Grapevine Jun/Jul 2012 - Issue 56

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G INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Issue 56

June / July 2012

rapevine magazine

Pastor Mark King's Update on the Philippines

Samir Chovan's climb to Everest Base Camp

The church outside four walls - ECC in the community

TEN YEARS OF 24/7 PRAYER An

Pentecostal Church

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elcome to

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n behalf of the family here at Ealing Christian Centre, we would like to take this opportunity to let you know that we are glad to have you worshipping with us today. We hope you feel at home in our fellowship, and that you will join with us in our services. May God bless you.

CONTENTS

2 A Word from the Senior Pastor

4 Moving Offices Again - Pastor Mark King 6 Kevin Conlon: Room at the Inn - Men's Discipleship 7 God Will Make a Way - Women's Discipleship 8 Interview with Ruth Trbojevic and Sam Blake 10 The Church Outside Four Walls 12 Prayer Centre Testimonies 13 Two-month Prayer Diary Pull-out 21 Sunday Services at a Glance / Prayer Ministry 22 Finance page / Elim's Fundamental Beliefs 23 General Notices / Forthcoming Events 24 Fellowship & Congratulations 25 The Adventure With God - Pastor John Starr 26 Classifieds 27 How to Understand Fear - Roy McEwen 28 From Everest With Love - Samir Chokan 30 Youth Central - Ruth Trbojevic 31 Introducing Baby Watoto Gulu

- Ernestina Charles-Obi

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t was in June 2002 that the ECC 24hour Prayer Centre first began. Not long beforehand, we had converted the heating system of the ECC building from oil to gas. This meant that the old boiler room had become redundant. After sharing the vision with the church, two people individually donated £10,000 each, which enabled us to convert that old boiler room into the hub for 24/7 prayer. Perhaps that contained a prophetic symbol, where the powerhouse for natural fire would become the powerhouse for spiritual fire.

A further 240 people completed a questionnaire to say they wanted to be involved in this new venture, through becoming prayer warriors, participating in the new daily, morning and evening prayer meetings, or by contributing financially to the ongoing costs of the Prayer Centre.

There was, from the beginning, a sense that God was in this venture, and the fact that it has now been running continuously for 10 years, to my mind, demonstrates that this is led of the Holy Spirit. A humaninspired venture, no matter how noble a cause, would have run out of steam before now.

Would you like to contribute an item to the next edition of the GRAPEVINE magazine?

I would like to remind us of the specific objectives of the Prayer Centre, upon which it was founded and has continued to be run. They are as follows:

Deadline for AUGUST/SEPTEMBER edition is FRIDAY 6th JULY

To be a place where God’s people continually:

If you would like an item to be considered for the next edition of the Grapevine magazine, please submit your piece - by email only, please - no later than Friday 6th July. Please email your article to the Administrator at info@ecc.org.uk, marked 'For Grapevine'. Articles for half a page should be no more than 250 words, and for a full page should be no more than 600 words. The Editor reserves the right to edit articles where necessary.

Editor-in-Chief: Pastor Richard Buxton Editor & Design: Berean Services UK Photography: Roy McEwen plus various contributors from ECC Stock Images: freepik.com, publicdomainpictures.net, Google images Print: Deluxe Printers Ltd, London NW10 7NR, Tel: 020 8965 1771 Ealing Christian Centre, 268 Northfield Avenue, Ealing, London W5 4UB Tel: 020 8840 7508 Fax: 020 8840 1461 Email: info@ecc.org.uk Website: www.ecc.org.uk grapevine is published by Ealing Christian Centre. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. grapevine and the ECC logo are trademarks of Ealing Christian Centre in the United Kingdom where grapevine circulates.

Copyright © Ealing Christian Centre 2012. All rights reserved.

A word from the SENIOR PASTOR

GRAPEVINE • Issue 56• June / July 2012

1. Offer prayers up to the Lord, establishing an unbroken communion between ECC and God (Revelation 8:3-4).

This has always been the primary purpose and emphasis of the Prayer Centre.

Revelation 8:3-4 describes how the prayers of God’s

people come up to God like sweet-smelling incense.

Communion with God through prayer is of the utmost importance and the highest purpose. As ECC remains in unbroken communion with God through 24/7 prayer, it creates the environment for God’s power and miraculous presence to be in evidence amongst us.

2. Seek God for revival, as demonstrated by the salvation of many, and for signs, wonders and miracles to be commonplace in ECC and amongst the members of ECC (Mark 16:17-28).

Our purpose on earth is not to create a ‘glory club’, seeking only to satisfy our own spiritual or physical interests. Instead, Jesus has empowered and commissioned each of us, as members of his church, to take his delegated authority into the world and to fulfil his

A powerhouse for spiritual fire

TEN YEARS of 24/7 PRAYER

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There is a spiritual battle raging for the heart and soul of this nation, and currently the powers of darkness have the upper hand

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Great Commission to: preach the Gospel; cast out demons; heal the sick, and use the gifts of the Spirit. The ‘supernatural’ should be the ‘natural’ for the church that is living out that Commission.

I thank God for the way we have seen healings and miracles of all kinds, not only in our meetings, but also on the streets, in places of work, and in Cells, as members of the church understand and use their Christ-given authority.

3. Pray for our nation to turn back to the Lord (2 Chronicles 7:14).

We live in dark and desperate times. There is a spiritual battle raging for the heart and soul of this nation, and currently the powers of darkness have the upper hand. They control the hearts and minds of those who rule over us, those who are in positions of influence in our national institutions, and a population now largely ignorant of the life-changing message of the Gospel, and who live for the

here-and-now, oblivious to the reality that they are heading for a Christ-less eternity in hell.

In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God sets out the conditions for a spiritual revival of the nation. It depends wholly on the Church. Politicians do not have the ability or the understanding of how to stop the nation’s downward spiral to destruction. The conditions are for God’s people to humble themselves, pray and seek God’s face, and to turn from their wicked ways. When they do this wholeheartedly, God will hear from heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land.

For the Church not to pray for revival of the nation is surely selfish and cold-hearted, for it condemns this generation - and subsequent generations - to a society without Christ, being at the mercy of whatever godless regime that takes the reins of government and power.

4. Intercede for the needs of all who ask for prayer, expecting to see an answer (Colossians 4:12).

Currently around 1,200 people a month call the Prayer Centre around the clock. Many grateful people call back to inform us of the answers to prayer for all sorts of situations that have taken place as they were being prayed for, or after such prayers have been made. This is a powerful testimony to the fact that Jesus is alive and intimately concerned with the needs and situations of individuals. He is prepared to intervene in answer to prayer.

5. Form a ministry of evangelistic prayer – a point of first-time contact with the outside community, pointing them to Christ, who alone can meet their every spiritual, emotional and physical need (Ephesians 6:18).

Hundreds of cards are distributed each month to the community

Distributing tracts and prayer cards to the community

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of other religious backgrounds. A number of them give their lives to Christ, as they come to understand he is real; has answered their prayers, and they can see the power of the Lord demonstrated before their eyes.

For the Church not to pray for revival of the nation is surely selfish and coldhearted, for it condemns this generation to a society without Christ

I commend all who have and all who continue to labour for the Lord in this ministry. To participate in this continuing work of God, you can complete one of the Prayer Centre application forms to join the Team which prays in the 24hour Prayer Centre. Alternatively (or in addition), you can participate in the daily prayer meetings, where we regularly pray for revival and for God to move in power.

These daily prayer meetings take place from 10.00am to 12.00pm in the mornings, and from 6.00pm to 7.00pm each evening, Monday to Friday (except Tuesday, which is from 7.30pm to 9.00pm).

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with the telephone number of the Prayer Centre, and the details of the monthly Revival Prayer and Healing meetings.

Many people who telephone in, or who attend these meetings, are not Christians. They may be unbelievers, or from any number

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions, with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying…” (Ephesians 6:18).

Richard Buxton

June / July 2012 • Issue 56 • GRAPEVINE

MOVING OFF

Update from the Philippi

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n September 2004, I moved my family and my office from ECC to Cebu in the Philippines, to work alongside the indigenous missionaries in the north of the island, in a city called Danao. The plan was to be away for three years, but God had other ideas! Almost eight years later, I believe it is God’s timing for me to move my office back to London to continue to help advance His Kingdom in the UK at ECC!

Pastor Mark and Cora

Corrina, Daniel and Georgina

During our time in Cebu, we have enjoyed both happy and sad occasions. In July 2008, we gained a son-in-law, when our eldest daughter, Corrina, married Andrew Blake. Corrina graduated university; Georgina is about to do the same, while Dan is coming to the end of his first year. Cora and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary, and by the time you read this

Green Village, Illigan

Pastors Evan, Jen and Onie

Portland Christian Center

Helbert and Apple - CSP graduates

GRAPEVINE • Issue 56• June / July 2012

Family

We thank the Lord for His protection over our lives during our time on the mission field article, we will have become grandparents for the first time!

Unfortunately, we suffered the loss of both of Cora’s parents within the first year away; I lost my eldest sister and last surviving grandmother, but we

FICES AGAIN

ines, by Pastor Mark King thank the Lord for His protection over our lives during our time on the mission field, where we enjoyed His protection and good health.

Ministry I cannot even begin to think about the number of lives that have been touched and changed in Cebu since 2004. Through visiting teams, medical missions, feeding programmes, livelihood projects, building homes and other holistic outreaches, God has used ECC to form

God has used ECC to form a ministry that continues to affect and influence hundreds of lives a ministry that continues to affect and influence hundreds of lives. The ministry that started in a small barangay (village) in the mountains of Danao has now ‘extended its cords’ to touch lives on the neighbouring island of Bohol, to Manila in the north and down south to Iligan City in the region of Mindano, where we are helping the victims of last December’s devastating typhoon to recover.

PCC PCC ( Portland Christian Center) has become the cornerstone of the ministry since it was planted in February 2005.

Starting as an outreach Bible study with four non-believers, PCC has grown to a church of over 200 people! I was both flattered and encouraged when Pastor Richard, on one of his visits to Cebu, described PCC as a ‘mini ECC’. Although we didn’t directly set out to model PCC on ECC, this is exactly what has happened – to great effect!

There is now a thriving prayer ministry, leadership training, children and youth ministry, discipleship programme, strong evangelistic outreach and church planting strategy in place, all pointing towards a healthy future for the church.

Recently, PCC registered as an organisation under the Philippines Security Exchange Commission. It now owns its own land, and has purchased an adjacent piece of land in order to build classrooms and caretaker quarters. An application to become part of Elim Global is currently being processed.

Legacy Every leader knows that the measure of their success is dependent on the strength of their legacy, and that his/her main priority should be to raise up a successor. In July 2011, Jen Campaner, whom my wife and I have been mentoring for the entire period we have been in Cebu, was ordained as senior minister. It was a very proud moment for us to hand the leadership over to

Jen, knowing that she is both capable and chosen by God to lead PCC into the fresh vision He has revealed to her. She, along with Pastors Evan and Onie, complement each other in approach, style and calling.

We have recently added two

Every leader knows that the measure of their success is dependent on the strength of their legacy full-time and part-time staff members, who are ‘homegrown' leaders. They will assist in strengthening the areas of administration, maintenance and pastoral ministry.

Projects The incredible pride I have in seeing the results of the CSP (Child Sponsorship Programme) and Bethlehem projects is immeasurable.

I recently attended the graduation of Apple and Helbert – two CSP students, who have been sponsored since high school. It was an amazing experience to see them graduate their courses and, in particular, to represent Helbert’s parents. Apple has now joined the ministry as a ministerial assistant, and Helbert will be starting his

own catering business. I want to thank all of you who have sponsored and continue to sponsor the CSP programme – you are changing the destinies of so many children!

I have estimated that the pig farming project (PFP) has produced over 500 piglets, however, I cannot account for how many piglets have been produced after the individual businesses have been set up!

Many members of both the church and local community have benefited from this Project. Thanks to all of you who have supported this ongoing Project.

Having a roof over my head is one thing I thank God for on a daily basis – the ‘Home for Life’ Project has provided fifty-five houses for people in deprived areas since its introduction in 2005. Add to this the occasions where we help people complete a house they can’t afford to finish.

This has been a wonderful evangelistic tool, and one where it speaks the love of Jesus in the community without preaching a word.

It is very difficult to recall all that has been achieved in the time we have been in Cebu, but I can proudly say that it has been a sound investment of ECC’s time, personnel, finance and resources.

The foundation has been laid.

June / July 2012 • Issue 56 • GRAPEVINE

MEN'S DISCIPLESHIP

ROOM at the INN T

his was Kevin’s testimony at the Envisioning Weekend for Cell leaders on Friday 3 February 2012. Kevin’s Cell has since grown from three members to five. There is room at the inn for other ‘Kevins’ at ECC. The current percentage of men in the church, who are members of a Cell, is negligible. You can decide today to become part of what God is doing to men and through men in our Discipleship Cell groups. We join God in waiting for you.

