tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61865121796387429172024-03-12T19:42:31.419-07:00.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537721874513489638noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186512179638742917.post-21663595016035918192013-09-26T06:51:00.002-07:002013-09-26T06:56:05.855-07:00Silky Skills in Southall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Nomad hit the ground running on our first mission week in Southall, London. After reflecting on; 2 Timothy 1 v 7 “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” it was time to jump in the van and head on down to London town. Upon arrival, we set up the cage for the first time as a team on Golf Links estate. The first panna of the year quickly followed, successfully carried out by Jack against Michael! There were some great conversations with the young people. Of note was a conversation we had with a young Muslim lad which quickly evolved from Arsenal potentially winning the league to an in depth discussion of faith, the work of YFC and why we were in Southall. Throughout the week we worked with Calum Burke, a youth worker at St Johns church on a number of different estates in Southall. Whilst working with the young people, we also had time to experience Southall's vast religious diversity. Much of Southall is Muslim, Sikh or Hindu and so we had opportunities to visit the largest Gurdwara (the Sikh place of worship) outside of India and a tour of a Mosque. This included a Q and A session with the Imam who Calum has established a good relationship with. <br />
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For the team, it was both a fantastic and challenging experience. Mark and Jack could not get enough of the free food at the Gurdwara and the team enhanced their knowledge of other faiths in the process, leading to a better understanding of how to engage with the young people we were working with. On Wednesday we found ourselves in our first school surrounding, which involved leading a series of sessions as a team on Respect. Using football skills and the cage we demonstrated the need for respect both in and outside of a sporting environment. As the week progressed, the team bonded closer together as friends and as the new Nomad team. As first weeks go it was a pleasure to be a part of and we are all very much excited and looking forward to seeing what God does this year with us all!<br />
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Please pray for:<br />
Calum and St Johns church as they continue the work started in the areas and estates that were visited<br />
Financial support for Calum as they finalise the details to employ a sports ministry worker of their own to work with their own cage as of January 2014 <br />
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God bless,<br />
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Mike<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537721874513489638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186512179638742917.post-29064722552747790512013-04-16T04:47:00.001-07:002013-04-16T04:47:13.937-07:00Lovin' life in leafy LichfieldHello again everybody,<br />
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Nomad have just returned to Lichfield after a week off in their respective hometowns. We have undoubtedly known God's blessing in the last few months. During our weeks in Dundee and Queensferry, a great rapport was built with both staff and pupils alike as we delivered RE and PE lessons in schools. One lad informed us after our final night in Queensferry that it had been the best week of school 'ever' and that the lessons he received had given him a better understanding of the Christian faith. That's what it's all about!<br />
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Our week in Crawley with Street 360 and Nomad NI was a great example of God being able to use human frailty for his own good. Despite myriad trailer issues, we had the privilege of seeing spiritual fruit, with many incredible conversations about Jesus had around the cage and elsewhere. On the final day of term before Easter, every pupil at the school attended a 'Big Gig' where the good news of Jesus was explained (and sung!) in a relevant way. <br />
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Please pray for Neil Campbell and Gavin Berry in Dundee, as they tell young people there about God's love on a daily basis. Drew and Michael do likewise in Queensferry, as does Sarah Davis with Street 360 in Crawley. One of the great aspects of Nomad is meeting so many people who have a heart to share Jesus with those young people in their locality. While the football cage is an amazing tool, it is not one that all these great workers have available every week of the year. We pray that Nomad can be a catalyst for their work.<br />
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The main event this week is the Wade Street Church away day on Saturday, at which we will be running the youth programme. As well as evangelism, an important part of what Nomad can do is to assist in the discipleship of Christian young people. We had the wonderful opportunity to do some of this kind of work at Spring Harvest (Skegness) a fortnight ago and are looking forward to investing in the young people of our host town, not just on Saturday, but for the remainder of the year.<br />
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Thanks again so much for your continued prayers. Please pray that we would continue to look to God's strength, and not our own, as we enter the home straight of the 2012/13 season. <br />
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Romans 15v30: I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28334A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537721874513489638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186512179638742917.post-14980338279474117972013-03-26T11:00:00.000-07:002013-03-26T11:00:08.276-07:00Day 2 in CrawleyHello again,<br />
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Day 2 of the Holy Trinity School mission week. <br />
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The day began with a reminder from Paul's letter to the Ephesian church that... "we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10). God has created us for a purpose, he has gone before us and he is with us in the here and now. This is obviously not only true of the work that will go on in Holy Trinity this week but is true for all of us in whatever we have been doing today and will be doing in the days, weeks and months ahead. What an encouragement to know that whatever situation we go into God has already been before us and prepared the way for us to do good works! This verse also serves as an apt reminder that it is in Christ Jesus that we do that which has been prepared for us. It is in His strength and not our own that we carry out the mission of Nomad, Nomad NI and Street360 this week.<br />
