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NEW LIFE CHURCH CANTERBURY
LIFE TIMES
ISSUE 10 : MARCH - APRIL 2015
WAITING Exhale To
2
Message from Pastor Aaron
WAITING TO EXHALE
T he 1995 movie titled "waiting to exhale" depicts the flawed
nature of the world's understanding of love, singleness and
marriage. In this movie, four women bond over their inability
to find love. Their desperation to escape singleness and one day get married caused them to form a strong yet dysfunctional
friendship. The scarcity of good men caused these four women to hold
their breaths, waiting for the day they would find true love so they
could finally exhale.
Sadly in life and relationships many of us are like these women. We
hold our breath for a certain day to come so we can exhale. So many
of us once we reach a certain age hold our breaths, we live our lives in
suspended animation waiting for Mr right or Mrs right to come along
so we can finally breathe. Our lives grind to a halt, we can't find
happiness until we find Mr or Mrs right. We can't find wholeness until we find Mr or Mrs right. We spend all our time holding our breath
waiting, anticipating the right person to walk into our lives and this
inevitably suffocates our personal growth and happiness.
The are so many people in the world who are disappointed because
they have a poor understanding of what it means to have fulfilment in life. The single person wonders when the curse of loneliness will be
lifted and the married person thinks all the problems in the world are
because of their partner and wonders why God has given them this
impossible burden to carry. We treat singleness as a problem that can
only be cured by marriage only to find ourselves covered by a disease far worse than singleness. Why? Because our mind-sets and
expectations are completely misplaced. We place unreasonable
expectations on marriage and our partners and this only leads to
great disappointment.
So many of us treat marriage as the destination and singleness as a point in the journey to marriage. What we have to understand is this;
marriage is not the ultimate destination for a Christian, Heaven is.
Everything on this earth is temporary including marriage; what will
last forever is who you are and where you stand with Christ. So
spend time working on who you are and your relationship with Christ.
Your worth is not found in your marital status or what you possess.
Your worth is found in who you are in God. You are who are in Christ
and being married or being single does not add or take away from
that. You will find fulfilment and your life will be enriched no matter
what season of life you are in if Christ is at the centre of your life. Don't hold your breath waiting for a partner, a job or a degree, exhale
and live life to the full.
3
There are several ways to serve and
participate in the life of the Church on
a regular basis. Contact any ministry
leader to see how you can get serving.
Admin & Comms: Caroline Agoi
CONNECT Groups: Joanna Addison
Men: Pasor Shadreck Chikomba
Missions: Nicholas Stephenson
Multimedia: Pastor Will White
New Life Choir: Josh Sebu
New Life Drama: Lanre Kassim
Prayer Ministry: Ronke Adeyanju
Sunday School: Judith Stephenson
Welcome/Hospitality: Akua Berko
Women: Violet Chikomba
Worship team: Pastor Will White
Youth: Lanre Kassim
CONNECT GROUPS
Joshua Sebu & Bukunmi Taiwo
Justice & Joanna Addison
Linda Mathe & Andrew Bonsu
Nii Noi & Kafui Osuteye
Shelly Anne-Fung & Abigail King
Email [email protected] or
contact [email protected] for
more information on joining a group
These are a GREAT place for developing meaningful relationships as you
CONNECT with GOD, with OTHERS and with the VISION for the Church. We
encourage everyone to take part, grow and reach out as a blessing. Groups meet
on Tuesdays and Thursdays at different locations across the city led by the
following leaders:
Amanda Naude & Rebecca Odunaike
Caroline Agoi
Daniel Acheampong & Sheyi Kuyinu
David Kasule & Jennifer Amani
Francis Darko & Christine Ofosu-Ampadu
Jed Nkansah-Yeboah & Aaron Thompson
SERVE IN MINISTRY
4
N ew Life Church
began in 1928 and
has since then met
in various locations
including a shop, a mission hut, an
old Methodist building, in Northgate
before moving to our current base on
the University of Kent, Canterbury
campus.
For about 20 years now, we have been
committed to focusing on student
ministry especially to those from an
international background.
Alongside this ministry stream,
there has been a growing desire to
maintain strong links within the
wider community in the city so in as
much as we are committed to
student ministry and have every desire
to continue serving students, we
acknowledge the need to consider
intentionally the ministry we offer our
non-student members and the local
community of
What started of as a
church of 20 has grown
into an international
congregation with over
200 members in
attendance each
Sunday.
