ISSUE03www.newlifechurch.me

FOR QUEEN, COUNTRY & COMMUNITY

PAGE 4

JOEL WARD INTERVIEW

PAGE 8

myCHURCH

@ via Thorney Rd, Emsworth, Hampshire, PO10 8BN

www.newlifechurch.me

14th July 2013

SUPPORTING Help for heroes and Bourne Community Trust

BOUNCY CASTLES, LIVE MUSIC, REFRESHMENTSAND FUN ATTRACTIONS FOR ALL

FREE ENTRY

ONE DAY MUSIC FESTIVAL

from 1pm

myCHURCH

ChurCh PurPose & Mission

Our PurPOse:• NewLifeChristianChurchexiststohelppeopletaketheirnextsteptowardsJesus.

WelCoMe 1neW to ChurCh? 2-3For Queen, Country & CoMMunity 4-7Joel Ward intervieW 8-9enhanCing the CoMMunity – Boys’ & girls’ Brigade 10-11solving ProBleMs and aFFeCting lives – dr dylan Jones 12-13the BeautiFul liFe – dani sPiCeley 14-15hoPe For the Forgotten – dr Jenny 16-17not Just the Future – youth Work 18-19CoMPassion 20-23ChurCh Calendar deCeMBer 2012 – noveMBer 2013 24

CONTENTS

Our MissiOn:• ToCelebrateandembraceChrist’slifetoday.

• ToConnectthroughfriendshipandtobuildauthentic community.

• ExperienceandGrowtogetherthroughdiscipleship.

• Discoverourpurposeforliving.

@ via Thorney Rd, Emsworth, Hampshire, PO10 8BN

www.newlifechurch.me

14th July 2013

SUPPORTING Help for heroes and Bourne Community Trust

BOUNCY CASTLES, LIVE MUSIC, REFRESHMENTSAND FUN ATTRACTIONS FOR ALL

FREE ENTRY

ONE DAY MUSIC FESTIVAL

from 1pm

ISSUE03

Issue3of‘myCHURCH’isfinallyout!Weareexcitedaboutwhatisinstoreforthecommunitythiscomingyear.Onceagaintheteamofvolunteershavedoneanexcellentjobinsourcingfreshstoriesandnewmaterial.Themoreyouresearchthemoreyourealisewearepartofanamazinggatheringofpeople,unsungheroeswhoarelivingouttheiraspirationsanddreamshumblyinordertoseeabetterworldandaddqualitytopeople’slives.

Matt Warren

WELCOME

WELCOME

Ifthisisyourfirsttimewithus,wewanttotakeamomenttowelcomeyou.Weareachurchcommunityofeverydaypeopleseekingtoembracethelocalityandbeyond,withthehopeandloveofacompassionateandfaithfulGod.

Ourservicesarerelaxedandinformalandit’simportanttousthatyoufeelcomfortable,sopleasejoininjustasmuchoraslittleasyouwant.

WelcOMe eveningFornewcomerswehaveregular‘Welcome’eveningsandwarmlyinviteyoutocomealongforcoffeeandcakesandashorttalk.This30-minuteinformalintroductionwillprovideabriefoverviewofourmission,strategy,andjustwhoweareandhowwefunction.

neW life KidsEnjoyingourchildrenandbuildingsuccessfulfamilieshasalwaysbeenoneofthegreatstrengthsatNewLifeChurch,soourcreativeteamat‘KidsChurch’workveryhardeachweektomakechurchthehighlightoftheweekforthechildren.NewLifekidsaremorethanwelcometostayinthemainservicewiththeirparentsortheycanattendourspeciallydesigned‘KidsChurch’whichrunsalongsidethemainchurchservices.Theyhavetheirownvenue(theApexbuilding),theirownworshipband,smallgroupactivities,gamesandinteractiveteaching.

BOys’ and girls’ Brigade MeeteveryMondayduringtermtimefrom6:30pm-7:45pm.TheBoys’&Girls’BrigadeprogrammeatNewLifeprovidesasafeenvironmentwhereourchildrencancomeandenjoy

arangeofdifferentactivitieseachweekandprogresstowardssomegreatachievements.Theagesrangefrom5to11yearsold.

ChrisWareboysbrigade@nlccuk.orgMarianaWintergirlsbrigade@nlccuk.org

crècheParentswithchildrenunder4yearsalsohaveafun,warmandsafespacewheretheyhavetheopportunitytoleavetheirchildrenwithourtalentednurseryworkersorwatchtheserviceintheWinsleyCaféareaandattendtotheirchildren’sneeds.

