net news

In this issue:

HOPE '08 UPDATE
Tim's ramblings
Sector/business net NEXT WEEK
Leaders' net news
GREAT NEWS---B. Country re-generation
Women in leadership event
Office space in Sedgley
Book of Hope & Hope '08
Options For Life news
Mulhouse Mission
JOBS

HOPE '08 update

What a great turn-out from you Black Countryites at OPEN HOPE at The Wolves Civic Hall on Friday 18th January. Thanks to all of you who made the effort to come out and STAND TOGETHER....we estimated around 1700 were there. The offering was excellent too, and after Gift Aid, should cover most of the overheads incurred in putting a larger event on like that (approx. £7.5k)......thanks for your giving guys, and please feel free to keep giving as we want any excess to go to ground-level HOPE initiatives, as stated by Steve Uppal on the night. You can make donations on-line at address below (look for MAKE A DONATION on there).

Please see www.thenet.org.uk for more HOPE information relating to The Black Country, and feel free to advertize your HOPE '08 events and activities on netnews too.

REMEMBER---please also register your activities for HOPE throughout the year so that we can compile a huge report at the end of '08 which will prove to be very effective when we show the collective and joined-up efforts of THE BODY OF CHRIST in our area to each-other, the media, local goverment and whoever else wants or needs to know.

NEXT BLACK COUNTRY CHAPTER--- "DAY OFF HOPE"

Hi guys,

Hope you are well and feeling positive at this start of the year of HOPE.

If you are not, please remember that you will be SOON. Whether in a few weeks or a few decades, all of us will be in a different place shortly, and we will have no tears, pain, heartache or worries. Heaven is a reality for us as disciples of Jesus, and this is not mere escapism either.

I am not one for over-spiritualizing generally, and have seen the damage that wanting to "fly away" can cause The Body of Christ, but the reality is that, as Christians, we have a home beyond all this, and Jesus promised us (in John 14) that He went away specifically to "prepare a place for me", and I take that literally.

As someone said to me recently, "You have to go to Bible College to realize that Jesus didn't actually mean what He said!". I think He really saw it and meant it, and it gives me great confidence to know that this is just the beginning, just the rehearsal in many ways, and there is in store for us a glory that far outweighs our present situations, no matter how good or bad.

We can rest assured today in the knowledge that He holds the future, and it looks very bright. As someone has already said, "We don't know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future". I wonder if you can enter into this fully yet? Do you really believe this, or is it just theory?

You see, it is only as we truly grasp such statements that we can live out the liberation from certain bondages that such truths can bring. We can be forever held captive by fear, or lack, or mere mediocrity IF we do not take hold of the promises that Christ gave us. The truth will not set us free if we don't believe it, no matter how many times we quote it!

As I see it, there are certain steps we MUST take to arrive at FREEDOM (ALL TAKEN FROM SCRIPTURE IF YOU CHECK IT OUT);

1)IF you hold to His teaching, THEN you really are His disciples;

2)THEN, you will know the truth (as discipleship becomes true or REAL);

3)THEN, the Truth WILL set you free (as you open yourself up to receive it fully).

If this is a promise and we are not free, then there has been a break in this process. Maybe we didn't hold to His teaching...maybe we just played at it, or thought that by becoming a Christian (whatever that may mean), we would find all things changing for the better......maybe we have not as yet TRULY experienced what it is to be A DISCIPLE.

It is a different mindset than that of a convert. The fact is that TRUTH, in itself, cannot bring true freedom. This can only be known by surrender, and by yielding to Him in body, mind and spirit. He can raise you from the dead, but YOU have to take the grave clothes off! And remember that TRUTH is ultimately a PERSON, not a concept......He was revealed to us in Jesus Christ. He WAS before Jesus was born in Bethlehem. He IS.

KINGDOM!

If you desire freedom, you have to become a slave.

If you want to live, you have to die.

If you want to soar like an eagle, get on your knees!

This is the way no matter who we are, or who we think we are. And we either walk in it, or we carry on regardless and move away from it as a present reality. That's always our call.

Anyway, keep smiling, and please remain positive. The only surefire way to experience this is to keep your focus on Jesus....grasping hold of Him like you would a life-raft......doing this is very different from saying all th eright things or singing about them!

Those who find the path find the treasure. I pray that you will know what to do to locate this, though Jesus tells us clearly how to find the map!

Love,

Tim

For YOUR network of Black Country Christians.

Sector/business net

7am---6th Feb (Wednesday), Quality Hotel, Dudley

Years ago (30 years ago) actually, I remember being amazed when going to help my Uncle at a catering do for the MEB in....

Stoke-on-Trent of all places.

My Uncle founded and owned what was once Staffordshire's largest outside catering firm. He bagged every job worth getting. I remember getting very confused about whether I liked him or not when I once helped him out at a job where he was catering for Arthur Scargill, but Uncle Hector was so lovely and generous - I decided to keep quiet and take the money. Besides, I wanted the 'Endon Well Dressing' job the following weekend.