Over the last few years, we’ve seen
more members stay on and make
Canterbury their home. This along
with new members joining the
church regularly has resulted in
the increase of the non-student
population in attendance
signalling an expansion as
God broadens the scope of
our ministry .
5
Herne Bay Church Plant
W hile spending
time in early
morning prayer
and fasting last
summer, the leadership team sensed
God’s leading in regards to a Church
plant in Herne Bay. The town had
never come up as a possible location
previously but following some
investigations, it became apparent
that there is minimal church activity
in the area. The opportunity to share
the gospel and potential to impact
lives in Herne Bay has stood out again
and again over the past months as
other potential options have also been
considered.
HERNE BAY
CHURCH PLANT
It’s hoped that in going forward
with a church plant in Herne Bay,
this will offer us as a Church a
valuable platform to CONNECT
with and serve the wider
community in the Canterbury area
on a long term basis and help raise
the impact of the gospel in the
lives of the local residents.
With a goal to begin regular
activities in Herne Bay by June/
July 2015, you can support the
church plant in various ways
including:
-Praying for the city, the team to
be sent, the needs of the
community there and the
resources needed for ministry.
- Identifying what role you
personally may be called to fulfil.
- Talk about the church plant with
any of the leaders and feel free to
raise any questions you may have.
- Give towards /support this
year’s Race to 1000 as all proceeds
from the fundraising will be
directed towards the church plant
- Consider visiting the city to
prayer walk , CONNECT with the
locals and identify their needs.
6
. SOCIAL ISSUES BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE
Clinging To
Worthless Idols
“Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that
could be theirs.” (Jonah 2:8)
I hate those who cling to worthless idols; I trust in the LORD.
(Psalm 31:6)
M any people in society today are clinging to certain things that do not
have eternal value. These things could be cars, houses, money, alcohol, status, reputation or even being dependent on other people such as a boyfriend or girlfriend, a husband or wife , friends and the like.
Although many of these things in
themselves are gifts from God, at times we hold on to them so tightly, we feel we cannot survive without them. It is easy to forget that survival in life is not determined by your possessions or by being dependent on others but it’s essentially about depending on the Grace of God.
The Bible is clear that anything we cling on to more than we cling to God is a worthless idol. These idols have become stumbling blocks for many, hindering them from relationship with God and reliance on Him. This is significant because the moment one decides to depend on possessions or other people for survival rather than on God, the Grace that God makes available to all is forfeited. This Grace can only be accessed through faith in Christ (“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.”-Romans 5:1-2) and not through possessions or people.
7
Despite what society presents as valuable and worth pursuing, relationship with God is really the only thing that has eternal value and
so it is for each person to choose whether they will prioritise God and trust Him or not.
Nothing in creation should deflect your trust in God because it will inevitably become your idol. Trust in God takes off the pressure of trusting in all other uncertain substitutes and offers the assurance of being anchored on the only firm foundation there is in this life - Jesus Christ.
Besides, its inconsistent to trust God and be looking “elsewhere”. There must be a resolve to trust in God and to keep doing so no matter what the situation looks like.
Leaning on human understanding can lead into trouble. Not only is it unwise to trust in the heart which the bible says is deceitful but it is also
unwise to trust in the abundance of riches, possessions and associations. Even in their fullest flow these are uncertain, unreliable and will be of no benefit in the light of eternity.
Those who put their confidence in riches like many in society do today can never expect a portion in heaven. It is important not to get sucked in to and governed by the ways of the world because the
pleasures of this world can not secure you a place in heaven. Instead, it is by living for God and doing His will, having confidence in Him and relying on Jesus Christ as Saviour that secures your place in heaven.
If you have been putting your faith in possessions, people or anything else other than God, perhaps it is time to put a stop to clinging to worthless idols, turn from them and put your trust in God.
SOCIAL ISSUES BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE
“ Nothing in creation should
deflect your trust in God
because it will inevitably
become your idol.”
8
NEW LIFE @ THE HUB
The Hub is our city centre base
intended to be a place of blessing
for those in the church as well as a
resource and platform from which
we can serve and impact our City
and local community.
Strategically located at Unit 15b,
Roper Close, the building is within
easy access to the high street,
Canterbury West train station and
along a main bus route serving the
heart of the city. As well as using
the space for much needed ministry
within the church, we seek to
facilitate bespoke programs that
will help the church spread the
gospel to our community.
Scripture reminds us that “the
Harvest is plentiful but the labourers
are few.” I therefore ask that you
pray for the Lord of the Harvest to
send in more labourers. I also ask
that you all step forward and offer
your service in the Lord’s harvest
field and in helping us minister
God’s love and Grace to our city .
