Catalyst Magazine Catalyst Magazine
Multiplying Churches, Disciples Multiplying Churches, Disciples and Extending the Kingdom and Extending the Kingdom
Catalyst Magazine: Issue 14
Catalyst Magazine is a termly connection point for our Catalyst family: sharing news and stories, upcoming events, and highlights from around the world. It’s a way of keeping connected as a movement, keeping us focused on what we’re called to and a place to celebrate all that God is doing.
I’ve been incredibly encouraged to see people right across the Catalyst Family getting behind our vision to train 1000 church planters. Be inspired through this magazine to play your part in this incredible adventure.
With love, Simon
Simon Holley Leads the CatalystTeam
New to Catalyst?
Not connected with a Catalyst church yet? Visit the About page on our website to find a church near you and get plugged in!
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Catalyst is an apostolic movement, starting and strengthening churches that multiply disciples to see God’s Kingdom fill the Earth.
Giving to Catalyst
Our work around the world is supported by generous gifts from churches, families and individuals. To find more about giving to Catalyst, visit the About page on our website.
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One Body, One Maker, One Mission
By coming together, we inspire and encourage each other in our faith journey
Welcome to another brilliant issue of Catalyst Magazine. Catalyst continues to be a family thoroughly committed to raising Christ-like, Spirit-filled and servant-hearted disciples. Those that are able to serve the church, reach into the marketplace, shape culture and extend the Kingdom wherever God has called them.
‘Extending the Kingdom of God’ is much more than a nice theological phrase on our website. It is the ‘why’ of every Catalyst church and the divine call on every Christian. We are His children, His image bearers and those that carry the light of Christ into every place we inhabit throughout the week. When we are missing from our workplaces, schools, and the darker places in our neighbourhoods, then (in some senses) so is Christ.
But, I don’t know if you’re like me, I can know these things are true and yet I often forget. I forget what power and authority I carry around inside of me. This precious knowledge can seep out as I face troubles in my everyday life, I forget who I am and whose I am.
It’s only when I get around other Christians that I begin to remember.
When I go to church I meet people like my new friend Ada*. I have no trouble remembering who she is. She is 14 and has just fled Iran with her parents. She was placed on the death list after wearing a cross to school, a symbol of her faith in Jesus. Her love for Christ was enough to turn her and her family’s lives upside down.
“‘Extending the Kingdom of God’ is much more than a nice theological phrase on our website. It is the ‘why’ of every Catalyst church and the divine call on every Christian.”
Or another new friend Nadine, who has broken completely free from 17 years of addiction to heroin and crack cocaine. She is now an incredible mum to her young son and spends her time helping other vulnerable women find hope and help through her voluntary work supporting sex workers. When I stand shoulder to shoulder with these incredible people I KNOW who they are - they are HIS. They are the ones who confound the powers of darkness and put on display the manifold wisdom of God (Eph 3:10).
As I spend time with other Christians, I remember a little more of who I am too. When we are together as part of the bigger body of Christ - I get it! - We are His people, His beloved. We
are the light in the darkness. These days I often leave church feeling ten feet tall, ready to face the week with courage.
If this can happen just by gathering with 100+ people on a Sunday, just imagine what can happen by gathering with a few thousand people over a whole weekend. What might happen on the inside of us if we gave up some time to come together and hear stories of what is happening amongst the Catalyst family around the world? To encounter His presence and be reminded of who we are and whose we are. We are all the One Body of Christ, we have One Maker, Jesus and we are all caught up in His One Mission.
So, if you haven’t heard, Catalyst Festival is happening 23rd-26th August at Stafford Showground and will be the first time we have gathered together in more than six years. The last time we met I was pregnant with our youngest child, who is now 5 years old! A new generation is coming up behind us and needs to be imbued with courage and purpose in the same way we have been throughout our Christian lives. No matter your age, background or nationality we have something to spur on your faith at the Festival this year. As a taster you can read more in our special Festival section of the magazine, starting on page 12.
