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CHRISTMAS PRAYER LETTER
“The Shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God, for
all the things they had heard
and seen, which were just as
they had been told” Luke 2: 20
May we wish you all a very happy Christmas and New Year, and thank you all once again for all your
love, prayers and support throughout another year. The verse above recalls the real wonder of
Christmas as the shepherds were out in the fields and in the dark when suddenly a great light
appears and the heavenly host breaks into earth to proclaim the magnificence of Jesus Christ
coming into our world. Light breaking into darkness, which was to change life for ever and enable us
to come back to God through faith in Christ. The shepherds were initially afraid as God appeared
suddenly into their ordinary lives. However as they entered His presence and then went off in
obedience to Bethlehem, they returned glorifying and praising God. There is a sense in which these
last few months have reflected some of God’s glory breaking into lives and helping people of all ages
to see and encounter Christ. We have seen Christ’s light breaking into many situations in people’s
ordinary everyday lives, which has been exciting. We give all glory and praise to our Lord Jesus
Christ.
Mission News
There is so much to tell you but I have managed to write a few reports, stories and reflections from
the missions which have all been in Northern Ireland recently. We have hit a real vein of blessing
during these times and give thanks. My special thanks go to Paul Hoey, CPAS Consultant in Ireland,
and Paul Woodman, escapologist, who have been with me on the missions. They are very gifted
people, great colleagues and special friends.
Connect 4 Life Parish Mission in Dungiven and Bovevagh, NI. 8th to 16th September 2007 –
Capt Issac Hanna, Minister in Charge.
It certainly was a good week with around 70 adults and 30 children responding to the Lord and I am
grateful to Paul Hoey and Paul Woodman who helped me to lead this mission. Some men really
gave their lives to the Lord for the first time, likewise some of the ladies and children discovered
Christ as a reality. This was a quite rural area, predominantly Roman Catholic, but there were some
very encouraging events with big turn outs, so we give thanks to the Lord. It was also a mission with
many distractions almost every time I shared the gospel! It was good to have the input at some of
the events from the Coleraine Evangelists Association.
Some lovely stories of ordinary folk realising who Jesus was for the first time, we had a whole range
of responses from all the ages. An elderly man said to me it was the first time that he’d really
responded to Christ, similarly an older lady who had had a hard life said to me that it’s made such a
difference to her life, she feels a peace and contentment she’s never had and feels like a brand new
woman. Also there was a 10 year old lad who became a Christian and was crying as I left because
he thought he would not see me again. His dad said that I would always have a special place in his
son’s life!
Three teenage lads from a neighbouring village came to the Dads and Lads Night and committed
their lives to Christ, their older sister came to another event and did the same. This has helped to
form a youth outreach in that area.
The follow up has been good with an average of 40 folk attending the Alpha Course this Autumn,
and they are keen to go on with the Lord by forming groups in the New Year, along with a youth
group.
Celebrating 125 Years in Bangor Parish Church, NI. 27th to 30th September 2007 – Revd Nigel
Parker.
We had a really good time at Bangor Parish Church with Paul Hoey and around 50 people
responded to the Lord.
Some good stories; a six year old lad made his first response at a family service, a fellow Chelsea
fan made a commitment when I met him at the open air on Saturday and he came to church on
Sunday. Even the tough times at Chelsea are bearing fruit !!!
There were two events which the church hopes to follow on in the future. The first was ‘Healing on
the Streets’ whereby a group of us handed out leaflets in the high street and directed passers by to
an area where they could be prayed with by church members on the street. This was very good and
a good number of people were willing to receive prayer. The second was a ‘Community Business
Breakfast’ held in a hotel where many business people were invited and we saw an encouraging
response to the gospel.
Some good feedback was that 38 attended the first Alpha Supper as a follow up to the mission
weekend.
Down to Earth Mission Weekend in St Patrick’s and St Mary’s, Newry, NI. 4th to 7th October
2007 – Revd Kingsley Sutton.
I had a good time in Newry with Paul Hoey and we saw around 50 people respond to the Lord. It
was good to meet some of the people who had come to the Lord and were going on with Him since
the last mini mission December 2006. This time we had twice as many men at the men’s breakfast
which was encouraging, with some first time responses.
