THIS SUNDAY

We extend a really warm welcome to you this Sunday, for our monthly 'EVENT', which is held on the first Sunday in the month for people of all ages. This month we are going to be exploring where we come from - discovering our roots and our identity. We serve refreshments from 10.15am, and following THE EVENT encourage everyone to stay for our Family Celebration Meal, celebrating one another. A donation of £3 for adults and £2 for children is encouraged if possible for the meal. It is also encouraged that you book in advance so please telephone 01233 643480, and if you need transportation, please also inform us.

THIS SUNDAY

We warmly welcome you to come and share as family this Sunday morning at 10.30am at the East Stour School. This will be our last Sunday in 'summer' format, and return next Sunday to normaility - whatever that is! In the absense of our senior leaders, our assistant senior leader, Carl Whitewood will be leading worship and our Childrens Ministries Officer, Clare Hayward will be speaking. Please do come along and hear what God wants to say through them and be ready for God to do what He wants to do! Yours prayers for there preparation would be helpful too. We thank God for both these servants of God.

DON'T YOU JUST LOVE THEM - WE DO!!!

Some said being proud is a sin.... we we are going to have to sin then, and say there is a lot to be proud of at the Ashford Salvation Army Christian Centre. Despite what people might say - we have a great family of people - great leadership team - all far from perfect and they admit it - thats what makes them great. We are not professions in what we do, and far from what others churches are able to do and present- but we are seeking to be what God makes us and wants us to be. We have great church ministries, who are being very effective in what they are doing, we have people wanting to go deeper with God, new membership coming through, people of all ages and much more. We could go on, but here we want to go on about four people who we just love so much. Today, GCSE examination results day. Nathan, Ellie and Rachel and Gemma have all done so well - actually Nathan gets his results tomorrow! But whatever their results we love them, because they got through many months of studies, weeks of exams - and above all that have an amazing relationship with Jesus Christ and thats eternal, so thats really all that matters. BUT theres results were great too, and we thank God for being with them, and protecting and supporting them - and we know too they were well covered by the prayers of their church family as well. So, to you four guys, and everyone else, remember you are loved, accepted, valued for who you are ...... and well done for your results too.

SOUL SURVIVOR 2007

About twenty five people from our church - including some friends of members of our church - travelled to the Royal Bath and Wells Showground for Soul Survivor. In the main this is a Youth week, focussing on the Ministry of The Word and The Spirit, but attended by people of all ages. About 12,000 others attended with them. This is the third of such weeks, as so many attend this event! The week is full of worship events, lots of teaching, seminars, films, resource centres and much more, so there is lots of do. Camping is the way, and despite the weather in Ashford the soul survivors report they did not have much rain at all. The week was oversighted by Captain Sue, and supported by Clare, The James Family, Caroline, Rob and other older people who aided in many ways. Our assistant senior leader, Carl, helped massively again to make this possible with transportation and the use of his family caravan which was a great blessing. So much happened, and we are hoping that the soul survivors will add comments, but they saw people saved, healed, filled with the Spirit, and much more. We look forward to seeing God using them more and more as the see the fruit of the touch of His Spirit in the weeks and months to come - and we thank those who ensured it was possible it all happened. To see larger images click on it. We could not use all 70 plus pictures, mainly because we have seen enough of Rachel in these and see seemed to be in all of them......

LIGHT LIVING

We are pleased to introduce you to LIGHT LIVING, which is the new name for our adult ministries. For sometime we have been building a ministry to work with those in the twenty plus age group, and seeking God for its purpose and design. Adult Ministries Officer Sara Hayward, has been doing much work, as well as waiting on God, and this week the new name has been uncovered! It means so much - Light Living meaning that as a ministry they seek to help make Life lighter for those under their influence, and Light Living, meaning that they seek to help 'adults' to walk in His Light. Wow, amazing! We pray for the growth and influence of this ministry, as we do its leader, and we pray for a team to come forward and work in this ministry. However we also already recognise those engaging in it, including our Home and Family Team, District Pastors, Pastoral Support Team, and Cell Groups.

WHAT AN AWESOME GOD....

People continue to be testifying to God's touch on their lives last week during our prayer week, and we thank God for this. Gary's Blog records some of his thoughts and feelings.

