speak life

I wanted to say ‘thank you’. You guys are awesome. Bethel has definitely left that ‘certain’ place and is now fast approaching the ‘awesome’ place that we believe for. I recognise for some that this has been a daunting prospect & for the majority it is something that has been a desire for along time. Again, seeing the evidence of growth numerically and, in particularly, the core of the congregation expanding in number and depth, I recognise that Bethel is preparing herself for a significant future.

 

In order that we continue to prepare ourselves for the phenomenal future that is before us, let me draw you attention to 2 scriptures:

Deuteronomy 30:19 says

 

“This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live”;

 

and James 3:6

 

“By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell.”

 

Church, let me grab your attention by letting you know that you can help the in the journey to becoming that ‘awesome’ place by speaking words of LIFE. Make a choice so that the next generation may live! This is challenging stuff. The first Sunday that Becky and I were here, I preached a sermon entitled ‘armchair or adventure’. Everybody unanimously decided upon adventure. In order to fulfil the adventure we have to irradiate gossip and negative speech. Choose LIFE! Speak LIFE! If you hear wrong or negative speech, stamp it out! It causes damage. Don’t allow yourself to get embroiled in negative conversation, it lingers and has a negative effect on YOU and the house.

 

We are committed to building a house that loves people for who they are and inspires them to become all that they can be. This is done by breathing & speaking LIFE into situations not death. Irradiate gossip, remove the negative and choose LIFE! You can help the fulfilment of the dream by speaking words of LIFE!

Remember – Choose LIFE!

 Keep going for it,

 James

 

Bethel news

Thursday is our final evening this year of Music, Creative Arts & Leadership [7.30pm] Saturday is the strategic leadership consultation day where young leaders from across the nation will gather. You are invited. Please contact rhi@conceptministries.org for more details.
Saturday 7.30pm is our INDUCTION service. Robert Mountford of City Vision Ministries will be speaking. You are personally invited to the momentous occasion.
Sunday is NOMOREEMPTYSEATS Sunday.

Future:
Sunday December 9th Abbey Christmas – Community Christmas service Sunday December 16th Christmas Extravaganza Sunday January 6th First Fruits Sunday Sunday January 13th Vision Sunday

Finally, be encouaged that we are most definitely moving forward. Again can I take this opportunity to thank you for responding so well to us! Thank you for letting us become part of your life. It is a wonderful thing to be walking this journey of life with you. Thank you!

Don’t forget to bring people this Sunday

New Beginnings coming soon

Those of you who are new to the Christian Faith will absolutely love this 5 week course.

In a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, learn how to follow Jesus; discover what church is really all about; ask all of your questions; get a grip on how to make the most of the Bible; and do it all with great coffee and awesome friendly faces.

Beginnings starts in January and coincides with the Alpha course.

THE CITY COUNCIL LOVE US LOVING STOKE!

James Galloway and Jim Halliday had a meeting with city councillors this week regarding our extremely bold attempt to establish a ministry that tangibly demonstrates that Jesus loves this city.

Senior leader James Galloway describes www.lovestoke.org as a’city-wide-web-based-social-action-partnership-scheme that brings together the business world, the church and the volunteers across the city in order to assist in answering the cry of the residents of the communities in this city’.

James goes onto say, ‘wwwlovestoke.org is a wonderful revelation of true synergy that will cause the beautiful people of this awesome city to smile’

The results of the meeting, and the volume of work and networking that Jim Halliday has done, are that the City of Stoke on Trent Council have given total endorsement to the scheme including advertising distribution to all of the associated bodies in the city.

www.lovestoke.org can also be found on the ‘useful links’ page of www.stoke.gov.uk