Every tin in each of the food packs delivered by The Well in Wolverhampton has a sticker on it saying ‘with love from Jesus.’ It’s a reflection of the decision taken by Gary and Caroline not to compromise Jesus in any way. “Every one of our packs that we deliver is a seed sown” says Gary, “we may never see the results, but that doesn’t matter.”

The whole operation is a faith based exercise in every sense. Their real inspiration in ministry to the poor is George Mueller who built the Ashley Down orphanage in Bristol in the 19^th century which looked after over 10,000 orphans. He also established 117 schools which educated over 120,000 children and during his life he never told anyone about a single need that he had except God, and He always provided!

The prayers at The Well are very specific and detailed and there are many testimonies of how God has provided as the both the ministry and their faith have grown. “Faith only grows as it gets exercised,” commented Caroline, “it’s something we’re learning about all the time through our prayers!” The Well has about 70 volunteers from 15 churches in the Wolverhampton area and currently gets referrals from a wide range of agencies.

At the Black Country Food Bank, Wendy Fryatt sees their strap-line ‘for such a time as this’ as reflecting what the provision is all about.

“A couple of weeks ago, I just happened to be at The Storehouse, two children’s workers came in to get help for a desperate family. The five children had been saved from going in to ‘care’ by a member of the extended family taking them in, however their new family was struggling to clothe and provide for the extra children while all the financials were being sorted. One of the volunteers and I were able to sort and provide; five sets of clothing, bedding, towels, food and toiletries. We were here for such a time as this in this family.”

The Black Country operation has been running since 2006 and now has a number of distribution centres across the area. The current need is for everything from breakfast cereals to tins of meat and toilet rolls. Donations can be dropped off at one of the centres which are detailed on their website (address below).

Wendy believes that one of the greatest opportunities that the church across the Black Country has in being able to serve the poor and vulnerable better, is to adopt a more collective approach in the service provision. She is passionate that it requires a more joined-up view if we are to really see proper recovery and restoration for the needy.

The Well: http://thewellwolverhampton.co.uk/

Black Country Food Bank: http://www.blackcountryfoodbank.org.uk/

• That marriage will not be redefined, and that it will be promoted in society for the good of all.
• That on Monday 3 June a majority of Peers will vote against the bill to redefine marriage.
• For the Coalition for Marriage group as it campaigns to defend the historic meaning of marriage.
• For parliamentarians and others in public life to have the courage to stand up for their convictions.
• For the news media, that they would report the issue widely, fairly, and accurately.
• That the consequences of redefining marriage would be publicly known and properly discussed.
• That people would not face discrimination, in the workplace or elsewhere, because of their sincere beliefs about marriage.

There is also a call for anyone who can make it to gather outside the House of Lords on Monday 3^rd between 12 and 2.

Alan Hirsch is the founding director of Forge Mission Training Network Currently he co-leads Future Travelers an innovative learning program helping mega-churches become missional movements. Known for his innovative approach to mission, Alan is considered to be a thought  leader and key mission strategist for churches across the Western world.

Debbie Hirsch is a conference speaker, church leader and writer. While co-leading a church in Melbourne, Australia she also pioneered a ministry to the GLBTQ community. She is author, with Alan Hirsch of Untamed: Reactivating a Missional Form of Discipleship.

Tickets cost £I including lunch as well as tea and coffee. Spaces are limited so book early to avoid disappointment:

http://sdcolmasterclass2013.eventbrite.co.uk

Three Witnesses from Saltmine Trust on Vimeo.

In this remarkable modern retelling of the gospel of Luke, a driven writer seeks to piece together the true story of Jesus and his quest to the save the lost.
Through news and documentary footage and through encounters with key witnesses he gains a unique insight into Jesus’ life, death and what happened next.

Three Witnesses was originally written and produced by Saltmine in partnership with UCCF: The Christian Unions as part of the Uncover gospel campaign. It has been touring in universities around Britain early 2013.

For more information about dates and prices to book this production for your church, please contact Joanna on 01384 454807 or Email: creative@saltmine.org

as Parliament debates changing the law of the land

and discarding God’s pattern for marriage.

Outside Parliament during the 3rd Reading of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill in the House of Commons.

Monday 20th May: 12:00 – 14:00 & 17:00 – 19:00
Tuesday 21st May: 12:00 – 14:00 & 17:00 – 19:00

Old Palace Yard – opposite the Houses of Parliament

Please spread the word.

Download a poster here to use at church this Sunday.

The up-rating of working-age benefits and tax credits at around a third of the rate of inflation will mean a real-term cut in payments, affecting especially those on the minimum wage and people out of work.
The Government hopes to make savings of 20% by replacing the Disability Living Allowance with the Personal Independence Payment.

The total benefit cap will see an average cut of around £93 and affect poor children “disproportionately”, the Churches said.
The warning has come from the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist Church, the United Reformed Church and the Church of Scotland, who say that the most vulnerable are paying a “disproportionate price” in the Government’s austerity measures.

They also accuse the media of misrepresenting benefit recipients and those in poverty in the interests of justifying spending cuts.

“These cuts make April fools of us all,” said Paul Morrison, Methodist Public Issues Policy Adviser. “We are witnessing what happens when we create a culture that blames poor people for their poverty.
“It is a lie to say that most people on benefits are lazy, that they have an easy life or that they are responsible for the nation’s financial deficit. When people are willing to believe those lies, poor families pay the highest price.”