News from Soul Survivor is that God has been doing some amazing things among those who have gathered. Despite the weather in Ashford they have avoided much of the rain, but have known His Reign over them!!!!! There will be much shared we are sure, but already reports say that one of the little boys, George, who has gone with his family, asked to go to the meeting instead of the film night, and then at the end of the evening, went forward to become a Christian!!! Hallelujah! And, last night as some of those attending prayed for Captain Sue, her hip pains went! She has struggled with this since her last pregnancy. We thank God for all this. This is their last day now and they return tomorrow, but we pray equally on this day that all lives will be touched. Thank you Jesus!

PRAYER WEEK PICTURES

CLICK ON THE PICTURES TO SEE LARGER IMAGE.

MEET G.E.F.F.

The last few weeks our usual mission programme does not take place - however that does not mean that nothing happens! Time is available for people to visit others, to share time together, to build relationships - and its been great to hear that has been happening. BUT too, at our church centre it gives us time to clear it up and engage in some sorting out projects. This summer we welcome a new addition to our family - two new sheds. One will house our parent and toddler toys, and the other, known as GEFF will house community things, such as clothing, bric a brac and also a general store for things. Both sheds come at no cost to us - they come from a grant, granted to us. But they were not as easy at people might think, and our property managers, Norman and George, engaged in many hours to get this done. So, in celebration of them it has been named after them GEFF. Thank you guys! Also a massive thank you to Kevin Hayward for all he did, including the concreting of the base. It was a real team work, and we cannot thank Kevin and others enough. Not forgetting either, those who made the teas and stood there encouraging!!!!

SUNDAY 19TH AUGUST 2007

Despite quite a number being away on holiday, and some at Soul Survivor, we still had about 40 people sharing with us today which was great. Our senior leader, Ian, led worship and spoke from The Word, and we concluded our Beach Party series, lookin at the Eternal Beach Party - the reality that at the end of our journey we can celebrate and dance before God, there in His Glory, in His Presence, where we shall see Him face to face. During the meeting there was opportunity for sharing, and there was a real roll of people wanting to share especially from experiences during our week of Prayer and Worship last week. Our Prayer team led prayers which was helpful. At the end of the meeting quite a number of people 'journeyed to the cross' and made prayers and received prayers. We thank God for His touch, His Word and His Spirit among us.

AND THEY ARE OFF.....

Just over twenty leaders, members and friends of our church have just left to attend this years Soul Survivor. This is the third year we have attended this event. This is also the most we have taken which is also exciting - and among the numbers are people of all ages. Those going will be camping for the next few days - and will return on Thursday. There will be lots of opportunity to enjoy time together, as well as time with God. Please pray for those attending, and for Captain Sue as she oversights the week, and cooks for all these people. We are grateful to our assistant senior leader, Carl, for helping with transportation to and back.

PRAYER WEEK PICTURES

WATCH OUT FOR PICTURES FROM THE PRAYER WEEK.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE LAYOUT OF THE PRAYER ZONES.....

OVERWHELMED BY...THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Final Day of our week of prayer and worship was a further powerful day and started with Prayer and Share at the home of Buddy and Frances Back, and led by our senior leaders. The afternoon prayer zones gave people opportunity to reflect and be still before God and pray for many different things. Our Bible Study at 4,30pm, led by Ian, looked again at Ephesians and we studied each chapter and what it said to us about what being Overwhelmed by His Spirit really meant. Our final meal together, coooked by Captain Sue, again was great and this led us nicely into our final celebration meeting, led by our senior leaders, and attended by a good number of church members and friends, as well as people from other churches! God moved powerfully and touched peoples lives in lots of way, and we rejoice in this. We thank God for overwhelming us with His Spirit, and pray that this is a place where we stay and not take ourselves in and out of the 'God Experiences'. Its a place He longs for us to dwell. Thank you too to everyone who was able to give sometime to the week as a whole.

