Sunrise Spring 2024

SPRING 2024 £2.50 Where Sold

The Magazine of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, United Kingdom

RCCG ACQUIRES 35-ACRE CHRISTIAN CAMPGROUND IN THE UNITED KINGDOM WIND OF CHANGE MANCHESTER 1 | Sunrise Spring 2024

APRIL 2024

CONTENTS

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FROM THE GENERAL OVERSEER: LET THE WIND BLOW

8

WIND OF CHANGE: PASTOR LEKE SANUSI

10

WHAT TO DO WHEN A PROJECT FAILS

12

EDITORIAL NOTES

14

RCCG ACQUIRES 35-ACRE CHRISTIAN CAMPGROUND IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

16

ACING EVERY INTERVIEW

18

FULFILING THE MANDATE

20

BOOKS YOU JUST MUST READ

22

LIFE DOES HAPPEN

24

INTENTIONAL PARENTING CONCERNING CHILDREN’S WELL-BEING

26

FREGH

28

GRACE FOR THE ASSIGNMENT

30

MEDIA AND THE CHURCH

32

MATTERS OF THE HEART

33

JUST BEFORE COURTSHIP

34

SPORTS: OPPURTUNITY FOR EVANGELISM

36

EXTRAORDINARY MANIFESTATIONS

38

SCHOOL OF DISCIPLES

40

RCCG EVENTS

4

28

14

24 ISSN NO:2042-6542 EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-Chief: MODUPE AFOLABI Managing Editor: YINKA ODUWOLE Editor: ANDREA ONDUKU Proofreader: HENNANG AKPOKINIOVO Communications: PRINCE EKPEMANDU Photographer (RCCG Events): KUSH Designed by: IFEOLUWA SAMUEL Published by: The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Central Office, United Kingdom

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The views expressed by contributors to Sunrise are not necessarily a reflection of the official doctrinal positions of RCCG.The publisher, editors, contributors and related parties are not responsible in any way for the actions or results taken by any person, organisation or parties on the basis of reading information, stories or contributions to be found in this publication.

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facebook.com/rccgeuropecontinent | x.com/rccgeurope youtube.com/rccgeurope | instagram.com/rccgeurope All Correspondence to: Sunrise Magazine, RCCG Europe Central Office, Redemption House,Gunnels Wood Park, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage SG1 2TA

Sunrise Previous Issues: Please read digital versions at www.issuu.com/sunriseuk

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Mark 5:15-20 (KJV) 15 And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

16 And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.

17 And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.

18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.

19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.

20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.

I have good news for somebody, when the wind blows in your direction, even your relatives will be frightened of your God. The man in the story after he was healed, came to Jesus Christ and said ‘Sir, please, I want to go with you’. Jesus Christ replied and said, ‘no!

I have an assignment for you. I want you to go and become an evangelist for me’.

There are five things that can happen when the wind blows.

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1. Deliverance The first thing that happens when the wind blows is that there will be deliverance. This is because you will have an encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ, who is called the Truth. The Bible says in John 8: 32, “you shall know the truth and the truth will make you free”.

When you go through the scriptures, the first time the wind of the Holy Spirit blew was in Genesis 1:1-3. The Spirit of God began to move upon the face of the earth and God said, ‘let there be light’ and there was light. I’m believing God for someone reading this article that every force of darkness that has been operating in your life will let you go in Jesus’ name.

2. A Change of Dress The second thing that happens when the wind blows as can be seen in the case of this man, was that he had a change of dress. Until that moment, he had been walking about naked because he didn’t even know where he was.

However, when the people came to see him, they found him seated and clothed, in his right senses. I am believing God for somebody today, that you will have a change of garment!

Isaiah 61:1-3 tells us that God will give you a garment of praise instead of the spirit of heaviness. That means when the wind blows, everything that has been causing you sorrow will disappear immediately. When you read Mark 10:46-52, you will discover that the moment Blind Bartimaeus was told that Jesus was calling him, the first thing he did was to throw away his garment. Somehow, he knew that because the wind was blowing in his direction, he would never have to put on the

PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE www.eaadeboye.com

garment to shame again. I prophesy that every garment of sorrow, sickness, failure, defeat and poverty will be taken off you today in Jesus’s name.

3. A Change of Accommodation The third thing that happened to this man when the wind blew in his direction was that he had a change of accommodation. All his life he had lived in a tomb in the graveyard. As soon as the wind blew, he never slept there again. The Bible says in Colossians 1:12-13, that the Almighty God has translated us out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His Son. Today, somebody who has been dwelling in darkness will be translated into light in Jesus’ name. You are going to have a change of accommodation. Even in the physical, somebody here is going to have a change of address.

4. A Change of Company The next thing that happened when the wind blew in the direction of this man was that he had a change of company. He used to keep company with the dead. He was living among spirits and ghosts, but from that day on, his company changed. Proverbs 21:16 says ‘He that wandereth out of the path of understanding shall dwell in the congregation of the dead’.

There are some people who although are alive, are living still with the dead. This is because of their lack of understanding. I pray that your understanding of who God is, will come alive and you will have a change of company in Jesus’s name.

He had a change of company because he had encountered the One who promotes. Psalm 75:5-7 says that promotion does not come from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.

God is the one who sets up one and brings down another.

God is about to promote you. One of the things that the wind does when it blows is that it lifts.

If you want to know how the airplane can leave the ground, why it runs so fast and the reason the wings are curved; it is so that the wind can come under the wings and lift it up.

I believe that the wind is about to blow, and it will pick you up from wherever you are and take you to greater heights in Jesus’s name.

5. Destiny Is Restored The fifth thing that happened when the wind blew in the direction of this man was that his destiny was restored. When God was sending the man (from Gadara) into the world, he was to become an evangelist. The devil saw what was coming and decided to load him with demons. When the wind blew in his direction, everything changed.

In Genesis chapter 41:1-44, there is the story of Joseph who had beautiful dreams of people coming to bow down before him. Instead of finding himself on the throne, he first found himself in a pit, then as a slave, and then in prison. He would have wondered what had happened to all his dreams.

While in prison, in less than 24 hours, the wind blew in the direction of Joseph and his destiny was restored. The destiny God has for you will be fully restored!

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WIND OF CHANGE

by Pastor Leke Sanusi Continental Overseer, RCCG Europe (Continent 9) & Chairman, RCCG United Kingdom

T

here are two types of destinies in life: Windassisted destinies and wind-resisted destinies.

The wind that blew and helped the children of Israel to cross the Red Sea was the same wind that blew and drowned the army of Pharaoh. The wind assisted or helped one set of people, while the wind resisted and drowned another group of people.

There is a kind of wind that speeds and quickens the journey of aircrafts and there is another wind that slows them down.

PRAY: FATHER, LET MY DESTINY BE WIND-ASSISTED. DON’T LET IT BE WIND-RESISTED IN THE NAME OF JESUS. INTRODUCTION The wind is used biblically as a symbol of the Holy Spirit.

The wind is a very active element of nature. The wind is not visible but its works are visible. Likewise, you may not see the Holy Spirit but you can see Him in action.

He is an effective and effectual wind.

Acts 10:38 NKJV “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” WHEN THE WIND CAME DOWN A most vivid likeness of the Holy Spirit to the wind is found in the Acts of Apostles.

Acts 2:1-4 NKJV “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. [2] And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a RUSHING MIGHTY WIND, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. [3] Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. [4] And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

When the wind of the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples, a divine, dramatic and drastic transformation took place

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in their lives. This qualifies this wind as a WIND OF CHANGE indeed.

The spiritual, physical, mental and ministerial lives of the disciples took a 360 degree turn as a result of this WIND OF GLORY. For example: • The timid became the tough.

• The renegades became delegates.

