Greek Field Conference
May 28-29, 1999
Athens, Greece
“…For in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.” Isaiah 26:4.
Our conference began early Friday evening and was opened by Brother Antonio Capua, from Italy, president of the Greek Field, with a silent prayer and the beautiful hymn, “There Shall Be Showers of Blessing.” Brother Tzvetan Petkov, who is presently working at Bethel Theological Institute in Hungary, led us in prayer. Brother Capua gave thanks to the Lord that we could gather again to share in His blessings. He welcomed Brother Gerhard Hunger, leader of the General Conference Evangelism Department, and his sister, Sister Heidi Murua, from Argentina, as well as Brother Petkov and Brother Rocco Filardo, from Italy.
Then Brother Capua made reference to the conference theme and said that this earth is at the point of destruction. In the book of Isaiah it is prophesied that “The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard,… and it shall fall, and not rise again.” Isaiah 24:20. The people in the world are like sheep without a shepherd. Too often we ignore the stronghold to which we may continually flee. Who is the only One who is our Rock, our salvation, and our defense? On what is our faith based? On the eternal Rock, or on our own theories? Jesus Christ is our everlasting strength and our Rock; He is our peace. He is our great Prince who stands for His people.
Sister Martha Terzis then sang “Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound.” Indeed the sound was very sweet as we praised our Lord for His blessings.
In the evening, Brother Filardo presented a topic in which he stressed that Jesus Christ is standing at the door and we are very near our journey’s end. The four angels of Revelation 7 are holding the four winds of strife so they will not blow on the earth. These things have to do with the earth. But we have another war to face, a terrible conflict with Satan. How is it possible to be victorious? We read in Proverbs that there is power in unity. Satan knows that when division comes in among us, he is the winner. The world will be able to believe in the gospel of Jesus when His church is united by the bands of love and obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ, who prayed for unity among His disciples, His church. Although 2,000 years have passed, His message remains unchanged.
On Sabbath morning, we gathered again for worship. After the Sabbath school, Brother Hunger presented the sermon. He spoke about our conference text: “Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.” Isaiah 26:4. The world conducts terrible wars to gain power, which has been a primary motivator throughout the centuries. In both the Italian and Spanish Bibles, the word “strength” in Isaiah 26:4 refers to “rock.” Fortresses built upon high places or rocks were a symbol of power. Although such fortresses appeared impregnable, the kings who lived in such strongholds for protection often died a violent death when their power passed to others. This struggle for power, symbolized by a fortress situated
In the time of David, both he and his brother in law, Jonathan, fought and prevailed against giants who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. After that, David wrote the verse: “The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer.” 2 Samuel 22:2. We also have giants in our life that threaten us–temptations that seem like giants, sins that seem like giants, such as fear and doubt. Each of us is threatened by a giant. But our worst threat is character faults, and we cannot expect to fight and overcome this giant by ourselves. We know that we cannot inherit heaven with our inherited character. We were urged before participating in the Lord’s Supper to consider our personal giant and to ask God in living faith to help us.
We may have only three stones in our pocket, but let us remember that with God David defeated Goliath with only one stone! The Lord is our fortress and strength, and He wants to help and deliver us. “…Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57.
The question is: How can I make God my strength and be able to face and overcome temptations and trials? How can we as a church be united? We remember that Jesus’ mediatorial prayer was for unity, not for division. What we need is the power of the Holy Spirit in our life. If the Holy Spirit does not change us, we will never be useful instruments in God’s hand. Jesus promised to give His followers the Holy Spirit and the latter rain to finish His work. But first we need something which the disciples had before they received the Holy Spirit: Unity. Acts 2:1. Unity is the secret of success and power. The Lord wants us to work together in full unity. Satan seeks to counterwork so there will be no mutual trust. Unity is our credential before the world.
The magnetic center to which we all need to be drawn is Jesus Christ, who will bring us into unity with one another. The closer we get to this center, the closer we will be united in brotherly kindness and love, thus building Christian character.
We can also think of ourselves as unripe olives; such need salt to make them sweet and tasty. Salt may be compared with the righteousness of Christ, which He wants to impart to us so our sins will be erased in heaven. Jesus wants to transform our characters. He will sanctify us if we are willing to humbly allow Him to do the work for us. Let us live each day in the joy of obedience. Jesus quickens us to will and to do of His good pleasure. We can do nothing alone, for we are weak. But with God we are strong.
After sincere prayers were offered, we celebrated the feet washing and the Lord’s Supper.
Following lunch and wonderful fellowship, we gathered in the afternoon for a Bible study led by Brother Petkov. We should put away all differences between us and have peace with one another. Let us be sober, meek, and lowly of heart.
Then we had the opportunity to share the experiences we had made with the Lord. We listened to wonderful experiences related by Brothers Hunger, Filardo, and Capua. We also were favored with beautiful songs sung and played by Brother Hunger and Sister Murua, as well as other believers.
Before the Sabbath came to an end, Brother Hunger presented a topic titled “A Divine Plan for Winning Souls to Christ.” He explained that in a poor village near the Sea of Galilee a great missionary plan was initiated. Andrew and John were both disciples of John the Baptist. When the latter saw Jesus coming to him, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29. The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. They visited with Him that day and were amazed at His teachings. Andrew didn’t keep the bread of life for himself; he found his brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.” John 1:41.
This account presents great lessons on how to win souls for Christ. Our personal testimony is a great weapon. Brother Hunger also presented the “big brother” plan, in which constant, fervent prayer is made for specific souls whom we wish to win for Jesus, and these are considered our “little brothers.” There is power in fervent prayer, and we have the additional resource of God’s help. Before knocking on the door of a friend or neighbor, let us first knock on the door of heaven for help. Let us follow the example of Jesus Christ. He often prayed all night long, and the next day He went out to share the bread of life.
As the Sabbath drew to a close, Brother Hunger, according to the example of Jesus in Matthew 19:13, pronounced a benediction upon the children who were presented to the Lord. We all sang a hymn praising our Lord and Saviour and then wished one another a blessed new week. Thus the program for the Sabbath came to a close. Our hearts were full of joy and gratitude to our Lord.
–Frosso Georgoudi, Greece
