Since Renewal Ministries’ earliest days, we have been blessed to collaborate in mission with extraordinary brothers and sisters from around the world. In March, we celebrated our thirty-fourth annual Lift Jesus Higher Rally in Toronto, Canada, with about 1700 adults and eight-hundred youth! Even after thirty-four years, it never gets old! Every year, the Holy Spirit comes in power and imparts hope, healing, and renewal to those in attendance at both the adult and youth rallies.

This year, we spoke with some people who have attended for thirty years or more! One woman said, “The rally has given me strength and helped me grow. The Holy Spirit works in a powerful way here. It deepens my faith and the praise and worship always lift my spirit.” Another man “had a spiritual awakening” at his first rally. He said, “It makes my faith stronger and gives me a fresh infilling of the Spirit.”

Another woman, who was attending for the first time, joined the Church last Easter. She said, “It’s been beautiful. I’ve been able to feel the Holy Spirit through the speakers.”

You can listen to talks from the adult and youth rallies here. Once again, we were blessed to be led by an inspired team of speakers, including Cardinal Thomas Collins, archbishop emeritus of Toronto; Bishop Scott McCaig; Fr. Rastislav Dluhý; Deacon Larry Oney; and Katey Norman.

Pete Burak and my daughter Rachel Herbeck did a wonderful job emceeing. As I watched these two next-generation leaders shepherd the crowd through the day, I was grateful and amazed. Grateful that the Lord is continuing to add gifted young leaders to our Renewal Ministries’ team, and amazed as it dawned on me that Pete was just three years old, and Rachel wasn’t even born when we first launched the Lift Jesus Higher Rally.

We could not have done it without the hard work and servant leadership of our staff, the members of the Lift Jesus Higher Rally Steering Committee, our Canadian board members, and the many volunteers led by Suresh Dominic and his team from Gethsemane Ministries.

Finally, as the Psalmist declares, “my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices” because of the faithfulness and goodness of God (Ps 16:9). When his people come together with hungry hearts, ready to lift Jesus higher, the Holy Spirit always comes, and the love of God is poured out. We are blessed. May the Lord grant us many more years of communion in mission with brothers and sisters throughout the world.

This article originally appeared in Renewal Ministries’ June 2025 newsletter.