Small Moments

Friendships are made and built in small moments.  A shared pause in a day. Walking together, laughing together, being together. 

At the beginning of this gathering of men and women from around the world there has been a brief hiatus in activity. Between travel and the opening of the assembly the delegates have been walking around the stunning city of Krakow.

These moments, so small, are the opportunities of cementing new and old friendship in closer bonds.

Already I’ve bumped into several people I’ve met at previous IFES events, some of whom have visited New Zealand, others much longer ago having visited the UK.  I’ve also begun to build new friendships with people from the USA, Brazil, Mexico, Bangladesh, Ireland… and all of this before the conference fully opens.

IFES is characterised by these friendships – friendships built around Jesus, crossing cultural norms and significant boundaries, patiently communicating over linguistic barriers and working together in order to further the good news of Jesus Christ.

This week we will be thinking about Jesus as Lord of the Universe, Lord of the University. 

This Lordship is shown in the friendships that are growing and building God’s Kingdom even as I type…