FMI evangelists, Eddie Russell preaches a session from the Flame One Renewal seminars for the Holy Spirit of Freedom Community in Pemberton, South Western Australia.

About twenty five of our Community The Holy Spirit of Freedom Community gathered at Karriholm Christian Centre in Pemberton for a weekend Retreat with the Flame Team. Our expectations were high, as the Lord had prepared us for some time with the awareness that there would be a new conviction in our lives and ministry (working with street-kids, those on drugs, etc.).

So right from the beginning on Friday night, a great joy was present through the praise & worship time and Eddie's three hour scriptural presentation about the Prayer of Thanksgiving, Praise & Worship. After a day of teachings and praise and worship, the Holy Spirit moved suddenly and powerfully towards the end of the Saturday night session. We cannot manipulate or control the Holy Spirit. We cannot turn Him on or off. He chooses when and how He moves on us.

So it was on this Saturday night. Although we expect the Holy Spirit to move in our lives, particularly when we are in deep worship, the way He moves is so often a surprise. On this occasion I felt as though I was T.K.O'd. I was sitting down, with my whole body completely limp, a 'sitting down resting in the Spirit.' Perhaps about fifteen minutes after most people had left the hall. I had to be assisted to the chapel where I remained for another half an hour before I became reasonably mobile again.

It seems that during this time I was being released from deep pain and anguish that had accumulated during years of helping street-kids, and of all that goes with that calling. The Lord was showing me that, through this release, I would be freed up to go forward in a new strength and boldness. Alleluia! Most of the others also experienced a powerful movement of the Spirit that night, and then again on Sunday afternoon two or three received the gift of tongues for the first time. Others moved into a deeper conviction about their call to follow Jesus all the way in the Community, whilst others received deep inner healing bringing them into a new freedom. It was fitting that we finished the retreat with a Mass during which we welcomed three new people into our Community. Then we celebrated some birthdays with a very satisfying BBQ.

One of the most significant features of the weekend was the way Eddie, Guy and Frank slotted so naturally into place with our Community, and vice-versa. We seemed to fit each other like a hand-in-glove. This unity was a major contributing factor in releasing the great love experienced by all who were present. "I pray Father, that they may be one, as You and I are one.".

No one really wanted to leave, and for those of us who live at Karriholm, there is still a 'taste' of the flavor of the weekend hovering around here. There is a great eagerness amongst all of us for the next gathering together with the Flame Team, a gathering already planned for early December. Many our hearts, minds and spirits be prepared by the Holy Spirit for an ever deeper relationship with Him through this next weekend. We give heartfelt thanks to our God for all He is doing in our midst.

Frank Feain. Leader, Holy Spirit of Freedom Community.

There are more articles, resources, news, links, revival prophecies, healing testimonies, seminars and a whole lot more on this site.