21Nov 2017 by Nigel Ring

Zimbabwe – a Day of Change, a call to Prayer

News, Poor, Prayer, Zimbabwe
  Remarkable changes are taking place in Zimbabwe. Let’s look at recent events. Recent history Tuesday November 14th According to a post on Scott Marques’ Facebook page church leaders ‘had the joy of being lead by the President of the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe, Dr Shingi Munyeza - at the national AGM - in what felt like extraordinarily sincere repentance by the church. We turned away from all trust in man, all trust in money, all idolatry, all hatred, all corruption, all greed, all bitterness, and all sin which has had devastating sway in the church, let alone the nation as a whole. We cried out to God that He would work out His purposes WITH US, and then THROUGH US to the nation. I was greatly inspired by this…
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17Nov 2017 by Nigel Ring

Empowered and buzzing – Jubilee+ conference report

Jubilee+, News, Poor
The annual Jubilee+ conference is one of the first dates in my diary each year. It combines helpful impartation of knowledge with worship, vision, networking and a time of prayer. This year’s conference in Cambridge lived up to my expectations. During the week running up to the conference, one of Natalie Williams’ friends at King's Church in Hastings had said to her that she felt that Jubilee+ has been like a deep-sea oil rig, pushing deeper and deeper, sometimes through rocks that were hard to budge, but that this year's conference would be as if we had finally struck oil. (Natalie is one of the core team of Jubilee+.) That accurately reflected the day. During the conference, delegates were coming out of main sessions and seminars saying how profound they…
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08Nov 2017 by Nigel Ring

Around the Newfrontiers apostolic spheres – Christ Central

Christ Central, Jeremy Simpkins, Newfrontiers, News
From time to time I bring a report from one of the Newfrontiers apostolic spheres when I meet up with an old friend who leads one. It is always such a joy to hear what God is doing around the world and how he continues to show favour on us as an ever expanding family of churches. Recently, while at a day with the Jubilee+ team to which Jeremy Simpkins and I had been invited, we were able to grab a few minutes to reflect together. I hope you will enjoy eavesdropping on our conversation. Spheres networking together When Newfrontiers was redefined in 2011 as a network of apostolic spheres we felt it important that spheres were to be both autonomous and interdependent. As a network of spheres we recognised that some of the…
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31Oct 2017 by Nigel Ring

Rediscovering your roots

Church History, News, Reformation
Recently I had the great joy and privilege of spending a few hours with Ben Virgo of Christian Heritage London (Terry and Wendy’s son) as he walked with my sister and myself around some of the Christian landmarks in the City of London. But he did not talk so much about the buildings as the men and women who were pioneers and martyrs in their generation, and in whose wake we now enjoy so much freedom and understanding of the scriptures. As one who failed history at school I found this afternoon with Ben both fascinating and edifying. I can’t stop telling people about it! Let me share some of the highlights. Wycliffe, Tyndale and Wesley Starting at St Paul’s Cathedral, where Ben told us about Wycliffe and his first…
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24Oct 2017 by Nigel Ring

A Church for the Poor

Books, Church culture, News, Poor
How 'accessible' is your church? If someone from a local run-down housing complex in your area walked into your church would they come a second time? Many churches have become so ‘middle class’ that they represent an unwelcoming environment for those from different socio-economic levels of society. The authors of ‘A Church for the Poor’ come themselves from very different backgrounds. Martin Charlesworth was educated at a private boarding school whereas Natalie received free school meals. In their very disparate backgrounds lies their authenticity and credibility in joint-authoring such a book as this, a book that fills a unique place in the plethora of books about how to build church in our generation. Analysis Presented in two distinct parts this book first analyses the causes of poverty and gives a…
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18Oct 2017 by Nigel Ring

Fulfilling the call to Cross-Cultural Mission

Africa, Bethany Children's Trust, Cross-culture, Equipping, Mission
Recently I had a conversation with Susie Howe, wife of one of the elders of a Newfrontiers church in London. In the first part of our conversation, posted last time, Susie shared how the Bethany Project had started and about how she helped to equip churches to support and empower marginalised children in Africa. In this second part of our conversation I asked Susie how she would advise anyone who feels a call to work in cross-cultural mission. In this video she gives some very helpful and practical advice about testing your call and preparing to go, and about relating appropriately and helpfully with those you are seeking to serve.   https://vimeo.com/233174277
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