Parents & tOddlersEveryTuesday9.45am–11.30am(termtimeonly)andheldinthemainchurchvenue.Wellorganisedandwithfun-filledactivitieswherethetoddlerscanplay,developandgrow.There’ssinging,storytime,craft/creativetables,floortoys,tabletopactivities,softplayandimaginativeplay.Plusrefreshmentsforthechildrenandthemumsanddadstoo!

fridaze – reviveuK yOuthTheyouthplayabigpartatNewLife.WebelieveinraisingthenextgenerationtoleadinlifeandliveasGodintended.Wehaveregulareventsfor12-18sandyoungadults.WemeeteveryFridayfrom6.30pmforsmallgroups,worship,teachingandgreatsocialactivities.Wehavetwospecialeventseachyear–‘Winterfest’and‘SummerCamp’,whichgatheryouthfromthelocalareaandalsofromabroad.

rePlenish‘Replenish’isourdiverseandverybusywomen’sministry.Theyworktogetherin

NE

W T

O C

HU

RC

H?

2

myCHURCH

thecommunityamongwomenandgirlsofallagesandbackgroundsandalsointhechurch,teachingandencouragingtheladiesandyoungmums.Theyhaveanannualconference,breakfasts,dinnersandenjoyingvibrantandfunlovingsocialactivitiesisalsoanimportantpartofthisministry.

united‘United’–ourwell-namedmen’sministry.It’sraretoseesomanymen,fromsomanydifferentbackgrounds,unitedintheirdesiretoserveandworkinthechurchandlocalityandtobeanexampleandencouragementtoothers.Theyhavegreattimestogether–anannualconference,breakfasts,barbecues,smallgroupmeetings,weekendsaway(surfing!)andevenworkdays!

PartnershiPIfyouwanttodiscoverwhyNewLifeChristianChurchexistsandwhatthecultureofthechurchis,thenthePartnershipEveningswouldbeagreatnextstep.EveryquarterwerunaPartnershipEvening,wherewetalkaboutthespecificsofourjourneytogether,thepurposeofthechurch,howtogetstarted,howtogetpluggedintosmallgroupsandareasofspecificinterest.Theyareinformalandrelaxedevenings,followedbyatimeoffellowshipandrefreshments.

alPha cOurseIfyouarenewtoChristianity,orwouldsimplyliketoenquiremoreabouttheclaimsofChristianity,Alphaisasevenweekcoursethathelpsyoudiscoverthemeaningoflife.

sOcial actiOn – helPing PeOPleThisisoneofthepastoralarmsofthechurchthatisinvolvedinpastoralcareforthecommunity,includingmarriagecounselling,hospitalvisits,youthwork,seniorcitizens’care,ourBeaconofHopeprojectinSenegal,sponsoringchildrenthroughtheorganisationCompassionInternational,andspeakingoutforChristianswhoarefacingpersecutioninvolatilepartsoftheworld.

cOMPassiOn internatiOnalCompassionInternationalisachildsponsorshiporganisationwithover50years’experienceofworkingwithsomeofthepoorestcommunitiesintheworld.DuringthattimemorethanonemillionchildrenhavebeenassistedbyCompassion.MembersofNewLifeChurcharecurrentlysponsoringnearly200childreninGhanaandanother20indifferentlocationsworldwide.

3

CoMinG froMamilitarybackgroundwheremygrandfatherandfatherbothservedformanyyears,Igrewupmovingaroundtheworldandcametoknowhowimportantitwastofinda“home”,beitevenforashortwhilebeforeournextmove.AspartoftheleadershipteamatNewLife,

ensuringafamilyandhome“atmosphere”isahugepartofthevisionwehaveandworkhardtomaintain.We’vebeenprivilegedovertheyearstohavesomanymembersofthearmedservicesfromThorneyIslandandsurroundingareaaspartoftheNewLifefamily.Theircontribution,supportandenthusiasmhavebeenamazing.NewLifewantedtocontinueshowingtheirsupportinsomeway,sothreeyearsagoweorganisedthegrowingandverypopularMusic4Festivalonbehalfof‘HelpforHeroes’.Wehaveenjoyedgreatsupportfromthearmyintermsofprovidingpersonnelandequipmentfortheshowandwelookforwardtonextyear’sshowonSunday14thJuly.Vibrantworship,family,community,learning,

commitment,sacrifice,andagenerousspiritareallelementsthatmakeNewLifehome.WearealargemoderncontemporarychurchlocatedbetweenthecitiesofChichesterandPortsmouth.Family Service and Kids Church every Sunday @ 9:30 to 11am and 11:30 to 1pm, Youth every Friday @ 7pm.Weinviteyoutojoinus.

Derick and Mari Wiesner

FOR QUEEN, COUNTRY &

To find out more about new Life Christian Church,

visit www.newlifechurch.me.

