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www.hopechurchipswich.net July/August 2012 HopeChurch Ipswich Relational Mission Spotlight on Kids Work God in action - Retief Uys and Phil Baker InHope 18-30s weekend Away

InHope July/August 2012

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Page 1: InHope July/August 2012

www.hopechurchipswich.net

July/August 2012 HopeChurchIpswich

Relational MissionSpotlight on Kids WorkGod in action - Retief Uys and Phil Baker

InHope

18-30s weekend Away

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InHope July/Aug 2012

Welcome to Hope Church Ipswich. We believe that church is about God and His people. We welcome people of all ages and backgrounds to join us as we celebrate and share God’s love. Whether you are with us for the first time or have been coming for a few weeks, it’s great to have you with us.

Who We Are. Hope Church is a group of ordinary people of every age and many different backgrounds. Some have only recently started seeking Jesus while others have been Christians for many years. While still remaining diverse we do have some significant things in common:

• We have found the person of Jesus to be the answer to our deepest needs.• We have become committed both to him and to one another.• We love the Bible and God’s presence and look to experience both whenever we meet on Sundays and in Small Groups during the week.

We are part of Newfrontiers, a growing family of 600 churches on five continents. We are also a member of the Evangelical Alliance UK.

Where We Are Going. We want to build a significant church that demonstrates and declares the certain hope that can be found in Jesus (hence the name), that loves one another and serves the Waterfront community and Ipswich. We are on a big adventure together where ‘every life counts’ and everyone is involved.

Our Elders:

Steve Jay

Maurice Nightingale

New here? Please pick up our

“Are you new here?” brochure and say

hello to one of the Welcome

Team.

It doesn’t matter if the sun shines or not… God is ALWAYS Good! Welcome to this bumper summer edition of our church magazine! There is so much going on in July and August that you can find out about inside. Read it, give it to your friends & neighbours, take it on holiday, or leave a copy at your GP surgery… Whatever you do simply use it as a way of raising the profile of all the exciting things happening in our church family. Whatever the weather God keeps transforming lives,Blessings STEVE JAY

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InHope July/Aug 2012AT HOPE ON SUNDAYS

InvolveInvolve

It’s something we all like to feel and something we want for everyone who visits, attends and joins Hope Church Ipswich. This is increasingly challenging as our church

family continues to grow and is a vital part of fulfilling our Vision and the Great Commission!

Equipping Evening for all in Welcome-Related Roles on Tuesday 10 Julyfrom: 7.30-9.30pm in the auditorium (coffee, tea & biscuits will be provided)

This is for: - everyone involved in any aspect of Welcome (coordinators, welcome, connect, involve, welcome lead) - all small group leaders - all who ‘anchor’ meetingsThe purpose is to: - ensure we are all ‘joined up’ on Sundays, across all roles - equip new members of the overall welcome function in their roles - refresh and update existing team members (some of the content of various roles have changed)The evening will include: - training specific to various roles - hearing about the bigger picture of running excellent Sundays - our shop window on the world!

An updated Welcome manual with accompanying slides will be available and will also be emailed around after the evening.Thank you! Justin Smith & Mark Crawley

We all want Hope to be the friendliest and most welcoming church it can be, for everyone who visits to feel loved and part of what we do and for people to be inspired to join us in building a God-glorifying church in Ipswich.

Viisit the Welcome Area on Sundays to do things like:

- sign up for the next Welcome Lunch- find out about Alpha, Tots, Kidz Klub, Oasis, Football or any of our regular ministries- find your nearest Small Group- get an introduction to someone in the church- buy a recommended book- find out what’s going on

WELCOME AREA Lets all be involved...

Join the Involve Team. For details email [email protected] , speak to Justin Smith or come and say hello to the team on a Sunday.

WELCOME!

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InHope July/Aug 2012 AT HOPE ON SUNDAYS

Search Youth4Hope – Hope Church Ipswich

on Facebook for more info

In term time 6.00-7.30pm At the Orwell CentreOptional cost £1July 7th & 20thTable football, DVDs, Competitions, Songs, Pool, Craft, Table tennis, and more!Bring your friends

Trevor: 07876578973 or 01473 233176

k i d s w o r k o n S u n d a y sWe have children’s activities between 11.00 and 12.15 for children ages 0 - 11. Please take your children downstairs to the labelled rooms when the announcement is made, sign them in, and come back at 12.15 to sign them out. Throughout the summer holidays we have all age activities on Sundays, this year we will be looking at animals of the bible.

