REACH magazine - December 2022

REACH is a free magazine produced and distributed by CBN Europe to inspire, inform and strengthen your relationship with God.

We partner with individuals, churches and organisations in order to share the message of hope in Jesus Christ, provide humanitarian relief and reduce poverty. It is our vision to share the Gospel in a relevant way to all generations and see people walk in their true potential with God.

Would you like to support our ministry? Contact us on the numbers provided or visit cbneurope.com/donate.

From the Director

“Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” John 6:35

Dear Friends, Welcome to our December issue of REACH magazine! I pray that as you read this edition, you will be blessed, refreshed and reminded of God’s love and perfect plan for you, for your loved ones and for this world we live in.

When reading the Bible, we learn more about who God really is by the names He uses when speaking to us through His Word. Most of us will have heard about Jehovah Rapha (The Lord our Healer), El-Shaddai (God Almighty), Jehovah-Shalom (The Lord our Peace), Jehovah Jireh (The Lord our Provider) and other names.

Jesus is introduced by John the Baptist as the ‘Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world’ (John 1:29). Jesus makes seven references to Himself using “I am.” He is the ‘Bread of Life’, the Light of the world’ and ‘the door’. He also said in John 8:28: “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”

In today’s culture, it is hard to find anything that lasts, does not change and is replaced by the next new thing. How good is it to be reminded that, despite an ever-changing world

around us, the “I AM” remains the same, yesterday today and forever more. His love for you does not change and His promises for you stand forever.

He wants to reveal more of Himself to you every day as you walk more closely with Him. The eternal “I AM” is with you and He is for you!

On behalf of all our teams and volunteers we wish you a very blessed winter season. Together we can introduce more people to a life changing encounter with the Great I Am!

THE LIVING WORD REVEALED TO THE WORLD

At Christmas we celebrate the coming of Jesus, the Word made flesh. He is not just words on a page, but the Living Word. He is the I Am - the Way, the Truth, and the Life. And He desires to reveal Himself to us.

We need to value what Jesus has done for us by His coming into the world, dying on the cross, and rising again. Not only do we have access to the Son of God, but we also have the right to be partakers of His divine nature.

He tells us, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20).

The more we know Him, the more that things of this world fade in importance. Paul writes in Philippians 3:8-10: ‘I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him ... that I may know Him.’

Paul is essentially saying, “I’ve lost everything; hallelujah! Because I can know Christ more. All that matters is knowing Him and being conformed into His likeness.”

Jesus gives us this amazing promise in John 14:21, “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. ... And I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”

So, as we prepare for a new year, ask Jesus to show Himself and speak to you. Ask Him for a revelation of His nature, that you may know Him. And you will experience the living Christ as His Word comes alive in your heart— more and more each day.

God bless you!

BY GORDON ROBERTSON CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

*Excerpted from a teaching at CBN Staff Chapel. Scripture is quoted from the NKJV

“BEHOLD, I STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK. IF ANYONE HEARS MY VOICE AND OPENS THE DOOR, I WILL COME IN TO HIM AND DINE WITH HIM, AND HE WITH ME.”

IN FOCUS: UNITED KINGDOM & IRELAND

During the past months we have been working hard with our UK based team to prepare for the season ahead. We received a word from the Lord at the beginning of the year regarding this year being the year of the Good News of Jesus. The Lord spoke to us about ‘putting our light on the light stand’ to shine brightly in the dark world we live in.

this world, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life! This is the message we share through all that we do at CBN Europe – to make Jesus known to everyone in the UK, Europe and beyond!

we can record our very first weekly programme for TV and YouTube! For many years we have dreamed about producing a regular TV programme in the UK – with testimonies from the United Kingdom and Ireland. There are so many powerful, life changing stories that demonstrate how lives are changed when God steps in.

We welcomed Jake in our team, who will help us with the technical side of studio production. Jake will also go out to capture testimony stories in the UK and Ireland. Please pray for Alisa, Jake, Tim (who just went on parental leave), Jacqui, Seb, and our managing producer Rhonda – for wisdom, leading and provision as we step out of the boat, walking on the water! Without Jesus, we cannot do anything, and we thank Him for His leading.

our September Partner weeks. We decided that we would not publish our fundraising campaign during the 10 days of mourning. Instead, we shared messages of comfort and hope. Still many callers contacted our Hope Line and supported us, for which we are so thankful!!

