GRAPEVINE AUG/SEPT by FIONA ECC

rapevine G Ealing Christian Centre

magazine

Issue 93 AUG/SEP 2018

www.ecc.org.uk

An Elim Church

IT’S TIME TIME TO TO IT’S

PRAY

One family of many nations proclaiming one Gospel through many disciples

IT’S TIME TO PRAY One day, as Satan prowled around, It grieved him when he looked and found A nation whose laws were as straight as a rod, Because they were based on the Word of God. He called his demons to teach them all What they could do to make the nation fall. “Start with the Bible and make them doubt The truth of what it’s all about. It’s not all true, and Adam and Eve Are just a story; it’s make-believe. There is no God, no fall, no sin, You are here by chance, as is everything. “Plant this thought in each one’s heart, (It will take us some time, but we’ve made a good start): ‘We all are gods and the future is ours, With our science there’s no limit, as we reach for the stars. Since we’re here by chance, not God’s creation, There’s no need to be a godly nation. So leave the Bible on the shelf, Morality, you can change yourself.’ “And soon they won’t know God at all, As we teach them, making each a fool: ‘You’ve come from apes and death is the end, So live your life as you wish, my gullible friend. And what we once considered as sin, We now can change, so it’s no longer as it’s been. It’s called ‘freedom of choice’ that we all like to follow, A new morality (though its foundations are hollow).’” And Satan continued with all his instruction: “The nation will soon follow the path to destruction. Make sure it’s the children who are influenced most, And soon we’ll be able to make this great boast: That their minds will be following, not that of the Bible, (For now they’ll believe it’s nothing but libel)

But the ways of the world and the lead that we give, A self-centred life is what we’ll teach them to live. Life is nothing more than you make it, So it’s up to you whether you leave it or take it. You don’t need God, just do as you will, There’s no heaven or hell, just keep living until Your life’s at an end, which will happen to all. (Only then will they realise they’ve none they can call.)” But the demons kept asking about what they fear most: “There’s one thing to keep us from achieving this boast. What if the Church observes what we’re trying to do And prays for revival? It can start with a few, Who, with passion unceasing, pray with God’s Word to comply.” “Don’t worry about that,” came Satan’s reply. “We’ll send them a stupor in mind and in thought, (Don’t you remember all the things that I’ve taught?) Make the Christians so busy and distracted with cares, Then the last thing they’ll think of is the burden for prayers. ‘If it’s not important to them,’ their children will say, ‘Why follow our parents, when they tell us to pray?’ “Then we’ll get them on drugs and on sex and then crime, Destroying themselves, then the whole nation, in time. As the kids keep following the things that we’ve taught, It won’t be too long before they’re all quite distraught. With their minds all messed up and in darkness they’ll grope, Without God, without purpose and devoid of all hope. “Our plan must be carried out at all cost, So the Church doesn’t pray and cry out for the lost. As we keep it asleep and too busy to pray, We’ll draw the nation to darkness and away from the day. Keep Christians content and especially blind To the power of prayer, so they do not find That God sends a revival in response to their cry, And our power is broken by His power from on high.

GRAPEVINE magazine • Issue 93 • August / September 2018

Richard Buxton Senior Minister

Contents

WELCOMING NEW ELDERS

And God looked down and what did He say? “Where are My people, and why don’t they pray?” “The thing that we fear and want to avoid Is the Church waking from slumber, and then overjoyed By all of the changes they see happen through prayer, As revival begins to sweep everywhere. If the Church is asleep, too thoughtless to act, We’ll take over the nation and that is a fact.” And God looked down and what did He say? “Where are My people, and why don’t they pray?” As Satan is laughing, saying, “God’s people don’t care.” God cries out from heaven: “Why is My Church not in prayer? If My people, who call themselves by My Name, Shall humble themselves and see the nation’s shame, By prayer and repentance, seeking My face, I will visit their nation in mercy and grace. And those, who now are blinded by the ‘god’ of this world, Will see My good plans for their lives then unfurled. But Church, if you stay in your slumber and sleep, The wages of sin is all they will reap. And forever will echo their cries and their pleas, Why would the Church not stay down on its knees?”

PRAYER MEETINGS AT ECC Mornings: Evenings: All-night:

Monday to Friday - 10.00am to 12.00pm Monday, Wednesday to Friday - 6.00pm to 7.00pm Tuesday - 7.30pm to 9.00pm Last Friday of every month for adults, youth and children - 10.00pm to 5.00am

Editor-in-Chief: Senior Pastor Richard Buxton Editor & Design: Berean Services UK Email: bereanservicesuk@gmail.com Photography: Roy McEwen plus various contributors from ECC Stock Images: lightstock.com, freepik.com, publicdomainpictures.net, Google images, unsplash.com, pixabay.com Printed by: 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 2018. All rights reserved.

Steve Itoje & Michael Smith HOW TO BE A STAR by Roy McEwen

GOD’S PROTECTION

AN ENCOURAGING

by Rosemary Steele-Davies

EXPECTANT EXPERIENCE by Sam Jackson

THE MARRIAGE COURSE by Alberto & Raj Fruzza EVERYTHING IS NORMAL NOW PRAYER CENTRE TESTIMONIES

WEEKLY MEETINGS WHAT WE BELIEVE FELLOWSHIP compiled by Sharon Grant ALL MANNER OF WORKMANSHIP

by Kofo Boboye NEW MEMBERS

AFRICAN EVENING IN PICTURES

by Pastor Alex Morgan

10 11

TESTIMONIES FROM

12 13

8pp PRAYER DIARY

20 21

EVANGELISM & PRAYER

22 23

SUNDAY SERVICES

24 25

VOLUNTEER

26 27

TRUSTING IN THE

Pastor Alex Morgan THE POWER WITHIN US

EQUIPPERS COURSES

Revival Healing meetings

PULL-OUT

CALENDAR

WHAT’S ON AT ECC

plus Classifieds

STRENGTH OF THE LORD Jessica Smith

28 29

TEACHERS’ TRAINING DAY

30 31

NEW MEMBERS

compiled by Ann Vorkel

If you would like an item to be considered for the next edition of the Grapevine magazine, please email your article to 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. The deadline for the October/November edition is no later than FRIDAY 7th SEPTEMBER.

GRAPEVINE magazine • Issue 93 • August / September 2018

INTRODUCING OUR NEW ELDERS

SACRIFICIAL SERVICE OF ECC ELDERS New elders, Michael Smith & Steve Itoje, are welcomed to the leadership team

hen our former elder, Chris Lee, relocated his family to Lerwick in the Shetland Isles, and another of our elders, Akin Osuntoki (together with his wife Toro), was sent by ECC to Nigeria to fulfil their calling, to plant a new missionary initiative there, it was felt necessary to increase the number of elders. (Akin remains an elder, and still participates in the leadership team meetings and office matters through modern technology.) Two new elders were recently elected by the members of ECC. Elders work alongside the pastors of the church to form the team that has spiritual oversight of the church, its affairs and its running. Much of the work of an elder takes place behind the scenes, and requires not only an adherence to biblical qualifications, but also sacrificially making themselves available to serve in this way outside of the time required for their day-to-day employment. The whole team meets at least once a fortnight to pray together and to discuss the practical business side of the requirements of running the church.

serving in various ways soon afterwards. Michael is currently involved These include: participating in setting the vision of the church; in several ministries, which include: intercessory prayer, Lighthouse budgeting finance; responsibilities for the twenty evangelism, deliverance ministry, salvation helper Much of the work of and as a Discipleship Cell leader. His full-time or so staff members that work for ECC, and many other things. In addition, they will often an elder takes place occupation as a multi-trade builder enables him to be working alongside the pastors in liaising with come into contact with people from different walks behind the scenes ... of life: from the unemployed, to the working classes different people in the church, and providing different aspects of spiritual and practical they sacrificially make and to millionaires. ministry. themselves available He loves the fact that his job, apart from using Michael and Jessica Smith (pictured top right) creativity, enables him to interact with people to serve in this way his have been married for nearly 20 years and, when on a day-to-day basis and, when the opportunity they joined ECC about eight years ago, they began allows him, enables him to share his faith. A natural evangelist, many times he has entered a client’s home and, without even speaking to them about the Lord, has been asked if he is a Christian. This has enabled him to minister to many people in their homes, some of whom have accepted the Lord as their Saviour and others have received healing. Steve Itoje gave his life to Christ in his mid-twenties, and has been married to Olabisi (Bisi) (pictured left) for twenty years. They come from large Christian families, and joined ECC about ten years ago. Although he has previous experience as a worship leader, since coming to ECC Steve has been serving faithfully as a Discipleship Cell leader. Together with Bisi, they minister in ECC’s Relationship Ministry, which includes (among other things) teaching the Marriage Course, which they do passionately. They work full time in business together in IT support. So we welcome our new elders to the ECC leadership team, and ask the church to continue to pray for them and their families, together with all the pastors and elders, in this challenging work where, as a leadership team, we all seek to know and do the will of God.

GRAPEVINE magazine • Issue 93 • August / September 2018

TRUE LIFE STORIES

irstly, I wish to thank God for protecting my children, and for the privilege of being under the cover of the servants of God who love the Lord with all their hearts.

For more than two years now, there has been a lot of upheaval in my country of birth, and many killings due to political and ethnic differences. Recently, some of those killings happened near where one of my children is living with her family. I received some of the pictures of killings in the first week of June, and was prompted to show them to Pastor Rajinder on 3rd June 2018, asking her to intercede in prayer for my children. She asked me to bring the prayer request to the next Tuesday prayer meeting (on the 5th), which I did. The following day, I received a phone call from the hospital from my eldest daughter who had been attacked in a taxi by armed robbers just after lunchtime. After hitting her and trying to strangle her, they took all her money, pushed her out of the taxi and drove off as fast as they could, leaving my daughter lying helpless on a side road. People passing by saw her, took her to the hospital for treatment for both shock and pain. Despite all this, she is fine now, strong in spirit and healthy, and the Lord has comforted her. ‘He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust”’ (Psalm 91:1-2). The more we abide in Christ and His Word, making Him our life and our dwelling place, the fuller will be our peace and the greater our deliverance in times of danger. The Lord hears us when we call on Him at any time in faith even the faith that is as little as a mustard seed - and my daughter Stella’s survival was as a result of prayers for her protection, which

The Lord hears us when we call on Him at any time in faith ... and my daughter’s survival was as a result of prayers for her protection

God’s protection in answer to prayer the Lord answered. In this context, the Lord is and will always be the ‘Most High’, as He is greater than any threat we face. His assurance of always being with us is guaranteed; He promises never to leave us nor forsake us. The reason I share this testimony among many others is to acknowledge the Lord for His faithfulness, and also to encourage and remind everyone reading this testimony that the Lord is our Protector, and our All-in-All. I have also decided to keep on keeping on. In all these things I give thanks to the Lord, for all things work together for good for those who trust and believe in Him. I encourage everyone, as my level of expectancy, faith and knowledge of Him has increased, and I encourage and prophesy to everyone who reads these few words to receive increase in every area of their lives in the Name of Jesus. My daughter also testified shortly afterwards that she has received from schoolmates, friends and colleagues more than double what she lost. The Lord is so good to me, and I can never thank Him enough. Finally, there is no substitute for believers regularly coming together for earnest prayer. God does amazing things in response to the faith-filled, congregational prayers of His people, and as disciples of Jesus, we should go out in boldness and fullness to make as many disciples as possible. So together we will fulfil the Word of God, which says: “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” The Lord does not wish anyone to perish, but that all will come to know Him. This can only happen if we keep on sharing Jesus with everyone we meet in our daily lives.