Baby Bubbles meet in a supervised creche with a variety of toys. Each week we have a story time , snacks and a craft. Parents can either sign in and stay with their children or leave them in the care of the children's workers.

Bubbles is for ages 3 to starting year 1 at school. After registration we have a fun time together learning about Jesus. This involves story, craft, singing, talking together, refreshments and more!

School yrs 1-6 Splash and Xtreme meet in MR1. Every week we have varied activities including Bible teaching and application-praise-worship-prayer-memory verse-games-craft-drama-refreshments and lots of fun! We occasionally split the group into two for the teaching time.

Ages 1-3

Ages 3-5

School years 1-6

F r i d a y F o r n i g h t l y

ages 5-11

kidzKlub

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InHope July/Aug 2012AT HOPE ON SUNDAYS

School Years 7-11 (Ages 11-16)

Why not come along and join in the fun as we learn about our awesome God, our Sunday group meets downstairs; we go down just before the sermon and finish around 12:15. In this time we do a bible

study, currently following our series on the foundations of Christianity. Once a month we also do a ‘Grill a Christian’ in which a member of the church comes down with

us to be grilled by our young people. (Those aged 15-16 are not required to come down but may if they would like) Speak to Shaun

and Megan Clarke for more details.

School Years7-13 (Ages 11-18)

At various places in IpswichOn Tuesdays we meet to do topical

bible studies, have fellowship time, play games and do social events. We also

have monthly praise and prayer events where we worship God and pray for

each other and the town. We sometimes split the group into years 7-9 and years

10-13 to do more age appropriate studies and activities. Please speak

to Jon and Hannah Alston for more details.

Newday Aug 13th – Aug 19th

Ages 12-19 Norfolk Showground, Norwich

As part of the Newfrontiers family we meet up with other churches for a week

in which we learn about God, making friends and helping others on outreach projects in the area. The cost for this is

£130 plus food and travel money to be arranged at a later date.

For more information and to book contact

Jon and Hannah Alston

Sundays

Tuesdays

Search Youth4Hope – Hope Church Ipswich

on Facebook for more info

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InHope July/Aug 2012 AT HOPE ON SUNDAYS

Ruth discovered that the right person can change everything. This is a series of preaches that deals with HOPE - singleness, decisions, discouragement, rejection, relationships, faithfulness, and restoration. No different than the story of many of us, and the preferred future God has for us in Jesus Christ. Join us for seven weeks as we look into one of the shortest stories in the Bible and gain new perspective into your own story as we see God’s bigger plans for transforming our lives, our families and our communities. For every person that has worked hard, experienced set-backs, wonders what life holds or just thought that they would be somewhere else in life, this series is for you.

24 Jun 1. Transformation (Ruth 1:1-16 It’s My Life Isn’t It?)

01 Jul 2. Transformation (Ruth 1:16-22 Decisions)

08 Jul 3. Transformation (Ruth 2:1-10 God’s Grace)

15 Jul 4. Transformation (Ruth 2:10-23 God’s Provision)

22 Jul 5. Transformation (Ruth 3:1-18 Making Plans & Trusting God)

29 Jul 6. Transformation (Ruth 4:1-11 Restored)

05 Aug 7. Transformation (Ruth 4:12-22 God’s Plans)

12 Aug Visitors passage (To Be Confirmed)

19 Aug Visitors passage (To Be Confirmed)

26 Aug Visitors passage (To Be Confirmed)

preaching series

Ruth: The Transforming Power of Redeeming Love

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InHope July/Aug 2012AT HOPE ON SUNDAYSPlease check the Hope Church website and facebook page for updates and more information.Events in June

We will be travelling by train from Ipswich at approx. 10am and arriving back at approx. 5pm. ( details to follow)

We went last year and had a great time on the beach, sea, sports, and pier amusements!The cost this year will be - adults £7.70 - children £1 return.If you wanted to drive and meet us there , that would be fine.We ask that at least one parent/guardian per family group is present to be responsible for your child's safety and to join in the fun!Please bring a packed lunch with you.

Please indicate your interest or questions to Trevor Ford , with numbers coming to [email protected] or 07876578973

Kidzklub invites you all to join with them on their outing to Walton on the Naze on Saturday July 7th.

