DIARY
July – September | 2017
PRAYER
Prayer Diary
July – September | 2017
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WELCOME FROM THe CHief EXecUTiVe Have we surprised you with our new look? We hope you like it as much as we do. In this momentous year of our 135th anniversary, we felt it was the right time to give Church Army a fresh, bold identity that remains true to our proud heritage while representing our forward-thinking attitude. The Bible teaches us to embrace change as a vital part of life. Just look at how Abraham obeys God in leaving his home comforts and sets off on a journey to an unknown destination. In Matthew 4:19, Jesus tells his disciples: “Come, follow me…and I will send you out to fish for people.” Our commitment to responding to this call is summed up in our new vision statement: “For everyone, everywhere to encounter God’s love and be empowered to transform their communities through faith shared in words and action.” In this edition of Prayer Diary, please join us in praying for the Torbay, Southampton and Greenwich Centres of Mission. We would also value your prayers for our North Belfast Centre of Mission (page 17) and our Wales-based evangelists (page 11). As always, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude for all your prayers and encouragement. Please know that it’s mutual – we always thank God for you, our wonderful supporters. Yours in Christ,
Canon Mark Russell Chief Executive and Community Leader
CONTENTS JULY-SEPTEMBER 2017
Prayer Diary
July – September | 2017
5 8 12 Join us in prayer by email each week: Sign up at churcharmy.org/eprayer To order more copies of Prayer Diary – For friends, church or group: telephone 0300 123 2113 or email comms@churcharmy.org
4 The Journey 5 Torbay Centre of Mission 6 A heart for evangelism 7 Commissioning and training evangelists 8 Going caving 9 Tomorrow’s disciples 10 Being community 11 Worship in Wales 12 Southampton Centre of Mission 13 Remembering the vulnerable 14 Nurturing faith 15 Greenwich Centre of Mission 16 Prayers for our new centres of mission 17 North Belfast Centre of Mission 18 Senior Leadership Team and Board 19 Quote from Pope Francis
The Prayer Diary Supplement is available to download at churcharmy.org/prayer and is updated with each edition of Prayer Diary so that all Church Army evangelists and staff are prayed for throughout the year
All Scripture quotations in this publication are from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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“ FAITH IS NOT MERELY A JOURNEY FOR THE FEET, BUT IT IS ALSO A JOURNEY FOR THE HEART.” US CHRISTIAN PASTOR, A. W. TOZER
Church Army is well-known for stepping out of the four walls of the church to meet people where they are. Will you join us on a special journey this year as we aim to raise money to help others on their own personal journey of faith and discovery of God?
Join a sponsored walk near you or start your own! For more information, please visit: www.churcharmy.org/thejourney
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Prayer Diary
1-7 JULY
July – September | 2017
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Torbay Centre of Mission
The Torbay Centre of Mission, based in Devon, was launched in September 2016. This week, our prayers are with them as they share the Good News with people across Paignton, Torquay and the bay in between. 3 July Pray that the lead evangelist for the centre, Jeff Hill, will continue to build links with the residents through the community lunches, toddler groups and family events he organises on the Foxhole Estate in Paignton. 4 July Give thanks for evangelist Adrian Prescott, who reaches out to families and individuals in Torquay’s more remote areas.
(L-R) Jeff and Adrian
1 July Torbay was once a thriving holiday destination, but now has high rates of poverty, unemployment and homelessness. May the Lord bring healing and hope to the local communities. 2 July Give thanks for the partnership between Church Army and the Diocese of Exeter. Pray that the Torbay Centre of Mission evangelists and local churches may respond effectively to the needs of the people living in the area.
5 July Praise God for the launch of Messy Church in Ellacombe Academy primary school in Devon earlier this year. It is already attended by over 50 children and parents. 6 July Pray for the Holiday at Home event being held later this month for elderly people living in the seaside town of Paignton. 7 July Pray for the children attending the Going Bananas holiday clubs in Paignton and Torquay next month.
“ YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS IS LIKE THE HIGHEST MOUNTAINS, YOUR JUSTICE LIKE THE GREAT DEEP…” Psalm 36:6
8-15 JULY A heart for evangelism 8 July Please pray for the chaplain at Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital, Louise Yaull, and the patients she supports. 9 July George Newell is the leadership and mission development coordinator for New Wine Ireland, which is held in Sligo from 9 to 14 July. Please pray that all the Christians attending will be reinvigorated by the Holy Spirit. 10 July Give thanks for the chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons, Rose Hudson-Wilkin. May she continue to have meaningful conversations and nurture faith in Parliament. 11 July David Worley says: “Wednesbury in the West Midlands is an industrial town of around 40,000 desperately in need of God’s love. Please pray for more evangelism opportunities.” 12 July Give thanks for Audrey Day in Prestbury, Cheltenham who will be celebrating 60 years of being a Church Army evangelist this month. 13 July Stephen and Mary Adamson are members of the Tidenham Parish in West Gloucestershire. Please pray for the success of their newly-developed diocesan vision of L.I.F.E. (Leadership, Imagination, Faith and Engagement). May it lead many men, women and children to a living faith.
Louise
14 July Remember the discipleship coordinator for the Diocese of Salisbury, Debbie Orriss, and the lay ministry training she oversees. Pray that those taking part in the training may be empowered to minister the hope of Christ in their communities. 15 July Jim Currin was involved in setting up Thy Kingdom Come, a global wave of prayer for more people to come to know Jesus. Please pray that the team may be able to follow-up effectively on the event and inspire others in evangelism.
“ THE LORD MAKE HIS FACE SHINE ON YOU…” Numbers 6:25
Prayer Diary
16-22 JULY
July – September | 2017
Commissioning and training evangelists
This is a special week for the Training Team at the Wilson Carlile Centre in Sheffield, with a residential weekend, admitting and commissioning service, and induction for the new evangelists-in-training. Please lift them up in prayer. 16 July Pray for our existing evangelists-in-training who have taken part in a residential in Sheffield this weekend. 17 July Give thanks for Jane Emson, who is being commissioned tomorrow as a Church Army evangelist. Jane says: “Please pray that God will continue to guide me to be more like Christ to those living on the edges.” 18 July Praise God for John Menagh, who is being commissioned today as a Church Army evangelist. “Pray that God may give me wisdom and guidance as I look for new ways to connect the message of Jesus with the local community,” he says. 19 July Give thanks for the new group of evangelistsin-training who are at the Wilson Carlile Centre in Sheffield this week to prepare for the start of their training in September. 20 July Each evangelist-in-training is supported by a commissioned evangelist who helps them to reflect on their learning. Pray that they might quickly establish a relationship of trust and open dialogue.
Our new evangelists, Jane and John
21 July Remember the evangelists-in-training who are travelling back to their respective home contexts. 22 July Give thanks for the growth in our numbers of evangelists-in-training, which has more than doubled over the last two years.
“ GUIDE ME IN YOUR TRUTH AND TEACH ME, FOR YOU ARE GOD MY SAVIOUR...” Psalm 25: 5
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GO ING CAV ING
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Kids club led by Stephen Ramshaw, Pioneer Evangelist for St Paul’s Community Partnership in Willington Quay, Tyne and Wear “Each year we take around 25 children on a five-day adventure holiday. This gives children from a disadvantaged urban area the chance to experience nature. We’ve been going to High Borrans outdoor education centre in the Lake District for the past five years. The activity the children enjoy the most is ghyll scrambling, which involves climbing waterfalls and jumping into pools of water. We also go canoeing, mountain climbing, biking and do a ropes course. Sometimes it takes a bit of effort for a child to face these new challenges, as well as their fears, but it does wonders for their self-esteem. This photo is special to me as it reminds me that the light of Jesus shines even in the darkest places. Please pray that we can continue in this ministry of broadening the children’s outlook and teaching them valuable life skills.”