At the Festival and throughout the rest of this magazine you’ll hear more about how God has been stirring us to train and pray for a thousand church planters by 2030.
“A new generation is coming up behind us and needs to be imbued with courage and purpose in the same way we have been throughout our Christian lives.”
You’ll hear about disciples risking their lives in persecuted nations, churches working to alleviate poverty and reach unreached people groups, enjoy amazing salvation stories, hear a call to budding artists to bring their work for an open exhibition. You’ll also have an opportunity to give financially to our work around the world and much more.
May this issue remind you who you are in Christ and if you can join us at the Festival this Summer we can’t wait to grow ten feet taller together; standing shoulder to shoulder with you.
Abigail Flavell
A senior leader at River City Church Hull and part of the Strategy Team at Catalyst.
Events & Resources
The Harvest is Plentiful Conference
Empowering ordinary believers with Gospel boldness
In Acts 8 we read about the severe persecution that broke out against the church in Jerusalem. The church was being destroyed, Christians dragged off and imprisoned; some murdered. This forced the believers to scatter to the surrounding nations. Then in v.4 it says: “Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.” (NIVUK) These words have always challenged me. They should challenge us all.
Those early believers could easily have used the consequences of that persecution as a reason not to share the good news, but didn’t. Yet many of us, in our relative security and safety, hardly proclaim the good news wherever we go.
Many Christians lack any urgency when it comes to chatting the gospel. Even though they’ve personally experienced the power of the gospel, they seem unsure about how best to reach out, share their faith and make disciples in their communities. This nation desperately needs a new level of commitment to the gospel. We need to emulate those early Christians, be prepared to pay the price, and be bold with the gospel.
‘The Harvest is Plentiful’ conference aims to build gospel boldness into ordinary believers. It will equip and inspire us afresh because, after all, we want to reap a harvest! We’d love you to join us, you will be equipped to engage more effectively with others, and to share the life-changing good news of Jesus with a fresh boldness.
> 12th October City Hope Church London
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NOW
Our guest speakers bring vast experience in outreach, church equipping, and witnessing salvation, using spiritual gifts to advance the kingdom.
Paul Brown
Paul is passionate about connecting with his community and making Jesus known. He has shared the good news in pubs, parliament, boxing clubs, building sites, schools, and high streets.
Steve Uppal
Senior Leader of the All Nations Movement. Steve has authored four books and travels extensively, speaking in various contexts worldwide. He has also appeared on radio and TV.
Abi Flavell
A senior Leader at River City Church in Hull and also serves as Projects and Communications Manager for the Catalyst network of churches. Abi’s part of the Catalyst Strategy Team and enjoys reading and hosting gatherings at her dining table.
Denise Brown
Denise has many years of experience living and proclaiming the gospel wherever God has taken her. She lives a supernatural everyday life, always ready to lead others into an encounter with God. Denise intentionally makes time to ‘stop for the one’.
Discover What’s On
Finances Strategies for Churches Planters & Teams
Free Resource
Richard Wightman produced a guide to help church planters strategically plan their finances. It features inspiring stories and testimonies for your team.
Releasing Artists to Renew Culture
Free course available
Release artists to renew culture! Join Sputnik’s new course empowering Christians to engage with the arts. Available on Broadcasting Network.
LEARN MORE >
Newday
29th July to 2nd August
Newday, one of the UK’s largest Christian youth events, brings thousands of 12-18-year-olds to Norfolk Showground near Norwich. They join hundreds of churches from the UK and Europe to worship, learn about God, and enjoy the festival atmosphere, leaving with a deeper relationship with Jesus.
BOOK TICKETS >
Leadership & Theology Training
September 2024
A two-year course to develop your leadership skills, theology, and character. Designed to help you become the leader you’re meant to be. Applications for September are open.
LEARN MORE >
Raising TechHealthy Humans
Free parenting course
Are you a Christian parent worried about excessive screen time? This series, based on Daniel Sih’s award-winning book and seminars, offers valuable insights and tips.