As a team we are behind this word, and we audaciously declare that God can do far more than we can ask, think or imagine. With our God, all things are possible! We know that this vision is fully aligned with God’s heart for this nation, for Europe and this world. We serve a God who sent His only Son into

To support this vision, we are taking active steps to make the Good News known as we follow His lead. Do you remember that we built our phase one studio before the pandemic started? Since then, we have been recording regular media content for the daily 700 Club and social media.

We have now started phase 2, where we are installing a lighting grid, soundproof curtains, and a TV set from where

Besides producing content for TV, we also worked hard to develop our CBN Europe YouTube channel, creating more play lists and adding all our English language programming, humanitarian stories, Superbook, Life Stories and much more. We produced a tribute to our late Queen Elizabeth which, to date, is the most watched video on our YouTube channel with over 3200 views.

Our media team visited London with our presenter Beth, where they recorded a news update from Buckingham Palace, asking people how important the Queen was to the country and how much her faith inspired us as a nation and as Christians. The passing of the Queen coincided with

Seb, who is our Senior editor, continues to edit all our English language programmes and make them ready for broadcasting. We share many programmes with multiple TV channels in the UK, Ireland, Europe, and Australasia. Programmes like the daily 700 Club, Christian World News, Jerusalem Dateline, Studio 5, Interactive 700 Club, CBN’s animated Bible series ‘Superbook’ and many more specials are airing daily on TV and online. Every programme is customised with our CBN Europe contact details, connecting viewers with our Hope Line and website. This is where our Hope Line team do what they love most: to interact with our callers and share a message of Hope in Jesus.

THE HOPE LINE.

We are so thankful for our team of staff and volunteers who are committed to share hope in Jesus to every caller. Every month we receive many calls from all over the UK, Ireland, Europe and even as far as Australasia! We count it as an enormous privilege to be carriers of hope to so many people who desire to see a breakthrough in their lives. Besides the calls that come into our Hope Line, the team also make

outbound calls, to thank donors for their valued support and offer prayer. We know that Jesus is the Answer to every need and there is healing, provision, restoration in His Name!

We welcome Vincent Leeson as our CBN representative in Ireland. Vincent is a Canadian and married to Caroline, born in Dublin – where they now live. They have three children between them. Vincent and Caroline have a strong passion for seeing people encounter Jesus, to see them find restoration and true purpose in life. As a CBN Ireland representative, Vincent is available to speak in your church and tell you more about the ministry in CBN Europe. Vincent also shares our passion for seeing a new generation engaged with their faith in Jesus and would love to share more about how your family or church can use

Superbook as an effective tool to see children reach their potential in life.

You can find out more about CBN Ireland on our website at cbneurope. com/Ireland and fill in the contact form on the website.

There is so much more to share about the work and ministry of CBN in Europe! In next edition we will focus on Europe, new open doors for the Gospel and more introductions to our teams across the region. Thank you for your prayers and valuable support –we thank the Lord for you! To find out more about the impact of CBN Europe visit cbneurope.com/Impact or visit our CBN Europe YouTube channel.

IMMANUEL: GOD WITH US

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us” (Matthew 1:23 NKJV).

God entered human time, at a specific point in history, in a particular space, within a specific culture, at Christmas.

When seen within its world, the Advent story has a different look and feel from how we tend to envision it. It certainly is foreign to the modern spirit of Christmas. Yet, when we view it within its historical and cultural context, we find a world that many felt was in chaos.

God’s people yearned for salvation. They earnestly longed for His redemption. God sent His Son into a chaotic and upside-down world. A world where evil reigned in power, and God’s chosen people found themselves enslaved to that power.

Advent communicates a hope realised, but not yet concluded. It calls upon people to submit to God’s will, to obey, to care for those in need. To raise our eyes beyond our own circumstances and look to God’s redemption of His people.

It reminds us that God is faithful to His promises, and so we must wait. We have to be patient. It conveys that God comes to us in the most common and ordinary moments of our lives, even in the birth of a child. It also points to the babe born in Bethlehem as proof that God’s reign is dawning upon the world.