The family event was really encouraging with an excellent performance by Paul Ormonde, a local
illusionist and escapologist, who mesmerised everyone with his tricks and he shared his testimony
later in the evening. On Saturday we saw a number of people abseiling down the church from the
tower, including Kingsley, the Vicar. At a teenage event a number of them took deeper steps of faith
to follow Christ and on Sunday morning at the Harvest Service a good number of people responded
to the Lord.
Find the Peace, St Matthew’s Parish Mission, Richhill, NI. 13th to 21st October 2007 – Revd
David Coe.
Another good mission in Richhill with Paul Hoey and Paul Woodman as part of the team, and we
saw over 100 responses from all ages to Christ.
We had the privilege of visiting many local schools and must have shared the gospel with well over
2,000 pupils during the week, including a school where three teenagers had committed suicide
during the previous six months. I spoke at a teenagers/youth event and 15 young people responded
from a wide area around Richill. The Dads and Lads night was extremely well attended in a local
sports centre with around 80 children plus 40 men in a hall engaging in sporting team events. On
the final Sunday morning a number of children responded to Christ during a Sunday School
presentation. One story of a person who was being challenged about the gospel and had resisted
finally made a response on the last day.
There was a lot of spiritual opposition during this mission but the follow up course is going well in a
local school.
The Big Bang, St Patrick’s Whitehead & St John’s Islandmagee, NI. 27th October to 4th
November 2007 – Revd Mark Taylor.
This mission was led jointly by Paul Hoey and myself and we saw around 50 responses from people
of all ages. Some of the highlights of the mission were some teenagers responding to Christ at a ten
pin bowling event, and a six year old lad making his first step of commitment. There was also a
good response from some junior aged lads at the Dad’s and Lad’s night which included Scalectrix
motor racing – for the kids of course! The follow up is ongoing and some have signed up for the
Christianity Explored Course.
Connect Mission, St Mary’s Ballybeen – Revd Mark Harvey, Dundonald Methodist – Revd
David Campton & Christ Church, Presbyterian – Revd Paul Jamieson, NI. 10th to 18th
November 2007.
This was a very good three church mission led by Paul Hoey, Paul Woodman and myself, alongside
the three ministers. There was a real sense of God moving powerfully in many lives. Many people
who responded had some great needs including those with addictions. There were two teenage girls
who made responses to Christ and attended every mission event! There was one very articulate
seven year old boy who made a commitment to Christ. The home meetings were particularly
valuable as many people came to share their situations and to seek resolution and answers to faith
questions. We had the opportunity to share and pray with many people in difficult situations as they
responded to Christ in many new ways.
The Kidz Club, which ran all week, enabled us to build up some good relationships with a core of
local children and on the last Club day around 50 responded to an invitation to follow Christ. This
was a very moving time to see many children acknowledging Christ for the first time. The men’s
events were well attended and we saw many adults responding to the Lord but many of these were a
long way from ‘church culture’. The final healing service was a chance for many to come forward
and receive personal prayer which was extremely helpful to many in seeking the Lord’s help with all
sorts of issues.
The initial follow up has been slow with Christmas approaching but the churches will be running an
Alpha Course in the New Year when all those who have responded will be encouraged to come
along.
Family News
It really has been a ‘roller coaster’ year of highs and lows. We give thanks for my wife Jill’s recovery
from a major operation in the summer, but during the missions in the Autumn we have had ‘attacks’
on our cars and property, and theft of a credit card resulting in the loss of £1,000. There is no
particular reason for these attacks but the timing has been interesting as I have been away and
seeing the Lord move in areas, so the ‘attacks’ come. We should not be surprised as we are in a
constant spiritual battle, but we would value your prayers of protection. It was great to see my
daughter Carol, Andy and our grandsons Thomas and Matthew in the Spring. We spent a great time
together – how we miss them all! They are doing really well in New Zealand and are enjoying the
summer now! My Mum died on August 1st and it has been a time of closure and reflection, as a
whole generation has now passed on, but we rejoice that she knew the Lord which makes sense of it
all in the end. Please pray as we are endeavouring to sell her flat in London. Chris, my son, and
Abbi have settled well in Bournemouth and are working hard. Chris is enjoying college life and is
doing well, but does struggle with some of the academic work as his dyslexia is a real issue.
However 61% + 63% on his first two essays were a real boost. Abbi has grafted well in her new
teaching post at Bournemouth School for Girls and has adjusted to the new job and area extremely
well. We are looking forward to spending Christmas together with them.
