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1.4 million People in
attendance; over 430,000 on
the last day and more than
400,000 accept Christ for
the first time!
It is difficult to visualize a group of nearly 430,000
people all occupying the same space at the same time,
singing, cheering and participating in an event geared
to stimulate change, a change of heart, a change of
mind, body and spirit, a chance to change your life. Thousands of people from within India and
abroad gathered for days of learning and discovery
at the Festival of Life in Mumbai in late January,
clamoring for a glimpse of Joyce Meyer, London based
rock band Delirious and the Hillsong band
from Australia!
The Festival of Life in Mumbai made history.
From January 17-20th, these grounds witnessed
the powerful presence of God in the most profound
way, filling the space and the city with the word of
God and songs of praise and worship that spilled
over the city like a breeze. Thousands came in from
different cities and countries to participate in the
Conference and Festival and they were surely not
disappointed. Just like God promised, just like we prayed– God
poured out His presence on the very first day. The
worship led by Delirious ushered all gathered into
the loving arms of God. Minutes after, Mumbai
started singing ‘Hey Prabhu’ which is ‘Majesty’ in
Hindi, led by Martin Smith.
Paul Scanlon from Abundant Life Church took
the first session of the day conference and spoke
on ‘Turning Your Dream Into a Reality.’ When JMM
Asia Director, Scott Norling entered the stage to
make the next announcement, people started to get
restless. They knew who he was going to welcome.
Amidst loud applause, and a standing ovation, Joyce
Meyer entered the stage with Dave Meyer, waving
to the crowd with the biggest smile ever; throwing away kisses to an audience she deeply loves. |
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The excitement was
easy to see on the thousands of faces who saw Joyce for the first
time, as she entered the stage in a blue Indian salwar kameez. Joyce
took over in her humorous, straight forward style on ‘How to Enjoy
Every Single Day of Your Life.’ Talking about the secrets to enjoying
life, she said “I’ll tell you a kingdom secret that the world does not
know. You only get back what you give away. So give away love.”
By the end of the day people were up and jumping, making loud
confessions to be un-selfish and enjoy life. “I never knew how to
enjoy my life because I wondered if people really loved me. I was
broken because of a bad relationship in my past. I wondered if I
was ever important to people at all. Now I know that God loves me
and I am important to Him. Joyce’s message pierced my heart and
changed me. Thank you Joyce,” said Monica Jatarna, a delegate from
Vicroli.
Other speakers at the conference were senior pastor of Hillsong
Australia, Brian Houston, Christine Caine and Gary Clarke. Brian
took us through a short series on overcoming negativity and then
cultivating a spirit of abundance versus a spirit of lack. Paul Scanlon
exhorted people and leaders on the purpose of the church- to seek
and save the lost. “Pastors, it is not about you, not about your church,
it is about others,” he said.
People did not want to leave after the first day’s conference and
could not wait for the evening festival. This was the scene at around
3 pm, the first day: People with families and many with luggage
occupied seats for the evening festival right after the day-time
conference. By 5 pm, the grounds were full. No VVIP pass worked.
Every seat was taken, as if the occupancy depended on the level of
hunger and thirst for God’s presence. |
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For the first time, India worshipped with Hillsong Australia and
their favorite worship leader, Darlene Zchech. Her kick-started
worship with ‘Salvation is Here’ and people thronged to the front to
jump and dance. It was an amazing time of singing, dancing, letting
oneself free and being unashamed in the presence of the living
God. After worship, Joyce was welcomed with shouts and claps. She
urged people not to give up, but to press on and discover what God
has in store for us.
Just to witness and experience a sea of faces looking up to
heaven in desperate worship unto a worthy God was overwhelming.
Sitting among thousands who have ‘made’ time to be there, setting
apart these three days for a mighty visitation from heaven and
watching hands lifted up in surrender to, ready to accept this newfound
Savior at the end of Joyce’s message was an unforgettable
experience.
The second day, Joyce spoke on forgiveness and shared her experience on how God helped her to forgive and love her parents.
Are you ready for joy you’ve never known? Then forgive.”
Many stood up, raising their hands to heaven, surrendering their
bitterness and unforgiveness to God at the closing prayer. One
of them was Leena Vilas from Mumbai. She had been watching
Joyce’s television programs on Zee Hindi and Marathi for a long
time now. “I have not been talking to my mother and brother for
many years now. Today, Joyce said that we need to forgive everyone
who hurt us. I felt restless. If I wanted peace, I had to forgive. Today,
I surrendered all my guilt and have forgiven them. I go home a
happy person.”
Some made decisions to
forgive, some to love, some to
get real with God. More than
400,000 accepted Christ as
their personal Savior.
Every day, every night,
it got bigger and better. We
had the largest crowd of
over 430,000 at the evening
festival on the last day.
All the messages including
those from the guest speakers
were beautifully interwoven
into one comprehensive
teaching series.“ What is most unique about Joyce’s festivals is that it is real.
Everything is genuine and personal – right from the worship to
the messages. The world’s best woman worship leader and woman
speaker were on one platform! These days were simply spectacular and life changing,” said Rahul Vyas, a young
delegate. |
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Bollywood actor Johnny Lever had this to say
after his very first attendance to a Joyce Meyer’s
festival. “It has been amazing attending Joyce’s
conferences and festival. My wife attended all
the meetings. We watch Joyce as a family. Her
teachings are so real and practical. They directly
speak to your heart. I have been so blessed.”
The last evening was unforgettable. Both
Hillsong Australia and
Delirious led worship
before and after Joyce’s
message. We heard one
of Joyce’s most practical
teachings that evening. She
reminded us that we need
to stop speaking negative
things, but confess God’s
Word with understanding.
“God longs to be good to
you, and He has plans to
prosper you. Believe that
with all your heart. Say
this with me – “Something
good is going to happen to
me today,” she said and the
crowd responded. Not once, but many times.
Everyone went home saying “Something good
is going to happen to me today.”
- The Greatest thing you can do for yourself is help your enemies succeed – Joyce Meyer
- Don’t bring down your belief to the level of your experience. Lift your experience up to the level of your belief – Brian Houston
- When life is tough, get a revelation of who God is and begin to sign with a voice of triumph - Darlene Zschech
- Your dream can be in your heart, but if its not in your head, it will never get in to your hands – Paul Scanlon
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