My family and I are back home from Sukkot/the Feast of Tabernacles 2015. This was my 48th Sukkot. What can I say about this year’s Feast without sounding trite, using cliches or relying on overly superfluous words? Not sure. So I will just give the facts, let the Ruach inspire me with the words to say while I’m writing, and, beyond this, I invite any who were in attendance to offer up verbal word pictures of what happened and how they were touched by YHVH.
Seventy-five plus people were in attendance at the Griffen Park Campground on the banks of the wild and scenic Rogue River in Josephine County. Interesting, as redeemed believers, we’re largely descended from the tribes of Joseph and preparing to be the bride of Yeshua — hence, Josephine. Maybe this is all coincidental, but we trust that YHVH directs our steps and chooses to place his name where he wants us to meet with him on his feast days. It’s not unusual for him to give us confirming signs along the way. By the way, a griffen is another name for a cherubim. We rented the entire campground, thus preempting any outside influences from entering the camp. This created a much cleaner and more peaceful spiritual atmosphere thus giving us a more accurate prophetic foretaste of what life will be like during Yeshua’s 1000 year-long millennial reign on earth after his second coming.
The weather was the best we have ever had! The lowest daytime temps were in the 70s and most of the time we had temps in the mid to high 80s and several days into the low 90s. Unlike last year, some of us got to go swimming in the river a few times. The seven folks that were baptized in the river were happy about this as well.
Sukkot attendees came from four western states, and our five speakers/Bible teachers came from the three West Coast states. I’ll be uploading their teaching videos as I am able. Our youngest attendee was about three years of age and our oldest was 75 years old.
Our theme was Revelation 18:4, “Come out of her my people” in reference to coming out of end times Babylon. The teaching revolved around this theme, as you will see when you watch the videos.
Here are a few of the activities that occurred:
We had live praise and worship every morning followed by teachings except on our free-day off. On the Sabbaths, we had two meetings — in the morning and afternoon. Additionally, we set up a prayer/ministry tent where we held a prayer meeting every morning and where people got ministered to. We also a decorated sukkah inside of which people spent time praying and communing with Elohim. Other activities included…
- A teen challenge Bible trivia night with prizes.
- Stargazing with two very powerful telescopes led by several amateur astronomers .
- A men and women’s forum where each gender discussed biblical and spiritual issues related to them.
- Kids craft activities including painting and decorating Sukkot t-shirts.
- A water pouring ceremony on the last great day of Sukkot followed by a Spirit of
Elohim empowerment service where people were touched by the Ruach HaKodesh including receiving the baptism of the Ruach. - Numerous sukkah parties around people’s campfire.
- An erev Shabbat pot-luck banquet where we welcomed in the weekly Shabbat with songs and Hebraic liturgy.
- Worship dance and praise banner/flag waving.
- Two afternoons of workshops on various subjects.
- A market place.
- A baptism ceremony in the river.
- Public reading of the Book of Deuteronomy.
For a variety of reasons, I think this was our best Sukkot ever, and I give YHVH all the praise for it. Hopefully, some others will chime in and give their thoughts about this year’s Sukkot.
YHVH willing, we’re planning to gather again at Griffen Park again next year. This year, the campground filled up and we had to turn people away who didn’t want to stay at a nearby campgrounds which we used for the overflow. I suspect we’ll have the same issue next year, so if you want to come to Sukkot NW 2016, make your plans early!
Finally, a fringe benefit of being on the Rogue River…
Wow, looks wonderful, maybe next year!
I take care of my elderly mother and this year!
In Spirit we were there and did some of our own things at home! Shabbat Shalom
What beautiful pictures and I can sense the love, presence of the Yehovah spirit. Thanks for sharing and Yah willing we will be there next year. Shalom
This Sukkot was a great blessing to my family and me. The pouring out of the Ruach was evident and manifested in many ways. We had great fellowship in the beautiful park, and were blessed by the great teachings and worship.
This was a most awesome Sukkot! The fellowship was amazing and I am so thankful to Yehwah Elohim for all the friends that turned into family. .. my forever family. I am still feeling the overwhelming joy I received at Sukkot. We were so blessed! We are so blessed! Halleluyah! Oh my goodness! I can’t wait for the next Sukkot!
I just want to thank everyone who made this possible and pray for bountiful blessings upon all who put the tremendous effort into making this Sukkot a very special experience. Halleluyah!
Great pictures Natan. Sukkot NW 2015 was full of Blessings for our whole family. The joy of spending 8 full days with Spirit filled believers, while witnessing the gifts of the Spirit moving throughout the camp, was humbling and awe inspiring. We are already looking forward to next year.
Being new2torah this past year, my wife and I were blessed to be able to spend Sukkot with such a great group of believers. The Holy Spirit was evident in tangible ways like I’ve never experienced before.
Natan and the Elders were able to confirm many things I suspected about false doctrine even though I rarely spoke directly to it. Being without a congregation makes it hard to sharpen iron against iron, but Sukkot provides that opportunity to those without one and I highly recommend seeking out a group (this group certainly) for this feast.
Our second tithe is filling up for next year as I type. Looking forward to seeing everyone again!
Thanks Natan, for posting so many wonderful photos from Sukkot! The heavenly Father truly blessed us with an amazing Sukkot this year – one that was refreshing and inspiring!