A communion and anointing service held early Sabbath morning at the South Pacific for Christ launch event brought participants together for a deeply spiritual experience centred on renewal, humility and the Holy Spirit.
Set beneath the trees at the Watson Park Convention Centre campsite, the service formed the closing exercise of the Catalyst discipleship experience held throughout the week. Small groups gathered around tables with pastors, sharing communion before taking part in an anointing ceremony.
Leading the service, Dr Gilbert Cangy invited participants to reflect on the “Jordan experience” of Jesus’ baptism and the beginning of His earthly ministry.
“Welcome to the Jordan, to the place where Jesus showed up for the first time as an adult, as He began His ministry to save us,” Dr Cangy said.
“He showed up at the Jordan and He did things that He did not need to do because of who He was, but He showed us the way to the Father and He showed us the way to the kingdom.
“And we are here to re-enter, to renew, this identity, this re-entry into the kingdom of God.”
Participants described the service as one of the most moving moments of the week.
Delwin Ketsian said it reminded participants of the humility of Christ and the importance of mission.
“As we go back to our missions, we will have that humble heart to do God’s mission,” she said. “God’s mission brings a lot of miracles.”
Yank Rut described the experience as powerful and deeply personal.
“I can feel the power of the Holy Spirit,” she said. “The Holy Spirit anointed us. I can feel that the Holy Spirit is on fire.”
For several participants, it was the first time they had taken part in an anointing service.
Annette Darius said sharing communion with people she had never met before made the experience especially meaningful.
“I think it’s the peak of the program because we get to be anointed by someone and be prayed over,” she said. “That’s a big blessing.”
Misma Robertson described the service as “really moving”, recalling how rain began falling during prayer before a rainbow appeared overhead.
“It’s a promise of God and He’s with us,” she said.
Reflecting afterwards, Pastor Cangy said the service was intended to remind participants that discipleship begins by following the example of Jesus.
“[At Catalyst] we take the view that Jesus went ahead of us,” he said. “This morning what we did is we followed Jesus.”
He added, “I know the people will go from here with the confidence that indeed the Spirit now dwells in them and will guide them in their service.”
