We left our home Thursday at 4:00 A.M. traveled 40 minutes to Winter Springs, Florida. Then, joined Bill and Judy Tillmann in a 10 hour long journey that took us through Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, all the way to beautiful North Carolina.
Once you get through the gates of the Cove, you know you are stepping into hollowed ground. The Asbury-Kentucky staff was already in place welcoming the guests that were arriving from all over the country. I got 45 minutes to have a shower, get ready and begin to welcome people at the front desk. However, since Ada was coming along, the plan they have for me was to be there a few hours here and there and enjoy my time at the retreat with my sweetheart.
During this retreat Dr. Tim Tennent presented a powerful presentation about global Christianity and the reasons Asbury Theological Seminary is investing their time and effort in that vision. Also, Dr. Bob Tuttle made an informal presentation about sharing the gospel (personal evangelism). Since Tuttle is Tuttle he went beyond that, speaking also about the Holy Spirit, the speaking in tongues experience, and a repertoire of personal stories. Furthermore, Dr. Michael Matlock had a presentation and Dr. Ellsworth Kalas preached challenging us to be seekers of the truth written in the Scriptures. In the midst of that we got presentations from current students, alumni, and even a donor made a compelling call to the attendants to support the Seminary with our prayers and our wallets.
The music was awesome. We got traditional, contemporary, and southern gospel music. The atmosphere was spiritual and we felt like if we were in a cocoon. The food, oh my sisters and brothers, the food was incredible. I probably gained 10 pounds. They have this glorious ice cream machine next to me and I felt compelled to do quality checks every two hours or so.
We met donors, fellow co-workers, alumni, and friends of this institution that I have never met before. From retired pastors, a alumni from the class of 1950, members of the Board of Trustees, to denominational leaders and people from the business world, the Lord allowed us to have a time together as equals.
In the midst of all of that, brother Tillmann made arrangements for some of us to visit Dr. Bob and Dianne Tuttle home in Fairview, N.C. Their home is just at the other side of the mountain where the Cove is located. It is a dream home with spectacular views from every single angle of that mountain to nature.
But all good things come to an end. The time to come down from the mountain and face the daily challenges and struggles came. We left after a communion service that make a profound impact in me. As Dr. Tennent was leading the liturgy and Ada and I were with another fellow staff members serving the communion, I was listening the voice of the Holy Spirit telling me: "There are 3.8 million Uighurs at the China's Xinjiang Region that have not been served. There are 2 million Tibetans, they have not been served. There have been 3.2 Miao people that have not been served." It was like a movie. As people walked in front of us receiving the bread from Ada and the juice from me the Holy Spirit reminded me of the different images I have in my memory not just from China, but other places around the world.
Ada and I came down from the mountain not just happy for a pleasant weekend or eternally grateful to Bill Tillmann, Debi Andrews, Tim Tennent, Tammy Cessna, Tammy Hogan, Jay Mansur, Meghan Pippenger, Mathew Grubs, Sheila Lovel among many other people for a wonderful time, but with a deep burden for those millions who have not been served yet at God's table.
We drove back to Winter Springs, Florida for another 10 hours and another 40 minutes to our home. It was 11:05 P.M. when we arrived to the "Hernandez Manor." Nonetheless, this sensation of urgency for the lost in our nation and around the world have remained with me and because of that I am in a attitude of prayer and intersession. May the Lord continue open the doors for us to continue ministering a world that have not experienced the power of have communion with Him.
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