Rosemary Steele-Davies

GRAPEVINE magazine • Issue 93 • August / September 2018

PRACTICAL TRUTHS

How to be a star

od created stars and positioned them at unique points within the universe. When it’s daylight we don’t see them, however at night they reveal their splendour and point to an almighty Creator God. OK, one harrowing fact about a star is that it is surrounded in complete darkness, yet it maintains its purpose and shines. Are you ready to be a star? Be encouraged. In the West, we can generally endure reasonable hardship because, in the back of our minds, there’s a get-out: we can ‘go home’, or there’s a Plan B. Paul, who wrote much of the New Testament, was an interesting character with regard to ‘home’. He never wrote of going home at any point. His life was on the road either to a church or jail, or from a church or jail. Paul didn’t live with a Plan B. Jesus came to earth with a Plan A and completed that plan. When the enemy influenced Peter to try to distract Him with ‘nice’ words, He rebuked the enemy: “Get thee behind me, Satan.” Jesus understood His journey, the risks He faced, and was prepared to meet them and face them down. Perhaps now you’re having second thoughts about being a star? Try not to. There’s glory being the only light in the darkness where you are. There’s glory in the knowledge that God has populated the universe with stars to

You may not understand why you are in such a dark place. You may be shouting out to God for release. You may be praying every day, fasting and laying your case before God, yet nothing seems to be happening. lead sea travellers to safety, when they make use of the stars. You may not understand why you are in such a dark place. You may be shouting out to God for release. You may be praying every day, fasting and laying your case before God, yet nothing seems to be happening. There could be a very good reason for that. You are a star, and darkness is your natural habitat. A star in light is as useful as a chocolate pen in sunlight. To help us understand this better, answer this question: Whose kingdom are you in? Your own or God’s? You’re a good Christian, so I’m sure you answered “God’s.” Good. Now, if you’re in God’s Kingdom and you are a star, why are you complaining about the darkness? It makes no sense ‘if’ you are in God’s Kingdom. We can only complain if, in fact, we are in our own kingdom or we are being rebellious. Ouch!

GRAPEVINE magazine • Issue 93 • August / September 2018

Imagine if all the stars said to God: “Enough with this darkness, we’re off to hang out with the sun for a while” and then they left. What would happen to the ship’s captain, who looks up in need of confirmation he’s heading in the right direction? Or what happens to the farmer, who uses the alignment of the stars to inform his decisions to plant? Literally, mayhem would occur. You and I are stars; our natural habitat is light in darkness. A star cannot be light within light. For a star to shine through in light is exactly what Lucifer tried to do. Reflecting the light of our glorious God was not enough for him. Don’t follow those desires. Know that God has placed you strategically to be most effective. Be a star, enjoy your habitat. Continue reflecting the light of God. Continue being a light in a dark world. Continue leading the lost home.

ROY McEWEN

www.Praying.Works

SPECIAL FEATURE Sam, third from left, pictured with Pastor Sam, Caleb, Daniel, Rebecca, Cluny & Lewis

An encouraging, expectant experience

Sam Jackson shares his experiences during his five-week placement at ECC

s a student of Regents Theological College, I was required to undertake a placement in a church. I was excited to discover that I was able to do my placement at ECC, and I was expectant about what I would learn.

When I first arrived, it was a real encouragement to see that this was definitely a praying church – with two prayer meetings each day, and a 24-hour prayer centre, ECC was unquestionably living out the culture of prayer in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – ‘pray without ceasing’. I was blessed to be able to participate in some of the larger meetings, namely the All-Night prayer meeting. When I first heard that the meeting runs from 10pm to 5am, I thought Pastor Sam Blake had made a mistake! Pray for seven hours??? I must admit, the fact that people were willing to sacrifice a night of sleep was both inspiring and powerful to see. This really challenged me, and made me think about what it looks like to create and sustain a culture of prayer. I was also able to attend the Tuesday night prayer meetings each week to pray with and minister to those who had come for the evening. I was encouraged by the turnout each week, especially knowing that the people who came were enthusiastic to spend their evening in prayer and worship. I was moved by the inclusivity of the meeting, as there was an abundance of time dedicated to praying for those within our own communities. As a guitarist and worship leader, it was only natural for me to also serve on the Worship team. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to

Pray for seven hours??? I must admit, the fact that people were willing to sacrifice a night of sleep was both inspiring and powerful to see. This really challenged me...

know the team, and seeing the individual talents of each person. I’ve spent my time taking on a number of roles - electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass, vocals, camera and lighting – and working behind the scenes has been just as enjoyable as doing things on the platform. I have been particularly honoured to work with Pastor Sam, and I’m grateful for the opportunities he has given me. Lastly, I also had the exciting opportunity of taking part in a TBN recording with Sam and some of the ECC Team on Thursday 28th June. We were invited to lead worship for a programme called ‘Praise from London’. Once we had arrived, we were shown around the studio; getting to see where the recordings take place; the studios in which sound is mixed, as well as being able to sit on the set of TBN’s Partner Time! The staff were incredibly helpful, and it was amazing to see so many skilled people working together to get the Gospel out across the world. We spent some time sound-checking before the recording and, in my opinion, we sounded great! As we began, it was encouraging to see the whole audience join us to praise our amazing God – everyone was engaged and moved by the presence of the Holy Spirit. Our worship made way for the healing ministry of guest John Mellor, where we saw many people healed both physically and emotionally. It was an incredible experience to be a part of, and has definitely been one of my highlights here at ECC so far. The programme was broadcast around the end of July, so I hope you were able to check us out! As I come to the end of my placement, I just want to thank you all for being so welcoming and encouraging. It was a privilege to do my placement amongst you!

Sam Jackson GRAPEVINE magazine • Issue 93 • August / September 2018

FOCUS ON THE MARRIAGE COURSE

So...why does anyone need a marriage course? A

Well... it gets you thinking…that’s why.

So why do you need a Marriage Course? Well... it gets you thinking…that’s why.

I’m talking about those things you may have forgotten over time and taken for granted, or the things you may not have encountered yet (if you are newlyweds) things you may have thought were small and insignificant but which mean a lot to your spouse.

t the root of every marriage there is God. God is love. But what is ‘love’ in the context of marriage? Well, loving each other, right? You know, wanting the best for your wife or husband, sacrificing yourself for their benefit, supporting them.

Thinking about the way you communicate with your partner; the way you confront problems in life; the way you share experiences. No talking to a third party, no embarrassing group chats or ‘role plays’… just you and your partner, over an enjoyable meal and a thought-provoking video, exploring things in your marriage and things about each other.

not be a bad idea to return for a second helping of the Marriage Course in the future. See you again soon.

Alberto Fruzza

The Marriage Course helped me realise that there are many issues I should attend to in my marriage, for it to be as fruitful as God intended. There are many things that needed to be worked at, which will extend way beyond this Marriage Course. In fact, it made me think that it might

a cooked, three-course meal was served at our table. Our drinks were topped up by our host, Bisi, and dimmed lighting and soft music allowed us to spend time together without the children. We felt relaxed and even spoilt.

We have forgiven, confessed, cried and rejoiced. Past disappointments - big and small – have been acknowledged and healed.

After this we both became uneasy again, as we went into another room. We thought, “Oh no, we have to speak to other people about private issues.” But, again to our surprise, it was nothing like that at all. We received workbooks to read and take notes, and we were asked to watch a video.

I would strongly recommend this course to all couples – it doesn’t matter how long you’ve been married. We don’t think twice about spending £150 for the latest trainers, mobile phone or meal but, when it comes to our spiritual investments, we expect them to be free.

n hearing about the Marriage Course, I was interested at first, but the price seemed too high…£150 for our dirty laundry to become public knowledge seemed a huge price to pay and, after 13 years of marriage, surely everything was fine.

The video included activities. During the activities, Steve, the course leader, would pause the video and leave the room, so that we could complete exercises together and in private. This was mind-blowing! We didn’t have to talk to anyone but each other….

Jesus paid the ultimate cost for us, and so the cost of this course is a small price to pay to invest in your marriage, which He has ordained.

God had other plans, though, and continued to work on my conscience. At the first session, we were feeling uneasy, as we weren’t sure what to expect. To our surprise, a candlelit table greeted us, and

We had some homework each week, which involved prioritising quality time together. We are now reaching the final sessions of the course, and I can honestly say the whole experience has been fantastic.

GRAPEVINE magazine • Issue 93 • August / September 2018

Raj Fruzza

I can honestly say the whole experience has been fantastic.

EQUIPPERS COURSES

by Pastor Alex Morgan

‘Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked, or stand in the way that sinners take, or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on His law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers’ (Psalm 1:1-4).

t Equippers, our aim is for you to go deeper into your relationship with the Word of God. We want to equip you to understand the culture of the time, whilst also discover how it relates to your life today. We want everyone who comes to learn to ask the right questions of the text, and discover how they can find out more as they read it. Over the past year we have had a group of about 20, who have tasked themselves with coming to a deeper understanding of Scripture and how it affects their lives. We explored and debated theological issues, grounding what the Bible says about sin, the Trinity, Heaven and Hell, whilst we examined Elim’s Foundational Truths. From here we travelled through 1st Corinthians, as we discovered ‘How to be a Christian in a carnal world’. It was incredible to see the parallels between 21st century London and 1st century Corinth. Our journey finally took us through Ephesus, Philippi and Colossae, as we dissected the letters that the Apostle Paul wrote from his prison cell. Eloisa and Nicole had this to say about the Equippers course:

“T

he courses have been transformational in my walk with God. They have helped me to develop a deeper and more intimate relationship with God.

They are not just informative, but they are thoughtprovoking as well, and they encourage us to study, learn, and truly focus on the Word. Above all, it’s not about information; it’s about our relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. I have also learnt of the vital importance of the Holy Spirit, who helps us in our journey. Lastly, it has affected my prayer life, in how we should talk with God about every decision we face - even if it might look insignificant.”

Eloisa Barrerio

“T

he Equippers courses have helped me to gain a deeper understanding of Scripture, beyond just a surface level.

The conversations in class are useful, as sometimes my own way of thinking was challenged by others’ perspectives. It has given me a chance to think in more depth and, as a result of this, I have gone away each week to do further study, whilst also teaching my children what I have learnt in a way that is understandable to them. You think you know the Bible, but then reading and rereading Scripture, you always get a different insight.”

Nicole Reid Next term, we are going to be having an in-depth exploration of Genesis - looking at the main themes of Genesis, from Creation all the way through to Joseph. If you have always had questions about the origins of man, the flood, and the book of Genesis as a whole, then come along. Delve into the Word of God and let it come alive in your spirit. Make sure that your roots go deep into the Word of God, so that you will bear fruit in season and out of it. We will also be running a ‘Ministering in the Supernatural’ course, which trains people how to live a life that is supernaturally natural; how to pray for the sick and expect that God will heal them. Finally, we will be running our Marriage Course. If you have been married any number of years, I recommend that you book yourself onto this course as it will transform your relationship with your spouse and your marriage.

