AT LAST - WE ARE OFF.......

This will be our last entry for a week, so enjoy yourselves looking at this picture for a whole week. Twenty Six Members (and friends) of our church will be travelling to Bournemouth at 8am tomorrow morning, after prayers led by our assistant senior leader Carl. We will be travellign via Stonehenge and then enjoy a picnic (hopefully) in Sailsbury Cathedral Grounds where we will have some time to explore. From here we will travel to Bournemouth, enjoy a meal together and then an opening time of worship led by Captain Ian.

Sunday we will be attending two worship meetings with our brothers and sisters at The Salvation Army In Boscombe.

Monday we will be spending the day at Weymouth and then returning for an evening of worship. Tuesday we have a day off, and will make our own entertainment, but the day will conclude with an evening session led by Boscombe Salvation Army Songsters and one of their church leaders, Major Val. Wednesday is a day at Longleat, and at night we are going to enjoy an ANIMAL FAIR. Thursday we travel to Lulworth Cove, and at night will share an evening of worship. Friday we travel to Poole and will enjoy a cruise as part of this visit. At night, our final session together will be led by Captain Ian. Saturday leave for a drive back through the New Forest and then arrive back in Ashford ready for our Family Day for First Sunday and meetings led by Captain Ian Woodgate throughout the day.

Our focus throughout the week will be I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT - and we will be looking at the reality this is for all people, it will be about signs and wonders, miracles and healing, salvation and so much more. Each day starts with prayer and worship. Prayer ministry is also an important part of the week and we are looking forward to sharing in this with all those who require.

Please pray for us throughout the week if you can - and the odd text of encouragement (!!!!) would also be helpful - 07773 392046 . Our sincere love and prayers

IGNITE FILM SHOW

Ignite Youth Project this evening created their own films this evening, and from a chat show to a sofa sale, we were all kept entertained for a long period of time. Well done to all, the team for a brilliant evening. And, we hear too, that if you want to see more of these films, then Sunday Morning at 10.30am at East Stour School is the place to be.

DISCOVERY IS HERE

A final reminder that we start the four week discovery course on Monday 4th June at 7.30pm, or Tuesday 5th June at 10am. This could change your life. Come and make the greatest discovery ever!

FIRST SUNDAY - JUNE 3RD

Join us on Sunday 3rd June for a special Family Day, being the first Sunday in the month. We will be sharing together at 10;30am, and then the fellowship family meal at 1pm, followed by THE EVENT, which this month looks at - IF YOU WANT IT.... ITS YOURS. We hope as many as possible will share in this special event

HOLIDAY 2007

Holiday 2007 will see about 26 people travelling from Ashford to Bournemouth for a week of Holiday and Renewal, with retreat and reflection. Our focus this year will be: I will pour out My Spirit. Interspread with outings will be teaching, worship and prayer. We would value your support in prayer, as well as for our leaders - Captains Ian and Sue, and Envoy Val

PENTECOST SUNDAY

THIS SUNDAY we will only be having a morning activity/worship meeting at 10.30am, led by assistant senior leader Carl Whitewood. We will be celebrating Pentecost. Being the half term holidays there will be quite a number away, and some will also be on our church holiday.

HE'S GOT THE WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HANDS

The annual Adult and Family Ministries Rally for the London South East Division was held yesterday in Folkestone. Guest leaders were Commisioners Alex and Ingeborg Hughes. Our own members took part by leading prayers.

It was a great day, and we thank our DHQ Team for arranging such. The focus being a real personal and coporate reminder - He's got the whole world in His hand

I WILL pour out MY SPIRIT

Material for Pentecost - an aid to our journey throughout this time, is now available, and has been written for this year by our senior leaders. Members and Friends will be receiving this within the next few days and those on the church holiday will be receiving and using it while away.

People are welcome to send in requests for this publication if they so wish

COMMUNITY CHURCH

Please continue to pray for our three community church areas and the ministry that we are seeking to have within these areas - Willesborough, South Ashford & Kennington/Ashford Town

WHATEVER!!!!!