• The nonentities became celebrities.

• The fearful became bold.

• The outcasts became outliers.

If we want to be all that the Lord wants us to be; if we want to fulfil our destinies and ministries; if we want to be enlisted into the mighty army of God that will ignite the fire of Revival in our Continent, we need the same spiritual transformation and change that the disciples of old experienced, as the WIND OF CHANGE blew upon them on the Day of Pentecost.

Let us consider some of those changes before we pray:

1. BACKSLIDING TO STEADFASTNESS Acts 2:14, Acts 2:32

2. POWERLESSNESS TO POWER

PRAYER ARROWS: ANCHOR SCRIPTURES Gen.1:3; Acts 1,2,3; Ezekiel 37:1-28; Romans 8:26-27; Isaiah 61:1-4; 44:1-3; Matthew 3:11; Rom.8:26; Exodus 14:1-21; 1 Cor.14:1-40.

1. Give thanks to God, the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source and the ustainer of your life. Thank him for the privilege of prayer and the mercy of answers to your petitions.

2. Thank God for the gift of the Holy Spirit and for the grace He has given for the sustenance of your prayer life.

3. Holy Spirit, please forgive me for anything I have done to grieve, quench or disobey you, whether deliberately or ignorantly.

4. Father, give me the grace to yield my spirit completely to the working of Your Spirit in my life in the name of Jesus.

5. Father, cause Your wind of change to blow over my soul right now and fill me with Your awesome power in the name of Jesus.

6. Father, baptise my soul with Your wind of change; let there be a comprehensive transformation in my spiritual life in the name of Jesus.

3. LUKEWARMNESS TO FERVENCY

7. I receive an infilling of a fresh dose of the Spirit of grace for constant and consistent spiritual progress in the name of Jesus.

4. WEAKNESS TO STRENGTH

8. Thou wind of change that blew upon the disciples on the day of Pentecost, I also invite you into my life; saturate my heart totally in the name of Jesus.

Acts 3:6-8

Revelation 3:15-16 NKJV, 1 Corinthians 14:4a

Judges 6:15 NKJV, Judges 6:34

5. PRAYERLESSNESS TO PRAYERFULNESS Acts 4:31 NKJV, Romans 8:26 AMPC, Zechariah 12:10

6. OPPRESSION TO TOTAL LIBERTY Isaiah 61:3 NKJV, Acts 5:40-41

7. MIRACLE

RECEIVERS GIVERS Isaiah 32:15-17

TO

MIRACLE

9. Father, make me a carrier of Your wind of change to all the nations of the world in the name of Jesus.

(Excerpts from a Sermon Booklet by Pastor Leke Sanusi distributed at the Continental Pastors’ Assembly 2024 held in the United Kingdom from 11th to 12th January 2024)

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WHAT TO DO WHEN A PROJECT FAILS

F

ailure is one word no one wants to be associated with, but whether we like it or not, at one point or another, it will be experienced.

If failure has ever occurred in your life and you TRULY want to get out of it, and not accept it as final, then carry on reading. Generally speaking, as long as you have breath in your nostrils, failure is inevitable, but so is SUCCESS. For the purpose of this article, we shall focus on FAILURE. We shall look at what it is, what it is not, the lessons to learn and how to recover from it. These principles are applicable to us in the Ministry, Marketplace and in other Spheres of life CASE STUDY King David of Israel. (2 Samuel 6:1-end) 10 | Sunrise Spring 2024

What is Failure? It is; • The lack of success

• What could have been done to prevent it?

• Inability to achieve ones’ desired goals.

• What do you need to do differently?

• It is an event.

CASE STUDY

(This is not an exhaustive list)

KING DAVID’s failed project.

CAUSES • Ineffective communication • Poor planning • Inappropriate assigned roles

Once upon a time, a great man whose life I deeply admire embarked on a laudable project called “ORA” - OPERATION RETRIEVE the ARK.

(This is not an Exhaustive list) WHAT FAILURE IS NOT • It is not FINAL, (but to accept it as FINAL is to FINALLY Fail) • Apparent failure is not ultimate failure • It’s revelatory and calls for reflection, a review of processes and a restart.

• Think about how the failure you experienced occurred.

It was to retrieve the Ark of the Lord from Abinadab’s house where it had resided for 20 years.

In the beginning, it was a burden to him as the Project Manager. It later became a vision and was now about to become a reality. With excitement he chose 30,000 men to work with him on Project ORA. (2 Samuel 6:2)

He knew what he wanted, he knew where to find it and he knew where to take it to…….

His strategy was well planned out.

the blame game, and the list could go on.

The ark of the Lord was eventually picked up and successfully laid on a new cart. Two gentlemen, Uzzah and Ahio were delegated to manage the vehicle transporting this magnificent sacred object. It must have been an awesome and prestigious opportunity to assume this admirable role.

Be still and know that He is God.

What a big breakthrough, what a triumph, what a Joy. Different types of instruments were being played and of course where there is music, dancers will abound. (Verse 5) Suddenly, amidst of the celebration, there was the sound of lamentation. In anticipation of tranquillity, turbulence showed up.

Disaster struck; a death had occurred.

This was fatality at the fun fare.

OMG!!!!! King David’s appointed co labourer, team member, Operations Manager, Uzzah had been killed by God. Reason being a spiritual error he had inadvertently or carelessly committed. (Verse 6&7) So, without any announcement, the instruments fell silent, the instrumentalists’ hands became stayed and the dancers were subdued. King David, the Project Manager, displeased and afraid; detached himself instantly from the project. (Verses 8-10.)

Understandably so! He was displeased with God, angry at the situation and afraid of what people would say. Their questions left unanswered, awkward silences, people’s stares, murmurings, wailing,

How do you handle these as a leader?

Be in control, be calm!!!!

An incident and an accident had to be reported. The news had to be reported to the relevant people. A body had to be buried, people’s emotions had to be managed.

This was not part of the plan, I can almost hear someone muttering; but doesn’t life happen to us all?

The process had been disrupted, the drawing board now needed to be consulted, the door of mercy had to be knocked on. Heaven had to be bombarded and the Giver and Taker of life, God Almighty had to be petitioned.

King David had two options; to officially and sentimentally terminate the project or to relaunch.

What would you have done?

It may look like he abandoned the project, but he didn’t.

After 90 days, he returned to the House of Obededom with a renewed mindset, a paradigm shift and a “can do” spirit to continue on what he had since started.

a different person mentally, spiritually and physically, things began to happen.

• The cart bearers were nameless and were different people. (Verse 13 as opposed to Verse 3) • He did things differently.

After 6 steps, he would pause to sacrifice unto the Lord.

(Verse 13 as opposed to to verse 3.)

• He publicly danced unashamedly with all his might. (Verse 14 as opposed to verse 5.)

• Only the sound of the trumpet was heard. Verse 13 as opposed to verse 5.

LESSONS LEARNT • Admit the situation.

• Assess how and why it went wrong.

• Address it differently.

CONCLUSION Remember that when you embark on any project, develop an indomitable spirit to; • Commence well • Continue hard • Complete strong Thank you for reading, and God bless.

It was simply a SET BACK that would lead to a COMEBACK. It was a STEP UP; but death, disruption and disappointments were not going to push him into the dark and deep valley of defeat.

He retreated for 90 days in order to advance.

As a leader you cannot afford to shrink at failure. You are to Stand up to it and end on the note of success.

When King David returned as

• Modupe Afolabi Special Assistant to the Europe Continental Overseer (Administration) Executive Continental Director.

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Editorial Notes

S

ong of Solomon 2:1112 (NKJV) says “For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone.

The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.

types of rain. Winter rain denotes darkness and misery but spring rain brings refreshing and hope.