Delve into the Word of God and let it come alive in your spirit GRAPEVINE magazine • Issue 93 • August / September 2018

TESTIMONIES REVIVAL HEALING

EVERYTHING is normal now “Instantly healed from months of pain and distress”

n December 2017 I was suffering from the worst health problem I could imagine...

I was lying in bed and had the sensation as if my bladder had collapsed, as if something had broken within me and I was unable to control my bladder. It wasn’t my bladder actually, but my uterus that had prolapsed. As the muscles or ligaments in my pelvic area had stretched and become weak, no longer able to support it, my uterus had dropped and that’s the sensation I felt. I was now running to the toilet every 5 to 10 minutes, and wherever I went after that, I had to always look for easy access to a toilet. This prolapse caused me a lot of pain and discomfort. Going to the toilet was always troublesome. It caused me so much distress, I cried out to God day and night to help me. I could hardly sleep at night, constantly needing to go to the toilet. I went to see my doctor the very next day, who confirmed I had fourth degree prolapsed uterus.

There was nothing they could do, the situation was diagnosed as serious, with the only option being to have surgery to remove Pastor Rajinder said my uterus. This was truly devastating for me. I started to if Jesus could heal live with this awkward problem and constantly cried out to God her miraculously, to help and heal me.

then Jesus can do this for me, too. This greatly encouraged my faith.

My favourite verse during this time was Isaiah 41:10 – “Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with My victorious right hand.” My husband and young sons were my constant prayer companions that God would heal me. This problem continued for six long months.

GRAPEVINE magazine • Issue 93 • August / September 2018

By now, I had moved house and decided to attend Ealing Christian Centre, which was nearer to me. I had gone past the church previously, and one Sunday decided to attend the morning service. After attending Ealing Christian Centre for six weeks, I decided to ask one of the pastors, Pastor Rajinder, to pray with me for healing, and briefly explained my problem. I “Don’t be really needed healing this time, discouraged, for since the next day, the Monday, I am your God. I I was going to have a scan, and the date for surgery to remove will strengthen you my uterus would be set. I really and help you. I will did not want surgery, and desperately wanted Jesus to heal hold you up with me miraculously. Before she prayed for me, she shared a testimony of another lady who was miraculously healed of a fourth degree prolapsed uterus. She had had similar problems as mine.

My victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

Pastor Rajinder said if Jesus could heal her miraculously, then Jesus can do this for me, too. This greatly encouraged my faith. She then proceeded to pray compassionately for my healing, commanding my uterus to go back into its correct position in Jesus’ Name and by the power of the Holy Spirit. After prayer at the end of the service, I left church and, as I walked home, I no longer felt the urge to run to the toilet as I had before. The next day, I went back to hospital to have the scan taken. Afterwards I was asked by the doctor, “Why have they sent you to have a scan?” I said, “I have a prolapsed uterus.” He replied there was nothing wrong with my uterus. “Your uterus is in the correct position and all is well.”

TESTIMONIES REVIVAL HEALING

Two incredible testimonies of the miraculous healing power of Jesus

The report was sent to my GP, a Hindu doctor. He looked at the report and smiled. He said, “What did you do to make your uterus go back into its position?” I said, “I prayed to Jesus to heal me, and He has healed me. He has done many good things in my life.” The doctor said, “You don’t need to come back. Everything is normal now.” I was taken off the doctor’s medical care, as I no longer needed any operation or care, because Jesus has healed me of an embarrassing and distressing situation. I no longer run to the toilet as I did before, and now

have a sound night’s sleep. It was truly miraculous. After six months of this terrible problem, I am now healed and serving Jesus by volunteering to clean the church building. If you have a problem, trust Jesus. He will never leave you nor forsake you if you trust Him. I am ever so grateful to Jesus, and now I will do anything for Him for He is my powerful and almighty Lord and Saviour.

Ales Melesan

“I was healed, then God used me to heal someone else!”

damaged my back about a year and a half ago, whilst retrieving something from a deep garbage bin. I had lifted it to tip it over, and my back just gave way!

My legs were weak and they improved after a while. However, my back and neck remained quite painful. The pain affected me, and reduced my ability to bend and lift, and my neck would sometimes make a grinding sound whenever I turned it.

I always knew Jesus could heal, but to behold it with my own eyes and to actually experience it, took my faith to another level.

I became a bit concerned and called the GP surgery, but they gave me some appointment way into the future, so I continued to pray about my back for complete healing.

One Sunday morning, Pastor Rajinder was preaching on healing at Petra (ECC’s sister church), where I attend. Afterwards, she called those who had back problems to come forward for ministry. As she measured my legs, she noticed - and so did I that one leg was shorter than the other. She explained that my back was out of alignment. The nerves were trapped and that’s what was causing my back pain. Together the church commanded my legs to go back into alignment in Jesus’ Name and by the power of the Holy Spirit.

I suddenly felt like my spine was being stretched from the neck down by the power of God. This resulted in my leg growing into its correct length. I also noticed that the pain in my neck and the grinding sound were no longer there. I was totally amazed at the power of Jesus upon my body. I tested my healing, and since then all pain has gone. I can even drive without experiencing any pain, and my balance has improved a lot. I always knew Jesus could heal, but to behold it with my own eyes and to actually experience it, took my faith to another level. Jesus is worthy to be praised. The following week, one of my church sisters said to me: “Jenniffer, Jesus has healed you, can you please pray for me?” I thought, ‘Me? Can I pray and see someone healed?’ I sat her down, and noticed one of her legs was shorter than the other, and that was causing her back pain. I said, “In Jesus’ Name, I command your leg to grow to its correct length.” Lo and behold, her leg really grew before our eyes! It went into alignment. I realised then that Jesus can use any born-again believer to heal the sick in His Name and by the power of the Holy Spirit. But we must have faith in Him and believe in Him.

Jenniffer Thorpe

GRAPEVINE magazine • Issue 93 • August / September 2018

PRAYER CENTRE TESTIMONIES

PRAYER # centre 020 8799 2199

Over a month ago, a woman was scammed of over £700 from a Bitcoin company, and felt she had no way of getting her money back. She prayed and continued to seek the Lord’s face over the matter. A month later, the money was returned - in full - to her account. To God be all the glory.

A wife called for prayer, as her husband had been summoned to court for a car crash he’d never had, but for which he had no proof that he wasn’t at the scene. To the glory of God, the case was dropped, and he was no longer required to attend court.

After this landlord had called the Prayer Centre for God’s intervention for his tenant to pay the correct amount of rent regularly, the tenant paid the outstanding arrears. Praise God.

After her daughter suffered a brain haemorrhage, on 2nd April 2018, the neurologist told this mother that all her daughter’s memory would be wiped out and there was nothing more he could do for her. The mother told him: “I trust in God. Please give us a little time.” She started to call the Prayer Centre from that day onwards. Shortly afterwards, there was noticeable improvement. and within a short time, her daughter started talking again, and seemed to have regained her memory much to the amazement of the neurosurgeon. Praise the Lord. We hope she will share her testimony at ECC.

After this landlord had called the Prayer Centre for God’s intervention for his tenant to pay the correct amount of rent regularly, the tenant paid the outstanding arrears. Praise God.

A woman, who has diabetes and kidney problems, was shaking and in a lot of pain when she rang the Prayer Centre. After 10 minutes of praying, she felt better. She went to see her GP for further blood tests, which came back normal. She knew God had touched and healed her.

A woman requested urgent SOS prayers for lost glasses, which were urgently needed for work. After an hour of praying, God led her to where the glasses were, and she was able to go to work.

GRAPEVINE magazine • Issue 93 • August / September 2018

A mother is thanking God for providing a job for her son, who had had several unsuccessful applications. After calling the Prayer Centre for prayer, she saw an advert and applied on his behalf. To the glory of God, he was interviewed and was offered the job.

A sister called the Prayer Centre, because she had been having severe pain for 10 days and raised blood pressure following recent surgery. After prayer, however, the pain left almost instantly, her blood pressure returned to normal, and she no longer needed painkillers. Praise God.

Divine intervention was called for, to enable a woman to pay her huge bills. Praise God, after she called the Prayer Centre, the Lord intervened quicker than expected: a new tenant arrived, paying six months’ rent in advance, and all her remaining tenants who were in arrears suddenly paid up in a miraculous way.

Please contact Tom Ibrahim or Rudy Brann on 020 8799 2199, if you would like to volunteer for this important ministry.

PRAYER DIARY

September 2018 A

s John was the only one of the 12 disciples not to die a violent death, but survived into his 90s, he was around long enough to witness the problems experienced by the next generation of Christians after the death of the apostles. Amongst those problems was the infiltration of the church by teachers of false doctrines, twisting the teachings of Jesus and seeking to draw believers away from the truth. Keep closely walking in the truth, he urges. And to know the truth, we need to be familiar with the Bible. Already self-seeking leaders were rising up in churches, whose main concern was using their position to pursue their own interests, rather than the spiritual nurture of the flock of God. Men like Diotrephes, who lorded it over the congregation, preventing them from having godly visiting speakers who might expose his true nature and, instead, sowing division. In addition, Jude writes to warn believers of the deceptive nature and intentions of those who pretend to be followers of Jesus, but who instead bring a perversion of the Gospel: teaching that God’s grace enables them to live in sin and to practise sexual immorality. No doubt they taught that God will forgive anything we ask, so it was all right to live in sin. Or, perhaps, another distortion, based on a twisted interpretation of Paul’s teachings, that if the benevolent nature of God’ grace is demonstrated in forgiving our sin, then the more we sin the more grace is seen increasing! As Paul responded to this falsehood in Romans 6:1-4, the true believer dies to sin and does not seek to live in it. Jude warns of the increasing godlessness of the world we live in and of its corruptive pull. Keep your eyes on the prophetic words that came as early as Enoch, the seventh generation from Adam, thousands of years ago, who foretold the second coming of Christ in power with His angels and church - this time not as Saviour but as the Judge of all who are ungodly. In the last days, there will be a multiplication of those who will scoff at the idea of the coming of Christ, because they want to live a lifestyle of ungodliness. But God has judged angels, cities and individuals in the past, and will do so again for all when Christ returns. So seek to contend always for the truth and to live according to it, not letting ourselves be spotted by the corruption of the world. Jude ends by encouraging us to do two things. First, regarding ourselves: to keep ourselves in the most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; remain in God’s love, and wait patiently for Christ’s return. And, at the same time, for others, to reach out to them with the Gospel, by being merciful to those who doubt and saving them by snatching them from the eternal fire.