Prayer Diary
23-29 JULY
July – September | 2017
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Tomorrow’s disciples 23 July Pray for Graham Nunn as he leads two groups of young people aged eight to 16 to a summer camp in Somerset. 24 July Give thanks for John Bentley and the family holiday club that starts today on the new housing estate of Kingsmere in Bicester, Oxfordshire. 25 July Elizabeth Cairns is currently in Paraguay with a small group of young people to work alongside St Andrews Church in Asunción in the most disadvantaged area of the city. Pray for safe travels and God’s blessing on all that they seek to achieve while they are there. 26 July Praise God for Bob Carrington and the Messy Church and children’s holiday clubs he leads in Seaford, East Sussex. 27 July Ask God’s blessings for Stephen Ramshaw, the volunteers and the 25 children who will be heading off for a week of action and adventure together at a summer camp in Northumberland. This will be the only holiday that many of these children have this year.
Stephen
28 July Pray for the holiday Bible club that Geoffrey Walmsley will be leading in August in the Irish town of Dundalk, County Louth, for children aged between 4 and 12. 29 July Please pray for the 30 young people who will be attending Soul Survivor with Andy Milne and James Hawksworth from our Bradford Centre of Mission.
“ SINCE MY YOUTH, GOD, YOU HAVE TAUGHT ME, AND TO THIS DAY I DECLARE YOUR MARVELLOUS DEEDS.” Psalm 71:17
30 JULY – 5 AUGUST Being Community 30 July Remember Gordon Banks and the congregations of numerous churches attending Soul Survivor this week at the Staffordshire County Showground under the banner of ‘Love Stafford’. 31 July Please pray for David Woodall and the benefice of St James East Crompton with St Saviour’s in Manchester as they decide on the best ways to use the building for the benefit of their community. 1 August Jenny and Steven Colby in Wiltshire ask for prayer to deepen the spiritual life of the parish of Calne, for openness to change and the wisdom to know how best to support new people moving into the area. 2 August Give thanks for evangelist-in-training, Val Thomas, at our Bradford Centre of Mission and her work with young parents through Thrive, a support group that helps them develop their life and parenting skills as well as their relationship with Jesus. 3 August Yvonne Desroches in Northamptonshire says: “Please pray for the people who live and work in Burton Latimer, especially those who have recently moved here. May all that I say and do reflect how precious they are to our Father.”
Val
4 August Christine Goodger and her team at St Giles Church in Northampton will be running a Holiday at Home summer event for the elderly people in their community who haven’t enjoyed a holiday in years. 5 August Pray for Paul and Sheelagh Easby’s Holiday at Home event for older people being held later this month. May a great time and God-centred conversations be had by all.
“ MAY THE GOD WHO GIVES ENDURANCE AND ENCOURAGEMENT GIVE YOU THE SAME ATTITUDE OF MIND TOWARD EACH OTHER THAT CHRIST JESUS HAD…” Romans 15:5
Prayer Diary
6-12 AUGUST
July – September | 2017
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Worship in Wales 6 August Praise God for Robert Lowe and the new family service commencing today at St Peter’s Church in Llanelli, South Wales. Give thanks for the increase in the numbers of baptisms recently. 7 August Please pray for God’s blessing for the work our evangelist-in-training at the Llandaff Centre of Mission, Hannah Seal, is doing in 10 primary schools in the area. 8 August Jean Cade would like to give thanks for answered prayers, healing and growing awareness of the need for each other amongst her community in Abergavenny, Gwent. 9 August Give thanks for the newly-opened youth dropin centre launched by our St Asaph Centre of Mission. 10 August Evangelist-in-training, Josh Smith, says: “Please pray for my chaplaincy work with Wrexham Association Football Club. Pray that players, coaches and staff will feel comfortable enough with me to open up about their lives.”