Whatever you are going through at the moment is to refresh you. Keep your hope alive by trusting that you are in a season of His favour!

Of course, the season being described here is spring.

Spring is the season that follows winter and brings with it a time when flowers bloom, a new sense of hope springs forth and birds begin to sing.

Many wonderful articles in this edition of Sunrise will empower you to do just that, to keep your hope burning brightly.

Whatever has gone before is in the past, the winter of your life has gone and a new season has arrived! The Wind of Favour is blowing! It is time to rejoice!

Proverbs 16:15 (NLT) says “When the king smiles, there is life; his favour refreshes like spring rain”.

The first text says, that the “winter is past and the rain is over and gone” yet this second scripture says “His favour refreshes like spring rain”. This is not a contradiction, One kind of rain has gone and another has arrived. It highlights the truth that there are different

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Proverbs 23:18 says “You will be rewarded for this; your hope will not be disappointed”.

Trust in the Lord and you will never be disappointed. Read through Sunrise and pick up all the Spiritual guidance and practical solutions that are needed to succeed in all spheres of your life.

Remember that this is your magazine. If you would like anything to be included or you have questions for the Ask Andrea Column, you can write an email to: info@sunrisemagazine.org.

Remain Blessed in His Favour,

• Andrea Onduku Editor

Facebook/Instagram/ Twitter @AndreaOnduku www.mattersofheart.org

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IT IS THE

LORD’S DOING!

RCCG acquires 35-acre Christian Campground in the United Kingdom

F

or over two decades, RCCG had desired to have a campground in the United Kingdom (UK). Our vision for an RCCG Christian Camp in the UK was inspired by the prophetic vision of our spiritual leader Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye who, over 40 years ago, was also led by the Lord to acquire a camp site in Nigeria which has grown to become Redemption City, by God’s grace.

The Lord had told our General Overseer that He will give RCCG a campground here in the UK. In pursuit of this vision, the Mission purchased more than 100 acres of undeveloped land in Kent, UK more than twenty years ago but was unable to develop it due to planning permission issues. We still own the woodland, which is so treasured for the wildlife and wild habitats which it holds.

Our search for an alternative property, however, became intense in the last couple of years and 14 | Sunrise Spring 2024

when we heard that Ellel Pierrepont Centre owned by Ellel Ministries was on offer for sale, very prayerful negotiations soon resulted in an agreement which led to RCCG UK buying the property. In November 2023, Ellel successfully completed the sale of its Christian campground to RCCG. Located in Farnham, approximately 36 miles south-west of London, RCCG Redemption Camp had been used by Ellel Ministries as a religious residential learning and teaching institution. Our viewpoint is that the same way Ellel Trust was entrusted with the Pierrepont Estate for a season, God is now entrusting this valuable Kingdom asset to another set of His children, which is RCCG. The property covers a substantial parcel of land which is home to about 80,000 square feet of buildings, comprising lecture rooms, conference halls, offices, residential accommodation for

visitors and staff, along with several ancillary structures such as a swimming pool, tennis court, sports field and other facilities. RCCG commits to keeping this campground for God’s purposes.

trusteeship of Ellel Pierrepont Estate. We believe that the Pierrepont Estate belongs to God, who in His infinite wisdom, has now chosen us in RCCG to keep the property for Kingdom purposes.

Valued at £6.5 million when it was initially put up for sale by Ellel Ministries, God granted us favour with the previous owners regarding lowering of the asking price and touched the hearts of many RCCG churches, pastors, ministers, workers, and members who gave generously towards buying the property. The generosity of our spiritual parents was also extraordinary.

In the same way Ellel Trust was entrusted with the Estate for over 20 years, RCCG under the leadership of our General Overseer Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye will continue the legacy of keeping it as a place of salvation and healing.

On completion of the sale of Ellel Pierrepont Estate to RCCG, our Continental Overseer for RCCG Europe Continent Pastor Leke Sanusi said: “It is with great joy that RCCG receives the

Indeed, this purchase of Ellel Pierrepont Estate

by RCCG is a fulfilment of God’s promise to our General Overseer that He will give us a Campground here in the United Kingdom that is like the Redemption City of God in Nigeria, where multitudes go to worship the Lord, get saved, healed, delivered, and discipled to become followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

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Acing Every

Interview

S

o, congratulations! Hundreds (sometimes thousands) of applications have been sifted and the recruiters have offered you an interview opportunity. This is a very important step in you clinching that role that you have dreamt about. It would determine whether you would be walking through the doors or standing outside on the pavement.

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Now, what are you going to do to ensure that you not only do well, but also convince the recruiting manager that you are the BEST candidate for the role? Here are some tips.

1. Revisit the job application and reread the role description and the person specification. 90% of your interview questions will be from there. Most people apply for roles and completely forget about them, and when they are invited for an interview, they can’t even remember.

I will strongly suggest that you create a spreadsheet of all your applications, capturing all important details for reference if you are invited for an interview.

2. Research the organisation and learn about their vision, mission, values, culture, financial reports, and any other relevant information. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the recruiting manager whose details are usually provided. There is nothing like a stupid question. If you are in doubt, please ASK. I recommend taking it a step further and looking for someone who is already in that kind of role or function and asking for a chat.

This is invaluable, as they would be able to provide you with insights from a market/ industry perspective that you may not have.

Please don’t say you don’t know anyone; platforms such as LinkedIn or Glassdoor are valuable resources. Reach out to complete strangers and you will be amazed at how willing people are to share their knowledge and experience to help others.

3. Prepare specific and clear examples of past experiences that are relevant to the competences clearly described in the job description. All interview’ answers must be in the STAR format. a. S – Situation. Your answer must be able to describe a particular situation or time where there was a problem that needed solving.

For example, my employer needed to review staff costs as this was the biggest cost item in our portfolio. b. T – Task. You must state clearly what your own task was in the team that you were fully responsible for. For example, I was tasked with creating a dashboard that could clearly show absence rates across the organization over the last 5 years in each department.

c. A – Action. This is where you are demonstrating HOW you completed your task. This will take the bulk of the answer and don’t hold back on details. Mention specific things like tools used such as Excel, SQL, PowerPoint, MS Teams for Standups etc and what you used those tools for. The stage is yours, so please put up a good performance. d. R – Result. This is where you show off. In a measurable way, demonstrate what your contribution did to help solve the problem described in the situation mentioned above.

For example, there was 30% decrease in staff sickness reports by the end of the year, as the root cause of stress had been identified and eliminated.

4. Ensure that you have questions for the interviewing panel. I recommend preparing one question for each panel member. You will know how many people are on the panel from the invite (most times). Don’t make your questions too generic, try and be specific. For example, asking why the role is available or asking for a description of the team you would be working in if successful.

This sends positive vibes to the recruiter. It shows you are interested and keen to get onboard. Never leave an interview without asking the panel questions.

5. Whatever the outcome of the interview (whether you are successful or not), please ask for feedback. Feedback is a gift, whether positive or negative. It is a first-hand information on your areas of improvement that will enable you do better at the next opportunity you get. Every interview is a unique experience, and it provides a chance to do better next time. Please don’t despise this gift, take it in good faith and use it. You will be better for it.

This list of tips is not exhaustive but continuous learning and personal development are the keys to exceptional performance. You can add the tips in this article to the ones you already know or take them as a starting point. What matters is not stopping at anything until you achieve that goal or dream you have in your heart. Everything is possible to them that believe.

• Adetola Ayenitaju

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Fulfilling the Mandate

The economy worldwide is hitting hard on institutions, industries, and businesses, big and small.

