AC2010 theme

The biblical story of Jacob’s dream (Genesis 28:11-19) is filled with family betrayal, fearful isolation, teeth clenching anxiety, and a life-changing dream.  According to the standards of Hollywood, it seems as if Jacob’s endeavor has all the right elements of a prime time hit or silver screen blockbuster.  There seems to be, however, one tender but powerful element that holds more vigor than Hollywood could portray—Jacob’s transformation caused by his vivid dream. 

This transformation creates a new reality for Jacob.  What was once a lonely nomadic life of suffering is now a life filled with promise.  Jacob’s dream reminds him that heaven has come to earth to make all things extraordinary.  He now sees where he is as a place of possibility and hope.  It seems as if Jacob went to sleep in an ordinary place, and woke up in an extraordinary place.  He woke up and saw where God was moving.  
 
What would it look like if we were to open our eyes and allow this type of transformation?  What if we were to trust the God that loves us and goes before us as we dream of new ways to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world?  What if we were bold enough to transform programs and ministries that have become routine and make them even more extraordinary?  When we wake up to the possibilities of transformed ministry, we will find that God is already there waiting to cooperate with us.  He promised that to Jacob, and that promise still stands for us today.

The celebration of Jacob’s transformation from ordinary to extraordinary is the string that threads through our 2010 Annual Conference Session.  This week, let us celebrate with one another the current ministries in the life of our conference.  Let us also wake up to our dreams of uncharted ministries that will reach new people with the love of Christ.  Let us move from ordinary into extraordinary, and wake up to find where God is moving!