CHRIST'S UNIQUE PLACE STAKED OUT IN STADIUM AUSTRALIA

On Saturday June 10th, 4000 children from 110 schools, scattered from Geraldton to Cairns gathered at Stadium Australia to sing, dance and play in the band, as part of Celebration 2000 and the Global March for Jesus. They were magnificent - excited, alive, and roaring with enthusiasm as each new part of the program unfolded. They sang with Venetta Fields and Rebecca St. James. A child asking Vanetta for an autograph was gently advised by her, "Remember you are never alone, He is always with you. And never forget this day." They are unlikely to forget the day, which engaged and involved the entire Stadium from the moment the Scottish Pipers entered from the tunnel to the moment when the fireworks pierced the darkness to sounds of the Hallelujah Chorus.

Also present were thousands of young people, some of them in a stunning Flash Card display, others a part of the Youth March. Most of these young people went on to become a part of the All Night Youth Concert, and around 200 to 300 made commitments to Christ through that night.

Between 25 - 30,000 Christians from every part of Australia arrived at Marches and at the end of the day and they went away knowing that they had seen the Kingdom of God present in Stadium Australia. Some spoke of it as an experience of heaven. There was widespread comment among Stadium staff about how moving the day was and how they were impressed. One senior person said, "Today the family came to the Stadium for the first time." The supervisor said when thanked, "No, the pleasure has been all mine. It's been a moving and emotional day."

Karen Latten from the Blue Mountains said, "We had 2 extra trains put on and each was crammed full. I got to the station and nearly burst into tears as I saw the platform full of people. When we got to the Park there were so many there, it was so emotional. Just amazing. At the stadium the we found the staff so overwhelmed by the day." The children in the church came back with their flags, their eyes just lit up, saying "We just had the best day!" For me, it made a big impact in our little church. I wish more people were there to see what we saw. "

The program was fast moving, a constant surprise, and professional. But beyond that, it constantly touched the heart. Steve Grace, warmly connecting with the crowd invited them to stand up and sing the old song, "I have decided to follow Jesus." Both here, and as they responded to an invitation in the Sacramentum (from which the word Sacrament is drawn) to step forward as an indication of their commitment to Christ, there was a heartfelt response from the whole stadium - their will and God's will became One in that moment and something profound and eternal took place. One person, writing in after the day said, "You picked the best venue for Jesus, the best musicians and tirelessly planned a grand event for him."

In speaking of the day, Mal Garvin, the National Co-ordinator said, "The church in Sydney and Australia was offered a chance to celebrate the Living Christ with the Global Church, and to remind this nation that Jesus is Man at the heart of the Millennium. We've done that, and young lives have been changed. We know that some hundreds made commitments to Christ, but we don't think that's the full measure of it. We invited those children into a big world. What was said was not religious - it was Good News."

Mal went on, "We will be left with substantial debt following this event. But what price do you place on those children, and on those young people who have seen a church that is large, whole, colourful and has a place for them? Speaking personally, I am prepared to put whatever I have on the line for a church like that."

The Channel 9 Reporter who was interviewing Mal was impressed by the program and said to him, "It's a very big stage for this Drama to be acted out on. " Mal said, "Well that's the question: does this generation deserve a stage as great as that, or does it belong to Coca Cola, McDonalds or AMP? There's no doubt what Jesus would have preferred!"

More information:
Dave Mitchell
Media Liaison
Awakening 2000
NSW (02) 9789 4888
Info Line: 1902 261 082
E-mail: sydney@fusion.org.au
Website: www.awakening.org.au

or contact your Awakeing State Office