And, as we follow that babe into His adult life, we understand that He calls us to obediently submit to God’s rule and reign in our lives. He invites us to return to God and take part in embodying His message and furthering God’s kingdom.

That is what Christmas means for us. Because of the child born in Bethlehem, we can trust that God is not far away; He is near. He is Immanuel—God with us. We can rediscover that He is both with us and for us; therefore, we can have hope in His redemption.

May you experience God’s presence and nearness like never before on this sacred day as we celebrate the birth of our Saviour and Messiah.

PRINCE OF

WHAT IS PEACE?

The definitions of Biblical peace (shalom in Hebrew and eirene in Greek) have great depth. They’re not simply a sense of calmness, though it is that, nor only united in mind and purpose, though it’s also that, but wholeness. You see, peace, whilst being the absence of war, chaos and conflict, is also active in bringing about wholeness and completeness. Our Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, is the embodiment of wholeness and completeness. In Him, we’re made whole and complete. Our mind, heart, body, and soul. He is the beginning from whom peace will spread into a chaotic world through His Spirit-filled children. The mystery of God’s will has been revealed to us and it is to bring all things in heaven and on earth in unity under Christ; under our Prince of wholeness and completeness (Ephesians 1:9-10).

OUR PRINCE OF PEACE

Ever since Adam and Eve ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil our hearts have been fractured and the world was plunged into chaos. The world isn’t calm, it isn’t united in mind and purpose, and it’s certainly

not whole and complete. We feel the effects of this chaos every day in our lives. The need to get ahead, to be at the front, to have success, to be noticed, to strive at making our own individual worlds as peaceful as possible. It’s a race to destruction. One that the devil is a master in convincing us to race. But he only wants to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10).

In Jesus there’s no deceit. He’s upfront about what He’s here to do and He’s here to bring abundant life.

The chaos that came as a consequence of Adam and Eve’s decision is countered by the peace that comes through Jesus. In Him is the active renewal of peace on earth! We celebrate its arrival through Him at Christmas, see it in the life He lived here on earth and experience it because of His resurrection from the dead. He gives us a new heart through the Holy Spirit and ushers in peace through our lives. We look forward to the day where there will be no tears, pain, crying or death (Revelation 21:4). That day will come in and through Jesus. The Prince of Peace will soon have all things in heaven and earth united under Him. And you, His Church, are part of the plan.

HIS PEACE PLAN

It is both an unimaginable honour, and immense challenge. We represent the Prince of Peace on earth. His Church is His plan to continue spreading abundant life and peace amongst the chaos. In giving us His Spirit, He gave us the same power that raised Him from the dead (Romans 8:11)! He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 1:3). And He has transferred us from the domain of darkness into the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:13). We’ve got a mission to proclaim that the Prince of Peace has come to bring wholeness

to our chaos, and we’ve got what we need to do it. It’s not easy, but we have One who has shown us the way, walks alongside us, and goes before us.

So, the next time you hear the title Prince of Peace, I pray your mind and heart will be flooded with adoration and awe at the beauty of who Jesus is, what He did, and our certain future of wholeness and completeness, of peace.

JOEL SINGLETON DIGITAL AND CHURCH PARTNERSHIPS COORDINATOR

GLOBAL IMPACT STORIES

WHY IS FUN SO IMPORTANT FOR THESE CHILDREN?

So many children have had to flee their homes, facing situations that many of us might never go through in our lifetime. The idea of fun is so far removed from their circumstances that it’s like it doesn’t exist. Find out how CBN’s Orphan’s Promise were able to change that.

A SENSE OF NORMALITY

CBN’s Orphan’s Promise have a new and amazing training centre in Warsaw, Poland. For the first time ever, they have been able to host a Superbook event! This is thanks to our generous partners who enable moments like this.

The children this event is reaching haven’t just had a difficult day and need some encouragement. Their lives have been turned upside down by the traumatic experiences this war is causing.

SO, WHY IS THIS OUTREACH SO IMPORTANT?

Firstly, it’s an opportunity to share who Jesus is and offer the hope He promises to hurting hearts. There’s no one better for these children, and thanks to our partners, we have the privilege of telling them who He is.

Secondly, it’s a space to give them a sense of normality. This is so important for these children, especially because the younger years are critical for healthy development. It eases their shock and confusion.

