By Ansie van der Merwe

“The relationships that form and grow here may indeed represent answers to prayers for deep needs. We look forward to what God will do here.”

— The Discernment Team

The Global Gathering provided a wonderful opportunity for prayer and intercession. A dedicated team of 50 individuals prayed for the event, with five intercessors present on-site throughout the Gathering.

We were deeply moved by God’s kindness in many ways. For instance, several delegates who had not yet received their visas to travel to South Africa were granted them just in time—some on the day before their departure and others on the very day they needed to travel—following persistent prayer.

One delegate mistakenly took a taxi from the airport instead of the shuttle bus. Realising his error, he got out and continued to the hotel by shuttle, only to discover that his phone was missing. After we prayed, he returned to the airport, found the same taxi, and his phone was safely returned! Praise God for His faithfulness.

Prayer was woven throughout the Gathering. Pastor Mwangi, our devotional speaker, shared that his church in Kenya was praying fervently for the event. He remarked, “There is something very unique about an event that has been prayed over.” We could truly feel the power and truth of those prayers.

At the start of the event, the intercessors were asked to pray for a renewed sense of identity. 55% of participants were attending a global event for the first time. It was heartwarming to witness the joy and excitement as people reconnected with old friends and formed new relationships. Many shared how much they had learned about the Alliance and how it helped them better understand their role within it.

Participants will look back to the event as a time in which they experienced God’s presence. His presence has been strong, tangible, and tender at many moments throughout the Gathering. 

"There is no clearer way to discern the presence of God’s Spirit than to identify the moments of unification, healing, restoration and reconciliation. Wherever the Spirit walks, divisions vanish and inner as well as outer unity manifests itself.”

― Henri Nouwen, Life of the Beloved

"Great leaders pray. The prayer life of great leaders is commensurate to what they end up achieving. If their prayer life is zero, very little is achieved, and those leaders become micromanagers. They become very insecure. They are running everywhere. But those who really trust the Lord for every team member, pray for every team member, pray for the work, pray for everything, they get to know the peace that passes understanding."

― Pastor Simon Mwangi, Associate Pastor, Parklands Baptist Church, Nairobi