MARCH 2016
ISSUE 18
T H E N E T W O RK What’s in a name? Names are important. In the Bible they tended to signify what God wanted to say about a person or a place. In fact, names were changed at strategic times to signify a new direction or calling that God had on a person’s life. Thus, Abram means High father, or Exalter father. However, in Genesis 17 Abram had his name changed to Abraham, when it was revealed that he would be the father of the Hebrew nation. Jacob means ‘he grasps the heal’ or ‘supplanter’, illustrating both the nature of Jacob’s birth and his character as he grew into a young man. However, after Jacob had spent the night wrestling with God (see Genesis 32), he was given a new name: Israel, meaning ‘He struggles with God’, or ‘Triumphant with God’. Simon came to be known as Peter (‘The Rock’), Saul came to use the name Paul, and there are many more examples. Names are important!
together churches and ministries internationally in order to see lost people be transformed into fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
“An everexpanding family of God’s people expressing the Kingdom of God in how we care for, support and encourage each other. This is family!”
But we are more than just an organisation. Jesus Christ has called us to care for each other as if we are one big family. We express that care in practical ways, such as when we raise money to provide clean water in Since the launch of our ministry Africa, leadership training many years ago in Africa, materials in India and so on. We Kingfisher has been called also express the understanding of Kingfisher Network. The vision that God gave us 25 years ago was family when we pray together, as we are doing this April 10th with to be a network of churches, our International Day of Prayer. initially around Gloucester, but ultimately around the world. Today Family is a good description of who we are, whether that family is that network has expanded to to be found in a village in include the UK, Malawi, Mozambique, in the middle of a Mozambique, India and, this year, city in India, in a rural community we welcome The Philippines. But does the word ‘Network’ still best in The Philippines, expressed in the describe us? On an organisational work of a Social Enterprise or in a local church in Gloucester, UK. We level, it is still an adequate are family. description - we are networking
To express this, it is time for a name change. Kingfisher Network is becoming Kingfisher Family. What’s in a name? A name gives identity, reflects the plans and purposes that God has for a person or a group of people, helps us to understand how God sees us and our place in the world. Isn’t family what this fragmented, suspicious, cynical world needs? Not a carefully worked-out plan to expand around the world; not a numbers game; not just an organisation, but an everexpanding family of God’s people expressing the Kingdom of God in how we care for, support and encourage each other. This is family! So, welcome to The Kingfisher Family! I hope that you will be inspired on April 10th to join with over 6000 brothers and sisters around the world to pray for your family and the countries in which your family is living.
Sunday 10th April Our network of churches will be joining together as thousands of brothers and sisters in Christ to pray for each other, our communities and our countries, that we will see God move in power in our lives and ministries in the coming year and beyond.