Britain was a lovely place in those days; where I at the age of 8 could work an evening and get paid - without any insinuation that my Uncle was exploiting child labour. Driving the van home was pushing it a bit far though.

Anyway, to the point:

Imagine my surprise when I saw all these MEB vans outside the depot. What were they doing so far from Stourbridge?

Surely, the MEB was the nice shop at the bottom of Stourbridge High Street, where my Dad and I went in every Saturday morning to give the nice woman behind the counter a little book and a five pound note. Her job was to smile, smell of perfume and check on how I was doing at school. I had no idea that she was in charge of such a big organisation as the MEB - or that she was also responsible for and able to check on the school progress of so many little boys in somewhere as far away as Stoke-on-Trent.

So arriving at that catering 'do' was the first time I learned that Stoke-on-Trent was in the MID - LANDS of our lovely country. After I had took that on board it all made sense (a word to us perhaps)!

And so today, in the Spirit of TOGETHER, it is with great happiness (and fulfillment of 30 years of privately carrying the secret of Stoke-on-Trent being in the Midlands) that at the next Breakfast Net gathering, I can announce that we have an esteemed brother visiting us from the neighbouring region of Stoke-on-Trent, Lloyd Cook.

Lloyd is from Saltbox (www.saltbox.org.uk). I recommend a quick (or slow) visit to the website, where you will see that in many ways, Saltbox and the Net share a very similar 'DNA' and purpose; perhaps not surprising when you consider they are both run by a bloke called Jesus - but none-the-less, certainly noteworthy (though Jesus seems to have given them a better looking website, must put that on the agenda at the next board meeting).

So why should we be excited about Lloyds visit?

Well, Lloyd is one of The UK's leading networkers and has begun to "connect the connectors" of many towns, cities and regions, as well as being one of the team that lead the TRUMPET CALL gatherings at The NEC.

Stoke-on-Trent have similarly felt the Lord leading them into connecting the sectors.

In Stoke-on-Trent, there have been nightly prayer meetings with hundreds of people which started out as being for a week and which have simply carried on and on bathed in God's Spirit.

In Stoke-on-Trent, there have been physical healings through the laying on of hands as well as by proxy. Some very lovely things have been happening.

So, Lloyd will be sharing our neighbouring region's journey and experience in seeing the Lord lead them into the gateway of the 'sectors' and what this may mean for the Church in the Potteries over the next few years. We are greatly privileged to have this brother come and spend time with us and I would urge you all to turn out in your hundreds and thousands to this breakfast (this does not mean that I want you to come dressed in tiny little pink green purple and yellow bits made from sugar).

As our connectivity develops across the borough, I am feeling more and more that national collaboration is in the offing over the next few years. It will be great to connect with Lloyd. Do you feel like God is preparing us for something? I do.

MEB t-shirts, eccles cakes, steak and kidney pudding, flap jacks and oatcakes will be on sale at the back. Alright Duck?

Let me know by return s'il vous plaît...

together...

Leaders' net news

It was great to see many of you at last week's leaders' gathering at St Matthew's church in Walsall with Rachel Hickson. Our next session is due on Tuesday 18th March at Sandwell Christian Centre at the normal times, and you can book in via Tim on the usual address, or ideally through John on admin@thenet.org.uk

Our guest will be an amazing guy called Jonathan Oloyedie (??) who spearheaded the London response to The Global Day of Prayer which mobilized over 25,000 Christians last summer. You will be greatly inspired by this man who oozes passion and humility. Please book in at your earliest opportunity.

Adrian.

Black Country RE-GENERATION --GREAT NEWS!

Radical rebrand planned for area

A radical plan to change the face of the Black Country over the next 30 years is set to be given the go-ahead by the Government on Tuesday.

Dudley will be rebranded as a centre for tourism and heritage as part of the project described as the most important for the Black Country in the last four decades.

Wolverhampton is set to become the region’s centre of excellence for education, Brierley Hill, which includes Merry Hill, will be considered a capital for shopping, West Bromwich and Walsall will specialise in culture, arts and entertainment.

The Secretary of State is set to endorse the Vision of the Black Country study on Tuesday, with plans to transform the area’s landscape and economic fortunes.

It is hoped minister Hazel Blears, pictured, will endorse the project, which includes plans for Wolverhampton, Walsall, West Bromwich and Brierley Hill to become hubs for office and shop development creating thousands of new jobs.

Work is expected to start this year on the Dudley bid to enhance its heritage.

Opening up development opportunities will plough £8 million pounds worth of investment into the town over the next five years.

Dudley Council leader David Caunt said: “The announcement on Tuesday will be the most important for the Black Country in the past 40 years.”

The study also proposes the four town centres should be linked to transport networks including bus, rail and the metro.

The plan is for around 30,000 new houses to be built alongside these transport corridors meaning people will live within walking or cycling distance from public transport.

-TAKEN FROM EXPRESS & STAR ARTICLE LAST TUESDAY EVENING

-Remember the major thread of the prophetic conference last year???

Could we be first-hand witnesses of another amazing answer to prayer and outworking of God's Word to us as a regional Body??