Akin Osuntoki (Primary Cell Leader)

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hear revival is coming, and I would like to be swept along with it rather than be swept away by it - if you know what I mean - I want to be ready for revival!

life - I have had this problem whereby, if I was talking to a group of people, I was inclined to be cut off, often in midsentence, with people talking over me, perhaps because I was quietly spoken! It is no wonder, therefore, that I found it hard to speak in front of people, even as an adult.

However, since joining a Cell group here at ECC, I no longer experience that difficulty, as my confidence has gradually increased and I have become used to speaking in front of others, who would always hear me out. I notice that even in the workplace now, and whenever I get an opportunity to explain the Gospel, it is always without interruption.

Kevin Conlon

Through the many prophecies that have come forth regarding ECC, I know there will soon come a time when revival hits us, and when thousands of people will rush to join the church. When this happens, there needs to be Cell groups ready for them to go into and be discipled, otherwise they may remain immature, lose interest, and leave the way they came. And that is why I wanted to become a Cell group leader.

I started my Cell in the Northfields area in September 2011. We meet in my home on Wednesdays between 7pm and 9 pm. Currently, I have two members - apart from myself - but in faith, I have 12 chairs in the room where we meet, and we constantly pray over the empty seats that God will bring others into our fold. Last Wednesday, my former Cell group came over to support and encourage me, which was very nice.

In the past, I never thought that leadership was my strongpoint. I have since realised, however, that I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength. In situations when I feel helpless I do not bother to set up challenges for myself, as some might suggest, as I know that

GRAPEVINE • Issue 56• June / July 2012

I am not capable of much; I set up challenges for God, who I know can achieve much through me. And when I achieve success, then God gets all the credit!

For instance, in June 2010, I took two weeks off work to repair the windowsills on the front of the house that had become badly deteriorated, and which would have been very costly to employ a tradesman to see to.

Woodwork was one of my worst subjects at school. That will give you an idea of just how ‘impossible’ the task was!

So, before I started, I had no choice but to ask for divine

help. I prayed and said: “Jesus, You were a carpenter when You were here on earth, and I know Your Spirit dwells within me, so please pass on the necessary skills for the next two weeks.”

I tell you, for the duration of the project, it was as if I had the ‘golden touch’, and it turned out to be a first class job, and not a drop of rain until the work was completed.

This is an example of how God can be glorified in my life.

Cell membership has also greatly helped with my confidence. Since school days - and throughout my

This improvement in my life has been through informal training in Cell and, by the time an opportunity for Cell leadership arose, I felt sufficiently equipped to take the big step forward in becoming a Cell group leader.

Informed by my personal experience, I will strive to ensure that every voice in my group gets heard.

The Bible says that our works will be tested by fire. I am convinced that everything in my life that is worthless and sinful will eventually be burnt up. I am also sure that I will succeed as a Cell group leader, because I dedicate the responsibility to God and to His righteousness.

Kevin Conlon

Discipleship Cell Leader

Testimonies from the Women's Discipleship Cells

GOD WILL MAKE A WAY Testimonies from Sharon Daye’s Discipleship Cell show that God is at work in our day-to-day lives

Sylvie Zokou: God gives opportunities to witness at work and suggested that she puts them underneath her pillow when she slept. The following day, she told me that she slept very well - like never before and that the prayer cloth really worked!!

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od has given me the boldness to witness to my work colleagues at work on several occasions. On one such occasion, I had the opportunity to speak to a work colleague who has a history of a long-standing sickness.

She was often attacked in her sleep at night. Due to this, she could not sleep properly at night. I explained to her that Jesus is my Healer and has also healed me of this problem before now. She claimed that she had tried everything, and that nothing has helped her to sleep at night. I then offered to give her a few prayer cloths,

She did not know why they worked, and asked if she could have more prayer cloths. It also gave me the wonderful opportunity to share the power of Jesus Christ, and I emphasised that He could do much more for her, deliver her totally from her nightly attacks, and help her in every way if she would only totally surrender her life to Jesus.

She is thinking about it, and meanwhile keeps asking me questions every day and she obviously wants to know more about Jesus. I will keep praying for her, as we do during our Discipleship Cell meeting.

Lorna Brown: God gave me a permanent job

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od worked a miracle for me in the job area of my life. I went to the Thursday prayer meeting in the evening, and Juliet predicted to me that a job was on its way for me. I took no real interest, because the job I was doing was only temporary. I had given up praying for a permanent position, since I had been in a temporary position for five years. The following morning when I got to work and switched my computer, I had a wonderful surprise, because across the computer written boldly on the email was, “Lorna, you are now a permanent member of staff.” I give glory and praise to God.

Another opportunity came recently, when I was having my lunch break. A work colleague from another department entered into the locker room where I was reading a book.

She was not feeling well, and she laid down waiting for an ambulance to come and take her to hospital. I came over to ask her if she needed a drink of water, or if she needed any help. However, deep down I had a burning question to ask her what was wrong with her.

Previously, I have never got to know her well because she is not a chatty kind of person, and did not talk much with me. I went back to reading my book. Finally, I came back to her and asked her what was wrong with her medically. She explained that she has had an eating disorder for more than 26 years, and she needed to go to hospital for a check-up.

I asked her if I could pray for her. She said “Yes”. She was quite happy for me to pray for her. I prayed, and then the opportunity opened up for me to speak to her about Jesus’ healing power and, to my surprise, she told me that she had even written a book on different religions some years ago. I invited her to come to the Revival Prayer and Healing meeting.

I am so encouraged with the opportunities that God gives us every day to share the love of God with people.

Sometimes we don’t suspect there are people who need our prayers and encouragement.

We just need to grab those opportunities; remove barriers; step out in faith, and trust the Holy Spirit to guide us to share Jesus and His love with others.

Geraldine Blackwood: Disappointment turned to rejoicing

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hen I come for the Discipleship Cell meeting, I normally park in West Ealing and take the bus for two stops to the office. Recently, when I left the office, I hopped onto the bus and, when I got off at my stop, I left my bag which is valued at £800 and purse valued at £150, on the seat, with my two mobiles, my passport, my Sat Nav and credit cards in it. I ended up going to the police station, and they pretty much told me they could not help. The only Scripture that I could think of was, “There shall be no loss”.

I drove to the bus station, and they told me the bag had not been handed in. Next morning when I called back, they said my bag had been handed in and everything was in it. Nothing was missing - even my Oyster card was in there!

I am delighted, and realise that with God absolutely all things are possible.

And with the Lord, there is no loss.

June / July 2012 • Issue 56 • GRAPEVINE

An interview with Ruth T

Ruth Trbojevic and Sam Blake have both served in ECC over many years, leading the Youth and Children Mi Leadership Team as Ministers in Training (MiT). Full-time Bible School training is a necessary part of suc we welcome them onto the pastoral team in ECC, we asked some questions about their spiritual journey.

evangelism, the worship team, the youth ministries’ meetings, and went on mission - basically anywhere that would have me - all the while sensing a call into fulltime Christian ministries, and a call to pastor.

Ruth Trbojevic When did you first sense a call to pastor, and how did this develop?

As a young child, nearing my seventh birthday, I remember listening to a visiting preacher. I don’t remember any of what they said, as I sat daydreaming of all the things I wanted to spend my life doing for God. It was as the preacher gave a salvation appeal that I realised that if I was going to spend my life living for God, I needed to know Him. It was an overwhelming desire that in this life and forever, I wanted to be where God was, and step one was to give my life to Him. It was on this night that I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Saviour, and the beginnings of feeling a nudge and a call to serve God. This was a call that grew throughout my childhood and, at a Christian camp aged 11 years old, I sensed a confirmation and a call into full-time Christian ministry. Throughout my teenage years, I wondered what this would look like and explored many avenues – I even took Spanish at school in case God was going to call me to be a missionary to Spain. (I quickly discovered, however, that it would take a miracle, as Spanish was not a strength!) I got involved in street evangelism, Children’s Ministries, the choir, creative

GRAPEVINE • Issue 56• June / July 2012

Feeling a call into fulltime ministry, what steps did you take?

With leaving school imminent, I remember sitting in floods of tears as I talked with one of the pastors at the church, relating my desire to serve God and simply not knowing the next step I should take. I felt called, but had no idea where to start, or the timing of God. My Dad felt that, unless I felt a specific call to attend Bible College, I should be patient.

My parents encouraged me to look at what I ‘had in my hand’, which I could use to serve God. I seemed to be naturally good with children, so I went to college gaining a diploma, in Early Years. On leaving college, I began to work, but took only temporary contracts, as I wanted to be ready for when God called me to leave. I remained active in church life, attended the evening Bible School at ECC, and completed a part-time Christian counselling course.

I remember in my late teens a frequent prayer was “If this is what You have called me to, I will serve You faithfully but, dear God, please note that I am disappointed as I believe You have called me to more.” Therefore, you can imagine my delight when seemingly out of nowhere in 1998, the opportunity for me to study on the Youth Ministry course at Oasis College was made possible, with my home church - Ealing Christian Centre - being my sending and my placement church.

This course of study allowed me to undertake a 26-houra-week placement at ECC, whilst studying. In July 2000, I officially came on staff at ECC part-time, whilst I completed the second year at IBIOL (International Bible Institute of London), having done enough study to skip the first year. In 2001, my position became a full-time post. Since this time, I have sensed God’s continued call to pastor, within my role with young people. For me, ordination has always been where I sensed God’s call was leading, but I have been patient on His timing. I have seen faithfully throughout the years that God is continually shaping us for the next step of where He wants to take us.

What excited you most about the next step?

and our family, which is an exciting journey. I am privileged to have a wonderful husband, who loves God, and with whom I share life and ministry with. So I think what excited me most is what God is doing in and through us, as together we serve Him in our areas of gifting and strength.

What are you passionate about?

That’s a hard question, as every day we discover something new and amazing about the God we serve. Loving God is a passionate pursuit which never gets old. Within ministry, as I have served God, I’ve found that there are those areas in which God has birthed an increasing passion to see His work accomplished. Much of what shapes the work I do, with our youth and young adults at Ealing Christian Centre, comes from a longing to see Christ be central to all we are. I am passionate about seeing the lives of individuals transformed by Christ, with a lasting effect that will resonate beyond the moment, acting as a catalyst to see families, communities and our nation transformed.

For me, effectively raising and releasing leaders amongst those I am privileged to engage with is key, and therefore I invest time and energy in meeting with and mentoring youth and young adults to realise their potential.

There is a verse in Psalms which says, “Let each generation tell its children of Your mighty acts; let them proclaim Your power.” For me, there is something about this verse which resonates with the calling and passion I have. It speaks afresh to each new generation; it speaks corporately to each generation, but personally to us as part of a generation.

This verse challenges me in every area of my life, as I long to leave a lasting legacy as one of those whose lives have been changed by God. It’s a challenge I do not take up alone, however. For my husband, Sinisha, and I, our desire is that Christ would be evident within our home, our marriage Main picture: Ruth & Sinisha; Inset: Ana & Luka

Trbojevic and Sam Blake

inistries, and the Worship Ministry (respectively), and both have recently been accepted by Elim’s National ch preparation and so, during their time of preparation, Ruth studied for three years and Sam for two. As ...

Sam Blake How long have you been at Ealing Christian Centre?

I am proud to say that I have been attending ECC all my life. Brought along as a baby in the days of Pastor John Sainsbury, my mother served in the children’s work and my father was the organist and a church elder. It was from these early years that I found my love for Jesus and my passion for music. I can remember being an ambitious 10 year old, who wanted to play in church, but being encouraged to spend a little more time in personal practise perfecting my gift before being given the opportunity to play as a 12 year old; my father playing the organ one side of the stage, with myself playing the piano on the other, as was the traditional set-up in those days. No drums, vocalists, bass guitar, etc, back then!

When did you start working for ECC? I started working for the church in early 2001, although there were many years of being on team prior to that. I started on piano, then drums, and finally worship leading at the age of 17. I went through school, 6th form and University all in preparation to serve in the area of Music.

I can remember not wanting to study Music at University, because I just wanted to

serve the Lord, but being advised by my mother to do a degree in Music, as this would prepare me for the next step in ministry. She wasn’t wrong as, soon after finishing my degree, a new position became available at ECC, and having a Music degree made it possible to apply and gave me confidence in my musical ability. Since then, I have been growing and developing the Music ministry of the church. I count it a privilege to pour my life into one church and into one group of people, and consider ECC to be my spiritual home.

it is important to acknowledge that the strength of my ministry as a husband and father is equally as important as my ministry to the local church and beyond. I believe that God has called us all to be successful in every area of life, whether at home, work or church. To do this, I have realised that I am of finite resources, and that God is fully aware of this and will not ask me to do more that I am capable of. Sometimes the good ideas get in the way of the ‘God ideas’, but equally I understand that I am not called to do everything myself.

This is why we are called

Dead centre in the will and purpose of God for my life is where I want to be How do you maintain a good ministry/family life balance?

