Scotland 2009

That is the motto on the city shield of Greenock displayed high above the platform of the Town Hall where the Combined Churches Prayer Gathering was held tonight, to kick off the four days of meetings at which Pastor Carter will speak. “God speed Greenock.” It seems almost prophetic.

The prayer gathering opened with a Times Square Church choir ensemble singing “Welcome into this Place.” David Black, steering committee member and director of the Haven Ministry to drug addicts, gave us “a Greenock welcome” saying there has never been as many ups and downs in the weather as this week. “God gave you good weather!” We clapped knowing many of us prayed long and hard for good weather during our stay.

“We are all operating under the banner “the truth will make you free,” he said. “Look for the beauty of the Lord to be displayed in the people that have come,” who have “put their hands in their pockets” and paid their own way to come to Greenock and be a blessing to the church and the community.

Chris Jewell, another member of the steering committee who has been an important liaison for the Time Square Church team, introduced Michael McCormick, the Provost of Greenock, who exclaimed he was “totally blown away by the music” and noting that the visit by the large team from New York has generated business in the community. The hotels are filled and the university is feeding 180 team members every evening.

David Black took the podium once more to introduce Pastor Carter by describing his previous visit to speak at the revival conference in 2008, and his burden to return to Greenock with a team. “He comes to Greenock to share with us the experience of God and of life, and to give us a message of hope.”

God has determined to do something profound

Pastor Carter thanked the local churches who have worked together to organize the meetings and outreaches noting their burden to see God transform their society. “You’ve lived through a hard season. He is going to encourage you.” “God has determined to do something profound. We are just here to tell that God is going to do this.” He likened it to a relay race we run together. “We pass the baton and encourage you to keep on running. We do not come here to teach you anything. We come here with a towel and a bowl of water. Would you allow us to wash your feet?”

He ended with prayer to dedicate the four nights of meetings–that God would break the despondency and despair of the people, and that after we have gone, there would be a fragrance of Christ.

“Let Greenock never be the same again.”

This blog post was published on November 9, 2009