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Vision Fulfilled in Birmingham
coming together in Aston Park and at this meeting the Church leaders would stand together on a stag before the people and make a commitment to work together as one body.
This year the Anglican Church in Birmingham celebrates it’s Centenary and as part of the celebrations, Bishop John Sentamu, Bishop for Birmingham 'Church of England' invited J. John who is widely regarded as one of the most creative Christian speakers in the UK to come and put on
his Just 10 programme
on the 10 Commandments. His much-loved art of storytelling helps us discover God and spiritual meaning – in a way that makes
more sense, too, of everyday life. Both Dianne and I knew that this was the fulfillment of a vision the Lord had given us in 1996, a vision of all the Churches from the different denomination in and around Birmingham coming together
in Aston Park. On
Thursday the 7th of April 2005 Birmingham Just10 started and would go on
until the 9th June. The
message J. John shared with us was inspiring, challenging and anointed. This was shown by the amount of people that attained and came forward at the end of each evening
responding to God’s call. Around 2500 to 3000 people attended every week. Christians, none Christians, unbelievers, youth and many more were giving their lives to Christ and Christians were reaffirming their commitment
to Christ Jesus. Dianne and myself were on the prayer team that meet every evening before the start and part of the response team, and then afterwards with others doing some of the follow up calls afterwards, it was wonderful and encouraging to hear the enthusiasm and excitement in their voices as they shared what had happened
to them. Dianne and myself are Just10 Co-coordinators for St. Peters the Church, which we attend, we are also on the prayer team and the response team. Every Denomination was involved, barriers came down
as we worshiping together in unity and proclaiming the one body of
Christ Jesus to all. Last Thursday evening 9th June Just 10 finished, and it was amazing; the place was full, more people
came for the first time and responded to God's call
at
the end of the night. Before the evening began Bishop John Sentamu invited all the Church leaders, priest, minister's and pastor's of every denomination that was there to join him on the stage to make a commitment to work together in the one body of Christ as a witness to God's presence in Birmingham, the stage was packed. After
the Ordained had made this commitment, the Bishop called on everyone
there to make the same commitment. Then the Roman Catholic Archbishop Vincent Nichols prayed for God’s blessing and
gave the his full support. Then Pastor Nick Cuthbert spoke about how over the past 30 years he had been a minister in Birmingham the work that had gone on, to come to this time. David Carr Senior Pastor of Renewal Christian Center Prayed
for God’s blessing on the Churches and the lay for the commitment they
had made and the work ahead. It was during this time that the Lord reminded me of the vision he had showed us and said: ‘it is fulfilled’, now the healing of my Church and my people here in Birmingham and beyond
begins and I have placed my seal up on it. What
joy and excitement came over us as we watched them make that
commitment, Bishop John also called every one there to make the same
commitment. A dream
and prayers answered.
The
Commitment. We
commit together, above all, To
seek the and it’s surrounding areas. Our mission is for the renewal of the Church’s
life and ministry, lay and ordained – so that together we may: Pray
for Renewal Seek
the Kingdom Share
the Good News Search
for the Truth Serve
our Neighbour And follow Jesus Christ in his suffering love for the salvation of all people.
We would like to encourage all Christians denominations to make the same commitment wherever you are in the world.
We believe mighty things will now start to happen in Birmingham because the Churches have public
proclaimed their oneness in Christ, the enemy is now in retreat. It will not be easy for us, but as long as we keep focused on Christ and the commitment we have made, honouring and respecting each others traditions we will see Christ and God's Kingdomalive
here in Birmingham and this anointing and blessings will spread
throughout the UK and beyond. Since 1996 when Unity was formed and called to provide the opportunity for all Christians to come together in Reconciliation, Forgiveness and Unity we have been meeting every last Saturday of
the month to pray for Unity of Christ Body, and taking the message of
Unity to wherever God sends us. We would like to take this opportunity to invite you to join us if you are able, if not then we ask you to pray with us daily for the continuing healing of Christ Church and unite with us in spirit on the last Saturday of each month.
The vision below was conformation that the vision our Lord showed us was near.
A Vision of a New revival of Christianity
On Friday 23rd January 2004 a number of Churches met together in St. Matthew's Church in Nechells, Birmingham, England to pray for that area. This area has known deprivation and poverty for a long time and for which much prayer had already been offered over the last few years.
