JUNE 2017
ISSUE 23
K I NGFI S H E R FAMILY Great trials, great triumphs “Great faith is the product of great fights. Great testimonies are the outcome of great tests. Great triumphs can only come out of great trials.” So said Smith Wigglesworth, the early 20th century Pentecostal preacher. And how true this is! While to the outside, casual observer the answers to prayer and the moves forward we have experienced this year might seem to be one ‘easy’ blessing after another, those of us who have been involved in the events of the past few months know the truth - the breakthroughs, blessings, testimonies and triumphs have come as the result of great fights, great tests and great trials. As we look around the world, we can rejoice in the launch of the Dumagat Education Project, a scheme to support the education of children from the Dumagat tribe in the Philippines; we can rejoice at Treasure Seekers winning the Small Business of the Year (voluntary sector) award in the South West; we can rejoice that 38 people were baptised and a further 38 were dedicated in a single service in the Philippines; we can rejoice at the new ceiling and air conditioning that is now in place in our building in the UK. God is truly blessing us as a Family as we take faith steps forward. However, as many people have pointed out in the past, faith should really be spelled R-I-S-K. Every step we take as a Family is risky. Every step causes us to ask the question, ‘Do I truly trust Jesus Christ as I find myself out of my depth and feeling fearful about what now lies before me?’
The new ceiling in the church in the UK came only after the struggle of finding asbestos after the old ceiling began to be demolished. Suddenly we were confronted with the question: ‘Where do we now put the more than one thousand people who come to this building each week?’ How can Jesus possibly find a solution for that - and yet, He did!
His promises are backed by all the honour of His name!
step out and take the risk, believing that He can bring about the seemingly-impossible. Great tests produce great testimonies! As we look ahead to the second half of this year, we need to be prepared for greater fights, greater tests, greater trials. Why? Because they precede greater faith, greater testimonies, greater triumphs! As I say in my book, ‘The God of Promise’, which is published this month,
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place The cost of the Regeneration shall never be with those cold and project has so far come in at timid souls who neither know victory around £60,000. How could He nor defeat. (Theodore Roosevelt, taken possibly cause that amount of from his speech, ’Citizenship in a money to be found to fund a project of that size - and yet He did! Republic’) So take heart! In this edition of the The new worship album, Begin Kingfisher Family newsletter you Again, launched on Easter Sunday will see abundant evidence of great has touched the hearts of so many already. How could such a beautiful faith, great testimonies and great triumphs. All of them have come by and powerful album be produced, the grace of God because His not by a high-profile, well-funded people have chosen to trust Him, to church, but by us? And yet, it was! not shrink back but to step All of these victories and many forward, believing that He is the more this year have come about God of Promise and that His because God’s hand of blessing has promises are backed by ALL THE connected with our willingness to HONOUR OF HIS NAME!
News from Kingfisher Family The Kingfisher Family in... the Philippines A recent addition to the International Family is an exciting, growing work in the Philippines. Arising from an initial visit by James and Norlie in July 2016, Kingfisher now has a presence in that country in two areas: among the Dumagat tribe in the Sierra Madre mountains to the north, and in leadership and discipleship training with a group of pastors and leaders organised by our new National Director, Pastor Noel Delfin.
of clothing and toys, and Sibug Elementary school at the bottom of the mountain. Whilst in Bulak, they distributed ginger seeds to the families, on the understanding that they would not eat any of the ginger for two years, but rather replant it after year one, so that they can have an ongoing crop to sell. A couple of days later, in a resort in the Rio Chico area, James had the
Following the 2016 Harvest Appeal, which raised money to bless the school children and provide ginger seeds for planting among the Dumagat tribe, James and Norlie returned to the area in May of this year to check on progress. Arising from the success of the Harvest Appeal, the Dumagat Education Project was launched in March of this year. Participants of this project pledge £5 per month over a five year period to provide basic education for children at the top of the mountain (in a place called Bulak) and for 19 children who are receiving elementary school education at the bottom of the mountain, in a town called Sibug.