I think this is a most important of questions. When I first started on team, I had only myself to think about, and would spend hours either practising or working on a ministry project. Meeting and marrying my wife, Rachel, means now I have more than just myself to think about. As a husband, I am spiritually responsible for growing and developing my wife as well as myself. More recently, that role has again expanded with the addition of three beautiful children: Caleb, Levi and Talitha. My role as a parent, alongside Rachel, is to teach and grow them in the ways of God. As someone who both ministers and works at ECC, maintaining a healthy balance is most important and not always easy. I don’t always get it right either, however, for me,

together, in unity, to share the burden of ministry, and to encourage one another in the areas that we are strong in. “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go TOGETHER!” God has an even bigger plan for our future as the ECC family, and together we will surely see it come to pass!

What are you most passionate about?

For a worshipper, that’s an easy question…..God! Over the years of investing in local church, I have been thrilled to see ECC grow in size and spiritual depth. I have also been equally amazed at how God has started to grow what He has invested in me into something that is starting to impact and help mobilise the wider church in the UK. I have found it a joy to be involved in the formation of Elim Sound (with Stephen Gibson, Joel Pridmore and Ian Yates) and getting our heads together on a national initiative for worship teams in all 550 of our Elim churches.

The writing of new songs; the development of a relational network structure, and the most recent development of a School of Worship are truly the result of God’s incredible plan being outworked though people who just make themselves available. Dead centre in the will and purpose of God for my life is where I want to be.

Caleb, Sam, Levi, Rachel and Talitha

June / July 2012 • Issue 56 • GRAPEVINE

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treet evangelism at ECC has been going from strength to strength, as men and women have been encouraged and mobilised to reach the unsaved outside the four walls of ECC. The Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is power for salvation for everyone who believes. God wants to use each member of ECC to be His channel through which the Gospel is preached and witnessed. James 1:22 says, ‘Be doers of His Word, not hearers only.’ God has all the power, but He needs manpower to do His work. He could have done it through angels, but He chose men and women to do it.

It has encouraged our hearts to see the many testimonies, which come through each month from various people involved in evangelism.

Winter, sunshine, thunder, rain or snow, the evangelism continues, sometimes in minus degree temperatures in winter, for such is the zeal and passion of those who go out there to fish for lost souls. The Team is encouraged to pray for people on the streets with various problems, and also to use the prophetic gifts. There are three branches of street evangelism: one is the Borough-Wide Evangelism, which is held in different towns each month – usually on the second Saturday of the month; the Lighthouse Evangelism held on the third Saturday of the month in front of ECC, and the Evangelism Explosion, held in front of ECC on the last Wednesday of each month.

We would encourage you to be a part of the ‘church outside the four walls’ to make an impact on those who do not yet have a personal relationship with God through Jesus. Be a witness for Jesus, and join the Team.

CHURCH OUTSID

Testimonies from th

Marcia Borough-Wide Street Evangelism in HOUNSLOW

H

ounslow is my personal Jerusalem. The struggle for souls was strong, but we won the battle this month through the effective prayer of the saints, which had gone up to the throneroom of the Father and He answered our prayers.

Individuals were receptive; tracts and leaflets were accepted with outstretched hands; people stopped and were willing to listen to the Gospel - some gave their hearts to Jesus and promised to attend the Revival Prayer and Healing meeting on Sunday evening. I was overjoyed to see parents allowing us to explain the salvation message to their children, as they accepted the beaded Gospel bracelets.

We felt the urge of the Holy Spirit to go to the end of the street, where we encountered a man sitting in a coffee shop, contemplating on ending his life because he was in so much debt. When he received the tract entitled "Out of Debt", he said that he had been praying to Jesus even though he was not a Christian. He accepted Christ into his heart, and we prayed with him; took his name and address, and he promised to come to church as well.

God indeed has a sense of humour because, as we were about to be chased from the coffee shop, many of the customers who had previously ignored us then became receptive and were begging for tracts and leaflets, asking for up to three at a time. They were freely given with joy, and we left the place because our job had been done for the time being.

This lady was testing the healing in her knees

Pastor Rajinder Buxton Virpi Saha - Evangelism Explosion

W

e had a very blessed period of evangelism on Wednesday. We prayed beforehand that God would help us in evangelising, and that we would have more men helping us, and indeed four men turned up to witness. We prayed for an open heaven, and were very encouraged because people easily accepted the tracts; some listened to our testimonies and to the Gospel message. We were able to sow the seeds of the Word of God, which was the best and most important thing. One person gave his life to Jesus, and it was more than great! We were really filled by the Holy Spirit, and that day really encouraged us a lot. We want to continue witnessing, because now is the time to reach the people.

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Margaret Wartemberg Borough-Wide Street Evangelism in HOUNSLOW

W

hilst sharing the tracts a young man (Middle Eastern) - not older than 21 years - accepted one. Upon taking it, he said "Pray for me, please, the police are always after me." He looked very distraught. I asked the Lord to take absolute control.

Another sister came by, out of nowhere, and joined in the prayers. Afterwards, he just sat on the nearest bench for more than 30 minutes. I was sure the Lord was working on him.

When he eventually got up, he came over and said, "Thank you, sister. I really needed the prayers." He looked much better. I trust the Holy Spirit will lead him to ECC.”

DE FOUR WALLS

he Evangelism Teams

Dale - Lighthouse Evangelism

Christine Borough-Wide Street Evangelism

S

o many came forward for healing, as they saw one person who got healed. Some of them were instantly healed, and some partially healed.

One woman was suffering from diabetes with some complications and with pain all over her body and, as we prayed for her, she said the pain had gone and she felt like going to sleep. She felt so relaxed and she gave her life to Jesus.

One lady had neck problems, and had stopped working due to her disability. God healed her, as her neck pain disappeared and her arms came back to be the same length.

Many other people queued up to receive healing from Jesus.

Chris Matthews - Evangelism Explosion

T

oday we had thunder, a cold wind blowing, and it rained heavily most of the time, although there were some glimpses of blue sky, but we are men and women that are for all seasons. We thank God that some faithful souls braved it and came out to give their time to the Lord's work. We were able to give out a significant number of tracts, and there were occasions when we could share our faith.

I witnessed to a lady who said she worked at ECC when it was a cinema, giving out popcorn, and she asked me if I went to that church. I also had a long conversation with a man who, many years ago, had fallen off a train platform in a drunken stupor, and his right leg had been severed off. He had other injuries, but he was still alive, and he said that he believes God kept him from dying for a reason. I pointed out the Revival Prayer and Healing card, encouraged him to come to the meeting, and shared the Gospel with him. God’s Word never returns to us void, but will accomplish something in people's hearts.

We must persevere in prayer that the kingdoms of darkness, which are holding people in the Northfields area in bondage, will be broken in Jesus’ Name. Amen!

T

here was such an open heaven; it was one of the best Lighthouse Evangelistic outreaches that I have had the pleasure in doing for some time. The response from the passersby was extremely positive.

Even though some of them did not accept the tracts, there was no hostility directed towards us, and a general acknowledgement that what we were doing was worthwhile.

Two major highlights for me were the fact that I was able to witness to a former work colleague (a health visitor), who actually stopped her car outside of the church and spoke to me for about ten minutes. I was able to share the Gospel with her and catch up with her about her new job. The other was that a young lad gave his life to the Lord, with very little effort on my part. He came up to me and wanted to know more about the Lord, and gladly gave his life Him. Both Christine and Margaret reported an openness to the sharing of the Gospel with all who were keen to listen, and the acceptance of the tracts by most.

The weather was fine, despite the fact that it rained practically all week and all day the previous day.

God is wonderful in that He gave us such excellent weather, so that we could do His work.

Prosper - Lighthouse Evangelism

O

ne lady prayed to receive Christ and gave her life to Jesus. We joined her in also praying for her family's needs, including an alcohol problem, salvation and healing for her family members, and for her grandchildren to be baptised. Another young girl said she would attend ECC for a Sunday service.

A man, who initially said he believed in neither God nor religion (an atheist), was informed about the day of salvation, and he immediately changed his mind, accepted the tract and promised to read it.

Two women were given tracts, one accepted it and the other was reluctant. Brother Emmanuel persisted, and when she received the tract, she started reading it so intensely that the other woman was surprised about her change of heart. The Holy Spirit was convicting her. Most people were receptive to the Holy Spirit, and received the Gospel material.

We can say that it is certainly Jesus Christ, working through the power of the Holy Spirit in us, to win the unsaved and for the afflicted to be set at liberty. To God be the glory.

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the

The Prayer Centre operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, as compassionate prayer partners are waiting to take your prayer requests and to pray for your individual needs over the telephone. Here are some of the amazing answers to prayer, as individuals ring back to share their answers with us.

PRAYER centre

020 8799 2199

A very small selection of the many answers to prayers received in the Prayer Centre Refund from abroad

Atheist professor

A brother rang the Prayer Centre to give thanks that a company, supplying cars abroad, refunded all his sister's money after the company went into liquidation.

Give God the praise!

Remarkable progress

A man asked for prayer for healing from cancer of the throat and lungs, and rang back to say there had been a remarkable progress since he was discharged from hospital.

Praise the Lord.

A lady asked the PRAYER CENTRE to pray for safety of her daughter at college and that the atheist professor will not cause her daughter problems.

She praises God because her daughter was able to write an assignment on Christianity and her assessments went very well.

She also said that she had been healed of heart disease.

Recovering customer

A brother called the PRAYER CENTRE two months ago to ask for prayers for someone who came into his shop, who had cancer.

He called back to say that his friend is much better; is recovering well, and no longer needs any treatment.

Praise God.

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF THE PRAYER CENTRE

Fellowship in Malaysia

A brother called the PRAYER CENTRE from Malaysia asking for God to send godly people to fellowship with him as he is fairly new in the country. He called back to say a Christian colleague had requested to come to his house for fellowship, and he is very grateful to God for answering his prayer. Thank You, God.

Salvation

A lady called the PRAYER CENTRE because she was in pain, and also because of her difficult and abusive father.

After receiving prayer and ministry, the pain left; she was in tears and said she was ready to surrender her life to Christ. She later said the Sinner's Prayer.

Bowel cancer

A sister rang the PRAYER CENTRE for prayers for a relative in Australia, who was very ill in hospital with bowel cancer.

She phoned back to say that he is now doing very well and making progress.

Publishing assistance

Another sister phoned the PRAYER CENTRE because she hadn't heard from the man who was going to help her to publish her book.

She checked her email afterwards and read that the man was looking for the right publisher in the US for her. She gives thanks because he has set up an email address and web domain for her, as well as Facebook and Twitter accounts. She is overjoyed that progress is being made, and gives all the glory to God.

Special Prayer Centre supplement to follow 12

GRAPEVINE • Issue 56• June / July 2012

Employment

A lady rang the PRAYER CENTRE for her son, who was seeking employment. She called back to say that he was called for an interview the following day and was offered the job.

Glory to God.

New job and book release

A sister rang the PRAYER CENTRE to give thanks to the Lord for giving her a job and for the release of her book.

Prayer for confidence

A lady was attending a diabetes conference and was asked to join the panel to answer visitors' questions. She rang the PRAYER CENTRE as she was anxious that she lacked the confidence to do this. She rang back to say that she was able to answer the questions without any embarrassment, and gives thanks and praise to God.

GOD CAN USE YOU

Amazing testimonies abound at the Prayer Centre, and you can make a difference to someone's life. Are you willing to be used by God in this area? Please contact Rudy or Tom, our Prayer Coordinators, on 020 8799 2199.

PRAYER DIARY for

JULY 2012 PRAYING WITH GOD'S INTERCESSORS

G

od is looking for intercessors - men and women who are prepared to stand before a holy and righteous God, on behalf of a sinful people and nation. Through Isaiah, he said, “He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene” (Isaiah 59:16).

Many years later, he spoke through Ezekiel saying, ‘“I looked for a man among them, who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land, so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. So I will pour out my wrath on them, and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done,” declares the Sovereign Lord’ (Ezekiel 22:30-31).

When people - or a nation - reject the role of God in their lives, they have no measuring stick by which to measure true goodness and true morality. The inevitable result, as the history of mankind demonstrates time and again, is that in time, all restraints are cast off and the society sinks into an ever-decreasing spiral of trouble. God knows this, and seeks those who would intercede and pray on behalf of those who have lost their way, in order to bring them back to God before the inevitability of his judgment falls, by which time it is too late.

We live in such a time of the casting off of godly restraint, with the social troubles, breakdown and hurts that abound around us. It does not have to remain like this; it is not God’s will that it should. There is still time for an intervention by God. As in the days of Israel, he seeks those who are willing to stand in the gap and intercede for those who are heading for a lost eternity.

Bible Readings and Prayer Points for Individual and Church Spiritual Growth

Extracts from intercessory prayers in the Bible

This month, we look at aspects of different intercessors in the Bible, who stood in the gap or who knew the mind of God in these matters.

People like Abraham: God was moved by his intercessory prayer on behalf of a wicked city. Moses was prepared for his name to be removed from the Book of Life, if that could secure forgiveness for a rebellious people. Joshua interceded for God’s miraculous intervention on behalf of his situation, and was rewarded with a miracle.

