New Zealand: huge wildfire
Hundreds of homes have been evacuated in Christchurch as a huge wildfire raged on its outskirts. One pilot has died in a helicopter crash, and least eleven homes have burned down. A state of emergency has been declared, and the military has been deployed to help firefighters. It is unclear what caused the fire; prime minister Bill English has said that it looked suspicious, and investigations are continuing. The fire broke out in two separate places on Monday in the dry hills south of the city, before merging into one blaze which now covers about 1,800ha. More than 130 firefighters have been deployed, along with 14 helicopters and three aircraft. A total of 400 homes have been evacuated by police, but hundreds of other people have also chosen to leave the area. A police spokesman warned people that fires can change direction and move quickly, giving little time to escape. ‘If you're worried, don't leave it too late - it's better to be safe than sorry.’
Gather Festival North
Gather Festival will be holding two days of worship and prayer in rural Northumberland from 4th - 5th August. The festival is the vision of two guys in their 20's who are part of a church in Newcastle Upon Tyne, Jonny Anderson and Jonny Tuck. The Lord has placed a holy dissatisfaction in their hearts where they've been longing to experience more of God's presence in their lives and experience a personal awakening. A key scripture for them has been Ephesians 5:14, 'Awake O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
From a place of personal conviction, they've given themselves to seek the Lord and felt a real burden to see the church awakened across the UK.
They've began hosting worship and prayer meetings once a month in Newcastle City Centre, drawing people from various churches. The festival is an outworking of these meetings; a place where people can consecrate time to come and encounter the Lord. The purpose of this festival is not to attract attendees with big name speakers/artists (not that we have anything against 'big names') - rather it's simply a gathering for people who are hungry to worship Jesus, meet Him in a place of consecrated prayer and be inspired and equipped by meeting others who are doing the same. As a result of the event, they hope to see people in the local church resourced to live lifestyles of worship and prayer on a daily basis.
The event will consist of elongated times of worship, interspersed with times of intercession and teaching. There'll be onsite refreshments, a children's work and a networking tent (for strangers to become friends and share dreams/visions of what the Lord has been saying in their context.) They'd love new kingdom relationships and ventures to spring forth from this event. You can also camp on site and enjoy worship that will be going on through the night.
They're keen to speak to anyone who feels able to offer their gifts to help make this event as fruitful as possible.
Jonny Anderson can be contacted on 07877116675 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For further details about their story/aims/location etc, please visit www.gatherfestival.co.uk
Tickets can be purchased from Eventbrite.
Catching the Bus
Trypraying season: April and May
PRISONS.
Just today I saw the first draft of a new additon to the trypraying suite of materials - a booklet for use in prisons. It is excellent and will soon be available.
HOMES.
We are developing a leaflet that can be used in every home distribution which will encourage people to request a trypraying booklet to be sent to them. It will be a great help for churches wanting to contact every home in their area.
BUSES.
We have been working with a leading advertising agency to develop an advertising campaign. The skills and time of an advertisng executive have been donated to us. This is huge gift. However trypraying is not about advertising. It's about us sharing the message of Jesus with people. Nevertheless bus advertising creates awareness, speaks to people in the public space and generates personal interest.
CHURCHES.
Currently there are five places where churches are working together in multi-church trypraying projects in their town/city. Other places are considering this (you?) If you want that for your town or city do contact us to start the ball rolling. Most churches and groups of churches will use the April/May period for activities.
MONEY.
We need some generous donations in the next 2 - 3 weeks. We have obtained an amazing deal for bus adverts: T-shaped side panels at approximately £150 per week / £550 a month. If you wish to donate click the link here: Bus ads. (Alternatively cheques can be sent to trypraying, 3 Orchardhead Loan, Edinburgh, EH16 6HW.)
FORTY.
For a useful 40-day prayer guide order copies of Catching the Wave.
FINALLY.
This comment came about the trypraying app: "Five stars. Great little app. Used it for seven days. It helped me work out a problem in my life (no job). Prayer works!"
Nice.
Source: Trypraying
Father's Love Letter
A vision to see every household in the UK receive a copy of the Father's Love Letter
The Father’s Love Letter is a collection of verses from Genesis to Revelation in the form of a letter, expressing the love of God as our Heavenly Father. At the very end of this newsletter we have transcribed a copy of this, for those of you who are unfamiliar with it.
Wendy Thomas, believes passionately in the power of this simple tract to transform lives. In 2005 in Southend-on-Sea, churches together delivered 75,000 to every home in the area, praying for every home as they delivered them. They were given an opportunity to respond and to become Christian. 300 people chose to become Christian!
Wendy believes God has spoken to her about trying to get this Father’s Love Letter delivered to every home in the UK , with churches and organisations working together.
In support of this vision, Neighbourhood Prayer Network has published 100,000 copies of this letter at a cost of 2p each plus postage (This is basically just the printing costs). To order 'The Fathers Love Letter' Click Here.
Would you consider giving these out to streets near you? Also please visit the facebook page for more information.
Source: Neighbourhood Prayer Network