4

myCHURCH

As A U.s. nAvy fAMiLy, mywifeandIhavemoved13timesinour17yearsofmarriageandhavebeencaredforinmanywaysthroughvariouschurches.Ourlocalchurchusuallybecomesour“family,”however,inallofourtravels,nonehasmatchedNewLifeChristianChurch.Itisnotjusttheamazingworshipin

music,thehealthy,balancedteachingfromapluralityofpracticalpeople,orthecommunity-focusedeventssuchasMusic4,Boys’/Girls’Brigade,SpanishNight,thatkeepuscoming.Thecommunity-mindedcoremembershipofthisbodywhoaremutuallycommittedtohelpingthehurting,helplessandhopelessiswhatmakesNewLifeChurchspecial.Weknowthatwecouldaskanythingofanyoneofourbrothersandsistershere–crucialsupportformywifeandIandourfivechildrensofarfromhome.Oneparticularday,mysonandI

showedupanhourearlytohelpsetupforservice,anditwasthenthat

Itrulyunderstoodhowthischurch“getsthingsdone.”Therewasabuzzeverywhere–ahiveofbeesatwork.Whatwasmissingthatmostotherorganisationshaveissomeonestandingupshoutingorders,yellingtokeeprowingorhoistthemainsail.EnergisedbytheSpirit,eachpersonknewwhatneededtobedoneanddiditwithcheerandenthusiasm,whetherlastminutemoppingorchangingatrashbag,soundsystemtests,orfiringupthecoffeemachine.Therewasnoquestionthiseventwasgettingunderway,andeach“crewmember”servedwithacheerfulheartnomatterhowmenialthetask.Wewereecstaticwhenthechurch

decidedtoexpandandhaveasecondSundayservice,becauseweknewthattheLordwouldbefaithfulandnotjustfillemptychairsbutemptyliveswithHisgoodnessthatflowsfromHimthroughthisanointedbody.WeknowthatNewLifeChurchwillcontinuetoimpactthecommunityandblessmanyothersthewaywehavebeenblessed.

FOR QUEEN, COUNTRY & Community

ARTICLE CONTINUES... 5

testiMOny fOr Military day at nlcc Oct 2012

FrommyearliestdaysintheNavy,IlearnedthatGodwouldbewithmenomatterwhereontheglobeIwent.IhadtravelledjustbeyondtheedgesofmyhomestateofColoradobeforejoiningtheNavyanddidn’trealisehowhugeourworldcanseem.LookingoutthesubmarineperiscopeatourvastAtlanticandPacificoceans,fromthetipofSouthAmericatotheAleutianIslands,onbothAmericanandBritishsubmarines,Ihavemanytimesfeltlikeatinyspec,andyetIknewtheGodwhocreatedallofthatwatercaredintimatelyforme.OneofmyfavouritepassagesisfromPsalm139:

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

Anothersignificantpassageforme,onewhichremindsmeofhowoftenwetakeourfocusoffofourGreatMaker,isfoundinPsalm107:

Others went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters. They saw the works of the LORD, his wonderful deeds in the deep. For he spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves. They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away. They reeled and staggered like drunken men; they were at their wits’ end. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress.He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their safe harbour. (NIV)

IammostthankfulthatHeissofaithfulandthatHeremembersus,evenwhenwefailtorememberHim,andthatHeiswaitingtobringushometosafetyifwewillsimplycalluponHisname.

Mitch Becker

... ARTICLE CONTINUES

6

myCHURCH

My nAME isPettyOfficerEngineeringTechnician(MarineEngineer)KarlSpurr.IhaveservedintheRoyalNavyforjustover15yearsnow,currentlyservingonboardHMSIllustrious.MysmallfamilyandIhaveattendedNewLifeChristianChurchforthepast7years–wehavenofamilywithin200milesofusnotwithstandingourchurchfamily.Ihaverecentlyspentquitesometimeatsea,approximately14monthstotalinthelast24,andknowingthatmyfamilyhaveloveandsupportfromourchurchwhilstI’mawayisagreatcomforttome.Overtheyearswe’vehadamazingsupportfromourchurch,especiallythroughsomeverydifficulttimesandIcannotpraiseGodandourchurchenough.

Karl spurr

7

How did you feel about moving to London? Have you found it hard as you grew up in New Life?FormeIguessIwasalittleapprehensiveaboutmoving,asyouareleavingbehindwhatyouknowandarefamiliarwith.Oneminuteyougofromplayingforyourlocalclubandbeingsurroundedbythepeopleclosesttoyou,andthenextyou’reinacompletelydifferentenvironment.OnethingIhavefoundisthatnomatterwhathappens,nomatterwhatthesituation,GodhasHishandonyourlifeandisincontrol,andthisisonethingthatstaysconsistentthroughout.Ipersonallylookforwardto

challenges,buttheydon’tcomewithouttheirtrials.IknowGodhasopenedthisdoorformeatCrystalPalace;it’sanewchapterinmylife,andI’mlookingforwardtowhatisinstoreforthefuture.