Nathan the prophet and David his king were so intimate with God in prayer that they learned God’s plans for David to have an everlasting dynasty. The Christ was to be from his line, and so rescue the nation of Israel to become its end-time King. The whole world would then be rescued from everlasting damnation for whosoever would put their faith and trust in Christ. Elijah learned of God’s plans through intimate prayer, and so rescued his nation in the contest on Mount Carmel. Hezekiah’s intercession saved Jerusalem from destruction. Habakkuk learned the awesome ways of God as he waited on him. Ezra’s intercession saw a nation turn back to God in revival. The intercession of Nehemiah saw his downtrodden people do extraordinary feats in restoring their city of Jerusalem from its ruins. Daniel received great spiritual insights and revelations when he interceded for his nation.

God can respond in many great and varied ways, but the starting point is: “I looked for a man or a woman… who would stand in the gap…”

1st – Genesis 18:16-25 God’s will revealed 1) Lord, draw us close to you in intimate union, so that you can speak to us in different ways.

2) Motivate our hearts to draw near to you, so that you may draw near to us, we pray.

3) Reveal your plans to us as we wait upon you in prayer, O Lord, and help us to act wisely upon such revelation.

4) Make us a prophetic people, who can understand the signs of the times and discern your will, for now and the future, we pray.

5) Speak Lord, we pray; your servants are listening.

2nd – Genesis 18:26-33 Interceding for the lost 1) Have mercy, O Lord, on our nation that has chosen to reject your laws and your ways.

2) Turn the heart of our nation back to you, we pray.

3) Open the eyes of our society to the folly and harmful consequences of unbridled sexual permissiveness, we ask.

4) Holy Spirit, open the eyes of those we know who are blinded by unbelief.

5) Have mercy on our loved ones, O God, who have not yet given their lives to Christ.

4) Help us not to be complacent, but give us a burden to pray and intercede for our sinful nation.

5) O Lord, forgive your Church for allowing our nation to slide so deeply into sin, and cause your Church to rise up in power to turn the people back to you.

3rd – Exodus 32:30-35 Interceding for our nation

1) Lord, as we seek your face and your ways, bless us, our families and your church.

2) Bless and prosper all those who teach your Word and ways, and all those in every level of leadership in the church, in all the departments, making them fruitful, we pray.

3) Bless us in our jobs and businesses, that our financial fruitfulness may bless your work, we pray.

4) Bless our Discipleship Cells and their leaders, O Lord, that we may edify one another and be fruitful in evangelism.

1) O Lord, have mercy on all those we know whose names are not in your Book of Life.

2) We pray for our national leaders and politicians, who have led the nation away from you with ungodly laws; have mercy on them and on the people.

3) O God, we confess the sins of our nation; in your mercy, forgive us and cause the nation to come to its senses, repent and turn back to you.

4th – Numbers 6:22-27 Blessing

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PRAYER DIARY for

JULY 2012 5) Bless those who pray and intercede regularly for others, and release great anointing through their prayers that sees manifest results, we pray.

5th – Joshua 10:12-14 Praying for miracles 1) Give us a faith that can believe you for all kinds of miracles, O Lord.

2) Release in your church, Holy Spirit, the gifts of faith, miracles and healings, as signs that point people to Christ.

3) Release in your church, Holy Spirit, the gifts of words of knowledge and wisdom and the discerning of spirits – for evangelism and edification of your church.

4) Release in your church, Holy Spirit, the gifts of tongues, interpretation and prophecy to build up and encourage your people.

5) Let us be a people so close to you, O God, that miracles are commonplace wherever we are and wherever we minister.

6th – 2 Samuel 7:18-24 Thankful for God’s grace 1) Thank you, O Lord, for saving us from our sins and revealing Jesus to us; may our daily lives truly reflect our gratitude as we walk in obedience to you.

2) Thank you, O God, for your steadfast love and for your mercies that are new every morning.

3) We acknowledge there is no God but you, and you are worthy of all our praise.

4) Thank you that you have redeemed us, called us out of this world, chosen us, made us into a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God. 5) Be glorified in our lives, in all that we do, O Lord.

7th – 2 Samuel 7:25-29 Building the House of God 1) Thank you, O Lord, for commissioning us to go in your Name to build your Church; may we serve you with all our heart.

2) Give us Holy Spirit-inspired strategies for evangelism, as individuals, as Discipleship Cells and as a church, we pray.

3) Build your Church through us, O Lord, and let not the gates of hell prevail against us.

4) Help us to serve you with pure motives, O God, so that we build on rock and not on sand.

5) Help us to build your house, O Lord, not with wood, hay and stubble, but with gold, silver and precious jewels that will endure the fire of your testing.

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8th – 2 Samuel 23:1-7 Walking righteously brings blessing 1) O Lord, guard our lips that when we speak we may be able to say, “His Word was on my tongue.”

2) May our relationship with you be such that we are naturally spiritual and spiritually natural, we pray.

3) Show us any area of our life that is not pleasing to you, O God, so that we may change it and be blessed.

4) In our day-to-day lives, cause us never to compromise or take short cuts for temporary convenience, but always to choose your ways.

5) May the Spirit of the Lord speak through us, both prophetically and with natural words of sanctified wisdom, we ask.

9th – 1 Kings 18:30-39 Praying God’s will

1) Teach us your ways and your will, O God, that we may pray what you want to hear.

2) Teach us how to know the mind of Christ, that our prayers will always be powerful and effective.

3) Give us the strength to always be as uncompromising as Elijah when confronted with the world’s changing attitudes, we pray.

4) Send your fire into our lives, O Lord, to burn up any dross of unspirituality.

5) Send your fire into our church, O Lord, and spread your flames of revival.

10th – 2 Kings 19:9-20 A prayer for help 1) Draw near, O Lord, to all those in our midst, who are in distress and crying to you for help.

2) Deliver those in our midst, who have desperate domestic circumstances, and meet their needs, we pray.

3) For those we know in financial distress, give them the means and the wisdom to be set free, we pray.

4) For those we know who are praying earnestly for healing, touch their sick bodies, O Lord.

5) For those among us with urgent employment needs, grant them the favour they require, we pray.

11th – 2 Kings 20:1-6 Prayer for healing 1) We take authority over any sickness in our bodies right now, and command healing in the Name of Jesus.

2) O Lord, let us enjoy divine health throughout our days.

3) Thank you for all those we see you healing in answer to prayer; may the anointing to heal continue to increase, we ask.

4) O Lord, make us bold to pray for the sick in Jesus’ Name, expecting to see results.

5) Increase your anointing in all the Discipleship Cells to minister healing to those in their midst, we pray.

12th – 1 Chronicles 16:7-18 Testifying to God’s acts in our lives 1) Thank you, Lord, for every testimony we have of what you have done for us.

2) Give us a boldness to share our testimonies whenever the opportunity arises, we pray.

3) Let our lives be a living testimony to the grace of God within us, we ask.

4) Give us divine appointments, and lead us to those with whom we can share a testimony that changes their lives, we pray.

5) Do marvellous things in our midst, O God, and be glorified amongst your people.

13th – 1 Chronicles 16:19-31 Bring an offering and come before him 1) In season and out of season, never let us forget to bring you, O God, an offering of thanksgiving for who you are.

2) Help us to hone our spiritual gifts, that they may be used for your glory, we pray.

3) Help us to hone our practical gifts, that they may be used for your glory, O Lord.

4) As Abraham was willing to bring Isaac as a sacrifice, show us what you want us to bring to you, O God. 5) Holy Spirit, teach us to worship the Lord in the splendour of holiness.

14th – 1 Chronicles 16:32-36 Save us, O God our Saviour 1) O Lord, for those we are witnessing to, but who have not yet given their life to you, open their spiritual eyes.

2) Save us this day out of any situation that would bring us down, we pray.

3) Save us from discouragement, O Lord; keep our eyes fixed on you so that our spirits may be lifted.

4) Save us from making wrong or unwise choices today that would otherwise cause us unnecessary difficulties, we pray.

5) Save us from lukewarmness, and let us radiate the new life in Christ, we ask.

PRAYER DIARY for

JUNE 2012 PRAYING THE PRAYERS AND DESIRES OF JESUS

A

s we come to the 10th anniversary of our 24/7 Prayer Centre, we go back to look at aspects of the prayer life of the One who shows the importance of prayer and how pray – Jesus himself. If Jesus, who always remained sinless and an example of perfect humanity - as God always intended it to be, found it necessary to make prayer his priority, how much more should we?

There was something so different about the way Jesus prayed that his disciples asked him, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). God has paid a great cost to enable us, who are sinful people, to be redeemed through our faith in Christ, and so be able to come boldly to the Source of all being and power. “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but we have One who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:14-16).

Jesus is the High Priest through whom we have immediate and unrestricted access to the very presence of God. Jesus is also the One who modelled a life of prayer to those around him, so that we can understand how to pray, when to pray and what to pray for, in ways that are effective and fruitful. The disciples saw and understood the connection between the prayer life of Jesus and the amazing impact he had on all around him; it was one of the things that marked him out as so different from others. And yet, it was something the disciples knew instinctively was a possibility for them to emulate, so they too could walk in the power of God. What is Jesus doing now, having ascended into Heaven? So essential is the life of prayer that the Bible shows us that Jesus is continuing his intercessory ministry even now: “Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God, and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” (Romans 8:34-5). It continues by saying, “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:25).

Bible Readings and Prayer Points for Individual and Church Spiritual Growth

Extracts from the Gospels

This month, as we take some aspects from the prayer life of Jesus, and from the things he said or experienced about prayer, we are following in the footsteps of the disciples as they asked him to show them how to pray. We see Jesus in intimate conversation with the Father. We see him rejoicing in prayer to the Father, as he sees his disciples moving in the power of the Holy Spirit. We see his guidelines on what to prioritise and ask for in prayer, as he gives us a model prayer. We overhear him praying his great High Priestly prayer before he goes to the cross. We observe him in prayer, as he goes through the greatest crisis and test of his life at the cross. And we ask, “Lord, teach us to pray,” so that we can move effectively in the presence and power of God.

1st – Luke 3:21-22 An open heaven 1) O Lord, teach us to walk in your ways, so that as we pray we may experience an open heaven in our lives.

2) As we seek you in prayer, O Lord, let your Holy Spirit come upon us afresh with a new infilling.

3) As we pray and intercede daily for revival, grant an open heaven over our church, O God. 4) As prayer comes up to you in the Discipleship Cells, grant an open heaven over the non-believers prayed for.

5) May our lives be such that you can say of each of us, “With you, I am well pleased.”

2nd – Luke 6:12, Mark 1:35 Time with God 1) However busy our schedules may be, O Lord, give us the wisdom to make time to pray.

2) Let your peace, which passes all understanding, be ours as we wait in your presence in prayer.

3) Let our children in the church be able to see their parents regularly in times of prayer with you, Lord, and so learn to make prayer an intimate part of their lives, we pray 4) Teach us that if we are always too busy to pray, then indeed we are too busy.

5) Teach us how to talk to you in prayer at all times, and in all situations, with all kinds of prayers.

3rd – Luke 10:17-21 Thanks for the ministries of others 1) Lord, we give you thanks for the person who first told us about the Gospel and led us to salvation in Christ; bless them and make them fruitful, we pray.

2) Thank you, Lord, for those in your church who can do some things much better than we can; increase your anointing on them, we pray.

3) Thank you, Jesus, that you have given us your delegated power; give us the wisdom, understanding and courage to use it well.

4) Thank you for all the leaders of our Discipleship Cells and all other ministries; increase their abilities and giftings.

5) Help us never to be jealous or envious at the spiritual giftings of others, but rather to always thank God for them.

4th – Luke 11:1 Teach us to pray 1) O Lord, let prayer become to us as natural as breathing.

2) Help us to pray in times of blessing and in times of hardship, we ask.

3) Lord, when we pray, may we learn to be persistent and never give up.

4) Cause us to remember that you are more willing to answer prayer than we are to offer it, O Lord.

5) Lord, we know we need to pray, but teach us to pray, we ask.

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PRAYER DIARY for

JUNE 2012 5th – Matthew 6:9 A heavenly Father

8th – Matthew 6:12 Forgiveness

1) Thank you, that you are not just our God, but are a Father to all who are in Christ; may we grow in understanding as to what that truly means.

2) May we be “like father, like sons” and “like father, like daughters”, as we reflect your character in all we say, think and do.

3) Let not familiarity with you cause us to become complacent in our spiritual walk, but may we always hallow and revere you and your Name, we pray.

4) In times of trial, cause us to remember that we are heirs of our Father jointly of all that belongs to Christ, we pray, so that we can endure current temporary difficulties.

5) Thank you for our eternal inheritance as sons and daughters of the living God; cause us to be generous in all our ways.

1) Heavenly Father, forgive us all our sins, and give us the strength to avoid repeating them.

2) We forgive and release from our resentment right now all those who have hurt us.

3) We forgive and release right now any member of our families who has offended us.

4) We forgive and release right now any member of the church who has ever offended us.

5) We forgive and release right now any and every non-Christian who has or continues to offend us.