TAKE COURSE >
Catalyst Train 1000
Church
Planting & Discipleship Resources
God has stirred us to train 1000 church planters before 2030. Subscribe to get involved.
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Broadcast Network
Untoxic: Healthy Church & Spiritual Abuse
Listen to hosts Tom O’Toole and Lizzie Bassford in a ninepart series on healthy church culture, addressing spiritual abuse and fostering supportive communities. Discover invaluable insights.
LISTEN PODCAST >
Multiply Conference
Equipping church planters
The Multiply conference took place last month in Bedford, welcoming current and aspiring church planters, coaches, and anyone passionate about church planting. The day was filled with heartfelt worship, uplifting ministry, and inspiring teaching. Attendees enjoyed connecting, sharing news from across Catalyst, and engaging in meaningful conversations. The event also included dedicated prayer time, fostering a strong sense of community and support.
What is God doing where you are?
From encounters in the streets to people having dreams about Jesus, God is on the move, and we hope you are encouraged to step out in faith through these stories:
Encourage others by telling your story. Email us at stories@ catalystnetwork.org You can also read more stories on our blog.
READ BLOG >
Church Plant in Auckland
Churches in New Zealand are preparing to plant in Auckland. Watch the video to see their prayer and worship gathering.
Tajikistan Believers
Believers in Tajikistan have outgrown their gathering space and are embarking on a project to renovate a new location.
Mute Boy Healed in Uganda Worship in Own Language
One of our churches in Uganda recently reported that a young boy who was mute began to speak after attending a church prayer meeting. Watch the video for more.
Some of our churches in the Middle East have been recording worship songs in their own languages.
Festival
New venue. New festival. Same passion.
Stafford Showground 23 - 26 August
We’re
Our guide to what’s on this year...
This years Catalyst Festival features a host of everyday leaders and disciple makers, creating an impact in their spheres of influence.
Committed to keeping the focus on
While we may have had some recognisable ‘names’ from across the Christian world speaking at our events in the past, we have felt excited about taking a different approach as we have prepared for this year’s Festival.
Festival Special
We are convinced that Jesus would have us highlight those that are living quietly radical lives in the places God has sent them. Our speakers are a host of brilliant men and women from across Catalyst influencing the church, their neighbourhoods, the business world and bringing the kingdom into difficult places. They are those passionate about uniting us as ‘One Body’, in adoration of our ‘One Maker’ Jesus and spurring us on in our ‘One Mission’.
Speakers Main Venue:
Simon Holley
Simon leads the Catalyst Strategy Team along with the leadership team at the King’s Arms Church in Bedford, and supports and teaches at churches around the world.
Jonathan Bell
A passionate church planter, Jonathan is leader of Churchcentral in Birmingham and is involved in interdenomination planting initiatives across his region.
Lisa Mason
Lisa and her husband Chris are church planters in Bradford, UK, she is a gentle and persistent evangelist with a tender heart for Jesus and His mission.
Charlene Frammingham
A powerful woman of God full of the Holy Spirit. Charlene will lead us in encountering more of God’s presence and the prophetic.
Jeremiah Pervez
Jeremiah leads a group of churches within the Catalyst network, in a nation with high levels of persecution. He is brilliant story teller and a passionate preacher of the gospel.
Matt Partridge
Matt has been involved in serving, strengthening and planting churches for many years. He leads Emmanuel Church in Oxford, UK.
Nikki Marfleet
Raised by missionary parents in the jungles of West Papua. Returning to the UK, she joined the prison service and is currently Governor at high security HMP Woodhill, leading a team of around 800 staff and agency workers.
BOOK YOUR TICKET >
What’s on?
Kids & Youth Festival
Our kid’s groups are about taking the kids as deep into God as we can, whilst having as much fun as you can possibly imagine. We’ve got six groups for children of all ages and abilities.
Zones
Zones are at the heart of the Catalyst Festival, equipping us for mission in every area of life.
