It’s the night where I get to take the gospel of Christ to a group of people who need saving, just as I once did. It’s the night where I get to be salt and light, where I get to pray for and walk around a community of people and see my “faith ACTIVATED and energised and expressed and working through love” (Gal 5:6 AMP).

Last week, as we were prayer walking around the area, an older lady standing at her door smiled at me. As I smiled back, I realised she was one of the people that received both a Christmas “Tis the Season” hamper, and Easter Eggs as part of our “Third day Giveaway.” This lady has been given the gospel, she’s been shown the love of Christ and on seeing a member of a church – SHE SMILED! What an amazing thing to see – the body of Christ activating their faith and putting a smile of someone’s face.

I didn’t get to talk to that lady yet, but I know for many others in the community the barriers and the walls they have put up against the church are coming tumbling down, because of the giveaways, because they see us on the streets each week, smiling, and because of the prayer that has gone on.

So, let’s just dispel a few myths.

• The estate is not so rough that you will get mugged, threatened or beaten up during detached! Yes, a lot of the people living there fall below the poverty line. Yes, there is crime, drugs, alcohol and abuse. But I can almost guarantee that the figures for those statistics have fallen since we started prayer walking the area 3 years ago! If you don’t believe me – come and see for yourself!
• Detached is not just for children’s workers! Detached is a community outreach, we speak to people of all ages, young and old. We pray for the WHOLE area and are seeing God change whole households!
• You will NOT be out of your depth if you come on detached! One of our main team members is Phill Elliott – having never done children’s work or worked on a “rough estate” before. Previous known as the I.T guy in our church, Phill joined the team and began to grow as he learnt more and more each week. There is a place for everyone. Your testimony might just be the testimony someone on that estate might connect with!

Going on Detached, for me, has shown me just what I already have, a gift so precious and so needing to be shared. It helps me plough even further into the things of God, so I have more to give away. It keeps me focused – I was saved out of death and destruction, and into a call, a purpose, a mission, a great commission!

Acts 1:8 says “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea andSamaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

You have that power for a reason. You have that faith to be activated for a reason. If you want to be a witness in our “Jerusalem” –Salford, please email me, becci@goyewhbc.com or speak to me at church.

Join us for this amazing event happening on July 8th at Buile Hill Park between 1-5pm

If you wnat to help out during the day please email becci@goyewhbc.com

So often we see the negative things in this world, we complain when things don’t go as we expect. We find it easier to pick on the faults of others than to encourage, strengthen and build up through our words.

It’s so easy to focus on the things that aren’t going right, than to focus on the good things in life.

At home, when the kids were becoming grouchy with one another, I would stop and ask them to give me a reason why they were thankful for their sister/brother. Alan and I would join in too and very soon the atmosphere in the house would change.

I have also used this same question with Alan, particularly if he has had a difficult day.

Suddenly, our focus changes.

Colossians 3:15 says “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” If Christ rules in our hearts then we need to be thankful.

On my last birthday, my kids had their revenge and asked me to give 46 reasons why I was thankful. I did it and so can you!

So … I’m laying down the challenge: Find something to be thankful for every day for 7 days, let me know here and post it on twitter and facebook and let’s create a “thankfulness culture”!

What is the Alpha course?

Alpha is a non-pressurised, fun and informative course. It is a place to share your thoughts
and explore the meaning of life. The course is designed primarily for people who don’t go
to church or who haven’t been to church in a long time and are interested in the Christian
faith.

Why invite people you know to the Alpha Course?

This year the Lord has been encouraging, exhorting and edifying WHBC with this word
ACTIVATED!
And one of the opportunities that has opened up for you to be ACTIVATED is Alpha.
I want you to seriously consider:

• Inviting one or more of the people you know to attend Alpha.
• Ensure that you are able to come along to Alpha as an encouragement to these people.

By facilitating people to come to Alpha you will be participating in the great commission –

Matthew 28:16-20 (ESV):

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshipped him, but some doubted.  And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

I want to encourage everyone to three things concerning this soon to be launched Alpha course.