6th – Matthew 6:10 Your will be done on earth 1) Let your Kingdom come into the lives of those we pray for, that they may be born again, O Lord.

2) Let your Kingdom come into the lives of those we witness to and pray for in our Discipleship Cells; save them, we ask.

3) Have mercy on our nation, and turn the hearts of the people back to you, O Lord.

4) Let our rulers begin to see the folly of overturning our nation’s laws that have been based on your Word, we pray.

5) O God, let your Church rise up in our nation and start to be more influential as “salt and light”.

7th – Matthew 6:11 Our daily bread 1) Thank you, O Lord, that you meet our needs; supply today those of us who have an urgent financial or physical need.

2) For those of us burdened by debt, give us the wisdom and desire to live a debt-free lifestyle, we pray.

3) We bring our most pressing need before you today; help us and provide, we ask.

4) Provide for and bless all those organisations around us who are providing humanitarian aid to the hungry and dispossessed, we pray.

5) Teach us to be as generous to others as you are to us, O Lord.

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9th – Matthew 6:13 Deliverance from evil 1) Guard our lips from evil at all times, O Lord.

2) Help us to put a guard around our thoughts and keep them from evil, we pray.

3) Enable us to guard our actions from all evil, O Lord.

4) Give us wisdom, O Lord, to avoid situations that will cause us temptation.

5) Keep us safe from all dangers seen and unseen, and from every attack of the evil one, we ask.

10th – Matthew 18:19-20 Praying together 1) Put the desire in our hearts to gather with others to pray and intercede, O Lord, we ask.

2) Give us a total unity in the Holy Spirit, so that as we pray together, it will be done.

3) Cause our families to pray regularly together – husbands and wives, parents and children - and be united in our spirits and in the Holy Spirit, we pray.

4) Cause all those who pray together in our prayer meetings and over the telephones in the Prayer Centre to see miraculous answers, we ask.

5) Cause all those who pray together in the Discipleship Cells to see miraculous answers.

11th – John 15:1-8 Remaining in Christ 1) Lord, we need you every hour of the day; help us keep our eyes on you at all times.

2) Cause us, O Lord, to remain in you and for your words to remain in us.

3) Enable us to be fruitful in every area of our lives - physical, spiritual, domestic, financial, social and ministry, we pray.

4) Guide us to pray according to your will, O God, so that we may see answers to prayer.

5) May we bring glory to you, O God, in all areas of our lives, we ask.

12th – John 17:1-3 Eternal life 1) Lord, we pray for each of our family members who do not know you, that you would save them and give them eternal life.

2) For each of our work colleagues who do not know you, we pray you would open their hearts to receive Christ and have eternal life.

3) For those we know who may be religious, but as yet do not know you personally, we pray you would give them eternal life.

4) For all those we know who are trusting in their good deeds to get them to Heaven, O Lord, save them and give them eternal life.

5) For those we know who profess to be atheists, save them and let them know the truth of eternal life, we pray.

13th – John 17:4-5 God’s glory 1) Lord, may our lives reflect Jesus and so bring you glory at all times.

2) Thank you for the glorious future that will be ours for all eternity in your presence; may such knowledge radically change our lives in the here-and-now.

3) Lord, bring your glory to the streets as we go out to witness, share the Gospel and pray for the sick.

4) Let this church be known for the miraculous, and so bring you glory, we pray.

5) When you give us success in any form of ministry, may we always be careful to give all glory to you, O Lord.

14th – John 17:6-8 God’s Word 1) Cause us to spend time regularly reading your Word, and grant us understanding, Holy Spirit, we ask.

2) Let us not be only readers of and listeners to your Word, O God, but diligent doers of it also.

PRAYER DIARY for

JUNE 2012

15th – John 17:9-10 Praying for the Church 1) We pray for every part of your Church in the UK, that you would visit every denomination with a powerful revival, O Lord.

2) We pray for our national church – the Church of England - that godly men and women will make a bold stand for righteousness.

3) We pray for the suffering church – all those believers around the world who are persecuted for following Jesus – protect them and give them strength.

4) We thank you for every part of the world where your Church is in revival; fan the flames even more, O Lord.

5) We pray for all believers we know whose faith is weak and who are struggling; strengthen their spirits, O God.

16th – John 17:11 Coming to the Father 1) Thank you, Lord, that we shall one day be with you and be like you; may such knowledge cause us to live dedicated lives for you.

2) Teach us, O God, to live in the light of the Day of Judgment.

3) For those believers who fear death, give them your total peace and understanding, we pray.

4) Thank you for the certainty that through faith in Christ, we know where our eternal future lies, and may it help us overcome all trials.

5) Help us, Holy Spirit, to share and bring that same future certainty to all those around us who are currently lost and hopeless.

17th – John 17:12 Safe in Christ 1) Thank you, Lord, that we are totally safe in your hands; cause us not to fear.

2) Help us to trust you at all times, and not to waste time and energy in needless worry, we pray.

3) Thank you that the Word of God is always fulfilled; teach us to treasure and it and act on your Word.

4) Cause us to remember your promise when you said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”, and give us strength in all situations.

5) Help us to remember we are eternally safe in your hands, so that we can always live over and above our circumstances, we pray.

2) We pray for all those in the church who have recently given their lives to Christ, that you would protect them from the enemy who would seek to turn them back.

3) Help all new Christians to settle into Discipleship Cells and to grow to become strong in the Lord.

4) Let us see new believers constantly being baptised in the Holy Spirit, in the church and in the Discipleship Cells.

5) Watch over each Discipleship Cell and over the church, and cause there to be a deep and total unity at all times, we pray.

18th – John 17:13-14 Joy

21st – John 17:24 The glory of God

1) May the joy of the Lord sustain us through any and every circumstance, we pray.

2) Keep at the forefront of our minds, O Lord, the eternal joy that awaits us, so we may put present trials in their true perspective.

3) Help us to live in this world without being tainted by the ways of the world, we pray.

4) O Lord, give us the strength to live in this world as ambassadors for the King of kings.

5) Let the love and joy of Christ shine out from us towards those who may dislike us simply because we follow Jesus, we pray.

1) Heavenly Father, we thank you that, in Christ, you will change us one day to total perfection.

2) Help us, even now, to reflect the glory of Jesus in every aspect of our daily lives.

3) May our daily choices and decisions be ones that bring you glory, O Lord.

4) Let the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord.

5) Glorify yourself in our midst through the gifts of the Holy Spirit being used throughout the body of Christ, we pray.

19th – John 17:15-19 In the world but not of it 1) Lord, as you have put us in this world, help us to know your will for our lives and our church, and to fulfil all the plans you have for us.

2) Teach us how to live in this world, in such a way that we are positive role models to those around us who do not yet know Christ.

3) Protect us from every wicked plan of the enemy against ourselves, our children, our families and your Church, we pray.

4) As you have sanctified us, O Lord, give us the grace to live lives that reflect the standards of holiness you desire in us.

5) We take authority over and bind every wicked spirit that would seek to bring harm, division, confusion or deception to the Church.

Bible Readings and Prayer Points for Individual and Church Spiritual Growth

3) Anoint our lips and minds as we share your Word with others, that they too may believe and obey your Word, we pray.

4) Cause your Word to be foundational to every decision and action we take, so that we may not stray from your ways in all we do.

5) Give us new insights into your Word daily, Holy Spirit, as you enlighten our minds and spirits, we ask.

22nd – John 17:25-26 Making God known 1) O Lord, let our lives be open books that show others the reality of you in our lives.

2) Let your presence, Holy Spirit, be felt deeply among us whenever we meet to worship you, and that others may always sense and feel your presence.

3) Bring a conviction of sin upon the unsaved as they meet with us, and let them turn to you, O Lord.

4) Rise up in our midst, O Lord, and reveal yourself to a spiritually needy nation, who may then see their need to be saved.

5) Have mercy on our nation, O God, and cause there to be tiredness with ungodly law so that the nation turns back to you, we pray.

20th – John 17:20-23 Prayer for new Christians

23rd – Matthew 26:36-39 Your will not mine

1) Help us to share with others how they can have the same relationship with you that we enjoy, O Lord.

1) Help us always to choose your will and ways, O Lord, even if it takes us down a difficult pathway.

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PRAYER DIARY for

JUNE 2012 2) For all those of us currently experiencing grave trials, give them the strength to endure until their breakthrough comes, we pray.

3) Let us not get discouraged in times of difficulty, but to remember that such experiences provide the opportunity for spiritual growth.

4) Enable us to be mature enough to pray “not my will, but yours be done.”

5) Give us willing hearts to encourage one another whenever we see others struggling, O God.

24th – Matthew 26:40-46 The body is weak 1) Keep us disciplined, so we do not neglect the times we need to spend in your presence, O Lord.

2) Highlight to each of us our weaknesses, and give us the desire and the will to deal with them, we pray.

3) Take away any spiritual lethargy that we may have, O Lord, and cause us to grow in spirit.

4) For those who profess Christ but are in habitual sin, shake them up, wake them up and bring repentance to their lives Holy Spirit, we ask.

5) Lord, let us encourage one another and spur one another on to live righteously.

25th – Luke 23:26-34 The spiritually blind 1) Lord, have mercy on the leaders of our nation who pass laws contrary to your will; forgive our nation’s sins.

2) Have mercy on those in the theatres, cinemas and TV who openly mock your ways and standards; forgive them and bring change, we pray.

3) Forgive your Church as it has stood by and watched our nation’s morals decline; let your Church rise up in the power of your Spirit, O Lord.

4) Forgive those across the world who kill Christians, believing they are pleasing their god; open their eyes to the true God. 5) Let the power of forgiveness that is seen in your people be a powerful witness to turn others to Christ, we pray.

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26th – Luke 23:35-43 With Jesus

29th – John 19:23-27 The single

1) Thank you, Lord, for the certain expectation of being with you for eternity that comes when we accept you as Saviour.

2) Lord, help us to remember you so that you are in our thoughts continually; be Lord of everything we do and change us.

3) Knowing your Word can be totally trusted, help us to trust you daily with every aspect of our lives, O God. 4) Let us live on earth with the power of your Spirit working in us and through us, we ask.

5) We bless you with grateful hearts for the joy that awaits your children in Paradise; let us radiate that joy to others, we pray.

1) Lord, bring comfort to the widows in our midst and provide all their needs, we pray.

2) Bless the single parents, especially if they are struggling in raising their children, and give them rest, we ask.

3) Bless those who are separated or divorced, and heal the broken and wounded hearts we pray.

4) Bless and help all our older members, and reward them in their latter years for their service to you, O Lord.

5) Let all the children in our church learn to respect those who have raised them, and know your blessings on their lives that flow from that.

27th – Matthew 27:45-50 Loneliness 1) Thank you, Lord, that we will never be God-forsaken; may such security give us peace at all times.

2) When our circumstances seem bleak, help us to remember you are only a prayer away at all times, heavenly Father.

3) For those we know who are experiencing bereavement, may they know the supernatural comfort of your presence at this time, we pray.

4) For those among us who are feeling lonely, may they find blessing in fellowship in the Discipleship Cells.

5) For those in depression or with thoughts of suicide, bring comfort through your Spirit and through the godly encouragement of others, we ask.

28th – Luke 23:44-46 Committing ourselves to God 1) Lord, we commit all our ways, plans, desires and ambitions into your hands; help us to surrender all.

2) We commit our jobs into your hands; lead and guide us at all times in this area, we pray.

3) We commit our families and relationships into your hands; let your divine favour rest upon them, O Lord.

4) As we walk in your ways, O Lord, may your divine hands rest continually upon all we do.

5) Our bodies, souls, spirits and all of our lives, we commit into your hands, O God.

30th – John 19:28-30 It is finished!

1) Thank you, O God, for the finished work of Christ on Calvary, and for taking our sins away; may our lives continually reflect our redeemed nature.

2) May we so live our lives that we accomplish all that you desire us to do.

3) Show us clearly what you would have us to do for you, O Lord, so that we may fulfil all your purposes for us.

4) Teach us to abide in you, O Lord, so we may be fruitful at all times.

5) Help us to labour diligently for you, our God, while it is still day time, and while we still have the opportunities.

Prayer & Thanksgiving

Thank You, Lord, for blessing the Prayer Centre over the past 10 years. Thank You for the faithfulness of the Prayer Centre intercessors, and for the lives that have been changed.

As we look forward to the 10th Anniversary celebrations and the launch of the book, Revival Prayers, we pray You will receive all the glory. In Jesus' mighty Name. Amen.

PRAYER DIARY for

JULY 2012 15th – Habakkuk 1:1-11 How long, O Lord?

16th – Habakkuk 1:12–2:1 Watching and waiting 1) May we be people who are able to watch in prayer and wait on God. 2) Open our spiritual eyes to see what you are doing, O Lord.

3) Open our spiritual ears to hear what you are saying, O Lord.

4) Speak to us, Holy Spirit, and may we listen and understand what you desire of us.

5) Teach us your ways and show us your paths, O God, so that we may follow them.

