Wildfire Issue 5

C h u r c h i n t h e Pe a k Page 4| God has healed me - Carly

Page 5| Building on a Prophetic

foundation - Phil talks about how we can press into and take hold of the promises God has given us

Pages 7| Update from Australia Sarah updates us on what’s been going on in Australia

July 2011

shares her testimony of healing

BEING A PROPHETIC PEOPLE

C H U R C H N E W S : E N C O U R A G I N G FA I T H , FA M I LY A N D F R I E N D S

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By Dave Harper “Without vision the people perish” says the Bible, in fact they become absorbed in the immediate and the short term having no sight of a destination or a greater sense of purpose. This leads to distraction and frustration resulting in a “throwing off of restraint” (Prov 29:18). Prophetic revelation is a wonderful gift from the Father, helping his people find the promised land of their day. Abraham was the first to be called a prophet, with a promise of land to inherit and children to be born though he knew not where or when! He obeyed, following God’s leading and received what was promised and his faith is the example the Bible urges us to imitate. In fact he is called our father in the faith and we are called to “walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had”.

(Romans 4:12). My youngest

daughter used to tease me and call me’ Father Abraham’, little did she realise the truth that we are all called to walk like him!

Church in the Peak was birthed out of prophetic revelation.

This occurred repeatedly over a period of time from a variety of sources. A particular verse in the prophet Isaiah’s book impacted us and ‘lived’ with us under the prophetic anointing: ‘I will make rivers flow on barren heights and springs within the valleys’ Isaiah 41:18. This is a promise from God, a promise of what He will do and create.

Over the years God has helped us fill in the detail and grow in revelation of his purpose for us and its application as well as stretching us again and again to believe for an impact and involvement into the nations and regions beyond.

C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3

C O N T I N U E D F RO M PA G E 1

W E WA N T TO O P E R AT E Jesus breaking fear

‘W

H E N YO U PA S S T H RO U G H T H E WAT E R S , I W I L L B E W I T H YO U ’

forting time of the day for me because the Lord ministered to me through His word. He broke the fear that threatened to overwhelm me.

Until all biopsy results, including post Op ones, were in there were so many opportunities to lose myself in a flood of “what if ’s” but I stood on His word and was taken from “We want to operate” ‘The waters didn’t sweep a place where I could have Terrible, heart breaking words over me; I was not burned. been lost to one where I was delivered with such compasMy Lord didn’t take away surviving! sion, they left me utterly the operation, I still had to The waters didn’t sweep over breathless. Breast cancer! Of course the questions came have major surgery but He me; I was not burned. My thick and fast as did the Lord didn’t take away the stayed with me and kept operation, I still had to have disaster movie scenarios I have always been so good at major surgery but He stayed me from despair’ conjuring. with me and kept me from despair. Leaning on His promises has brought me 4am is a difficult time of the day to be awake and closer to my dad. I love him so much. thinking about things you can’t control, about things that you have no idea how and where they will end. But 4am became a very special and com-

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The last couple of years has seen a fresh input of prophetic encouragement and challenge to press into the things God has promised. Two years ago Sam Poe was with us and prophesied extensively at our Regional Celebration in Bakewell about being a church planting family of churches in the Peaks with involvement into the nations.

Here’s a short extract: “ I just felt that the Lord wants to stir something up among you, a fresh faith for multiplication, a fresh faith for fruitfulness.

You’ve seen fruitfulness, you know about that; yet I feel the Lord is sort of pushing something through here that is fresh, there‘s some birthing going to be happening that is going to bring you into new dimensions of fruitfulness”. It goes on later “there is a vision that is going to be increased, it is not a completely new vision, but it’s bigger, broader, and there’s some fresh marching orders that go with it and it has to do with mobilising others into the harvest field. The Holy Spirit is going to work in this fellowship to mobilise in brand new ways, both in this area and beyond”.

So when early last year we had a significant prophecy about being prepared to march on a firm highway, like an army equipped for the journey and that previous provisions would not be adequate for this next phase, we were receiving our fresh marching orders.

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How many of us feel like we are being shaken free of past dependencies and having to find fresh resources in God? We hope you are making the journey because we don’t want any stragglers left behind! The emphasis is on a whole people being mobilised, each of us finding fresh faith for advance and fruitfulness in our lives and as a church together.

Also there is quite a lot of ‘birthing’ in his prophecy!