We then flew to Macau in China, where we were welcomed by a group of pastors and leaders who gave us the opportunity to cast the vision of what Kingfisher is all about. Hopefully we have planted a seed in China that will take root, grow and produce an amazing harvest in years to come!
Clockwise from top left: Bulak school house; a graduating pastor; James outside Sibug Elementary school; a child studying a baptism certificate; swimming after the baptisms; the ginger seeds; dedicating some of the children.
James and Norlie were able to visit both the village of Bulak in the mountains, where they met with the children in their school building and distributed the ginger seeds and gifts
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privilege of graduating 30 pastors and leaders who had completed the Called to Leadership course. We had the privilege of dedicating 38 children, and baptising 38 others in the swimming pool of the resort. What an amazing day!
Praying for our international churches
Launched at our Ministry Fayre back in January of this year, the Adopt A Country scheme gives people the opportunity to focus on a particular country that is part of the International Family and become a prayer warrior for that country. We have had a great take up of this scheme, with five people praying for India, nine praying for The Philippines, five praying for Malawi, three praying for Mozambique. This scheme is so powerful because it encourages real, focussed prayer cover for every country in the Family. Each quarter, a prayer letter is
produced for each country and circulated among the prayer warriors to fuel their prayers; the first prayer letters were produced in March, with the latest prayer letters being produced this month. All of prayer generated by this scheme lays the groundwork for the upcoming INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER. Launched three years ago, this is a day when every believer in the International Family is called to focus on praying for each other, for each others’ churches, ministries and countries. This year’s IDOP is on June 25th. There has never been a greater need for this world to
be covered in prayer and there has never been a more urgent time for the saints to rise up and intercede for God’s Kingdom to come and for His will to be done! Mark the date, and if you would like to be part of the Adopt A Country scheme, please contact Kirsty Dalley at info@kingfisher.org.uk.
News from Kingfisher Church The beauty of ‘Begin Again’ Summer is on it's way and I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you for all the support in making Begin Again a reality, and for the encouragement you've shared in response to the final product. It's been quite the journey for us as a team, but the best bit is that it's been a part of the bigger journey of the Kingfisher Family since Proclamations at the end of 2014. Launching the album on Easter Sunday was really special, and the reminder of God's ongoing Begin Again offer became all the more timely with the regeneration developments at that time! Personally, my prayer has always been that these would be more than songs and that they would become means of connecting with our Saviour. My real hope is that the album will not exist as some little luxury for those of us already in the family - whilst it's a joy to hear that it
blesses many of you, wouldn't it be a tragedy if these tools that God had allowed us never went beyond our walls? In the same way that we're not called to sit on the gospel, but to go, can I suggest that we all pray about who this album could bless... Could we reach out to somebody who doesn't yet know they belong to the family; perhaps somebody who doesn't even know that they belong to God? What if just one song touched one soul in a way that steered them to Christ? Surely that's too good a prospect to pass by. So buy them a CD, or send them the link to iTunes, or to Spotify where they can just listen for free! Or send one of the YouTube videos, which we are hoping to keep adding to with alternate versions of songs (as well as some of the new ones that will start coming through the church)!
‘The God of Promise’ by Senior Pastor, James Burn
Kingfisher International Family stands as testimony to the truth that, when God makes a promise, He keeps it. The amazing growth and development of this Family of churches and ministries that stretches around the world is based on the outworking of a series of promises made to us by God.
It remains this team's pleasure to serve you and worship our amazing God with you, and I'm confident that the best is yet to come. Joe Blake - on behalf of Engage
The beauty of Begin Again is that it's not a bumper sticker slogan, but a
Announcing the publication of the new book
This book charts the development of Kingfisher International Family through the outworking of the promises that have been made to us by God. How has God kept those promises over the years, and how does He intend to keep His promise to us individually? There are literally thousands of promises made in the Bible; promises people make to each other, promises people make to God, and most importantly of all, promises that God makes to us. Every single promise that He makes is backed up by a particular guarantee: the honour of His name (Psalm 138:2).
gospel truth of God's promise to make all things new. So whilst the chapter of the album's creation has ended, the new chapter of its release has opened.