The global economic crisis coupled with the increasing natural disasters that have taken lives and properties in recent times are a great cause for concern. The statistics for this year 2024 alone are worrying. Evidently, the perilous times are here, and we cannot debunk the empirical realities. In the book of Isaiah 60:2-3, the scripture says “for behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen over you……..The gentiles shall come to your light and kings to the brightness of your rising”. Amid the darkness that envelopes the world, God is still manifesting Himself as the God of light to His people so that His glory may shine forth through them to be the light that dispels darkness.

A

s Christians, we are to have a global impact and influence wherever we might find ourselves.

This could be in our local communities, places of work, schools etc. We can influence and make an change within the sphere of our immediate environment. God has planted us as Christians in different parts of the world with the mandate of reaching out to those who are still groping in the dark. His desire is that they may come to the saving knowledge of God and receive the light of life through Christ Jesus. Our lives as Christians should reflect the light of God so that people will see and be drawn to it (Matthew 5:16). In Matthew 5: 13-14, Jesus used the metaphor ‘salt and light’ to describe us as Christians. As salt, we are to counteract the power of sin. This means that as His disciples or followers of Jesus, we are to serve as preservatives in bringing to a halt the moral decadence in our sin-infested world and as the light we are to illuminate or make visible. Our faith in Christ is not to be hidden. A city set on the hill cannot be hidden (Mathew 5:14), our faith should not be private to us as individuals and neither 18 | Sunrise Spring 2024

should it be hidden. Our faith should be relational where we become a living witness of God’s love and faithfulness.

There are different kinds of light depending on their brightness and luminosity.

It is God’s will that our light shines brighter and brighter even on to the perfect day when Jesus will be revealed.

The overwhelming economic downturn and the various unpalatable happenings around the world are posing a great challenge to the body of Christ and the mandate before us seems to be an impossible feat. Health issues, debt, delayed aspirations, disappointments of all sorts, marital challenges, identity crises, the list is overwhelming. The love of God for many is growing colder with each passing day.

The thick darkness around us is seeking to becloud the brightness of our light and we must not give in. In John 1:5, the scripture says, “And the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it”. This scripture must be made manifest in our daily experience as we wrestle with the forces of darkness in all areas of our lives. A few amongst many are listed below:

Your Walk with God - The scripture admonishes us to walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise….(Ephesians 5:15). To walk circumspectly means to live wisely and cautiously. Our walk with God should be one of moderation, simplicity, faith, and praise.

Our lifestyle must bring glory to God in our conduct and speech. As ministers of the gospel and followers of Jesus, we’re not just called to preach the word, we’re also called to live the word so that we can become epistles that other people can read.

Our lives must be filled with the evidence of good works that will bring glory to Jesus.

Our prayer life and intimacy with God are also pertinent to our walk with Him. The more we spend quality time with God, the more we reflect His glory and likeness. We cannot successfully shine as light without a consistent prayer life. Our altar of prayer must be kept glowing with fire daily so that the accuser of the brethren will not find anything against us. Our identity in Christ should not be compromised on the altar of prayerlessness and careless living to give the enemy a foothold.

Your Ministry - In Ephesians 4:11, the scriptures enumerated the fivefold ministry which included Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers. The purpose of the fivefold ministry is to equip the people of God for the work of the ministry and to edify the body of Christ. Apart from this fivefold ministry, there are other areas where we can render acceptable services to God. You can deliberately look for a need in the church of God and meet the need, bringing in your skills and creativity. Put your giftings to use, there is something God has deposited in you to be a blessing to the body of Christ. While you wait for that set time of favour, serve the Lord with the whole of your heart. Give yourself wholly to the work that God has committed to your hands. There is always room to grow and do more exploits for the Lord, the pressure around you should not be a barrier to your rising and shining.

Your Passion for Lost Souls - Our mandate as Christians is to bring lost souls into the kingdom of God. We need to continue to light

the world around us with the gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We are saved to serve in diverse capacities to bring others to the kingdom. Love is one key component that can fuel your passion for lost souls. The Bible says love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 1:8). Often, we get discouraged by the lifestyle of the people we need to snatch from the jaws of death, but the love of God will constrain us to be persistent and make use of every door of opportunity to speak the word of life and declare the counsel of God. There are evangelical departments in our churches who are devoted to reaching out to our communities with the good news. There are parts of the world where missionaries are working to reach the lost. Some of us may not necessarily go to the mission fields but we can

support the work through prayers and giving.

We can also have a personal commitment to win souls for Christ in our neighbourhoods, and places of work, always looking for ways and strategies to convey the good news to others.

The light of the gospel of Christ must continue to shine through us to the world around us.

For some of us, we must return to our first love where the love of God was paramount above all else. Where there was that burning desire to serve the Lord with all our hearts and strength. When we loved to spend and be spent for the gospel and when we had vibrant prayer lives that posed a big threat to the kingdom of darkness. The question is where has all that zeal gone? The brightness of light depends on the source of the energy that is fuelling it. The Holy Spirit is our energizer, the grace to shine amid darkness is still available. We need to be properly plugged in and connected to the Holy Spirit to guide, strengthen, and empower us to keep shining.

In Romans 8: 19, the scripture says, “For the creation waits in eager expectation for the

children of God to be revealed”. The world is waiting for the revealing of the people of God who are the carriers of the light that will bring them out of darkness into His marvellous light.

We cannot afford to be complacent in this end time, we must arise. We need to cry out for the fire of revival to fall upon the church of God worldwide so we can continue to be the torchbearers. Our light will no longer go dim but will become brighter and brighter in fulfilling the Lord’s mandate so that the world will come to the brightness of our rising. Amen!

• Ekpen Happiness Onasanya For more inspirational articles and words of encouragement.

Visit my blog: https://www.lifearticles.org

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2 Timothy 2:15 KJV advises us to: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”.

Books are tools that God can use to speak to us about Himself and about our circumstances. Below are some recommended titles for you to discover and enjoy.

For these books and many others, please visit the Redemption Store via: www.redemptionstore.church

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The Beacon of In the realm where darkness once held, A glimmer of hope begins to play, For in the heart of every soul, Resides a light that makes it whole.

Hope

Like a beacon high on a hill, Guiding lost ships with a radiant thrill, So does Christ’s light within us shine, A beacon of hope, divine and fine.

Illuminating the path we walk, Banishing fears that fill our thoughts, With every step, we find our way, As Christ’s light turns night into day.

In our hearts, His presence is found, Transforming darkness all around, From the kingdom of shadows, we’re set free, Into the kingdom of light, we rejoice!

For darkness cannot conquer light, It flees in fear.

Only light can drive out the night, In Jesus’ presence, all is set right.

As the Word of God, a lamp to our feet, Guides us along life’s streets, In the face of Christ, we find our path, A light to dispel the world’s dark wrath.

We’re children of light, in the Lord we reside, With His grace as our eternal guide, As His light shines within us, We share His love forevermore.

So let your light, like a lamp, ignite, Illuminate the world with love so bright, Shine before others, let them see, In the Chapel of Grace.

In every good deed, in every way, We glorify God, come what may, For His light in us, a gift so grand, Shining His love across the land.

So remember, brethren, as you journey through life, You’re a beacon of hope in this world of strife, With Christ’s light within, forever ablaze, You’re shining His love, in countless ways.

In the realm where darkness once held, A glimmer of hope begins to play.

• Josa Osa-Oni

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LifeDoesHappen

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t would be difficult for me to talk about light without any mention of darkness.

The dictionary describes it as the “natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible”.

I haven’t always been afraid of darkness but I think it started when I was about 8 or 9 years old. I remember quite vividly being on holiday at my friend Elizabeth’s house. They had moved away from Jos and were now in Yola.

She had a big brother who was reading this book entitled “Ghosts go Haunting”. I had no clue what the book was about and wasn’t in the least bit interested. Her brother however decided to gather us children for stories, it was “Ghosts go Haunting”. I can’t remember the story line, but it left me absolutely terrified.

