15,000 Christians in Vancouver Lift the Name of Jesus on Canada Day

Jul 08, 2008 01:57 PM EDT

VANCOUVER - Voices Together was the first ever Christian gathering held at GM Place on Canada day, July 1, which emphasized the message of unity in Christ going beyond the boundaries between individual churches, ministries, tribes, races and ethnicities.

The event kicked off with the singing of national anthem "O Canada" as people raised their voices and hands in the hope that God may bless the nation.

Members of a church for aboriginal/first nation people performed their tribal dance and prayed to God in the name of Jesus in their own language. The pastor of the church said that they appreciate the Prime Minister Stephen Harper's apology towards the aborigianl people and they wish to bless Canadians and the nation.

Upon hearing this, many of the participants gave a standing ovation, all the while saying "Amen."

Pastor Kevin Cavanaugh, the representative of Hope Vancouver, expressed his joy and gratitude of holding the gathering, we are finally able to hold this kind of massive Christian gathering and praise God with all the churches and Christians in Vancouver.

Cavanaugh further emphasized that churches should unite together to stand up for the kingdom of God, and to save the nation. Although Canada has beautiful landscape and abundant resources, he is sick because of the corruption of its citizens. He called the church leaders to repent and to take up the responsibility by reciting a verse from Isaiah 54.

Finally, Cavanaugh made an altar call, inviting all church and ministry leaders to gather at the front of the stage. The representative pastors took turns to pray for the politicians across Canada, for the reconciliation between different races, for the homeless people living in poverty in the east side of downtown Vancouver, and for the people to praise the Lord with one voice.