Coming to understand those promises and, more importantly, the promises He has made in your life is an adventure that leads to some lifechanging discoveries. Are you on that adventure with the God of Promise yet?
Asian Night On Saturday 1st April many members of Kingfisher church gathered to enjoy an Asian Food night. With some amazing food and good company a great time was had by all.
News from Kingfisher Church The next state of the Regeneration Project In April we saw the next phase of our building regeneration project completed with some major work being undertaken in our main hall to make it more fit for the future.
However, this meant that over Easter we were not able to meet in our building so we were very kindly lent Christchurch, Brunswick Road, by St James parish for a couple of weeks.
Steve Evans co-ordinated the different companies who came in to install a new air conditioning system throughout the church building and to tear down the main ceiling in the hall and install a new suspended ceiling and new lighting.
It was so encouraging to experience the prayers and the support of so many local churches, who offered space, advice and showed real kindness during this testing time.
Not everything went to plan initially when a small strip of asbestos was discovered along the window wall. For a time it looked like all work would have to stop and that we wouldn’t be able to use our building at all for a couple of months but thankfully, following a new survey, an asbestos company was able to encapsulate the asbestos (treating it and blocking it in, giving us a clean air certificate), and the building work was able to continue, all but a week later that originally planned. This was a real answer to prayer.
If you have good decorating skills and are able to offer some time over the week commencing 29th May, then please let Steve know.
Our first service back in Tredworth, on 30th April was a great celebration as we gave thanks for all that God has done over these first few months of 2017 and we now look forward to the next phase in this regeneration project which will focus
Baptism Service This years first baptism service was on Sunday 26th March and six people told how they had come to know Jesus and then took the step of getting baptised. Many people had come to cheer
on redecoration and the upgrading of our toilet facilities.
on Helen, Kaylee, James S, James F, Jack and Kedra as they took the plunge and to pray for them as they continue their journey with the Lord.
Left: Easter Sunday at Christchurch; Top: our hall with no ceiling; Above: the new ceiling, lights and air conditioning/heating units.
News from Kingfisher Treasure Seekers TSPA go back to the 80’s! On March 30th and 31st TSPA put on another fantastic end of term show! Hundreds of people came to the Police Headquarters at Waterwells to watch the 80’s themed show put on by a cast of about 150 adults with learning disabilities. It was a real treat to see some amazing costumes, dancing, singing and musical performances. TSPA are currently rehearsing for their next end of term show which will take place on 13th and 14th July - come along and experience a TSPA show - there’s nothing in the world like it!!
This years Holiday Club!
Registration forms available at church
The gift shop has moved! April saw the move of the Treasure Seekers gift shop in Westgate Street. The shop has relocated a few doors closer to the cross and they have updated their product range. The gift shop no longer sells sweets, but instead it now stocks 100% fairly traded and ethically sourced items. The wholesale profits of the items sold go to supporting disadvantaged people from around the world, while the retail profits support disadvantaged and vulnerable people in Gloucester. For example, buying candles from the shop will support orphaned children in Belarus, whilst Jewellery from the Starfish range supports women to escape trafficking and exploitation in east Asia. Come along and see the new range of products and do your bit to support disadvantaged people around the world!
News from Kingfisher Treasure Seekers Treasure Seekers Hub is here! As the Treasure Seekers Social Enterprise continues to expand and cover so many different areas, it was felt there needed to be somewhere central that people could go to or ring to find out about everything that was on offer and where they could sign up for courses and events. As the enterprise was able to rent a further building, the gift shop at 52 Westgate Street undertook a move to the new building, leaving the front of number 52 empty. But not for long! Thanks to visionary director of Treasure Seekers, Jan Burn, the space was already accounted for. The idea was for the space to be the focal point of Treasure Seekers with all information available to whoever happened to pop in, but to also utilise the space to incorporate a bigger Make and Take area which previously had a small space in the shop. So the transformation was undertaken to turn the space into what can only be described as a glorious sweet shop without the sweets!
