Painting good news…

Reblogged from be the light:

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Recently I have been painting with whoever wants to join me to create some stunning pieces of art. It is a peaceful thing to do, a haven in the midst of the hustle and bustle of life. People often want to talk too. Here is an example from Norwich which I did over a two day period as part of ‘Celebrate Norwich’ a joint church venture to show-off all that the churches get up to. Around 150 people painted this with me: Painting with people doesn’t have to be over complicated – the results can often be …

A re-post of one of my favorites!

The Vibrancy of City Centre Chaplaincy

This gallery contains 7 photos.

I love my job, I really do. No day seems to be the same and it just keeps on getting even more vibrant and slightly crazy! Take yesterday for example, here’s a sketchy overview of what I got up to: … Continue reading →

Jeff told me that his new coat reminded him that he was a new person in Jesus

So, last week Jeff asked if we could pray for him. Things were desperate. Stuff was just too much and he couldn’t cope. We prayed for him that he would know that he was clothed in Christ and garments of righteousness. Jeff is a Christian and while we prayed for him he started to speak in toungues. Quite unusual really, especially as we were sitting on the ground with him outside the bank while people were passing.

A week on and Jeff finds me out and tells me, with tears, of a new coat that an elderly lady and her care-worker went and bought him… For £107! He kept telling me how much it had cost them and how he had tried to dissuade them.

We prayed again this week, Jeff said that his new coat reminded him of his new life in Jesus. Simple.

Barclays Bonanza Marketing Day

Last week as I served as chaplain and hoped to meet and help people in the city centre of Peterborough, Barclays also were out to evangelise the public with the good news of their swish new bank opening.

It was a lavish affair, free porridge in the morning and hot chocolate in the afternoon, street performers galore, free starbucks coffee in the bank, dancers, face painters, balloons and ladies adorned in dresses made out of credit cards offering free Barclays jelly beans.

The weather was wet and miserable, yet some people still gathered round to see someone swallow a sword or dance with big masks. People seemed to be having fun. Yet the whole day, as I observed, seemed slightly surreal with a smackering of ‘desperation’ and the need to recruit people in for their business. It made me think of the stark contrast of the rest of the year when the bank is, well, just a bank.

It got me thinking… Am I ever like that? Do I show my faith in any gimmicky ways and do I ever come across so desperate that I will offer all kinds of free things, without any substance and power?

Archbishop of York visits The Light Project

Just a quick blog entry to say that the Archbishop Dr John Sentamu visited the project I set up in Chester 12 years ago! Slightly surreal to think The Light Project was based in my spare bedroom in a small terraced house back then.

He was accompanied by the Bishop of Birkenhead who is a great supporter of what we do.

The Archbishop of York web site said about his visit: ‘He will find out about The Light Project – which trains students on a foundation degree course in theology and evangelism. Based in Chester city centre, its students have placements with churches and other projects such as ‘Night Church’ and a homeless drop-in centre.’

Glyn Jones who leads the team in Chester presented  Dr Sentamu with a relay baton, engraved with the words ‘The Light Project’ and one of our infamous brown t-shirts. The baton represents the passing on of the good news of Jesus that we seek to do in many creative ways.

Gill Reeve, assistant director spoke about how much Dr Sentamu affirmed the practical projects that we do and that we are educational, yet practical. He commented about ‘Night church’ our late night church for clubbers and night life and the students who train with us.

During the visit Glyn gave a presentation of the work of the project, a bit about the history, our ethos and desire to reach people with the good news. Dr John Sentamu spoke about the strength of being a living and learning community. Bishop Keith of Birlenhead expressed how much the Archbishop had loved the visit.

Tattoo story

I’ve finally created a web site to collect people’s tattoo’s stories. It’s a simple thing really, with the hope of listening to people’s stories and encouraging them that they are valued and known by God.

People are loved and loved by God and as I spend a great deal of time listening to people, I somehow wanted to take a step in going to those who are the least reached with the best news this world has been graced with.

