Meredith Rounsley

International Macintosh Fest

That’s what it looks like when all of us get together to facebook our families. A rainbow of black, white, and silver macbooks opened on the kitchen table while we cook dinner and unwind from our day. I can’t even explain to you the simple joy of letters from home or picture updates on the internet. If one of us has tears in our eyes when we check the computer…it’s probably an e-mail from mom or dad.

While the classes at college won’t start until the end of the week, there has still been plenty of time to get to know other students. And you get to know them in the coolest settings ever.

United night for the youth programs at Hillsong was on Friday and it was insane. Hundreds of (possibly closer to a thousand) kids gathered at the Hills campus to worship, hear the Word, and connect after a term of intense fellowship. It is the loudest and most passionate group of people that I have ever met in my life! You are immediately swept into the building by a tidal wave of skinny jean clad and hairsprayed teens. The music is so loud that your heart actually begins to beat in time with the kick drum. As you are pressed into the auditorium, you start to realize that these “teenagers” are really anywhere from 12 to 35. Leaders are all over the place to welcome new kids and just be easygoing and informative. Not only that, but they have huge hearts and are some of the most giving people that I have met thus far in life. They don’t just serve as traffic directors. They are friends, mentors, family, and sometimes they are the only spiritual leader in a kid’s life. It’s a big party, but make no mistake that the entire evening is about Jesus. From the welcome to the request for clothing donations for city ministries to kids praying for each other and encouraging each other’s spiritual walk, this is the real deal.

As if youth night wasn’t enough to knock you socks off, Sunday mornings at Hillsong are nothing short of incredible. Before you ask me the most typical question, I will just answer you by saying that of course the worship was great. And though it is a huge part of my life, I can honestly say that I was relieved that it wasn’t the main focus of the morning. Everything centered on a relationship with Christ. The music was less of a concert and more of a church wide declaration of hope, faith, and love. There were sweet moments of parents dedicating their children and asking for the assistance of their friends and family in raising a child that would know Christ. The guest pastor for the day spoke on the sheer greatness of God and the generosity and love that he showed in bringing his greatness to us through Christ. Prayers were lifted up for the broken, the run down, the abused, and those who simply needed a job or were having relational struggles. Not only that, but there was a reminder of the fact that the church was actually doing something about it.

Hillsong Conference, which just finished the week before I came, draws in people from across the country and the world to worship and prepare to make an impact on their churches. Swathes of children were sponsored through World Vision and Compassion International, houses build in Bangladesh, clean water brought to Africa, desks given to schools in India, sex trafficked women represented in court, and people in Sydney were given clothes and meals simply due to the generosity of one group of people. How incredible is that? Nearly five thousand people gave of their time and energy so that thousands more had the opportunity to meet with Christ in a life changing way. (By the way, there were just over 2,000 decisions made to accept Christ during the conference alone). To see numbers like that slide across the screen are both impressive and humbling.

My housemates (there will be a post dedicated to them VERY soon) and I returned to church that evening for the night service, during which dozens of people were baptized and thousands more joined them in prayer and worship. So good. Afterwards I began to meet people who would be attending college with me. Heaps of us are in the music stream, so I know that I won’t be without a large group of people to hang out with. That’s pretty cool in and of itself, but the best part of all of this is that everyone is really nice. A diverse and interesting group of top notch people. I met people who are sure to be great friends at college breakfast this morning.

I am so prepared, excited, and expectant of God to do great things during this next season of my life. I’m still missing home, but I’ve been reminded rather quickly that my home is in Christ. I have been blessed beyond belief to be given these incredible housemates and be living in this fantastic country. How much more am I going to love it when I start classes?!?!

So what about you guys? Have you seen God moving in big ways in your life, church, or home?

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Comments

• Kim says:

  July 19, 2010 at 11:31 AM

  It all sounds amazing! I’m so glad you’re having fun and that the people are so nice. Have you seen any wallaby’s yet? Just wondering : P

  I love you!
• Sally Stewart says:

  July 19, 2010 at 11:14 AM

  Meredith, God is moving and working in Somerset County MD too! As you know, I (sadly) left Bayside Chapel and have been appointed to the Oriole Charge between Princess Anne and Deal Island. The people are great in my two churches and they have done everything they could to make me feel at home…and i DO! They have been traditional worshipers but they are excited about bringing some new elements to their worship experience. We are looking at ways to introduce technology to the sanctuaries and also for ideas that bring a multi-sensory vibe. So interesting how God created us to learn in so many different ways, not only through sight and sound but also smell, touch etc.
  I know we only met once but I was so impressed, not only with your musical gift but also for your maturity and your love for the Lord. I continue to pray for you and for all those who are training to bring Christ to the world through Hillsong. You are much loved around the world.
  Stay strong and be safe.