I am still running and feeling fit but with all the food and ‘wee buns’ on mission I have to lose some
weight – Hope 08 new year’s resolution! My team Chelsea are still there playing well despite losing
the ‘special one’, we have replaced him with the ‘chosen people’!!
TFM News
It has been a great year working alongside Daniel and the TFM team and we would value your
prayers for the future ministry especially as Daniel approaches 65 in 2009. There are a lot of issues
which will need to be resolved in the New Year.
New Year Programme
I give thanks to my secretary Andrea who has been a tremendous help and
support during the last year, but I will be saying goodbye to her early next year
as she takes up a full time post at The Well Christian Healing Centre. I have
some good news on the secretarial front in that Jane Wigman, who worked
with me during my time at CPAS, will be joining me in the New Year. We have
devised a system of working which helps me not to overwork!! Last Autumn was
too busy, and the next few months is very busy also, but the new system, really
kicks in after Easter. There is the usual glut of missions from Northern Ireland, but coming on to the
programme now is more missions in England. Please keep informing me of new mission
opportunities – it has been really helpful. Thanks.
DIARY
8th January – Roger and Jill are at The Well Christian Healing Centre, Leamington
Spa
12th & 13th January – Mission preparation weekend Ballyclare, NI
Saturday 12th Meeting the planning group, seeing the area and meeting the
congregation in the evening for a presentation of the mission
Sunday 13th Preaching at both morning services
18thto 21st January – Mission to Mount Merrion Estate, nr Willowfield, East
Belfast, NI
Friday 18th Saturday 19th Sunday 20th
AM School Assembly Men’s Breakfast at local pub Guest Service and Lunch
Coffee morning – Sheltered Dad’s & Lads Soccer Tournament at
Accommodation Community Centre
PM Lunch meeting – Sheltered Women’s Craft Event
Accommodation
Evening Cheese and Wine Evening Pub Quiz Night Praise and Healing Service
22nd January – Roger and Jill at The Well Christian Healing Centre, Leamington Spa
26th January to 3rd February – Time 4…? Mission at St John’s, Lurgan, NI
Sat 26th Sun 27th Mon 28th Tue 29th Wed 30th Thur 31st Fri 1st Sat 2nd Sun 3rd
11.30am 7.30am 7.30am 7.30am 7.30am 7.30am 8.30am Men’s 11am
Invitation Prayer and Prayer and Prayer and Prayer and Prayer and breakfast – Invitation
service light breakfast light breakfast light light light breakfast Jethro Centre service
breakfast breakfast
9am Carrick, 9am 9am School 10.30am
Morn Dickson & School work 9am School 9am School Work Family fun
Junior High work Work Junior morning with
School 11am Visit High? 11am Coffee Paul
homes in 11am morning, Ormonde,
11am Coffee Parish Coffee Brownlow escapologist
morning morning House
3.30 – 5pm 1pm Lunch 3.30pm 3.30pm
After school Community After school After school
activities Centre, activities activities
Mourneview 2pm Quiz, Community Community
Aft Community 3.30pm Sing a Centre Centre
Centre long Children &
parents
7pm 7pm 7.30pm Heart 7.30pm Can’t 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm Youth 7.30pm 6.30pm
Evening Invitation Smart, men’s Cook – Wont Healing Body, Mind evening – Saturday Thanksgi
meal, service activity night Cook Service & Heart Coffee Bar Night Special ving
Brownlo Make Over (11-19yrs) – social & service
Eve w House – ladies supper
night,
Church Hall
5th February – Staff meeting
12th February – Roger and Jill at The Well Christian Healing Centre, Leamington Spa
16th to 24th February – Connect Mission at Christ Church, Lisburn, NI
Sat 16th Sun 17th Mon 18th Tue 19th Wed 20th Thur 21st Fri 22nd Sat 23rd Sun 24th
