Surf the Wave – August 2009

It was truly amazing how God flung open all the doors of opportunity wide open for this event! There were over 60 of us all together and Dalesdown was full!

Surf the Wave was all that we could have imagined and more besides! ‘Going with the flow’ meant each meeting was different, with opportunities for the young people to respond to God where they were at. Discussion and interaction was encouraged, affirming the youth that they were valuable to God and us; they had a special part to play. The key verse -‘Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life’ Proverbs 4: 23 – shaped the teaching and responses, with God speaking into the hearts of those there. Jesus knows us individually so well; He was meeting the needs of people’s hearts in amazing ways.

Rome – October 2009

The 22 young people, ranging from 2 to 17 years, were delightful and so refreshing in attitude. We very much wanted to reflect that walking with Jesus was both possible and great fun! There was such a sense of expectation for Him to speak to them in each session through the worship, prayer stations, graffiti walls and ‘love heart’ sweets! The cardboard testimonies reflected beautifully what the children had absorbed of God’s love for them and how He so wants to speak to them.

In the final session the Footsteps Church all came together for a time of sharing what God had done. The young people were thrilled to be able to use the banners again for ‘Glory and Honour’ – lifting His name before singing to the grown ups about what God was saying to them. As the youth sang ‘You’re amazing’ eyes filled with tears; this time it was the adults turn to be affirmed!

Jon’s ‘pilgrimage’ to Wales – March 2010

What a trip! I am so thankful, not just for those amazing few days, visiting some of the sites of the Welsh revival with my mate Steve but also that the effect of that wonderful experience at Blaenannerch hasn’t left me. My life, my calling and ministry are confirmed – the word I’ve had shaved in the hair on the back of my head for over five years now confirms it too – everything boils down to: we are desperate for God (though often not desperate enough) and only a move of God can save us and our nation. Nothing else, only the Presence of God Himself can truly satisfy. I continue to live for …… R-E-V-I-V-A-L!!

And now to the next trip, or trips! It’s time! – to take some desperate, thirsty young people back to Wales and the well …. and let them drink!!

Ashburnham Place – May 2010

Our hearts leapt when we were invited to facilitate a prayer meeting with the Destiny Africa Children’s Choir from Uganda and some British children at Ashburnham Place. We were thrilled how it went! Even during the ice breaker of introductions there was connection: with us (Oh how we love Africa and Africans!) and between the young people.

The Lord just came … and used us mightily, it was amazing! There was such a sense of the presence and the ‘flow’ of the Holy Spirit over the whole time. We learnt later that the young people were blessed greatly by our time together on Tuesday and some who had been sick were now well again. In her small group Beccy asked an eight year old to pray for Susan who had been unwell with malaria and then had the joy of telling Faith that her prayers had been answered!!

Soul by the Sea beach event – June 2010

Tomorrow (Saturday, 26th June 2010) an ambitious evangelistic event is taking place on Brighton seafront. An open-air, free, Christian music festival, organised and sponsored by the churches of Brighton and Hove, will run from noon until 8 p.m.

Jon, as the treasurer of the ‘BEA’ has been fully involved in the planning the event alongside various church leaders and others. We have experienced God’s hand on it, leading and guiding us and so we are really excited about the possibilities, both for tomorrow and for establishing this as an annual event in the city!

Surf the Wave – August 2010

Right now our attentions are fully focussed on planning our second StW event, again taking place at Dalesdown but this time running for a week. The Lord has continued to speak to us through the planning, so we are looking forward to it with great anticipation. This year we have widened the net considerably, inviting young people from eight churches across the city and we have a large group coming with our great friends at the local Kidz Klub.

We are once again seeking to do church in fresh ways and to give the young people new openings to discover the wonderful truth of the gospel. We continue to seek Him to heal and to build this young generation. We want to do ALL we can to enable them to step into their God-given destiny as ‘the revival generation’!

Surf the Wave 2010 dates:

Friday, 20th – Sunday 22nd August – all invited, including children 8–11year olds

Friday, 20th – Thursday, 26th August – for 12-18 year olds

Thank you so much for all your prayers; we are constantly reminded that we couldn’t begin to do what we do without them (1 Corinthians 12: 12 – “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts”).

With our love and blessings-

Jon and Beccy xx