Josh
11 August Dennis Wight is the Archdeacon of St David’s in South Wales. Please pray for him and his team as they reach out to their communities. 12 August Pray for Val Legg, lead evangelist of the St David’s Centre of Mission, as she ministers to children, young people and families on the Merlin Bridge estate in Haverfordwest.
“ I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD. THE GOOD SHEPHERD LAYS DOWN HIS LIFE FOR THE SHEEP.” John 10:11
13-19 AUGUST Southampton Centre of Mission
Please join us in praying for the Southampton Centre of Mission, based in Sholing and Bitterne Park on the east side of the city. The team have a pioneering spirit for projects that show God’s love both practically and spiritually to their communities.
Tim and Kathy
13 August Pray for lead evangelist, Tim Hyde, and his involvement in the Make Lunch initiative, which provides much-needed meals during the school holidays for families who are entitled to free school meals. 14 August Give thanks for Tim’s wife, Kathy Hyde, who gives so much of her time volunteering at many of the events and activities run by the centre. 15 August Tim and Kathy run a youth club called Impact for 11- to 18-year-olds. Please pray for the young people as they attend a Christian youth camp at the end of the month. 16 August Pray for evangelist-in-training, Ruth Hills, who leads the Kids Rock after school club at Townhill Infant School.
17 August Give thanks for Ruth and the volunteers who help to run a café church in the Townhill Park Community Centre. 18 August Praise God that the Footsteps toddler group in Bitterne Park has grown from four to 25 families in the past year. 19 August Please pray for the Southampton team as they work alongside local churches to pioneer fresh expressions of church in the area.
“ BUT YOU, KEEP YOUR HEAD IN ALL SITUATIONS, ENDURE HARDSHIP, DO THE WORK OF AN EVANGELIST...” 2 Timothy 4:5
Prayer Diary
20-26 AUGUST
July – September | 2017
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Remembering the vulnerable 20 August Give thanks for Chigor Chike and his team at Emmanuel Church with St Peter in Forest Gate, London. Chigor says: “Pray that God would keep the homeless people who come to our breakfast club safe. Pray also for the individuals struggling with mental health difficulties that come to our Stepping Stones event.”
24 August Gary Roberts in Lisburn says: “Please pray for individuals who are unable to participate fully in the lives of their church community owing to age, illness or lack of transport.”
21 August Pray for John Le Page and his ministry to the homeless in and around Costa del Sol in Spain. May he be able to help them through the extremely hot weather conditions, particularly the elderly. 22 August Edwin Bates in the Andalusian province of Almeria, Spain, says: “Please pray for the poorly housed and jobless people we support through local churches and food banks. May seasonal work and work in the fields open up opportunities for those struggling so that their self-respect may be restored.”
25 August Pray for Chris Brann and the individuals he reaches out to at the Royal United Hospital in Bath. May he continue to have opportunities for sharing his faith with those in need.
23 August Ask for God’s blessings on Tony Williams and the chaplaincy team as they minister to the women in HMP Eastwood Park in Gloucestershire, especially mothers who long for their children.
26 August Paul and Olive Deeming said: “Please pray for our ministry at the Crowhurst Christian Healing Centre and at the Conquest Hospital in East Sussex. Pray that people suffering with their health will find healing through Christ.”
Chris
“ REJOICE WITH THOSE WHO REJOICE; MOURN WITH THOSE WHO MOURN.” Romans 12:15
27 AUGUST - 3 SEPTEMBER Nurturing Faith 27 August Give thanks for Ian Maher, the multi-faith chaplaincy coordinator at Sheffield Hallam University. He says: “Please pray for continued good relations between students of different faiths. May they be open to learn from each other and grow in grace.”
