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April 2010 Report
gaining an overview
April began with a two-day prayer retreat so that Trevor and I could reflect on the past three years in which we have been working together in an itinerant ministry. The perspective we gained set the tone for a month of fresh perspectives.
An Easter perspective
I love preaching about the cross and resurrection and this Easter weekend in London provided me with some great opportunities - a two day conference at Faith Miracle Centre followed by Easter Sunday morning at Christian Life Fellowship and the evening at Cornerstone Christian Centre. How much stronger the church would be if everyone could gain a biblical overview of the cross and resurrection.
A Kingdom First overview
One of the most inspiring days of my life was Christmas Eve 1994 when
I first met Fitzroy Wilson on a flight break spent in Barbados as
I travelled from Trinidad to London. Fitzroy pastors Kingdom First International Church and I had been wrestling with local church challenges of training, pastoral care and small groups. As one might expect from Matthew 6:33, the two words ‘Kingdom First’ were sufficient to usher in a whole new perspective. A right perspective always brings right priorities! This time it was Fitzroy’s turn to take a flight break (a weekend in London en route from South Africa to Barbados) and, quite rightly he became the priority for Marion and me. However, he graciously fitted in with my weekend scheduled as we moved from a Men’s Prayer Breakfast to an afternoon Prayer Conference on the Saturday and meetings in Dunstable and Nottingham on the Sunday.
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Preaching in Dunstable Community Church's new premises
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The Salvation Army's, Sunbury Court - venue or multi-ethnic conference
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A multi-ethnic perspective
What a privilege it was to speak to a group of Salvation Army Officers at the start of their two day conference on multi-ethnic church! Those who have linked a ‘biblical perspective on the cross and resurrection’ with a ‘Kingdom First overview’ are bound to look for expressions of church where divisions are a thing of the past – no matter how great the practical challenges! And so for Trevor and me it was on to Nigeria again, where the privilege of being made to feel so at home always overcomes any practical challenges…
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The CiC Nigeria Spring Conference
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Some members of a local CiC church prepare their new premises
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| Praying for the elders of The Capstone church, Yaba |
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Praying for the leaders attending the Koinonia Ministers' Fellowship |
A city overview
I could say many things about the Nigeria trip. We strengthened long established friendships. I spoke at a pastors’ conference for my own CiC (Churches in Communities) network. I visited churches I knew well and churches I had never visited before. One thing stays in my mind, though, above all else. For sometime now I have been encouraging church-planting projects in Akute, just across the Lagos State border in Ogun State. As I was speaking in one of these churches (and what an amazing few days we had with Word Exploits Assembly!), I looked out of their third floor window and realised I was able to see right across much of Lagos. Those of you who have read my Blessing the Nations book will know how much I value being able to pray over cities from such vantage points. To stand and pray over Lagos in this way meant so much to me after so many years believing God for this city. I pray for lasting fruit too in other cities I have stood and interceded over.
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Word Exploits Assembly, Akute
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View over Lagos from the Word Exploits Assembly's auditorium |
Do join me in praying for Akute, for Lagos, for Kampala, for London, for Karachi, for Lahore, for Kuala Lumpur, for Kingston for Bridgetown, for Dunstable, for Nottingham, for Nairobi, for… and for… and so the list goes on and on and on!
What a privilege it is to gain a fresh perspective.
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