1 2 John 1-3

Living in the truth 1. Lord, make us powerful witnesses to all we come into contact with, as we live out the truth of the Gospel, simply by following a godly lifestyle. 2. In all the daily choices we have to make in all areas of our lives, give us the strength and determination, Holy Spirit, to always choose to stay true to the ways of Christ. 3. We pray that You would anoint us afresh daily, O Lord, so that we can effectively bring the truth of the Gospel to the unsaved, and see them give their lives to Christ. 4. In a society where standards of honesty are declining, give us the opportunities to stand up, make a difference and bring change to the communities we live and work in. 5. Send revival in our church, our borough, our city and our nation, O Lord. 2 John 4-5 The ancient command to love 1. Lord, may all people know we are Your disciples by the love we show

one another. 2. Give us a love for the lost, O Lord, so that we may do all we can to see them saved. 3. Give us a love for those we work with, O God, and the opportunities to demonstrate the love of God to them. 4. Give us an ever deeper love for You, O Lord, that draws us closer to You and makes us more like You. 5. Give us grace with those we find difficult to love, and help us reach out - even to them, we pray. 2 John 6 Walking in obedience 1. Lord, cause us to remember that our love for You is shown first and foremost by obedience to Your commands. 2. Keep our feet from slipping, O Lord, and our lives from backsliding, we pray. 3. As we pray for all in the church who are backsliding, restore them, O Lord. 4. Cause us to remember Your ways, and to walk in them every day of the

week and not just on Sundays, O God. 5. Turn our nation, which has walked away from obeying Your ways, back to You once more, O Lord. 2 John 7 Beware of deceivers 1. Help us always to discern spiritual truth from error, Holy Spirit, so none of us may be misled by heresy. 2. As we pray for all those we know, who are following false religions, believing that will take them to heaven, open their spiritual eyes, O Lord, and set them free. 3. We pray for all those we know, who are followers of cults, asking that You would give them a revelation of salvation by faith in Christ alone. 4. Keep us from being deceived by the ways of the world that would seek compromise and the watering down the Word of God, we pray. 5. May Your Church rise up in power, O Lord, to overcome the spirit of antichrist in our nation.

GRAPEVINE magazine • Issue 93 • August / September 2018

Bible Readings and Prayer Points for Individual and Church Spiritual Growth

WALK WITH GOD AND REACH OUT TO THE LOST 2nd and 3rd Letters of John and the Letter of Jude

PRAYER DIARY

September 2018

5 2 John 8-9

Don’t lose what you have 1. Help us to hold on firmly to the knowledge and experience we have in Christ, and not to allow ourselves to be led astray. 2. May our lives and our service for You, Lord Jesus, be motivated only by our love for You and by no other motive. 3. May our knowledge of You, O Lord, only ever get deeper and closer, never losing what we have already received. 4. Stir up within us the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we pray, and may we not allow the flames within us to die down. 5. May we not lose any rewards by becoming cold or indifferent, that would otherwise have been given to us by You, O God. 2 John 10-11 Discernment 1. Give us the spiritual discernment to know when those we are seeking to help are genuine, or just seeking to deceive us, O Lord. 2. As we talk and witness to people, guide us by the gift of discernment, we pray, so that we may be effective and not deceived by others. 3. As we pray over specific individuals and situations, give us the discernment to understand when the problem is in reality the working of evil spirits, so we are not deceived or overcome. 4. Help us to discern Your timing in all situations, O Lord, thereby knowing when to speak and when to remain silent. 5. Help us to discern the difference at all times, O God, between Your voice, the devil’s voice and our own imaginations. 2 John 12-13 Complete joy 1. Lord, may we know the joy of the Lord that springs from our unchanging relationship with You in any situation - no matter what our circumstances. 2. For all those in the church, who are struggling spiritually at this time, we lift them up before You, and pray that You will make their joy complete, O Lord. 3. For those in the church, whose hearts are burdened because of strained relationships within the family, give them the strength and

the joy of the Lord to resolve all differences, we pray. 4. As we bring before You, O Lord, all our widows, widowers and others who have lost loved ones and are still grieving, comfort them with Your presence, we pray. 5. Give us the joy of knowing that we are fulfilling the destiny You have for each of us, and the joy of effective service for Jesus. 3 John 1-2 Healthy in body and soul and circumstances 1. As we pray right now, O Lord, heal all those of us who are sick in body. 2. As our ministry teams and evangelistic teams pray for people on the streets, continually anoint them with healing power to see sick bodies healed, O Lord. 3. For all those amongst us suffering from mental sickness, depression or oppression, deliver them into full health and strength, we pray. 4. For those amongst us, who are struggling with negative or adverse circumstances and whose faith is wavering as a result, strengthen and comfort them, we pray. 5. Save souls in our home, on the street, in our places of work and in the church, O God, we pray, and help us each of us to accomplish it. 3 John 3-4 Faithfulness 1. Lord, teach us to be faithful to You in all circumstances - even when it is difficult. 2. Lord, may we be people who can be trusted to keep our word at all times. 3. May the unsaved people that we live and work amongst realise that we can always be trusted and, as a result, seek out our counsel and advice, we pray. 4. Lord, for the times we have let You down, please forgive us and help us to maintain a testimony that brings glory to You. 5. Lord, give us the joy of seeing our natural children and our spiritual children continually walking in the truth, we pray. 3 John 5-6 Hospitality 1. May our homes be places of refuge and blessing for all who enter in, O Lord, because the Spirit of God and the spirit of love and hospitality are present.

GRAPEVINE magazine • Issue 93 • August / September 2018

2. Give us open and generous hearts, O God. 3. Prosper all those who open their homes for Discipleship Cells, O Lord, and may they know Your hand of blessing upon all they do. 4. We pray for all the Discipleship Cell leaders that You would encourage their hearts and prosper their lives as they serve as undershepherds of Jesus. 5. Bless all those who provide hospitality in the church, or who are engaged in any of the servant ministries that are so needful, and refresh them also, we pray. 3 John 7-8 Supporting God’s workers 1. Lord, as we pray for all the missionaries our church is supporting, make them fruitful in their service for Jesus and meet their every need. 2. We pray that in those countries, where our missionaries are working, they may see more churches planted, more people saved, and healings, signs and wonders. 3. We pray for our missionaries, that You would keep them safe from all harm, whether from people or from insects or accidents, O Lord. 4. As we pray for those in the church, who are involved in any and every aspect of evangelism, let them see a great response as they share the Good News of salvation. 5. We pray for all our pastors and elders, O Lord, that You would help them accomplish all that You desire of them. 3 John 9 Overcoming the spirit of Diotrephes 1. Lord, keep us from having a spirit like Diotrephes, who always placed himself first in everything. 2. We pray that the spirit of unity would always be displayed in all areas of the church, as the Holy Spirit is given full reign in our midst. 3. We take authority over every spirit that would seek to cause disunity in the church, and we bind them and command them to leave our midst. 4. For any in our midst that may be minded to cause divisions, O Lord, we pray You will convict them and bring them to repentance before they begin. 5. Give us humble servant-heartedness in all we do, we pray, O Lord. 3 John 10 The fruit of ungodliness 1. Lord, we take authority over any attitudes that would seek to manifest themselves that are like those of Diotrephes, and pray they would never be seen in our midst. 2. Keep our lips from gossip, we pray. 3. Convict us when we are wrong, Holy Spirit, and give us the grace to admit it.

August 2018

PRAYER DIARY

hat a difference can take place when a person gets to know Jesus and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. This is especially true, as we grow in the ways of God as revealed through the Bible. John’s life is such a story of how radically a person can be changed when impacted by Jesus: from being self-centred and prejudiced, to becoming the disciple of love. Despite running a prosperous fishing business with his father, a business based in the north at Lake Galilee, which appears to have traded as far as Jerusalem in the south, this brother of James responded immediately to the call of Jesus. The two brothers left the business and followed Jesus all through His three and a half years of ministry. The process of change in their lives was less swift, however, with Jesus dubbing them ‘the sons of thunder’ on account of their fiery tempers. Their self-seeking ambitious nature remained prominent right through those years, with their mother seeking to persuade Jesus to put one of her sons on Jesus’ right hand and the other on His left, when Jesus became ruler of the world. No doubt they were prominent in the discussions between the 12 disciples that Jesus had to rebuke, even during the Last Supper, concerning which of them was ‘the greatest’. Asked by Jesus whether they could bear the ‘cup’ of suffering that Jesus would endure, they both confidently said, ‘Yes.’ And yet they, along with the other disciples, were noticeably absent at His crucifixion. James was the first of the 12 to die a violent death, when Herod had him beheaded. By contrast, John would live a long life into his 90s, but which included suffering in exile on the island of Patmos into his old age because of his preaching of the Gospel. What a different man he became, as his letters show. His passion now was to persuade believers: Don’t let the world contaminate you, but continue to walk in the truth! Don’t be deceived by the spirit of antichrist so prevalent in the world. Reject all deceptive and false teachings. Although we are not perfect and there is forgiveness on the occasions we sin when we ask for it, strive not to sin, because a sinful lifestyle is incompatible with one who claims to know and love God. Love for God is demonstrated by obeying His commands. And, he emphasises, above all, walk in love. A person who truly loves God will love others, especially their brothers and sisters in Christ. Failure to love others in this way who we can see, reveals there is no true love for God whom we cannot see. In a world where the spirit of antichrist is prevailing and growing, living for Jesus will enable us to live victorious lives. Then we can be a powerful force for good and for God in this increasingly dark world.

1 1 John 1:1

Proclaiming the Word of Life 1. Lord, give us a greater boldness to proclaim the truth about Jesus. 2. May our lifestyles naturally proclaim our faith and trust in Jesus, even when we are not speaking, O God. 3. Anoint every sermon - inside and outside every church building - that proclaims the truth of the Gospel with a power that causes people to give their lives to Christ. 4. We pray that every week we will see people convicted of sin and turned to Christ as they hear the Gospel. 5. Let there be a spiritual ‘tsunami’ of power sweeping across our nation, O Lord, as Your people rise up to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:2-4 Sharing our experience of Christ with others 1.Help us to share our faith effectively with our unsaved families, O Lord. 2.Give us wisdom as we share our faith, O God, and may we be

sensitive to the leading of Your Holy Spirit in each situation. 3.Help us to be effective witnesses at our places of work, O Lord, even when it is naturally not easy or is an environment hostile to the Gospel. 4.Fill us with Your joy, O God, which is the fruit of the Holy Spirit, even in times of trial, and may our godly joy be infectious. 5.Enable us to have the joy of seeing others accept Christ, and their lives being blessed as a consequence, we pray. 1 John 1:5-6 Walking as children of light 1. Lord, keep us from walking in sin, we pray. 2. Help us not to conform to the pattern of this world, but rather to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. 3. Help us to guard our lips, O Lord, so that our words may always be worthy of one who is a child of God. 4. Help us to guard our emotions, O God, so that we are in control of

them, and they are not in control of us. 5. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, O God. 1 John 1:7-10 True fellowship and confession of sins 1. Lord, forgive us for all that we have done wrong, whether open or hidden sins, so that we may not be in bondage. 2. As we bring the sins of our nation before You, O Lord, forgive this nation for every act of wickedness that comes from turning away from You, and heal our land. 3. We pray for an ever-deeper bond of fellowship between Your people, O Lord, that is a powerful witness to the presence of God amongst us. 4. Bless and anoint every Discipleship Cell and group within the church, by causing the bonds of fellowship to grow ever more deeper, we pray. 5. May all lukewarmness in Your Church disappear, O God, and Your Church rise up in revival power in this land.