“WE ARE BEING

SHAKEN FREE O F PA S T DEPENDENCIES TO F I N D F R E S H RESOURCES

IN GOD” Our response to such prophetic encouragement is to let these things germinate and marinate in our heart, dwelling on God’s purposes for us, turning this into prayer and stepping out into the opportunities that are before us. In this edition we have included Sarah Earlam’s latest news as she has followed God’s leading and is now part of a Newfrontiers church planting team into Camberwell, Melbourne, Australia. Rereading Sam Poe’s prophecy I notice he says “ I feel there’s a birth in a metropolitan area of a larger city”, could Sarah be part of this fulfilment?

Another interesting and relevant outworking is that God once said to us that he would build his wall with stones old and new and that there would be a place in the wall of his temple for reused stones, stones left abandoned would be built into our wall alongside newer stones. One example would be Dave and Gaynor who have been with us two years after a long time ‘abandoned’ and are now helping lead Chesterfield Church in the Peak.

We thank God he wants to speak to us and help direct and encourage us through prophecy.

Ultimately it’s purpose is to glorify Jesus since the spirit of prophecy is to give testimony to Jesus (Rev 19:10). The Lord is with us, at work in our lives, calling us to be living stones in his church building programme as he calls us to the great commission to go into all the world and make disciples.

“ P R AY A N D K E E P O N P R AY I N G F O R H E A L I N G .

I A S K E D J E S U S TO H E A L ME AND HE HAS MADE M E W E L L” GOD HAS HEALED ME

By Car ly Spear God told me as I walked our dog that last year I had a story and this year I have a song. This is my song, that God has healed me. Spring of last year I noticed that I was gradually loosing fitness, and becoming disorientated and confused. It was unnerving to say the least and after hoping it would just pass with time I made an appointment to see the GP. In short, she discovered that I had a very irregular heartbeat and from that day I started a journey with the NHS. I started a small dose of medication immediately to balance things out whilst we checked that something more sinister wasn’t lurking behind the scenes. Praise God it wasn’t but I was left in a state of ‘not really myself ’. I spent most afternoons of last year having a doze and making sure I only did one thing a day outside of family responsibilities. I learnt to relax with God. I felt committed to asking God to heal me from the outset. I made a commitment that if I was amongst believers who had faith for healing I would ask for prayer, whether at group, church or having a cup of tea.

I found a place of peace and was confident that God would heal.

Then...I got glandular fever in December! I probably got it because I was already physically vulnerable but man, did I get it! It was the most ill I have ever felt in my whole life. It was awful! I was ill for all of December and recovered throughout January. If people came by all I wanted for them to do was pray that Jesus would make me well. We

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were so cared for by our friends, it was amazing and in itself a testimony.

When I was recovering throughout January it became apparent that I was recovering amazingly well, very quickly. I followed doctor’s instructions to the letter and was very disciplined but God was very, very present. By the end of the month I was so healthy and strong. God had blessed me with health.

I felt so well that with the GP we decided I could try coming off my heart medication. We would find out within 12 hours if it had been a bad idea.

I felt fine, being very much on the look out for odd-ness! Nothing. After a week, still nothing. I had an ECG and all was well! It would appear that God had healed me! A key detail is that I have had a regular/irregular heart for years, as does my Dad. It was of no consequence at all until last Spring, when it went haywire. I was having more irregular heartbeats than regular and my brain was getting an uneven flow of oxygen. Not only had God healed me of the problem, he had reset the clock completely!!

I am certain that God used every prayer to bring about my complete healing. I am confident that He was sovereign over the Glandular Fever and that he used it to bring me into a place of full health. I am back running, swimming, walking for hours and the regular beat of my heart is marvellous to me! My message is this, pray and keep on praying for healing. I asked Jesus to heal me and He has made me well.

BUILDING ON A P RO P H E T I C F O U N DAT I O N

By Phil Hardy We are a church founded on apostles and prophets; we have a rich inheritance of prophetic promise from God for now and the future. God has spoken over the Peaks calling us to a bigger vision. The spirit of our area being predominantly rural is parochialism but God has intended we lift our eyes for a whole region, seeing beyond these hills and valleys to the towns and cities around us and indeed to the nations of the world that we should walk in the opposite spirit of our area

C R E AT I V E P RO P H E C Y

By Abby Tromans Thursday 26th of May I had a dream where I was stood in the Riverside. The rear room was tented and swaged in rich purple drapes, the Air was rich with Rosemary and the sound of worship filled the room. The space felt like a Tabernacle, a housing for God’s spirit. The swags were light with soft lights and bunches of rosemary sat in between the drapes, which were staggered to expose the stone work, glistening in the up-lighters. The Floor was scattered with rugs, throws, cushions etc, i had no shoes on... this was Holy Ground.

