‘Hallowed’ 2011

The day began bright and early – the Children’s Team (Chrissie Wilkinson from Oxford, John O’Brien from Sheffield and ourselves from Brighton) arrived at City Temple, Holborn, London at 7am and began to pray for the day ahead.

Kalpana Thomas, the founder, so wants ‘Hallowed’ to take Halloween back to its Christian roots as All Saints Day. She had advertised the children’s event (running parallel to the adults’ prayer meeting) as “fun, with a deep spiritual element of introducing the kids to a God who loves them like a Father – a Father who will never leave their side, who lavishes them with affection, understanding and salvation”.

The fun began at Registration with a clown showing party tricks to individual children as they arrived. The 5 to 11 year olds enjoyed ice breakers and team games to help them get to know each other as they had come from different churches from across the region.

God had prompted Chrissie, John and us to follow Jane Mackie’s ‘Kids Pray!’ book – 8 steps of heart preparation towards Listening to God. We wanted to encourage the children that they could have a two-way relationship with Father God themselves.

As they engaged with what we were doing, the children enriched the discussion of how to ‘get rid of junk’ that separated us from God and ‘restoring our relationship’ with Him. Beccy led a time of worship, including the beautiful song, sung as a prayer, about getting to know ‘Father God’ more. This session ended with a really energised song ‘R U Ready?’ to share God’s glory – the children stood in amazement at the worship of the zany grown-ups on the Team!!

We encouraged the 14 young people to be open to His love and Holy Spirit and gave them space to hear from Him. One 9 year old had a picture of someone climbing a mountain and putting a flag at the top. Others shared how peaceful or happy they felt as they rested in God. Later, having listened for themselves, they then drew around their partner’s head and shoulders and wrote down on the paper the words God gave them, to bless each other.

We were thrilled to be invited downstairs to join the adults’ meeting. We entered the auditorium in single file marching with banners, as an army. The song we sang declares that ‘Children of the Cross’ are able to sing His praise, to silence the enemy and say that the Lord saves. Individual children then shared what they had received from God, before praying for the grown-ups.

Another children’s entertainer, ‘Lily Lollipop’, led an hour’s fun before our parachute games at the end of the day. At just after 7pm we left exhausted, but happy, knowing the children had met with God!   

Jon and Beccy Bebb

Turning the Tide

November 2011

“So let us run the race that is before us and never give up…..let us look only to Jesus, the One who began our faith and who makes it perfect. He suffered death on the cross. But He accepted the shame as if it were nothing because of the joy that God put before Him. And now He is sitting at the right side of God’s throne. Think about Jesus’ example….”

Hebrews 12: 1-3 always reminds Beccy of a hurdle race. The hurdles are equidistant in the race the athletes run, in contrast to those in real life!

Surf the Wave 2011 was incredibly challenging – it seemed that each time we overcame one hurdle, with the Lord’s enabling; we were faced with another just as daunting, if not bigger! However, in the midst of everything going on,

                        by His Holy Spirit lives were being changed!                       

The initial challenges of bedroom allocation were set against a backdrop of worship! The designated band arrived and, within minutes, they were practicing in the Octagon Meeting Room in the centre of the courtyard.

Jesus’ name was being lifted high!

His glory was pervading Oakwood Youth Challenge!

In the ‘Gatherings’ every evening the focus was Jesus. The first evening the young people, many of whom came from non-Christian homes, heard that Surf the Wave was all because of Him. On the Tuesday, the guest speaker, Liam, gave a Gospel message which highlighted that when God looks at us He does not see the bad things we have done; instead, because of the cross, He sees Jesus. Many young hearts were stirred and responded by asking for prayer. Young people could not believe how accurately Liam prayed into their lives with the gift of knowledge.

They were taken aback by Him knowing them!

From then on young peoples’ attitudes softened, giving opportunity for leaders to come alongside them in a greater way. Youth who are so used to being put down were being built up again and again. The ‘posh meal’ on the Saturday evening communicated so powerfully how special they are, as the leaders served the tables and waited on them!

They were blown away by His encouragement!

On Thursday evening Creative Prayer Stations were set up to enable the youth to engage with Jesus individually. This was a different experience for many. As they walked around, responding in a new way to prayer, many chose to linger in the ‘Be Still’ tent and be prayed for.

They were drawn by His love!

The days were filled with a variety of activities through the week from horse riding, ‘kiwi wire’, mountain boarding and the climbing wall based at Oakwood itself to a ‘Photographic Scavenger Hunt’ in Reading city centre and swimming at ‘Coral Reef’.   At other times there were sports, dance and craft. The young people created a huge ‘wave sculpture’ model on which everyone placed their pipe cleaner surfer.

As they returned home, they were challenged to ride on the waves with Jesus!

In summary, what an amazing week of many lows but some incredible highs! Twenty young people made a decision for Christ! At least three healing miracles deepened faith in Him! Everyone was transformed by His love!

Many more things happened and there is much more to tell – some hard but much positive. Please continue to pray for all the young people who came to Surf the Wave 2011 and for the leaders as we seek to keep in touch with them through youth services and social events. Please also pray especially for the discipleship of those who have started their walk with Jesus!

Jon and Beccy Bebb

Turning the Tide

September 2011

….probably one of the most challenging but also one of the most fruitful weeks of our ministry

- more to follow!

Thank you so much for standing with us in prayer

It makes such a difference!

 Thank you so much for standing with us in prayer

It makes such a difference!

SURF THE WAVE at OAKWOOD – PRAYER POINTS

Monday, 8^th – Sunday, 14^th August 2011

OUTLINE OF THE WEEK:

Surf the Wave is a residential event for youth (aged 12-18 years). The response has been tremendous – we are over-full, with 55 young people signed up for a week of fun and getting to know Jesus!

The event will be held at the ‘Oakwood Youth’ centre in Berkshire. We are excited by the new venue! It’s a great centre with many outward bound activities on offer, such as horse riding, mountain boarding and high ropes.

The meeting areas both inside and out have huge potential! Every evening we will all gather together in ‘The Octagon’ meeting room to focus on Jesus through worship, testimony and learning from Him in different ways. Most mornings will include an opportunity to reflect on the teaching from the night before and ask questions.

Please pray for:

• Our final preparations and for good health for the leaders; Debbie Jarvis, a key worker was rushed into hospital last week and is now recuperating;
• All the young people to feel accepted, that there will be a sense of family and everyone will feel loved and blessed. Many of the young people are coming from unchurched backgrounds – praise God!
• The youth band who are coming especially to lead worship, that all the meetings will provide real encounters with God as well as being fun, fresh and Holy Spirit-led;
• Safety, good health and sufficient energy levels for all during the different activities planned at Oakwood and beyond;
• The Lord’s name to be lifted up and for His Kingdom to be extended!

“…. if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.”

John 8:36 (New Living Translation)

Click on this link, if you’re brave enough – the clip kind of defines who we are and what we’re about!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXo0cEWw8zg

We’re so thankful for every single one of you!!

Turning the Tide