Here are some of the programs
that will be running from The Hub; I
hope you will take full advantage
of them and where possible
volunteer to help run them.
Café Church
Every 2nd Sunday of the month.
Cre8ive Youth Night
Every 4th Friday of the month
Daughters of Destiny (Women’s
ministry) – Dates to be announced
Ignite (18-25 evening service) Every 2nd Thursday of the month
(term time only)
Inspire Dance Academy (Dance classes for under 18s) – T.B.C
(volunteers needed)
Men of Integrity (Men’s ministry)
Dates to be announced
Prayer and Praise Service
Every 3rd Sunday of the month
Relate or the Married/Engaged Couples Gathering
Every last Sunday of the month
Family Brunch hosted by Praisers.
Every 2nd Saturday of the month
Firm Foundations Discipleship Programme - Seven week course every Monday. Oct/Nov, Feb/Mar
and June/July.
Pastor Aaron
9
Youth & Sunday School meet every Sunday morning and all our workers
are DBS checked.
Every third Sunday of the month .
Join us for an extended time of prayer,
thanksgiving, praise and intercession.
10
HIGHLIGHTS
Corporate Fast: Monday 2nd March
Baptism Service: Tuesday 3rd March @ St Andrews URC
Love Campaign: Sunday 8th—Saturday 14th March
Audience of One: Saturday 14th March, 6:30pm -Woolf Lecture Theatre. Featuring performances by CONNECT Groups ,individual, New Life band & more.
New Life Gospel Choir Community Concert: Saturday 21st March, 6:30pm, Canterbury Baptist Church
CALENDAR
11
HIGHLIGHTS
Corporate Fast: Monday 2nd March
Baptism Service: Tuesday 3rd March @ St Andrews URC
Love Campaign: Sunday 8th—Saturday 14th March
Audience of One: Saturday 14th March, 6:30pm -Woolf Lecture Theatre. Featuring performances by CONNECT Groups ,individual, New Life band & more.
New Life Gospel Choir Community Concert: Saturday 21st March, 6:30pm, Canterbury Baptist Church
HIGHLIGHTS
City Wide Good Friday Service: 10am—12:30pm, Friday 3rd April
Corporate Fast: Monday 6th April
INSPIRE Leadership Gathering: 7pm, Friday 17th April @ The Hub
Evening Prayer & Praise Service: 7pm, Sunday 19th April @ The Hub
Youth Night: 6:30pm, Friday 24th April @ The Hub
CALENDAR
12
SACRIFICIAL LOVE
W e can never be
able to thank the
Lord well
enough in
return for the love He has lavished
upon us. What a privilege and
honour to be called children of the
Most High God, members of His
household, joint heirs with Christ,
a royal priesthood and indeed His
own people. Paul the apostle
encapsulates it very well, when he
writes to let us know that the
depth, height and width of God’s
sacrificial love surpasses all
knowledge and understanding.
There is no greater love than
when one lays down his own life
for his friends, and scarcely will
someone commit to die even for a
righteous person. But we thank
God for Jesus who demonstrated
what real love looks like by His
death at Calvary. The writer of
Songs of Solomon tells us that love
is stronger than death and even
many waters cannot quench it.
Foreseeing the billions who would
receive the joy of His salvation
and those who would be
reconciled to the father from all
kindred, tongues and nations,
Jesus endured the Cross. The
scriptures rightly tell us that while
we were yet sinners, Christ Jesus
died for us. He could have asked
His father to abort the whole
project and we could have
remained as aliens, in darkness to
this day, a people far away from
the promises of God.
The scriptures also tell us that He
was wounded and chastised for
our transgressions and the
punishment due to us was laid
upon Him. Undeterred by His
knowledge of our inclination to
follow wayward paths He still
invites us to come just as we are to
receive the fullness of His
steadfast love. If we think about it
soberly, the King of Kings leaving
His opulent dwelling in heaven to
come and identify with our
weaknesses and sin, we can only
marvel at what manner of love
this is. He loved His own to the
very end.
13
As with marriage, there is always
an element of sacrifice involved if
this unique union is going to be
lifelong.
For a start you have to be willing to
leave all other relationships that
may have been dear to you and
start a new life with someone you
do not completely
know at the time of
tying the knot,
which is indeed an
act of faith.
What Violet and I
have found as a
source of harmony and blessing in
marriage is that for both of us, God
always comes first. What this
means in practical terms is that we
highly regard the word of God and
seek to use it as a yardstick of our
behaviour in marriage and our
interaction on a daily basis.