A mixture of music, arts, talks, discussion, prayer and hands on activities, there’s a huge variety to choose from for all ages. Zones take place their own venues around the site.
We gather secondary school and college students, aged 11-18 years for worship, teaching, games and fun each morning and evening.
Our guide to what’s on this year...
After Hours & Fun!
Catalyst Festival is about fun! We have a packed programme of sports, food and family activities in the Barn.
Then when the evening meeting is finished on Saturday and Sunday, The Barn will host live comedy and music, and outside there will be a space for music under the stars and even a pirates themed Ceilidh (barn dance).
AFTER HOURS
PLUS: Singles event for over 18s. More info to be released soon...
Festival Offering
Can you stand with us once again as a generous family?
As we gather at our upcoming UK Festival, as well as connecting, being inspired by God, and encountering His presence, we will also take up an offering as we have done in the past. Catalyst are such a generous family and we have a history of giving that had made a huge impact in the lives of thousands of people around the world.
During Covid19 we came together and gave £682,000 that fed 47,000 people in 21 nations. We then used that fund to restart businesses after the pandemic. One man in Uganda told us he’d been close to ending his own life, such was the desperation and the shame surrounding their situation
- he received a food aid parcel and . his testimony was “this food not only helped to feed my family, it saved my life.”
We gave again to support those impacted by the war in Ukraine and again in 2023, to support those devastated by the Earthquake in Turkey and Syria, raising £514,000 that enabled 866,000 hot meals to be served and over 1000 temporary shelters to be built, and to buy a piece of land for a community centre and to plant a church where we recently heard of 11 new believers being baptised.
As well as this, over past years we’ve been able to invest in planting churches, caring for the poor, raising up leaders and releasing artists and so much more.
Our guide to what’s on this year...
Church plant in East Leeds, UK
Hope for Communities , Middle East
This year’s offering:
We want to fund apostolic work and church planting initiatives happening around the world, support churches who are serving those most effected by poverty and we’d love to be able to financially support a number of key conferences across the Middle East to strengthen the leaders and the churches there. We would also like to fund the translation and recording of worship in native languages. We hope to help make that a possibility as a result of your giving!
Watch the video for many more examples of the kinds of work we’d like to fund this year.
So, we’re asking you and your church to help us. Whether you are an individual, a family, a large church or a small one, we’d ask you to prayerfully consider what you can give in the run up to our offering at this years Catalyst Festival. Together we can once again be that loving, generous family that deeply feels the needs of each part of the body and responds with what we have trusting God to multiply it.
Simon Holley Leads the Catalyst Team
You can give directly or through your local church. For more ways to give follow the link.
A community of worshippers on a mission together s h p p e r s i w o r
The next section in the magazine will follow the theme of being worshippers and are based on Catalyst’s apostolic foundations.
My Walk with Jesus: I am a daughter of God
New identity and purpose found in God
In this issue’s devotional series, a believer from a persecuted nation shares how God is moving in her life to give her an identity as a daughter of God, releasing her from fears and worries, and preparing her heart to serve Him by giving her purpose.
We’re thankful for our Catalyst global family and the opportunity to learn from the wisdom and experiences of believers worldwide. To hear her message in full, click on the image above.
Share your story
What are you learning in your walk with Jesus? Share with us in video format (less than 5 minutes), in English or your native language. Send it to stories@catalystnetwork.org
“It’s a process. We’re progressing Christians. Learning new things every day. He is molding us. He is doing a new thing in our lives. ”
Natinga: The One Who Forges Forward, Not Retreat
The Kingdom is advancing in East Africa
I am amazed by all that God has done among the Toposa, largely through James Lokuuda and his team. When Ken and I first met James in 1998, there were only about five known believers among the Toposa, with James being one of them. Since then, he has planted a church in Kapoeta in 2007, expanded to three areas by 2009, and by 2017, there were over 15 churches. By 2023, there were more than 60 churches!
