Christian Retailing

CBA 2004 KICKS OFF WITH INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGES Print Email
Sunday, 27 June 2004 08:00 PM America/New_York

Convention attendees were moved to laughter and tears by challenge and testimony at Sunday morning's inspiring worship service.

Mixing humor with a straight-talking reflection on Jesus' teaching on true worship in Matthew 15, Atlanta-area pastor and Multnomah author Andy Stanley urged everyone to examine their hearts for hidden compromise before putting on a good front for what he called the coming "nicefest" of CBA International.

Facing guilt with confession, anger with forgiveness, greed with generosity and jealousy with praise of others were exercises of the heart that protect outwardly-correct behaviors from "outpacing" the secret struggles of the heart and leading to some kind of failure, he said.

Earlier the packed hall had stood to applaud 15-year-old Laura Everett, who wept as she told of turning from drugs and rebellion through the help of Joy House, the Atlanta home for troubled teens chosen to receive the morning's special offering.

"God has shown me that people are going to judge you all through your life, (and) it's better to let them think what they want, but not to give in to what the world thinks about you," Everett said.

The evening Pacesetter event featured singer Natalie Grant, with WaterBrook author Kirbyjon Caldwell bringing a message on our new orientation in Christ. Steven Curtis Chapman debuted songs from his new album. The Sunday Music Showcase rounded out the evening with performances by Plus One, Bebo Norman, comedian Brad Stine and more.