Master Builders Conference
By Gavin Northcote
Clarens, South Africa
‘Master Builder’! A vivid phrase used by Paul to describe his role in building the church. This is what inspired Steve Oliver as he gathered leaders to a conference called Master Builders in March. His dream has been to see mature, strong leadership emerge from rural areas, as he heard skeptics from cities doubting that this could happen, and was provoked to train and equip rural people for leadership.
The first Master Builders conference was in 2005, and each year since there has been growth in maturity and zeal, as well as in the numbers attending. This year over 300 came from five churches planted in and around Clarens in the eastern Free State, and in nearby Lesotho, the picturesque ‘Kingdom of Mountains’ just across the river.
Terry and Wendy Virgo were thrilled to be there, and Julian Adams (now in Teesside, UK), and Tim Davies from Buxton, UK were also speakers. Terry brought his foundational teaching on the Grace of God. To many it would have been the first time they had heard it laid out in Terry’s inimitable style, and it came with freshness and buoyancy. Wendy also taught the women on the grace theme.
Tim Davies preached simply but powerfully on the first evening on finding all our delight in God. He also taught on Leadership Grace, a message which should be part of every leader’s arsenal. A large and enthusiastic bunch of people came with him from the UK who also greatly enjoyed their experience of rural Africa!
A mini conference called Future Builders for teens and twenties was running concurrently. When Julian Adams preached on the Power of God many were healed and powerfully impacted.
The final evening provided the highlight of the conference. Finding words to express what we experienced during the worship is difficult, but can perhaps be explained as being totally overcome and overwhelmed by the pleasure of God. All were lost in God’s presence as we felt His Spirit take over to show us His love and grace. We took up an offering and asked Terry to have the freedom to give this offering to whichever church plant he felt needed these funds; and so to the Philippines our offering has been sent. The church leaders and their wives then gathered around Terry and Wendy to pray for them and honour them for their courageous and exemplary leadership over the past four decades and to commit ourselves to their vision to see churches planted in every nation.