Do you still feel a part ofthe Church (New Life)? ForaslongasIcanrememberI’vebeengoingtoNewLife.I’vebeenapartofthetransitionofthechurch,I’veseen

peoplecomeandgo,andI’veseenpeoplegrow,getmarried,andstarttheirownfamilieswithinthechurch.IknowI’mstillapartofthechurchandalwayswillbe.Ibelieveeveryonegoesthroughseasonsofchangebutthecommunityofthechurchisalwaysthesame;justasGodisyourcornerstonesoisthechurch.I’vecometorealisehowmuchthechurchhasbeenpartofshapingmylife,alongwithmyfamily,andIknowI’vebeentrulyblessed.Therearealotofpeoplewho’vebeenclosetomeovertheyearsbutIcan’tthankmyparentsandmybrotherandsisterenough–theyarethepeoplewhohaveshapedmeandguidedmethrougheverything.

How have you dealt with the challenges on and off the pitch since your move?Irealisethatinmycareertherearegoingtobetimeswhenyouhavetomoveandthingsaregoingtochange,thattherearealwaysgoingtobechallengesyouface,thatispartandparcelofit,butIcanrestinthefactthatIhavegotonethingthatwillhelpmeandthatwillneverleavemeandthat’sGod.

FINDING A

ChangeConstant

THROUGH intervieW With crystal Pallace defender JOel Ward

8

myCHURCH

‘ ’“For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future”Jeremiah 29:11

Godknewusbeforewewereborn,andalthoughwedon’talwaysknowwhythingshappenweknowwecanalwaystrustinHimandHewillprovide,thehardbitistotrustinHim.Godhasgiveneveryoneaplatformtogooutandreachtheworld.IamveryblessedtohavebeengiventheopportunitytoplayfootballanddosomethingthatIlove.TheplatformthatGodhasgivenyouisonlyasbigasyouwantittobe,youhavetodreamanddreambig,youalsohavetofightforwhatGodhasgivenyou.

What is the plan for you and the football club this year?I’mbelievingforthebest.Idon’tknowwheremycareerwilltakemebutwhatIdoknowisifIgiveeverythingtoGodHewillprovide.Iguessthat’sthebeautyofhavingGodinyourlife,youcanrestinHim,andcangiveHimtheworriesthatyouface.Asaplayeryouarealwayslookingtogetbetter,strivingtobethebestyoucanbe.Forme,Idon’twanttobehappywithjusttheaverage,IwanttobethebestIcanbe,butinitallIknowthatit’snotmebutGodwhogetstheglory,HehasenabledmetodoeverythingsofarandIhopeitcontinues.Asfortheclub,Iknowtheywanttokeep

improving,they’vegotafantasticsetupwiththeyouthandagreatenvironmentaroundtheclub.Theworkethicandthewayeveryoneconductsthemselvesisbrilliant,wehaveahighexpectationofeachotherandthattranscendsontothepitch.

9

FBF40Large Feather

850

InDecember2009wewereinthefinalplanningstagestointroduceBoys’Brigadeasanextensionofthechildren’sworkwithinthechurchwhichthenlaunchedinJanuary2010

workingwithboysaged5-11.TheBoys’BrigadeisaChristian

youthorganisationthatis129yearsold,formedbyanarmyofficertoprovideactivitiesforboysandyoungmentoencouragethemoffofthestreetsandgivingthemsomepurposefulactivitiessothattheyarerecognisedfortheirachievements,withitallbeingunderpinnedbyChristianfaith.Asisthewaywithorganisationswitha

longpast,thestyleandthoughtsarewhatpeopleremember–BBissynonymouswithhavingbuglebands,drillingandmarchingandfunnypillboxhats.Althoughtheobjectivesarestillthesame,theactivitieswecandoareonlylimitedbyourimaginationandpracticalities,withaprogrammebuiltonPhysical,Mind,Interests,CommunityandDevotional.

HavingBBinthechurchhasgivenustheopportunitytotakepartinlocalcompetitionssuchasfootball,uni-hocandindoorgamesandalsonationaleventswheretheQueen’sJubileeMessageBatonstoppedatourfamilypicnicenroutefromBalmoraltotheannualleadersmeetinginSeptember.BBhasafamilythatstretchesacrosstheUKandbeyondacrosstheworld,soit’sknowingthattheboysarepartofsomethingthatisn’tjustaMondaynightinEmsworth.Wealsotakepartandrepresent

ourchurchinEmswortheachyearattheRemembranceSundayParadealongwiththeotheruniformedyouthorganisationsintheareaandIthinktherearegoingtobemanyotheropportunitiestogetinvolvedwiththecommunityviatheextensionofBBinourchurch.Forme,beingintheprivilegedposition

tohelpleadourBBworkexcitesme,aswithoutBBIwouldnothavebeenabletoexperiencesomanydifferentopportunitiesasIgrewup–learning