8.30am Holy 7.30 am 7.30am 7.30am 7.30am 7.30am 8.30am 10.15am
Communion Prayer time Prayer time & Prayer time & Prayer time Prayer time & Men’s Sunday
10.15am & light light breakfast light & light light breakfast breakfast School
Sunday breakfast in in coffee bar breakfast in breakfast in in coffee bar 11.30am
School coffee bar 10.45 & coffee bar coffee bar 10.30am Morning
Morn 11.30am 10.30am 11.30am 10.30am Tots 10.30am Home Worship –
Morning Home Coffee Together Home meetings Invitation
Worship – meetings morning in group meetings service
Invitation coffee bar 11.00 am
service Craft Club
2.00pm 1.15pm 2.00pm 2.30 pm 3.30pm 1.00pm
Manor Lunchtime Healing Acorn Club Kids Family Fun
House concert in Service 3.30 pm Club/Soul Day at hall
Service Church 3.30pm Kids Club/ Food Café
Aft 3.30pm 3.30pm Kids Soul Food
Kids Club/ Kids Club/Soul Café
Soul Food Club/Soul Food Café 3.40pm
Café Food Café Friends
School SU
7.30pm 6.30pm 7.00pm 7.00pm Soul 7.00pm Soul 7.30pm 7.30pm 8.00pm 6.30pm
Barn Praise Soul Food Food Café Food Café Activities Glengormley Big Nite Evening
Eve Dance Service Café 7.30 pm Latin 7.30 pm Nite for lads Youth Choir Out-Year 8+ Celebration
7.30 pm America night ChocHeaven 7.00Soul
Bowls Fun ladies Food Café
26th February – Roger and Jill at The Well Christian Healing Centre, Leamington Spa
28th February – Local Support Group Meeting
1st to 9th March – Rise and Shine Mission at Magheragall, NI
Sat 1st Sun 2nd Mon 3rd Tue 4th Wed 5th Thur 6th Fri 7th Sat 8th Sun 9th
11.30am All 7.30am 7.30am 7.30am 7.30am 7.30am 9am Men’s 10.15am
Age Prayer and Prayer and Prayer and Prayer and Prayer and Breakfast Sunday
invitation light breakfast light light breakfast light light 12noon School
service Coffee breakfast 10am M&Tots breakfast breakfast Parish 11.30am
morning 10am 1.45pm Coffee 9.15am Ramble Invitation
Day Spring Senior morning School 3pm Go service
Flowers Citizen’s Club Assembly Karting for
Teenagers
7pm Fun 6.30pm 6pm Kids 8pm Can’t 7pm Lads and 6 – 7pm 6 – 7pm 8pm Salsa 6.30pm
for All - Songs of Club P1-P7 Cook, Dads Kids Club Kids Club Evening Thanksgiving
Quiz & Praise 7.15pm Girls’ Won’t P1-P7 P1-P7 & Healing
Supper 8.00pm Night In Cook 8pm 8pm service
Eve Actsodus Bowled Couples
Youth Night Over Night Out
11th March – Roger and Jill at The Well Christian Healing Centre, Leamington Spa
15th to 23rd March – Mission Impossible at Christ the King, Bradley Stoke,
Bristol
Sat 15 Palm Mon 17 Tue 18 Wed 19 Thu 20 Good Fri 21 Easter Sat 22 Easter Sun
Sun 16 23
Craft & 9am. 7.30am: 7.30am: 7.30am: 7.30am: 7.30am: 8.30-10 10am
Coffee HC? Prayer & Prayer & Prayer & light Prayer & light Prayer & light Men’s Celebration
Morning 10am light light breakfast breakfast breakfast Breakfast at service
Family breakfast breakfast Grapevine 1pm 10am Baileys Court
Invitation Grapevine Grapevine Chat-room Family Inn
Day Service + events lunch Service 12-3 Family
All age going on in Children’s Walk of Fun Day at
church, Event Witness Church or
home 12-3pm Leisure
meetings Services at St Centre
& schools Michaels
7.30pm 6.30pm 7.30 Dads 7.30 Daring 2 be 7.30 Quiz A modern film 7.30 Couples 6.30pm
Barn- Evening & Lads Ladies Different with Night at on Christ Night at local Thanks
dance Service: Night Pamper parents Parkway Pub restaurant or giving &
Streams Leisure or Night Skittles event Room hotel Healing
Eve (cafe Jubilee Pilates at pub Teens: Service
style) Centre Bowling or
Laser Quest
5th & 6th April – Mission preparation weekend at Leominster Baptist Church
Saturday 5th Mission preparation and training day, with a presentation in the
evening for all local churches.
Sunday 6th April Preaching at mission preparation services, both morning and
evening
13th April – Preaching at Warwick Gates
