Deptford District LifeBuilders Newsletter
December 2019 Issue 2
THE JOURNEY SO FAR FROM THE DIRECTOR Like with any journey a vehicle at any point needs to make a pit stop or have a service to ensure that the vehicle is in good running order. It's important that the engine is lubricated and has oil, the tyres are not worn and have the right amount of air in them. The vehicle needs to be serviced regularly by a reputable mechanic to ensure it is running at it's optimum. This is applicable to the LifeBuilders B.U.S.S that we are carrying out regular maintenance and are prepared for a full service. We are still on this journey together picking up passengers;
DEPTFORD DISTRICT LIFEBUILDERS BOARD DISTRICT BISHOP: Bishop Lloyd Henry LIFEBUILDERS DIRECTOR: Norman Johnson LIFEBUILDERS SECRETARY: Shaun McKen LOCAL DIRECTORS Ken Scott (Chrisma) Morris Rhule (Deptford) Raymond Lewis (Gateway) Spencer Karanda (Rochester)
stopping at Deptford (Gathering the Harvest), Gateway Ministries (Are you Ready?), Chrisma (Stewardship) and Rochester (Mind, Body and Soul). Despite the occasional road blocks, we are determined to forge our way through relying on prayer. We are Better Together - Stronger,
Wiser, Happier If you have not yet joined the LifeBuilders B.U.S.S men you need to get on board. There is a stop near you! NORMAN JOHNSON D EPTFORD D ISTRICT L IFE B UILDERS DIRECTOR Calling All Men
Deptford District Needs You!
WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT To the Men’s Lifebuilders Director and his Board and to all the men on the Deptford District. I want to encourage you all as you seek to build the men’s ministry on the foundation of Pauls writing to the Philippians which says ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthen me’ Phil 4:13. The task may prove to be challenging but if you can all come into agreement and work together to build the department you will achieve new levels of success because we are BETTER TOGETHER. BISHOP LLOYD HENRY DEPTFORD DISTRICT OVERSEER
Deptford District Coordinated Prayer Walk On Friday 8th November 2019 the four churches on the District coordinated a prayer walk at the same time in each local area. Each church prayed specifically for the needs of their local community.
Deptford District 10-pin Bowling Championship The men across the District descended on Lewisham AMF in May and November 2019 where there was fellowship, fun and plenty of competition. After two rounds Deptford are currently in 1st place with Rochester following close behind. There are two rounds to go and Gateway and Chrisma are hoping to make some in roads. Look out for publicity in 2020!
Come and support your team.
As a district we want to continue to foster strong relationships in terms of our activities, supporting each other’s local programs outside of Sunday’s. It was good to see support from the other churches on
the district, friends and the non-churched. The paint balling event took place in August 2019 and was hosted by Rochester men’s ministry. A great time was had by all, team building & fellowship minus the bruises.
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Having the Conversation: Tackling Knife, Gun and Gang Culture After listening to the church members and local community it is quite noticeable that when some crimes are reported in certain communities, there can be a poor response. We however are responsible and should take full responsibilities for our children. Young people need to be guided away from those grooming them into drugs and crime by offering them money, designer clothes and shoes. The churches of all denominations should work together in the community, asking for help from all walks of life to help provide facilities in education, sports, apprenticeships and various skills. Contact our Black Lawyers, Doctors, Scientists, Sports stars and successful entrepreneurs and get them to give presentations to youths on how they got where they are now. Churches should consult the media, BBC, ITV and Sky and ask for regular slots to show the good young people in the community and not just the bad. Latoya Johnson from the community
Numbers 13:30 NKJV “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” The devil will attempt to block the work of God. Giants may well present themselves. My prayer is that men will stand and declare “We are well able to overcome.” God said Caleb had a different spirit in him and followed Him fully (Numbers 14:24) Caleb’s faith and confidence was in God. We believe through the prayer of faith, we shall see men with a different spirit who will follow God fully. For we are not a people who walk by sight but by faith. Amen REV PRIMOLIN REYNOLDS (GATEWAY MINISTRIES) 3
Men At Work Gatheri June 2018
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ing
Pictures courtesy of Laura Henry and Cecilia Cappel 5
As we prepare to enter a new decade
P rofil e Co rner
the challenge of being male in British
Bro Spencer Karanda, was born and bred in
society has become increasingly
Zimbabwe. He joined the New Testament Church of
difficult, more so for our young Black
God (Rochester) in August 2001. In 2003 he became
men. The absence of fathers and
the Children and Youth Director and in May 2017 he
positive role models, coupled with a
became the Men’s Leader. He was inducted in June
lack of opportunities and resources,
2017 by Rev Eustace Constance the National
makes it incumbent upon us to make
LifeBuilders Director.
