SEPTEMBER 2017
ISSUE 24
K I NGFI S H E R FAMILY Disciples make disciples The major theme of this year throughout the International Kingfisher Family is that of becoming Great Commission Disciples followers of Jesus Christ that conform to the Great Commission as outlined in Matthew 28. I have been travelling around the world with the message that the ‘Pillar of cloud by day and fire by night’ (Exodus 13:21-22) is on the move and we are being challenged to get up and get moving in order to follow the pillar move in the direction that the Holy Spirit is calling us. Where is that? To become Great Commission disciples. And what is the fundamental challenge of the Great Commission? “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18 - 20, NIV) Go and make disciples. In the light of the authority that Jesus Christ has, he issued this command to those who were his disciples - Go and make disciples. Right from the beginning it was understood that disciples were expected to make disciples. And these four words had spectacular results. They sent eleven people out on a mission which resulted, within five centuries, in Christianity becoming the dominant religion of the Roman Empire, with over 7 million followers.
is evangelism. Evangelism is the announcement of the gospel, the Good News of and about Jesus Christ.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19 True evangelism is not just about getting as many people as possible to ‘make a commitment to Christ’. True evangelism is the journey of making disciples - lifelong, God-honouring followers of Jesus Christ. We don’t make disciples from a distance - the accurate translation of ‘Go and make disciples of all the nations’ is ‘disciple all the nations’, which implies a hands-on, walking-together, relationship-driven process. This, of course, is just how Jewish rabbis (Jesus included) discipled their followers, which led to the blessing: ‘May you be covered by the dust of your Rabbi’. Disciples followed their rabbi as he wandered around and were to sit so close to him that the dust that his feet stirred up would fall on those eager disciples. Discipling is a journey, a process, developed in the course of a growing relationship.
The purpose of the call to become Great Commission disciples is that those four words become embedded at the very heart of our lives too. Go How does all that translate into the and make disciples. In other real world for us? At its most basic, it words, at the heart of being a Great translates into a shift in focus - a Commission disciple of Jesus Christ
focus away from me and towards those four words, Go and make disciples. 2018 will be a year of relaunching those four words as our major focus, both here in the UK and around the world. The International Day of Prayer recently saw over 100 people commit their lives to the Lord and this is just a ‘puff of cloud’ - a small indicator of the blessing that is to come. We are moving into a season of restoring evangelism to its proper place in the life of the International Family, and just one aspect this - an aspect that will become a lot more prominent throughout 2018 - is the PLUS ONE CHALLENGE. A ‘Plus One’ is the person who is invited along to an event by someone who is already on the guest list. If you are on the guest list of Jesus Christ, then don’t just focus on that - ask yourself who your ‘Plus One’ is going to be. “Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the One Moses wrote about in the Law, the One whom the prophets foretold—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see” said Philip.” “(John 1:45-46) Three simple words - come and see and Nathanael had become Philip’s ‘Plus One’. In 2018 there are going to be plenty of opportunities to invite a ‘Plus One’ along, and plenty of prayer opportunities to back it all up. Nathanael went from being a sceptic to being a disciple to witnessing the resurrected Jesus Christ (Acts 21:2) to himself spreading the Gospel far and wide. Who knows the adventure awaiting your ‘Plus One’.
News from Kingfisher Church The time to praise is now! Real joy is a necessity and not a luxury! The Bible calls it, ‘The joy of the Lord!’ Here’s what we read in Nehemiah 8:10, “Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” Nehemiah 8:10 NLT. This summer in our morning services we have been looking at the importance of praise in our spiritual lives; that God is strong and He wants us strong as we step into this new season with him, and I believe we need a joy revelation. So many of us are failing to find joy in our circumstances and we’re searching for it in all the wrong places and as a result we are left feeling weak, dejected and sad. But that was never where our joy was meant to be located. Real joy is found in the Lord who does not change, rather than in our circumstances which always change, that’s where we need to go looking for it. The time to praise God is always now, because praising the Lord is the pathway to real joy, and that joy is the strength that you and I need to sustain us as we experience the highs and the lows of life in this world. In St Paul’s letter to the early church in Philippi, he said this, “Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of
telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.” Philippians 3:1 NLT. Whatever happens!! Rejoice in the Lord!! Is that even possible? How about when tragedy strikes? Or when we lose a loved one? Or when I lose my job? Or when illness threatens me? To rejoice in the Lord is not our natural first thought, and yet in all those circumstances what we need most is God’s supernatural strength! Well the joy of the Lord, is your strength and if we’re told to rejoice then it must be possible. Why does that safeguard our faith? Because when we can rejoice in who God is, when we rejoice about the things He has done before and what He is able to do, it gives us a better perspective. The enemy of faith is fear because fear causes us to doubt and then to look for our own solutions, which always leads us into more trouble. Praise, rejoicing in the Lord, helps us to remember and trust in our great God and to hold tightly to Him. We are commanded again, “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again— rejoice!” Philippians 4:4 NLT. To rejoice is not just a spontaneous reflex response when something
Picnic in the Forest of* Dean Last * month we held a church picnic and BBQ in the Forest of Dean. Lots of families came to enjoy some good food, great company and fun games and a lovely time was had by all!