We will be travelling by train from Ipswich at approx. 10am and arriving back at approx. 5pm. ( details later )

We went last year and had a great time on the beach,sea,sports, and pier amusements!

The cost this year will be --adults £7.70----children £1 return.

If you wanted to drive and meet us there , that would be fine.

We ask that at least one parent/guardian per family group is present to be responsible for your child's safety and to join in the fun!

Please bring a packed lunch with you.

Please indicate your interest or questions to Trevor Ford , with numbers coming to [email protected] or 07876578973

Kidzklub  invites you all to join with them on their outing to Walton on the Naze on Saturday July 7th.

Kidzklub invites you all to join with them on their outing to Walton on the Naze on Saturday July 7th.

We will be travelling by train from Ipswich at approx. 10am and arriving back at approx. 5pm. ( details later )

We went last year and had a great time on the beach,sea,sports, and pier amusements!

The cost this year will be --adults £7.70----children £1 return.

If you wanted to drive and meet us there , that would be fine.

We ask that at least one parent/guardian per family group is present to be responsible for your child's safety and to join in the fun!

Please bring a packed lunch with you.

Please indicate your interest or questions to Trevor Ford , with numbers coming to [email protected] or 07876578973

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InHope July/Aug 2012

Oasis Club have a Summer Outing in-House!! 

18th July. 10am - 4pm @ The Orwell Centre.

Day will start with tea/coffee and homemade biscuitsWe have a Special Artist from Paris!! and she will be teaching us how to paint on canvas.There is a thought for the day.Lunch is Fish and Chips.An outside entertainer to sing us the old time songs of 30/40/50'sFinish the day with tea/coffee and cakesCost for the day £12The Club Starts up again in September 2nd & 4th Wednesday in each monthSo if you are over 60 and want to join us please book in and find out more

Susan Cornish 07702420361

Events in June

Child Protection Training Tuesday 17th July

To All Children’s, Youth and Tots Leaders and Helpers (if you help out with Baby Bubbles, Bubbles, Splash, Xtreme, Tots or Youth this means you!)

We are holding an evening of Child Protection Training delivered by Jaqcui Wilkinson on behalf of Young Suffolk (quality assured and endorsed by Suffolk local Safeguarding Board). From 7.30pm to 10pm at Hope Church (in the auditorium) To bring everyone up to date with the new Child Protection Policy and to help equip us to safeguard the children and youth who come to Hope Church! It is important that we get everyone involved in kids/youth work through the training so please register for the event by emailing [email protected] We will send out confirmation and the training application form to everyone attending in due course.

Julia Jolley

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InHope July/Aug 2012

GETTING CONNECTED

If you would like to get to know the heart of our church, our vision and values, why not join us?Our new members course starts in September.

3 consecutive Sundays over lunch.

Please book with the Office 01473 233176

September

SINGLES – MEAL (free) Wed 5 Sep - Equip: Singles Sat 8 Sep - Event: Men

Fri 14 Sep - Equip: Marrieds Wed 19 Sep - Equip: Parenting Teens

Sat 22 Sep - Event: Ladies Fri 28 Sep - Event: Day of Prayer

Sun 30 Sep - Event: Student Freshers

Equipping

Men’s Get Together Wednesday 25 July at 1930

A walk and then stumble into pub after that.

Meet at ‘The Fountain’ in Tuddenham, have a leisurely walk through the fields (bring wellies or shoes that can get grubby), and then return to The Fountain for a pint or two afterwards.

Bondi Macfarlane

SINGLES Equipping Meal Wed 5th Sep at a Waterfront Eatery!

Beware! This evening meal carries a cultural health & safety warning – it will be intentionally dangerous. How to be MAD (Make a Difference) - Debunk what’s beautiful & what’s not? Romance… Relationships… and other risky stuff! See the effects of an increasingly Jesus-centred, purposeful, positive peer-community. At a restaurant very near the waterfront! Venue to be announced!

Please contact the office on 01473 233176 to book in for any of the equipping events

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InHope July/Aug 2012 FEATURES

Parent and toddler playgroup.

£1.50 per session per child.