OVERWHELMED BY.....LIFE

Today in our Bible Study we reflected on Pauls Teaching about the reality that we are called to prayer in the Spirit on occasions, and importantly for each other. That importance has been reflected as our leaders, members and friends have pulled aside, and many fasted from the things of the world, to engage in prayer for church ministries, members, the council, the councillors, the lost, the hurting, requests from around the world and much more. Its been a very special time, and tomorrow will be our last opportunity in this way. Overwhelmed by LIFE has been the focus today, and in that we have considered the things many today are overwhelmed by, that being life itself. Yet we have recognised a believers God does not want us to be overwhelmed by those things, but just by Him! Our day started in Willesborough, and shared together with a number of members of the 'community church' in Willesborough with other 'community churches' and their leaders. It was special, and led by Pastor Elsie. There was a lot of challenge and much discussion. The afternoon prayer zones saw many being lost with God, and our Bible Study a helpful time too. Following an amazing dinner cooked again by Captain Sue - we concluded with a full hall of people singing and worshipping the Praises of our God! Please join us tomorrow....

OVERWHELMED BY....FORGIVENESS

Day Two of our week of prayer and worship was again a very special and powerful time and well supported by leaders, members and friends. In the pace of life today its so easy to not have the time to pull aside and reflect and prayer - and yet Scripture teaches us the importance of it - and as someone once wrote are we too busy not to pray?! Today our focus was on Forgiveness and we looked and studied Ephesians Chapter Two. We looked at what we were before we were saved, and now what we are is we are saved! What an overwhelming God! Pastor Elsie started our day by leading Prayer and Share at her home, and then the various prayer zones were available for people to use. A meal, beautifully cooked by Captain Sue followed, and then we concluded with an evening of prayer and worship. God's Spriit came beautifully among us, and His Peace and Blessing - as well as forgiveness was known. Again it was good to have the attendance of others from other local church communities. Thank You God for today.

OVERWHELMED BY.....GOD

Today was just the first day of our week of prayer and worship, but wow it has been an amazing day. We thank God for the many leaders, members and friends who have shared the day with us - including some tonight from other churches. We started the day at 10.30am in the home of Viv Sanderson, and shared some Prayer and Sharing together, looking at WHO IS GOD? Recognising in that that God is indesrcrible, yet so many words do describe Him! We were overwhelmed by who God has become to us, and the relationship that we share. Following this our centre was open for people to visit our various prayer zones, to engage in prayer walking, and to watch some worship or teaching videos. The centre at times was buzzing with people offering all sorts of prayers to God, or just reflecting on Him. An afternoon Bible Study from Ephesians Chapter Four was held from 4.30pm, after which Captain Susan had cooked an amazning meal for us to enjoy together. At 7.30pm our evening of prayer and worship just flowed - God released many to praise and worship Him, we looked at The Word, and we danced! We fell and His feet and we cried! God moved, and touched the lives of many. Many were overwhelmed by Him. One sister even said she heard the angels singing! Wow - what a God, as we sang tonight - How Great is our God!!!!

SOUTH ASHFORD UPDATE

Its been sometime since we updated you about our 'church plant' in South Ashford. Plans are developing well, totally under the guidance and inspiration of The Holy Spirit. Envoy Val Barkley is a mighty 'man of God' who is not seeking to run with anything, unless its totally under the Holy Spirits anointing. Hallelujah! But sometimes its also necessary to reassess where things are and what happening in order to prepare for the future. For some weeks now, if not months, some outreach has been happening through The Revival Centre in Kingsnorth Road. Its been an exciting project, and above all shown to these 'saints' that they can do it!!! Last Thursday was the last meeting of the Welcome In project at the Revival Centre, and in September, our new home (we hope) will be the Parish Rooms on the Stanhope estate, which is where Envoy Val felt our calling was sometime ago, and this has been the stepping stone to that. Last Thursday over 30 people shared together, and news of developments will follow very soon. Watch this space. In the mean time, please pray with us that we will see more of God's anointing upon this project and that anything that is not of Him will not happen! Incidently, also starting in September is a new monthly cell group, held on the 3rd Monday evening of the month at the home of Pastor Elsie from 7-8.30pm. This will be a 'drop in cell' for refreshments and chat, and as always is open to everyone. You can contact Envoy Val at Valerie.Barkley@salvationarmy.org.uk

SUNDAY 12TH AUGUST

Week Three in our series of 'The Beach Party' encouraged us to Chill Out! The last two weeks we have Celebrated at the beach, and Got Wet! This week starting with Matthew 5, we were reminded we would be blessed when we hunger and thirst after more of God, we would be filled too! Our senior leader, Ian, reminded us that many come to church with little hunger because they are satisified in the things of the world, and therefore there is only a little room left for God. But its essential, we take time out to feed on God, and to rest in Him. We explored how God calls us to rest, as reflected in psalm 23, and how in that time, we can know Ministry from God, as we give to Him our burdens and our cares - as He invites us in Matthew, to come to Him and He will give us rest. By now carrying everything to God in prayer, we forfeit peace and indeed rest! It was great to see so many with us, despite so many away, and thank God for His Presence among us.

