Trapped by my now-officially more prominent role in Multiply, I ended up on the planning team for MUKL. And anyway, they met in my office. So I was ahead of the game when we sounded out Kings Church Medway if they'd act as hosts, and delighted that they readily agreed.
The shift of the venue to Kent raised a challenge for folks who customarily like to attend but who live north of Watford. Even the Northamptonshire Church contingent would have to leave at 7am. Claire was quick to spot my dilemma; "You and Mary must stay overnight with us at River." Great - we took the invitation to extend the weekend to spend Sunday morning with the Coventry saints. But others didn't cope so well, and Hannah had to cancel the comfortable coach we booked in favour of two minibuses (ah - economy).
Ed (also co-opted, like me), Iain and Pastor Andrew, who was over from Uganda for two weeks' 'Leadership Hosting', visited Kings Church in September to cover the practical issues. Desmond, new Chair of Multiply International Exec, had had to cancel his return travel plans to Sierra Leone and so agreed to head up the morning teaching.
Steven had attended last year, and was keen to come with us, and Jamie was up for it too. So, Friday teatime and evening found us comfortably spread around River's lounge appreciating the local saints, and abundance of chocolate. I heard Andy Lantsbery come home at 1am after he'd been evangelising in Birmingham, even though he was our early morning driver. Hardcore.
Kings Church were on a high. They'd just started to move into their new community house bang opposite the church and next door to their Caring Hands outreach ministry and initial shared house premises. "The church is winning," was the spirit. Their community contingent is now about 60 strong, and circumstances around the property auction and free remodelling of their grounds indeed speak of the Lord's favour. During the lunch break we had a guided tour.
Kings Church leader Mat Guest led the afternoon session, complete with a great band arrangement of Hillsongs 'Oceans'. Mat made the hard-to-argue-with statement: "You must change, that's the start of the church changing, and we impact change on the world, by which the church grows (with new people)". Whew; so why do we hunker down in our holy huddles?
Of course in all the buzz, we were late leaving. And our foursome were similarly late arriving at Kings House, (in the middle of their Saturday evening get-together). Sunday morning at Coventry Jesus Centre followed the format of their monthly evening celebration, with full band and baptisms. Their faith is on a rising trajectory, too. Yes, Christians are winning.
The shift of the venue to Kent raised a challenge for folks who customarily like to attend but who live north of Watford. Even the Northamptonshire Church contingent would have to leave at 7am. Claire was quick to spot my dilemma; "You and Mary must stay overnight with us at River." Great - we took the invitation to extend the weekend to spend Sunday morning with the Coventry saints. But others didn't cope so well, and Hannah had to cancel the comfortable coach we booked in favour of two minibuses (ah - economy).
Ed (also co-opted, like me), Iain and Pastor Andrew, who was over from Uganda for two weeks' 'Leadership Hosting', visited Kings Church in September to cover the practical issues. Desmond, new Chair of Multiply International Exec, had had to cancel his return travel plans to Sierra Leone and so agreed to head up the morning teaching.
Steven had attended last year, and was keen to come with us, and Jamie was up for it too. So, Friday teatime and evening found us comfortably spread around River's lounge appreciating the local saints, and abundance of chocolate. I heard Andy Lantsbery come home at 1am after he'd been evangelising in Birmingham, even though he was our early morning driver. Hardcore.
Kings Church were on a high. They'd just started to move into their new community house bang opposite the church and next door to their Caring Hands outreach ministry and initial shared house premises. "The church is winning," was the spirit. Their community contingent is now about 60 strong, and circumstances around the property auction and free remodelling of their grounds indeed speak of the Lord's favour. During the lunch break we had a guided tour.
Kings Church leader Mat Guest led the afternoon session, complete with a great band arrangement of Hillsongs 'Oceans'. Mat made the hard-to-argue-with statement: "You must change, that's the start of the church changing, and we impact change on the world, by which the church grows (with new people)". Whew; so why do we hunker down in our holy huddles?
Of course in all the buzz, we were late leaving. And our foursome were similarly late arriving at Kings House, (in the middle of their Saturday evening get-together). Sunday morning at Coventry Jesus Centre followed the format of their monthly evening celebration, with full band and baptisms. Their faith is on a rising trajectory, too. Yes, Christians are winning.
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