EnhancingThe Community

10

myCHURCH

FBF40Large Feather

850

‘ ’

skills,playinggames,trips,camping,expeditionsandmuchmore.SinceIbecamealeadersome13yearsagotheexperienceshaveadifferentimpactandslantbutarealsolifeaffecting;includinghelpingontrainingcoursesandworkingwithBBgroupsasfarawayasTobagointheCaribbean.ByfarandawaythebiggestimpactonmylifeisthatwithoutBBIwouldnotbeinthechurchtodayandhavethefaithIhave.StartingBBpavedthewayforfurther

extensiontoworkwithgirlsthroughtheGirls’Brigadeanditisexcitingtoseehowinlessthan2yearswehaveathrivingandgrowingGBgroupaswell.

“The Boys’ Brigade core values give our community kids a great chance to build authentic lives that will make a difference as they grow up”

Mondays 6:30-7:45

GIRLS' Brigade

BOYS' Brigade

11

WhenIwas17yearsoldmycircleoffriendswerediscussingwhatcareerthey

wantedtopursueaftertheyhadfinishedstudying.IcausedsomeamusementbysayingthatIwantedtodomathematics.“What,becomeaprofessionalmathematician?”oneofthemwhowaslatertobecomeacompanydirectorasked.Itsoundedstrangeatthetimeandcontainedmorethanahintofsarcasm,yetthatstatementexactlydescribedmycareerpathtodate.IwenttoUniversity,likeditthere,andneverleft.Today,IlectureinmathematicsanditsbusinessapplicationsatalocalUniversity.

Myjobisdividedintotwomaintasks.ThefirstistoteachmathematicsandhowitcanbeusedtosolveproblemstoUniversitystudents.Ithasbeenagreatprivilegetoteachoverathousandstudentsfrommanydifferentbackgroundsandnationsoverthepastfifteenyears.Probablythegreatestsatisfactionistoworkwithsomebodywhoishavingdifficultyunderstandingsomethinguntiltheycanmasteritanduseit.TheothergoodpointistobeabletoseethegrowthoftheyoungpeoplefromwhentheyfirstarriveatUniversitytothepointatwhichtheycrossthegraduationstagetoreceivetheirdegree.ThisisparticularlypoignantifIknowtheyhavestruggledtoovercomesomechallengingpersonalcircumstancesduringthecourseoftheirstudies.Thesecondpartofmyjobis

toresearchnewapplicationsofmathematics.Inresponsetoafrequentlyaskedquestion,yesmathematicsisstillevolvingandnewmathematicsequationsarebeing

‘ ’“What, become a professional mathematician?”

Despitethenervouslaughsandobligatorystatementsabout“neverbeingmuchgoodatmathsatschool”(Iwillletyouintoasecret–neitherwasIforquitefewyears)IgetwhenItellpeoplewhatIdo,Iactuallyenjoymathematicsandtheinsightitgivesintothewaythingsarounduswork.

Solving Problems and Affecting Lives

12

myCHURCH

proposedallthetime.AsIworkontheapplicationsofmathematicsIgetinvolvedinsomeinterestingrealworldstudiessuchashelpinghospitalmanagersunderstandtheflowofpatientsintheirwards;workingouthowthenewrenewableenergysourcescanbedeliveredatareasonablecost;andworkingoutwhichtypeofpeoplearelikelytogotothecinemamoreoften.Again,thejobsatisfactionhereliesinknowingthatIhaveusedmathematicstomakeadifferencetothewaythingsaredone.Anotherquestionsometimesasked

isifIfeelanyconflictbetweenbeingascientistandmyChristianfaith.Theanswerisno,Ihaveneverpersonallyfeltanyconflict.IseescientificresearchasfindingoutaboutthecomplexityandwonderofGod’screation.Thebeauty

andsymmetryofmathematicspointmetowardsacreatorGodratherthanawayfromHim.IalsoseethesharingofinformationandeducatingofothersasaChristianactofservicewhichIshouldtryanddotothebestofmyability.Soasafinalthought,toallthose

readerswhoareconsideringpursuingacareerinscienceandmathematics–IcannotandshouldnotmakecareerchoicesforyoubutIcansaythatformeithasprovidedafulfillingandvariedcareerdoingwhatIfeelIhavebeencalledtodoinlife.Giveitseriousthoughtasacareeroption.

