"An Indispensable Highlight in my Year..."

Just one of the glowing comments from one of our UK delegates. A few more from this past weekend below:

From Bracknell, UK:
“We brought our largest team yet to the summit (16 people) and without exception they all loved it. Our leaders, prospective leaders and followers were moved and challenged and they were inspired and motivated to take our leadership and church to the next level.”
-Chris Porter, Easthampsted Baptist Church

"Again and again, the GLS challenges us to look further and reach higher."
-Andrew Darmanin, St. John's Church

From Bristol, UK:
"I met with God and He revealed my future..."
Korin Jones, Divisional Children's Officer

From Cape Town, South Africa:
“I have to admit that I went to the leadership summit last week a little nervous that I would be wasting a Friday of work and a Saturday of family time. I can honestly report that in twenty years of business conferences and many Christian camps and conferences, I have neither been challenged nor informed as broadly nor as deeply as I was at this event."
-Rob Jones, Somerset Baptist Church

I had very little idea of what I was in for as although the people in my growth group have spoken of it I had not even watched the previous DVD. They said it was life changing and I thought yea right…a bunch of people getting together to watch some DVD’s life changing?? Well it most certainly was that for me! I found that each and every one of the talks had huge and wonderful lessons for me to apply to my everyday life, and not only that but they applied to my business life too. Thank you for the best and most profitable and inspiring two days I have ever had!!
-Jenniffer Duke, St. Mathews

Via twitter:
"The Global Leadership Summit is such a transformational and awesome experience that will never leave me the same. Thanx for giving my life a lift. A new day has dawn in my life." @gent2smile - Lagos, Nigeria

"So blessed to be part of #globalsummit today in Newcasle, Australia. What
an incredible moving of his spirit. Feeling inspired!"
@clairetwivey - Sydney, Australia

Via facebook:
"I attended GLS in Cape Town this weekend past. My first time. Words fail me! Will never miss another one..."
Andries de Vries

And, today and tomorrow, on the other side of the world, Oct 19-20 - The GLS in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is envisioning attendees:

Via twitter:
"Global Leadership Summit was absolutely inspiring. Looking forward to Day 2 tomorrow" @tjtee

Check this space again tomorrow for a full run down of where the GLS will be this weekend as GLS season nears its halfway point.

The GLS: October 16-17

This weekend at the GLS, we continue to expand to several more countries while finishing up our run in a couple others. We'll be in 7 countries and 17 sites this weekend with some 3500 projected participants. Check out where we'll be this weekend:

Australia, Brisbane
Australia, Launceston
Australia, Newcastle
Canada, Regina
Canada, Sudbury
Canada, Terrace
Netherlands, Drachten
New Zealand, Auckland
New Zealand, Christchurch
Nigeria, Abuja
Nigeria, Lagos (2 sites)
South Africa, Cape Town
South Africa, Jeffrey's Bay
United Kingdom, Coventry
United Kingdom, Gerrards Cross
United Kingdom, Poole

As The GLS has progressed across the world, our international leaders have begun to dialogue via twitter as an outlet for their insights and thoughts as they participate. Click #globalsummit to go directly to a search of the official GLS hashtag to see what participants are saying.

This promises to be a life transforming weekend, so be in prayer for the leaders who will attend, that the Holy Spirit would speak to their hearts; encouraging, convicting when necessary, and inspiring these leaders to be the Church in their countries. Most of all, ask God to use The GLS as a vehicle to bring God's Kingdom to earth. Check back here for stories of all that has happened.

What are YOUR Thoughts?

Gary Hamel, Summit faculty for this year, and one of the world's most influential business thinkers, created a huge amount of buzz this year around his talk: Manage Differently NOW. His talk was so provocative that we are sure there are a multitude of different opinions out there.


So, we are curious. What are your thoughts about his talk? How will you lead differently because of it? What problems are you up against in your organization that he spoke to? Feel free to share any and all insights you gained in the comments section. Here is one blogger's take and a couple of quotes from his talk to get your juices flowing:

"The world is becoming turbulent faster than most organizations are becoming resilient."

"When an organization misses the future, it's not because it was unknown--it was because it's unpalatable."

"The longer you're down in the trenches, the easier it is to mistake the edge of your rut for the horizon."

So, click below and share away. Lets start a dialogue and learn from each other.

October 9-10 Update

The GLS was in 12 cities and 5 countries this weekend with about 6,000 delegates in attendance. Here is an insight into all the ministry that went on this last weekend.

From Port Elizabeth, South Africa:
“This was a life-changing experience. I am ready to step out of the past…”

“This conference is my third one but by far the most impressive! What struck me as so precious was the message of "make a difference". I have been receiving this message in numerous ways over the past month from God and this weekend, he shouted it to me! I've tasked myself to obey and do what I can, because even one person can make a difference somewhere and somehow!”