Now James reports there are at least 80 churches, but likely more due to the nomadic nature of the people in hard-to-reach places, both physically and spiritually. This work has faced
constant challenges, opposition, and personal pain. Many individuals we invested in have strayed or left their faith entirely. Some key leaders from the main church were enticed by denominational funds to establish new churches, waiting until initial persecution subsides in an area.
The movement encounters significant resistance from educated and elite individuals, including those sponsored by James, who allow pride and trivial issues to obstruct their service in this move of God.
Direct persecution in villages where the gospel is introduced includes insults, beatings, and even shooting at evangelists upon their arrival.
“One of the most encouraging things was the sense of the presence of God, unity and the joy of the Holy Spirit on the worship times.”
There are also dangers from bandits and cattle raiders in remote areas.
Pastor Leo-Lopir is recovering from a bullet wound sustained during an attack while preaching in a village, though he escaped safely.
Despite these challenges, the kingdom of God continues to advance among the Toposa without retreat. The screening of the Jesus film in Toposa, translated into their language, remains effective in converting people, drawing large crowds at night.
The radio station we supported is now operational, broadcasting scriptures, Christian worship, and health news from 5am to 2am across the Toposa region. God will surely use this to bear much fruit in the years ahead.
The worship experiences were
profoundly uplifting, whether with over 1000 believers by the river under mango trees or with gathered leaders. God’s presence and joy were palpable in their worship, challenging us in the West. Are we as committed to sharing God’s word and willing to suffer for the gospel, sacrificing our comforts to reach the lost and worship with God’s people?
For a glimpse of what words can’t fully capture, watch the video linked above. And, please continue praying for God’s anointing, protection, and provision over this growing work. If you’re interested in learning more or supporting this work of God, please feel free to contact me.
Simon Fry Leads Christ Church Hailsham and founded a charity to train East African leaders.
WATCH VIDEO >
A community of worshippers on a mission together c m o y m u n i t
The next section in the magazine will follow the theme of community and are based on Catalyst’s apostolic foundations.
ID IMPACT: Catalyst’s One Year Internship Programme
Serve, join missions, study theology, and receive personal mentoring.
Go: Get immersed in the life and mission of a local church. Visit a pioneering church plant overseas and get plugged into a global family of churches on a mission.
Grow: Be mentored and discipled. Go from knowing about Jesus to knowing him deeply and be transformed into his likeness. Spend time with leaders and maturer believers.
Serve: Take on responsibility and grow in ministry experience. There are opportunities to serve with childrens’ work, youth, community projects, evangelism, Bible teaching, worship, and more.
Study: Give time to studying the Bible inside out and asking the big questions. Get quality teaching from men and women at our four weeklong residentials and every week online.
“This year has been an eye opener to how God can use all of you - what you think of as strength and weakness, he sees as opportunities to grow you and his kingdom.”
Martha, ID Impact student Mel, ID Impact student
“Travelling from Zimbabwe to London for ID IMPACT has been amazing! I have grown so much in my faith through the youth work and discipleship training.”
Starting September 2024 through July 2025, apply for ID IMPACT. Whether finishing school or university, or at any life stage, ID IMPACT is a brilliant next step. Choose between staying local or going somewhere new. If you’re considering a year out for God or know someone interested, visit the ID IMPACT website for details. Even if you’ve never thought about an internship year, we recommend you sign up for this life-changing experience.
LEARN MORE > Apply to start in September 2024.
WATCH VIDEO >
What is the church?
Mosaic Church in Leeds teaching on the Apostolic Foundations
In a world that sees the church as institutional, irrelevant and hypocritical it has never been more important for people of every age and background in our churches to understand and proclaim who we really are - a community of worshippers on a mission.
In Holbeck, inner city Leeds, the church is made up primarily of new believers from unchurched backgrounds; and from children to older people, from those born and raised in this community to those who’ve moved in from other nations - we all need a sense of purpose to our lives, to live with an active understanding of God’s mission and our part in that. Therefore we used the visual tool of the Apostolic
Foundations diagram (or the ‘church circle’ as we call it) that Catalyst recently launched to explain who we are.
