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t what may turn out to have been the largest gathering of evangelical Presbyterians this year, 1,100 conferees attended PFR’s 37^th Annual Christian Life Conference in Montreat, NC, during the July 4 weekend. Presbyterians came from all over the U.S., converging on Montreat for fellowship, Bible teaching, and worship.

The conference theme, “Standing on the Promises,” was introduced by evening keynote speaker Anne Graham Lotz through the Scripture passage Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” The audience was encouraged and inspired, as Lotz spoke of God’s presence in our times of deepest trial. Whether in denominational life or in our personal lives, in the midst of struggle we are called to stand on the promises of God and be empowered and guided by the work of his Holy Spirit.

Indeed, the Holy Spirit was on the loose and determined to be in every message and song. “It seems the Holy Spirit is perhaps the best-kept secret in the Presbyterian church,” said Lotz. The Holy Spirit has one priority and that is to glorify Jesus Christ—to lift up and make known his truth, she declared (John 16:14). If we are to lead lives of power and victory in Christ, we must surrender to the power of the Holy Spirit.

Paul Eckel, who taught a series of remarkable Bible studies during the conference, noted that, without deliberate planning, Ms. Lotz’s message, his own message, and the music all focused on the work of the Holy Spirit. “You’d think it was the Holy Spirit in charge,” Eckel noted, to a response of laughter from the audience. Too many Presbyterians are worn out today, said Eckel, by trying to do church with their own stuff, rather than relying on the power of God through the Holy Spirit.

On Monday evening the Spirit was still on the loose. The moderator of the conference, the Reverend John Sloop of Harrisonburg, VA, introduced Michael Walker, the new Executive Director of PFR. One observer noted: “I watched as Michael was introduced and as he spoke. There was a sense of the quickening of the Holy Spirit that I felt gathering in the auditorium, and almost hovering over Michael as he spoke. His eloquence, passion, leadership, and inspirational message were a sign of his call, but even more of His call on Michael….” The power of the Spirit was tangible as the nearly 1,100 conferees joined to lay hands on Michael and sing the prayer, “Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on him.”

In his book Reversed Thunder, Eugene Peterson notes that “in worship God gathers his people to himself as center: ‘The Lord reigns’ (Ps 93:1). Worship is a meeting at the center so that our lives are centered in God … we worship so that we live in response to and from this center.…”

For three days Presbyterians from across the country were gathered to “meet at the center,” to worship and re-center our lives in response to God. In the closing moments of the conference, our joined hands were raised in praise as we sang “for Thine is the power….” At that moment, a strong breeze entered the building and moved around and through the worshipers, reminding us once again that the Holy Spirit is still on the loose.

Isn’t this how the renewal of the Presbyterian Church (USA) really begins? May it be so.