great happens. It is a choice that we have to make regardless of the situation. Most of the time we cannot rejoice about the things we go through or the hurts we are dealing with, and I’m not suggesting that we push all those feelings down, paint a smile on our faces and pretend everything is ok when it isn’t. I’m not advocating living in denial. But I do believe that even when we are sad or fearful or upset we can still make the choice to rejoice… in the Lord, that He is still there, that He has not changed, that He does not panic and He is always enough, that because of Him our pain is not futile, our past is not fatal and our future is secure. Listen again, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT. It is God’s will for you because it will keep you stable and spiritually strong, it will instil His peace into you like nothing else can, it is His strength to sustain you for the whole journey. Sign up for my daily text or go read it on the church website (Monday to Friday). Pastor Ollie
News from Kingfisher Church YOUR KINGDOM COME! Kingfisher Family Leaders’ Conference 21st October 2017, 10am - 4pm If you are a leader in Kingfisher church you are invited to the annual Leaders’ Conference on 21st October. Come and be refreshed by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, refilled to serve his Kingdom purposes.
impacting lives today. God’s Kingdom - his rule, his authority, his presence is changing lives on an unprecedented scale around the world, and we pray ‘Your Kingdom
This year our major focus has been raising up Great Commission Disciples. As we hear examples from around the world of the Holy Spirit raising up disciples of Christ and sending them out into the harvest field, come and be inspired and equipped to take up the Great Commission challenge - ‘GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES’. Those four words had a seismic impact on this planet 2000 years ago and they are still powerfully
Adventures Through the Wardrobe For a week in August the hall was transformed into a winter wonderland for our annual children’s holiday club, which this year was based on the film The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Using the Narnia theme, together with lots of team games, competitions, drama, singing, dancing and stories, the Christian message was creatively told throughout the week. Rachael Bennett and her team worked tirelessly to provide a fantastic week for 150 children, and Joe Blake even managed to get involved despite being in Africa at the time!
Come!’ as we respond to the challenge ‘Go and make disciples’. During this conference we are gong to be inspired to see how our Connect groups and ministry teams can be encouraged and equipped to take up this command and to encourage one another to believe for a great harvest. Your Kingdom Come! Send the workers out into the harvest fields, authorised, equipped and believing for a great harvest in 2018! Don’t miss this amazing conference, which will also be live streamed on the internet.
News from Kingfisher Treasure Seekers The success of the Treasure Seekers Hub The Treasure Seekers Hub down in Westgate Street has now been open for four months and has seen incredible growth in visitors, especially over the summer holidays. The Make and Take space has been inundated with makers with back to back full sessions every day. Everyone who has been in has been amazed at the choice on offer for things to make and always comment on the exceptional value for money and therefore the word is spreading as people are recommending us to their friends and family. We’ve seen some really positive reviews on social media which is incredibly encouraging but the best part of everyone coming to do a make and take is that they are getting to hear about the rest of Treasure Seekers and what we do as a social enterprise which is essentially what the Hub is all about. It’s an exciting time!
and the Cavern as people from the Hub are visiting them too. Also the views and followers on both the website and our Facebook page have been increasing every week. If you are looking for something to do in the holidays and want to volunteer in a fast-paced craft environment have a word with Sally Collis who’s the manager at the Hub to find out more.
People visiting the Hub has had a positive knock on effect for the shop
Two awards for Treasure Seekers! In June this year Treasure Seekers was very excited to announce that they had won two prestigious awards! The first was the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service - the MBE for voluntary organisations. Jan Burn and Katie Tucker (two of Treasure Seekers directors) were able to go to a garden party at Buckingham Palace to celebrate. Thank you to all the volunteers who play a big part in making a difference to so many peoples lives. Volunteering is such an amazing thing. Its a way of giving back to the
community, its a way of learning new skills, being better equipped to get paid jobs, to have a sense of purpose and achievement. Recently we have come to realise even more how valuable our volunteers are, and not just because we have won an award. We are seeing lives changed! Over 90% of our paid staff team started as volunteers and continue to volunteer their time. If you would like to get involved in an exciting social enterprise that’s ever growing and changing, apply on line or drop us a message on social media. The second award was won by Katie Tucker, one of our directors, who received an award at the Gloucestershire women of the year awards for community woman of the year! Katie works so hard at making sure we can provide everything that we do at Treasure Seekers and she thoroughly deserves recognition for this. Congratulations Katie!
News from Kingfisher Treasure Seekers TSPA Summer Festival Show On 13th and 14th July the Treasure Seekers Performing Arts group put on another amazing end of term show! Hundreds of people come to the Police Headquarters at Waterwells to watch this colourful summer festival put on by a cast of about 150 adults with learning disabilities. At the Friday morning show Treasure Seekers were presented with their Queens Award for Voluntary Service. TSPA will soon be rehearsing for their next end of term show which is Christmas themed and will take place on 7th and 8th December. We are always looking for more volunteers to help at TSPA so if you would like to get involved please see Craig Tucker.