IMPORTANT WEEK ABOUT TO START

As many people have headed off, or are heading off to the various summer camps, we recognise not everyone is able to do that, and so locally we hold our own! Although on a much smaller scale, we provide a days programme of activities and events, giving people opportunity to have time out, people opportunity to be lost and overwhelmed with God, and to give quaility time to The Word of God, and to being open to the Ministry of the Holy Spirit. Our theme and focus will be OVERWHELMED, and we do encourage everyone that is able to give sometime during the week, which we believe will be a signficiant time for the church we are part of, but also for anyone else that will join with us. The programme for the week is as follows:-

Prayer and Share from 10.30am, time aside in peoples homes to look at the Word, to worship and to discuss, this will conclude about 12noon

Prayer Zones will fill our church centre, with lots of prayer activities, guides and more to engage in. There will also be some worship and teaching videos played, and a guide to going out prayer walking. This is from 1pm

Bible Study and Application around our theme for the week will be held from 4.30pm.

Family Meal is provided from 6pm

Evening Celebration from 7.30pm-9pm - worship and prayer ministry will be the main focus.

Transportation is available. Please do come and share with us, and if you need transport, then please let us know.

THE BEACH PARTY - WEEK THREE

Join us this Sunday at 10.30am for our celebration meeting, which will continue our summer series at the beach party. This week our focus will be CHILL OUT, and look at a further reason people go to the beach - to rest! What does God teach us about rest? Come and join us this Sunday to find out

BROADSTAIRS PART TWO

Despite saying that most people enjoyed the day together, obviously the company of family members (including her husband) was all too much and meant this soldier reflected her enjoyment of the company in this way. Maybe she should have come across to the other group!!!!

BROADSTAIRS OUTING

Our Summer Outing this year took about fifty people to Broadstairs for the day. We enjoyed time together and most people sat on the beach (or to the side of the beach) enjoying the days weather we were blessed with. As always it was great to bring together people from our adult and family ministries groups and our church family as a whole, and we thank God for this opportunity of sharing in this way.

SUNDAY 5th AUGUST 2007

Quite a number of our family were away this week, but we were really thrilled to still have abou sixty with us. Continuing our summer series on 'The Beach Party: Lifes Beach - surf it up", our Captain Ian, spoke from John 4 and encouraged us to Let the Living Water Flow, and to Get Wet. The children also did some thoughts around this and came back and presented this to us at the end of the morning. The morning also included a short time on people sharing about Getting Wet and going deeper with God, and as always this was encouraging. We thank God for all those who were able to be with us, and continue to pray for those who couldn't for a whole host of reasons.

GET WET CONTINUES

In preparation for Sunday, and our focus on getting wet - the following 'word from God' has been rediscovered as the church office has been sorted out this week. We feel this is confirmation about Sunday and again a fresh word to His People in these days.

I saw this deep well, the water was at the bottom and the bucket was above the wall of the well. No matter how hard the people pushed on the bucket or tried to wind it down it would not budge. Then I looked up and above the well was a big brass tap which dripped into the bucket but Jesus was saying - He wanted to flood the bucket until it was full and overflowing with His Living Water. He wants you to have faith and not to try to fathom it out intellectally, but to trust Him and be filled with His Holy Spirit.

The Beach Party: Get Wet!

Get Wet! Thats what we are going to be encouraged to do this Sunday in our morning Celebration Meeting at 10.30am. Continuing our 'summer season' celebrating The Beach Party, we will explore the words of Jesus when He said - Is anyone thirsty - let them come to Me and drink! We will be celebrating the Living Water - which of course water being an essential by the beach!

We will be meeting at the Beach - well East Stour School, Earlsworth Road, South Willesborough, and there is also Kingdom Kids for the children and Bright Sparks creche for our toddlers (under fives). We hope to see you!