Rock on the Rock: Just the beginning

Sunday I came back from my third Rock on the Rock at Lake Garda in Italy. The christian festival took place for the fifth time, this time at a new location: Castelnuovo de Garda, near Verona in the very south of the lake. This time the festival began Thursday evening and ended sunday morning with a worship service. We were 4 guys from Munich, 3 from my church Jesus Freaks München and an old friend of mine of the local Vineyard (I enjoyed being together with him for a longer time than usual)

There were a lot of trouble and problems advancing the festival. Even shortly just before the festival it looked like it could not happen. Suddenly there were obligations and drawbacks of things that were already warranted before. So I was in intense prayer beforehand.

We arrived there in the late evening on Thursday. I first at to be accustomed to the new location and situation (you had to stand in the toilet (Was heißt Stehklo auf Englisch???) and could not lock the door). We were quickly up to date in terms of obligations and permissions.

We then went to the lake bathing and praying there. It was so hot all the time (about 38° C) the water was a most welcome refreshment. Finally we prayed together before a beautiful sunset in background.

When we came back David told me what happened on the festival ground: 2 hours before they laid down every work that was going on. They gathered all the staff to pray and worship. Just as they finished it the mayor came along to give permission for the festival at least for this evening. The rest of the time still was unsure. What a victory and breakthrough! Denny, the main organizer, was standing beside me during a concert in the evening being all smiles. He asked me if I had heard what happened. That was so great for me seeing the joy, peace and relief it had brought. What a contrast to all the adverities and difficulties. Without that the glory of the victory and breakthrough would not have been so intense.

Gebetszeiten
In the next morning we met as the prayer team. We 4 guys from Munich and Joseph and Christie from Alaska. They are doing a worldtrip being led by the spirit where to go next. Though they already worked overtime in the kitchen it was important for them to pray together with us. They were such a blessing for us, it was so wonderful to pray with them. We began with thanksgiving and worship as it is important for me at the beginning of prayer meetings. Suddenly I felt such a surge, a burden that Jesus longed to be worshipped by us. It was like a vacuum that literally sucked in our worship. We kept worshipping for an intense time... And all the prayer requests had not been delt with, we haven't even started the fight. After a while I felt that we were through. But I was empty too. Our worship really felt like a battle.

While we were praying the city council met again to negotiate about the festival. There were people who were against it and some who supported. So it was not sure what would come out of it. During the afternoon we went again bathing at the lake this time at another place. When we came back we wanted to pray at the camp ground. As David was just right there I asked him for new issues to pray about. Just by the way he mentionend that permission had been given now for the whole festival. But now the daughter of a member of band that would play this evening had been brought into hospital. After that we had a good and long prayer meeting where we moved over just checking off all the issues. Afterwards Christian and Kai went to the city to give away some flyers. As a result a teenie girl came together with her whole clique. They liked it! One of them evven plays in a punk band. During the concert the father witnessed the healing of his daughter!

On Saturday I had the intense burden that we should call in the lost intoi the Kingdom of God that they no longer would be dazzled by prejudice that they would literally run to Jesus. And then we did this. This time an italian married couple joined us. It went over into worship that called the people to God... When we were ready with this we surrounded the are for seven times proclaiming the protection and victory of Jesus over the festival.

I had the impression to pray for several people. Most of them I could pray for. I just began to pray. I was amazed what was coming. As far as I could see it the people really were touched. Wonderful! Last year I already played for Egi, singer of Boarders. Over the year we stayed in contact and mailed from time to time. So I wanted to pray again for him. But first he asked me how I was. He then had a wonderful impression for me and the he prayed for me. Really prophetic too. As he had to move on I wasn’t able to pray for him. That was okay for me :)

Pastor Bob
This year Pastor Bob Beeman was there, founder of the Sanctuary churches in the states. He gave a short input after every lunch time and preached at the service Sunday morning. This man is really the guy. Just what he says is pretty cool but the way he says it is overwhelming. He has such an ease and peace such a love. Even difficult things he says with a smile on his lips.

He really amazed me in former times as there was a boom of White Metal in the 80ies. I never dreamed of seeing him someday. We talked a few times. He asked me to write him a short article for his international column in Heaven’s Metal.

The question is really urgent how the festival will continue after Denny and Maureen moving to Protugal this fall. Bob Beeman had the vision that this would only the beginning. He sees the great chance that the young people of stand up and take their stand to rock the land with Christian rock music and thereby would lead many to the Lord. Another confirmation of my impression that God is about to do worldwide something new, something great and wonderful

Bands
This year there were a lot of bands I like a lot. I don’t know which to mention. Triplet and Reform the Resistance were pretty cool and will play at Freakstock too. Boarders, Metatrone and the German band SnakeBreak9 played wonderful melodic metal. Rivelino from Amsterdam, a band consisting almost of coloured people, played twice. They were great and very groovy. Was great to enjoy some bands. Most of the time on freakstock I did not get around seeing bands because I rather like meeting people there. And even in the back parts of the ground you get the concerts quite well.

I really enjoyed talking to Ingo my old friend and praying for each other. That was quite powerful.

We four were a quite cool company. It was fun to be on the way together. Altogether a great festival that had been victorious and glorious just because of all the tension and opposition beforehand. I am very excited about what’s going to happen in Italy. Really cool people there, really familial. We will see…