In a vibrant service we looked at Acts 2 and talked through each icon in the diagram - making up actions, talking about how we do this currently and how we want to grow in each area. There was lots of laughter and joy as people (some of whom are not yet believers) stepped into God’s vision for His church in scripture and saw themselves as part of it.
The children were fully part of itdrawing it out for themselves and generally beating the adults in remembering what each symbol meant.
The following week people were invited to recall each symbol, which they did with enthusiasm and confidence!
We’re continuing to look more deeply into each element for the following weeks; this past week we focused on being a people of word and spirit, reflecting on the prophecy in Joel 2 that the Spirit will be poured out on all people. This was followed by a powerful time of prophecy as the Spirit worked in power to call people into who God created them to be.
“It has never been more important for people of every age and background in our churches to understand and proclaim who we really are.”
Please pray with us for baptisms as people acknowledge Jesus is Lord, for increased devotion to him, for confidence as people of word and spirit, for deep love and community and for disciples to be multiplied as we grow in boldness to declare and demonstrate the kingdom of God in our community and beyond.
Hannah Pearson Site leader at Mosaic Church Holbeck
We believe the church is a: Community of
Have genuine love for one another
Have anointed leadership operating in team
Worshippers on
By grace follow Jesus as Saviour and Lord
Are devoted to God Are people of the word and Spirit
Mission together
Declare and demonstrate the news of the Kingdom
Make healthy multiplying disciples
Learn more about
A community of worshippers on a mission together n i
s m i s
The next section in the magazine will follow the theme of mission and are based on Catalyst’s apostolic foundations.
Holy Spirit Moves Powerfully in Bedford
300 people made public professions of faith to Jesus
In May, various churches in Bedford were joined by a team from Mission24, headed by the evangelist Jonathan Conrathe. We focused on sharing the gospel and praying for the sick on the streets, as well as in our local church contexts, culminating each evening in gospel/ healing meetings. We witnessed some amazing encounters with the Holy Spirit and saw around 300 people make public professions of faith in Jesus over the week.
On one of the days, 16th May, a number of us were out in the shopping centre of Bedford and a couple of the team led us in worship. As we were singing, people going about their business just stopped and listened. We then noticed that many were being touched by the Holy Spirit, some starting to weep. As worship continued, a number of us went and prayed with each of these people, and many in that moment gave their lives to Jesus.
“Our experience would say that there is a fresh move of the Holy Spirit beginning to grip our nation and we cry, “Blow Holy Spirit!””
One particular woman was in so much distress that before I even got to her, she had come to me and was saying, “You’ve got to help me! You’ve got to help me! I know this is about Jesus!” I had the joy of reintroducing her to Jesus as her Saviour and Lord and praying for her to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Many of these people then found their way to our evening meetings where once again they encountered Jesus and are now being followed up by the local Mission
churches.
On the final night of the mission, we had the most phenomenal meeting where roughly 40 people came forward for salvation, and there were some incredible healings, including a benign tumour attached to the forearm and elbow of a lady completely disappearing as she was prayed for. We also baptised some of those who had made commitments during the week and were now connected with some of the local churches. Fourteen people were baptised over that final weekend.
Word. Our experience would say that there is a fresh move of the Holy Spirit beginning to grip our nation and we cry, “Blow Holy Spirit!”
We are blown away by the goodness of God and His faithfulness to His
Richard Green
Senior pastor at All Nations Church, Bedford
Worship & Prayer NIght at All Nations Bedford
Planting in Southampton
Building a church that looks like our community
Can I live in your shed? That was the question that sparked our accidental church planting journey. There was no lightning bolt moment, no pin on a map for direction, but a seed planted in that question that challenged our hearts and changed our course.