Dr Dylan Jones

Solving Problems and Affecting Lives

13

Sometimestheonlyplaceyoucangetafewminutesto‘composeyourthoughts’isat37,000feet.That’snotacomplaint,lifejustturnedoutthatway

forme.Ifeelveryblessed,eveninthefaceoflife’schallenges.GodhasplacedmeinaterrificallysupportivefamilyandatremendousChurchenvironment.Withbackuplikethat,youcantacklemostsituations.

Family,friends,andchurch–sometimestheyoverlapwithmywork,andthat’sterrific.Itwasagreatprivilegechattingtothe‘PamperedLadies’inOctoberattheir‘PamperDay’,aswellastheprivilegeofassistingsomeofthemostbeautiful‘blushing’brides.Thisismy33rdyearwithinthe

beautyindustry.IwasinauguratedafterstudyingArtinCalifornia.Bygrace,Ihadasuperbintroductionintotheindustry,whenLancômelaunchedintotheUSmarket.Ifoundthewatercolor

The Beautiful Life

14

paletteandthemakeuppaletteweren’tthatdifferent.Yearsofsketching,painting,sculpting,anddesigninghaveallcometohandasabeautystylist.Myjourneysincethenhastakenme

backstage,onlocationandstudiotostudio.Greatfun.Greatblessing.Youdoliveinsuspensehowever,waitingtohearwhat’snextonyourschedule.48hours’noticeisprettynormal!That’snoteveryone’staste,butispartofthejob.Despitetheearlystarts,longdays

andfrequentunusualrequests,

Iwouldn’ttradeforanotheroccupation.GodsteeredmehereandGodknewthiscareerwouldsuitmecompletely.Iamgrateful.

Dani spiceley

The Beautiful Life

15

myCHURCH

MynameisJennyandI’vebeenapartofNewLifefornearly5yearsitsurprised

metorealise,whenIstartedwritingthis.ImovedtotheareafromLondon(andAfricajustbeforethat)totakeajobinPortsmouthasaConsultantinCommunityPaediatrics.Itwasaverydifferentenvironment/wayoflifeformeandNewLifewasabigpartofmefeelingIhadfounda“home”.Myworkcovers3mainaspects.The

firstiswithkids(0-19)withdisabilities/problemswiththeirdevelopmentfromAutismtoCerebralPalsy/MuscularDystrophy.SoIamoftenthefirstonetoconfirmfamilies’worstfearsthattheirchildisnotrightandIhavetoleadthemthroughtheprocessofdiagnosis,tryingtotreadthefinelinebetween“callinga

spadeaspade”andnotleavingthemwithouthope.Thiscanincludegivingalife-threateningdiagnosisandIamalltooawarethatthisislikelytomeanafamily’slifeturnsupsidedown.Theseareoftenconditionswherewecanoffertreatments/approachestoimprovequalityoflife(myroleistoco-ordinatecarewitheducation/social“services”etc)butno“cure”ormagicanswer.ThesecondpartofmyworkisinChildProtectionwhichmeanstakingreferralsfrompolice,socialcareandotherhealthprofessionals(oftenalertedbyschoolsetc)whereachildisthoughttohavebeenabusedinwhateverform.Thethirdpartofmyworkisrelatedtothisandislookingafterthehealthofchildrenincare(i.e.fostered,inchildren’shomes,lookedafterbyrelativesoncareordersbecauseofabuse).So,youarenowasking,whyon

earthdoIdothisandhowdoIstaysane(ish!)?Theanswerissimple

Hope for the Forgotten

16

myCHURCH

–IbelieveinaGodwholoves,unconditionally.AGodwhoisgoodandunchanging,andhasalwaysbeenanamazingFathertome,aGodwhoknowsjusthowinadequateIamtogivetheanswerstothese“impossible”situationsbutwhoistheonewhoseesthoseinpain,brokenand“forgotten”byothers.JesusquotedthesefamousversesfromIsaiah61intheOldTestament;“TheSpiritoftheLordGodisuponMe,becauseTheLordhasanointedMetobringcomforttothebroken-hearted,toproclaimlibertytothecaptives,recoveryofsightfortheblind,freedomforthoseoppressed...tobeavoiceforthevoiceless..,tocomfortthosewhomourn...”Tome,theonesdescribedinthoseversesarethechildrenIhavetheprivilegeofworkingwith.AsChristianswebelievewereceivethesameessenceorSpiritofGod–whichsureistheonlywayI

havetobringhopeandcomforttothesechildren,andthewisdomtoknowwhathelptobringandtheenergytoadvocateforthosewhoareoftenthemostmarginalisedinourcommunities.SoIpraythe“helpmeGod”prayeroften!So,wheredoesNewLifefigurein

this?Likemanyofus,Icansometimesgetwrappedupinseeinghowbigtheproblemsare,andgrounddownby“life”–IlovecomingtoNewLifeandbeingremindedofhowbigandgoodGodis,ofHisabundantloveforme(whetherbyhangingoutchattingovercoffee,singingalongorlisteningtothemessages);it’sahuge,happyfamily,fromallwalksoflife(includingsomeofthekidsIworkwith)onajourneytogether,discoveringGod,lifeandloveandwhatthatmeansintheeveryday.So,comeandtakealook;andfeelfreetoaskmemore!

