Dear Church Planters
God is opening amazing opportunities as church planters step out in faith to reach lost people for his kingdom. Last night (late) I was on the phone with Ian Hamilton (Church Resource Ministries UK) – and he told me of approximately 300 attending one Alpha meal and that they believed about 250 would move into the Alpha course. Think of the possibilities.
These people will learn of Jesus! …
We cannot sit complacent. We are not planting churches for ourselves. We exist to bring life to lost people. In this NEWS you will find many ministry ideas – and you will be challenged to be courageous and innovative in reaching out for lost people.
Christian regards
Peter Roennfeldt
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CHURCH PLANTING NEWS – 30 Sept 03
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In this issue:
# COTTAGE BECK CAFE CHURCH – PLANNING THEIR FIRST BAPTISM!
# ‘MINI’ CHURCH PLANTERS X-CHANGE
# FISHPOOL – PLANNING HOLY SPIRIT WEEKEND!
# PASTORS’ PRAYER RETREAT
# ACROGYM CLUB, WELCOME HOME & ALPHA MARRIAGE COURSE!
# FROM DANA & LESLIE KING’S ‘One to One for Yeovil’ – E’NEWS TO THEIR
PRAYER INTERCESSORS
# YEOVIL – COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
# CHURCH PLANTING STUDY TOUR – 22 March to 5 April 2004
COTTAGE BECK CAFE CHURCH – PLANNING THEIR FIRST BAPTISM!
Church planters, Bryan and Isobel Webster, are excited. They are planning a baptism for Cottage Beck Cafe Church – on November 22. Their friends are learning to trust God – in the midst of all the devil is throwing at them. Pray for Bryan and Isobel – and our friends (you will remember them from X-Change) Sue and Michael.
‘MINI’ CHURCH PLANTERS X-CHANGE
The Netherlands Union is planning a mini church planters x-change for the weekend of 29-30 November 2003. well. “We want to worship, pray, listen to one another’s experiences, etc,” says planting coordinator Rudy Dingjan. For more details contact Rudy. INTERNET:[email protected]
FISHPOOL – PLANNING HOLY SPIRIT WEEKEND!
“Fishpool is having a weekend away at Aberdaron – 10-12 October,”
writes church planter Peter Jeynes. The speaker will be Bryan Webster – from Cottage Beck Cafe Church and he will speak of the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit. “There will be unchurched friends with us,” Peter says. For more details on costs – and the excellent food – contact Peter Jeynes <[email protected]>.
PASTORS’ PRAYER RETREAT
16 Swedish pastors met for a 2 days prayer retreat in early September. “We are praying for each other, our families, our churches and our impact in the Swedish society. This is an unofficial meeting where pastors come on their private budget,” reported church growth coordinator Martin Vukmanic.
ACROGYM CLUB, WELCOME HOME & ALPHA MARRIAGE COURSE!
Church planter Rosemary Lethbridge reports that the Acrogym Club has started with 18 participants, 5 observers and 1 parent offering to become part of the team (all unchurched). (Help? What is an Acrogym Club?
I am sure Lee Gallaher – editor of LIFE.info will know!)
‘Welcome Home’ is about to be launched into the community. “We are very excited about the potential for service and friendships with this,” says Rosemary. “Please pray specifically for my nerves on the day as the unchurched business people meet with the church members!” Tell us how this goes, Rosemary – and how you will go about it! (In 3 lines!)
Rosemary is starting an Alpha Marriage Course on October 17. We will share how this goes – for this is an excellent ministry idea.
FROM DANA & LESLIE KING’S ‘One to One for Yeovil’ – E’NEWS TO THEIR PRAYER INTERCESSORS –
We have so much to give thanks for here are a few of the big blessings
1 Funding that came through so that we could employ staff for the summer
and the next two years.
2 Two baptisms and a church company formed 16th August.
3 A three week holiday in July.
4 A trip to Finland that has spiritually recharched, renewed and
refocused us.
5 Sarah has very happily started secondary school and Gemma has restarted
and settled very well.
…. and of course countless daily blessings and answer to prayers. “Our spirits are high with anticipation as we strongly believe that God in the driving seat,” write Dana and Leslie.
YEOVIL – COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
“Our Pathfinders have been considering ways of involving themselves in the community and as a sign of their appreciation for the community hall we use each Monday they have offered to repaint the main hall,” writes Dana and Leslie King. “It has been accepted warmly by the care taker but had to go to the board – hopefully they were happy with it on Thursday and we shall be painting for the next two Mondays.”
“We have employed three members of staff that are doing performing arts on Mondays in our youth club,” say Dana and Leslie. “They are working on a silent movie for Christmas – and they really have their work cut out for them for our teenagers are serious chatterers! The new ‘Streetwise’ performing arts club on Tuesday went very well. Please pray for another member of staff to join us for next Tuesday for we have 18 children and a waiting list of four already. We also have two extra members of staff on Thursday with our Adventurer/Tyros – they are doing performing arts with our 7-9 year olds. Please pray regularly for these four members of staff. They are not Christians and they need our regular prayers that the Holy Spirit will impact their lives.”
CHURCH PLANTING STUDY TOUR – 22 March to 5 April 2004
For details of costs and available sponsorships contact your national church planting coordinator or peter Roennfeldt ([email protected]). The study tour will focus upon two main opportunities –
(1) Central Coast Community Church – Thu 25 – Sun 28 Mar: Planted five years ago – Central Coast Community Church has grown on a base of small groups and spiritual gifted based ministries. Worship attendance is now around 250. This church has a clear discipleship path to lead unchurched people to faith and involvement in ministry. Study tour participants will meet all ministry leaders, participate in small group and leadership development processes and experience the worship and learning opportunities.
(2) Gateway CONNECTING Conference – Tue 30 Mar – Fri 2 April: The Gateway Family Church is touching the lives of thousands of unchurched people.
Known for it’s encouraging leadership culture, ministries in the community (including basketball tournaments, drama and theatre, etc) and the development of a network of church planters – Gateway Family Church is presenting another ‘live-in’ conference to allow us to experience their ministries. As well as their own pastors and leaders – other presenters will include church planters and church growth leaders/authors such as Peter Corney (St Hilarys Kew and Arrow Leadership Network), Peter McHugh (Christian City Church Whitehorse), Olivia Moffat (Anglican gen-X church planter), etc.