Edmonton in January - Breakforth Worship Conference
Road trips are no fun alone thats for sure. I would always find myself staring out the car window having conversations with myself, not very good conversations, no one to respond to my knock knock jokes... besides me of course. My trip to Breakforth was definitely not a trip that I took alone. Having never been, this was my introduction to the baron winter lands we today call Edmonton. Let me tell you, Edmonton is a nice city, but I am very thankful to live in warm Kelowna!
On Friday January 29th, at the wee hour of 5am, Pastor Mike, Shea Nicholson, Scott Vogt, James Petkau, Ryan Wiens, Jon Dunville and myself met at Tim Hortons (Pastor Mike's sacred place of meeting) and set off to Breakforth. Breakforth Canada is the fastest growing Christian leadership conference in North America which brings thousands of believers together to build up the body of Christ and to sharpen personal leadership skills as well.
When we arrived in Edmonton, we checked in to our hotel. We drew a lottery to see who got the beds and who got the pull out couches. I am happy to say that I got to have a bed. One last thing about the hotel, lets just say that the pool room wasn't as big as we had thought. Just picture 5-7 guys in a tiny hot tub, no mental image? Just Imagine a full glass of water with too many ice cubes in it!
Throughout the weekend we attended sessions. Sessions are where everyone gathers together to worship God. If you have never sang and worshiped with seven thousand passionate people, let me encourage you to come to Breakforth next year. We had the opportunity to hear many gifted speakers like Lee Strobel(author of A Case For Christ), Anne Graham Lotz (daughter of Billy Graham)and sing along with many gifted music leaders such as Robin Mark (who wrote Jesus all for Jesus), Brenton Brown (who wrote Everlasting God) and of course Michael W Smith (my somewhere-along-the-line lost cousin... I wish). Personally, I enjoyed seeing other leaders and learning how they lead as well, and how to apply some of their styles with mine. The speakers were incredible too, each speaker, weather author or speaker, had a great message that really stretched the minds of the guys and I.
Breakforth was a time of growth for us as leaders. For me, I got to know each guy a little better and to see what their gifts are too. We have become closer as friends and have better equipped ourselves to lead and connect with a rapidly growing/changing world.
Please come and chat with me or any of the guys about our experience at Breakforth, we have learned a lot and would love to share.
In Him
Joshua Smith,