The smell of rosemary was

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and fulfil the purposes God has intended for us.

To keep us from becoming affected by the spirit of the area it is important that we remind ourselves of the promises God has made to us. Ever before us is Isaiah 41 Verse 18 (ESV)

I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys.

I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.

18

This is the prophetic foundation for us and is a promise for us to take hold of, praying it into

coming form the large bunches, sat in between the swags, they represented faithfulness. All of this adornment was simply staging the frames mounted on the walls, staggered from floor to ceiling all various shapes, sizes and colors. Within each frame where beautiful inscriptions in calligraphy, silks, paints and amended photographs each containing the prophetic words upon our church from the across our history. Gathered together, standing side by side... each one taken by an individual and prepared for the room... each individual promise important and from God.

The following morning (a Friday), I was a bit bemused by the dream, but sought God in

being so that it may flow out to reach and affect places beyond these Peaks. The promises still stand and as God has enlarged them we cannot afford to rest in what we have already received and seen but to press on to enter into the fullness of the promises before us. This is achieved through prayer and intersession, it is achieved by knowing how to come and be filled with the living water promised to us. It is achieved by surrendering ourselves to the purposes of God and seeing his Kingdom come his will being done on earth as it is in Heaven.

Heaven on earth!

my heart for clarification at the prayer meeting. Towards the end Dave shared how that week he had revisited the piles of words spoken over CITP over the years. He mentioned his sense of need to do something with them to retake hold of them and press into there fulfillment. As Dave spoke I saw the vision again, this time we were all gathered in the space, laid out as before this time praying and worshiping him... his presence was with us, the vision was across a period of time rather than a snapshot, but the church family came and went in waves, across a period of time (days) however all met with God and his faithfulness was seen.

‘ T H E WAY ’ S U P P O RT E D SOCIAL HOUSING P RO J E C T

the inside of the house has been redecorated, had a fire system, emergency lighting and fire

By Jackie Hughes Wow….it is now just over three months since getting the keys for 218, Dale Road, Matlock Bath and we have refurbished the property and now opened our doors to the homeless and needy.

The house has had a makeover!

Two Chimney breast rebuilt, new lead flashing and a roof vent for the extractor in the newly created shower room on the top floor. The top floor has had new decking to the balcony, safety glass in the windows of both top floor windows and re-plastered. The ground Floor has been damp proofed and a new double glazed, UPVC, lean-to conservatory fitted, plus two new kitchens. The whole of

CHESTERFIELD

By Dave Newman At the time of reading this Gaynor and I will have been in Chesterfield for nearly two months. The Church has seen some encouragements over the last few months. First of all, a number of people have visited the Church on a Sunday morning and some have decided to make their home with us. In spite of the fact that all those looking after the Church at the time of launching Alpha, were unwell. The course was able to be run and those on the course

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doors installed.

I would like to thank all the trades men I employed to work on the house all of whom were brilliant, I would recommend them should anyone require any work done, particularly our own came week by week. We are now running the Freedom in Christ course through the summer months, resting the Community Groups (that is, giving the leaders a rest). Over 20 people have signed up to do the course, which is being run on a Monday evening. It is hoped that the next course will run on another night of the week, in the autumn.

Currently, I am looking at ways and opportunities for Evangelism in Chesterfield itself. This, it is hoped, will include Open Air Evangelism, Treasure Hunt-

brother in Christ Jay Higgins, who worked for hours along side his ‘day job’.

I would like to say a very big thank you to all that have volunteered to work on the property and gave of their own time, finances and belongings, particularly Allen Beech who has almost single handily decorated the whole house! thank you so much to everyone else (not enough room to name) for giving into this project.

Most of all I give thanks and the glory to our Lord, Jesus Christ for making a way for ‘The Way’ supported social housing project.

Last week we moved in our first tenants, two young men, one 18yrs old and the other 29yrs old, please keep them in your prayers, for their salvation, for guidance in finding work and ultimately that we are able to support them to get to the place where they are able to take on affordable housing with their own independent tenancy. ing etc. My prayer is that we would be a “Prodigal friendly” Church. There are so many who wander away from God and don’t return, sometimes for years.