News from Kingfisher Family Feedback from our International Day of Prayer All of our Kingfisher churches around the world got together on Sunday 25th June this year to pray for each others churches and nations. We have some exciting feedback from our churches in the Philippines, India and Malawi on how our prayer have been answered. News from Pastor Simon Haqq in India •
15 new believers were added to Kingfisher church in Delhi
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50 people became Christians in Shajhanpur
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God opened a door into the Eunuch community in Uttar Pradesh and many gave their lives to the Lord
Messages from Pastor Noel Delfin in the Philippines
A message from Pastor Charles Mithowa in Malawi
“Praise God, great awakening something happened in our church here in the Philippines, our place is getting small because of the people coming to God, we have now four services every Sundays and requested bible studies around the town. The leaders graduated in training are now doing great job for the expansion of ministry in different places, a breakthrough in sickness and financial needs of the members blessed by God, oh yeah what a great power from above happened, the people are rejoicing accepting Jesus in their heart, members fallen are now now returning to Jesus.... Praise God for the unity of believers praying to make a change!”
“I would like to thank God for the answered prayers as the result of your everyday prayers as well as the International day of prayers. Indeed God is doing extra-ordinary things on us, the Kingfisher Church in Malawi as well as in Mozambique. Our Church in Dedza Malawi is growing tremendously and is planting branches. Reports of many miracles and wonders are coming every time and people are freed from different oppressions and diseases. Many new places are being reached with the gospel of Jesus Christ and many people are coming to Jesus, and this is the same everywhere at our Churches in Malawi.”
“The young people who graduated from the Kingfisher Training program earlier this year have been holding weekly youth events at The Lord's Light Christian Fellowship in Rio Chico. Last Sunday, 10 teenagers gave their lives to the Lord!” The weekly youth event in the Philippines
Hurt, anger, worry, addiction, unforgiveness, guilt, shame, relationship issues; these are just some of the burdens that people carry. Many are finding an answer at Celebrate Recovery. Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centred 12step recovery programme that is helping to transform lives. It is
based on eight biblical principles which are taught over the course of a year.You can join the programme at any point throughout the year. Through weekly, structured meetings, Celebrate Recovery offers the opportunity of a new start and ongoing support for men
• Land has been purchased for the training centre to be built near the Presidential Palace which is near Dedze, which itself is near the capital Lilongwe. This is right in the area where we have been praying for God to open a way to establish a training college, so this is a great answer to prayer!
and women as they seek freedom from the ‘hurts, hangups and habits’ that have been spoiling their lives. You are very welcome to join us every Thursday at 7pm at Kingfisher Church (upstairs). For further information contact Janet Gray: 07834 521917, janetgray@blueyonder.co.uk
News from Kingfisher Church The Regeneration Project continues Our regeneration project has continued over the summer with some much needed change to our main hall. Having had the ceiling replaced and a new air-conditioning/ heating system installed earlier this year we have since removed the old information desk and repainted the whole room. The stage has been centralised and built up to give a more symmetrical look and new steps have been added
on both sides. All wiring to the stage has been reworked and now hidden underneath which makes it much tidier and more health and safety compliant. The speakers have been positioned within the stage at a height which should enhance the sound quality and we have installed two LED screens to replace our old projector. Finally, we have replaced our ‘Welcome Home’ sign above the stage. So much thanks to all those who have been involved in this phase of the project. Still to come, we are looking at upgrading the toilet facilities and decoration throughout the rest of the building. If you have skills you can offer then please contact Steve Evans and/or David Burn.
BAPTISM SERVICE
S u n d a y 8 t h O c t o b e r, 6pm If you would like to be baptised please see Pastor Ollie
News from One Eighty From September there will be a new One Eighty group during the Sunday evening service called Outlet. This will be similar to a connect group where One Eighty will be praying for each other, sharing what God is doing in their lives and looking more deeply at relevant topics e.g. prophecy, spiritual gifts, serving etc. We’ve taken 23 people to Soul Survivor this year, two of whom are new to our youth group. Look out for an article about our time at Soul Survivor in the next issue of the newsletter.
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GET INVOLVED WITH THE NEWSLETTER! In order for this newsletter to grow and develop, we need your help! If you go to any Kingfisher event and have taken a great photo, then please email it to Kirsty at info@kingfisher.org.uk. The copy deadline for the next issue (due out in December 2017) is 20th November. Or if you would like to get involved in the production of the next newsletter then email us with your particular area of interest. Hope you enjoy hearing all that is happening across the Kingfisher Family!
Kingfisher Church Moor Street Tredworth Gloucester GL1 4NJ www.kingfisher.org.uk info@kingfisher.org.uk +441452 304339 Š Kingfisher Church, 2013