Archive for the ‘General News’ Category

A full house of 80 children enlisted as astronauts at Space Academy (Swanfield Chapel, Chichester) to enjoy lots of excitement and fun as they discovered how God was faithful to Daniel and his friends as they tried to live for him in a foreign land, his new surroundings were so different it was like being on another planet!
This five day holiday club gives children a chance to engage in quizzes, competitions, crafts, DVD’s and a whole lot more!.

One mother wrote:
“Chloe and Thomas had a fantastic week really enjoying everything they did and learnt at space academy. You make a huge impact on all of these children and its absolutely wonderful all that you do. Thank you!”

Space Academy is suitable for children with little or no experience of church, as well as those who are already part of a church community.
Thanks for your prayers!

I was recently given a video tape of a Holiday Club that was held in Liphook in 1994.
Great time in this small town in Hampshire and one lady who was saved during the weeks activities is still part of the fellowship at Tower Road Gospel Hall.

Great assembly at Perin’s School, Alresford.
During the last couple of weeks the pupils have been having Sex Education lessons and it was good to be able to complement that with a talk on the various meanings of the word ‘Love’, i.e. ‘eros’ sexual love, ‘phileo’ brotherly love, ‘storge’ family love and ‘agape’ God’s unconditional love.

It was great to have a hall full of teenagers listening to every word and eye to eye contact throughout. Please pray that something they heard might stay with them as a help and a blessing.

Food Glorious Food!
February’s ‘The Net’ (Monthly Events for Men) took the form of a Chinese meal, we hired the local restaurant and enjoyed an abundance of food all freshly cooked to order. The evening was an ‘eat as much as you like’ and we certainly did!

Just before our fourth and final course I was able to share something of what Christians believe on the topic ‘Why Are We Here? – What is the purpose of our existence?’
Folks listened well and Christian literature was taken and no-doubt conversations took place in the cars on the way home.

Latest news from FirstServe – check out their blogs – love the story of the roundabout!

Deborah Holmes is now in Bolivia:
http://catchupwithdebs.blogspot.co.uk

Seren Anderson – Peru:
http://serenwynne.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/sand-boarding-at-conache.html

Nicole Finlayson – Spain:
http://nicolefinlayson92.wordpress.com/

4 new recruits will be joining FirstServe in February!

They will be at the GLO Centre (www.glo-europe.org) for 2/3 weeks, then they will move on to their UK church placement. Please pray that this year will be a time for them to draw closer to God and that wherever they are on placement, both in the UK and overseas, God will use them for His glory.

FirstServe is a gap year programme designed to give young adults (18-25) a taste of service in the UK and overseas. Not only will they have the chance to help, support and encourage others but ‘FirstServe’ (www.first-serve.org.uk ) also includes a discipleship and missions training programme.

Gordon is part of the steering group and believes that this is a valuable investment of his time.

A great time this morning at Sarisbury Junior School Southampton. Always good to go in and take part in their Assembly. Thrilling to see hundreds of children fully engaged in the story of “Blind” Bartimaeus, a person in the Gospel of Mark who is miraculously healed by Jesus, and great to remind these children that they too are special, valued and loved by God!

Great time at Sizewell Hall, Suffolk for a weekend of Bible teaching with the Christians from High Street Chapel, Hopton. Diss. Norfolk.
‘Preparing For Mission’ was the teaching theme and the weekend provided a chance to meet the fellowship and help encourage, challenge and prepare these Christians for the mission that is planned in March (3rd-10th 2013)

If all goes to plan I shall be off to Sizewell Hall, Suffolk for a weekend of Bible teaching with the Christians from High Street Chapel, Hopton. Norfolk. Our local schools in Hants have sent out email warnings saying; “because of the snow there will be a 7.30am morning decision as to whether or not school goes ahead or is cancelled” – I guess there are lots and lots of school children praying for 4″ of snow so that they can have an extra day off school!

I will battle the elements and as the Inuit saying goes, “Trust in God and don’t forget to take a shovel, a flask and sleeping bag!”)

This will be my first Church weekend away with them and I would value your prayers that during the four teaching sessions God will deliver through me the right word for the occassion!

Noah’s Ark Toddlers and Babies group:

Penny writes; “Phew!! Just got back from our busiest Noahs’ Ark to date. More than seventy Mums, Dads Carers and kids all talking, playing and laughing makes quite a lot of noise, and mess! Lovely to see some old friends back with new babies and to welcome another three brand new families too. Roll on next Thursday.”

Last night twenty-six men squeezed into the function room of the Queens Head, Titchfield for a brainstraining Quiz Night! The questions were varied and fun and the atmosphere was friendly and enjoyable!

At the end of the evening Ivor Cooper (Counties Evangelist, Warwickshire) shared a little of what Christians believe on the topic of ‘‘Is there anyone there?’ – What do you think God (if there is one) is like? What’s the Christian understanding of God? ’

Quote from one of the men who attended: “Great evening! Lots to think about, shame the speaker did not go on for longer!”