Mondays (term-time) 10.00am - 11.30am 11.30pm - 13.00pmTuesdays (term-time) 10.00am - 11.30am 13.00pm - 14.30pm Thursdays (term-time) 10.00am - 11.30am

Parking: Free at rear of Orwell Centre with disabled access.Only 3 mins walkfrom Waterfront & University Speak to Rachael Crawley01473 233176

Orwell Centre Tots

eat crafts sing play noise run ride toys

www.hopechurchipswich.net 01473 233176 114 Fore Hamlet IP3 8AF

only 3 mins walk from Waterfront & University

Orwell Centre Tots

eat crafts sing play noise run ride toys

www.hopechurchipswich.net 01473 233176 114 Fore Hamlet IP3 8AF

only 3 mins walk from Waterfront & University

Orwell Centre Tots

eat crafts sing play noise run ride toys

www.hopechurchipswich.net 01473 233176 114 Fore Hamlet IP3 8AF

only 3 mins walk from Waterfront & University

Orwell Centre Tots

eat crafts sing play noise run ride toys

www.hopechurchipswich.net 01473 233176 114 Fore Hamlet IP3 8AF

only 3 mins walk from Waterfront & University

Tots

5-A-SIDE FOOTBALL

9pm to 10pm every ThursdayAt Northgate Sports CentreIP4 3DL£2 entry

Speak to Paul Goldring

STUDENT LUNCHES

A free hot lunch every sunday for students who know that any free meal is always a good idea.

Meet after our main Sunday meetings at the Welcome area.

Regular

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InHope July/Aug 2012FEATURES

IPSWICH SOUP KITCHEN

Each night of the week from 8pm till 9pm, a group of 4 plus people go down to the town centre with sandwiches, soup and drinks for those in need. Hope Church helps out with this on a fortnightly basis, on Saturdays, 4pm—9pm and are currently recruiting volunteers. Please speak to Colin Smith if you would like to help out in any way.

Teams for soup kitchen this month:7th July— Paul Cherry & Small Group21st July— Rachel Cutts & Small Group4th August— Justin Smith & Small Group18th August— Non Small Group volunteers please1st September— Non Small Group volunteers please

If you would like to help on either 18/08 or 01/09 please speak to Colin Smith

Events

HOPE FOOD HAMPEREvery month we put a food hamper together that goes out to someone in need.Every 2nd Sunday is the collection for the hamper but you are welcome to bring your contribution all through the month. For more info please speak to Kev Colbear or Di Majdalani

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InHope July/Aug 2012

1000-1300 Tots

1000-1300 Tots

1000-1300 Tots

1000-1300 Tots

1000-1300 Tots

1000-1430 Tots

1000-1430 Tots

1000-1430 Tots

1000-1430 Tots

1000-1430 Tots

19.15 Alpha Course Coffeelink

19.15 Alpha CourseCoffeelink

Oasis

Oasis

Oasis

Oasis

Calen

dar July/A

ugu

st 2012Events at O

rwell Centre unless otherw

ise stated

1000-1130 Tots2100 Football, IP4 3DL

1000-1130 Tots2100 Football, IP4 3DL

1000-1130 Tots2100 Football, IP4 3DL

2100 Football, IP4 3DL

1000-1130 Tots2100 Football, IP4 3DL

2100 Football, IP4 3DL

2100 Football, IP4 3DL

2100 Football, IP4 3DL

2100 Football, IP4 3DL

2100 Football, IP4 3DL

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Child Protection eve

Youth go to Newday Youth Newday Youth Newday Youth Newday

Oasis Summer Event

Mens Walk and Pub

Monday

Monday

Monday

Monday

Monday

Monday

Monday

Monday

Monday

Monday

Tuesday

Tuesday

Tuesday

Tuesday

Tuesday

Tuesday

Tuesday

Tuesday

Tuesday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Wednesday

Wednesday

Wednesday

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Wednesday

Wednesday

Wednesday

Wednesday

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Thursday

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Thursday

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Thursday

Thursday

Thursday

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InHope July/Aug 2012

1000-1130 Tots2100 Football, IP4 3DL

1000-1130 Tots2100 Football, IP4 3DL

1000-1130 Tots2100 Football, IP4 3DL

2100 Football, IP4 3DL

1000-1130 Tots2100 Football, IP4 3DL

2100 Football, IP4 3DL

2100 Football, IP4 3DL

2100 Football, IP4 3DL

2100 Football, IP4 3DL

2100 Football, IP4 3DL

1600-2100 Soup Kitchen

1600-2100 Soup Kitchen

1600-2100 Soup Kitchen

1600-2100 Soup Kitchen

1600-2100 Soup Kitchen

10.30 Hope Church

10.30 Hope ChurchHamper

10.30 Hope Church

10.30 Hope ChurchHamper

10.30 Hope ChurchBig Church Day Out

10.30 Hope Church

10.30 Hope Church

10.30 Hope Church

10.30 Hope Church12.30 Welcome Meal

10.30 Hope Church

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Youth go to Newday Youth Newday Youth Newday Youth Newday Youth return from Newday

