Update from Hannah

Thank you for all your prayers and support! It's been really great here in Bradford at Life Church (Abundant Life). 

(Here's a picture of a view over Bradford Hannah posted on facebook with the caption "Beautiful sky! What an incredible God we have!")

Praise Jesus for all the amazing relationships I've made! It's been great to see friendships with the academy students, colleagues and church attendees grow. My role has been very much 'in the walls'. The only outreach I've done is being a smiling server of the dinner at Alpha. So, I sometimes feel as if I'm not doing a lot of Kingdom Growing stuff, however, I am learning the 'behind the scenes of Kingdom growing stuff'. I've seen how a larger church organises and leads their services so that they outreach to non-Christian attendees and disciple Jesus followers. I'm seeing a lot of how a full time worship co-ordinator works and organises their volunteers. I'm learning how a large turn out rehearsal is organised and led.

I am learning a lot of things I didn't think I'd learn. For example, I was put in charge of organising Life Church' relationship with CCLI which I had never heard before (its a copyright organisation for the songs we sing in our events and services). I also was given the task to research the Churches around the UK in the larger cities where Life Church could promote their academy, but the Churches had to be in the Evangelical Alliance. I didn't even know there was an EA lol!

I learnt the Nashville Number System. Oh my life! If you're a musician, make me teach you it or look it up, it's amazing!!!! It's about chord patterns and numbers and other short cut musical stuff!

The house I'm staying in is lush! It's very much free in terms of not having to spend time with others living in the house, there are 4 of us and they are all older and working (not students which was what I was told) but that's ok, better in fact because I then have time for myself to rest my voice and to rest. I have been to all the events and services where they're teaching from Gods word so I have gained some incredible truths and insights about Jesus! It's been amazing as Gods been speaking loud and clear through the speakers.

On Sunday I'll be leading worship in a Prison. Next week I have the opportunity to work behind the scenes at some of the Bands recording. Say no more. Also, in the last week of my time here, I am going to be going into 4 schools teaching them about Solvent Abuse and promoting life!

Thank The Lord for his blessings! Especially the odd lay in!!

40 images of Lent - Days 1-10

Day 1

In a room scented by the smell of sawn timber, a man hears a voice in his inner ear calling him

it is time - 

your time, and mine

enough of the mending and making and shaping of wood

time to put aside the tools

the sharp nails...

can wait

2

While the village still slept, he set his face to the low morning light and followed this beautiful voice

calling him

leading him

drawing him

into wilderness

Day 3

He did not look back to the comfort of home, but walked on...

Into the desert - the place of suffering and desolation, where each rock hid its own danger

every stone could strike at the heel

he walked onwards

alone.

4

As he walked he left something of himself behind

the skin of civilisation was being burnt away by the hot sun

driven away by the wild animals

but in the rhythm of every step was the music of this voice - singing to his soul

it's your time... and mine.

5

After a time, the desert seemed so big, and he - so small

a panic rose in him

it clutched him like a hand at his throat

Who am I?

What am I?

What terrible road lies before me?

Father, my body is weak

I am a drop of water

On a rock

Under the hot desert sun

Soon I will be gone

Still he walked

Still he followed

that voice. 

 6

Dust devils plucked specks from the sand and spat them at his face

Walk on my son

this is your time... and mine.

 7

He followed the voice into dark canyons carved by raging streams now long dry

and he was grateful to leave behind the dark places

to climb towards the light.

8

And from a high place he watched in wonder as the sun sank into desert sea

he watched as it stained the sand like wine spreading on a table

like blood.

9

As evening fell he looked for a place to rest

the dry desert skies sucked back the warmth from the ground as he lay down his head

and the night creatures were set loose

hungry and wild.

A weak morning light filtered into the ravine where he slept and he woke

that restlessness was there still

gnawing at him

calling him on

now is your time... and mine

now is your time... and mine.

Prayer Space - seeking people to help and pray!

Over the past three years CBC has created a ‘prayer space’ during holy week – a place to experience time with God, retreat from the world and explore creative and artistic ways of praying.

This year we want to work more closely with other churches in the area so we are taking part in a 24/7 prayer initiative that is being run city wide. CBC will be one of three centres for prayer, the other two being St Jude’s and Oasis church.

This is a fantastic opportunity to cover the week in prayer, and see God do amazing things among us.

The prayer space will be open from Monday 25 March at 9am through to Easter Sunday 6am. Since the prayer space will be open much longer than in previous years we will need many more people to "staff" it. We are looking for people for:

RECEPTION DUTY

At various times we will need people present to allow people access to the building and sign people in.

PRAYER DUTY

Because it’s 24/7 prayer, we don’t just need people to staff the space, but people who will commit to praying in the space in hourly slots. 

During daytime hours (9am-10pm) this doesn’t mean you are booking the slot for yourself – other people may join you during your session, but whether people are in the space with you or not, you are committing to making this a place for continual prayer. Of course, if you are keen you can opt to pray for more than one slot!

During night time hours (10pm-9am) only people that have booked in may use the space. During these hours, for safety reasons, we will need a minimum of 2 people present.

However the space doesn’t have to be limited two people - whole groups can take an hour (or block of hours!). Small groups, prayer groups, friendship groups – any group from Knit and Natter to the football team can agree to steward the space. For instance, as a group, you may decide on a time that suits everyone and agree to steward the space in a 5 hour slot. Not all of you would need to be present for the 5 hours, as long as you have agreed who you will pass the baton of prayer onto.

If you are interested in booking into the space as a group or as individuals, either on prayer duty or reception duty, you can sign up in the foyer on Sunday, or contact Sam Twine: samantha.twine88@gmail.com

The Prayer Space is arriving and this year it is 24/7

Planning has started for the Prayer Space. We are really excited that this year it will be open from 9am on Monday 25 March through to 6am on Easter Sunday.

This blog will have all the updates as the Prayer Space takes shape...