I Stand Amazed

By Doug Fry

Last May, Encounter Revival Ministries (ERM) visited Portugal. One of the team's songs is "I Stand Amazed." The lyrics reflect the believer's awe as he looks at creation and recognizes what a mighty God brought all of this into existence. What is even more amazing is to realize that this all-powerful God loves and cares for each of us personally.

The highlight of the team's ministry happened on May 20 as ERM and seven other musical groups participated in the First Annual Choral Group Festival in our city of Mafra. The festival, organized by our local choral group, in which my wife, Sharon, and I are members, was financed entirely by local businesses and the government. At 4:30 p.m. the Encounter team entered the Mafra Basilica to perform their first concert of the day. King John V built this massive structure dating from the early 18th century in gratitude to God for giving him an heir. Construction required 50,000 workers nearly 13 years to complete. When the king dedicated the basilica on October 22, 1730, he could never have imagined that one day North Americans would sing praises to God and proclaim the transforming power of Jesus Christ. Their 45-minute concert ended with "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," written by the16th-century reformer Martin Luther. One of my colleagues said: "God must be smiling right now!" As the crowd made its way out, we heard comments from many people who said they had never heard anyone sing with such joy and enthusiasm.

Around midnight, Encounter took to the stage in the south cloister of the convent to share God's gift of salvation through songs and testimonies. After nearly three uninterrupted hours of performances, the listening crowd of several hundred was exhausted, but with ERM's arrival, the mood changed. The audience broke out in smiles as the Spirit of God moved on a place that had never experienced anything like this before. Along with many friends and neighbors, local dignitaries attended the concert, including the county president, two township presidents, the local military base commander, and a representative from the civil governor's office.

What happened that day has given us great opportunities to talk with people who expressed a sincere desire to know about a God who gives the kind of joy and peace reflected in faces of these young people. We stand amazed at what God has done, and believe He will bring about a harvest of souls in our community as a result of seed planted in a Roman Catholic stronghold.