We popped into that first conference at 9:05 pm (it started at 7 pm). We got seated in the rear, in a packed hall with about 7000 people of various kinds of skin colours, nations, and religions. Joyce was standing there on top of the stage, badly translated by some German lady, who spoke like the pope himself (unctuous, and exactly the reason why I don't like to go to our local church any longer...) :( We had a hard time to fade her out *sigh*
And the funny thing is, as soon as we entered the room, she was talking about the stuff we listened to on our way to Essen, Germany ('you are in a hurry, and God's not'). So she spoke about rocking our box, being fruitful, not busy. As if she could read our thoughts!
It was followed by her invitation for the people there to become born again christians, to come forward to the stage. Hundreds of people came forward to the stage, and she prayed with them and for them, and afterwards the staff, and helpers wrote down people's names, talked to them.
For that evening that was it, we saw tables out there, which were covered with her DVD's, CD's, books etc.
We left our hotel at around 7:30 am, got there just in time. A big line was waiting in front of closed doors. But everybody was (tired) peacefully waiting, the line crossed the street up to the parking lot, until one black British guy said something like 'dear fellow christians, please stand on the sideway, don't block the cars'... It was such a good mood there, not one single bad word spoken! At 8:15 am we could finally enter. We got a seat in the 5th row, on the left hand side. There were 3 big screens on the stage, and a couple of tv monitors.
Patiently we waited until it started at 10 am. There were some places reserved, for I don't know whom, right in front of the stage. And one very unfriendly lady didn't let us sit down there. In front of us were British and German people seated, behind us some Turkish. I could spot out Dutch, Spanish, Africans, and French as well.
At 10 am Delirious started with 3 songs of worship. It's a rockband, all kinds of young people ran to the stage, started jumping and singing, we were asked to rise and join the singing. Which wasn't hard to do, because they had the lyrics running past the screens. The songs had such an impact on me, and on the others, too! You could tell the singer ment, yeah felt, what he sang about, each song was a prayer in some unique way. One time, to the song 'rain down' they had lightning and rain pouring over the screens, it faded into the singers face, while the lyrics was running below his face, it was soooooooo cool!
While the 3rd song was being sung, I could spot Joyce and Dave and one of their sons at the side of the stage, Joyce and Dave holding hands, both singing out loud, raising their hands. We all were supposed to join hands, lift 'em up in the air, singing 'here I am, send me' and 'I could sing of your love forever'. It was awsome! And another one (inside outside) sang about 'captivate me, saturate me, fascinate me'.
We were fascinated by one old British guy in front of us, he started jumping and singing, praysing the Lord, as if he would be 17 years young! After a big applause, and after the young ones sat back down, Joyce held a big speech about donating to the ministry, and that they will use the money to reach out to the Arab and Eastern countries, as well as Africa, to spread the word of the Gospel. Because it isn't possible to get into those countries, but the tv stations can. The Turkish behind us went almost nuts, applauding... Then we watched two videos about starving children in the world, they showed the countries the money will be used on, and Joyce introduced the new CEO of the German branch in Hamburg, a tall guy named David. It was so funny when he stood beside her, 'cause she's so little, and he was even taller than Dave! She said they wanted someone who would be easily spoted. It was hilarious, everybody laughed. The bad translator was there again. And it really bugged me, because she copied the movements of Joyce, she stood in the center of the stage with her, instead of taking herself back. She translated a lot of stuff wrong, and not simultaneously, but after Joyce, and in ways Joyce didn't mean it at all! Terrible. But I understand that it's too expensive to put out 7000 headphones! Well, I wanted to hear the original ..(
My friend still believes that Joyce said, who doesn't believe in God and the bible, will go to the devil later on. I haven't heard that at all, I don't think she would have said something like that, to not offend people. But I don't have a problem with that, my friend did on the other hand. Guess when I get the ordered tape of the conference I can prove that she didn't say it.
Furthermore she said, and I heard her for the first time saying something like that, that it isn't enough to just join her ministry, listening to her teachings, that everyone of us should be involved in our local churches. I didn't like to hear that. :( Because our boring priests and sermons are the reason why I am listening to Joyce in the first place...
Btw the starving children tape wasn't supposed to be shown, that's when we got to see Joyce and Dave's son. And some speaker at the beginning told us that for just that day we could buy her DVD's 3 for the price of 2, just this one day, like it's done in the US at the conferences. So I did. I bought myself 'how to read the bible', 'think about what you're thinking about', and 'are you ready for a change yourself?'. Plus the Delirious CD+DVD. I couldn't find that 'captivate me...' thing on it though. :(
Finally she started preaching. About getting out of our box, about being fruitful, not busy, but the most important message was the following...
- use the inbetween times, and
- don't care about your religion, be a christian!
With inbetween times she referred to young kids, and people age 25 and under. She said she hates it when 10-year-olds are asked what they wanna be, once they grew up. Or that people try to accomplish their goals, and waste the time until they get there! Because as soon as this one goal or destination is reached, there is a new one coming up. And she is so right! So be fruitful during these inbetween times!
And she said she doesn't want people to be put in boxes, she doesn't ask people, or she doesn't want to be asked by people, which religion she belongs to, or they belong. That is of none interest at all. She teaches the Gospel, and wants people to be christians, all the time, and in every way they can! That is the only thing important to her. I agree. That should be the way to look at things.
I can't think of any other messages/teachings that day, due to my illness. When I can think of more, I will let you know, as soon as it comes to mind again.
To our both regret she didn't say goodbye, she did her born again christian thing again, this time asking the helpers to come to the stage first, then she invited the people, Delirious came on the stage one more time. Afterwards they left too, didn't say fare well or goodbye either, which was sad for us, because we had to leave then. But everybody was invited to attend in the evening at 7 pm again, which we couldn't, regrettably.
We left the hall, went to the tables outside, where coffee and cake was offered. There were many of her newsletters, but just in German. At the tables was all her stuff, people stood side by side, in peace, everyone was patient, waited for his or her time to come, to pick something out, or just look at things. We could pre-order the tape of the conference, and it was several bugs cheaper, than ordering via the internet. And eventhough the bad translator will be on it, and maybe the band won't be shown, I ordered it! As a memory.
Afterwards we left pretty quick, even at the parking lot everybody was so peaceful, like I've never experienced anywhere else. We found our way to the highway, made a short stop in the city of Cologne. To check out 'Glockengasse No. 10' where the perfume 4711 comes from ;-)
All the way back we listened to the Delirious CD. At home I watched the Delirious DVD.
This all was such a big blast! I have never experienced so much faith at one spot! God was amongst us, I could feel it right there! We were in unity with Him, we all became ONE! Great people, great sound, great teaching!
I can just recommend you to go to one of her conferences. It's worth it.
God bless you.
Amen.
