Winnipeg September 7-9, 2007.

This was the fifth Rise Up!, Manitoba conference. Probably around 250 people from at least 20 communities attended. It was a rich time with a real presence of the Holy Spirit. These conferences are a time for building on what God is doing around the province during the rest of the year.

Keith Miners began the conference by speaking on "one heart, one head". Using Ephesians 1 as his mandate, Keith explained that God is gathering all things together under one head, even Christ. God is calling the church to urgently live under the headship of Christ. God is doing this by releasing the spirit of wisdom and revelation so that we may know Him better. The Father is sharing His heart with us so that we will carry His heart and represent the Lord Jesus   to all those around us. It is important that we know who we are in Christ and that we have been chosen in Him from before the foundation of the world.
 
The main speaker was James Arreak, from Iqaluit, Nunavut. James, an Innuit during his three sessions shared the burdens of his heart. James believes that God is calling His Church together in unity to live a quality of life and leadership which has not been experienced for a long time. As James was speaking the Holy Spirit was ministering to people and healing them from past wounds and hurts. James was particularly eager to come to Manitoba because of his God given burden to see.

First Nations, Metis and Innuit people released into their God given destiny as part of the  body of Christ. This was a theme throughout hte conference. Various people confessed during the conference how they had struggled the forgive injustices from the past, but God had worked in their hearts so that they could forgive and receive those who had sinned against them. On the last evening James called Metis people forward for prayer, healing, reconciliation and release into their destiny in God. A surprising number of Metis came forward, several of whom had only come unknowingly to the conference for that session. The role of Louis Riel in the formation of Manitoba was honored. Interestingly since the conference the provincial government has decided to call the new Manitoba February holiday, "Louis Riel Day". We obviously believe that what transpired in the last session and the naming of the new holiday are connected. James really believed that God was sending him to Manitoba for the purpose of releasing Metis people. James brought copies of the covenant which the Innuit, First Nations and Metis had made  together in 2006. Leaders of these people groups were committed to serving Jesus by walking together to see all three enter into their destiny, and to serve the rest of the body of Christ by taking their place as the original gatekeepers of the land of Canada.

Irvin Wilson, from Pequis Reserve,Mb. was specifically asked to speak on " Minstering to First Nations people". Irvin has profound insghts into this. Particularly piercing were his understanding of how the using” any old Indian will do” mentality has operated from the Treaty days, right to the present day. Everyone was very impacted by Irvin and his message.

Workshops

Roger Armbruster shared on "Healing the Land". Roger has very impacting testimony on how God is moving powerfully in the Arctic, and in Manitoba through repentance and reconciliation. How very important it is that the original gatekeepers of the land, Innuit, First Nations and Metis are honored, affirmed and released. As they take their God given place then the ancient invitaions to the works of darkness are removed and God moves powerfully in restoring not only people, but the land itself.

Mike and Debby Bolton spoke on releasing people into their destiny in the market place. They are excellent speakers with powerful testimony, born out of practical experience. They are challenging and inspiring, motivating and encouraging.
 
The third workshop was on the relationship between the pastor and prophetic/intercessors by Pastor Dave Hamm and Shirley Hildebrand from Winkler. Again this was a good mix of teaching and practical. They provided an excellent booklet on developing the prophetic.

Other highlights

One was the role which children took in the conference. They were active in praying out in a number of contexts, and when they were involved in leading worship things took off!

The worship times were very good with a real presence of the Lord. There were two sessions involving worship, intercession and waiting on God. Both sessions were well attended, Spirit-led powerful times. God touched on a variety of issues. A good number of young people were actively involved in these sessions.

Out of this conference it is clear that God has much for this province, but He is calling His people to come together, to rise up and take their place, so that His purposes will be fulfilled and truly we will walk together with one heart under one head, even Jesus Christ. One of the profound things at this conference was the honoring of Innuit, First nations protocol. This involves honoring and receiving through the giving of gifts. Each speaker was honored through being given a personal gift. James also received new shoes during the conference!

Irvin Wilson honored James, representing the Innuit, and Keith, representing the non-indigenous people, by giving them both a large gold coloured key. It represented acceptance and friendship between the people groups. The commitment is to walk together to serve the Lord as part of the body of Christ.