VMARC 2018: The Everyone Gets to Pray and Play Getaway!

Tomorrow morning will mark six years to the day that we came to the Vineyard here in Myrtle Beach; broken and in need of healing.  Four years ago, Chip and I had the honor of attending the first Vineyard Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference in Virginia Beach, VA and realized that the Vineyard was truly our home.  Two years ago talks began regarding Seacoast Vineyard hosting the VMAR Conference here in Myrtle Beach, SC.  When we came to Myrtle Beach, we had no idea the plans God had for us.  We are obviously still on the journey but the pieces He has revealed truly show how intricate His weaving in our lives will be if we give Him permission.

 Yesterday, after over a year and a half of detailed planning and countless hours of hard work from a great volunteer team, #VMARC2018 came to an end. Since Monday, I've heard stories and seen many social posts about the refreshing that "Jan said" would come.  

 I want to share an encounter I had the honor of being a part of Tuesday night.  Only two hours into the conference but over 30 hours into my work week, I found myself tired but doing everything I could to glean from our National Director, Phil Strout, in Session 1.  As his message came to a close, he started to direct us into ministry time and I wanted to start thinking about all the things I needed to do to prepare for the next day.  God had other plans.  He was determined to get my attention and did so physically as He has been doing a lot more recently.  My right hand started to tingle and then it started to burn, and I knew that I had other work He wanted to use me for if I would be willing.  

 Phil had people with chronic shoulder problems come to the front and then proceeded to remind the room that in the Vineyard, "EVERYONE GETS TO PLAY."  I don't think I have moved so fast through a crowd.  As I made my way forward, I simply said, "show me who, Lord."  It was at this moment that I met Lisa.  I asked her to share a little bit about her situation, and she began to go into details about how she had been struggling with shoulder pain as a result of the breaking down of her vertebrae in her spine. REALLY LORD?! Aren't we glad that healing isn't from our own strength!?!?!?!?!  I asked if I could place my now "flaming hand" on her neck and began to pray.  I spoke LOVE into her body, commanded restoration and wholeness, and many other things that only God and she will remember.  A moment came where I felt I needed to ask how things were and she said, "I don't know."  I asked if she could try to test it.  At that moment, she looked up and began to make a movement.  Before she could move in any grand way, her back popped, and I mean popped!  In a room full of people praying, I could distinctly hear it.  She started exclaiming, "That's the first time that's happened in over 2 years. " We immediately rejoiced and praised God for the healing He had begun and prayed for completion.   

 The next day,  I saw Lisa working the room with camera in hand getting footage of the event.  I asked if there had been any new developments and she began to smile bright through tears.  She went on to share how for the first time since she could remember, she had slept through the night without any pain and felt the best she had in years.  GOD IS SOOO GOOD AND HE LOVES YOU SOOO MUCH!!!!!!

 I share this to remind myself and the rest of us, don't let your "ministry" get in the way of your MINISTRY ASSIGNMENTS.  I led worship three times, did a good majority of the administrative stuff and could have easily missed out on the best moment of the conference for me.  It would have been easy for me to go sell T-shirts and ignore the opportunity to love on His Child!  I'm so glad I didn't.  Now Lisa is healed and I got an opportunity to be His Vessel!  NOTHING BETTER my friends!!!!!  

 I'll close with this... I pray that this week is only the beginning of the refreshing that Abba Father will rain down over the leaders of the Vineyard Movement in the Mid-Atlantic.  May He give you healing, restoration, visions, dreams, gifts, etc.....

 Now to go start working on the next song.....

 Love y'all,

 Katie

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