Disciple College was well supported by those seeking to go deeper with God, and our guest speaker was Lyndall Bywater. Lyndall has been with us a number of times, so was great to welcome her back. She spoke on Phillippians 4:4 onwards, looking at the JOY we should have, which should not be shaken. Recognising that Happiness comes because of a Happening, Joy is there because of the reality of God being a part of our lives - so whatever, we should be holding onto the Joy of God! Our assistant senior leader Luke Johnson led worship.

BOVVERED?

Flame Youth Cell led worship through today and we thank God for each and everyone of them. The songs and ministry focussed very much on Freedom in Christ. We started in our prayer cluster with looking at the importance of cleansing, and our call to worship reminded us that God is our strength in our weakness. Our all age presentation looked at the importance of Jesus driving the train while we are in the carriages - and then Gavin Drake shared the ministry of The Word, looking at Job, and how despite the fact he had everything, he was bothered to be in the right place with God. Gavin explored how many of us can get so disappointed with ourselves, and where we are - but we have to recognise that that disappointed needs to make us boovered to do something about it, and turn things around. God had obviously brought everything together perfectly and we thank God for that!!!! Several people responded to prayer this morning, and we were pleased to have a couple of new faces with us too.

CROSS & SWITCHBLADE

The Cross and the Switchblade is coming to Kent at the end of June, and we are planning to take a group. Tickets are available at group rate at £7.50. The production is being put on by Saltmine Trust. Please come if you can - booking forms are available from our church centre.

RARE BREEDS CENTRE

You are warmly invited to join us for one of our community outings, this time staying locally and travelling on Wednesday 27th June. We will be going to the Rare Breeds Centre, leaving about 9.45am from our centre and travelling to south ashford and kennington to make other collections. We will be returning about 2pm. This outing is open to anyone to share with us and we hope everyone who can will come and share with us. A coach will be travelling there. The cost of the outing includes transportation, a light dinner and admission. Cost is £10 for adult church members, £8 for child church members, £12 for members of one of our family groups, £10 for children member of our family groups, and £15 for adult non members, and £13 for children non members.

TOMORROW

Don't miss tomorrow at the Ashford Salvation Army Christian Centre. We meet at 10.30am at the East Stour School, when Flame Youth Cell will be leading worship and Gavin Drake will be speaking. In the evening, we hold disciple college, and meet for refreshments from 5.30pm at our church centre in Cudworth Road, and 6pm for an evening of teaching, ministry, worship and much more. Worship will be led by Assistant Senior Leader Luke Johnson and our speaker will be Lyndall Bywater.

KINGDOM KIDS BRING & BUY

A really great evening was held during Kingdom Kids last evening, when instead of their usual evening activities on a Friday, they held a Bring and Buy Sale to raise money for new team bibs. Around £100 was raised, which was great. It was really exciting to see the KKids getting into the 'spirit' of sales and encouraging lots of people to buy things - and special thanks to the Kingdom Kids team and their leader, Clare, for such a great evening.

ASCENSION DAY

Ascension Day is a very little celebrated festival within the UK, but this evening we met together in the home of Envoy Val for an evening of praise, worship and ministry. We focussed on how the Bible teaches us that as Jesus was ascended into heaven He held up his hands and blessed His children. Many held out their hands to be blest, and we saw God among us. We thank God sincerely for this opportunity - and for Envoy Val who allowed us to meet together in this way in her home. Seventeen People shared in this opportunity

THE BATTLE IS THE LORDS

GLOW COMMUNITY GROUP, meeting on a Monday, always ends with what we call our after dinner activity. It essence its a 'cell group' that people share in, and includes a thought and prayer, giving them all some food for thought. Today, we focussed on Battles, and we used the YES, NO game, recognising that many of us are unsure of the answers in our lives, or are not quite prepared to say Yes to God, and No to the battles. We then watched three 'grown men' play Jenga, and this took so long we just had to stop. However in this we recognised that many people compete against each other and do not need to; we recognised that many of us are building on stuff in our lives, instead of dealing with them; we recognised we needed to deal with the stuff as it comes along; we also recognised our role in aiding the battles of others - and being there to encourage, to equip, help and heal, and not standing in a place of telling people the way to do it, criticisng and so forth. Above all we recognised that the battle belongs to the Lord, and the Victory we can have in Him. Hallelujah! We thank God who gives us the Victory. We thank God that the truth is we cannot have Victory....without a Battle.