“It was so amazing to see the children engage in the activities and simply have fun. Orphan’s Promise seeks to help the lost, abandoned and abused find hope, peace and security. Taking them from at-risk to thriving and enabling them to realise their God-given potential.”

RESTORING CHILDHOOD

It was just a few weeks ago that our new training centre in Warsaw, Poland was opened, reaching out to Ukrainian refugee families. Since its opening, the centre has been a hive of activity!

Day by day, women and children find a place of rest, safety and security. We’ve provided hot meals, humanitarian support, education, and we’ve been able to run kid’s clubs and events. For so many of these children, their childhood has been stolen away by this war. Yet through CBN’s Orphan’s Promise, we have been able to create opportunities for them to come and have fun, laugh with their friends and just be kids again!

HE LIFTS US FROM THE PIT

Antonija’s life was one of despair. The thoughts she had to deal with were ones steeped in darkness and depression. She shares, “It’s hard to accept positive words from people who love me. I feel empty and terrified at the same time.” This was life without Jesus.

However, through CBN’s Orphan’s Promise project, “House of Opportunity” in Varazdin, Croatia, she met Christ!

“I experienced the love of God and how to accept Jesus into my life with the help of dear people.”

“So, today I’m cheerful, smiling, and happy. And when things get tough or hard, I don’t give up. There is so much to live for.”

CHRISTMAS PRESENCE

12 UNIQUE CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR YOU

WHO DOESN’T LOVE A PRESENT?

Christmas especially is a time when we love to indulge and lavish our loved ones with gifts and tokens of our affection. This year, why not take some time out to reflect on 12 gifts that our Saviour has given us through His death and resurrection?

FIND US ON THE BIBLE APP

PAT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS

Join Pat Robertson, CBN founder, as he answers the tough questions in life with Biblical truths.

Q. A.

How do I know the Holy Spirit is within me?

You can sense the power of the Holy Spirit. The Bible says in Isaiah 30:21 (NIV), ‘Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

When the Holy Spirit is within you, He will talk to you in that still, small voice that leads you into all truth. If you don’t have that voice within you, I would question it and ask God to give it to you. I’ve written a book on the Holy Spirit. It talks about the gifts of the Holy Spirit and who He is and where He came from. If the Holy Spirit is within you, you will feel the presence of God and know His Spirit is within you.

DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR PAT?

Log on to CBN.com/BringItOnline and follow the instructions.

– What was the name of the angel that told Mary she would

– What date do we celebrate Jesus’ birth?

– What was the name of the king that spoke to the Magi about finding Jesus?

Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

This verse was written before Jesus had been born and tells us all about the wonderful person that Jesus was going to be. Take a moment to think about what those different parts of Jesus mean to you; Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of peace.

When Jesus was born and went on to perform miracles and to talk about God’s love, people were confused about who he was and why he had been sent by God. Many people

what ways do you think you could love someone instead of fight with them? Maybe a sibling when they want to use your things, or when someone says something mean to you, could you maybe react in a way that is loving?

To see more about who Jesus was and what he did, visit the Superbook App to watch Season 1 and 2 for free.

Warning - Caregivers please ensure you view the episodes beforehand to decide whether they are suitable for your child, some episodes contain difficult scenes

EPISODE IN FOCUS

This issue’s episode in focus is all about ‘The First Christmas’.

Join Chris, Joy and Gizmo as they learn about the true meaning of Christmas!

Watch as Chris is more worried about climbing prize peak to win a huge amount of Christmas gifts for himself rather than focusing on the birth of Jesus.

Superbook takes them back to the very moment when Jesus is born to show them how incredible the story truly is and to show them how Jesus was the greatest gift humankind had ever received.

Chris also struggles to understand why Mary had to give birth in such difficult circumstances, and questions where God is in all the struggles. But Chris soon learns that sometimes the plans that we make for ourselves are not always the way God means for them to happen, but HE has a plan that works out in the best way possible.

If you want to watch this episode and see how all these events unfold, visit superbook.tv to watch “The First Christmas” completely free!

Merry Christmas, From The Superbook Team

MERCHANDISE

Give the gift of love, fun and HOPE this Christmas. When you purchase an item of Superbook merchandise, profit goes towards making Superbook available to more children across Europe and beyond.

