Strong and courageous?

Stronger Conference 2023 is only two months away and we’re getting really excited. Here are some reasons why we’re looking forward to it so much, and to give you an insight into what to expect.

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The theme of Stronger Conference 2023 is ‘Strong and Courageous’. Why? Simply because each of us at different points in our lives will need to step out with a little bit of faith and courage, trusting that the Lord is with us in the things we believe He’s calling us to do.

We’re basing the theme on Joshua 1 in the bible, where, if you’re familiar with it, we parachute into the story of the people of God who have just been wondering around the desert for a long time but are now very near to entering the promised land.

Joshua is the new leader of God’s people and is tasked with leading them into this new territory.

Has Joshua ever done this before? No
Has anyone else done this before? No
Has Joshua been trained to do this? No
Are there lots of unknowns about the plan? Yes
Is this something new for Joshua? Yes
Could there be some surprises along the way? Yes

And God speaks to Joshua to encourage him about the steps he needs to take. Check out some of the things God says: ‘Get ready to cross…into the Land I am about to give you…’ – v.2; ‘I will give you every place where you set your foot’ – v.3; ‘As I was with Moses so I will be with you’ – v.5; ‘I will never leave you or forsake you’ – v.5. 

How encouraging for Joshua, and did you see the common denominator in each of those statements:

I am about to give you..
I will give you…
I will be with you…
I will never leave you…

In the light of God’s presence and promises, listen to what He says to Joshua in verse 6: ‘Be strong and courageous…’. Not because of Joshua’s ability or skill or any inherent strength in himself (though we’re sure he had all of that), but because of God.

Did you see the full stop there? ‘Because of God’…full stop.

How encouraging for us too, this side of the new covenant where the presence of God is available to each of us through Jesus by the Holy Spirit, and as we look ahead to the things that God is calling us to do.      

Have you ever done this before? No
Are there lots of unknowns about the plan? Yes
Is this something new for you? Yes
Could there be some surprises along the way? Yes
Does God promise to never leave you? Yes

Our hope is that through the conference, there is a fresh sense of strength and courage that fall upon the UK Church as we gather online to listen to some stories, hear what people are doing, and be equipped with tools, ideas and inspiration for the next steps we each need to take.

God brings fresh strength and courage through various means. We have seen it at previous conferences. For example:

1. Connection:

God uses connection with the speakers and with the other attendees to raise our faith

2. Inspiration:

God uses the inspiring accounts of others to release courage for our own journey.

3. Learning:

God uses the tools and learnings shared through each session to bring clarity around the next steps we each need to take.

4. Training:

God uses people who have trodden the path before us to provide training for the adventure in front of us.

So Stronger Conference is coming up, launching online at 7.30pm on Tuesday 10th January and running until lunchtime on Saturday 14th January. We’ll be hearing from a variety of different speakers looking across six core themes: Leadership and Influence; Kingdom and Culture; Digital and Social; Communication and Media; Innovation and Entrepreneurship; Business and Finance.

We are the UK Church. We are salt and light in the world. Beacons of hope in dark places. Signposts to another way. A living, breathing testimony of God’s activity in the world. Like the Church over centuries past, wherever we find ourselves, God calls us to be strong and courageous as we live for Jesus in the power of the Spirit, as we take small steps for him across the different spheres of society we find ourselves in, because the Kingdom comes when we go about our Sunday to Saturday living.

God says to us all, ‘be strong and courageous, Church. Take a step of faith in my name. Even though you may feel weak, I will strengthen you’.

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We look forward to seeing you there. Check socials for more information as we get closer.