Women in leadership

It's Friday 1st Feb at 7.30pm; Flame Community Church, Cardale St Blackheath B65 0LY
Free Admission....coffee and cakes!
Speaker: Olivia Amartey Director of Social Responsibility for the Lichfield Diocese
Please book in by calling 0121 559 0204 (Mon - Fri 9 - 1) or email flamecommunitychurch@tiscali.co.uk

Office space in Sedgley

As many of you may know, The Net began to share an office with our Financial Services company located in Sedgley just over 10 years ago. We will shortly be moving up the road to the old Tipton St Methodist Chapel, still in Sedgley. This is currently being fully re-furbished.

Once completed, there will be an large open-plan, first floor self-contained office suite available for rent from the Spring, and 3 or 4 offices on the ground floor too, all with car parking spaces, so if you are a Christian organization or business looking to re-locate and come share with us, please get in touch via 01902 885651 or call Tim on 07976 297868.

THE UK ONE MILLION COPIES OF THE BOOK OF HOPE FOR HOPE 08

As many of you will know, this year sees the realisation of the nationwide Hope 08 initiative, spanning the villages, towns and cities of the United Kingdom; people doing more together in prayer, word and action to see their communities changed with the love of Jesus!

UCB is delighted to be partnering with Hope 08 to support individuals, groups and organisations as they impact their communities for Jesus and see millions of lives changed for good in our nation.

UCB is working closely with Hope 08 through radio and TV as well as with the provision of our resources; The Word for Today, Word 4U 2Day and The Book of Hope. We are thrilled that our radio coverage on DAB means that we can help to reach millions of people across the UK with the good news of Jesus Christ as well as supporting and motivating those involved with Hope 08. People will not only hear and see the love of God through the various activities taking place this year, but will have continuous support and encouragement via our radio broadcasts.

UCB has pledged one million copies of The Book of Hope towards the various activities around the country and we are excited about the impact that Hope 08 will have on the younger generation! As well as this, we are launching fantastic new designs for our resources for young people, Hope Xtreme (Book of Hope) and the Word 4U 2Day, our daily devotional for teenagers, to make these books more engaging for young people! As the youth strand of Hope 08 is so aptly named Hope Revolution, we anticipate an awesome move of God rippling through the children and young people of our nation, and we feel immensely privileged to be a part of this!

Are you involved in Hope 08?

UCB would be delighted to help support your Hope 08/ Hope Revolution activity with our resources, so please contact us at events@ucb.co.uk or 0845 60 40 401.

We want to work with you in prayer, word and action to bring hope to our nation in 2008 and beyond.

Please forward this email to any churches, organisations, youth workers, schools workers, etc…. that you think may be interested. Thank you

Every blessing,

David

www.LookingforGod.com

Options for Life

Oak Green Services

Oak Green Services started in September 2000. It is a social business, which enables people with a learning disability to have work experience.

The project is managed by one full time Co-ordinator who works with 3-4 people with a learning disability each day. The long-term goal is to employ one person with a learning disability on a full-time paid basis.

Oak Green Services supports the service users by giving them:

· Training
· Skill development
· Vocational experience
· Support towards employment

To enable them to gain:

- Income

- Increased self-esteem and confidence

- Wider social networks

- Improved physical and mental health

- Paid work for some people

Current activities include:

· Construction and DIY
· Grounds and garden maintenance / hard and soft landscaping
· Painting and decorating
· Leaflet distribution

The service generates its own income by undertaking paid work for both private customers, and for other agencies and organisations.

The team are provided with an information handbook, personal protective equipment, work clothing and an ID badge. The team travel to Oak Green Lodge independently and then travel to their place of work on the services’ minibus.

If you require further information, please contact:

Liz Tilly, Chief Executive, at Options for Life, Oak Green Lodge, Oak Green Way, Oldbury, West Midlands B68 8LR (telephone 0121 544 6611, fax 0121 543 4400)

David Longdon, Co-ordinator, at Options for Life, Oak Green Lodge, Oak Green Way, Oldbury, West Midlands B68 8LR (telephone 0121 544 6611, fax 0121 543 4400)

ALSO---Options for Life catering has a new line; lunch bags, why not make a change from having a buffet! We can also offer an ethically sourced healthy eating version for just £5.50 a bag. The contents can be varied according to customer choice, please call reception if you would like to place an order.

Kind regards

Liz.

Mulhouse Mission

25 to 31 August 2008

Working alongside Christians from Mulhouse, Walsall's twin town in Alsace, we will assist with their “BARBECUE EVANGELISM.”

Conversational French useful but not essential.

Itinary:

Monday 25th. Travel and arrive in Mulhouse

Tuesday 26th Training

Wednesday 27th to Saturday 30th. Barbecue evangelism in the Parc Salvator

Sunday 31st Return to UK

Accommodation with French families.

Transport to be decided.

Total cost approximately £300

If you are interested please contact a.s.a.p.
Gerry Denston

Tel. 01922 493588

Email: gdenston@aol.com