That night, I had a nightmare that had me screaming down the house. I could have sworn that the ghost in the story had come by my bedside with a lantern on its head. The whole house woke up to my scream. Just my luck too, the electricity went off and we were plunged into darkness. Eli’s dad had to grab his torch light and search round the girls’ room to ensure no ghost was lurking anywhere.

The next day, I observed some little footprints in the concrete floor on the upstairs balcony.

That was my unshaken evidence that the ghost had been in the house. Looking back now, it’s actually hilarious to think that I had believed that the ghost had made footprints on hard concrete. That’s the power of fear. It makes the ridiculous seem real. I could easily equate fear with darkness as against light with knowledge. Somehow, I found out that I had become afraid of being alone in the dark, especially at night.

as a child and never thought anything of it.

I’m not sure where this new fear came from but I assume it could have been because of my interest in Air Crash Investigations on TV. I was so fascinated by the documentaries and got quite knowledgeable about things that could go wrong mid-air. In one episode, there was a spring that got worn out in the tail of the plane that led to its crashing.

Almost everyone died and the few survivors were traumatised. In another, the tyres didn’t come out at the right time and resulted in a fatal crash. For another, it was an unseen fire that started in the propellers under the wings. I had an overload of information that I really didn’t need, and it wasn’t doing me much good. Every time I stepped on a plane, this encyclopaedia of dark knowledge would start running through my mind. I could never ever choose a window seat but if by some misfortune I was assigned one, I would nicely offer it to the centre person. Left to me, the window shutter would forever remain pulled down. As much as possible, I would try not to look through the window.

It always seemed like we were forever flying over some ocean. Yes, I would imagine crashing into the ocean. Sometimes I would debate which one would be better, the ocean or the mountains? To be honest, neither was good but I felt I might have stood a better chance with the mountains seeing I could hardly swim.

The worst would be the turbulent flights. Oh, I hated them. How could people sit calmly and watch films when we were about to crash?

How could anyone sleep? Sometimes I would literally start trembling with fear. Other times I would get a runny stomach.

Fear is truly a torment. I was in a battle, and I needed a winning strategy. Nobody really knew what I was going through except my family. It was always a relief when we came in for the landing as the knots in my stomach would loosen. I had survived another trip.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the end of my romance with fear as I was later plagued by the fear of flying. I had always loved flying 22 | Sunrise Spring 2024

I remember a particularly turbulent flight returning from a visit to my mum in Jos, Nigeria. It was a six-and-a-half-hour flight and halfway through, I started crying quietly in my seat. I was so fed up and tired of being afraid of flying. I told God, “I can’t continue like this. You have to do something”. This is not normal. How can an adult be so terrified of flying? I looked at the cabin crew and

wondered why anyone would ever choose such a dangerous career. I wondered how they could bear to fly almost every day out of choice. I eventually asked one of the ladies, a young pretty girl from Birmingham. I asked her if she loved her job. Her face said it all, it lit up. She said she couldn’t imagine doing anything else. She had been flying for about two years and was looking forward to many more years. My heart sank even lower. I thought she was absolutely not well.

I also remember when we went to Malaga on a family holiday. This time around, I had my husband and three children with me. I told them I was fine and that fear was a thing of the past, I was speaking by faith. It was a short flight and I loved it, 2.5 hours only. The return flight was a bit bumpy, and my family members were giving me some concerned looks. Looking at their faces, I could see their serious concern and it upset me. My daughter turned across from her seat and smiled at me. I snapped at her, “what? I’m fine”. My husband put his arms around me comfortingly, I snapped again, “I’m fine”.

When we got home, my daughter said, “Mum you didn’t look fine to me”. I burst out laughing, we were now home.

scriptures I liked were Is 41:10 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” “...But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed the, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called the by thy name; thou art mine.

Is 43:1-2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”

I remember my 9-hour flight to Florida. As I sat in my seat, a wave of fear swept over me. I just calmly started speaking to myself.

“Hennang, you have a sound mind. You don’t have a spirit of fear. Your life is hidden in Christ and in God. God is with you; He is not a liar. He will protect you, through the waters, over the Atlantic Ocean, He will not allow anything to harm you.”

The battle line had been drawn. Every time the fear started welling up, I would go through the same routine until I felt better.

By now, I had stopped watching Air Crash Investigations. I started looking at scriptures from the Bible that promised me protection.

Some of my favourite ones were: 2 Tim 1:7 “For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

This verse confirmed to me that the fear was a reality and I needed to deliberately refuse its operation in my life. I started concentrating my efforts on learning the promises of God to me and speaking them out to myself. I printed them off and kept them visible around the house. The more time I spent reading them, the more their truths became real to me. I began to have hope. I was daring to believe that deliverance was in sight. Some other

Fear is a terrible task master. I rejoice with everyone who has never been plagued by it.

It can be completely irrational and senseless.

For some, it might not be the fear of darkness or of flying. It could be the fear of failure or of not meeting up with peoples’ expectations.

The principle to combat fear remains largely the same. Fear steals our peace, steals our joy and steals our equilibrium. The solution is in the renewing of our mind. People can be kept hostage by what they have wrongly believed.

Don’t believe a wrong narrative. Don’t allow it to play and replay in your head. Sing a new song. Let the light shine in and dispel the darkness of your mind. Search out the Truth in the Bible.

• Hennang Akpokiniovo For more real life stories, please visit my blog: https://www.lifedoeshappen.co.uk/ 23 | Sunrise Spring 2024

Intentional Parenting Concerning Children’s Well-Being

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he Bible says: “Arise and shine for thy light has come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee” (Isaiah 60:1). God wants us to shine our light as children of God on earth. We can agree that children are not left out because God did not specify any age limit in this scripture.

Therefore, the light of God is meant to shine in all aspects of their lives so that they can exhibit God’s glory.”

One important aspect of every child’s life is their health. Their physical, social emotional and mental health will all contribute to their well-being and the ability to shine forth the light of God. This means that parents must be intentional about ensuring the psychological well-being of their children.

How can we tell if our children’s emotional or psychological well-being has been compromised? The signs can be when children no longer have a positive attitude and do not feel like doing their daily activities. They may be experiencing stress, depression, anxiety, an eating disorder, insomnia or panic attacks.

These could lead them down the path of selfharm, addictions, or suicide, amongst others.

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Below is a brief checklist of things that you should look out for in your child, the red flags or warning signals:

1. Talking about topics, movies, and language relating to death or suicide more often.

2. Thoughts of suicide 3. No sign of empathy 4. Unprompted outbursts of anger.

5. Being reluctant to talk 6. Being more clingy 7. Isolation from friends and family 8. Difficulty concentrating 9. Obsessive behaviours 10. Sibling rivalry 11. Low self-esteem 12. Anxiety, worry, panic or fear of the unknown or the future 13. Ongoing medically unexplained health problems.

14. Rapid weight loss 15. Poor academic performance

If you see any of these red flags, what should you do?

1. Talk to your child to ask them what is worrying them and when it started.

Their current state might have been triggered by another event that you may not be aware of. Dealing with the root cause might be enough for symptoms to ease.

2. After talking with them, ascertain whether it is something that you can help them with or if they need to see a doctor.

3. Don’t hesitate to seek professional help. If you can take them to the G.P. for a physical problem, why not for an emotional or psychological issue?

4. Follow the advice and/or treatment plan for the duration of time as advised.

Other strategies you could use at home include: 1. Provide positive feedback and encouragement. Don’t always blame the child.

2. Set clear boundaries.

3. Keep your communication open and honest always.

4. Share your own experiences and testimonies with them. This lets them know that you were once their age. That you faced challenges, made mistakes and were able to push through. It helps them learn coping mechanisms from your experiences.