17th – 2 Chronicles 7:11-15 “If my people…”

1) O Lord, put a hunger in our hearts and a thirst in our spirits to seek you, walk in your ways and know you intimately.

2) Help us to walk humbly before you in such a way that our pride is broken, and the beauty of Jesus can be seen in each of us, we pray.

3) Forgive our nation – our leaders, politicians and all those in authority over us who have led the nation away from you – and turn the people’s hearts, we pray.

4) Hear our cry for a revival in the lives of your people individually, in your church and in this nation, O God. 5) Have mercy on our broken society, our families, our crime-ridden, drug-infested immoral nation, and heal our land, we pray.

18th – Ezra 10:1-4 Unequally yoked 1) Keep us from unwise choices that would tie us into ungodly unions, we pray.

2) Help us, O Lord, to have wisdom in our daily work and life, in order to avoid compromise with worldly ways.

19th – Ezra 10:5-8 Fasting 1) For those of us physically able to do so, burden our hearts to seek you with prayer and fasting to seek change, O Lord.

2) Teach us to fast from words that are unhelpful or unedifying, we pray.

3) Teach us to fast from all ungodly images on the TV or in magazines, we ask.

4) Teach us to fast from all unhelpful and ungodly thoughts, ideas and motives, O God. 5) O Lord, may we feed on the goodness of your Word, and may we be changed day by day from glory to glory.

20th – Ezra 10:9-16 Confession of sin 1) Lord, we are sorry for what we have thought today that has been unpleasing to you; help us to guard our thoughts.

2) We are sorry for motives of my heart which, though unspoken, have grieved you, Holy Spirit; help us to change.

3) Forgive any of our actions that have been motivated by selfishness, we pray.

4) Forgive any words that were spoken rashly or unkindly, and help us think before we speak.

5) Wash over us and fill us afresh, Holy Spirit, we ask.

21st – Nehemiah 1:1-3 Mourning over loss 1) O Lord, help those amongst us who are mourning the loss of loved ones, and bring your comfort, we pray.

2) For those mourning over lost or broken family relationships, give them your peace, O Lord.

3) Burden our hearts to mourn over the decline in morals in our nation, and to seek you with weeping, O Lord.

4) Burden our hearts to mourn over the millions in our nation, who are currently heading for a lost eternity that we may pray for their salvation.

5) We mourn over a generation growing up exposed to all manner of unrighteousness; may many be saved, we pray.

22nd – Nehemiah 1:4-7 God’s Covenant of love 1) Thank you, O Lord, that you love us not just for who we are, but in spite of who we are.

2) May your love melt our stony hearts and make them tender towards you and towards others, we pray.

3) Let your love within us move us with compassion for the unsaved, O God. 4) O Lord, cause us to love our neighbour as ourselves.

5) May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all.

23rd – Nehemiah 1:8-11 Grant us success

Bible Readings and Prayer Points for Individual and Church Spiritual Growth

1) For those of us who are waiting on you for specific answers to prayer, O Lord, give us grace as we wait.

2) As we wait for your answers, O Lord, help develop within us the faith that can endure till the answer comes.

3) May our suffering produce perseverance, and perseverance character, we pray.

4) Grant us the patience to trust your timing, O God. 5) By your Spirit, comfort those of us who are in distress for whatever reason, we pray.

3) Help all those in our midst who are struggling with unions with the unsaved, whether in business, work or marriage, we pray.

4) Holy Spirit, convict us of any compromising acts, that we may put things right.

5) Let the fear of God, which is the beginning of wisdom, keep us on the right path, O Lord.

1) Let us be discerning enough to know your will for our lives, O Lord, that we may see your success in all we do.

2) Grant us success in our family lives and relationships, as we put into practice what your Word teaches us, we pray.

3) Give us courage to step out in faith in the ministries you have given us, and grant us your success in those ministries, we pray.

4) O God, may we know your divine favour in all that we do.

5) For those seeking jobs, promotion, business growth or a godly relationship, as we seek your ways, grant your success, we pray.

24th – Daniel 9:1-4 Understanding the Scriptures 1) Holy Spirit, give us a passion for your Word to read it, learn it, teach it, live it, be changed by it and be empowered by it.

2) Move in power through your Word in all our Discipleship Cells, liberating us from fear and timidity, and releasing all the gifts of your Spirit.

3) Anoint all those who teach in our children’s and youth meetings; let them bring lifechanging applications of your Word, and continue to raise up more teachers, we pray.

4) Anoint all the teachers and students in our Bible College, Discipleship Cell leaders’ training, and New Believers’ courses, we pray.

5) Anoint all the tracts and invitations that are given out on the streets; open the eyes of those who read them, and may we see many saved and added to the church as a result.

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PRAYER DIARY for

JULY 2012 25th – Daniel 9:5-11 The righteousness of God

28th – Daniel 9:17-19 Hear us, O Lord

1) We thank you, Lord, that because there is no trace of sin or weakness in you, we can know your perfect peace and joy; help us to live out the peace and joy of the Lord.

2) We bless you that, through our faith in Christ, you clothe us in the righteousness of God; help us to walk in righteous ways.

3) May we never take our salvation for granted, O Lord, but gratefully work out our salvation with fear and trembling.

4) Use us to be instruments and channels to give others the opportunity to receive your forgiveness through Christ, we ask.

5) Help us always to see sin as you see it, and never to trivialise it or grow accustomed to sinful ways, O God.

1) You, who know our innermost thoughts, hear and answer our cries to you, our Father.

2) Show us when to persist in prayer; when to wait in patience, and when to expect an immediate response, O Lord.

3) For those of us who have been praying for a long time over situations, bring revelation into our spirits of your will, O Lord.

4) Thank you, Lord, that you hear every prayer; teach us to pray according to your will so that we do not pray amiss.

5) Thank you, O Lord, that we can bring our requests to you, knowing you care deeply for us and are concerned about us.

26th – Daniel 9:12-14 God fulfils his Word

29th – Jonah 2:1-5 God heard my distress

1) Because you always do what you say, we thank you, O Lord, that we can rest totally secure in our salvation; teach us to rest in you at all times.

2) We bring every prophetic word you have spoken over our church, O Lord, and ask for their total fulfilment.

3) We pray for every prophetic word spoken over our individual lives; give us grace as we wait on you to fulfil each word, O Lord.

4) Show us your Word for our lives, and enable us to fulfil all you desire of each of us, O God. 5) Teach us to trust your Word and promises more and more, O Lord, so you can use us to a greater degree.

1) For those we know, who are in distress because of ill health, draw near and heal them, O Lord.

2) For those we know, who are in distress because they have made ungodly choices and their lives are in a mess, hear them and cause repentance, we pray.

3) For those we know, who are in financial distress, give them wisdom to be wise stewards, to put you first and lift them out of debt, O God. 4) For those we know, who are in distress because of family problems, turn their situations around and turn them to you, we pray.

5) For those we know, who are in distress because of loneliness, answer them according to their needs, O Lord.

27th – Daniel 9:15-16 Turn away your anger 1) Turn your anger away from the sins of this nation, O Lord, and have mercy.

2) Turn your anger away from the sins of your church, O Lord, and revive us.

3) Turn your anger away from the sins of our national leaders, O righteous God, and raise up leaders who fear you.

4) Turn your anger away from those in our nation who lead others into lawlessness, godlessness and immorality, and reveal the reality of yourself to them, we pray.

5) For all those who teach evolution and atheism in our schools and through the media, undo the harm they cause, O God.

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30th – Jonah 2:6-9 A vow to God 1) Since salvation comes from you, O Lord, we acknowledge your goodness to us with great thankfulness.

2) Take our lives and let them be wholly consecrated to you, O Lord.

3) Take our lips and let our words always be wholesome, edifying, godly and consecrated to you, O Lord.

4) O Lord our God, help us to love you with all our hearts, souls, strength and minds.

5) May we always say “Yes, Lord” to all that we know you desire of us.

31st – Revelation 5:9-10 Every tribe, language, people and nation 1) O Lord, enable us to take the Gospel to people of every tribe and/or ethnic group, to those living in our city, and for missionaries to go from our church to all over the world.

2) We pray for England, all of Britain and all the European countries; move by your Spirit, and turn the nations back to Christ, we cry.

3) We pray for all of Africa, for your Spirit to sweep through the whole continent in revival power, especially in the northern Muslim countries.

4) We pray for all the countries of Asia, that there would be a wholesale turning from false gods, idols and communism, to Christ.

5) We pray for the continent of America North and South, the West Indies and all island nations, that revival would sweep like a fire through them all.

Notes

SUNDAY SERVICES at a glance 9am, 11.15am, 6.30pm

JUNE 2012 3rd 10th 17th 24th

PRAISE AND COMMUNION SERVICE Speaker: Pastor Richard Buxton

JULY 2012 AM

Worship celebration African style!

AFRICAN EVENING

PM

CELEBRATION SERVICE Speaker: Pastor Richard Buxton

AM

REVIVAL PRAYER & HEALING SERVICE

Speaker: Pastor Rajinder Buxton

PM

FATHERS' DAY CELEBRATION SERVICE

AM

Speaker: Pastor Richard Buxton

AN EVENING OF PROPHETIC WORSHIP

Speaker: Pastor Sam Blake

PM

CELEBRATION SERVICE Speaker: Pastor Mark King

AM

BAPTISMAL SERVICE Speaker: Pastor William Anane-Forkuo

PM

BOOK LAUNCH & BOOK SIGNING FOR "REVIVAL PRAYERS" SUNDAY 1st JULY 2012

1st 8th 15th 22nd 29th

PRAISE & COMMUNION SERVICE Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Oloyede Senior Minister, City Chapel AN EVENING TAKEN BY THE YOUTH Speaker: Pastor Ruth Trbojevic

AM PM

CELEBRATION SERVICE Speaker: Pastor David Silver Out of Zion Ministries

AM REVIVAL PRAYER & HEALING SERVICE PM Pastor Rajinder Buxton CELEBRATION SERVICE Speaker: Pastor Richard Buxton AN EVENING WITH THE WATOTO AFRICAN CHILDREN'S CHOIR

AM PM

CELEBRATION SERVICE Speaker: Pastor Richard Buxton

AM

HOLY SPIRIT MINISTRY EVENING Speaker: Pastor William Anane-Forkuo

PM

CELEBRATION SERVICE Speaker: Pastor Richard Buxton

AM

AN EVENING OF PROPHETIC WORSHIP

PM

Speaker: Pastor Sam Blake

PRAYER MINISTRY @ ECC Daily Revival Prayer Meetings Monday to Friday Morning meetings

10.00am Meeting in Annexe Room 2 EVENing meetings

6.00pm (Hour of Encounter Mondays-Fridays) Foyer 7.30pm (Prayer Explosion Tuesdays only) Foyer Annexe Room 2 is on the main street to the left of ECC's main doors and can be accessed directly from the street

For personal prayer, why not come along to our

PRAYER & HEALING MEETINGS The second Sunday evening of every month at 6.30pm Sunday 10th June • Powerful worship!

Sunday 8th July

• Testimonies of God’s provision and healing • Bring all your requests – God specialises in the impossible!

Jesus is the answer

All-Night prayer Meetings A night of intercessory prayers, celebration, thanksgiving and praise!

Next Meetings:

Friday 29th June Friday 27th July

The last FRIDAY of every month 10pm-5am June / July 2012 • Issue 56 • GRAPEVINE

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ECC Attendance and Finance Statistics MARCH / APRIL 2012

Children Children ATTENDANCE 9.00am 9.00am 11.15am 11.15am 6.30pm FINANCE MAR APR 04 Mar 252 34 465 90 89 Tithes & 11 Mar

279 35 440 78 142 Offerings £44,987.18 £55,116.91 18 Mar

284 32 439 85 82 25 Mar

221 25 449 87 112 Building 01 Apr

268 25 448 80 106 Fund £235.00 £358.00 08 Apr

300 50 602 70 290 15 Apr

247 40 453 80 71 Standing 22 Apr

217 30 390 86 261 Orders £14,526.89 £14,767.36 29 Apr

234 31 476 108 86 GIFT AID RECEIVED FOR PERIOD OCTOBER TO DECEMBER 2011 WAS £27,310.58

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR GIVING TOWARDS KINGDOM WORK!!!

A NOTE from the Treasurer Pastor Richard Buxton’s Message on Giving – Part 2

Managing our money is a highly spiritual exercise. The Bible says in Luke 6:38, ‘Give, and it shall be given to you…For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you’. God will bless us as we first give. We cannot know the blessings of giving, if we have nothing to give. Also, we can only give what we have, not what we do not have, ie. we shouldn’t borrow in order to give to God. Do you know that Jesus takes notice of how we use and handle our money? This is backed by the Scripture in Luke 16:10-11 which says, ‘Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will

also be dishonest with much. If you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, then who will trust you with true riches?’

The Parable of the Talents (five, two and one), found in Matthew 25:14-30, and the Parable of the Minas (pounds) in Luke 19:11-26 teach us the principle of trustworthiness, and how we need to wisely budget our money whether we have much or whether we have little.

