THE GREAT EASTER RETREAT, 2007
 
The decentralized Youth Easter Retreat was held throughout each District of Christ Apostolic Church between 5th and 9th April, 2007.  The theme of the Great Easter Retreat was ALL-ROUND REVIVAL FIRE (Acts 1:8).

The welcome address of the CAC Youth Officer, Pastor Joe Jacobs read at all the Retreat Centres is as follows:

We return all glory and adoration to God Almighty who is enabling us to witness another Easter season.  We thank our Church Administration under the able leadership of our highly valued, quality-driven and golden President, Pastor E. H. L. Olusheye for all-round support. I wholeheartedly welcome you all to this year’s Easter Retreat, in Jesus’ Name.

The mega theme of our great Mission this year is REVIVAL.  This is our focus now.

When some assemblies need money today, they quickly think of a ‘revival’.  They invite either a ‘money-monger’ or someone who can brainwash the flock of Jesus.  In some Churches today a ‘magician’, or the so-called “satanic deputy ‘who-has-accepted-Jesus”, or a “herbalist turned-preacher” is invited for ‘revival’.   He comes into the Church of Christ with full satanic instruments and making incantations in the Church.  The fact remains that most of these hungry men and women are not converted.  They disguise into the Church to “show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect”, Matt. 24:24.  Some people vigil in sin in the name of revival.

What is Revival?  To many, it is an organized prayer meeting where singing, clapping and praying are done vigorously.  This is not revival; such is just a service or a prayer meeting.   The word revival comes from a root Latin word “vivo” meaning “live”.  So, revival means “coming to life”.  It means, among others:

(a) To come or bring back to existence that which is dead, sleeping or dormant, The resurrection of Lazarus, John 11:11, 43, 44.

(b) To come or bring back to consciousness, life or strength, e.g. the prodigal son, Luke 15:17-20.

(c) Reawakening of Christian values and commitment, e.g. revival of Israel by Josiah, 2 Kings 22:11-14.

(d) Restoration of good old practices, styles and norms, e.g. CAC Legacies, Prov. 22:28, 23; 10 cf Job 24:2.

(e) It is an awesome visitation of God that causes the lost to see salvation, the Church to crave for holiness and the general sense of the presence and glory of God, Acts 2:1-7, 37.
(f) It is when you and I are on fire for God fully obeying the word of God, seeking the lost souls with passion, advocating for holiness, longing for God’s presence and praying for the Kingdom of God to come.

(g) Spiritual progress, marital breakthrough, professional fulfillment, healing, deliverance, breakthroughs are evidences.

This is the type of revival that we need.  Can we have it again?  Yes, we can.  We must think revival, preach it, pray for it, live for it and let the fire fall.  David in Psalm 51:10 says, “Create in me a clean heart, oh God and renew a right spirit within me”.  As we hold this year’s Retreat, may the LORD of harvest and new life create a new heart in all of us.  Amen.  Happy Easter Celebration.