5. Confidence Boosting, empowering children to make decisions and set goals within boundaries can increase their confidence.

6. Ensure that children know how much they are loved by God, their parents and their siblings. Let them know that God wants us to love ourselves knowing that He has made us just the way He wants us to be.

7. Teach them to have a positive mindset.

Prov 23:7a says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he”. When their thoughts are negative, their decisions about themselves become unhealthy.

• Sarah Agbelusi

Director, Cradlers Cot

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Grace for the Assignment An examination of the role of God’s grace in the life of the Apostle Paul In Galatians 1:13 the Apostle Paul says, “For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it.”

In Philippians 3:5-6, he says “I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.”

He was once a Pharisee (Acts 23:6; 26:5), the same ones that Jesus called a ‘Brood of Vipers’ in Matthew 12:34.

Jesus condemned them because of their arrogance, they had become so proud of their adherence to religion at the expense of suffering people around them.

In Acts, Paul (or Saul as he was then known) stood by and watched the stoning of Stephen by an angry mob (Acts 7:58; 8:1) and ‘voted’ for the death of followers of Jesus (Acts 26:10).

Acts 8:3 says “As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.”

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Saul believed his actions were in the name of God and were for the good of others. But he was passionate about the wrong thing. He had not stopped to ask God if what he was zealous about was the same agenda as God’s agenda.

When the genuineness of Paul’s conversion became apparent, everyone was amazed and gave God glory. Galatians 1:23- 24 says “But they were hearing only, He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.

And they glorified God in me”.

We can never understand the teachings of Apostle Paul unless we come to terms with the radical transformation that occurred in his person, which turned him from a persecutor into a proclaimer. He had a radical revelation of God’s grace.

It is only when we reflect on the grace that we have received yet didn’t deserve that we can be sold out for God. As long as we revel in our achievements and how good we are, we will always pursue that instead of God. We can only have confidence in God’s good work within us which He is perfecting.

Paul kept the grace of God forever in his consciousness 1 Tim. 1:16 “But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use

me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life”.

For Apostle Paul, grace was an event, not merely a doctrine, as it should be for us to. He believed that God saved him as a prime example of how God can have mercy on the worst sinner.

How would our lives be different if we kept the mercy of God at the forefront of our minds every day?

For Apostle Paul, the revelation of God’s mercy led him to be a sold out and unstoppable soul winner and missionary.

Apostle Paul knew his assignment: Indeed he said in 1 Corinthians 1:17 “For Christ didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News—and not with clever speech, for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power”.

Apostle Paul knew what he had to SACRIFICE to complete the assignment: In 1 Corinthians 9:1, he said, “Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ”.

Apostle Paul understood the WHY In 2 Corinthians 5:11, he said, “Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too”.

In Colossians 1:29, he said, “We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me”.

Apostle Paul knew the WHAT He was determined to preach the gospel where no apostle had gone before. In Romans 15:20-21, he says “My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else. 21 I have been following the plan spoken of in the Scriptures, where it says, “Those who have never been told about him will see, and those who have never heard of him will understand.”

He was Divinely compelled to preach the gospel, “Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t preach the Good News” (1 Cor. 9:16).

We too must know what we are meant to do as well as where and when. What has God compelled you to do?

Are you doing it? Do you know your assignment, do you understand the sacrifice you will have to make, do you know the why and the how?

Apostle Paul was willing to surrender everything for the cause of Jesus, for the Kingdom. Paul’s experience of persecution, hardship and suffering is inspiring because he never gave up.

He says in 2 Corinthians 1:510 “For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort

God gives us. We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. 9 In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us”.

For Paul, then, suffering is part of the Christian life. By his example, he pointed out the way to the prize for patient endurance. After he had been seven times in chains, had been driven into exile, had been stoned, and had preached in the East and in the West, he departed from the world having become an outstanding example of patient endurance.

Apostle Paul never got over the fact that he had been saved by the same God he once opposed zealously in his persecution of Christians.

For Paul, grace is an event he experienced on the road to Damascus (Galatians 1:1), and it compels him to try to save as many as possible (1 Corinthians 9:22). God’s grace is the reason Paul considers his death as ‘gain’ (Philippians 1:21), and why his identity was bound up with the cross of Christ (Galatians 2:19-20).

I believe that if we also keep the saving grace of God at the forefront of every day and activity then we will have the same zeal for whatever assignment that God has given us in our relationships and ministry.

• Andrea Onduku (RCCG Chapel of Grace, Bradford) 29 | Sunrise Spring 2024

Media and the Church

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he relationship between religion, media, and the Church holds significant importance.

Thus, it is important that we explore the intricate relationship between Christianity, worldviews, and the role of media. As I reflect on the insights gained from my recent attendance at the Creating Connections conference hosted by the Religion Media Centre, it becomes apparent that the media can play a pivotal role in benefiting the church and there are many ways media and Christianity can collaborate to disseminate the message of faith effectively.

We are required to shine our light in every area of society. For this reason, this article aims to delve into the significance of media’s role in promoting understanding and inclusivity within the church and the broader Christian community.

One key area of focus is the necessity for media to grasp the multifaceted nature of Christianity. The scope of Christianity is far more extensive than mere religious practices and actions. It is not merely an aspect of a Christian’s life but rather the core essence that influences our thoughts, decisions, and actions. It extends beyond individual experiences and encompasses vibrant community gatherings such as fellowships during family fun days, festive Christmas meals, and solemn prayer events—all of which deserve representation. Additionally, 30 | Sunrise Spring 2024

our interactions with other organizations, be it universities or other fields like literature, should also find a place in media narratives.

These aspects of our faith often go unnoticed but are integral to the multifaceted nature of Christianity.

It is equally important for media houses to recognize and acknowledge that actions labeled as Christian are sometimes perceived as exact representations of God which may not be the case.

Frequently, the Christian faith is depicted in a narrow and one-dimensional manner, which can be detrimental to Christians who are new in the faith and are in the process of growing and developing in their understanding of the faith. This highlights the critical need for media to embrace diversity in its portrayal of Christianity.

However, this can raise another core issue: the misrepresentation of the Christian faith. Nevertheless, a crucial revelation underscored at the conference addresses this issue.

It is imperative that we understand that it is not the media’s role to shape or propagate the message of Christianity but to faithfully convey the stories entrusted to them. It is incumbent upon the Church to recognize that issues such as misinterpretation of scriptures or concepts may not always stem from errors made by media outlets. However, it can also arise from the stories shared by individuals with

limited understanding of the faith. In these instances, it is pivotal for the Church to consistently engage with media houses, providing accurate information and narratives. Simultaneously, media organizations should diligently seek diverse and authentic personal stories from the Christian community.

Furthermore, fostering a nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by media houses emerged as another cornerstone of the conference. I had the unique opportunity to engage with local media representatives, including directors, executives, and editors from prestigious organizations like the BBC, Bradford, T&A, BCB, Bradford Literary Festival, and Print Journalism.

Their presence presented a distinctive dimension to the event, clarifying how influential platforms navigate and present Bradford’s multifaceted narratives.

During the Media panel and workshops, I gained insight into the constraints faced by media outlets. These constraints involved limited resources, including people, time, and equipment, which require careful allocation for each story. It is necessary that the Church comprehends these realities, equipping themselves with the knowledge of what makes a story newsworthy. This may involve basic media training or proactive engagement with media houses to assess the newsworthiness of a story.

Media, Youths and the Church Another area explored during the conference was the media’s role in providing positive representation to young adults and youths.