The night in question, consisted of six hours of prayer, praise, scripture reading and sharing etc. with each church taking the lead for one hour. The night was so blessed and filled with the Holy Spirit that many people did not want to leave and stayed on till after midnight. The presence of the Holy Spirit was almost tangible. A prophecy given for Birmingham a few weeks earlier was read out. It told of conversions and revival to come in our life time. This was followed by a time of silence. A man rose to his feet, compelled to speak out a vision he was receiving right then. He said that he saw the revival of the Church starting in Nichells area of the city. He saw many streams of people making their way to a huge gathering of all Christians in the nearby Villa Park Football Stadium. The stadium will be filled with the people of all Christian Churches coming together, united in praise and worship. People will witness many conversions and renewal of faith.
The time to work for revival is NOW!
Stories from the mission for your encouragement.
One co-ordinator from a "traditional" church has been enthusiastic about just 10 for some time, but her husband felt it wasn't for him. However, having come with her to a meeting he is now also very motivated & wants to come every week. This week their daughter made a commitment and a young man with them who has just lost his job at Rover also responded. One co-ordinator had no idea how she would get to the marquee. After the steward briefing at Riverside someone spoke to her & told her to pray about it - & then told her someone would offer her a lift. Sure enough the next day she received a phone call out of the blue, with the offer of a lift to Aston Park Another co-ordinator from a "traditional" church had found it difficult to stir up interest within the church. They planned to go along later in the series, but one lady went on her own at the beginning. She then came back to church overflowing with joy & said "I'm now certain I'm born again". She encouraged the whole congregation to go along & find out about it. Aston Churches Together used the tent last Sunday for a service which brought together 800 people from all different churches in the area. Another co-ordinator saw a lady he had led through Alpha come forward to respond. One co-ordinator took a neighbour to the Carols & was wondering whether to invite him to the mission. She was unsure whether he would want to come & didn't want to appear pushy. So she didn't invite him on the first week. She bumped into him in the street & decided to mention it - she told him she'd been to the first one. He said he'd love to come - but would be away for the next one - but is keen to come along when he's back. The co-ordinator learned that we shouldn't be afraid to ask people - they may be keener to come than we are to ask them! Peter Howell-Jones told of a church leader from an Anglo-Catholic tradition who has been in touch with him throughout the mission. He has bee surprised by the strong interest shown by members of his congregation who have found the meetings really helpful & wanted to bring their friends along. Its good to see people from different spiritualities being able to benefit from the talks. One co-ordinator told of a Sikh who had been through an Alpha Course - but had met with resistance from his Hindu wife. Another member of the Alpha course had encouraged him to come to Just 10, so he came along on his own. Friends from the church invited him to travel with them on their minibus the next week, and the following week he brought his wife and son. They all really enjoyed what they heard & have had their views of Christianity deeply challenged. One lad who came on the first night & responded came back with two of his hoodie wearing friends. Both came from difficult family backgrounds - & happened to turn up on the night of the "peace with parents" talk. One went back & began talking with his father. Both lads want to come back & Just 10 has become a topic of conversation at school. I spoke with one co-ordinator who told me their church had developed a good relationship with their minibus driver over the weeks. As his interest has deepened they have encouraged him to come into the tent with them. He was nervous of leaving his minibus unattended. But just 10 has the answer - patrolled car parks!!! Please pray he would feel confident enough to leave the minibus & come into the meetings. Peter H J emphasised how good it has been to hear stories - including the testimonies in the tent & encouraged us to use them more - try & tell them on our churches & reclaim the power of telling what God is doing in people's lives.
Peter H J suggested that we hold an evening of celebration in September to thank God for all that He has done through just 10, and to hear more stories of changed lives. Those present felt this was a good idea, so we will try to organise it.
The full Mind the Gap Course has now been released. Two workshops from this were used alongside J.John's Calling Out in preparation for the mission. Agape are hosting a launch session for the full course on Tue 28 June and your church leader will soon receive an invitation to be present.
Nick Cuthbert has commented that there has been a real sense of togetherness for mission in the area more than for a long time. We are considering whether there should be something that continues after just 10 as a network for mission to keep us all in touch with what is happening. Co-ordinators were asked for a "grunt response" to this suggestion comments were made that it's exciting to have churches working together in mission, sharing gifts, resources & training. The day of prayer on the 11 bus was particularly appreciated & it was suggested we could do this once a year, followed by an evening of prayer & praise together. mind the Gap gives lots of practical ways forward in mission. Make Way, Carol-type events & open air rallies were suggested. A website with mission news & events would be helpful.
Aston Churches expressed their appreciation of the use of the tent for joint services, with up to 1000 people present. The last one will be at 11am on 5th June.
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