KidzKlub Walton-on-the-Naze

New Members Course

12.30 Welcome Meal

Friday

Friday

Friday

Friday

Friday

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Big Church Day Out

Sunday

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Big Church Day Out

Sunday

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Big Church Day Out

Sunday

Sunday

Sunday

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InHope July/Aug 2012 FEATURES

Why did you decide to get involved and what is your vision for the kids work at Hope?I started working with children as a helper at our first church in 1980, they were running a holiday club and needed some help.I had only been a Christian for about 10 months, so it was good for me to get stuck into serving, I was really blessed.

In 1993 we joined Hope Church (Orwell Church in those days) and I wanted to carry on working with the children. As the years went by I felt the Lord began more and more to put children’s work on my heart and to see the work as a calling from Him.A few years ago I wondered if maybe the time had come to call it a day and to move on to something else, but since then the Lord has opened up lots more opportunities to serve Him in this area. (I think He was trying to tell me to carry on!)

Kids workJulia Jolley talks to Trevor Ford about his heart for the kids work at Hope Church

My vision for the kids work at Hope is to see more children reached with the good news about Jesus and to see them engage with Him in a fun environment.Also, I feel the Lord wants me to pass on the baton to future children’s workers and to see them released to serve Him in this crucial work. What do you enjoy most about kids work?I really love leading praise and worship with the kids, to see them

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InHope July/Aug 2012FEATURES

get excited about God and reach out to Him.Also, it has been a real blessing to see children grow up and go on with the Lord. Were you in a church children’s group when you were a child?I didn’t go to any church children’s group but my grandparents took me to their local Baptist chapel and to the Salvation Army in the summer holidays. They showed me the bible and taught me how to pray, my regular prayer in those days was “Lord, please make my school dinner’s edible.” (I couldn’t go out to play until I had finished!)

How was the Epic Weekend Away and what are you most excited about this year?It was really exciting to see the Lord at work at the Epic weekend last month, taking 10 kids from Ipswich. There were 100 children from across our region enjoyed a brilliant weekend of “living life to the full” (John 10 v 10 our weekend memory verse!). Learning about our awesome God, how he came to rescue us, equip us and send us on a mission! This was all mixed in between go-carting, fort making

and defending, spy mobile races, treasure hunting, barbeque, hot chocolate, awesome praise and worship, a wonderful creative prayer room, drama, 6 children giving their lives to Jesus, dozens more receiving the Holy Spirit, pictures from God, prayer to draw nearer to God and whole range of other issues, shelter making (we got soaked!), leaders gunging, leader’s challenge’s, Letton’s got talent, new friend’s and not much sleep!! It was also great to serve alongside other kid’s workers from across the region (I learn so much from them!).

I am really excited to see Kidzklub starting to take off since our day of prayer and leaflet drop. Our numbers are up to around 25 kids, mainly from outside church, many from the waterfront apartments. We enjoy table tennis, pool, table football, craft, great games, competitions, praise, bible DVD, discussions, prizes and lots of FUN!

Pick up a leaflet for more info and come and join us on our outing on July 7th? We have other exciting things planned for 2013 so watch this space!

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Can you talk us through your typical week?

Around 4.45am every morning Reuben crawls into bed with us. Jon and Malachi walk to school at 6.50am. Sam takes Reuben to pre-school but has Eliana with her every day, shops and cooks. As well as the usual jobs that go with being mum of little kids, Sam has dance rehearsals, Ladies Bible Studies, prayer meetings and teaches dance to pre-schoolers. About 8 Christian mums and kids also meet to do Bible stories, songs and games. Jon has a Year 3 class and teaches the whole school music. He has weekly Bible studies and is part of Blantyre Music Society. The boys have friends round to play, or we visit other families. On Sundays we go to the international church or Blood of Jesus church, led by Robert Maudzu. We are in

bed by 10 most nights, ready for the next early start. How did meeting Jesus change your lives?

