shared laughter filling the air, and a new and strong sense of purpose and faith in people’s hearts. ‘This is church. This is God’s answer for Mexico,’ I thought. I think God agrees. See you in Fiesta 2009!