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Hundreds give their lives to Christ
Friday 09 May 2008
HUNDREDS of people committed their lives to Jesus Christ following an invitation by the Archbishop of York at the Church Without Walls National Gathering in Scotland.
Archbishop speaks
Dr John Sentamu invited the crowd to the front for a blessing as a public declaration of their new-found or reaffirmed faith in God.
More than 9,000 people – of every Christian denomination - attended the weekend conference on May 3 to May 4 at the Royal Highland Show Ground, Ingliston.
The event, "All You Can't Leave Behind", included seminars, worship, a full youth programme and key-note talks under canvas.
Church Without Walls
Dr Sentamu played his African drums during the Sunday morning worship before speaking on how churches should be more radical, open and inviting. He later led a seminar on Christian values for the 21st Century.
Event organiser, The Reverend Albert Bogle, Minister of St Andrew's Church, Bo'ness, said it was a day that, for many delegates, would be "printed on the memory for ever".
"The Archbishop spoke with authority and power as he called both young and old to allow themselves to be "kissed by God"," he said.
"Something happened in the hall as he invited people to leave their seats and reaffirm their faith in Christ. Literally hundreds of people made their way to the front as a result."
Dr Sentamu said: "The National Gathering was a tremendous event. I was thrilled and excited to see so many people come forward and commit their lives to Jesus Christ."
The Reverend Albert Bogle said as the Archbishop was about to leave, the crowd launched into an impromptu chorus of the old Scottish song " Will Ye No Come Back Again ".
"Dr John then returned to the microphone and uttered the words "I'll be back!""
The Church Without Walls movement was started in 2001 with the aim of taking Christianity out of its traditional setting.