GRAPEVINE magazine • Issue 93 • August / September 2018

Bible Readings and Prayer Points for Individual and Church Spiritual Growth

LIVE IN VICTORY BY STAYING TRUE TO THE FAITH 1st Letter of John

PRAYER DIARY

August 2018

John 2:1-3 5 1Living in obedience to Christ

8 16

1. Keep us from being nominal Christians, O Lord, and instead ignite the fire within us so that we live passionately for Christ. 2. Cause us to remember Your words, O God, that ‘to obey is better than sacrifice’, and to act accordingly. 3. Cause us to remember Your words, Lord Jesus, that if we love You we will obey Your commands and remain obedient. 4. Help us to read Your Word regularly so that we become more and more familiar with Your ways and how You want us to live. 5. Give us grace in the hour of temptation, O Lord, that we may not fall. 1 John 2:4-6 Matching our actions with our words 1. Cause us always to remember, O Lord, that on this earth we are ambassadors for the King of kings, and so represent You in a way that pleases You. 2. Remembering Your words, Lord Jesus, that it is ‘by their fruit you will know them’, may the fruit of our lives be godly and Christlike. 3. May our actions always be more powerful than our words, we pray. 4. Keep us from being a resounding gong and a clanging symbol, and instead may we demonstrate the fruit of agapé love. 5. Help us, O Lord, always to “walk the talk”. 1 John 2:7-11 Right relationships 1. As we examine our hearts, Holy Spirit, reveal to us anyone we may need to forgive, so that we can do that right now and not remain in darkness. 2. We pray for all the families in the church that have relationship problems between them, asking You to bring forgiveness and reconciliation, O Lord. 3. As we pray for any members in the church, who are out of right relationship with each other, bring healing and reconciliation, O God. 4. Lord, so far as it depends on us, may we live in peace with those we come into contact with. 5. As we remember Your Word, O Lord, that ‘Love covers over the multitude of sins,’ may we minister to one another out of agapé love. 1 John 2:12 Praying for children 1. Lord, suffer our little children to

come unto You and find the reality of You in their childhood years. 2. Watch over and guard our children, O Lord, especially from the pernicious ways of the world they are growing up in. 3. Lord, we pray that the innocence of our children will not be corrupted by the world around them, but give them the ability to discern right and wrong, good and evil. 4. We pray that our children will grow to be strong in the Lord and fearless witnesses for the truth about Jesus. 5. Bless, help and anoint all who work with our children, O Lord, especially those who teach them the Word of God. 1 John 2:13 Praying for fathers 1. We pray for all the fathers in the church, asking You to give them the wisdom they need to fulfil the role You desire of them, O Lord. 2. We pray that all the fathers in the church would know how to order their priorities and get the right balance between work, family and ministry. 3. For all those fathers in the church who are struggling spiritually, we pray that You would ignite within them a fresh fire. 4. Cause all the fathers in the church to be good spiritual leaders in the home and good role models to their children. 5. We pray You would save all the nonChristian fathers we know, and that they may know the joy of forgiveness of sins and eternal life. 1 John 2:14 Praying for young men 1. Stir up all the young men in the church, O Lord, with a passion for God. 2. Fan into flames the Spirit within them, and help them move in all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, O God. 3. Guard our young men from being beguiled by the ways and the attractions of the world, we pray. 4. Lead our young men into divinely arranged marriages, with godly women who together can serve God in power and effectiveness, we pray. 5. Help our young men to become passionate soul-winners for Christ of their own generation, O Lord. 1 John 2:15–17 Not loving the world 1. We pray that as individuals and as a church, we would not be deceived by the world or attracted by its

GRAPEVINE magazine • Issue 93 • August / September 2018

temptations, but rather be godly influencers of others. 2. Give us a correct attitude towards possessions, O Lord; may we keep a loose hold on them and be people who freely give. 3. As we live and work in the world during the week, keep us strong in our Christian testimony in all we think, say and do as true ambassadors of Christ. 4. Keep us from an ungodly love of the world, O Lord, but stir up within us a love for all those who are lost in this world. 5. Move in revival power in our backslidden society, O Lord, and help each of us to be powerful agents for change, as we move in the power of the Holy Spirit and the message of the Gospel. 1 John 2:18-19 The spirit of Antichrist 1. We pray for our nation, O God, that Your Church would rise up and push back the influence of the spirit of antichrist in our land. 2. As we pray for all Your people in their places of work, who are persecuted for sharing their faith, help them overcome the spirit of antichrist there. 3. As we pray for all the laws coming out of the European Union that have an anti-Christian bias, move on the hearts of the lawmakers to halt such laws, O God. 4. We pray for all the laws coming out of our Westminster Parliament that have an anti-Christian bias, and ask that You would raise up Your people within the Houses of Parliament who will uphold Your ways. 5. Make Your Church strong, O Lord, in the face of persecution. 1 John 2:20 The anointing from God 1. As we thank You for the Spirit of God within each born-again believer. Help us to move in the power of that anointing each day, we pray. 2. Anoint our minds, our lips and our actions afresh this day, we pray, as we daily dedicate our lives to You, O God. 3. For all those seeking the baptism in the Holy Spirit, as they wait on You, fill them, O Lord. 4. Holy Spirit, we ask that You would continually distribute Your gifts amongst Your people, so that we can grow more and more effective in our witness for Jesus. 5. Anoint Your Church in this nation, O Lord, to rise up in power and be an effective voice for change.

August 2018 John 2:21-23 141Praying for those who reject Christ

3. We pray for all in the church, who find it hard at their places of work because they are following Jesus, asking You to encourage and strengthen them. 4. Help us to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace, O Lord. 5. For any among us, who need to deal with unforgiveness, give them the grace this day to release all who have hurt them, O Lord. 1 John 3:16-20 Practical love 1. Lord, may our lives be lived sacrificially for You. 2. May we learn to live lives sacrificially for others also, we pray. 3. Give us hearts that are always open and generous to those in need, whom we have the ability to help, O God. 4. Prompt us, Holy Spirit, and give us the grace to go the extra mile whenever You require us to do so, we pray. 5. When we give to others - by action or materially - may we always do it with a cheerful heart, O Lord. 1 John 3:21-24 Led by the Spirit within us 1. Teach us how to allow You to live more evidently in us and we in You, O God. 2. For all those who have seasons of doubt about their relationship with You, O God, cause Your Spirit within them to banish all such doubts. 3. Lead us, Holy Spirit, in every significant decision we need to make, in every aspect of our lives, so that we do not stray from Your destiny for our lives. 4. We commit this day and every day into Your hands, O Lord, asking You to help us fulfil Your purposes for our lives for this day. 5. Lead us today, Holy Spirit, to someone You want us to talk to about Jesus. 1 John 4:1-3 Test the spirits 1. Holy Spirit, give us the ability to discern what is of God and what is not, so that we may not be led astray or deceived, we pray. 2. For all those we know who are in cults, open their eyes to the truth, O God. 3. For all those we know, who are or have been involved with the occult, help them to see the reality of what they are doing, and give their lives to Christ.

GRAPEVINE magazine • Issue 93 • August / September 2018

Bible Readings and Prayer Points for Individual and Church Spiritual Growth

1. We pray for all those we know who are Muslims, that You would reveal the true nature of the Person of Jesus Christ, O Lord. 2. We pray for all those we know who are Hindus, that You would reveal Christ to them as Saviour, O God. 3. We pray for all the atheists and agnostics we know, O God, that the veil would be removed from their minds, and they would understand the need to be saved by Christ. 4. We pray for all the Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains we know, O Lord, that they would come to know Christ as Saviour. 5. We pray for all those involved in New Age activities, that they would come to know Christ as the Way, Truth and Life and the only way to the Father. 1 John 2:24-25 No backsliding 1. Keep us strong in You at all times, O Lord. 2. Help us guard our minds and our thoughts, O God, to remain consecrated to You. 3. Keep us in times of temptation, and let our feet not slip, we pray. 4. Prompt us to action, Holy Spirit, if we are neglecting our time with God. 5. We pray for all we know who have backslidden, asking that You would restore them, O Lord. 1 John 2:26-29 Growing in Christ 1. Keep us from being led astray by others, O Lord. 2. Enlighten us, Holy Spirit, we pray, as we daily read and meditate on the Word of God. 3. Help us today, O God, to grow a little stronger than we were yesterday, and to keep growing in the Lord daily. 4. Help us to grow in and develop the anointing You have already given us, O Lord. 5. Teach us Your ways, O God, as we spend time in prayer and with Your Word helping us to grow in wisdom and understanding of the things of God. 1 John 3:1-3 Children of God 1. Thank You, Father, that through faith in Christ we become Your children; help us to live openly as children of God. 2. Give us opportunities daily to be the salt and light in this world that You call us to be.

3. Holy Spirit, help us to be open to allow You to work through us and to be obedient to Your leading, we pray. 4. We pray that the fruit of the Holy Spirit may become increasingly evident to the others we live and work with; cause them to be drawn to Christ as a result. 5. Heavenly Father, help us not to let You down. 1 John 3:4-6 No continuing in sin 1. Lord, help us to choose daily not to sin. 2. For those in the church we know, who are bound by habits that are sinful, we pray that You will set them free, O Lord. 3. Send revival in our personal lives, O Lord, such that we are transformed by Your power and are able to bring transformation into the lives of others. 4. As we pray for our Parliament and all who govern us, sweep through the corridors of power, Holy Spirit, bringing a transformation of our nation back to godliness. 5. Sweep through the city of London and through our country, Holy Spirit, in a revival power that will cause every church to be full to overflowing. 1 John 3:7-10 Don’t be led astray 1. We pray for Your Church, O Lord, that You would keep each one from being led into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 2. We pray for all those in the church, asking You to keep each one from being drawn back into the world and its ways. 3. Help us to guard our thoughts at all times, O Lord, so that we may not stray from Your ways. 4. Help us to choose our friends wisely, O God, so that we may influence them for good, but not allow them to influence us for bad. 5. May we not neglect our daily times of devotion with You, O Lord, but keep close to Your presence. 1 John 3:11-15 Brotherly love and the world’s hatred 1. Help us to grow more and more in the agapé love of God and our ability to demonstrate such love to all others. 2. Enable us to deal with the criticism that comes simply because we belong to Jesus, and cause us to stand firm.

PRAYER DIARY

4. Help us to know Your Word, O Lord, such that we are not deceived by falsehood. 5. Help us to stand firm at all times in the face of the spirit of antichrist that is seeking to grow stronger in our nation. 1 John 4:4-6 Greater is He who is within you 1. Help us, O Lord, to know and understand the full extent of the power of Christ that already lives within us, and to use it effectively. 2. For all those in the church, who are imprisoned by feelings of worthlessness, help them understand who they are in Christ, we pray. 3. Give us the desire to earnestly seek the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and then to use them effectively, we pray. 4. Raise us up and enable us to move in the spiritual power You have already placed within us, we pray. 5. Help each of us to seek Your spiritual gifts, O God, and to step out in faith, starting to use them. 1 John 4:7-12 Knowing God 1. Draw us ever closer to You day by day, O Lord, to see You more clearly, love You more dearly, and follow You more nearly. 2. Cause us to know Christ, the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His suffering, and so becoming more like Him. 3. Holy Spirit, help us to know You more intimately, to learn how to be obedient to Your leading, and to use the gifts of the Spirit. 4. Rise up in our midst, O Lord, and may all in our church know You in revival power. 5. Move in our communities, O God, in a great revival, so that many around us are touched by Your Spirit, transformed, and come to know You as Saviour and Lord. 1 John 4:13-16 Living in Him 1. Spirit of God, do Your work within us to change us more and more into the image of Christ, we pray. 2. Day by day, may we continually experience being filled with Your Spirit, O God. 3. Cause us to be a good testimony today and every day to the saving work and grace of Jesus Christ in our lives, we pray. 4. Use us today, O God, to cause someone to acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and so be saved.

