The CLF conference in 2023, which began with the motto "Only the Word, Only Faith" in 2017, was held for the first time in Atlanta, the heart of the American South. While many pastors have joined CLF Conferences held in New York, where many rekindled hope for ministry and filled their hearts with the Word, the CLF Conference has finally come to the South.
The Start of the 2023 CLF World Conference
The conference was held at the Gas South Convention Center with over 1,500 Christian leaders from 52 countries in attendance.
The opening ceremony was led by a performance by the worship team of Nacion De Fe Church. Pastor Rafael Mojica of Nacion De Fe Church said he really resonated strongly with the purpose of CLF and used the church's bus to attend the CLF with his church members and worship team. Songs like "Freedom," "The Blessing," and "Way Maker" were sung, and the atmosphere of the opening ceremony was full of the praises of all the attendees present.
Pastor Yeong Kook prayed,
"The 38-year-old sick person was locked in pain and sorrow, but when Jesus' word came, everything changed. I hope that through this CLF, the attendees will fill their hearts with Jesus' words just as the sick person in the Bible."
Next, Pastor Efrain Munoz of New Life Covenant Church, who attended the 2022 New York CLF and the Korean CLF, delivered the welcoming address.
"Everyone, open your hearts wide so that you can accept the words you hear here. Last year, I learned here and put it into practice in our church. I hope you can accept God's voice as it is." - Pastor Efrain Munoz
Bishop Joseph Kiloba of Kenya spoke, testifying that during the 2022 Kenyan presidential election, when the situation was very unstable, Pastor Ock Soo Park prayed for peace with the presidential candidate, and they had the most peaceful election in history. He gave a speech, saying that when the attendees hear God's word tonight, there will be a great change in Atlanta as well.
When the Gracias Choir stood on the stage, the audience was captivated by the beauty of the music, and throughout the songs, exclamations of "Beautiful!" could be heard.
The duet stage by Julio and Ji Hyeok Shin and the beautiful violin melody by Joo Hyun Lee were followed by a song about the death and resurrection of Jesus. The audience immersed themselves in the music as they thought of Jesus. When the choir finished, everyone was amazed and gave a standing ovation.
On the first evening, Pastor Ock Soo Park delivered a clear message about the gospel through Leviticus 4. As they listened to the message, many attendees were amazed and responded with a powerful "Amen," as they realized the connection between Isaiah 34:16 and Leviticus 4:16, which are linked to Hebrews 10.
"Are you still sinners? Let's believe in the word with one heart. Even if others call us sinners, if the Bible calls us righteous, we are righteous. We have gathered here today not in the name of a denomination but in the name of Jesus. I believe that this place, where we gather to exalt the Lord who died for us, will make God pleased."
On the first day of the conference in an unprecedented historic event in Atlanta, where they gathered not under the banner of a specific denomination but in the name of Jesus, the beautiful performance by the choir, testimonies from pastors who had experienced CLF firsthand, and the biblical message delivered by Pastor Ock Soo Park opened the hearts of the attendees. With the upcoming three-day CLF conference, the hope is full of sharing the Word in the hearts of the pastors and awakening the United States, which is moving further away from the Gospel day by day.