Below are some Biblical principles on how to help keep control of our finances: 1. Learn the secret of being content Philippians 4:11-13 2. Learn to save and buy, rather than borrow and pay back - Proverbs 22:7, Galatians 5:1

3. Use credit cards only for convenience and if you already have the money in the bank to pay back when the bill arrives 4. Keep an accurate record of weekly/ monthly income and expenditure, so you don’t overspend 5. Practise the art of saving money, even if only a little Amount - 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 6. Teach your children how to tithe on their pocket money and earnings Deuteronomy 6:6-7 In conclusion, brethren, if we apply these principles to the way we manage our finances, we will in no doubt be in a position to give, and then know God’s blessing at all times.

Sandra Dawodu (Finance Assistant)

PLEASE NOTE: You can now pay your tithes and offerings through the ECC website at www.ecc.org.uk

FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS OF THE Elim Pentecostal Churches 1. THE BIBLE: We believe the Bible, as originally given, to be without error,

the fully inspired and infallible Word of God and the supreme and final authority in all matters of faith and conduct.

2. THE TRINITY: We believe that the Godhead exists co-equally and coeternally in three Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit and that these Three are one God, sovereign in creation, providence and redemption.

3. THE SAVIOUR: We believe in the true and proper deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His real and complete humanity, in His sinless life, in His authoritative teaching, in His substitutionary and atoning sacrifice through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, in His heavenly intercession and His second advent to receive His Church.

4. THE HOLY SPIRIT: We believe in the deity of the Holy Spirit Who proceeds from the Father and the Son and the necessity of His work in conviction of sin, repentance, regeneration and sanctification, and that the believer is also promised an enduement of power as the gift of Christ through the baptism in the Holy Spirit with signs following. Through this enduement the believer is empowered for fuller participation in the ministry of the Church, its worship, evangelism and service.

5. MANKIND: We believe in the universal sinfulness of all mankind since the Fall, rendering man subject to God's wrath and condemnation.

6. SALVATION: We believe in the necessity for salvation of repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ by which the sinner is pardoned

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and accepted as righteous in God's sight. This justification is imputed by the grace of God because of the atoning work of Christ, is received by faith alone and is evidenced by the Fruit of the Spirit and a holy life.

7. THE CHURCH: We believe in the spiritual unity and the priesthood of all believers in Christ and that these comprise the universal Church, the Body of Christ.

8. THE MINISTRY: We believe in the ministries that Christ has set in His Church, namely, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, and in the present operation of the manifold Gifts of the Holy Spirit according to the New Testament.

9. THE ORDINANCES: We believe in the baptism of believers in water in obedience to the command of Christ and the commemoration of Christ's death by the observance of the Lord's Supper until His return.

10. THE COMMISSION: We believe that the Gospel embraces the needs of the whole man and that the Church is therefore commissioned to preach the Gospel to the world and to fulfil a ministry of healing and deliverance to the spiritual and physical needs of mankind.

11. THE COMING KING: We believe in the personal, physical and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to reign in power and glory.

12. THE FUTURE STATE: We believe in the resurrection of the dead and in the final judgment of the world, the eternal conscious bliss of the righteous and the eternal conscious punishment of the wicked.

GENERAL NOTICES & FORTHCOMING EVENTS SUNDAY 1st JULY

SUNDAY 8th JULY

SUNDAY 15th JULY

OFFICIAL BOOK LAUNCH OF REVIVAL PRAYERS Pastor Richard will be signing copies of his book after the morning services

PASTOR JONATHAN OLOYEDE

PASTOR DAVID SILVER from Out of Zion Ministries will be our guest speaker at both morning services

Convenor of Global Day of Prayer (London) will be ministering at both morning services

POLISH FELLOWSHIP Elim Springs Every Sunday @ 2:30pm in the Auditorium (Please use side entrance)

BEAUTIFUL AFRICA: A NEW GENERATION 50th MILESTONE CONCERT will be taking place at the evening service FREE ADMISSION

DELIVERANCE MEETINGS

ECC Japanese Fellowship Every Sunday @ 2:30pm in the Foyer For details, please contact AOGU & CHISATO TATEYAMA

For ECC attenders: Before coming for deliverance for the first time, please make an appointment to speak to Pastor Rajinder

Saturday 16th June Saturday 21st July For non-ECC attenders: please contact ELLEL MINISTRIES on 01252 794060

info@eccj.org.uk

EVANGELISM EXPLOSION

Borough-wide Evangelism 11am - 1pm Saturday 9th June GREENFORD Saturday 7th July ACTON For all those wanting to take part in Evangelism, there will be meetings in the Auditorium on:

Sunday 3rd June (after 2nd service)

12noon - 2pm

last Wednesday of every month in front of ECC Next dates:

Wednesday 27th June Wednesday 25th July

Lighthouse Evangelism (in front of ECC)

11am - 1pm

Sunday 1st July

Third Saturday of each month Next dates:

ALL ARE WELCOME TO JOIN THE TEAM

Saturday 16th June Saturday 21st July

(after 2nd service)

June / July 2012 • Issue 56 • GRAPEVINE

23

Fellowship & Congratulations

Congratulations to Pete BERRILL and Catherine HANSFORD on their wedding on Saturday 31st March 2012

Congratulations th WEDDING

They have three children and five grandchildren

SUPPORT FOR CARERS' DAY Saturday 23rd June - 10am to 12noon

National Carers' Week information and advice morning being held at ECC.

EVERGREENS

Speakers: Cecilia Coleshaw (Carers' Centre Supervisor & Communications Worker) and Kavita Arora (Solicitor) Contact Sharon Grant for details MONDAY 11th JUNE DAY TRIP TO LONDON ZOO 10.30am to 6.00pm Cost: £25 incl entry and coach Bring packed lunch MONDAY 9th JULY DAY TRIP TO LITTLEHAMPTON 9.30am to 6.00pm

Cost: £19, bring packed lunch (or buy at venue)

GRAPEVINE • Issue 56• June / July 2012

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON FELLOWSHIP

ANNIVERSARY

PASTOR JOHN & LYNETTE STARR Married 7th May 1977

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to John and Lydia MUGAMBI on the birth of their daughter RUTH MWENDI on 16th December 2011 weighing 2.9kg

Meetings start @ 2pm

6th 13th 20th 27th

4th 11th 18th 25th

JUNE Pastor Lindie Merle Aqui Prayer & Praise Merle Aqui JULY Christine Merle Aqui Prayer & Praise Merle Aqui

NO MEETING IN AUGUST

MONDAYS 12.00pm to 1.00pm

KEEP FIT CORNER

35

Congratulations

STAY ACTIVE 4 LIFE with fun, fitness and flexibility ONLY £2.00 - at ECC

THURSDAYS 2.00pm to 3.00pm

LOW IMPACT AEROBICS Inspiration moves and grooves (please bring a mat) ONLY £2.00 - at ECC

The Adventure with

GOD W

hat we think about God is the single most important thing in our spiritual life. Our image of God will drive every single part of our life, and will influence how we appear before the world. Do we live a life of faith, boldness and conviction? If we don’t, we need to examine our perception of God. Father God must be the most important thing in our world.

We are shaped emotionally and spiritually by the image of God we carry in our hearts. His love and faithfulness must win our hearts into ever-deeper levels with Him. The spiritual life is a journey – a journey of adventure, exploring and discovering more and more of God. Each step of the way in this adventure requires us to upgrade our relationship with Him. It’s all about the affair of the heart. It’s primarily about our devotional life. This cannot be stressed enough – every time we are led into a new phase of our journey, we must take time to upgrade our perception of God. Every new season is meant to expand our understanding of God and

by Pastor John Starr

deepen our love, joy, and peace in the Holy Spirit. We are meant to gain a fresh and more powerful vision of God’s nature, breaking through into a new dimension of the Spirit.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

(2 Corinthians 3:17-18 English Standard Version Anglicised).

planned this quite a while. It was part of His step-by-step plan progressively to reveal Himself to His friend.

Every situation we face is designed to bring us into a deeper relationship with God. God has plans for your life (Jeremiah 29:11), and He determines the steps He wants us to take along the way (Psalm 37:23). In every situation, God is seeking to show you His nature – so that you can experience more of who He wants to be for you, because you are meant to experience what He reveals about Himself.

What is the Holy Spirit doing in your life right now? What is He seeking to provoke in you at this time? What are you longing for? What season of the Spirit is He taking you into? What, specifically, does God want to be for you in your present situation?

In each stage of your spiritual journey, there is a particular aspect of God’s nature that He wants to highlight for your life. When God showed Moses the glory of His goodness, it was not a spontaneous act (Exodus 33:19); he had

Every situation we face is designed to bring us into a deeper relationship with God

Moses had a burning desire to experience more of God. His previous experiences at the burning bush and the Tent of Meeting were no longer enough. Moses’ longing had been put inside him by God. Your heart for Him is simply a reflection of His heart for you; God has us longing for the things He has most wanted - and pre-planned - to give us (Romans 8:29 and Ephesians 2:10).

Your answer to these questions will reveal God’s plan for the next phase of your spiritual journey. From the start, God has always been purposeful with you.

God wants to show each of us the full vision of His nature. He wants to show you everything. One thing we need to know: what God shares about Himself is meant for us to experience. But there is one aspect in particular of His

personality that He will want to emphasise and upgrade in your life at this time. This is your doorway into His presence.

For example, we love the compassion, mercy, integrity and grace of God, but He intends the emphasis of our current access-point to Him to be His goodness (Exodus 33:19).

Continued on page 26

June / July 2012 • Issue 56 • GRAPEVINE

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email sd@ecc.org.uk

Classifieds Classifieds Classifieds

ADVERTISE YOUR GOODS OR SERVICES Contact ECC Office for details on 020 8840 7508

EALING CHRISTIAN CENTRE does not in any way endorse any advertised company or products, and cannot guarantee rates, levels of service or workmanship Advertising space is offered on a first come, first served basis. ECC reserves the right to publish the advert where space is available, and not necessarily on the Classifieds page. ECC reserves the right to alter any advertisement to improve reproduction quality. ECC excludes liability for any loss due to noninsertion or any errors in the advertisement. ECC reserves the right to refuse publication of any advert that it does not deem suitable for Grapevine magazine; the Editor-in-Chief's decision is final.

ADVERTISING RATES (Prices per mono advert per issue) Full page Half page Quarter page Eighth page/ Smaller sizes (by agreement)

£80 £50 £30

Copy deadlin e next is sue: 6th July

£15

L If you place an advert (same size) for CIA SPE ER six consecutive issues, you will get one OFF insertion free of charge!

Pay for FIVE and GET ONE FREE!

Approx Sizes (mm h/w) Portrait Landscape Half page 230x90 115x180 Quarter page 115x90 57x180

from page 25

THE ADVENTURE WITH GOD He wants us to come to such a place of dependence on His goodness that every day we wake up expecting to experience it. Each day He wants us to awake, anticipating that something good from God is going to happen to us. And the goodness He shows us makes us want to be the same to others. It carries forward.

With this God-centered attitude, we will not become resigned to the situations around us; we will constantly be looking for the power of God’s goodness to break through for us.

No longer will we just put up with things, with our backs against the wall, and completely passive to the things of God; instead, we will place our confidence in

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GRAPEVINE • Issue 56• June / July 2012

the goodness of God to break through.

And the doorway into this breakthrough will be our rising up in thanksgiving, expressing our confidence that, in all things, God’s steadfast love endures for ever, and we are assured that He is going to work for our good (Romans 8:28).

There are Scriptures which the Holy Spirit will want to highlight to you, and which will reflect the specific aspect of God’s nature He has planned for you to experience in this present season. Ask the Lord to give you a Scripture or two, which is designed to be the springboard/focus for your thanksgiving, and the doorway into His presence. Build a strong relationship with Him

on a biblical foundation. With Abraham, God said He was his Shield. With David, God said He would be his Refuge, Fortress and Hiding-Place.

You, too, can have a vivid picture of who God wants to be for you.

Everything you face is just a tool for God to show you more of His goodness. He knows what He wants to be for you, and He wants to reveal it to you. He wants to lead you through experience after experience as you learn His nature. He wants to transform you into His likeness, from glory to glory advancing.

© JM Starr April 2012

No longer will we just put up with things... instead, we will place our confidence in the goodness of God to break through by Pastor John Starr

PRACTICAL TRUTHS FOR TODAY'S LIVING

HOW TO...

UNDERSTAND FEAR

- Another perspective

“Perfect love casts out all fear.”

T

his very short statement - together with another: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom” - would seem to indicate that ‘fear’ should be reserved for God alone. 1 Corinthians 13 tells us, “Love is patient, kind, keeps no records of wrongs, always trusts, rejoices in truth...”

That said, the motives for many of the decisions we make every minute of every day might just be fear-based, rather than love-based.

I’m sure you know, we have more control and influence than we could ever imagine over those difficult situations at work and home. How is this possible? Think, how are you influenced to make changes in your life? By hearing or seeing something that you believe will be good for you. Agreed?