A desire grew and direction came to live lives that were ‘all in’ with those on the margins where boundaries blurred and doors were always open. A prophetic word from a near stranger confirmed this calling to live in proximity to the community and to make discipleship a daily pursuit, not just a Sunday activity.
We were offered leadership of a small community centre in Weston, a deprived estate on Southampton’s edge. After some big steps of faith, we moved with our four small kids to live on the estate. We took jobs in the local area, including at the local pizza delivery shop, and enrolled our kids in the local school.
We didn’t set out to plant a church; we set out to love a community—to seek its peace and prosperity. We have seen it and ourselves prosper
“We didn’t set out to plant a church we set out to love a community.”
as a result.
But like when you fall in love and want to spend all your time together, not planting a church seemed wrong. We were surrounded by relationships from our life and ministry on the estate and had nowhere big enough to gather everyone and deepen our God conversations. We also knew that taking many of these people 10 minutes down the road to our current church was not an option as culturally it was a million miles away.
During this time, the local Anglican vicar approached us to offer a partnership in creating a new type of church on the estate, one that would reach demographics not currently being reached, particularly in the 1830 age bracket.
The idea was to pioneer something different. Not to deconstruct church but to contextualise it for our area and imagine what it would be to build a church that looked like our community.
Much went on in between, but we officially launched Hope City Church on Easter Sunday 2024. It was a culmination of years of relationship building and seed scattering. Families from the estate, connections made through existing ministries, supporters from both churches.
There were awkward moments, kids’ workers cried, lessons were learned, but we felt super swag in our matching sports socks and somehow, through our ragtag attempts, God was glorified.
Now, three months on, we have doubled in size with an average
attendance of 60 on a Sunday, seeing several families from the estate actively involved in the life of the church.
We aren’t chasing statistics and maybe controversially don’t have a spreadsheet of weekly attendance. Instead, we have a book of stories of lives changed. Last week, a mum shared how, before she met ‘our lot,’ she would never leave the house due to crippling anxiety and physical pain. Now she is at every activity, helping lead the toddler group and dragging every friend and family member she can along with her. She’s not yet ‘prayed the prayer’ as far as we know but has seen her life change in so many ways due to the local church loving and surrounding her.
One of the most significant words we have received was about the journey being a marathon, not a sprint, and that continues to resonate with us as we walk the long, slow journey with many of our friends out of lives of addiction and trauma and into the Kingdom of God. We continually remind ourselves that our desire is not to see people change class or become more ‘Christian,’ but to change kingdoms and become more like Jesus.
Emily & Dave Williams
Lead Hope City Church in Southampton, with their four children
FULL BLOG POST >
Open Call for Artists
Showcase your work at Catalyst Festival this summer
We’re drawing the Catalyst churches back together after six long years since the last Catalyst Festival. So much has happened on personal, community and national levels, however, we are one. One maker, one body, one mission.
As part of the festival we want to celebrate the multicoloured facets of our beautiful community. A very practical and inspiring opportunity to be part of that could include you. Are you an artist? Ceramicist?
Sculptor? Photographer?
Illustrator? Graphic designer? In short, can your work be displayed in a 2 dimensional form either photographically or as an original piece? If the answer is yes, we need you!
We are putting together an exhibition of Catalyst community creativity. As part of that exhibition we are inviting you to put your work in front of thousands of members of our community. We would love to showcase a huge diversity of artists to reach each member of our church family so even if you
aren’t a full-time artist, please apply.
How to apply
Send up to three images of your work for us to consider to office@ sptnk.co.uk. Please include your name and contact details, the title(s) of the work, the size of the framed pieces. If your work is three dimensional we can discuss the size of image at a later stage.
We only have limited gallery spaces so unfortunately won’t be able to include every piece of work submitted. But please don’t let this put you off. We’re hugely looking forward to seeing more of the artistic skill that exists in our churches and even if we don’t get to exhibit it this time, we can point you towards other opportunities that could serve you in your artistry through Sputnik: Faith & Arts and other Christian creative networks. Find out more and apply on our website.