SAM: He took away deep seated fears, brought peace to my family home, provided a focus and a hope amidst chaos, most of all - His love gradually radiated through me and set me free to be me, what amazing grace!

JON: To begin with, Jesus supported me through some tough times and I was overwhelmed by His love, but now it’s not just about getting my life sorted out, but about knowing Him, sharing His goals and letting him work through me.

Serving God in MalawiLucy Vines talked to Hope Church Members Jon and Sam Moss about life in Blantyre, Malawi.

Hope in Malawi

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InHope July/Aug 2012FEATURES

Was moving to a foreign country something you had dreamed of as children?

SAM: When I was about 15 I was at Stoneleigh Bible Week in the youth meeting where I responded to a call to those who wanted to say, like Isaiah, ‘Here I am send me’. I didn’t know where or when but the Lord was starting to prepare my heart. During various holiday times I was privileged to be part of church visits to the ‘developing world’ and my eyes and heart were opened to the wider world and the multi-faceted body of Christ in it.

JON: I was always open to the idea, and believe in keeping an open channel with God and following his lead. Sometimes being too determined to realise personal dreams

and ambitions can close the door to God’s better dreams for us.

How did God call you both to Malawi?

JON: We had talked and dreamed about living overseas before we were married and were open to being sent. Around October/ November 2003, I began to feel urgency about making plans. Orwell Church (now Hope) had links with Malawi but it seemed unlikely that a job might open up for me in Blantyre, however, whilst in conversation with a recruitment agent about Kampala he mentioned that he still had to prepare and an advert for a job in Blantyre. I knew the coincidence was too good to be anything other than God’s planning!

What are the best and worst things about living in Malawi with a young family?

SAM: A slower pace than UK, outdoor life with huge gardens, game parks and beautiful uncluttered landscape, wonderful sunshine and local people with a warm smile and ready greeting.Poverty is in your face and the responsibility of being people blessed with plenty is sometimes heavy. JON: Malawi really is a great place to bring up the children and is a very different lifestyle from UK (though I do miss the TV). Recently, economic problems in the country along with political protests made life much more stressful. Living with poverty and economic crisis on the doorstep brings many challenges and has forced us to trust ourselves and our family to God.

The Moss family arrive in England for a holiday on 17th July and are looking forward to seeing folk at church, other friends and family so say hi when you see them.

Hope in Malawi

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Retief Uys on how Jesus changed his heart and the course of his life.

I was born and grew up in South Africa. In 1994, when I was 12 years old, my father was shot dead by a black man. I got a real bad hatred for blacks and I wouldn’t even walk on the same side of the road as a black man. In my anger I wanted to kill as many blacks as possible when I grew up and I even made peace with the possibility that I’d end up in jail. My friends and I were in fights with blacks quite often and I built a lot of bombs. This resulted in me putting a hole in my leg and taking the skin off my hand. I also set our house on fire and damaging the swimming pool, which didn’t go down too well at home.

Amazingly, my life changed when I went to a church camp because a girl that I liked invited me along. I became a born again Christian on camp and my whole life was turned around. I don’t think anything else in a world could have changed me as much as Christ and the power of forgiveness. The only thing that saved me was God... no self remedy, no counselling, no mind belief, no mind over matter... God saved me. It felt like a massive weight off shoulders when I became a Christian and I was able to forgive the guy who murdered my dad.

In 2003 after College I came to England and joined the army. My Uncle was a paratrooper in the South African army and I always dreamt about becoming a soldier. I met Marscha, when she looked through the window of a house I shared with some South Africans when she came to visit a friend. I immediately fell in love with her and my heart was bouncing all over the place! She was not interested in me at all, but with pure determination and loads of chocolate (ice cream actually) it all fell in place! We got married on Aug 22 2008. On the 21st of Dec 2011 our beautiful baby boy was born and our world has never been the same before!) Zander is still in the process of teaching us patience, he is now almost six months old and we love him to bits!

When I look back I can see how my life would have been if I had continued to burn with anger for my father’s death, and I’m sure I would have ended in jail or worse. I’ve got lots of black friends today and they would never have known or guessed that I was once a racist. God has completely changed my life and its course, blessed me with his peace in place of my anger and given me a wonderful family.