My own experiences which were shared during the young people’s panel, Being Young and Faithful in Bradford - Young People’s Lived Experience, revealed that young individuals usually search for meaningful connections within Christianity. This resonated with the broader theme of the conference. In moments of introspection, many of us prefer to process our thoughts privately. It is a trait often seen in young individuals who, in an admirable way, often seek to be self-reliant and ever- articulate even when sharing their innermost thoughts. In these moments, media becomes our silent companion.

Thus, media has the potential to provide the guidance and support that young people like me seek on their faith journey. Positive media representation of Christianity can serve as a source of inspiration, education, and a bridge to understanding.

At the end of the day, we (participants) were reminded

that it is essential for media houses to recognize that the portrayal of Christianity in media goes beyond the realm of religious practices.

The multifaceted nature of religion, including Christianity encompasses vibrant community gatherings, interactions with various organizations, and diverse aspects that deserve representation. The media’s role is not only to capture these facets but to do so in a manner that resonates with a diverse and evolving audience.

Additionally, challenges in aligning media and Christianity, including misconceptions and stereotypes, must be addressed, especially concerning young individuals exploring their faith. Misconceptions and stereotypes about the faith can persist, which can be detrimental to young individuals who are exploring and developing their understanding of Christianity.

Thus, there is a critical need for media to embrace diversity in its portrayal of Christianity, dispelling narrow and onedimensional depictions.

Through the Creating Connections conference I realised the potential for unity and collaboration

between faith and media. It is necessary that the Church consciously fosters new relationships, strengthen existing ones, and dispel misconceptions among journalists, religious and community representatives, and other stakeholders related to media. Such efforts provide fresh insights and encourage a reevaluation of our understanding of this multifaceted relationship.

My journey through understanding the relationship between media and Christianity illuminates a path towards a harmonious coexistence, where media, driven by a deep understanding of faith, can faithfully share narratives, and the Christian community, cognizant of media’s challenges, can actively contribute to the dissemination of authentic stories. As we navigate the intricate relationship between faith and media, I believe it is essential to we embrace the opportunities presented by the media and work hand in hand to promote understanding and inclusivity within the vibrant Christian community and the broader world.

• Melody Amadi 31 | Sunrise Spring 2024

MATTERS OF THE ndrea Dear A

HEART

Dear Andrea,

• Check in with them now and then

Sometimes I have to leave for work a little while before my husband gets home. At what age can I leave my children at home alone?

• Put dangerous objects and substances out of sight

It may surprise you to know that there is no legal age specified for a child to be left home alone.

The reason for this is simply because every child is different. Parents can get into trouble legally if leaving their children at home alone has put them at risk.

You can read more via: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/ keeping-children-safe/in-the-home/home-alone/

According to the NSPCC (The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children), “Children aged 0-3 years old should never be left alone – even for 15 minutes while you pop down the road.

This applies not just to leaving them home alone but also in your car while you run into the shops”.

They also do not recommend leaving a child under 12 years old home alone, particularly for longer periods of time. This is because according to them “Children in primary school aged 6-12 are usually too young to walk home from school alone, babysit or cook for themselves without adult supervision”.

This means that if someone reports that your children have been left home alone and are under the age of 12, it will be more difficult for you to prove that they were not put at risk. It is therefore more advisable to have someone you trust who can look after them for a few minutes until your husband gets home.

Concerning children over the age of 12, the level of risk depends on their level of maturity. NSPCC advises that you quiz your child on how to deal with some unexpected emergencies and evaluate their responses. For example, what would they do if a fire broke out, or if the tap on the sink broke and water was gushing everywhere or would they allow someone into the home who knocked on the door without ID etc?

Lastly, if you are confident that your 12-year-old + child can stay alone and knows what to do in emergencies then check that they feel safe and happy with being alone. Once all this is sorted NSPCC advises that you set some ground rules to guide their time at home: • Agree on what they’ll do while you’re out • Make sure they’re safe online • Be clear on what time you’ll be back

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• Build up to leaving your child alone for longer stretches, keep checking in, and make sure they’re comfortable

Dear Andrea, My wife says I have become a spectator in our marriage. I don’t understand what she means.

Thank you for getting in touch. It may be that your wife feels that you are not involved in the decisionmaking or ‘nitty gritty’ of everyday life. You have to understand that whilst men usually look at the bigger picture, women are very concerned with the details. Using the term ‘spectator’ suggests that you are in the stands watching a football match, cheering on the team rather than being on the football field, making sure that the goals are scored and the team is working as a team. This might be because you trust her to be an excellent manager of the home but perhaps she feels you are a little too detached. It is therefore very necessary that you get involved in day-to-day activities in the home. Simple things like trying to ensure at least some of the time, everyone eats dinner together, helping the children with homework and keeping track of what your wife is juggling and helping her out. Additionally, since she didn’t say family but specifically mentioned marriage, it may be that she feels that even concerning your relationship and intimacy she is having to work harder to ensure that you have time together, it sounds like she is feeling alone, try to do some things that will reinforce that you are a team and she is not alone. Remember Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 “Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up”.

Andrea Onduku Send your problems or questions, which will be treated in the strictest confidence, to info@mattersofheart.org

33 | Sunrise Spring 2024

Sports: Opportunity for Evangelism

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he world of sport presents an amazing opportunity for evangelism, writes Warren Evans, CEO of charity Sports Chaplaincy The community of sports has evolved in unimaginable ways in recent years, transcending borders and languages, uniting people through their shared love for the game. At Sports Chaplaincy, we’ve witnessed remarkable growth, particularly in golf, cricket, and rugby union. As we see these ministries thrive, we recognize the beautiful opportunity they provide for us to bring the light of Christ into the lives of athletes and fans alike.

Our hearts swell with gratitude as we reflect on the overwhelming success of National Sports Sunday.

This movement, which aims to unite churches in caring for the sporting community, has reached record numbers in 2024. The spirit of compassion and unity displayed during this event is a true testament to the power of faith in action. It’s a reminder that our mission is not only to serve but to bridge the gap between the spiritual and the physical realms.

We believe that sport is the biggest mission field on earth and as Spiritfilled believers, we have an incredible opportunity to be there, sharing 34 | Sunrise Spring 2024

Christ with players, coaches and fans.

Across the UK there are millions in sports communities yelling out to be listened to, seen, heard and valued. We may not see it because of the stereotypes we have placed on sports people as being fit, healthy and sometimes wealthy, yet the often silent cry of the heart is that someone would just come alongside them and remain a consistent presence with them on the journey through life.

“

...THE SPEED OF CHANGE IS SUDDEN...

We may feel unqualified to serve in sport, not have enough knowledge about sport or feel inadequate to step out into the sports world, yet we all know of and have friends in sport. This is ultimately not about sport but more about people. People who are on our doorstep that may not be reached by any other way or who may not experience the love and compassion of God through anyone else. You are ready and you are needed!

One of our chaplains, Zach Zachariah, leads Solid Rock Church in West Yorkshire. Zach has faithfully led

• Warren Evans CEO, Charity Sports Chaplaincy

this small community for many years but recently was appointed as the chaplain of his local football team, Barnsley Football Club.

The results have been amazing and Zach has had such incredible influence into the town, leading services, engaging with the community and holding Bible studies on a regular basis within the club. His influence has hugely increased.

Zach says: “I meet with cleaners to the kit man, ground staff, security, reception office and also with the media team. I am in regular contact with staff and have become part of the fabric of the club, given access to all areas through the generosity of the CEO and the owners.

“I have learned that the speed of change is sudden and you have always be prepared with every aspect of pastoral care for any individual.

We have done ministry to injured players and seen miracles happen. Also we run a Bible study and prayer each week at the academy directors office and is open for anyone to attend. More than often I am scattering of ashes for fans and for their families who passed and is given the opportunity to share the love of Jesus to them. I realised through my journey at the club that God is not looking for perfect people, he us just looking for genuine ones.”