Dr Jenny

Hope for the Forgotten‘ ’‘I believe in a God who loves, unconditionally’

17

It’sFridaynight,7:30pmandthereisaBuzzintheair,andthistimeit’snotbecauseyouthneedsareatthecentreoftheshow,butbecausetheywanttoliveforsomethingthat’sbigger

thanhangingout,partyingorfollowingthelatestfashiontrends.

AsIstandinourYouthGathering,surroundedbyaround100youngpeople,bandplaying,loudsingingandlightsflashing,IfeelexcitedaboutthefutureofthisYouthCongregation.

It’sbeensuchagreatyear.InFebruarywehadourWinterfestCampandwecamearmedwithnon-perishablefoodtodonatetothelocalFoodKitchen.Itwas3daysand2nightsofGo-Karting,AssaultCourses,Sports,Workshops,Inspirationaltalksandlittlesleep.TheninJuly,SummerCamphitus

withfullforce.ItwastheOlympicshereintheUKsowehostedourveryownOlympics.Wesplitthecampersintodifferentteams,representingdifferentcountries.Iwillneverforgethowthequietestcampersturnedinto

Not Just the FUTURE

Every Friday at 7.30pm

11–18

’

18

myCHURCH

competitive,torchbearing,yelling,teammembers.Sowhydowedoallthis?Youth

Gatherings,MexicanNights,SummerCamps,MovieNights,Fundraising.Whydowemeetinsmallgroupseveryweek?Becausethesebeautifulpeoplearenotjustthefuture,theyarethepresent.Thisgroupofgiftedanddiversepeoplearenotjustthefutureofthechurch;theyarethechurchrightnow!Andwiththesepeoplearound,thefutureisbright.

Esther Ellis

Not Just the FUTURE

‘ ’‘they are the future world shapers right now!’

19

nextbestlatestthing.TheconsumerquestionhereintheWestis‘howcanwegetpeoplewhoalreadyhaveeverything,tokeepbuyingthingstheydon’treallyneed?’IsupposewhenIreflectonourworkinGhanaandinthethirdworld,it’snotjustthefactthattheyneedourmoney,it’sthefactthatweneedtodowhatisright.IntheWestmoneycanbecomeourdrivingforceandwecanneglectthethingsinlifethataremoreimportant,suchasfamily,faithandfriendships;butinmanypartsoftheworldthelackofmoneystopschildren’spotentialtobecomeflourishinghumanbeings.OneofCompassion’smottoesis’Live simply so others may simply live’,somaybeourlifestylesandlevelsofconsumptiondoneedtochange.Thisyear’scomingChristmashangoversandillustriousgiftlistscouldbereplacedbymakingadifferenceinchildren’slivesandareasofourworldwhereitreallymatters.Thesponsorshipmoney,whichis

around£21amonth,helpssupplyeducational,medical,spiritualandnutritionalrelief.Prettygoodfor

Mysuitcaseandmosquitorepellentarepackedandinacoupleofdays’Iam

flyingouttoGhana.OverthelastcoupleofyearsIhavebeenpartofamovecalledCompassionInternational,acharitythatexiststoliftchildrenoutofextremepoverty.MembersofNewLifeChurchare

currentlysponsoringnearlytwohundredchildrenfromtwovillagesinGhana,whichare62kmnortheastoftheCapeCoast.TheyounggirlmyfamilysponsoriscalledGraceandsheiseightyearsold–herparentsaresubsistencefarmersandearnaround£4amonth.AlthoughwearethrilledthatwecansponsorachildinAfrica,wefeelequallyblessedormaybeevenmoreblessedthatwehavetheopportunitytobeabletogive.HereinBritainweliveinabubbleofconsumersovereignty,wherethegoaloflifeseemstobetogetasmuchaspossible,asquicklyaspossible,thendisposeofitandgetthe

Compassion

20

myCHURCH

aroundjust70paday!Othergiftscanalsobesentand

areoftenusedtostartsmallmicrobusinessesandgivethepeopleasmallopportunitytoriseabovedailyhardship.DespiteGhana’sgrowingeconomy

andpoliticalstability,povertyremainspervasive,leavingchildrenvulnerabletomalnutrition,malaria,andHIV/AIDS.Ghanaisalsoasource,transitanddestinationcountryforchildrentraffickedforsexualexploitationandforcedlabour.Althoughourmoneyisbeingusedeffectively,oftenit’sthelocalchurchesonthegroundthatmakesurethecoreneedsinthecommunityarebeingmet.GraceChurch(ourpartnerinGhana),overseenbyPastorSamuelKwakuNyarko,supplementsthechildren’sschoolingthroughprovisionofschoolfees,educationalmaterialsandworkskills.PartofthereasonforthevisittoGhanaistoseeifthereareanyotherwaysinwhichwecanengagewithandservethelargerlocalcommunityasawhole,whichisaround2,400people.

