God Moves in Hartford....

Have you ever had the chance to do something you loved? Which captured your passions? Where the possibilities seemed to be endless? When you couldn’t help but let your excitement ooze out? Those are exactly the feelings I had in August of last year when I was invited to lead The Hartford Project team by Pastor Bob. For those of you who don’t know, The Hartford Project exists to spread God’s name and renown throughout Hartford through the unity of the body of Christ by acts of kindness and love.
I wanted to share some observations with you about this years’ Hartford Project team. First, as is the case with many mission projects-- the leaders of our team discussed ways before the trip that we might encourage unity amongst the team—strategies that could be used if cliques formed. I was amazed by the way the Holy Spirit drew our team together and fostered a closeness and unity that I have rarely encountered with mission teams. I praise Him that we never even had to think through this.
We had the privilege of atmosphere praying on the streets surrounding three fairs—and heard our Father’s heart for the specific neighborhood we were ministering too. Our first evening of ministry was met with experiences that were both discouraging and triumphant. During our de-brief students spoke openly about the frustrated attempts of ministering with those who were overcome with despair, and they faced discouragement with prayer and obedience. We also rejoiced over bodies that were freed of pain, movement restored to limbs and the joy of being able to believe the Lord to move through our bold prayers-even those yet to be answered. We trusted in faith for restored peace and hope to be brought to a community—even when the fruit of those prayers has yet to come to full maturity. The students asked difficult questions and grew in their trust of Him to work miraculously even when we understood that we might not have the opportunity to see those prayers answered immediately. One evening during our group de-briefing, the students each shared how they saw the presence of God move in each other that day—the atmosphere in the dusty church gymnasium where we met that night was thick with His Holy Spirit and the Lord continued to knit our hearts together deeper in love. Some team member’s burden bore—one evening this meant that we set aside our agenda to intercede on behalf of Pastor Bob. During the trip he experienced severe back pain. The Lord showed us (as well as Bob) that this was a necessary part of the Lord fulfilling his plan to bring about victory in both the city and the ministry that the greater Hartford Project team experienced.
Our students gave praise and honor to our Lord with abandon during our corporate gatherings of worship. They blazed new ground expressing outwardly their dependence on Him—leading students from other churches to push deeper into the heart of God--even suggesting new songs which they believed would bring the group to deeper abandonment through worship. Our time was increased a hundred fold as we empowered to serve the city out of our overflowing joy and renewed hearts.
The love that the students expressed through their interactions with the people in the city was inspiring. They articulated the heart behind why we were doing all of this to anyone they encountered. “We are here to love and bless the city”—was often the simple response. They stopped to listen to authentic needs even when running late to a worksite. What were some of the responses of people to us? “I have never been prayed for like this by anyone! Where are you from? Will you be here again tomorrow evening? I’ve never cried like that before, no one has ever prayed like that for me. We appreciate the work you are doing in our city. When will you be back? Other times the overflow of thankfulness was expressed through a hug, or a hand squeeze, or a smile.
On a personal level, this was one of many Hartford Projects I have taken part in—and perhaps my most profound experience thus far. I experienced overwhelming joy and pride as the fruit of the team multiplied and as I served alongside the students on our team. Each of them reflected the Kingdom in profound ways during our week of service. The Lord humbled me as I stepped into my own gifting as a prayer minister—and He moved supernaturally amongst our team members. Doing the work that our Creator set before us to do and living out those passions was truly jubilant.
Our students glimpsed Hartford returning to its righteous roots and revival overtaking our capital city. It cultivated in us the urgent need to pray for Hartford. Thomas Hooker one our founding fathers of Hartford, made an agreement with God that if He would sustain them in the this new land they would establish a Christian city to His glory…”a city on a hill.” Reclaiming these righteous roots together with the greater church of Jesus Christ has provided a springboard for the increased flow of revival and the expansion of the Kingdom of God in Hartford.

~ Kirstin Burnham