RETIEF UYS

God

In A

ctio

n

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Phil Bakers on Experiencing the Unexpected1 of 2 – A loaded Toolbox

Being blessed with an enjoyable and excellent job, a good church life, falling in love and a stable situation, to be told I have bowel cancer in Nov 2010 came as a bit of a shock. Not all could be removed and I was given a clinical prognosis of an average 18-24 months life expectancy.

So how do you react? Anger? Blame God? Why me? What does the future now hold? When you are at a low ebb, what do you have in your ‘tool box’ to rely on?

I’ve been so fortunate to have grown up in a strong Christian home, become a Christian at an early age, filled with the Holy Spirit in my teens, and subsequently exposed to much sound Christian teaching over the following 40 years. Therefore my faith in a God who doesn’t let you down, always wants the best for you, and gives us all we need to cope with the present situation, was not knocked.

So some personal pointers:

Continually feed on God – read the bible, learn from others experiences, have a mindset to continually grow (especially when times seem good)

Reflect on what your faith is built on – facts, proving by experience, being involved with other Christians, relationships – you with God, you with others. It’s about you, personally – not how others look at you.

Have an unbounded perspective of God – That the God of all creation should love/knows/has a special place for little old me and I can communicate directly with Him - about everything.

18+ months later I can look back and say Gods provision in the past has enabled me to handle this unexpected experience and to reflect on His continuing wonderful grace to us .

PHIL BAKER

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The trip to the Netherlands was an opportunity to encourage the churches in the Relational Mission sphere – “to pray with their leaders, to eat their cheese and drink their beer”.

After the short hop to Harwich, and an easy ferry crossing, the team of Maurice, Jon, Justin plus 3 other East Anglian church leaders visited the centre and north of the Netherlands and the major port city of Rotterdam. We visited 4 churches, with strong signs of 3 church plants, plus other missional opportunities (notably Rotterdam has multi-plant potential).

Across the Channel

http://www.relationalmission.com/

MauriceNightingale

Justin Smith

JonAlston

The churches near Rotterdam: The church in Reeuwijk (ray-vik) punches above its weight for less than 80 members! Martien Kikkert and team reach out to the youth of the town with cage-football for the lads and several activities for girls. This regularly draws 100+ 8-16 year olds, and is proving to be a way to develop younger leaders.

In nearby Gouda, famous for its yummy cheese (much nicer in

Holland than from Tesco!) there is a joint effort with other churches to reach the Moroccan community with the love of the gospel via a kids club. The church has also refurbished a building, from which it runs a café, a workshop and a training room and runs a business which funds the church mission. It was a privilege to pray there and prophecy over the church as it looks to plant into Gouda and to grow its young leaders.

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In the central city of Utrecht, Jan Heida leads a small church reaching out to around 30 non-Christians in a pastoral setting, providing food and care. The team prayed into a prophecy Jan had received from Jeremy Hazell; a message of doors opening after 30 years of faithfulness.

After some yummy pancakes, we drove to the largest city in the north, Groningen. Leading the team and acting as apostolic delegate (for Mike Betts) in the Netherlands is Joop Bakker. The church gathers some 400 people via Dutch and International services. We were taken to the town of Assen 20 miles away and assembled on the town square to pray fervently. In the evening a young solicitor said God had been calling him to move to Assen. There was a sense of real momentum as prayer and prophetic direction unfolded, with many encouragements from the Holy Spirit to be bold and courageous and go into Assen.The next day in the south/west of the country we joined Gert Hijkoop at ‘The Winestock’ which gathers around 250 people in Berkel en Rodenrijs. Here the leaders are preparing the church for a plant into the giant multi cultural port of Rotterdam.

Rotterdam: As we prayed, words of wisdom came about the why, who, what, when of planting into the city. Rotterdam was pictured as a cherry being ‘bitten’ many times – we think this helped to confirm a small group/community approach on a district by district basis, with possible help from churches in the cluster.

After getting a 360 degree view from the 190m Euromast in Rotterdam, the 6 men from ‘Engeland’ joined our Dutch friends for prayer in a park. We felt a sense of responsibility for the city, and a young man called Jaroem told us how he had seen in a recent dream people coming to meet with God in that same park! A strong word of encouragement came that the Dutchmen had won the race in Jesus, and that now it is time to run the race, in Rotterdam.