ANNUAL CELEBRATION

The Annual General Meeting & Celebration for churches together in ashford, was held this evening and saw our own captain Ian, retire from his two year appointment within this role. During the celebration service led by Reverends Alan Dinnie and Sheila McLachlan, Captain Ian Woodgate spoke, and a large number responded following.

WELCOMING ALEX SMITH

ALEX SMITH was welcomed as a member of our church this morning, in a celebration ceremony conducted by Captain Ian and supported by church leadership. Alex, with his wife Jean, has been attending our church for some months now, starting to attend our community group through an invitation from our family support officer, Caroline Marshall. Alex spoke about returning to the army, having had sometime in his early years being involved in Salvation Army activities

IF NOT NOW..... WHEN?

The focus for our morning celebration was IF NOT NOW.....WHEN? Recognising that there are many things that can 'wait a minute' there are some important things that should not. Captain Ian encouraged us to take the opportunities that God gives us to sort out now those things that God desires - such as sin in our lives, relationships, friendship, surrender and more. Being candidates sunday in The Salvation Army, we considered in that what God might be calling us to do and be.

SUNDAY

We look forward to sharing together tomorrow in celebration and worship, and hope that if you are able, you will do all you can to come along. We meet at 10.30am at the East Stour School in South Willesborough, at 10.30am, this will also include Kingdom Kids and a Creche area. Our senior leaders will be leading, and the celebration will include the welcoming into membership of Alex Smith. In the evening we meet with other churches throughout the town for the annual general meeting of churches together, where captain Ian will step down after his two years chairpersonship of this group. This starts at 5pm at Willesborough Baptist in Hythe Road. Following this there will be refreshments and our annual celebration service at 6.30pm where Captain Ian will be speaking.

FRIDAY NITE

If you are over eleven, then you will find a really warm welcome at IGNITE - ashford youth project. This is held at our church centre from 8pm, and admission is one pound. There is also a cafe serving food, and loads of stuff to enjoy.

SENIOR LEADERSHIP CONSULTATION

Our senior leadership, which oversights areas of 'essentials' for mission and ministry within our church community met together for their bi-monthly consultation on Thursday. This picture was taken live - and reflects the joy that we all had sharing together. Envoy Val looks very excited! But then, there is a lot to thank God for what He is doing among us.

DISCOVERY

THE DISCOVERY COURSE will be arriving at our church community in June, and held over four sessions on Monday evenings from 7.30pm, and Tuesday mornings from 10am. The four sessions help people to explore who they are in Christ and can be a very exciting, yet challenging journey. We would encourage every member and friend to invest some time in this course, and would encourage you to register your interest now.

THE VISION BEING FULFILLED

It is just amazing when you realise that before your very eyes a vision is being fulfilled. Every Thursday morning, for the last few weeks, over twenty people have made their way to meet with others at The Welcome In, an outreach project for South Ashford. This project headed by Envoy Val, and supported by the district pastor for south ashford, Elsie, and other members and friends of our church community and others, is the start of a fulfilment of a vision the envoy had over twenty years ago, and that this church believed for some four years back now. See more information and keep up to date through the south ashford blog at http://southashford.blogspot.com

HEALING & DELIVERANCE

an evening exploring this teaching will be held on Thursday 7th June from 7pm. Please sign up now if interested.

THIS SUNDAY

DON'T MISS THIS SUNDAY! As always we meet at 10.30am at the school for our morning celebration meeting, Kingdom Kids and Creche. God will be among us, so we hope you will be too. This week our senior leaders will be leading worship and speaking. As part of our morning celebration, Alex Smith will be welcomed as a member of the church.

