The historic cell symposium took place on June 23-25. Some of you reading this newsletter were there. Most of you were not. If you weren't there, you should be able to download the presentations on the symposium website soon. You can download my PowerPoint here. 

I sensed the symposium was a "perfect storm" of God's blessing over  Ralph Neighbour's life and ministry. Ralph just turned 80 years old and has decades of cell church experience. I call him THE GURU of cell church ministry, and God uniquely equipped him to gather pastors from around the world to this event. He's passing on his years of experience of cell church ministry to a new generation. As I ate breakfast with Ralph Neighbour the day before leaving, my heart filled with joy for the life of a pioneer who has blessed Christ's body with so many penetrating truths.
Many felt the highlight of the event was when Mario Vega humbly preached on God's anointing, and how he received it. He then asked those who wanted God's anointing to come forward for prayer. It seemed like everyone went forward!
Dion Robert, pastor of the Baptist Works and Mission Church (193,000), exhorted North Americans to receive from international pastors. He said, "When you came to Africa, we humbly received your message. Why is it that you're now unwilling to hear from us?" So often we as North Americans dismiss what's happening overseas saying, "It just won't happen here. We're such a different culture." During the symposium, God used many voices from all over the world to impart anointed teaching to those present.

I interviewed Dion Robert as we rode together from the Dallas airport to Waco, Texas (2 hours). Dion insisted on carrying my bags for me. He would not allow me to sit in the back seat, asking me to sit in the front. He has a very humble demeanor, but very strong convictions.

Dion sees his church as an army. His goal is to make disciples-not attendees. He learned how to organize this army by reading Exodus 18, where Jethro told Moses to organize the people into groups of 10s, 100s, and 1000s. They are an army and share vision, cell messages, and ministries. Their main message is based on Luke 4:18-19-setting the captives free.

My favorite part of the symposium was connecting with people who shared a similar vision. If you'd like to comment, please CLICK HERE 

Joel Comiskey