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Today in the school we delivered 6 RE lessons, 1 music lesson and 2 PE lessons. There was a great lunchtime session in the playground with tunes pumping and nutmegs a plenty. The team also enjoyed spending time and sharing in fellowship with sixth formers from the CU. Let's pray for these sixth formers who lead the CU. Pray that this week would serve to encourage and equip them as their lives serve as a witness to their classmates and fellow pupils. Pray that as they live out their lives the students of Holy Trinity school will see Jesus in their words and actions. Thank God for the unity and the way in which the two Nomad teams have gelled this week. Thank God for the positive feedback received from staff and the positive engagement we have had with the young people. Pray for a renewing of energy and strength for the remaining two days of mission in school. Pray that we would take every opportunity to share the good news of Jesus with the young people we encounter. Pray that we will see lives transformed and young people making commitments to follow Jesus for themselves!<br />
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Blessings,<br />
<br />
ErikAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537721874513489638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186512179638742917.post-45919836001276259972013-03-25T11:41:00.000-07:002013-03-25T11:41:53.671-07:00A full first day and a full lifeHi!<br />
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This week, the Nomad teams from England and Northern Ireland are both partnering with Street 360 (Crawley YFC) for a mission week in Holy Trinity School. We are truly appreciative of the prayers of so many supporters, and will endeavour to update this blog each day of the mission.<br />
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Many thanks to everyone for your prayers during yesterday's travel chaos and logistical nightmare. God was good and both teams (and a cage!) arrived in Crawley by midnight. After a few hours' kip, we hit the ground running for the first day of the mission today. The theme of the week is 'living life to the full' from John 10:10 and today we were able to take three RE classroom lessons and three PE lessons on this topic. Students were encouraged to think about their ideas of an abundant life, and we had the opportunity to tell them of the way in which our relationship with Jesus has given us life to the full. In addition, the lunchtime cage session was well attended, and led to several excellent conversations. There was also a 'Grill a Christian' session with a local minister, during which students were invited to pose any query about Christianity. This will be repeated each lunchtime this week.<br />
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Please pray for:<br />
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- Continued energy for everyone on the mission week team<br />
- Conversations around school to be focused on God<br />
- Christians at the school to be built up in their faith as a result of the weekAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537721874513489638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186512179638742917.post-79311655167175601852013-02-26T06:22:00.000-08:002013-02-26T07:03:44.671-08:00There and back again...A Nomad tale (Jan and Feb)<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hi everyone,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Apologies for not posting a blog in such a long time. The weeks since the turn of the year have been somewhat manic, but we have really known God's blessing in various locations, and have had wonderfully diverse opportunities to share the gospel.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;">After a great week of teaching and spiritual refreshment at YFC conference, it was straight to <st1:place w:st="on">Crawley</st1:place> for the first mission of the calendar year. We had a brilliant week, based in Holy Trinity school, which was only slightly disrupted by the heavy snowfall. A highlight of this mission was its’ variety. As well as taking PE lessons with the football cage about ‘living life to the full’, we also took part in classroom RE teaching, three youth clubs, a school music group, assemblies and a youth event called 'Ignite’. It was a privilege to work with the Street 360 team at YFC Crawley and we pray that God will enable us to develop the relationships built there when we return for another week at the end of March.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;">An exciting new opportunity presented itself in our base town of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Lichfield</st1:city></st1:place> from January 21-25 as we were invited to take RE lessons in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Nether</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Stowe</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">High School.</st1:placetype></st1:place> We were integrated into the teaching syllabus, and took classes on the themes of ‘The Power and Influence of Jesus’ and ‘Religious Tolerance’. Through this, and particularly the question times at the end of the lessons, we had some great conversations about what it means to be a Christian. Please pray for ex-Nomad Anthony Narain (the youth worker at our base church in Lichfield) who has established good links in the school, and will return to take more RE lessons in the near future – an exciting development! </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">During the last week of January, <st1:placename w:st="on">Thomas</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Aquinas</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">School</st1:placetype> in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Birmingham</st1:place></st1:city> were having a mission week on the theme of ‘Encountering Jesus’, and invited Nomad, Stance (YFC’s street dance team) and Guvna B (YFC’s rap ambassador) to participate. We took over 300 pupils for lessons with the cage on the theme of ‘Sacrifice’ and told of how Jesus’ sacrifice can make all the difference in our lives. Some in depth conversations took place with older students around the cage during the course of the week. Please pray for the students we spoke to, that God would show them the need for a personal relationship with Him.