At 5pm, everyone is invited to WILLESBOROUGH BAPTIST CHURCH in Hythe Road, for the annual general meeting of churches together in ashford, followed by refreshments, and then leading to our annual celebration at 6.30pm, to be led by the Reverends Alan Dinnie and Sheila McLachlan, and Captain Ian, as outgoing chairman will be speaking. Please do represent the army well at this event, and support this united opportunity to worship as HIS CHURCH in one place

NEW CHURCH IN COMMUNITY GROUP

Last evening the first of a new monthly cluster of 'church in the community' met on the new estate in South Willesborough. This new group hosted by Jan and Gary Chittenden and currently led by our senior leader, Captain Ian, will be about bringing together people to pray, worship and study and seeking to apply the Scriptures. Ten people, all from the Willesborough area, along with the district pastors for Willesborough met together. The subject followed through from Sundays teaching focus - WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS, and the group discussed the many hurdles that they have had to jump to get to where they are today - but how they continue to run the race that God has set before them. We thank Gary and Jan for opening their home for this event.

THE EVENT - MAY 2007

THE EVENT for the month of May, started with our monthly family celebration meal attended by sixty people. Thanks to the amazing team to prepare this for us. Then we celebrated WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS, and how it is we can have Victory in this life. Captain Ian used Games to help illustrate this and show how it is we can live an exciting victorious life, and how it starts by having a relatonship with Jesus Christ. The pictures illustrate some of the various activities, which concluded with a medal presenting ceremony to all the teams, celebrating what they have achieved in their lives and encouraging people to keep going!!!

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS - ALL AGE CELEBRATION

Sunday 6th May was a great day. Being Bank Holiday Weekend a number of our family were away, but we still welcomed about sixty or seventy people. We had a very special family celebration led by Captain Ian and our childrens ministries officer, Clare. Working in four teams we looked at what it means to be a champion - and how at times we need to keep pressing on, climbing over the hurdles and keeping focussed so that we can suceed and get to Heaven. Rachel Whitewood and Ben Marshall gave short talks, and various members of the church shared prayers. Some games helped illustrate the message for the day, and Captain Ian shared some of his certificates that he had been presented - but reminded everyone that the greatest thing we will be rewarded in life is Heaven - but we need to know Jesus and be in relationship for that to be a reality for us.

NEW CHURCH IN THE COMMUNITY GROUP

A NEW CHURCH IN THE COMMUNITY Cell Group starts this Tuesday at the home of Soldier Jan and Adherent-Member Gary Chittenden. You are warmly invited to join us on the new estate in South Willesborough from 7.30pm. If you require transportation please let us know. For address details contact our centre.

SPRING MINI MARKET

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE who supported our Spring Mini Market today. We had lots of people through the doors of the local school, including our new councillor for South Willesborough, David Smith. So much happened throughout the day, including a display from the majorettes in South Ashford. We raised just over £400, which is great. Thank you so much

HOPE ARRIVES!

HOPE HAS ARRIVED! Captain Susan - our senior leader/family ministries officer - gave birth on Friday 4th Mayat 11.48am, weighing 6.81/2. We give thanks to God for our new addition within the church family.

Hope is picture with Captain Susan, Grace and Adam, her older brother and sister

ADVANCE NOTICE

Opportunity to get together with other Salvation Army members and friends is rare and far and few between, but this year our divisional headquarters are encouraging us to come together as family on Sunday 22nd July, at a school in Redhill. Further information is yet to be received, but we would love as many from our church community to share with us. To register your interest please return your members blue form issued two weeks ago, or sign the sheet.

ADVANCE NOTICE

You can now book up for this years beach party, which will take place following morning worship on Sunday 29th July. We are encouraging people to use their own transporation if they can, and to help us out by taking people, should you have spaces. We invite you to bring with you your packed picnic lunch and lots of fun. These events are always great and we hope as many as possible will share with us. Please see the signing up sheet now to register your interest or return your blue members form issued two weeks ago.