Pastor's Journal

• Culture of a Father's Love
• Big problem? Bigger solution!

"This is the life!" We've heard many people say this, or make this statement in our lives, and most of it is centered around the picture of one lying on a sandy beach in a tropical paradise with a cool drink in their hand with not a care in the world. Although that is a great picture of an ideal place of rest and refreshing, I found a little piece of my paradise when I attended the Partners in Harvest family gathering in October.

Before I tell you how the conference affected my life, let me give you a quick snapshot as to how Holy Spirit led Harvest Family Church to becoming a part of Partners in Harvest.

It was the Signs & Wonders Conference in October 2003. Although I had been to many TACF conferences before this, I was unaware that this was the conference that would shake me at my foundation and bring me into a state of healing through the Father's love.

After having pastored for 13 years, I felt dry, disillusioned, and found myself hurting. I desperately needed clear directive and a renewed passion for deeper intimacy with the Father.

I received much at the conference that year and felt refreshed, but never realized what would take place the following Sunday back at my church in Winnipeg.

It was Thanksgiving Sunday morning, October of 2003. The day after returning from the conference before the service had even began, I found myself pinned to the floor as wave after wave of the Father's healing Presence washed over me. It was the beginning of a journey of healing and restoration in my life and many other lives that has grown wonderfully over the last five years.

It was in early 2008 that we had made the decision that in order for us to walk in a deeper revelation of the Father's heart, we needed to network with those that were also flowing in the River. We joined the Partners in Harvest family in September of 2008 and was very much looking forward to the upcoming PIH conference.

Upon my arrival in Toronto, my expectations were high but I don't think I was quite prepared for the reception that I would receive. Many people have had prophetic words over Winnipeg, being in the centre of Canada, as being a place where the Father's heart would beat again. The mayor of our city just recently gave a new motto to Winnipeg: The Heart of the Continent. Taking all this into consideration, the very first service of the conference absolutely overwhelmed me. I was introduced as one of the new pastors and churches of PIH and was prayed over countless times in that first service alone.

“More for Winnipeg!, kept echoing in my ears. I was so touched by the initial love and acceptance into the family.

That night as I contemplated the events of the day, I kept saying to myself, “I'm finally at home.” As the conference proceeded, with each new day I received once again a greater dimension of the Father's love, which was clearly demonstrated through my new PIH brothers and sisters, who loved on me unconditionally and welcomed me with open arms.

To say the least, it was an overwhelming experience. I was looking for a culture of Father's love and I believe I have found it in Partners in Harvest.
I believe this upcoming year is going to be a year of new beginnings and greater passion, and I know that will involve my new PIH family. YEAH GOD! I've found a home in the church based on Love.