What a trip – jolly banter in the confines of Maurice’s car and cabin-sharing on the ferry to the awe-inspiring times with God and his church in this country so nearby!

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Jon & Hannah AlstonThis is the youth group! We currently cover ages 12-18 and want to divide into two groups – 12-14 and 15-18. We’re looking for people who have a heart for young people to come and help us achieve this! Of course, we’re also busy having fun and learning together to trust God that He loves us in Christ!Tuesday evenings. Orwell Centre & Central Ipswich07748 188892 / 01473 233506 [email protected] / [email protected]

Mark & Sarah AndrewsThis group is looking to reach out to the Ravenswood area, although we do meet in various locations. We try to make time so the children of the families in the group can be involved. It is usually organised chaos, but we love the mess of growing together and responding to His love. Various Saturdays, Sundays, and some Wednesday evenings. Ravenswood Sarah: 07954588887 Mark: [email protected]

Small Groups

Mark & Rachael CrawleyCome and share the reality of life and faith with some great people. We meet in homes in the central Ipswich area - near to the Hope Church building. There is generally food - its supportive - and fun!Wednesday evenings. All welcome or ring Femi Davies (01473 399025) or Mark and Rachael Crawley (07768 357774) or by email - [email protected]

Paul & Ali CherryThis small group gathers the great and the good of the hinterland known locally as “Kesgrave”. For “Kesgrave” read “pretty much anywhere you can go east of Ipswich without getting your feet wet”. We meet every Wednesday alternating between “normal” small group meetings and socials. The socials are a mix of men’s evenings, ladies evenings and family events. The venue rotates around people’s houses; the aim being to allow as many people (i.e. those with kids), to make it.Wednesday evenings. Kesgrave / Woodbridge. 01394 615787 / [email protected]

Youth

Jon & Bebs ReynoldsGreat food, great people and great God. All welcome!Wednesday evenings. East Ipswich.01473 [email protected]

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Matt Lang & Rach CuttsOur focus is mainly on the 18-30s but we’d love to welcome anyone. Come along to delve deeper into the word of God, grow in fellowship and develop a mission heart. Also we really like talking and cake...lots of both!Wed evenings (Tuesdays till 3rd July). Orwell Centre & Central Ipswich.ML: 07545 986895 / RC: 07913 071027 [email protected] / [email protected]

Louis & Emma JayasuriyaWe are a group of 18-30’s who love getting together to meet with God, develop gifts, and encourage one another through friendship and cake. If you want to study the word, worship God and socialize with like-minded people then you are welcome to join us.Wednesday evenings. Town / Waterfront. 07947 832065 / [email protected] & Bebs Reynolds

Great food, great people and great God. All welcome!Wednesday evenings. East Ipswich.01473 [email protected]

David & Emma SansomStudents galore! Students R Us! We love a God who loves Students. So this is about Students then, right?Wednesday evenings. UCS & Orwell Centre. 01473 [email protected]

Justin & Nicky SmithWelcome to all who live north of Ipswich and would be up for the adventure of community based on friendship, learning to follow Jesus, and baking!Villages North of Ipswich Starting with Saturdays.J: 07854 792822 / [email protected] N: 07954 321963 / [email protected]

Graham & Becky TurrellWe are an eclectic group of people with wide-ranging backgrounds and interests, careers, and stages of life and it works! We truly seek God’s presence together and dwell there with our worship and prayer. We are friends, meeting in lots of different homes and the general rule of thumb is ‘Don’t be early!’ because we just won’t be ready!Thursday evenings. Ipswich town. 01473 402398 / [email protected]

Students

18-30s

Make a link through the ‘Welcome area’ at the back of church auditorium

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The Orwell Centre

114 Fore Hamlet

Ipswich

IP3 8AF

01473 233176

[email protected]

When the Orwell Centre parking is full,

please use the overflow parking at UCS

via Cavednish St, Devonshire Rd,

and Back Hamlet

If you would like to contribute an article for the next issue please contact Julia: [email protected] and for upcoming events contact: [email protected]

All submissions for the next issue must be received by Tuesday 21st August.

This magazine is produced by the Hope Church Ipswich Communications Team:Julia Jolley (editing) Lucy Vines (reporter)Ben Reay (graphics) Philippa Branson (events)