1. Pray
   We need people to pray for Alpha. Without prayer nothing happens.
   Please pray
1. That people would be drawn to Alpha and that they would be open to the message.
2. That it would be presented in a life-giving FUN manner.
3. That there would be great relationships established.
4. That the Holy Spirit would guide and empower every aspect of the course.
5. And any other aspects that the Holy Spirit might reveal to you about Alpha.
2. Boldness
   Be bold. God has NOT given you a spirit of fear but of power , love and a sound mind. Invite someone or someones. (I know someones is terrible English but you get the point don’t you).
3. Attend
   Come yourself. Your presence will encourage those whom you invite to attend, and even more GOD has given you abilities and talents that you can share.

This is the year of being ACTIVATED! This is the year for ALPHA to launch in WHBC!

For more information contact Mathew Tapusoa on 0161 736 9422 or alpha@goyewhbc.com

Our children are today’s church and leaders of their generation!

Children’s ministry has changed dramatically in the past 20 years, with many churches discovering the importance of making it both relevant and supernatural.
Children are a critical part of God’s plan for the church today and He wants to work through them! They need to be trained in the Word and Spirit of God to be the leaders and catalysts for changing a whole generation, through the love and character of God.

This conference is geared to ignite, excite and prepare pastors and children’s workers to effectively train today’s children.

A Standard Ticket incl. lunch on Saturday costs £25
Book in now at goyewhbc.com/inspiring-this-generation

For more information contact Mathew Tapusoa on 0161 736 9422 or alpha@goyewhbc.com

Well, in modern society where as long as it feels good and there is some kind of spiritual quote attached to it it’s acceptable, we desperately need a firm foundation to stand on, to build our lives on, and to anchor our minds and emotions to.

Is the Bible really THE answer to all questions and the solution to all problems?

I DARE TO BELIEVE IT IS.

This book has been hated, persecuted, mocked, blasphemed at, burned, banned and torn only to arise with effortless confidence to declare over and over again: ‘For God so loved the world…’ The love of God expressed through His Word can’t be killed or eliminated.

Having grown up in a Communist country I have been taught in school that there was no God. We were routinely taken to the museum of atheism to make sure that there was no shadow of faith in our hearts.

Having become born again at the age of 21 I had only one agonising question to ask: ‘Why hasn’t somebody told me this before?!!!’ Well, Bibles were banned during the Communist times and I have personally seen New Testaments and Christian song books carefully copied by hand and lovingly preserved over the years.

Bibles were treasured, studied, memorised and lived by. Why? Because believers discovered that in the midst of the Communist evil the Bible was the only foundation they could stand on, build their lives on, the only anchor to keep their minds and hearts from the perversity and insanity of the regime.

You can give me a million reasons why the Bible is not the Word of God demanding historical proof, forensic evidence and exhibits. They can be easily discovered by actually researching the subject and not just talking about it. (‘Evidence That Demands a Verdict’ by Josh McDowell, for instance).

All I can say is that once I was blind, lost and dying, but because of the Son of God and His loving Word, the Bible, oozing with abundance of divine goodness I am alive, accepted and free. I love my darling Bible!

It really is liberating to be limited by the unlimited loving God and His Word. He created us, He knows how we work and how we can have life worth the living. Why don’t you discover the Bible for yourself and when you are reading it, you might want to be grateful that you didn’t have to copy it by hand.

“Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, but who can find a faithful man?”
Proverbs 20:6, NKJV

I’m finding myself less and less tolerant of people who say one thing and then do another. Who can find a faithful man? How about you? Today’s text tells us that there are a lot of folks who talk the talk of faithfulness, but when push comes to shove, they don’t walk it. Nowadays, it’s hard to find folks who are faithful in their marriage, faithful to their families, faithful to their friends, faithful at their jobs or even faithful to God. And then these same folks wonder why their lives are such a mess.

God tells us in Proverbs 28:20 that a faithful man will abound with blessings. To abound in something means that you’re swimming in it, you’re overcome by it, and you’ve got more of it than you need. So, if we’re not abounding in blessings then maybe it’s a good time to review our personal faithfulness quotient.

