The three-day Canadian Family Gathering kicked off in Montreal on June 29, 2017. There were more than 1,000 people attending, including over 100 Chinese Christians from more than ten different countries and regions.
The theme was "That they may be one." The Christians gathered together to worship, praise, and repent, praying for the unity of Christ's body.
Quebec province is of great significance in the development of "Homecoming" gatherings. They were introduced there roughly a decade ago, "We remember the covenant that was made many years ago in our nation between the French, the English and the First Peoples." the organizer recalled. "This seed of unity, birthed here in Canada, was not only released but multiplied into many nations and people groups. It brought transformation, healing and restoration and we witnessed increasing measures of the fulfillment of Jesus' prayer for unity amongst the families of the nations. He is once again calling Canada to come together as one heart, to enter His presence, and to renew our covenant of unity. And we prophetically declare: 'Canada, it is time to conceive again, birth another measure of unity and be released into the fullness of who you are. Canada, you are a picture of the oneness of the global body, because all the nations of the world have come to find a home in your land. As you gather under The One King, your unity will be a foretaste of the alignment that will release Kingdom authority amongst the nations.' "
For that reason, the gathering attached importance to the unity of Canada's different peoples of the body and the oneness of different countries and areas. On the first day, chiefs of Canadian aboriginals and others representatives were invited to pray and bless Canada. Meanwhile, Arabic members and Jews repented of their sins and sought unity on the stage. During the gathering, the attendees were requested to repent and pray for unity several times.
The event also stressed the concept of "family" and providing more room and care to the younger generation. In the several sessions young people prayed and praised the Lord, hoping to carry forward faith and revival. All the participants prayed for the younger generation.
There was a prayer for Canada's 150th Birthday Celebration in the final session. Recalling the contributions of missionaries and Christians to the founding history of Canada, the sponsor expressed thanks for God's grace and repentence for the sins in the country's history, inviting Canadian intercessors to make a covenant with God that Canada may be a vessel to be used by God.
The highlights of the gathering were still Homecoming's traditional worship and praise and many symbolic dances where the attendees felt the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
-Translated by Karen Luo
