After almost a year’s worth of meetings – some monthly, some weekly, some daily, some were even hourly – and a year’s worth of preparation, physically, emotionally, mentally, financially, and spiritually; #IgniteTNC2014 is finally done.
When we started planning for the 20th True North Conference, a lot of us Full Time Pastoral Workers (FTPWs) were thinking the same thing, I think we bit off more than we can chew. We were combining two ministries, CFC- Youth and Singles For Christ. Have 2/3 days combined and the other day separate from one another. And because it is the 20th year anniversary for both ministries here in Canada, we wanted to be grand about it.
We wanted sessions that showed the history of God’s faithfulness through the years but at the same time looking forward to the next 20 years and more. We wanted more competitions so everybody can enjoy themselves. We wanted workshops that really equipped the participants to go out into the world and bear the good news that Christ has risen. We wanted a set design that matched the massive celebration that we were planning. For us, it was go big or go home.
For all its worth, in my personal opinion, it went above and beyond that. Yet the whole conference went by so quickly. For those who went, and for those who joined us via livestream would also agree. I arrived in Vancouver on July 1. A significant time before the conference itself, yet now as I’m leaving to go back to Toronto, it feels like it was just yesterday.
I’m still trying to process the whole experience, which is a year’s worth, but here is a reflection on the only picture I took the entire weekend.
When we were still trying to figure out the logo design – it took us forever to finalize one. We wanted a logo that would transcend time but at the same time speak of this significant moment of CFC-Youth and SFC Canada.
This logo came out.
We were floored by its simplicity and transcending beauty. A heart that was aflame from the love of God. To put it simply, it was perfect.
Of course, turning this into a proper set design would be quite a task. For the most part, I think the Logistics Team hated us for wanting a free standing logo that towered over everything, which lit up and flickered like a flame. But when they were finally able to piece the huge thing together (S/O to Theo, Genesis and Tito Edwin Rigor), it looked amazing.
But the logo stands testament to what everybody has felt (and still feels up to this moment) during the duration of the conference – and for the year-long preparation that it took.
Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us? – Luke 24:32
This scene comes to mind, Luke 24:32. When the disciples suddenly realize that it was Jesus who was resurrected from the dead that they were talking to all along. They thought he was dead with a certain finality. Yet he was more than alive. His presence set their hearts on fire. They knew he was alive because of that experience.
To those of us who have been in the community since the early years up until now, don’t our hearts burn after every worship, after every camp, every household, every CLP, every gathering we have whether it is a fellowship or something as big as a conference. Isn’t that a reminder that Jesus indeed walks with us in all the things we do specially in the community.
While the Ignite True North Conference is done, every moment that our hearts burned for the days that led up to it, during the entirety of the TNC, and the days the after – our hearts are truly ignited and burning for the Lord because He was, is, and forever will be with us.
United as one we will go forth. Ignited to the ends of the Earth. So let the Fire fall.