Matt Warren

Compassion ‘ ’‘Live simply so others may simply live’

if you wish to engage with Compassion and sponsor a child in one of the local

communities or further afield please go to www.compassionuk.org

ARTICLE CONTINUES...21

HereisarecentstoryofthedifferenceyoucanmakethroughCompassion.

heart surgery restOres BOy’s hOPes

JamesAblorKpabiisnowtenyearsoldandwhenhewasbornhelookednormalandwell.Evenuptoagetwowhenhewasfallingillonandoff,hisparentsneversuspectedthatitwasalifethreateningcondition.Hisfather,MichaelKpabi,alabourer,spentalmosteverythingheearnedonhospitalbills.ToaddtohispainthedoctorsnevertoldMichaelwhatwaswrongwithhisson,theyjustkeptevadinghisquestions.AllCompassionchildrenhave

periodichealthscreeningandtheteamsuspectedthatJameshadaproblemwithhisheart.HewasreferredtoahospitalforintensiveexaminationandwasdiagnosedwithVentricularSeptalDefect(VSD),commonlycalled‘HoleintheHeart’.Jameshadsuccessfulsurgeryon5th

October2009andby22ndOctoberhe

wasabletoreturnhome.Heisnowashealthyaseverynormalten-year-oldboyshouldbe.ThesurgeryhasfreedJames

fromchestpain,breathlessnessanddizzinessthatheusedtoexperience.Hecannowplayfootballwithhisfriendsanddomanybasichouseholdchoresandhasthehopetolive,agreaterchancetogrow,developandcompletetheChildDevelopmentthroughSponsorshipProgramme.Thetotalcostofthesurgerywas

approx.$14,419.72.TheGhanagovernmentsubsidisedwith$7,411.52andCompassionfundedtherestofthebillamountingto$8,186.00.TherewasnowaytheKpabifamilycouldhaveraisedthesum.James’fatherisoverwhelmedby

whatCompassionhasdoneforthem.“Wethoughtwewouldloseoursonbutwecouldnotdoanything.ButCompassioncametosavehimandtodayheishealthy.WethankCompassion,thechurch,theprojectworkersandallthosewhogavethemoneyfortheoperation.”

... ARTICLE CONTINUES

22

AFRICA

GHANA

myCHURCH

‘ ’‘We thought we would lose our son but we could not do anything.’

23

ChurCh Calendar deceMBer 2012 – nOveMBer 2013

noveMBer – deCeMBer 2012Ladies’ChristmasDinner 1Men’sChristmasDinner 8YouthChristmasCelebration 14CandlelightService 21ChristmasServices–9:30and11:30 23ChristmasDayService 25

FeBruary 2013Winterfest(YouthConference) 15–18PartnershipEvening 27

MarCh 2013Replenish(Ladies’Conference) 15–17

aPril 2013PartnershipEvening 17

May 2013United(Men’sConference) 31May–2June

June 2013PartnershipEvening 19

July 2013Replenish(Ladies’Meeting) 4Music4 14SummerCamp 24–29

oCtoBer 2013PartnershipEvening 2KidsParty 31

noveMBer 2013SpanishEvening 2

24

e

Replenish Twenty 13

Your Heart, My Home15 - 17 March“So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith”Ephesians 3:17

LADIES’ CONFERENCEYOUTH EVENT

YOUTH EVENT

Replenish Twenty 13

Your Heart, My Home15 - 17 March“So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith”Ephesians 3:17

LADIES’ CONFERENCE

31 May – 2 June

UNITEDMEN’S CONFERENCE

2013

HAVANT

EMSWORTH SOUTHBOURNE

To Thorney Island

Church Entrance

Car Park

TO PORTSMOUTH A27 TO CHICHESTER

A259

THO

RN

EY RO

AD

A259

sunday9:30amand11.30am

Kids ChurchSunday9:30amand11.30am

reviveUK (youth)Friday6:30pm

WeeklyServicesNewLifeChristianChurch

viaThorneyRdEmsworthHampshirePO108BN

Tel:01243371893Email:info@nlccuk.org

web:www.newlifechurch.me

Candlelight service:Friday21stDecemberat7pmChristmas Day service:11am-12noon

Sunday 23rd December, 9.30am & 11.30am

Christmas Services

...including refreshments, nativity play and live music.