Creative Media

Please pray for our TV broadcasting, Digital Media and Print Media. Pray for salvation to come through the work of this ministry. Pray for our new studio build which is well underway; we are excited to produce new and exciting content in the new space once finished. Please continue to pray for all aspects to come together smoothly and in God’s perfect timing. Please continue to pray for donations to come in to ensure the studio can be completed in the timeframe. Pray for the spiritual fruit and many salvations that we are trusting God for that will come in as God uses this work.

Humanitarian

Please continue to pray for the work that Operation Blessing & Orphan’s Promise are doing around the UK and Europe. Please pray for the many projects we hold across the region, that we would see people recognise the love of God through the practical aid given through these projects. Please specifically pray for our work in Poland-Ukraine. Pray for God’s protection over these nations and over the individuals serving these nations.

Pray that our impact would not only meet the physical need but spiritual also. Please continue to pray for our pre-existing projects in and around Ukraine that are under constant threat from this war; pray for protection and provision for them to continue their good work.

Hope Line

Please pray for our many Hope Line callers from all across the UK, Europe, and Australasia. We are praying for salvation, recommitment, and testimonies of answered prayer. We have been so blessed by the salvations and answers to pray we have heard about so far.

Superbook

Superbook, CBN’s animated Bible series, continues to increase its reach in so many countries. Please pray for more children, parent and grandparents to be introduced to the hope of Jesus through this work. Please pray for viewers to be made bold and courageous to impact those around them for His Kingdom as they grow in their faith.

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:40 NIV

Due to the war, more than 7 million Ukrainians had to find shelter across Europe. This winter, many displaced Ukrainian women and children will experience the bitterness of winter, the loss of their livelihoods and homes.

Although media attention and financial support to relief efforts have dropped, we are committed to feed, clothe, support the displaced children and families. We are determined to give Ukraine hope.

With your help, warehouses at the Polish border and in Ukraine are

set up to effectively bring food and relief items into Ukraine each week.

Operation Blessing Polska Foundation has been established to continue the efforts in Ukraine and Poland.

Will you give Ukraine hope and make a special End of Year gift to the Ukrainian refugees?

Your support will bring shelter, food, hope and the Gospel message to thousands more children and families who depend on CBN’s Operation Blessing to survive. Together, let’s give Ukraine hope.

TESTIMONIES

EVERYONE HAS A STORY. IT MAY BE A STORY OF HARDSHIP AND HEARTBREAK. IT MAY BE A STORY OF BREAKTHROUGH AND VICTORY. EITHER WAY, WE ALL HAVE A STORY TO TELL, A LIFE EXPERIENCE TO TESTIFY TO.

On our testimonies page, we love to report some of the things that God has done in the lives of our partners, supporters and readers. We sincerely hope that they encourage you and remind you that God cares about the detail of your life.

SALVATION

Rose rang in feeling broken and struggling with addiction. We prayed for freedom and, at the end of the prayer, felt led to ask if she had ever personally invited Jesus into her life as her Saviour. She said she had not and that she would like to. So, we had the joy of leading her in the prayer of salvation. Praise God!

RECOMMITTMENT

Joseph called today feeling very distant from the Lord because of his backsliding. He has been struggling with addiction, anxiety and depression and he felt that God is punishing him. He really wanted to start living his life with the Lord and I invited him to recommit his life to the Lord and to surrender all to Him. He recommitted his life to the Lord today. Glory to God!

HEALING

Alana rang in as a member of our Hope Line team had prayed for her recently. She is now completely healed! She was overjoyed! Jehovah Rapha!

BREAKTHROUGH

Rachida called today to share a praise report about her son that we have been contending for. Her son has been released from prison and was not found guilty of any charges.

PRAISE

Nancy called to thank the team for praying for her ENT check-up. She reported that everything is well. Hallelujah!

RECOMMITTMENT

Harriet is one of our partners but called today from a really dark and teary place, feeling worthless and alone. When I asked her how her relationship was with Jesus in the midst of the valley she said, “I have lost touch with Christian friends”. I reminded her that Jesus is the friend that sticks closer than a brother and again asked how her relationship was with Jesus. She realised she was doing life alone without Him as well as anyone else and just recommitted her life to Christ. Thank you, Jesus!

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