“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” - Psalm 42:1-2

This verse is exactly how we feel about the International Leadership Conference in Denver! When can we go and meet with God? When can we go and see old friends? Get and give hugs from a bit of “God with skin on.” Our friends whose hearts hold God’s Spirit, and whose hands, present and past, have held ours!

Reunion. Faith-building. We are not alone. Perspective. Inspiration. Encouragement. Help. Gain. Giving. A glimpse of Heaven! The ILC!

The Colorado Springs Christian Church (CSCC) currently numbers about 135 members. We are small here, but we are family, part of a very large family! And, we have a chance to see our extended family! We get to be reminded that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves! We need, and we are needed. We all need one another more than ever – we live in a desperate hour!

For us, the ILC means so much. It truly is a family reunion! Many of us have come from other cities and have landed here in Colorado. So, a conference like the ILC is a time to see old friends and familiar faces, to catch up, to strengthen one another, and to make new friends. The ILC is just one of many ways our faith is built up – no matter what church we are from. We get to remember that we are not alone, that we are many, worldwide, and that the things that happen to us (good or bad) also go on with others around the globe.

We fully expect to gain faith and perspective at the ILC. The unexamined life is not worth living (as said by Socrates). I’m sure the ILC and God working through its speakers can inspire us to examine our lives (yet again). We want to greet our Lord and our brothers and sisters with faithfulness and fullness! We can’t wait to grab on to new ideas, hear different speakers, dive into God’s word, get and give discipling, and have some fun! We can’t wait to get help and to help out. To inspire and be inspired. To encourage and be encouraged. To let our children see more of God’s Kingdom. We feel truly humbled that God has blessed the CSCC with much musical talent, and we are excited to be able to contribute to the ILC through worship and entertainment.

For us, the ILC gives us a few out-of-the-ordinary days filled with family, friends, worship, learning, giving and growing. We plan to give and glean as much as we can from the ILC. We hope to better know Jesus Christ, and allow Him to live His life better in us during and upon our departure from the conference.

“Assemble the people before me to hear my words so that they may learn to revere me as long as they live in the land and may teach them to their children.” - Deuteronomy 4:10

There is absolutely something special about hearing His word while surrounded by family and friends. It’s why we go to church. It’s why we’ll be spending time together in September. Somehow, when God speaks to more than one person at a time, His voice is clearer.

Truly, a small glimpse of Heaven!

With Love & Anticipation,
Allen & Laura Gower and the CSCC

Register today for the International Leadership Conference, September 3-6, 2009, in Denver, Colorado, USA. Register before July 31st at www.icocconference.org to get the best price! We look forward to seeing you in Denver this September.