the Latest - 12/04-12/10

Join us at the Gathering for "great lives of the Gospel" - a historical review of those who have transformed the world through their faith in Christ.

Eric shared about the amazing life of William Wilberforce, who used his faith, his intellect and great perseverance, to ban the slave trade in England. Read more about his life here.

"In April 1797, Wilberforce completed "A Practical View of the Prevailing religious system of professed Christians in the Higher and Middle Classes of this Country Contrasted with Real Christianity", which he had been working on since 1793, which was an exposition of New Testament doctrine and teachings and a call for revival of the Christian religion, in view of what he saw as the moral decline of the nation. It was an influential work and illustrates, far more than any other of his writings, his own personal testimony and the views which inspired him in his life's work." (wiki)

Wilberforce was also an influential leader of the Clapham sect, a community of scholars, clergy, writers and playwrights, economists, politicians, and philanthropists, who worked together to abolish slavery, reform the penal system, provide free education, and to strive to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the people.

We are challenged to consider that within our own Gathering, containing all of the ability, (com)passion, and desire to use our unique gifts and talents to live the Gospel on a daily basis, what could we likewise venture to accomplish, as we work and share our lives together?

Find William Wilberforce on Myspace. A film entitled Amazing Grace, about Wilberforce's life and the struggle against slavery, directed by Michael Apted, is due to be released on February 25, 2007, to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the date the British Parliament voted to ban the transport of slaves by British subjects.

posted by Christina @ 11:05 AM