Here is the link: www.tattoostory.org 

 

While my intention isn’t to create a new evangelistic methodology and ‘thing’ the whole process of listening to people is good news. Over 16 years as serving as an evangelist I have found that the more I listen and value people the more opportunities I have to share the message of Jesus, yes through words, but also through presence and showing something of the good news through how I regard and love people.

One of the most powerful street evangelism days i have had was to set up a settee and simply say ‘I will listen.’ I found plenty of people willing to talk and who needed to unload something of their lives. Afterwards people wanted to know what motivated me to spend a day listening to people.

6 word story through art

I’ve just had a great time hanging out with d’yoof as part of a local multi-church gathering. There weren’t a huge amount there, around 20 or so. I was asked to lead a creative time, developing an art piece. I set the challenge of writing up their stories (which I stressed are of infinite value and that God knows them) into just 6 words and to then translate their stories into some kind of picture format using the shape of a person. 

These were then placed by the young people upon a maze to show our journeys together. Some of the pictures and discussion afterwards were profound… I’m humbled by how one young man shared something of his life with me. 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Yep, I suppose I am refreshed by Fresh Streams

So, here I am, being a bit of a saddo by retiring to my room instead of jollying it up at the bar of the Fresh Streams conference. (Formally known as Mainstream.) 

I’ve got a good excuse though, I’m in bed and posting up a quick blog as I’ve not been too well… (arrrhhh I hear you say.) Thanks.

Despite wrestling with a right pain in my behind (also known as Sciatica) I have been refreshed thus far with still one more session from Simon Ponsoby to go I know I’m in for more of the same tonic of vibrant authentic sung worship and open hearted teaching; despite Simon saying over dinner he wasn’t sure what he was going to speak on in the morning. If it’s anything like people said of his morning’s ‘off the cuff’ teaching then I’m in for a treat. 

So, what’s been refreshing for me while I’ve been here? 

Top of the list is the presence of God. It is so good to be ministered to. I sat at the front of the main hall being prayed for by one of the ministry team (a complete stranger) who shared some words that God had given him for me. I simply wept as I felt that unmistakable tangible presence of my heavenly Father loving me and reassuring me. Earlier on in the day I sat with one of the regional team leaders of the Baptist Union who shared two words that God had given him for me. What an encouragement to me.  

We have also been treated by a musical assemble called Epiphany, a group who play prophetic worship with violins, flute, cello, piano and percussion and ‘play over people.’ May sound slightly freaky, but my goodness I loved it! I sat in a room for an hour and a half with music and prayer and it felt like 20 minutes had passed. 

I also have felt refreshed through meeting with my Baptist brothers and sisters. Over meals, in the bar, planning mission week-ends or talking through the Presidential year and The Big Hearted Tour, it has been so good to be with my baptist family. I came along to this conference with my Pastor Phil Campion and church leaders Bill and Carol Swale from Biggleswade Baptist church. They have refreshed me so much by looking after me and helping me with my sore back. 

I have also been refreshed by being affirmed. Tonight Paul Maconochie spoke about going with the flow of the river, and the river, he shared, goes to the dead places. The river gives life, so it flows to the places that are dead, where the least, last and lost are. What an encouragement for the work of The Light Project and the ‘banging of the drum’ over the past years declaring ‘come on Church, let’s go!’  

Here is the Fresh streams vision:

• To unite, encourage and resource leaders and churches…
• to be passionate about God, real in relationships and stuck into God’s mission…
• missionary leaders growing missionary disciples…
• longing to see this country reached and transformed by the power of the Gospel

Next year I have the privilege of speaking at the Fresh Streams conference. Click HERE the link.

The hug.

I’m reposting this in honour of one of my chaplain volunteers birthday today! Sheila is 70 today!

The hug..

I feature in the IDEA magazine with regards to the work I do as an evangelist. Enjoy.

Digital idea January / February 2012.