ourselves available. I’m confident that
He has been married for 10 years to his beautiful wife Angelica and they have two children, a daughter and a son who he describes as the “apple of his life”.
the men on the Deptford district under its current leadership will do just that
by God’s grace. BISHOP CLAION GRANDISON CHRISMA NTCG
Purpose Statement:
Encourage each man to pursue a love relationship with God in Christ and with one another. Train every man to know the biblical basis and relevancy of all the spiritual and practical issues of life. Motivate men to see and understand their roles as servant leaders in their family, church, workplace, local community and world.
Enable men to gather regularly for fellowship, worship, accountability, learning and working together....
Help men to live out their Christian faith and training in the everyday processes of life.
Change the World Ezekiel:22:30 NIV “I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one,” Deptford District, God is looking for men who are willing to avail themselves to the building of the kingdom of God and to stand in the gap (intercede) for your community. Are you willing? Are you available? Are you ready?
Mission Statement:-
REV JANCIE JOHNSON (ROCHESTER)
The mission of My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) at Rochester Church is to provide men with the resources to develop Godly characters and build men so they can become prophets, priests and kings in their homes, communities and work places for Jesus Christ Proverbs 27:17 As Iron sharpens Iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend
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NO MORE M AN NING U P It’s ti m e to b reak the taboo around m en’s ment al h eal th A article by Kate Wills 16 Jun 2019 ALTHOUGH us Brits are getting better at talking about mental health, men in particular are still struggling to get the help they need. Suicide is the biggest single killer of men under 45 in the UK, with men three times as likely to take their own lives as women. “Guys tend to bottle things up,” says mental health campaigner Natasha Devon. “Because of lad culture, men can see talking about problems as a sign of weakness. But actually, it’s the strongest thing you can do.” Here’s how to start those difficult conversations. Friend zone “Talking about feelings doesn’t have to be in an intense eye-to-eye environment,” says Chris O’Sullivan from the Mental Health Foundation, which found that only one in four men felt they could talk to a friend or family member when they were stressed. “Shoulder-to-shoulder interactions such as driving or walking have been shown to be more
effective for men as they take away the pressure of talking. “Simply asking: ‘How are you doing? ’can be all it takes.” The Deptford District LifeBuilders department is focused on ensuring that there is a safe space for men to share in a non judgemental environment. We want to ask the question “How are you doing?”
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Nation al E vents The National Men’s gathering will take place between 12-14 June 2020 in Northampton. A weekend retreat where men can come together from all over the country to worship, fellowship find their God given purpose and relax in his presence. Over the last couple of years we the men on Deptford District have supported these gatherings and hope that we will see increased support for the coming year. Registration is inclusive of en-suite accommodation, breakfast, lunch, evening meal and all refreshments. There are affordable packages and options to pay in three easy instalments. Weekend (Fri-Sun): £175 (sharing) or £199 (sole occupancy) One Night Stay (Sat-Sun): £125 (sharing) or £147 (sole occupancy) Register Online today www.lifebuilders.org.uk/driven
What is KFC?
KFC is an acronym for Kingdom, Family and Community. This is the focus of the National LifeBuilders to facilitate life-changing opportunities to help men live for Jesus in the kingdom, in their families and in their communities.
Dept ford Distri ct Pill ars Bishop Henry’s District strategy has five pillars which are
Leadership Development and Training Spiritual Development Outreach Networking Organisational Development
The focus for 2020 will be Leadership Development and Training and Outreach
Mission Statement To take, a holistic approach to raise future leaders. To build a strong foundation, in order to leave a legacy and foster the growth of men both numerically and spiritually. To identify needs, to equip and develop men, through relationship. 8