by Nathan Morrow

The Kairos Weekend 2017 was a success in many ways!

A hundred and twenty participants and staff arrived on Friday 10th February at our venue in Turcifal, Portugal filled with anticipation and excitement, and possibly some questions. People came from across Europe: England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Austria, Germany, Portugal, Spain, and Belgium and almost double that in nationalities represented!

Any worries participants many have had were soon put to rest as people were welcomed with incredible Portuguese hospitality. Over the whole weekend, the food was incredible, the venue was spectacular, the view even more spectacular.

This weekend had a different feel than others that had come before it. The international influence of Kairos was never more present at a Kairos Weekend than this one. This was the first Kairos Weekend held in Portugal, and outreaches which had never attended a Kairos Weekend came along.

We had an excellent translation team which made all those who didn’t speak English fluently or at all feel welcomed and at peace during the weekend.

The Lord was acting in and through the participants
The theme of our conference was ‘Heritage’, over the weekend we had four talks all based on this theme mainly drawing from Psalm 16. The verse “I have a delightful inheritance” was brought to life for us by telling us how we are to be joyful in what Christ has given us. Our attention was then drawn to verse 8 “I keep my eyes always on the Lord” encouraging us to keep focused on the Lord and unwavering because in his strength we cannot be shaken.

“5 Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup;
    you make my lot secure.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
    surely I have a delightful inheritance.
7 I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;
    even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
    With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” (Psalm 16:5-8)

Experienced university outreach leaders Paul Jordan, David Quintana, Tadhg Lynch, Mags Tierney and Christiane Lewerentz were the speakers at the conference and all were used as instruments of God’s word.

Some of the main messages of the weekend were:

• Our call to our heritage.
• Jesus loves you, and has brought you here this weekend.
• Claiming our heritage.
• God offers us abundant life with him and part of accepting this is rejecting sin.
• Living our heritage.
• God offers us an amazing inheritance, and we have to choose to say ‘yes’ to it and ‘no’ to other things.
  

From the very first prayer time the Holy Spirit was moving actively amongst us at the weekend. After our opening song of the weekend the room erupted into spiritual song. People singing in multiple different languages and in tongues – what a glorious sound it was.

People were ready to be spoken to and were ready to be spoken through. The ground was fertile; the workers were ready and the Spirit was active! In our main prayer meeting the Lord was clearly speaking to and through people as we had almost too many words for our discernment team to handle.

Around 75% of the room went for prayer ministry and we had to extend our meeting time by 40 minutes to incorporate the number of people responding to what the Lord was saying. We saw people give their lives for the first time to Christ, people reaffirm the faith and some step out and take radical steps in serving Christ.

The Lord moved powerfully in the lives of the participants throughout the weekend, through small groups, friendships, teaching, worship and prayer. People encountered the Lord in a real and impactful way which will see them move forward as disciples and brothers and sister in Christ.

A few quotes from some of the participants, sharing their experience of the weekend

The international aspect of Kairos weekend 2017 was the most wonderful part, I was in a small group that needed 3 languages and 2 translators but Faith united us, we shared something beyond words, this unity is so inspiring! – Jessica Supple, Dublin

God is love, God is good, and God was at the Kairos weekend. I was deeply touched by his love for us and the unity of his body. 10/10 would recommend – Ben Chua, London

I found it great. Especially worship times! I’ve never experienced it so powerful. But perhaps my favourite was the night prayer. It was my first time praying the psalms fully with my heart. And afterwards sleeping was very peaceful – Kathrin Waldner, Vienna