February 2010 Report

Developing 20:20 vision

On two occasions in the last eighteen months I have found myself speaking on 20:20 vision. The first time was to leaders in Plymouth, England, where the word I had for the churches coincided with the city’s slogan for the future. As Plymouth City Council focused on the year 20:20 for fulfilling its development plans, I focused on the Acts 20:20 principle of ‘holding back nothing that is helpful’. This February, as I spoke on 20:20 vision to a large international gathering of senior women leaders at the Feast of Esther in Nigeria, I realised how many of the situations I visited during the course of the month have been putting this principle into practice.

Lifeline: Lifeline is an amazing church based to the east of London. Its projects and international network take its ministry far beyond its immediate locality. In February I spoke at Lifeline’s Leaders’ Conference in Northampton and was inspired afresh by how ‘holding back nothing that is helpful’ can see practical needs met around the world.

God Bless Nigeria Church: I love visiting this church that meets in the National Stadium in Lagos, Nigeria. Every Sunday it gathers people from the most needy areas of the city and works on transforming lives through proclaiming God’s word and implementing practical initiatives. It is a church for those with no church background and has a vibrancy in worship, confirming that people hold nothing back from God when others ‘hold back nothing that is helpful’ from them.


Lifeline Leaders' Conference		God Bless Nigeria Church

Cornerstone Anointed Church of Christ: This is a church that began in a home in Surulere, Lagos, and has grown and grown through the love, care and commitment shown to everyone who attends. As I ministered and experienced again the love, care and commitment extended to me, I could see the harvest that comes through ‘holding back nothing that is helpful’.

Manifold International Church: What an impact it can make when young university graduates meet together to pray for city-wide and global transformation. I preached for MIC in its new premises in the Yaba area of Lagos and was inspired by the enthusiasm generated by a transformation vision that is determined to ‘hold back nothing that is helpful’ in prayer and proclamation.


Manifold International Church - anointing		Redemption Camp- Trevor admiring the main auditorium

Redemption Camp: It would be hard not to be inspired by a church camp ground the size of a town with an auditorium that is being extended to seat a million people. Redemption Camp on the Lagos-Ibadan Express Way was the location for the Feast of Esther and although ours was an inter-church event in one of the smaller halls, seating a mere few thousand, the longstanding gospel-commitment of the Redeemed Christian Church of God was evident all around us. The size of RCCG’s vision sets new goals for ‘holding back nothing that is helpful’.


Feast of Esther, Nigeria - the opening night		Feast of Esther, Nigeria - delegates stand in response

Grace House: Returning early from Nigeria in order to take part in a London Fresh Focus Prayer Rally with Dr Kumuyi of Deeper Life Bible Church, I was able to help launch a new ministry in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. A reminder that ‘holding nothing back that is helpful’ is a heart attitude that serves a ministry well from its outset.

Our February Teaching Conference: And so, as February came to an end we held our three-day quarterly Teaching Conference in Bromley, England. The theme was ‘Developing an Excellent Spirit’ and, as we looked together at the first six chapters of Daniel, it was evident that Daniel was a man who had embraced an Acts 20:20 vision, showing a calm, serving spirit long before Paul spoke to the Ephesian elders of his own commitment to ‘holding back nothing that is helpful’.

I am determined to adopt a 20:20 vision in my life and ministry.

Thank you for all your support as you partner with me in this.