Gaynor and I have been made to feel very welcome. Our aim is to provide encouragement and care for those God has graciously entrusted to us; and by His grace we will! Please pray God will move by His Spirit in Chesterfield and wisdom for the leadership team, to be able to lead the Church on at this time.

So I’m hopefully going to get a car soon, they’re more expansive and not as easy to get as in England for some reason.

U P DAT E F RO M AUSTRALIA

By Sarah Ear lam I moved into a lovely new home about two weeks ago, after finishing my farm work.

I’m living with Dave Birds sister and her family, its really nice they are lovely and they too planted a church 18years ago.

My house is about 20mins drive from where the church plant is going to be, but longer on public transport.

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We’re meeting together to pray next Tuesday which i really look forward to God speaking and moving.

Dave and Terry have just moved house near the church plant.

Things feel like they’re moving faster now, the church is going to be called ‘Grace church Camberwell’.

There is a section about us on the Sydney grace church website, until we get our new one up.

I’ve started a new job in the area of Camberwell, but I’m only on a trial with a few others as well, so a few people will go.

Please pray I get this job, its in a bakery/cafe 9-3:30 (Australian

full time) its really nice.

Grace church Camberwell is Newfrontiers so will have a look like Matlock church, free and deep in the word.

Also the miraculous, presents of God and family feel.

The leader of the Christ church NZ is coming over to pray with us next Tuesday which will be great. love Sarah

J I G S AW P RO J E C T

By Deb Hawor th I am the Father of the fatherless, the defender of widows, I am near the broken hearted and save the crushed in spirit.

(Psalm 68:5 and Psalm 34:18) Jigsaw exists to bring those whose lives we touch closer to the kingdom of God, to demonstrate his love and grace, to impact this world with prophetic acts of kindness and service.

Our call has to be rooted in God’s heart for the lost but in particular the poor, those afflicted and those in need.

Our Easter Meal this year was great fun and there were almost 50 people in attendance (that’s a lot of turkey!). Once again we were pleased to welcome some families who came because of the links we are building with Hurst Farm Community Centre. We want to increase these links so we are hoping to host a Jigsaw session at the community centre during the school holidays with a free barbecue for local residents. Please pray for this event and that we will continue to build relationships with these families.

M A R K H AWO RT H MEMORIAL FUND

By Deb Hawor th The Fund is becoming increasingly focused on providing household necessities for those who are struggling to provide a home for themselves and their families. In order to progress

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The Jigsaw Clothes Bank is now well established and at each open day event we have managed to pass on around 150 items of clothing to local families. We will now run an open day every quarter with an appointment system. Clothing will still be available on dates in between by dropping into the regular Wednesday Jigsaw sessions. As always your prayers are valued in support of this aspect of our ministry. If you want to provide practical help we are always in need of NEW mens and ladies socks and underwear (pants!) You can put any donations into the Tin Bin at church on Sunday or bring them to Riverside on a Wednesday afternoon.

Our Wednesday afternoon sessions at Riverside continue to be the most visible part of our ministry and we are seeing people referred to us from other social action agencies, mental health charities, the local Council and Dales Housing. We continue to provide everybody with a meal as well as befriending them and providing a sign posting and advice service. The number of visitors and their backgrounds varies every week

but we strive to provide a safe haven where everyone is treated with equal love and compassion. Please continue to pray for this aspect of the ministry, for the safety of everyone at Riverside and for continued unity in the team. On a practical note, we are always happy to receive contributions to the meals. If you feel led to befriend people you are very welcome to come and see what we do and consider whether you want to get involved.

The Jigsaw Food Bank is now well known and we are regularly seeing people in crisis who need urgent provision. This is especially true as cuts to the Benefits system mean that more and more people are finding themselves subject to “Sanctions”.

Stocks are low so please help by adding a couple of items to your weekly shopping – tins of meat, veg, beans, pasta sauces, teabags are all welcome; anything with a long shelf life. Please continue to support us by putting donations in the “Tin Bin.”

this we are currently looking for some storage space to rent in Matlock; it needs to be dry and secure. If you have any ideas on this please contact Deb Haworth.

not only in raising money but also because we had bidders who are not members of Church in the Peak. The total raised on the day was £1141.50 and this will be split equally between the Mark Haworth Memorial Fund and the Disha Day Care Centre in India.

The latest fundraising event was the Charity Auction on 18th June. This was a great success,