A celebration of mission

As the academic year draws to a close, we spent time on Sunday 2nd July celebrating all that God had been doing in us and through us over the last year - in much the same way as Paul & Barnabas reported back to their sending church at the end of their first missionary journey (Acts 14.26-28). 

​This video shows some (not all!) of what's happened in the last 12 months.

In our services we made prayer bunting - prayers of thanks to God which will be in St James' by the Park over the summer to remind us of God's faithfulness to us.

In his brief talk, Dan shared 4 things with the congregation:

1. Thank you to everyone who has joined in by giving their time, talents or treasures over the last year - and especially to those who've prayed.

2. The need to be realistic - that mission in our culture is often slow and difficult work - "We must go through many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God" (Acts 14.22). So we must persevere when the going gets tough!

3. We should be encouraged - God is definitely at work (Acts 14.27). Here's some highlights:

• Allsorts (missional community reaching out to families) - new people coming to film afternoons; school friends coming to the monthly after-school tea.
• Environment: start of a regular litter-pick in the local area: volunteers of all ages. One of the cell groups has taken an interest in the Boney. 
• Netball group - new people joining; players finding common ground . 
• The Ark (toddler group) - new people; been able to offer particular support to a new mum.
• Buzz (youth ministry) - work amongst years 7 and 8 has really developed. 
• International cells - thinking about how to befriend and reach out to Muslims here in Shirley. 
• Rest homes team - an ever growing sense of enjoyment and participation as they sing, pray and talk with residents. 
• Men’s cell group - ran Life Explored and regular community-building events to build relationships.
• Superstars - a number of families coming regularly who don’t have any other link to a church. Some of the children are beginning to talk about wanting to be christened. 
• St Win’s in Totton - developing the church into a transformative music and community centre. 
• Bupadhengo link - much stronger after a team of 7 visited last summer. Petal Project (making sanitary towels and improving access to education for young girls) - has got off the ground this year. 
• Evergreens (for older people) - getting to know each other better, and a spiritual element has been introduced. 
• Beacon missional community (bringing hope to those struggling financially) - growing numbers at bi-monthly meals; ‘guests’ taking real ownership of what’s going on.
• Pray n Play (discipleship group on Monday mornings for parents of pre-school children) - deep relationships forming, people who struggle to access Sunday church are just beginning to come along.  

So there's much to be encouraged about!

4. We need to keep building community. Jesus wants us to fish with nets (ie together) not lines (individually). It's as we build community that the gospel is shared and received. That's why Paul & Barnabas risked their lives to return to the cities they'd already evangelised - so they could make sure good Christian communities were being established (Acts 14.23). 

And after all that, we headed out to Anderwood for a great BBQ / picnic to continue the celebrations!