And pictures from Durban, South Africa:

Some pictures from the London, Orpington site:

And finally, some thoughts from one of our representatives attending the Adelaide, Australia site:

I came into this Summit run a few weeks ago feeling weary. Months of emails, vision-casting, planning, strategising has left me feeling drained and tired at the thought of leading another event.

Today, as Stafford spoke, God began a process of melting and then strengthening. I was facilitating this session and we had a ‘ministry moment’ planned. After Stafford, people were going to be invited to write their burdens down on a small piece of paper they were given as they entered the auditorium for this session, and then come to a cross that had been set up at the front of the stage area and place them there at the feet of Jesus. They would then be able to move to tables/ushers situated around the room to partake in communion. The worship team began to sing ‘Breathe’ and the presence of God settled on us all. It was hard to stand and lead the people in this time as indeed my heart was touched so deeply. I was able to place my burden at the cross and then spend time watching others move all over the auditorium to do the same. The team began to sing ‘Amazing Grace, my chains are gone’ and there was a sense of victory in the room. I felt the Lord reach down and just fill me afresh.

The other facilitator finished the session and dismissed everyone to lunch, yet many of us justsat as the sounds of the worship team and the musicians gently washed over us. There was no hurry to lunch, no rushing to leave this moment where God supernaturally spoke and restored hearts. So often in our roles, we give and give and give. We don’t always have the privilege of the time to withdraw from this...however, we do have the opportunity to engage in the midst of what we do. We can either sit and plan the next thing, checking runsheets, making sure people are ready for the next task...or every now and then we can turn our eyes toward Jesus and allow him to ‘renew us on the run’. The message to me more than ever was about where my heart is when I am leading. If it truly remains on Christ and a readiness for Him to touch my life and the lives of others [in amongst the role I hold] then He becomes my strength. He becomes my motivation. He renews and restores as I serve. I live what I am asking others to do. Only God!

During this ministry moment, I lay burdens at the cross today that I will not pick up again. They belong to the Lord. Different ones knelt, others stood with arms in victory. All different expressions of a God who is alive and strengthening His Kingdom. Praise Him and Him alone.

6,000 Leaders to Attend The GLS This Weekend

The first full GLS weekend by all accounts was a huge success. You've heard from Johannesburg, now here are some quotes from attendees in the UK and New Zealand:

From our facebook page:
"Just done two days faciliating the Scottish GLS in Edinburgh - really good days with lots of challenging teaching, great worship and lots to think about!!! Inspiring stuff!!" -David Richards, Scotland

"What can I say? FANTASTIC. Thanks to everyone who made the UK Stafford GLS such an awesome couple of days. Now down to His business!" -Liz Hancock, UK

"Whangarei is the place to be GLS has so much to offer. GOD has a powerful message and Bill Thank you that you are a leader and willing to spread you knowledge and share knowledge with others assisting you." -Linda Scott, New Zealand

From twitter, using #globalsummit:
"Loving the Willow Global Leadership Summit in Stafford" @shuggill, UK

"Forgiveness .. I choose to forgive you .. you took my childhood but you will not have the rest of my life!" @Bevadair, New Zealand

"Amazing and inspiring and repleneshing first session from Bill. Really relevant." @StPaulsCamb, UK

This is just a taste of the life changing work that took place this weekend. We won't know until the other side of Heaven all the stories that God is writing through this event.

Next weekend, October 9-10 promises to be equally as exciting. 6,000 or so expected guests are preparing to arrive at 12 sites for a very impactful experience. Be praying for God to open their hearts in these next several days.

Australia, Adelaide
Australia, Geelong
New Zealand, Dunedin
New Zealand, Nelson
Nigeria, Lagos (two sites)
South Africa, Durban
South Africa, Port Elizabeth
UK, Bolton
UK, London Battersea
UK, St. Albans
UK, Swansea

Next, we'll be showcasing a conversation held with Nigeria's The GLS's country leader, Francis Olubambi, about the state of the church in Nigeria, the obstacles the body of Christ faces there, and how the GLS is working to transform the leaders who are able to effect change in this impoverished, sometimes even corrupt and crime-ridden country.

God Answers Prayer! Day 1 in Johannesburg

From Janine Couchman, our South African event director:

God answered our prayers today at the Joburg GLS. We had cloudy skies but the weather was perfect in every way - it was neither warm nor cold! Yea God, you are awesome and you bless us way beyond any prayer we could ever think to pray! ...Within an hour of arrival registration was set up and then 300 volunteers gathered in volunteer central for their final briefing and prayer. There was air of peace and calm among them as they gathered in their serving teams then dispersed to receive our guests. Registration flowed smoothly and happy delegates began gathering in the church foyer waiting to run for the best seats.