August 2018 27

5. Lord, let Your love shine out through us today, so we are a blessing to others. 1 John 4:17-21 The Day of Judgment 1. O God, cause us to live in the fear of the Lord, so that on the day we stand before You to give an account of our Christian lives, we will not be ashamed. 2. For all who know You, O God, but are backslidden, give them a renewed fear of the Lord and turn their lives around. 3. As we pray for all those of our family members who are not yet saved, save them, O Lord. 4. We pray for all our work colleagues who are not yet saved, that You would save them, O God. 5. Give us divine appointments, O God, so we may speak to those who are seeking You, and may they find You, we pray. 1 John 5:1-5 Victory through our faith 1. Cause us to allow the power of the Holy Spirit within us to always overcome the power of temptation. 2. For those believers we know, who have been discouraged by words or by circumstances, let the faith within them rise up to enable them to be overcomers, we pray. 3. Help us, O Lord, to triumph over all adversity by the power of the Spirit within us, we pray. 4. For those in the church, who are struggling against oppression of the powers of darkness, enable them to overcome by the power of their faith, we pray. 5. We take authority over every situation that would seek to discourage us or bring us down, O Lord, and pray that such circumstances would instead cause us to grow stronger. 1 John 5:6-12 Our testimony 1. May the testimony of our lives be a silent yet powerful witness to the reality of Christ within us, we pray, O Lord. 2. Give us the right words at the right time, O Lord, that will speak powerfully into the lives of those You want us to minister to. 3. Give us opportunities to share our testimony with others, we pray, and may it be anointed by Your Spirit to touch their very souls. 4. May Your grace touch us so frequently, O God, that we will continually have new testimonies of Your goodness and grace.

GRAPEVINE magazine â&#x20AC;˘ Issue 93 â&#x20AC;˘ August / September 2018

5. Help us, heavenly Father, to live as citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven in a way that is unambiguous to all. 1 John 5:13-17 Heard by God 1. Give us clean hands and a pure heart, O Lord, so that we can always approach Your presence with confidence. 2. Cause us to approach You in prayer, our Father, not half-heartedly nor with doubts, but in faith. 3. Teach us to pray according to Your will, O Lord, so that our prayers may always be effective. 4. May we learn to walk close to You, O God, so that we learn to discern the will of Your Holy Spirit directing our prayers. 5. We believe, O Lord. Help us in our times of unbelief! 1 John 5:18-21 Safe from the Evil One 1. May we not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of mockers, but rather delight in Your law, O Lord, and meditate on it night and day. 2. Keep us like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither, prospering all we do. 3. Watch over our ways, O Lord, and keep us safe from the Evil One. 4. Cause us to break every habitual sin in our lives and live righteously in Your sight, we pray. 5. Keep us from any and every form of idolatry and, instead, always have You as our first love and first priority in our lives, O God.

PRAYER DIARY

September 2018

5. May the God of peace soon crush Satan underneath our feet. Jude 1-2 Called, loved and kept by God 1. Cause us to remember constantly, O Lord, that we have been called to walk in the ways of Christ and to become like Him. 2. May Your love so overwhelm us, O Lord, that it overflows from within us, out to others and blesses them also. 3. Keep us from doubts, fears, temptation and the lies of the enemy that he may place in our minds, we pray. 4. In our times of trial, struggle, disappointments and grief, keep us from the thought of ever giving up on You, O Lord. 5. Lord, we thank You that no person, demon, circumstance or situation will ever be able to pluck us from Your hand; may we never doubt Your love for us, but remain strong in You. Jude 3 Contend for the faith 1. In an age where there is much apostasy in the Church, help us to always speak and preach the uncompromising Word of God. 2. In an age where there are increasing attempts to silence the true teaching of the Bible, give us boldness to always contend for the true faith. 3. In an age where other religions are seeking to promote their message, help us to demonstrate the truth of the Gospel by the power that accompanies it. 4. Let Your Church rise up across this land in power, proclaiming the full undiluted Gospel of Jesus Christ, O God. 5. Build a people of power, O Lord, who can turn back the tide of evil in our nation. Jude 4 Wolves in sheep’s clothing 1. Lord, for any in our midst, who are really wolves in sheep’s clothing, reveal them for their true intentions before they do harm, we pray. 2. For those in our midst, who give an outward show of spirituality but who are in reality living a life of secret sin, reveal them and cause them to turn to You in repentance, O Lord. 3. For any in our midst, who appear to be following the Lord, but who are

still practising the occult, reveal them and cause them to repent, O God. 4. As we pray for those in our midst, who profess Christ but who continue to choose to walk according to their sinful natures, bring them to repentance, O Lord. 5. Lord, save us from having a form of religion but denying the power of Christ. Jude 5 Praying for unbelievers 1. Lord, give us a compassion for the lost that moves us to do all to see them saved. 2. Lord, give us an understanding of hell and the destiny of the lost that will ensure we are never complacent in carrying out the Great Commission. 3. Lord, may we never be so engrossed with our own personal lives and needs that we lose sight of the desperate plight of the unsaved, and fail to seek their salvation. 4. Make us soul-winners, O God, no matter how much we may feel unequal to the task. 5. Use us today, O Lord, to rescue someone from a lost eternity. Jude 6 Spiritual warfare 1. Open our eyes to the spiritual battle that is taking place in the realms around us, O Lord, and keep us constantly alert to every attack of the enemy, we pray. 2. Keep us free from anything that would give the devil a foothold in our lives, O Lord. 3. We take authority, in Jesus’ Name, over every evil spirit that would seek to hinder the work of the Lord in our church. 4. We take authority, in Jesus’ Name, over every wicked spirit that would seek to blind the eyes of unbelievers in our midst, and we command them be set free to believe in Christ. 5. As we pray for all those, who are ministered to in our deliverance meetings, bring complete freedom in Christ, O God. Jude 7-10 Sexual immorality 1. Have mercy on our nation, O God, that worships at the altar of unfettered sexual immorality. 2. Have mercy on our children, O Lord, and keep them from being influenced by the ungodly examples

GRAPEVINE magazine • Issue 93 • August / September 2018

Bible Readings and Prayer Points for Individual and Church Spiritual Growth

4. Search our hearts, O Lord, and keep us from wilful sins, we pray. 5. Cause us to cooperate more and more with You, Holy Spirit, to develop the fruit of the Spirit and the character of Christ in our lives, we pray. 3 John 11 The right actions 1. May our walk with You be such that we are good role models for others to follow, O Lord. 2. May we be able to say with the apostle Paul: “Follow me, as I follow Christ” knowing that those who follow our example would never be led astray. 3. Keep us, O God, whether we are young or old, from being influenced in our thoughts or actions by the ungodly. 4. Teach us to always follow the pathway of truth and righteousness, O Lord, even when it is painful. 5. Deliver us from the attitude of compromise, O Lord, and instead, may we never fear to take the right decisions. 3 John 12 A good reputation 1. May our witness at our places of school, college or work be such that, no matter if people dislike our God, they cannot truthfully accuse us of wrongdoing. 2. Lord, give Your people such good favour with the world that they are promoted to positions of significant influence in secular workplaces. 3. Raise up men and women from Your church, O Lord, who will be like Daniels, Josephs and Esthers: prominent in places of local and national government. 4. Raise up teachers and lecturers in places of influence over the up-and-coming generation, O Lord, to influence them for righteousness. 5. Raise up Your people in all forms of media, O God, that their godly opinions and actions will have a major influence on many. 3 John 13-14 God’s peace 1. Lord, we pray that no matter what circumstances we may be going through, we would always experience Your peace which passes all understanding. 2. Anoint us daily to be ready to bring the unsaved into the experience of knowing peace with God through faith in Christ Jesus. 3. In all our dealings at home and at work, give us the grace to be the peacemakers that You have called us to be. 4. Give us the right words in season and out of season that will bring comfort to the brokenhearted, we pray, O Lord.

PRAYER DIARY

and teaching from all forms of media. 3. Raise up a new generation, O God, that will turn away from the excesses of the generation of their parents, having understood the destruction to society caused by sexual immorality. 4. Turn the minds and understanding of our lawmakers from their obsession with laws about sex and sexuality, O Lord. 5. Help us guard our lives from the pernicious influence of the world’s sexual promiscuity and idolatry, we pray. Jude 11-13 The error of Balaam 1. Keep us from loving money more than we love God, and so falling into Balaam’s error, we pray. 2. Keep us from trying to manipulate God when we don’t get our own desires, and so falling into Balaam’s error, we pray. 3. Keep us from the error of Balaam, O Lord, who turned to the occult when God would not grant him his desires. 4. Keep us from turning to sinful ways to get our own way, and thereby falling into the error of Balaam. 5. Keep our hearts pure in your sight, even in the midst of disappointment, O Lord. Jude 14 The Lord’s return in judgment 1. Lord Jesus, let Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on earth, just as it is in Heaven. 2. Lord, we pray for all those who as yet do not know Christ, that you would move in great revival power before You come, when there will be no further opportunity for them to be saved. 3. Have mercy on our nation, Lord Jesus, before You return in judgment, and turn the people back to You. 4. Give us a passion to reach the lost in these last days, we pray. 5. May we be constantly ready for Your return, Lord Jesus, not distracted but ever watchful, prepared and active in service for You. Jude 15-16 The Day of Judgment 1. Have mercy on all those we know, who are living ungodly lives with no thought for God; save them before it is too late, we pray.

September 2018

2. We pray for all those of other religions we come into contact with, that You would help them find the true Way to the Father, and save them, O Lord. 3. We pray for all nominal Christians we know; save them, O Lord. 4. As we pray for all those who know Christianity as a religion, but have not experienced the saving power of Christ, save them, O God. 5. As we pray for all we come into contact with, who are seeking a spiritual experience but are looking in the wrong places, save them, O Lord. Jude 17-18 Scoffers 1. Knowing there are none in hell who do not believe in God, we pray for all those we know, who currently mock the idea that there is a true and living God. 2. We pray for all who are deceived by the lie that the world came about ‘by chance’ and life was formed by evolution; open their eyes before it is too late, we pray. 3. For those who live and work around us, who mock our faith in Christ, may the power of our witness and testimony cause them to change their minds, O Lord. 4. For those around us who have no thought for God and live purely for the pleasures of this world, shake them with a powerful, divine encounter with the living God, we pray. 5. Have mercy on all those in the media, who delight in mocking Christ and scoffing at the faith of Christians, and bring change in all forms of media, we pray, O Lord. Jude 19 No divisions 1. Watch over Your church, O God, and keep us from those who would seek to cause division amongst us. 2. Give us the grace to be peacemakers in any and every situation, O Lord. 3. Expose all in Your church, O Lord, whose spirits are divisive, and who would seek to bring schism and friction, so that the saints may not be deceived or led astray. 4. Cause us, when necessary, to accept being wronged, rather than to insist on our ‘rights’ and so cause division, O God. 5. Help us not to have so high a regard for ourselves that we cannot be the

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first to apologise, and so diffuse any potential source of friction or division, we pray. Jude 20 Praying in the Holy Spirit 1. When we come to You in prayer, O Lord, help us to pray in spirit and in truth. 2. Keep us from selfishness when we pray, O God, but always to pray according to Your will. 3. For those of us, who are not yet baptised in the Holy Spirit, as we wait on You, now fill our mouths with words of heavenly origin, we pray. 4. For those of us, who have let the flames of the Spirit die down within us, cause us now to be stirred up and re-ignited with a divine flame, we pray. 5. Overwhelm us with Your presence, as we come sincerely before You in deep and earnest prayer, O Lord our God. Jude 21-23 By all means save some 1. Give us the grace always to witness to people with the expressed love of Christ, we pray. 2. Give us a heart of mercy, O Lord, towards the unsaved that will motivate us to seek to win them to Christ. 3. Help us to snatch some from entering the very fires of hell, O Lord, by giving us divine appointments with those whose time on earth is shorter than they realise. 4. Give us the wisdom when we are witnessing, O Lord, to know when to speak of God’s love, and when to speak of God’s wrath, in order to win them for Christ. 5. In our witnessing for Christ, may we always hear from and be guided by the Holy Spirit, so that we may be fruitful in our service for God. Jude 24-25 No falling away 1. Keep us falling from Your grace, O Lord. 2. May the fear of the Lord ensure not only that we walk in wisdom, but also that we never backslide - even for a moment. 3. Lord, keep us from wilful sin, and teach us the wisdom to be able to keep from unintentional sin. 4. May we daily be transformed from glory to glory, as we seek to be imitators of and ambassadors for Christ. 5. Help us to renew our minds, O God, that we think like You, and so come more and more to know the mind of Christ.

