The Power of a Dream - G12 International Conference at Bogota, Colombia

It was a moment I would never forget: Standing at the Simon Bolivar Metropolitan Park, witnessing the spectacular closing ceremony of the G12 Conference in Bogota, Colombia, I saw the multitudes. The rain did not stop the crowd from gathering. I positioned myself at a spot that had a good view of the stage. I looked around me and saw seas of people that stretched so far down into the horizon I could not even see the end of the crowd!

The atmosphere pulsated with excitement; the spirit of worship overwhelmed me. Despite the drizzle, I was filled with praise and adoration for my Almighty Creator as I lifted my hands to worship Him. I sang with all my might but no words could express that sense of awe and gratefulness I felt.

The crowd I saw at the park was a living dream for Pastor Cesar Castellanos. The multitudes before my eyes were the evidence of the power of a dream he conceived from the Holy Spirit 26 years ago.

I was expecting hype and motivational speeches that would inspire me to dream again. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I heard most of the speakers, mainly pastors from Misión Carismática Internacional (MCI), preaching on the need to reach the dream of God through the Holy Spirit. I then knew in my heart that it was not a coincidence that God led FCBC into this year's theme: 'Come, Holy Spirit'.

My heart silently echoed that loud cry for the Holy Spirit to pastor me, my family, and the sheep that God has placed under my care. One of the speakers urged and reminded us not to depend on our own competence or experiences which deprives the Holy Spirit of its rightful place in our lives as we serve God.

Listening to the speakers stirred a greater longing for the Holy Spirit in me, to find Him in the secret place - to hear His voice and to conceive His dreams. Pastor Castellanos said, "Every church that wants to conceive a dream must find grace, which comes through intercession. We might think of plans, strategies, programmes, but these are not the ways to conceive a dream. The right way is to be still, to be in the secret place where we worship, give thanks and pray. That is how we will hear from God. That is where we will conceive the multitudes."

Pastor Castellanos also emphasised that upon conceiving a dream, we must be faithful to pursue that dream. We are to guard the dream and not allow any threats of abortion to come and destroy it.

Attending the conference gave me the privilege to hear and see the revival taking place in South America.  Although delegates from Asia were a minority at this conference, with Singapore having the largest contingency with 12 participants, I see God giving Singapore and FCBC a privileged role to be part of this G12 movement, to reach out to the multitudes in Asia. We must persevere and run the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1-3 says "…let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame…. so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

God has a dream for us! We must not grow weary and lose heart with what our physical eyes see even as we wait and anticipate growth. We will reach our dream through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, as we seek God’s presence.

Nothing is impossible for God and those who pursue His dreams!

- Pastor Cheong Pui Leng