a conversation after a holiday, Jan was speaking to Sally Collis and telling her about the space when God really impacted Sally to go and pray about this. After prayer and discussion, Sally made the step of faith to give up her paid job and volunteer as the Manager at the Hub! The Hub opened its doors on 18th April. The Make and Take space, thanks to social media, was overwhelmed at the end of the Easter holidays which meant some systems had to be put in place sooner than expected. The Hub is now fully opened and is the place to come to find out all that goes on at Treasure Seekers, sign on to any courses or book in to do a Make and Take project - there is so much to choose from so if you fancy de-stressing for an hour, pop down Westgate Street into the Treasure Seekers Hub.You will be assured of a warm welcome!!
An incredible amount of work went on behind the scenes, in refurbishing, refitting and resourcing in order to make the space as wonderful as it is. All this was being done in the faith that the centre would open in a few weeks' time. However there was a small snag. There was no-one to manage the Hub, as it was renamed. However God had a plan - unsurprisingly!! It's amazing how He works as just over
Celebrating Easter at the City Farm On Good Friday Kingfisher church, along with the City Farm and three other local churches (Barton Street Methodist church, Church of God of Prophesy and St James church) put on a free Easter event at the City Farm. Over 200 people came during the afternoon and families were able to see lambs and baby goats, do an Easter trail to win an Easter egg, and make a resurrection garden and an Easter card. It was a fantastic opportunity for people
who may not have come in to a church to discover the real meaning of Easter.
News from Kingfisher Family The Kingfisher Family in... Malawi The world tour of the International Family of Kingfisher continued in May as James, accompanied by Stuart Seagrave, travelled to Malawi. They had the opportunity to visit two new churches in that country - one in the central region at a place called Dedze, and the other near the border with Mozambique amongst the tea plantations at a place called Moloza. We were able to ordain 18 new pastors who will be pastoring churches in Malawi and Mozambique, and to continue to respond to God’s challenge to take the message of raising up Great Commission disciples around the world.
A while ago, we provided money to have signs made for each Kingfisher church in Malawi as well as the Centre in Mozambique, at the village of Mauza. We were able to present several of these signs to the churches that we visited. Charles has a vision to establish a second training centre in Malawi, this time in Dedze, to enable the training of pastors for the centre and north of the country. It is really encouraging to see how strategically he is thinking, and we are glad to be able to join with him in prayer for this, that the Lord would open the way.
Top: The Kingfisher Family National Director for Malawi, Charles Mithowa; Above: The ordination service of Andrew Mithowa, Charles’ son, at the Centre just outside of Blantyre; Left: One of several church signs that were commissioned, this one for the new church at Dedze, Central Malawi.
which are taught over the course of a year.You can join the programme at any point throughout the year. Through weekly, structured meetings, Celebrate Recovery offers the opportunity of a new start and ongoing support for men and women as they seek freedom from the ‘hurts, hangups and habits’ that have been spoiling their lives. Hurt, anger, worry, addiction, unforgiveness, guilt, shame, relationship issues; these are just some of the burdens that people carry. Many are finding an answer
at Celebrate Recovery. Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centred 12step recovery programme that is helping to transform lives. It is based on eight biblical principles
You are very welcome to join us every Thursday at 7pm at Kingfisher Church (upstairs). For further information contact Janet Gray: 07834 521917, janetgray@blueyonder.co.uk
GET INVOLVED WITH THE NEWSLETTER! In order for this newsletter to grow and develop, we need your help! If you go to any Kingfisher event and have taken a great photo, then please email it to Kirsty at info@kingfisher.org.uk. The copy deadline for the next issue (due out in September 2017) is 21st August. Or if you would like to get involved in the production of the next newsletter then email us with your particular area of interest. Hope you enjoy hearing all that is happening across the Kingfisher Family!
Kingfisher Church Moor Street Tredworth Gloucester GL1 4NJ www.kingfisher.org.uk info@kingfisher.org.uk +441452 304339 Š Kingfisher Church, 2013