Maryl and I joined Mike and Marsha Herron and a host of others in Eugene for 
an amazing three days of worship and ministry. Our host church, Eugene Christian Fellowship (Pastor Gary Clark) prepared a great environment to release the gifts of the Spirit and anointing upon the whole Praise and Prophecy Conference. We were thrilled and honored to be able to minister next to Pastor Ernest and Joy Gentile all three days. Then on the final day we were joined by our pastor, Dr. Mark Strong, for the coup de grâce of anointed ministry.
Every night, the worship band from Medford, OR – Wake Up the Dawn – led us into strong, spirited and deep praise and worship, revealing Jesus’ love all the way! Jake and Natalie Schmelzer (brother and sister) lead the band and write most of their great songs. Dancing and cheering for Jesus was a common occurrence throughout the week. They introduced us to some great new and prophetic songs (and harmonica!) and set the strong passionate tone of the week.
A
delightful element of the week was the uniqueness of the different worship groups that led us. 
From Wake Up the Dawn to Shelley and Callan Coleman (from ECF) with their celtic rock and ballads, to the team from Life Change Christian Center (led by Sister Mary Morton) and their urban gospel praise and call and response, we were us all engaged. It was thrilling to sense a common spirit and flow in such variety of styles
The conference was highlighted with teaching from five pastors: Pastor Mike Herron (Houston, TX) with his unique look at the Psalms and the prophetic blending of music and the word – Mike’s songs continue to stir and delight everyone, young and old. He also released many in new songs around the congregation and ministered prophetically over many lives. 
Pastor Ernest Gentile (San Jose, CA) taught two sessions on the Amazing Harmony of Worship and the Prophets from the Old and New Testament perspective – powerful teaching that helped all of us better see the part of the prophetic in our worship. This gave a whole new generation a chance to hear one of the most revered prophets of our time. His insight, passion and humor at 82 is inspiring and liberating to everyone who hears him!
Pastor Gary Clark (our host pastor) gave us many insights on why we worship the way we do, inviting us to get closer to Jesus with every song we sing. Pastor Mark Strong (Portlan
d, OR) set the stage by taking over the keyboard in a great gospel moment that brought us all to our feet – followed by excellent teaching on the prophetic tension between Bethel (the house of God) and Ai (heap of rubble) – keeping a kingdom perspective in our worship. Friday afternoon was a very special time of ministry over the whole conference as we prayed and ministered to most everyone there for about two hours, confirming, releasing, words of wisdom, words of knowledge, prophetic exhortations as we did what we call an Acts 13 session! Powerful.
I ministered twice, the first session on Releasing the Spiritual Song in the congregation a
nd facilitated new songs in many different formats including a rousing time of intercession and prayer in song over our President! Powerful time of release for everyone. The final night Maryl and I were prayed and prophesied over by Pastors Ernest & Joy Gentile, Pastors Mike & Marsha and Dr. Mark Strong (our 
pastor). We are still soaking that in and praying over what God has spoken to us but definitely it was a confirming and encouraging word to us in this season. Afterwards I ministered on the ‘Now’ word of ‘now’ from John 4:23: ‘the time is coming and now is…’ I felt this is a prophetic statement over Eugene Christian Fellowship as well as all the rest of us, that God is calling us forward, out of our past, into all that He has for us NOW! I will try to post an excerpt from that soon so you can hear it for yourself. At the end of the service, as many people responded, Pastor Mark sang songs of deliverance and vision over all of us.
From beginning to end, through wonderful worship, great songs, powerful teaching and sweet ministry at the end of every session – God was glorified, Jesus’ name was magnified and the Holy Spirit was embraced. Lives were changed, hearts were rekindled and ministries were birthed! Read more of the deep impact on peoples’ lives below!
Testimonials from the Conference:
I have been to many conferences over the years, but I have never been to one that affected me more than this one. It was not the messages, all though they were excellent. It was not the worship, all though that too was well led. It was how deeply the Holy Spirit ministered to me — areas in my heart that I have not been able to change were changed. God showed up in power.
I truly feel so blessed and CHANGED by the word of the Lord that was brought by this amazing, anointed team of people. I truly pray that all will be blessed for their sacrifices and dedication to make this conf happen…I know that it was life-changing for me, and I’m sure it was for others as well! God bless all of you for taking your NOW moments and fulfilling the callings that God has put upon you! –
Courtney Abercrombie
The conference was amazing this past week. Such an important time for so many of us personally… as well as for Eugene Christian Fellowship. What a great service yesterday morning! God is so faithful. Lots of excitement & anticipation…
Darla Bachelder
I was at 2nd service and worship with Cal & Shelley was off the charts (many gathering in the front again to worship and dance a bit). Some testimonies and prophetic/encouraging words and then a great message from Ernest: “It is written” means “It has been written and stands written.” A very NOW word!!! Really felt like the service was just a continuation of the conference. So grateful for your ministry at the conference! Blessings to you and Maryl –
Darla Bachelder
We had a incredible time at the @PraiseProphecy conference! Thanks to Mike Herron, Pastor Gary Clark, ECF team & all who made it happen! –
Natalie Schmelzer
Basking in the warmth from this past weeks “son”shine. All I can say is if you were not able to make it to the Praise & Prophecy conference, something monumental took place and it will forever change us! Hold on because NOW is the time for those who embrace it! (Get a copy of the services ASAP!…just saying :-) –
Ranelle Fortier
What an awesome experience of God’s presence! –
Judi Dials
Truly an amazing conference! –
Rosie Thomas
Awesome conference! Looking forward to the next one! –
Mary Morton
One word about the P&P conference: WOW. –
Shelley James
What a great week we had in Eugene at the Praise and Prophecy Conference with Tim & Maryl Smith, Mike & Marsha Herron and other old and new friends. Hearts renewed, worship revived.. –
Malana Ganz
God truly worked deeply in my heart at this conference. Thank you for your ministry and friendship. –
Steve Ganz
Tim, today we sang, “Now, now is the time to worship!” What a lifechanging word you gave to us. Thank you so much for coming and speaking from the depths of your heart. Much love to you and Maryl! Good friends we now is!
Lori Harpham
4 more words: i adore Ernest Gentile. –
Shelley James
The conference last night was AWESOME!!!!! Feel so blessed to have been there. –
Kelly Fenley
Pastor Tim…Thank you for letting us be a part of such a life-changing ministry. We have not stopped talking about what we received. I know I can speak for Marci. She mention that this was the first time she has attended a conference such as the one we were a part of last week. It was excellent. I expressed to Pastor Gary how grateful we were for the awesome hospitality shown to us. We are thrilled with what the Lord is doing through you and that you have been sent to us. I love Maryl…what an example of a gifted and gracious lady.
Wanda Warren
Thanks Tim and Maryl, I drank deep and filled my cup! –
Hugh Laybourn
We had a great first night at the praise & prophecy conference… One of the highlights was getting to play “Come like You promised” with Tim Smith (from worship without borders) on the Cello! It was truly incredible!
Jake Schmelzer – Wake Up the Dawn
What an incredible few days at the “Praise & Prophecy” conference! So many amazing times of worship & wonderful messages… Thank you to Mike Herron, Pastor Gary Clark, Tim Smith & the ECF team for putting it on! WUTD had a great time!
Wake Up the Dawn
The Praise and Prophecy Conference in Eugene this week was so successful, we have booked next year already: February 27-March 1, 2013
To stay up-to-date on future conferences, check out: praiseandprophecy.com
God bless you all,
Your worship missionaries, Dr. Tim and Maryl Smith