We are 5!

Last weekend we celebrated 24-7 Prayer‘s fifth birthday in style at St Mary’s Church in Marylebone. Around 700 people from the UK, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Germany and the US, amongst other nations, gathered to celebrate what God has done, is doing, and is going to do through 24-7.

Many unsung heroes were at the ‘I am 5’ venue from 9am, setting up and making sure that we were ready for almost every eventuality. By the time doors opened at 1pm, the church was looking and sounding great! Party games such as ‘pass the parcel’ ensured that everyone was having a good time, and the birthday cake donated us by Tearfund went down a treat.
Two worship bands helped everyone focus on the reason we were all there, and there was an incredible sense of being in God’s presence as stories were shared about what God is doing through the three arms of the movement – prayer, mission and Boiler Rooms.
Although I was running around sorting out ticket sales, money and taking loads of photos, I still managed to have a few favourite moments. As always, it was great to see Michaela leading worship, and it was particularly special to see Pete and Kate Worthington on stage with their son Nathan. For those that don’t know the family, Nathan is a real miracle child – Pete and Kate were told that they could not have children, and after several years of them crying out to God about this, trying to accept that they may never have kids, God intervened. They now have a beautiful son!
As we all came together late in the evening, Pete Greig and Floyd McClung shared their heart for the movement, and for many I’m sure there was an even greater sense of connection with 24-7.
Finally, after most people had left the building, the hard working helpers did the final clear up. It was a good days hard graft well done.