Unity in diversity

The conference ended this afternoon and I've just said good-bye, nashledanou, au revoir to most of the participants.

We came from 10 different nations and spoke as many different languages; the oldest was 60-something and the youngest was 20. We serve in traditional and contemporary churches, as choir directors, worship leaders, teachers, hymn- and songwriters, and in worship and rock bands that span the continent of Europe.

One of my most special moments was yesterday evening when we shared communion and prayed for our nations. Giving thanks, simply, graciously, humbly for the privilege to serve Jesus and to share His body and blood. It's difficult to describe sufficiently the feeling of being joined together in spirit with such a diverse group. Heartfelt prayers in Russian, Romanian, French, Latvian...

Strangers only three days before, we loved Jesus in worship, wept in God's presence and blessed each other and the nations we serve. I feel it is only a small glimpse of what it will be like when we surround God's throne in heaven and worship Him.

Like our Moravian (Czech) forefathers in missions, I have delighted in this credo:
In essentials, unity;
in non-essentials, diversity (or liberty);
in all things, charity.