Penny
28 August Penny Horseman helps to run an after school group for 6- to 16-year-olds in Amble, Northumberland. Please pray that the new school year will be full of fun and enjoyment as they explore faith together. 29 August Andy Crooks is chaplain to the Bishop of St Albans. He would be grateful for prayer as he works alongside mission teams to fulfill the diocesan vision of ‘Living God’s love’ and making new disciples in Hertfordshire.
30 August Pray for Chris Harrington and the weekly music therapy group he has recently set up at a care home in the village of Heckington in Lincolnshire. 31 August Spend some time praying for Janet Arnold and her new role as vicar of St James Newchapel in Wirral. May community and missional relationships be built through the newly-launched Hub community centre. 1 September Praise God for John Worsfold’s prayer ministry in Lowestoft, Suffolk. His community members frequently ask for him to pray for difficult situations they or their loved ones are facing. 2 September Paul Niemiec would be grateful for prayer for the Church of England’s Western Shore Team serving the communities of Snetisham and Heacham in Norfolk. May they clearly hear God’s will. 3 September Heather Kemball’s role as a member of the Congleton Team parish in Cheshire has come to an end. “Please pray for wisdom and discernment as to what God wants me to do next,” she says.
“ I GIVE THEM ETERNAL LIFE, AND THEY SHALL NEVER PERISH…” John 10:28
4-10 SEPTEMBER
Prayer Diary
July – September | 2017
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Greenwich Centre of Mission
The Greenwich Centre of Mission team works across six housing estates in South London, where substance abuse, crime and debt are rife. Please pray for the team’s ministry to socially excluded and vulnerable people of all ages.
(L-R) Nicholas, Nick and Trevor
4 September Praise God for the four Superkidz events held on four housing estates, which reach over 300 children and 120 parents a year with the gospel.
8 September Please pray for the new gap year student who has just joined the TYM team and will be working with the young people in Abbey Wood.
5 September Give thanks for lead evangelist, Nick Russell, and his ministry to young people with a history of antisocial behaviour, drug addictions and sexual abuse. “Pray that God will empower us by his Holy Spirit to demonstrate his tenacious love practically,” says Nick.
9 September Spend some time praying for Trevor Clarke and his outreach on the Horn Park council estate. Pray for his new Round the Table event which offers coffee, cake and companionship.
6 September Pray for the mentoring, employment advice and training that Nick offers to young offenders. Pray also for the teenagers who are coerced into delivering drugs. 7 September Give thanks for Nicholas Lebey and the volunteers who run the TYM youth club in Abbey Wood, south east London. Praise God for the 80 teenagers who attend regularly.
10 September Please pray that Trevor’s outreach to families living in Kidbrooke Village through Messy Church and other family-friendly events will be well attended.
“ AND MY GOD WILL MEET ALL YOUR NEEDS ACCORDING TO THE RICHES OF HIS GLORY IN CHRIST JESUS.” Philippians 4:19
11-17 SEPTEMBER Prayers for our new centres of mission 11 September Praise God for our newly-launched Scunthorpe Centre of Mission in Lincolnshire. Pray that the evangelists for the centre, Sean Andrews and Paul McDonough, may quickly build links with the community. 12 September Please pray for our soon-to-be launched Drumcliffe Centre of Mission in County Sligo in Ireland. Pray that many come to a living faith through the new centre. 13 September Pray that the Holy Spirit will guide National Operations Manager, Neville Willerton, as he oversees the launches of all our new centres of mission across the British Isles and Ireland. 14 September Give thanks for the soon-to-be launched Argyll and the Isles Centre of Mission and Fife Centre of Mission. Pray for our Projects Officer for Scotland, Kerry Dixon, as he sets up these new centres.
Church Army will soon be opening the Drumcliffe Centre of Mission in County Sligo
15 September Projects Officer for the Midlands, Roger Horsley, has been involved in setting up the new Scunthorpe Centre of Mission. “Please pray for my work with the Diocese of Lincoln to enhance mission across Scunthorpe,” says Roger. 16 September Pray for Projects Officer for Northern England, Richard Cooke, as he takes part in discussions with Diocese of Blackburn about the possibility of opening a new centre of mission in Blackpool, on one of the most disadvantaged estates in the country. 17 September Please pray for Projects Officer for the South, Peter Graystone, as he has conversations with diocesan leaders on where to open further centres of mission. May the right opportunities come to fruition.
