May 2008 - Vol. 19 > Español

An Open Door for Mission, continued

The Assembly elected Jean Barbara (left) as the next president of the Sword of the Spirit. He will begin serving as president in May of 2009 when Steve Clark's term of office expires.

Dave Hughes (left center) was elected chairman of the Assembly of Ecumenical Communities. The role of the AEC is to help in the development of the life of the ecumenical communities in the Sword of the Spirit.

Coordinators of the People of Hope community receive an ovation for their untiring dedication over the years often under adverse circumstances in building Christian community and fostering Christian renewal.

A highlight of the ICM was an honoring session for Steve Clark, President of the Sword of the Spirit. Steve was honored for his role in founding the Sword of the Spirit and the Servants of the Word, a missionary brotherhood of men living single for the Lord in the Sword of the Spirit. Many participants noted Steve's untiring gift for teaching, laying the groundwork for building communities, and coming along side numerous future leaders by providing them with guidance, support, pastoral care, and formation in leadership.

Trevor Perry (right), senior coordinator of Antioch Community, London, England, and a number of other coordinators, on behalf of their respective communities, signed the covenant of full  membership with the Sword of the Spirit.

Continued next page > | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Impressions from participants

Living in New Zealand brings the reality that “everywhere else is a long way to travel.” The trip to Santo Domingo was the 67th time I have left our shores in my capacity of Christian service. The International Coordinators Meeting was indeed a real highlight and encouragement. Compared to all of my previous travels I can honestly say that this ICM was extraordinary and special to me. The level of relationship, brotherhood, and joy was significant. The working of the Holy Spirit was evident. The depth of commitment to move our work forward was impacting. I am grateful to God that I was there.

Roger Foley
Lamb of God, Christchurch, New Zealand


Des Dick, the regional president of the Sword of the Spirit in Europe and the Middle East, opened the first prayer session of the ICM with the story of the woman in Luke 12 who pours out a very expensive jar of precious ointment to anoint Jesus. Jesus praises her extravagant waste! Des asked the question: was the effort, time, and expense of bringing leaders from all over the world to the ICM a waste? No – all of us sensed that God had called us to gather together. He wanted to speak his word to us together. He wanted to anoint us and equip us for the mission that lies ahead.

Personally I received a renewal of my call to service in the Sword of the Spirit. I was greatly encouraged by the fellowship of the brothers and humbled at the generous and loving service of the brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ Community who hosted us. May God bless them and bless us along with our brothers and sisters in our local communities throughout the Sword of the Spirit.

John Jackson 
Community of the Risen Christ, Glasgow, Scotland


My assessment of the 2008 ICM is highly positive. The spiritual level of this encounter has been remarkable. The Lord has spoken clearly and, whether through the meditations, the gatherings, the church services or the long times of prayer, the message has reached deep into those attending. The level of experience of brotherhood, tangible and experiential, has also reached tremendous heights. Love among the brothers has been above the diversity of cultures, languages and countries. The teaching has been deep, clear, straightforward and challenging. The vision it has stated, concerning the mission of the Sword of the Spirit, is of a broad scope.

In conclusion, the Sword of the Spirit can only be understood on the basis of God’s universality. All of us have received a tremendous lesson – the love, the greatness, the mission and vision of the Sword of the Spirit could not be reduced to a particular and local community reality. The SOS overflows all realities – personal, particular and local. I thank God for this conference, because it has been a beautiful and deep experience of God’s people.

Fernando Aldea
El Señorio de Jesús, Vitoria, Spain


See more participants reflections > here

photos by Nico Angleys

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