Zach is one of hundreds of chaplains who give their time each week to support their local sporting community. We have been at Olympics Games and at major worldwide sporting tournaments. We are there to serve.

Perhaps you are wondering how God can use, how the Holy Spirit can breathe on your vision for souls? Why not consider chaplaincy? You will have lots of fun along the way and have the privilege of standing with people at the most amazing and sometimes difficult times of their life.

Having led a church and also been a chaplain, I can say I influenced and impacted far more many lives as a chaplain than I did as a pastor.

Of course we need both, but rather than just meeting within the four walls of a church, more than ever we need to be willing to step into our communities and be Christ to the world around us. And what better place to do that than in the largest mission field there is, the community of sport?

Check out the work of Sports Chaplaincy, including resources and information about becoming a chaplain at www.sportschaplaincy.org.uk

35 | Sunrise Spring 2024

Extraordinary Manifestations

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xtraordinary means something or a situation that is very unusual or remarkable. This could be an astonishing or unforgettable occurrence in an individual’s life or in the existence of a people or nation. History has recorded so many extraordinary events. The pages of the Bible, testify to many of such occurrences.

The Apostle Paul in his writings stated in Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV) that God is able “to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” Paul was simply expressing his gratitude to God for making it possible for the Gentiles to understand and believe the mystery of the gospel. He is praising God for His power and affirms that God can do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine. It is an affirmation to the claim that God’s power is at work within us which is enabling us to do His will. The Amplified version puts it even more 36 | Sunrise Spring 2024

clearly, “Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]” (Ephesians 3:20, AMPC).

The immediate context of Ephesians 3:20 is found in the preceding verses to the above, where Paul is talking about the revelation of the mystery of the gospel, which is that the Gentiles are also heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promises in Jesus Christ, the Messiah and Saviour.

He also talks about how he was made a servant of this gospel to the Gentiles, and how he was given the task of making plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which was kept hidden for ages in God. There are five things we could easily highlight from

Ephesians 3:20 and that is i. We have an Extraordinary God ii. Who can do Extraordinary Miracles iii. With an Extraordinary Power iv. And an Extraordinary Plan v. For an Extraordinary Day or Season.

Only an extraordinary God can make extravagant promises that are believable.

If we are Christians, we are the fulfilment of God’s promises. The Almighty God demonstrated Himself as an Extraordinary God in the encounter between David and Goliath. We see a very young boy, David challenging a giant Goliath with extraordinary confidence and boldness. In 1 Samuel 17:45-47 (Message Translation) “David answered, you come at me with sword and spear and battle-ax. I come at you in the name of God-of-the-Angel-Armies, the God of Israel’s troops, whom you curse and mock. This very day God is handing you over

to me. I’m about to kill you, cut off your head, and serve up your body and the bodies of your Philistine buddies to the crows and coyotes. The whole earth will know that there’s an extraordinary God in Israel. And everyone gathered here will learn that God doesn’t save by means of sword or spear. The battle belongs to God he’s handing you to us on a platter!” David drew his confidence from an in-depth understanding of the All-Powerful Extraordinary God. May we also be able to manifest such courage when faced with very frightening opposition. We must not sit around twiddling our thumbs in fear and defeat every time the enemy shows up.

We must take the following steps 1. Action

I

t is widely said that thinking will not overcome fear, but action will. It is in small deeds done that great deeds and outcomes are birthed.

Action is the foundational key to all success. James 2:17 admonishes that faith without works is dead. The path to success is to take massive, determined actions. The Lord Jesus Christ makes it even categorically clear when He said: “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4, NKJV).

2. Discipline

n so many ways, discipline Igoals is the bridge between and accomplishment.

Plato, the father of Western philosophy stated that “for a man to conquer himself is the first and noblest of all victories.” There are three major types of discipline which are preventive discipline, supportive discipline, and corrective discipline. A disciplined

person follows rules and practices a standard set of behaviours that allows them to maintain self-control and the ability to efficiently define, actively pursue and successfully achieve their goals. In Paul’s writings, he stated that “I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27, NKJV).

Interestingly, The Great Aristotle said that “what lies in our power to do, lies in our power not to do.” To achieve extraordinary results, we must be able to control our behaviours. The wise man Solomon said, “my son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in” (Proverbs 3:11-12, NIV). In admonishing his mentee son Timothy, Paul summarily said “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3, NKJV).

3. Consistency onsistency is what C transforms average into excellence. Consistency is the

key to extraordinary success.

Extraordinary success doesn’t come from what we do occasionally. It comes from what we do consistently. At the core of courage is simple consistency. 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NKJV) states “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” Furthermore, Paul in Galatians 6:9 (NKJV) said, “and let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” With consistent determination, you can set yourself up for extraordinary success.

4. Motivation and preparation he best preparation for T tomorrow is doing your best today. Thomas Edison

said, “our greatest weakness lies in giving up”. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts.

The most certain way to extraordinary success is always to try just one more time.

Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:13-14 (NKJV) said, “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Success is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure. Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.

Know that just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day and opportunities don’t just happen, you create them. It is never too late to be what you might have been. In simple equation, Preparation + Opportunity = Success. In all, Haggai 2:9 (NKJV) states that, “the glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘And in this place, I will give peace,’ says the Lord of hosts.” We can and we would manifest the extraordinary power and greatness of the mighty God. Shalom!

• Akpo Onduku Pastor, Chapel of Grace Bradford Twitter: @AkpoOnduku Facebook: @AkpoOnduku 37 | Sunrise Spring 2024

2024 OPEN ENROLMENT

EXECUTIVE PROGRAM Opportunity to learn about: CHRISTIAN IDENTITY

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www.schoolofdisciples.org 39 | Sunrise Spring 2024

FOL Partners’ & Covenant Partners’ Reception OCTOBER 2023

40 | Sunrise Spring 2024

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he Festival of Life Partners and Covenant Partners event was hosted on the 12th October at the RCCG Europe Central Office with the General Overseer, Pastor E.A. Adeboye and Mother in Israel, Pastor (Mrs) Folu Adeboye in attendance.

41 | Sunrise Spring 2024

RCCG UK Schools’ Graduation Ceremonies OCTOBER 2023

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he RCCG UK Schools’ Graduation Ceremonies took place on the 14th of October at the RCCG Europe Central Office with the General Overseer, Pastor E.A. Adeboye and Mother in Israel, Pastor (Mrs) Folu Adeboye in attendance.

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43 | Sunrise Spring 2024

Ordination Service OCTOBER 2023

O

rdination Service took place on the 14th of October at the RCCG Europe Central Office with the General Overseer, Pastor E.A. Adeboye and Mother in Israel, Pastor (Mrs) Folu Adeboye in attendance. Ordinands were ordained into the offices of Deacon, Deaconness, Assistant Pastor and Full Pastor.

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Annual General Meeting OCTOBER 2023

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he Annual General Meeting took place on the 17th October 2023 at the RCCG Europe Central Office where all the Pastors met with the General Overseer, Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

47 | Sunrise Spring 2024

Workers’ Rally OCTOBER 2023

orkers’ Rally took place on the W 19th October 2023 with the General Overseer, Pastor E.A. Adeboye

and Mother in Israel, Pastor (Mrs) Folu Adeboye in attendance. The event was hosted at the RCCG Europe Central Office but was a multisite event with viewing centres across all four nations of the UK.

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Flame OCTOBER 2023 F

lame took place on the 20th October 2023 at the ICC Auditorium, Excel Centre.

This was a gathering of Youths who were led in praise and worship by various gospel artists including Folabi Nuel, Limoblaze, Faithchild, Charles Dada, Annatoria and others.

They also received a Fathers Blessing from the General Overseer, Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

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