[Christ Church Dingley has been the 'mecca' for people in Melbourne-and-everywhere-in-southern-Australia who are interested in this latest 'move of the Spirit' as Rob puts it. An estimated 26,000 people have visited the church in the last year to attend Tuesday/Wednesday evenings, and once-a-month lunchtime sessions for clergy/ church leaders].

# Rob, what's the 'Toronto blessing'?

It's a movement of God's Spirit to renew God's people in their faith and love for Jesus. As people are open to God, God brings personal renewal, healing, encouragement and new vision...

# But why 'Toronto'?

In January 1994 this move of the Spirit broke out in the Toronto Airport Vineyard Church during a mission by Randy Clark. The precedents of this 'move' go back to special prayer by people in Argentina, Benny Hinn, Rodney Howard Browne and others... Now these people have received mixed 'reviews' but in a remarkable way God is using them. And more especially the story goes back particularly to the churches in Toronto that had been praying for renewal for five years - including John Arnott, pastor of the Airport Vineyard church and his wife Carol - in a church planted in the 'dregs' of an area, surrounded by truck depots and factories! (The nearest food store seemed to be a mile away). But they've recently moved to another facility.

The important part of all this is that God is using someone who's humble and who has little to commend him or his church, according to the world's standards.

# Is this a new phenomenon?

What has happened in Toronto consistently in the last 18 months has been happening sporadically in the church for centuries - and everywhere. It is this consistent outpouring of God's blessing that is the main thing that sets it all apart.

The second thing to note is this ministry is given through the prayers of ordinary members of the church, praying and then being released into ministry. This is in contrast to the general style of Pentecostals in general and Rodney Howard Browne in particular, where the focus is more on the 'well-known name'.

It's 'equipping the saints for ministry...'

The third great mark of this movement is the involvement of people from all denominations, traditions and nations.

# But around the world it's mainly associated with white/Western churches?

Perhaps (though that may change)... white Christians need loosening up!

# What about unusual manifestations?

There's a wide range of visible phenomena as people are prayed for, including falling down. (This happens to the majority - and they're not pushed. At Dingley those praying don't touch the people prayed for, as happens in some Pentecostal settings). Many shake or laugh or cry or twitch, and sometimes make odd noises.

# And 'barking'?

Barking is rare - more common in Toronto than here. Laughing and crying are more common - and more significant - because there's an expression of the release of emotion as God touches people's hearts.

Often there's a link between the outward phenomena and the way God is working in a person's life. For example, some people shake 'under the Spirit' and sense God is shaking the foundations of their life to get their attention.

More significant than the outward phenomena is what is happening in people's hearts and lives.

Whether quietly or noisily, inwardly people's lives are often dramatically impacted. The soul's thirst is quenched by God's refreshing living water.

# When I attended one of your 'low-key' clergy/leaders' meetings this was the theme of your short talk before we were prayed for...

Yes, it's a favorite theme at our place. So many are thirsty for more of God. People want to sense God's love, forgiveness, and healing. And many are released to experience healing from past griefs and frustrations - sometimes held onto for years. They may weep in grief but then often God's joy wells up within them, and their crying turns to laughter...

# Where to from here...?

So far the main thrust of the renewal has been to encourage Christians to hear God's call bringing them back to himself - raising levels of faith and hope. And giving people joy in being prayed for and then praying for others...

All through, there have been some who have found faith in Jesus at these meetings, but so far these numbers have been small. It seems clear however that there is a new direction to this move of the Spirit and it is to equip the church and give its members a new heart to reach the 'lost'. This next stage is already being experienced in Toronto - a stage of harvest. People are praying more for the lost - both in the meetings, and as a result of the meetings. This is significant. The churches are beginning to see the fruits of evangelism.