“Some families will experience the effects of more than one of these measures,” added Mr Morrison. “It is worrying that there are no Government estimates for the number of people who may be affected by two or three of these cuts at once.”
A joint report has been sent to every MP and MSP in which the Churches accuse politicians and the media of misusing statistics and challenge the assumption that poor people are to blame for their poverty.
People are being encouraged to write to their parliamentary representative asking how they will be using the information to better inform policy-making.
Mr Morrison said the problem of myths was not only related to politicians and the media.
“When ordinary people allow myths about poverty to go unchallenged, whether it’s in the pub or the newspapers, we all become complicit in a great injustice,” he said.
[Christian Today].

We also have Ben Cantelon from Worship Central supporting them, he is not doing every date on the tour, so this is a real treat! I’m excited to have such a selection of worshippers coming to our region, and would love if you too would be able to join us for this evening! Here are the details:

Worship Evening as part of the Campfire tour with Rend Collective and Ben Cantelon. Sunday 12 May 2013. Doors open at 7pm

Would you be able to also help us spread the word to those in your church? I have a number of flyers I’m happy to send out too if it helps, but wanted to make personal contact before a box of leaflets arrived at your doorstep!

This is a ticketed event, and Although tickets may be available at the door, many venues are selling out and I would advice you get tickets in advance, links below.  It is £12 for general and £9 for under 16s.

GENERAL

http://www.revivalfires.org.uk/store/product.php?productid=1207&cat=0&page=1

UNDER 16s

http://www.revivalfires.org.uk/store/product.php?productid=1208&cat=0&page=1

Blessings,

Ryan

The training days are available to anyone from local churches including clergy, ministers, leaders and congregation members. They are free to attend and lunch and refreshments are provided. People with a learning disability make up about 2% of the population and are increasingly using community activities and services rather than segregated provision, yet they are often missing from church.

What is the training about? The training events run from 10 to 4pm at the following dates and venues: Saturday 20th April Christchurch Cobridge, Church Terrace, Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 1JJ. Thursday 23rd May The Church at Junction 10, Walsall, WS2 8RL. Saturday 8th June St Anne’s Chasetown, Church Street, Chasetown, Staffs WS7 3QL. Saturday 15th June Living Hope Church Dudley, Grazebrook House, Peartree Lane, Dudley DY2 0XW.

The training team would comprise a qualified trainer and two people with a learning disability who are involved in their local church. You will get a comprehensive pack which will contain information on how to produce easy – read information and documents and information about other resources. We will also provide follow-up support for workshop attendees who would like email or phone support in the following six months. The funding is generously provided through a grant from the Westhill Endowment. Further information please contact; Ann Hurst Business Development Manager 0121 559 9197. www.building-bridges-training.org

Albion Street Church, Albion Street, Brierley Hill, DY5 3EE

Tuesday 16th April  7.30 pm

Hasbsury Methodist Church, 89 Albert Road Halesowen B63 4SL.

Wednesday 17th April  7.30 pm

Bethel Chapel, Hill Street, Wollescote, Stourbridge DY9 8TL

Thursday 18th April  7.30 pm

Restorer Christian Centre,

Mount Pleasant Street, West Bromwich. B70 7DL

Saturday 20th April  7.30 pm

Amblecote Christian Centre, Brettell Lane, Amblecote, DY8 4BS

Sunday 21st April  10.30 am

Eve Lane Pentecostal Church, Upper Gornal, DY1 3TY

Sunday 21st April  6.30 pm

I was privileged recently to meet the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby at Southwark Cathedral as part of his Journey in Prayer tour. I believe that his enthusiastic response to the NDOP vision would mean deeper levels of collaboration towards covering the nation in prayer. It is great that he has put prayer in the forefront of his ministry.

It is amazing to see God at work in this nation! Each month, I will be writing to church leaders and regional organisers to encourage you to see what is happening across the nation as we join the dots and invite you to stand alongside us in this.

The momentum is building…. The first Celebration tour, attended by hundreds of people took place in York at The Belfry where we were hosted by Rev Matthew Porter and the leaders from One Voice York. The Archbishop of York kindly endorsed the event and offered a mandate for prayer which was in sync with NDOPW.

The celebration tour has also been to Bristol, Stoke on Trent, Bermondsey and Derby. I was also delighted to share the vision of the National Day of Prayer and Worship at the Salt and Light Ministries conference in Stockton on Tees attended by over 400 leaders.

Another highlight was speaking at the ‘Can those dry bones live’ conference in Leicester where multitudes of young people were envisioned for prayer and mission. We will be updating you with the amazing developments of the Year of Prayer led by young people all over the UK.

Don’t forget to ‘like’ us on Facebook to see pictures from the tour and follow us on Twitter. Regular tweets from celebration tours will appear on Twitter using the #ndopw13 hashtag. I want to encourage you to join the conversation and help us spread the word of what God is saying and doing.

Please pray for the NDOPW team as we continue with the prayer tour and meet with national leaders and regional prayer networks. Thank you for standing alongside us in this important call to pray across the nation. God is faithful, and we need to trust Him to join the dots.” Jonathan Oloyede. National Day of Prayer and Worship.