Sunday 23 May 2010 dawned bright and clear, with a promise of a beautifully warm day. Thousands from churches all across Oxford headed out to South Park to hear preaching, declare God's praises in song and to pray together for the city of Oxford, for the UK and for the nations.
Highlights of the Love Oxford service in the morning included preaching from Andrew Wingfield-Digby and Grady Reid, powerful times of prayer and a challenge to Christians to be agents for truth and change in the city and the world in which God has placed us.
The Bishop of Oxford, Councillor Mary Clarkson and Nicola Blackwood MP all spoke about their 'hope for the next generation', while Jo Duckles spoke about the Street Pastors initiative in Oxford and Richard Bradley from Oxford City Council invited the assembled crowd to get involved with Street Parties in their own roads.
As the sun continued to shine, many stayed on in the park for lunch, enjoying their picnics under the welcome shade of the huge marquee which had initially been rented to guard against bad weather. There were groups playing football, frisbee and rounders, people queueing for ice-creams and a great sense of community.
House of Praise kicked off the afternoon Vertigo event with a set of dance and house tunes designed to keep a party atmosphere going. The youth and students who had come specifically for 'Vertigo in the Park' spent the afternoon in sports, dance and other creative activities before gathering back into the marquee for worship and teaching. The afternoon slowed to a gentle pace and the DJs put out a final set of chilled tunes to wind down as people headed onto the Cowley Road for dinner or home to freshen up.
Come 7pm, the marquee was filling up again. Hundreds came back for the evening celebration and many who were just passing through the park were drawn by the vibrant music of the Christian Life Centre's gospel choir. Steve Thomas led another passionate time of prayer as part of the Global Day of Prayer and John Arnott brought a simple but powerful message of the Kingdom of God. This moved into a time of prayer for healing and an invitation to those who wanted to commit their lives to Jesus. What a way to end such a wonderful day together with Christians from so many different churches and situations.
God was with us. We knew His presence with us throughout the day and we thank Him for meeting with so many and bringing salvation, healing, forgiveness and joy. What will Love Oxford 2011 bring? Watch this space...
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