Right from the start the delegates engaged fully and responded exuberantly with the Choir Planet opening and the worship set which followed. It was awesome to see 1800 leaders openly responding to God in worship and praise as they prepared their hearts for the sessions of the day. Bill Hybels' talk and the song designed especially for it in the first session created an atmosphere of surrender among the delegates to receive heart surgery from the Holy Spirit. During the song 20 dancers appeared in the room with red umbrella's symbolizing the blood of Christ cleansing us and forgiving us while on the screens a scene of pouring rain depicting refreshing and renewal and revival as a response to the message. There was a tangible presence of the Holy Spirit as delegates allowed themselves to be drenched by the images of pouring rain and then seeing the red umbrella's (the blood of Christ) available to cover them and release them. It was a powerful moment.

Smiling volunteers greeted guests as they exited for their tea break. Gary Hamel's session opened with a video clip about the pace of change in our world. Immediately the audience responded to Gary's message. Our facilitator Gary Rivas then challenged them to evaluate things that they have been doing the same old same old for the past 3 years and then discuss it together with the pastor and their team. What a challenge which they responded to as the room was abuzz with discussions which continued into lunch time.

Jessica Jackley provided a refreshingly disarming message to which our delegates could not help but be inspired & motivated to make a difference. Of course they absolutely loved Andrew Rugasira, a fellow African, who was next and they clapped and cheered and verbalized their approval of his exceptionally excellent message and challenge concerning Aid vs Trade. And still the spirit of gentleness, peace, calm and surrender continued to grow after each message as God prepared them for the final session of the day by Wess Stafford.

This was the part of the day which took everyone's breath away as delegates responded at the end of the day by taking communion and forgiving those who had trespassed against them and by nailing their hurts, burdens and names of those they needed to forgive to 3 wooden crosses positioned around the auditorium. We watched mesmerized and humbled as hundreds of people queued to take their burdens and nail them to the crosses, began to pray in small groups for those who were sobbing and crying before God. The atmosphere was quiet as the Holy Spirit worked. Delegates who left the room did so almost like ghosts as they showed respect toward those who remained to do business with God. The sound of hammers hitting nails were audible and they sent shivers down the spine as hurting people nailed their hurts to the crosses. These ministry moments lasted for 40 minutes as people knelt at the crosses, comforted one another, took communion together as couples, and prayed together.

It took our breath away to watch as God healed, delivered and forgave His children. What a Mighty God we serve who is always faithful to do what He promises if we will simply surrender... And so we are doubly expectant of what God is going to do tomorrow...

What an anointed day. Praise God. There were equally incredible days in the UK and New Zealand as well. Check back here tomorrow for updates from those sites.

Praying for Clear Skies in Johannesburg!

The coming weekend is the first full weekend of The GLS 2009. The excitement is palpable as the last preparations are being made in expectation of an amazing event all over the world. Janine Couchman, the South African event director, gave some great insight into what can be expected at the Johannesburg event this weekend, and some of the prayers they are lifting up to God in advance of this event.

"Excitement and expectation and awe is rising higher and higher as we prepare for the GLS in Joburg tomorrow...God has done the most incredible things as we have raced towards the event. We have 1780 people registered and we expect about another 50 to arrive for the event to register on site, far surpassing the projected 1500 participants. Thanks everyone for all your hard, faithful, passionate work on the GLS.

I have a verse which God gave us yesterday when we did devotions and started a Wednesday of fasting and praying for the GLS around the world - Romans 8:31-39:

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things? ...
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ...
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The emphasis is that we are more than conquerors, God has answered every prayer for the Joburg event."

Our South African friends in Johannesburg are lifting up one prayer request in particular. The weathermen are predicting rain for the weekend, normally no big concern. The venue in Johannesburg, however, has a tin roof, extremely noisy in the rain, and all the food is to be served - outside.

"Joshua was an ordinary man like you and me and when he prayed for the rain to stop it did. So we have stood on that and prayed the bold prayer for God to keep the rain away until after the GLS as all refreshments are served in tents outside and rain would just ruin the experience for everyone."

As you can see, our teammates in South Africa are bold in their belief that God will provide. Will you pray along with us not only that God will keep the skies clear, but that the spirit would move in these 1800 participants and start a revival in Johannesburg? Keep the rest of the GLS sites this weekend in your prayers as well as God wants to do amazing things in the UK and New Zealand too!

Stay tuned right here for the inspiring updates from these sites...