We view it as our instruction
manual on all issues, and
voluntarily submit to its counsel as
far as we understand it. We are
cognisant of the fact that it is not a
walk in the park; therefore we look
to God for enablement at all times.
Following on from that is our
genuine affection and love for each
other, and the joy our company
brings to both of us.
We try to learn and remind
ourselves of the teaching of Jesus in
relation to His love for the Church.
He dearly loved it to the point of
death. What we
learn from His
experience is that
it is possible by
the grace of God
to truly love
someone and seek
to do that which gives them the
best advantage in this life– Just as
Jesus Christ does for us.
We are also convinced that we are
dearly loved by God in spite of our
past, and that He poured His love
into our hearts by the presence of
His Holy Spirit. We try to take
advantage of His gift of love by
sharing it between ourselves first,
then to our children and the wider
family.
“ it is possible by the
grace of God to truly
love someone and seek
to do that which gives
them the best advantage
in this life.”
14
We are also fully persuaded by
the words of the Apostle John,
when he warns us that it is
impossible to say that we love
God, and at same time hate, ill-
treat, or be unkind to those we
can see.
Marriage is a very good
environment in which to learn
how to love well and receive love
well in return.
For a husband and wife who
dwell together, there is an
opportunity for direct dealing
with each other constantly, more
than is possible in any other
relationship here on earth.
One of our sources of continuous
learning and refreshment are the
inspired words of the Apostle
Paul in 1 Corinthians 13 where he
instructs believers on what
quality love looks like. To him
true love never fails, does not
seek its own way, and has the
ability to endure all things.
For us we have an earnest desire
to see our marriage last the
distance to the glory of His name
as a legacy to our children and as
an example to those we care
about, including those of the
household of faith.
O ne thing we
committed
ourselves to at an
earlier stage of our
marital journey was that we
would seek to avoid anything
which would place any one of us
at a disadvantage while fulfilling
our spiritual and professional
roles. Integrity is one of our
watch words, and also a duty of
candour is vital for us.
The words of the Psalmist where
he encourages brethren to dwell
together in unity are so dear to us
and especially the promise that
God commands a blessing where
that unity is present.
“true love never
fails,”
15
We see the ball as being in our
court in the sense that it is entirely
up to us to do those things that
will attract His favour and
blessing. We seek to avoid those
things that quench love and peace
between us.
We do treasure being in
agreement so much, and therefore
make it our aim to resolve issues
as quickly as possible without
avoiding them. We can humbly
say by the grace of God, marriage
does work and if done well, can
be a taster of heaven here on
earth.
Finally, we always endeavour to
continue sowing into our
relationship during the good
seasons of our life together, and
are consistently aware that we
have not yet attained perfection.
We therefore make it our aim to
commit all our ways to Him who
is able to keep us from stumbling.
We make a point to avoid living
our marriage to the gallery, well
aware that unless the Lord builds
our marriage, we can labour in
vain. We therefore seek to co-
operate with the master potter
until the beauty of the Lord is
completely formed in us and in
our marriage.
We are forever grateful for His
compassion and for His sacrificial
& eternal love.
The journey continues.
Shalom,
Best mates and apples of the
Lord’ eye - Pastor Anthony
Shadreck & Violet
”...the Son of Man must be lifted
up, that everyone who believes
may have eternal life in him.” For
God so loved the world that he
gave his one and only Son, that
whoever believes in him shall not
perish but have eternal life. For
God did not send his Son into the
world to condemn the world, but
to save the world through him.”
John 3:14-17
16
On Sunday mornings we come together in a
big two hour celebration service to worship
God and hear dynamic teaching. We want
Jesus to be at the centre of everything we
do and we believe every service should be
a life changing experience for all those who
attend. You are very welcome to join us;
refreshments are served from 10am.
Woolf College, The Pavilion, Giles
Lane. University of Kent.
Canterbury.KENT.CT2 7BQ 01227
827524 [email protected]
We run a minibus service all year so feel free
to hop on board if you would like a lift to
and from service on Sundays
9:45 am: Parham Road
9:50 am: Dominos car park
10:10am: Canterbury East Station
The return journey leaves campus at
12:50pm every Sunday. Please be at the
pick up points at least five minutes before
time to avoid delays.
TRANSPORT SERVICE
We are here
KEEP INFORMED - KEEP IN TOUCH
WWW.newlifecanterbury.org l @NLCCanterbury l /NLCcanterbury
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