EVANGELISM & PRAYER @ ECC LOCAL LIGHTHOUSE

EVANGELISM ALL WELCOME SECOND Saturday of each month

11am to 1pm

Saturday 11th August

Saturday 8th September

Acton Brentford Chiswick Greenford Hanwell Hayes Northfields Northolt Shepherd’s Bush Southall Uxbridge Wembley West Ealing

Acton Brentford Chiswick Ealing Broadway Greenford Harrow Hounslow Northfields Northolt Shepherd’s Bush Southall Twickenham Wembley West Drayton

24/7 PRAYER CENTRE

Call our confidential prayer line for ANY need 24 hours a day 7 days a week

020 8799 2199 DAILY REVIVAL PRAYER MEETINGS MONDAY TO FRIDAY MORNING MEETINGS 10.00am to 12.00pm - Annexe Room 2* EVENING MEETINGS 6.00pm to 7.00pm - Foyer (*accessible from Northfields Avenue)

WEEKLY TUESDAY NIGHT PRAYER MEETING 7.30pm to 9.00pm - Foyer

MONTHLY REVIVAL & HEALING MEETINGS

ALL ARE WELCOME TO JOIN THE TEAM

Second Sunday evening of every month at 6.30pm Sunday 12th August Sunday 9th September

DELIVERANCE MEETINGS

POLISH FELLOWSHIP Elim Springs Every Sunday @ 2:30pm In the FOYER

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

info@eccj.org.uk

For ECC attenders: Before coming for deliverance for the first time, please make an appointment to speak to Pastor Rajinder NO MEETING IN AUGUST Saturday 15th September For non-ECC attenders: Please contact ELLEL MINISTRIES on 01252 794060

ALL-NIGHT PRAYER MEETINGS Last Friday of every month 10.00pm to 5.00am A night of intercession, celebration, thanksgiving and praise for adults, youth & children Friday 31st August Friday 28th September GRAPEVINE magazine • Issue 93 • August / September 2018

Note from the Treasurer Opportunity to give to God’s work ECC building extension project is in progress

iving to God’s work is an investment - with eternal rewards for both the giver and the beneficiaries of the gift. With regards to the giver, Jesus said: “For the Son of Man is going to come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will reward each person according to what He has done” (Matthew 16:27). There are also eternal benefits for the recipients of the gift. For example, when you give money to an evangelical organisation (including your church), and through that organisation someone accepts Jesus Christ as personal Saviour, then that individual will be in heaven for eternity. Although investing to provide for future family needs is something that God wants us to do (1 Timothy 5:8), giving to God’s work is even more important, as it stores up “treasures in heaven.” Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19, 20). In conclusion, although it is important to save and invest to provide for future family needs, always make investing in God’s work a priority. Why not at this time ask God to give you the opportunity to give sacrificially to the ECC building extension project, which started in March 2014? I pray that as you remain faithful and obedient in your giving this year, may God’s promises in Philippians 4:19 - “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus” - be your portion in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Sandra Dawodu

(Source: Copland Financial Ministries)

WEEKLY Meetings Sunday services Celebration service

9.00am to 10.45am

with classes for Children & Youth

Celebration service

11.15am to 1.00pm

with classes for Children & Youth

Japanese service Polish service Evening service

2.30pm to 4.30pm in Auditorium

2.30pm to 4.30pm in Foyer

6.30pm to 8.00pm

See ‘What’s On at ECC’ on page 23 for details

Mondays

Prayer meetings

10.00am & 6.00pm

Prayer meetings

10.00am & 7.30pm

Tuesdays

Wednesdays

Prayer meetings 10.00am & 6.00pm Little Stars’ Parents & Tots Term-time only 10.00am to 12.00pm Wednesday Afternoon Fellowship 2.00pm to 3.30pm

Thursdays

Prayer meetings 10.00am & 6.00pm Equippers: Life skills 7.00pm to 9.30pm Registration required

Fridays

Prayer meetings 10.00am & 6.00pm Equippers: Ministry skills 7.00pm to 9.30pm All-night Prayer

Registration required

10.00pm to 5.00am

Last Friday of the month

Saturdays

Street evangelism

11.00am to 1.00pm

FINANCE THANK YOU

FOR YOUR FAITHFUL GIVING TO GOD’S WORK MAY 2018 JUNE 2018 Tithes & Offerings £42,332.99 £40,139.44 Building Fund £2,221.30 £961.92 Standing Orders £34,882.79 £43,773.57

GRAPEVINE magazine • Issue 93 • August / September 2018

WHAT WE BELIEVE 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 co-eternally 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 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.

WHAT’S ON AT ECC

Sunday Services at a glance 9.00am, 11.15am, 6.30pm

September

August am 5th pm am 12th pm am 19th pm am 26th pm

& COMMUNION am PRAISE Speaker: Pastor Alex Morgan 2nd SPIRIT EVENING pm HOLY Speaker: Pastor Richard Buxton

PRAISE & COMMUNION Speaker: Pastor Richard Buxton HOLY SPIRIT EVENING Speaker: Pastor Alex Morgan

GUEST DAY SERVICE am SPECIAL Speaker: Pastors Sam Blake & Alex Morgan 9th pm REVIVAL & HEALING MEETING Speaker: Pastor Rajinder Buxton

CELEBRATION SERVICE Speaker: Pastor Richard Buxton REVIVAL & HEALING MEETING Speaker: Pastor Rajinder Buxton

HOLY SPIRIT EVENING Speaker: Pastor Alex Morgan

SERVICE am CELEBRATION Speaker: Pastor Richard Buxton 16th pm HOLY SPIRIT EVENING Speaker: Pastor Alex Morgan

CELEBRATION SERVICE Speaker: Pastor Richard Buxton GOSPEL CONCERT with ECC Worship Team and Youth Choir followed by BBQ in the Car Park

SERVICE am CELEBRATION Speaker: Pastor Alex Morgan EVENING 23rd pm ASIAN Gospel celebration from all over the continent of Asia

CELEBRATION SERVICE Speaker: Pastor Mark King

SERVICE am CELEBRATION Speaker: Pastor Richard Buxton 30th pm HOLY SPIRIT EVENING Speaker: Pastor Rajinder Buxton

Spotlight on Forthcoming Events SUNDAY EVENING SERVICE 26th August @ 6.30pm

Gospel Concert featuring ECC Worship Team and Youth Choir followed by our annual BBQ in the Car Park

SPECIAL GUEST DAY SERVICE 9th September @ 9.00am and 11.15am led by Pastor Sam Blake & Pastor Alex Morgan

SUNDAY EVENING SERVICE 23rd September @ 6.30pm

Asian Evening A wonderful evening of Gospel celebration from all over the continent of Asia

EACH ONE BRING ONE

Invitations will soon be available to invite families, friends and neighbours to these FREE evangelistic events GRAPEVINE magazine • Issue 93 • August / September 2018

MEN’S DISCIPLESHIP

INVESTING ALL MANNER OF WORKMANSHIP IN THE NEXT GENERATION

ecently I was stood in my kitchen, armed with a screwdriver, a wire cutter and some electrical wire.

This is a strange situation I have found myself in more and more over the past couple of months, as our need to renovate our flat and my desire to save money have kicked in. Over the last couple of months, I have replaced a shower tray; learned how to tile, and ripped out a kitchen. After consultation with an electrician, my small electrical job was just the latest of my semi successful DIY jobs. It’s amazing what you can achieve when you begin to give something a try! However, I’m also super thankful for my Dad. Growing up I was always amazed by my Dad’s ability to build things. When I had just started high school, I was tasked with building a catapult for a physics lesson. I came home, told my Dad, and within an hour he had made this incredible wooden catapult that I proudly brought into school the next day. Whereas with others I helped with building projects

God has given all of us unique and different gifts. Our job is to use them and to pass them on I was normally just the labour - the person who would clean up, carry stuff to the skip, and get whatever was needed - whenever I worked with my Dad, he would spend time teaching me how to work different tools and do various tasks. I spent one summer with him at the top of scaffolding, as we replaced the fascia of the house. My Dad was a real man’s man. He spent his childhood climbing trees and fishing. Anything that involved using your hands, he could do it - no problem. He was madly in love with Jesus, but was never someone you would find on the platform preaching or teaching. He would never be found leading worship, greeting people at the door, or leading a small group. However, he knew what he was good at, and how he could use it for the Kingdom. He was a man who was good with his hands, an excellent cook, and someone who was willing to serve. He would use his gifts to glorify God, and at every opportunity possible would pass those same skills onto people around him. He would often be found teaching someone how to cook a certain meal or how to make his next creation. What is the gift that God has put in you that could be used to further His Kingdom?

GRAPEVINE magazine • Issue 93 • August / September 2018

PICTURE: NOT Pastor Alex! I have a friend called George; he was a health and safety officer. For years he was on the peripheral of church; he would attend on a Sunday morning, and we wouldn’t see him again. One day, though, the church bought a new building, and in doing that, needed someone who had an understanding of health and safety to help bring the building up to standard. George volunteered, and because of that decision George’s relationship with the church – and, even more importantly, his relationship with Jesus - flourished. All of a sudden, he had found his place. Exodus 31:2-5 says: ‘See, I have called by name Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship’ (italics mine). God called and filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God - not to preach the Good News, but to build the temple. God has given all of us unique and different gifts. Our job is to use them and to pass them on to the generation that follows after us.

Pastor ALEX MORGAN

WOMEN’S DISCIPLESHIP

Trusting in the Strength of the Lord

was reading an account the other day called ‘The story of the cracked pot’, which goes like this:

There was a water-bearer in India who had two large pots. Both pots hung on the ends of a pole, which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot always arrived half full; it had lost most of its water on the way home. The cracked pot was so ashamed that it wasn’t able to be like the other pot, and could only carry half the amount of water because of its imperfections. This carried on for two years. Then one day, the cracked pot said to the water bearer, “I’m so ashamed of myself, that I can only carry half the amount of water as my colleague, because this crack in my side causes all the water to leak out, all the way back to your house, and I am not fulfilling my purpose.” The bearer said to the pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot’s side? That’s because I have always known about your flaw, and I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you’ve watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house.”