OK, if that is true for you, then do you think it is true for everyone else in the world? I think so, too. Therefore, the first thing is to live what we believe: Perfect love "CASTS OUT" fear. When we live with love, all things are possible.

Sometimes the enthusiasm to ‘preach’ gets in the way of simply communicating LOVE, which casts out all fear and influences people. Here's a difficult statement: What we believe determines how we live and the decisions we make every minute of every day.

For example, choosing to love everyone who makes mistakes will, among other things, be displayed by your patience to explain how to get things done properly, without judgment or condemnation. Choosing to repay every negative action or comment with love makes us the stronger, more confident person. Choosing to bring perfect love into every situation means YOU are nonverbally communicating your

‘lifestyle’ to everyone with whom you come into contact.

Now, like you, everyone learns from seeing and hearing - your patience, your kindness, your long-suffering, your understanding, your wisdom, your insights, your peacefulness, your tenderness, your optimism and your joy.

These traits are contagious, but know this, there is an enemy who is adamant to ensure that you never display this lifestyle to anyone. It is vitally important, however, that you continue living your ‘love lifestyle’, because that's the easiest way to influence the world.

Fear can prevent us from achieving both physical and spiritual things. Have you ever felt nervous about meeting someone new, or felt discouraged from attending an event because you don't know anyone going? It’s all fear. In the same way, fear prevents us from achieving spiritual things, but LOVE casts out

fear, and enables us to have confidence.

Practise the fruits of LOVE. We all know people who infuriate us, but practise patience and understanding with that person; listen to them. I know it’s difficult; I know putting up with that person is hard, but the reward is totally worth it - both in Heaven and on earth.

You may find out, to your shock amazement, that the person looks up to you, and wants your acknowledgement! Giving people love (spelt T-I-M-E) is worth it.

Stay blessed.

by Roy McEwen

June / July 2012 • Issue 56 • GRAPEVINE

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FROM EVERES Jenny, Andy, Mike and myself were all from the UK doing the sponsored trek; two local guides, and three local porters carrying the main rucksacks.

O

nce again this year, ECC sent someone along on the Elim International Missions - organised Everest Base Camp Trek - to raise money for Elim-driven humanitarian projects in Nepal, including building schools and digging wells to provide much needed fresh water, as well as to improve sanitation. ECC has a particular interest, in that we have our missionary, Bhab Ghale in Nepal, working amongst the local people and planting churches in remote villages.

Last year, we sent Katariina Sabah, who completed the trek and - with your contributions - reached her monetary target for this good cause. This year, it was Samir Chovan, who also successfully completed the trek and is still open to sponsorship.

We recently caught up with Samir to ask him a few questions about the trip...

Could you kindly tell us a little bit about yourself?

I was born in India and grew up in Austria. I am happily married to Babal, a virtuous woman, and we are blessed with three children. But for Babal, I would still be wallowing in sin. Babal gave her life to Christ a very long time ago, and never stopped praying that God would change me.

The Bible says, “He who finds a wife finds a good thing.” I am grateful to God for blessing me with this good woman.

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GRAPEVINE • Issue 56• June / July 2012

Have you been a Christian for long?

No. My Christian journey began on 27th February 2011, when it became apparent that I could not continue a life of sin, as I had been doing for some 25 years: drinking and smoking (including weed). Soon after this, I got baptised in April 2011, and have since given up all my bad habits.

What informed your decision to participate in the trek?

Babal kept reminding me that all skills are to be used for building God’s Kingdom and to bring Him glory. My participation was thus a combination of her encouragement, my love for climbing, and the need to glorify God. Were there specific exercises and dietary regimes carried out before departing?

I have always been fit, having served as a marine in the Austrian Army. I am also an avid climber with a Single Pitch Advance (SPA) qualification, meaning I am qualified to climb mountains, and was already doing regular climbing as a hobby. Consequently, I needed neither specific exercises nor special dietary needs. However, I carried out restricted breathing exercises to help with breathing on the trek.

How many people were in your climbing party?

There were 10 people in total in our party. Steve, based in Nepal and involved with the work there, led the trek;

However, there were many other parties on the mountain at the same time as us, given that the climbing season was just beginning.

Your destination was the South Base Camp on the Nepalese side of Everest, which is 5,364 metres (17,598 ft) high. How many people in the party succeeded in climbing to the Camp?

Eight of us successfully made it to Base Camp.

What happened to the other two?

Unfortunately, Andy and one of the local guides came down with HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema), and had to be flown back by helicopter to Kathmandu for medical attention. Thank God, they made a full recovery.

What is HAPE? HAPE is basically the accumulation of fluid in the lungs. Also known as Mountain or Altitude Sickness, it is caused by a decrease in the oxygen level in the air the higher one goes (typically above 2,500 metres). HAPE causes breathing difficulties, and is the major cause of death related to high-altitude exposure. The mortality rate is very high in the absence of quick and adequate emergency treatment.

How long did it take to get to the Base Camp?

It took us six days to get to the Base Camp.

We heard you got bragging rights by going further than

the Base Camp. How much further up did you personally climb?

Mike and I climbed further to Kala Patthar, which is 5,545 metres high. The others did not attempt to, as it was a treacherous climb which required some expertise.

With mountain climbing as a hobby, what other mountains have you climbed?

I have climbed Grossglockner (3,798 metres) and Dachstein (2,995 metres) - both in Austria, Mont Blanc (4,810 metres) in France, and Ben Nevis (1,344 metres) in Scotland.

Having climbed a number of different mountains, what expectation(s) did you have of Everest, and does it justify its local Nepalese name of Sagarmatha (“Head of the Sky”)?

You very quickly see why the locals call Everest Sagarmatha.

Compared to other mountains I had climbed, this was high. People with climbing experience hold a respect for Everest. Even before we arrived in Nepal, I held a certain respect for Everest. For me, seeing Everest does bring the awesomeness of God into sharp focus; it is only a great God who can make such an awe-inspiring and spectacularly beautiful mountain!

What were the conditions like at the Base Camp?

The conditions at the Base Camp were basic and, of course, cold. There are severe consequences for not being suitably equipped for the cold, and for not having the right gear! The stunning views throughout the trek more than compensated for the conditions, however. So did the fact that we took communion at the Base Camp, making us

ST WITH LOVE members of an exclusive club!

Were there complications on the way?

There were not too many complications, apart from the evacuation of the two people who became ill. (Unless you call people struggling to carry their luggage up the mountain a complication!)

Samir Chovan

What was your feeling, having achieved your aim?

I was so thankful to the Lord that He made it possible for someone like me to carry out and complete this task, where many others have failed. Indeed, I count it a blessing that I have been able to do something that would touch the Nepalese people with the love of Christ. These are people who, in spite of being one of the poorest in the world, are very warm and welcoming.

If the opportunity were to arise, would you do this again?

Without any hesitation, because this was one of the greatest adventures I have personally completed. But more importantly, such treks help raise funds for valuable Christian work in Nepal, a country that desperately needs Christ.

PLEASE SEE EITHER SAMIR OR ELDER AKIN IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE TO MONEY RAISED FOR THIS KINGDOM WORK. NO AMOUNT IS TOO SMALL!!!

June / July 2012 • Issue 56 • GRAPEVINE

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GRAPEVINE • Issue 56• June / July 2012

Children's Ministry WATOTO ARE BACK!!!

Introducing BABY WATOTO GULU premises in Gulu employed her. She says, “Every time I sat at the gate, I would admire the babies and toddlers playing around the compound, and always desired to be a nanny.” She worked closely with a Watoto guard who shared the good news of Jesus Christ. Beatrice accepted Jesus into her life and, a few months into her relationship with Christ, she became a Baby Watoto nanny.

e Lakot

Nanny Beatric

Nanny Beatrice’s day typically starts at 7.00am when she arrives at work. After signing in and getting changed, she heads into her babies’ bedroom to wake them up. Once the babies have awoken, Beatrice sits with them; changes their nappies, and gives each of them a bottle.

By about 8.00am, all the babies have finished their bottles, and are ready to be bathed and dressed for the day. “I love being able to bathe my babies, because I can then dress them nicely,” she says.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A SPONSOR?

A

fter spending a few minutes with her, you can’t help but want to know more about her. Her loving spirit and contagious smile would melt any heart.

Beatrice Lakot is a nanny at Baby Watoto Gulu, where Watoto is rescuing orphaned and abandoned babies in northern Uganda. She currently has five healthy tots under her care, who are all about six months and who absolutely adore her.

Beatrice will continue to care for these precious babies until they graduate from Baby Watoto into Laminadera Children’s Village or are resettled with existing family.

Before Beatrice came to work for Baby Watoto, a security company that guarded Baby Watoto

At 8.30am, Nanny Beatrice gathers her babies for dancing and music time, which lasts for about half an hour before the babies go down for their morning nap.

While the babies are sleeping, Beatrice helps with other chores around her unit, which include laundry, washing bottles, dishes or toys.

Beatrice then spends the rest of the day attending to the needs of her babies.

She looks forward to interacting with the babies by taking them for a walk around the compound or doing developmental activities with them. Nanny Beatrice says that she loves working with them, and that she hopes that they will learn from her.

many more vulnerable babies throughout northern Uganda, opportunities are available to support Baby Watoto in several ways. You can sponsor, volunteer or even visit the babies for a few days. Write to us at uganda@watoto.com or visit www.watoto. com/projectgulu for more details.

In Matthew 19:14-15 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.” When He had placed His hands on them, He went on from there.

The above is one of the many things you can do to support Watoto. Come and invite friends and families to ECC for the 50th Milestone Concert on Sunday 15th July to support a worthy cause. See you there.

ERNESTINA CHARLES-OBI Children’s Ministry Co-ordinator

BEAUTIFUL A FRICA: A NEW GENE RATION 50th MILE STONE CONC

ERT

We are thankful for nannies like Beatrice, who love and care for the babies as if they were their own. By the end of March 2012, there were 80 babies receiving all-round care from 44 dedicated nannies and 13 volunteers. Since opening in June 2010, 146 babies have come to Baby Watoto Gulu, and 31 have graduated to Laminadera Children’s Village.

As Watoto expands their services to reach

June / July 2012 • Issue 56 • GRAPEVINE

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one family of many nations proclaiming one gospel through many disciples

E

ALING CHRISTIAN CENTRE (ECC) is part of the Elim Pentecostal family of churches, of which there are around 600 in the UK, and which is in fellowship with approximately 8000 churches worldwide. Year by year, ECC has continued to grow steadily with people coming from every continent, joyfully blending into a multi-ethnic family, drawn from approx 100 nationalities. With its emphasis on prayer, worship, fellowship, discipleship and evangelism, the church seeks to live out its motto.

Now hundreds of Christians - of all ages and backgrounds - meet together for lively celebration on Sundays in the beautifullyrestored decor of the 1200-seater auditorium, a former Odeon cinema, and in small Discipleship Cell groups during the week.

ASIAN EVENING / EASTER CONCERT

Weekly MEETINGS Sundays 09.00 09.30 09.30 09.30

11.15 11.45

11.45

14.30 14.30 18.30

20.00

FIRST MORNING SERVICE Little Seekers (Age 2-5yrs) Finders (Age 6-10yrs) Teens Talk (School years 7-11) - single gender classes SECOND MORNING SERVICE Crèche (18mths-3yrs) Adventurers (Nursery 3-4 yrs) Discoverers (Age 5 yrs) Explorers (School years 1&2) Investigators (School years 3&4) Pioneers (School years 5&6) Nu Talk (School years 7&8) Talkin' God (School years 9,10&11) - single gender classes Polish Church Service Japanese Church Service SUNDAY NIGHTS AT THE CENTRE (see page 21 for details) Refreshments in Coffee Lounge

Mondays

10.00-12.00 Daily Prayer Meeting 18.00-19.00 Daily Prayer Meeting

Tuesdays

10.00-12.00 Daily Prayer Meeting 19.30-21.15 Tuesday Night Prayer Explosion

Wednesdays

10.00-12.00 Daily Prayer Meeting 14.00 Wednesday Afternoon Fellowship 18.00-19.00 Daily Prayer Meeting

Thursdays

10.00-12.00 Daily Prayer Meeting 19.00-21.30 EITC - Bible College

Registration required

18.00-19.00 Daily Prayer Meeting

Fridays

10.00-12.00 Daily Prayer Meeting 18.00-19.00 Daily Prayer Meeting 19.00-21.30 EITC - Bible College

Registration required

(Last Friday of every month)

22.00-05.00 All-Night Prayer Meeting

Saturdays

11.00-13.00 Street Evangelism

Prayer • Teaching • Praise & Worship • Evangelism & Missions • Fellowship for all Ages School of Ministry (teaching ministry) | PRAYER & Healing | Deliverance Discipleship Cells | Children & Youth Ministries | Evergreens (Ministry for the Retired)

For further information, tel 020 8840 7508; email info@ecc.org.uk, or visit www.ecc.org.uk EALING CHRISTIAN CENTRE • 268 Northfield Avenue • Ealing • London W5 4UB Registered Charity No. 251549