“ …TRULY I TELL YOU, WHATEVER YOU DID FOR ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF MINE, YOU DID FOR ME.” Matthew 25:40
Prayer Diary
18-24 SEPTEMBER
July – September | 2017
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North Belfast Centre of Mission
The North Belfast Centre of Mission is based on the Shankill Road and engages with the community through its school ministry, street outreach and a drop-in centre. Please join us in praying for them this week. 21 September Pray that Stephen will continue to befriend North Belfast’s young people and build trusting relationships with them.
Karen and Stephen
18 September Please pray for the North Belfast Centre of Mission evangelists, Karen Webb and Stephen Whitten, as they continue to build relationships in local schools during the new school year. 19 September Ask for God to bless the early intervention programme being launched this month in Malvern Primary School. May the team be able to build the self-esteem of children struggling in education. 20 September Give thanks for the Connect Base drop-in centre and pray for many more opportunities to serve the community through it. Pray also for the volunteers who help at the centre.
22 September Spend some time praying for Karen and the diocesan children’s worker, Jill Hamilton, as they help struggling mothers with essential items for their little ones through their newlylaunched Baby Basics project. 23 September Pray for the monthly prayer walks in the North Belfast area. As blessings are showered on local streets, schools and businesses, may others be inspired to join in. 24 September Stephen is the leader of the Xplore Belfast evangelism training programme for young adults. Pray for the new group that starts in September.
“ A NEW COMMAND I GIVE YOU: LOVE ONE ANOTHER. AS I HAVE LOVED YOU, SO YOU MUST LOVE ONE ANOTHER.” John 13:34
25-30 SEPTEMBER Senior Leadership Team and Board 25 September Give thanks for our Chief Executive, Mark Russell, and ask God to guide him in all the decisions he makes about Church Army. Pray for his safety and energy while he travels around the country to tell others about our work.
27 September Remember our Dean of Community, Andrew Chadwick, as he develops the Church Army Mission Community. Pray for all those who have recently joined, may they experience a true sense of belonging. 28 September Stephen Cottrell has been the Chair of the Church Army Board since 2011. Praise God for his guidance and advice to keep us rooted in evangelism. 29 September Pray for our Deputy Chief Executive, Des Scott, as he supports and encourages the teams at our homeless projects, Church Army Residential Services in Cardiff and the Marylebone Project in London.
John
26 September Give thanks for accountant, John Whitfield, who was elected as Treasurer of our Board in November 2016.
30 September Praise God for all our board members who give up their time so generously to serve Church Army.
“ …I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. WHOEVER FOLLOWS ME WILL NEVER WALK IN DARKNESS, BUT WILL HAVE THE LIGHT OF LIFE.” John 8:12
Prayer Diary
July – September | 2017
“ I PREFER A CHURCH WHICH IS BRUISED, HURTING AND DIRTY BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN OUT ON THE STREETS, RATHER THAN A CHURCH WHICH IS UNHEALTHY FROM BEING CONFINED AND FROM CLINGING TO ITS OWN SECURITY.” POPE FRANCIS
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“ TRULY HE IS MY ROCK AND MY SALVATION; HE IS MY FORTRESS, I WILL NOT BE SHAKEN.� Psalm 62:6
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Church Army, Wilson Carlile Centre, 50 Cavendish Street, Sheffield, S3 7RZ Tel: 0300 123 2113 Email: info@churcharmy.org Web: www.churcharmy.org Church Army is a Registered Charity Nos. 226226 & SC040457 A Company Limited by guarantee, registered in England & Wales No: 37169 ISSN 1751-3979