Rollercoasters

We got back last night from New Wine, Newark. It was a bit of a roller coaster ride, but with more ups than downs. Highs included seeing many people healed, having the privilege of preaching to some of the kids workers and praying with them, seeing God working in their lives.

We spent the mornings in sessions led by a team from the Message Trust. These guys have moved onto some of the toughest estates in Manchester and are living there, living out Jesus teaching, and are seeing lives changed and people come to faith. Their example is inspirational. We were especially moved by the songs that they have written that provide a way to worship and to cry out for God to come and do more, to change more lives, to break through.

Liz's health was a bit iffy through the week, which is tough when there is so much healing going on around. Even this, though, was a source of encouragement. Through the week we kept on praying and the symptoms would subside and she would be able to carry on. On the last evening, one of the New Wine leadership team prayed for her. Although there was no physical healing, Liz had a sense of God saying that she has not been abandoned or forgotten. God is with her, strengthening her as we explore what the next stage of our ministry in Stoke is going to look like.

It was fab to meet up with, and spend time with so many friends from St John's and other places. We have a hope and expectation that next year we will have new friends in Stoke that we will have a similarly great time with.