LEARN MORE >
Have you ever got the feeling that the church’s relationship with the arts isn’t what it could be? Have you ever scratched your head as to why the evangelical church in particular seems to struggle to create powerful artworks that engage with the world at large? Have you ever wished that we could support artists better?
This series of videos is designed to help Christians, especially those in church leadership, to carefully think through how we relate to the arts in our churches and how we can best support artists.
It is produced by Sputnik Faith & Arts, a network of artists that seeks to build bridges between artists and churches, while
Jonny Mellor Elder at Church Central in Birmingham, and leads Sputnik
actively funding and connecting Christians practising in the arts. The videos are hosted by Jonny Mellor who is an elder of a Newfrontiers church in Birmingham and the co-founder of Sputnik.
LEARN MORE >
WATCH VIDEO >
Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment
Extending mercy to anoyone like Jesus did
The other day I was listening in on a conversation between two children. An almost 13-year-old was coming up with some creative ideas for how her younger brother could get revenge on some bullies. The one I liked best involved squeezing toothpaste into their football boots.
The next day someone who has been very hurt by some of the Christians in his life shared a little of his story with me. From a place of deep pain and self-confessed cynicism, he said: “There’s nothing like the church to kick you when you’re down.”
During the general election campaign, Conservative Rishi Sunak posted on social media that criminals should be shown “no mercy”. This was hot on the heels of a Liberal Democrat saying on one of the televised election debates that what he did on D-Day was “unforgiveable”.
judgment” (James 2:13) but often, if I am honest, I find the opposite at work in my own heart.
Mercy is rare, but our communities and nations are desperate for it. In the UK, where cancel culture is rife and no apology is believed and no atonement sufficient, Christians have a unique and distinctive role to play in being mercy-bringers.
Left to my own devices, I find it easier to be judgmental than merciful. This is true in everyday life, where I want the person overtaking me dangerously on an A-road to be caught speeding, but when I go over the limit I want mercy, not justice.
Wherever we look, mercy is hard to find. Sadly, that can often be as true inside the church as it is outside. The Bible says that “mercy triumphs over
But it’s also true when it comes to the issues affecting my community and my country. I find it a lot easier to be merciful to people in poverty than to those who make decisions that affect them. I Like to imagine Jesus sitting on the street with someone who is rough sleeping, sharing a McDonald’s together. But I do not like to think of Jesus eating a meal in a mansion with someone who has
Natalie Williams Chief Executive at Jubilee+
never experienced any lack and doesn’t care much about those who have nothing.
“Mercy is rare, but our communities and nations are desperate for it.”
The reality is, Jesus would eat meals with the people I feel compassion for, and the people I don’t like. Pretty much everyone can be offended by someone Jesus ate with! I love that Jesus was known as a “friend of sinners” – that He didn’t mind His reputation being tarnished by eating with tax collectors and people of ill repute. But Jesus also ate with the very people who ostracised “sinners” and reviled the “unclean”.
and relentless in mercy (Lamentations 3:22). He pursues us with mercy (Psalm 23:6) because He delights to show mercy (Micah 7:18). Showing mercy brings Him joy.
What impact would it have on our neighbourhoods if we became merciful like our Father is merciful? While mercy is so hard to find around us, there is an urgent need for us to cultivate it within us. Being merciful is radical and counter-cultural. It is distinctively Christian. No one else can imitate our merciful Father like we can. The people around us – from the poorest to the most powerful – need Jesus-followers to become mercy-bringers in our communities. If we don’t, no one else will.
‘Tis Mercy All
By Natalie Williams
Jesus extended mercy to anyone who came to Him. And He calls His followers to do the same, inviting us to “be merciful, just as [our] Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36). Our Father is rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4), unrestrained in mercy (Psalm 40:11)
A book to help you understand the spiritual discipline of mercy, and how God’s mercy towards ourselves and others can counteract the widespread conflict and anger in our divided world.
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