We bring Hope in Jesus Name
HOPE FESTIVAL BRINGS HOPE
We love to bring hope in Jesus Name, in our city and to the ends of the earth!
“And now these three remain: faith, hope, love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Co 13:13
“There is hope also for you, don’t give up!” resounded over the audience and the terraces on the Groenplaats of Antwerp.
In his inspiring speech from the podium of the Hope Festival, Pr Leo Maeckelberghe addressed people in difficult circumstances, drawing their attention to hope for a bright future. Out of his heart and own experience, he spoke of The Hope in Jesus Christ that transcends illness, depression and all problems.
Finally, he linked Belgium to Uganda by saying: “All the nations of the world need this Hope, and today we are also focusing in particular on the street children of Uganda.
We all bear some responsibility to bring hope in their world, for them.”
Hope, love and faith was the theme of the Hope Festival on the 15th of May 2021 at the Groenplaats of Antwerp, building a bridge between Uganda and Belgium, animation and essential service, the demanding times we live in and the source of true hope.
Artists and volunteers from different churches as well as friends and family members, came from all over to perform on the stage of the festival or to serve in the flea market or one of the tents selling food and drinks, to build up or to break down, from early in the morning till late in the evening, at the heart of Antwerp.
Hope Festival is dedicated to the street children of Uganda, who are provided with care, rehabilitation, education, training and an opportunity to a valuable future. Hundreds of children are currently supported in different districts of the country and in different phases through the work of Koinonia in Uganda. The stories of these children are heartbreaking. (active link to KoinoniaKids stories page)
The annual festival took place this time in-between the lockdowns. With many restrictions but miraculously through, it spread the sounds of gospel music all over the place as a premier after a long silence in the city due to the pandemic.
“I could hardly believe my ears when I heard the gospel songs from far”, said the young lady to someone from the organizing team. ‘What a wonderful way to interact and share the Good News,” she remarked after observing every activity on the square and ending up at the street children tent. She was grateful to receive the address of Agape Church, which was an answer to her prayer. Recently, she decided to follow Jesus and was looking for a place to grow spiritually.
The blessings kept flowing on the day. Like old friends, we stood pleasantly together among people of different churches, artists, volunteers and many young people. There was an irresistible unity among the people on the square. (a picture of the youth company)
Agape Church cooperates with different churches, Gospel Palace and Koinonia Ministries to serve the needy in Uganda, to bring hope and Good News.
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me… I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Mat 25:34-40