The Lord can use what appear to be our imperfections to make something beautiful

The point is this: God uses ‘cracked pots’ and, even with our imperfections, we are still useful to God and He can and does use us. He can make something beautiful

out of what may seem to us to be our imperfections. The important thing for us to know is that God is with us, and that whatever we do, we do it in the strength of the Lord. It was the water bearer who carried both pots around his neck whilst they completed their different tasks. Even in our imperfections, He carries us. In 2 Corinthians 12:8-9, the Apostle Paul talks about an infirmity he had, and he said: “….three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’” Paul said: “…therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” There may be times when we go through difficulties, but we can take comfort that God is with us, and we can trust Him to work everything out for us. He is with us even when we feel inadequate and not up to the task set before us. We may see our imperfections, but God sees the possibilities, the end result and what we can achieve through Him. Jesus has promised that He “…will be with you always, until the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Sometimes we may feel like a ‘cracked pot’ - not very happy with where we are in our walk of faith, not happy with our ministries, not happy in our personal lives. But we have the assurance that if we put our trust in the Lord and are obedient to Him and seek Him in fasting and prayer, He can use what appear to be our imperfections to make something beautiful, and in due time He will reap the beautiful flowers from our lives.

JESSICA SMITH

Women’s Discipleship Cell Primary

GRAPEVINE magazine • Issue 93 • August / September 2018

Fellowship

Please email your Wedding, New Baby and other good news to SHARON GRANT at sg@ecc.org.uk

HERE FOR YOU

& CONGRATULATIONS

EVERGREENS Monday 10th September Event tbc - 1pm to 4pm Fish & Chips day - £3.50 for lunch

CONGRATULATIONS Adeboye & Nicola SOREMEKUN on the birth of their DAUGHTER Grace Adelana (God’s Favour & The Crown Opens the Way)

Born: 11th May 2018 Weight: 6lb 9oz

CONGRATULATIONS

Seniors Week Break Pleasaunce Hotel, Norfolk Monday 8th-12th October

A great chance to join fellow Christians on our special seniors Monday to Friday break. Explore the local towns, enjoy the gardens and stunning scenery. Please see Sharon for further details.

Next ECC sessions: Saturday 18th August Saturday 29th September

2pm - 6pm

Why volunteer for Soup Kitchen? “I volunteer my time because, as with everything else, we are here to serve and to be a blessing to others. Once you realise that Jesus’ purpose on earth was to serve, then it’s easier to get a better understanding of Christianity, and to know that what you’re doing is your Christian duty. God bless.” - Denis Collins Please contact Sherine or Sharon via ECC church office for further information on how to get involved

GRAPEVINE magazine • Issue 93 • August / September 2018

Inglore & Barbara STAPLETON on their MARRIAGE BLESSING which took place on Saturday 14th July

EDNESDAY Afternoon Fellowship

AUGUST

SUMMER BREAK NO MEETINGS

SEPTEMBER 5th 12th 19th 26th

Lola Vassell with Pastor Bob Lola Vassell with Pastor Bob Lola Vassell with Dale Adebakin Lola Vassell with Pastor Bob

CLASSIFIEDS OPPORTUNITY TO VOLUNTEER

ECC will be joining several other churches in the Ealing borough to host WINTER NIGHT SHELTER sessions for 2019. ECC hosting times are Wednesday evenings in January and February next year on the following dates: JANUARY 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th FEBRUARY 6th If you would like to get involved, or know about the Ealing Churches Winter Night Shelter project, please contact the church office.

Aanu mugs (£5) and bookmarks (£1) are available from the ECC Office. ALL proceeds go to the Aanu Foundation.

GRAPEVINE magazine • Issue 93 • August / September 2018

YOUTH MINISTRIES

THE

POWER POWER

WITHIN US

he other day, my family and I were having our evening devotion and talking about how much power we have as Christians, and how little of it actually manifests in our lives. So I asked the obvious question: “If we have so much power, then why do we still suffer and find ourselves a prey of the devil’s tactics?” You see, in 1 John 4:4, the Bible says: ‘He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world’. As Christians, we’ve been gifted with an immense and almost unbelievable amount of power from God. The Bible says that if we have faith as small as a mustard seed, then we will be able to move mountains. The main problem we have as Christians, though, is that we often fail to recognise this power within us, making us ignorant of the abilities we possess. Many times I’ve seen people performing miracles, healing the sick and raising the dead, and simply wished I could perform such amazing exploits. I used to watch them doing awesome wonders for God, and think I wasn’t worthy or deserving enough to be used by God in such miraculous ways. And that’s where the problem lies. We can never deserve God’s grace or favour, or the salvation He so freely gave us - that’s why it’s called grace. It’s a free and unmerited gift, not something that can be achieved by good works or earned through hard work. The good news is that everyone has access to this grace. All we need to do is accept it, and then we can start living those miraculous lives we yearn for.

The main problem we have as Christians, though, is that we often fail to recognise this power within us, making us ignorant of the abilities we possess. 28

GRAPEVINE magazine • Issue 93 • August / September 2018

In Psalm 62:11, the Bible says: ‘All power belongs to God’. The devil doesn’t have as much power as we think he has; the only thing the devil has is the ability to deceive. If you remember what happened in the Garden of Eden, the devil had to deceive Eve in order to separate humans from God. The interesting part of this story is that the devil hasn’t changed or gotten any wiser; he still uses the same old tactics. He deceives us into going against God’s will, and the moment we do so, we become powerless and vulnerable, leaving us open to his attack. If we don’t allow the devil the space in our hearts to deceive us, we find we’ll be surrounded with an entourage of God’s angels. Whenever we need reminding how much God loves and values us, all we have to do is turn to Psalm 91:7, which says: ‘A thousand may fall at your side and 10,000 at your right hand, but it will not come near you’. I know. It’s simply flattering. I’d like to encourage all of us to resist the devil whenever he tries to tempt us - and he will, because that’s the only way he operates. We need to start utilising the power given to us by God and living out His promises for our lives - not settling for a moment of satisfaction with the devil. As Christians in the 21st century, we can often find ourselves lost in a society that’s rejecting God and promoting secularism. We need to work against the flow, be uncompromising in our belief in God, refuse to conform to society and, instead, align ourselves to the will of God. In doing so, I believe we will see the manifestation of God’s power within us, fulfilling all His unfailing promises for our lives.

KOFO BOBOYE

CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES

MINISTRIES

TEACHERS’ TRAINING DAY Olly & Helen Goldenberg

with Olly Goldenberg of Children Can Ministries

For over 25 years, Olly and Helen Goldenberg have been involved in children’s ministries, including 15 years ministering to over 800 children every week at Kensington Temple, London. They now run Children Can Ministries, and have helped hundreds of churches here and abroad to revive their youth and children’s ministries. On 16th June, Olly held a training session with the Children’s Ministries team at ECC.

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he training session covered practical skills in ministering to children, namely children’s discipleship; the importance of God’s Word in the spiritual foundation of children, and how to creatively teach children in five different areas - Welcome, Worship, Word, Warfare and Witness. Participants described the day as “refreshing”, “inspiring” and “meaningful”. Here is what some of the other participants had to say...

“

I think today’s sessions were refreshing and have equipped me to teach the Word of God to children and to be effective in their lives. I have learnt it is important to have a more personal relationship with the children we teach.

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Refreshing and inspiring. God spoke to me in a strong and meaningful way through Olly’s teaching and impartation. Completely renewed and encouraged with ways of how to be of service to our children in an effective way. Today’s session was really amazing. I have left there, wanting to become more serious for the Lord. I thank Pastor Olly for reminding us how we need to lead, teach and disciple the children. Glad for the prophetic wording on the work I currently do. I pray to learn the Word even better now.

“

I enjoyed hearing the testimonies about what God is doing in the lives of children, and how we can follow what Jesus did to practically help children become disciples. The sessions weren’t long, which was helpful for my attention span! Great experience. Good teaching illustrated in an easy and simple way to understand. I really enjoyed the sessions, and came away with many great ideas to take back to minister to the children. I thought the session was so inspiring that it touched my spirit and heart. It reminded me of my Sunday school days, how much I love teaching Sunday school and how I should improve on myself. We often think that kids are too young to understand or fully experience God. It was nice to hear they are not, and God wants them to fully know Him. It challenged me to stop sugar-coating things and let God show Himself to them the way He wants to.

compiled by

ANN VORKEL

GRAPEVINE magazine • Issue 93 • August / September 2018

NEW MEMBERS

Welcoming

NEW MEMBERS

Sandy CHANDER

Neale CORRIGAN

Senait DEBEBE

I’m becoming a member to be part of ECC, and to get more involved in what the church has to offer.

It’s my local evangelical church, and I enjoy the music and especially the sermons.

I believe that church membership means identifying oneself with a local body of believers, and making oneself accountable to proper spiritual leadership.

Ashley KUCHERERA

Linda LEWIS

Paul MENSAH

I want to be fully connected to ECC and to make it my spiritual home.

I wanted to be a member of this church, especially as God showed me the way to ECC, and I’d like to be more committed and serve my Lord Jesus.

I want to officially identify with ECC, as I have been worshipping here for some time. ECC provides me the opportunity to serve the Lord, and to grow spiritually and relationally.

Charlie-Roy OCANSEY

Rebecca SCOTT

Sonia SCOTT

I want to become a member of this wonderful family.

I have been at ECC for numerous years, and I feel this is where God has called me to serve and grow. I have been invested in, and can, in turn, invest in others. I can honestly say that ECC is my home, and being here strengthens my spiritual walk.

I want to be committed to my local church, and accountable to my pastors.

e asked the candidates: “Why do you want to become a member of ECC?” Here are their responses...

GRAPEVINE magazine • Issue 93 • August / September 2018

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NEW MEMBERS

Michael EZIASHI

Christina FERGUSON-EZIASHI

Vanessa KARERA

I want to officially be part of the church family.

After almost 10 years, I want to commit to ECC and call it my home.

I believe that God has called me here to serve, and I want to honour that call.

Regina IKURUSI-MENSAH

Claude N’GANDU

Priscilla MENSAH

ECC is the church for all nations, where the undiluted Word of God is being preached without compromise. There is a sense of belonging with a family of believers.

I’ve been attending ECC on and off since 2008, and as this is now my home I wanted to formalise my membership.

I’ve been happy here for a few years now. It has become my home, where I worship and serve. Membership is well overdue. I love my church family, and trust and support my pastors.

Hildred WATTS

Joanne WILLIAMS

Jamie WOODS

I am becoming a member to be part of a God-fearing and active church; to be supported by Godfearing people, and to add my support to ECC by contributing in whichever way I can.

I am becoming a member of ECC as a step of obedience and to be among believers, who will support and encourage me in my journey of faith. I also want to be able to contribute my gifts and share my wealth of love with others, becoming an encourager and a source of support.

I love the church; it’s my first and home church and I want to get more involved with ministry.

It is a place of prayer, where the Word and worship are given proper place, and it is full of Holy Spirit. Also, I enjoy the multicultural makeup of the church. Paul Mensah

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I am becoming a member of ECC as a step of obedience. Joanne Williams

ECC is the church for all nations, I love the praise and worship and that ECC is a familyoriented church. Regina IkurusiMensah

GRAPEVINE magazine • Issue 93 • August / September 2018

27.05.2018 G N I N E V E AFRICAN CALL FOR PRAYER ON 020 8799 2199 * PRAYER CENTRE OPEN 24 HOURS/DAY 7 DAYS/WEEK