But with so few faithful around, you may ask yourself the question, “What does a faithful man look like?” The simple answer is this—a faithful man is the one who chooses over and over to be faithful, even when it’s hard, when it hurts, when it’s inconvenient, and even when they don’t feel like it. Have you ever been tempted to not be faithful to someone or something? Sure you have. Let’s be honest here, we all have. But, even when we don’t feel like it, we suck it up and choose to be faithful, because faithfulness matters.

So, what does a faithful man look like? Let’s turn to God for the answer to this one:

“He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.” (Luke 16:10, NKJV)

A faithful man learns to be faithful in the little things before he ever gets the opportunity to prove himself in the biggies of life. He’s learned to be faithful whether he is seen by one or by a ton. It doesn’t really matter to a faithful man who is watching.

“And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?” (Luke 16:12, NKJV)

A faithful man knows that his chances of ever having his own gig rests completely on being faithful in someone else’s work. He doesn’t wait to be faithful some day, but chooses to do the right thing day by day, even if someone else receives the benefit.

“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry….” (1 Timothy 1:12, NKJV)

A faithful man understands that God is always watching. Did you notice what qualified the Apostle Paul for ministry? It wasn’t because he was good with people, although he probably was. It wasn’t because he was an excellent communicator, although I’m sure he was. It wasn’t his education, his connections, or his looks. It came down to just one thing—he was faithful!

He did what he was supposed to do, when it was supposed to be done. When he made a commitment, he stuck to it, even when it became difficult. When he gave his word, he honored it. He showed up to work on time, and he stayed until the job was finished. He was faithful with his words, his actions, and even with his time, and because of his faithfulness he placed himself in a position to fulfill all the plans that God had for him.

God wants to do the very same thing for you—but a faithful man who can find? Will your faithfulness cause you to rise above the rest? It’s time for you to abound in blessings.

Say It: “Father, I want to show myself faithful from the littlest things to the biggest. I choose to be faithful today to my spouse, my kids, my job, my friends, and most of all to be faithful to You. I ask You to guide my decisions and help me see ways to improve this area of my life. I ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen!”

find out more by going to goyewhbc.com/uno

In writing Romans Paul was writing to a church that had little relationship with him, not one that he had been involved with in starting or one that he had visited. So in this letter he introduces himself, his ministry and his gospel. This letter is considered by many to be the greatest statement and explanation of Christian doctrine in the bible as it contains an orderly, logical development of some of the most important beliefs we have.

Paul starts Romans 1 with the opening verse “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God”

He introduces himself first as a servant, second as an apostle.

The word “servant” in Greek means “slave or bond servant”. Someone who is owned by the person they work for. Not just an employee but one without choice and without rank.

Yet the word “apostle” means “sent one, authorised representative, ambassador”. A position of high military rank. A position chosen from among the elite of society, the senate or ruling body, to go representing the nation and Caesar (king or emperor).

Paul in just a few words describes his relationship, his ministry and authority as being of the lowest level, having no choices but to serve the Lord who bought his life yet who then raised him to the highest position by “seating him in heavenly places” (Ephesians 2:6) and the whole reason for doing so was for the sake of the gospel.

This antithesis (two opposite statements that bring balance) is the continuing theme of Paul’s description of himself throughout the bible. “The worst of sinners” (1 Tim 1:16) but “chosen by God” (Ephesians 1:11) shown “surpassingly great revelations” (2 Corinthians 12:7) yet constantly attacked both physically and in his ministry.

All of this brought out in Paul a great humility … yet the more humble he was the more God used him.

This same challenge faces us today. To allow humility to be worked in us so that God can continually use us more and more bringing Him more and more glory and honour in our lives.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 shows us “you are not your own; you were bought with a price” and Rev 5:9 speaking of Jesus tells us “with your blood you purchased men for God”.

Yet we also read “What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honour and put everything under his feet” (Psalms 8:5 and Hebrews 2:7)

What a privilege we have to serve the King of Kings! He bought us, owns us completely but gives us position, rank, authority, talents and grace! What a King!!!