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">We continued our travels into February by heading down to Oxfordshire for a week’s mission partnering with <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Abingdon</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Community</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Church</st1:placetype></st1:place>. We saw the benefit of going into the same school (Larkmead High) each day, as we built up a great rapport with the pupils and teachers, who really interacted with our lessons. A particular highlight was taking a full school assembly about Christ’s sacrifice to over 1000 people, where we felt a clear sense of God’s presence with us. This opened the door for many excellent conversations and around fifty teenagers came along to a football tournament on the Friday night. They listened intently as Jenna and James shared their testimonies – please pray that God would use the ‘Desire’ group of youth workers in their planned follow-up activities. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">After Abingdon, we made our way to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">York, where we worked i</st1:city></st1:place>n conjunction with the Elim church. We went into Archbishop Holgate’s CoE school each day and took classroom RE lessons on ‘Life to the full’ and ‘Morality’, assemblies and lunchtime and after school cage sessions. In addition, we took the cage along to two youth events. A real highlight of the week was seeing eight of the boys we met at the school at church on Sunday morning. York Elim have a great relationship with unchurched teenagers at their youth club – please pray that God would water this seed and encourage the workers there, including Nomad legend Rob Newton.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">We have also had the opportunity to take part in some one-off events. On Monday 18th February, we ran a half-term sports event in Walsall, while last Sunday David and Erik had the opportunity to return to Abingdon. There, they spoke about 'the vine and the branches' at a 'Desire' event for the combined youth groups of Abingdon.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">So, there's been a blog drought followed by the longest one in history! Thanks again so much for all your prayers, we continue to cherish them, particularly as we head on the road for four weeks straight in March. We will be going to Dundee, Queensferry, Crawley and Spring Harvest at Skegness.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">God bless.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Joke of the week: My doctor told me recently that I should watch what I eat. So I've bought a ticket to the Grand National!</span></div>
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</o:p></span></o:p></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537721874513489638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186512179638742917.post-89156936325873905782012-12-17T05:16:00.001-08:002012-12-17T05:16:56.439-08:00Epic EppingNomad have just returned from a fantastic week partnering with Epping Forest YFC in Essex. Working primarily with the legendary Jamie Bennett, we had the opportunity to speak to roughly 500 primary school children during the mission, as we took lessons on the themes of 'Fair Play', 'Living life to the full' and 'Respect'. Through these, we had the chance to tell all these children the good news of Jesus - a wonderful experience! In addition, we went along to youth groups at St Mary's and All Saints Churches of England, where we took a session on being Ambassadors for the gospel. This was a blessing both to us and the young people present. On our return last night, we set the cage up at The Mob youth group in Lichfield, before going home exhausted, but happy! Please pray for the work we did in Epping Forest, that God would water the seed which was planted in so many hearts. Please pray also for all of the heroes at Epping Forest YFC who do an amazing job all-year round in local schools and churches.<br />
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God bless and we shall write again after Christmas! Have a good one.<br />
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Joke of the week: There's a documentary on tonight about shipbuilding. Should be riveting. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537721874513489638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186512179638742917.post-4538911156479527032012-11-20T04:16:00.002-08:002012-11-20T04:16:58.754-08:00Local and Notts so local workThe last week or so has been very varied for our intrepid Nomad team. Following two days at the Explore residential at Whitmoor Lakes, we headed for Nottingham - home city of the delightful team member that is Mr. James Girling. A great night was had with the cage at Cornerstone Church (James' home church) and it was extremely encouraging to see how much God has blessed the work there. It was a blessing to be able to share about our work with James' mates, and to give them a practical demonstration of what we do! Last week, David and James undertook the Football Association Level 1 coaching course in Derby while Erik and Jenna were at work back in Lichfield, where they had the opportunity to go into the CU group at Netherstowe School. Once the whole team was reunited, we were privileged to be able to take 'The Mob' youth group at Wade Street Church (our base when in Lichfield). Various games and challenges took place, which were related to Jesus' Parable of the Lost Sheep. Please pray that God will bless The Mob - we attend it and help out whenever we are around in Lichfield. Yesterday was another busy day, as the team headed into King Edward's School in the town for a full day's lessons. Some great conversations were had around the cage, particularly at lunchtime when around 150 pupils attended the session and created a sensational atmosphere. Pray that God would have sown a seed. The week continues apace with Hub training tomorrow and a day of lessons in Grace Academy, Coventry on Thursday 22nd.<br />
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Blessings and thank you all for your ongoing support. God is good.<br />
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Joke of the week: Garfield was spotted in Trafalgar Square recently. That really put the cat amongst the pigeons.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537721874513489638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186512179638742917.post-28839026006660803682012-11-07T04:12:00.001-08:002012-11-07T04:12:50.492-08:00Excellent Exeter, exciting ExploreNomad continue their frantic pace of bringing the good news relevantly to young people! Last week, after a few days of beneficial Hub training, the team hit the road again. We were bound for Exeter and two days working with the indomitable James Grier who heads up Unlimited Church in the city centre. A half-term programme of events took place, which included a youth cafe, a converted double-decker bus, an opec mic night and volleyball, as well as our cage. The vision of Unlimited Church is to reach young people who are unchurched, and they regularly go around the streets of Exeter trying to chat to these young people about God. They also aim to make church more accesible for teenagers and throw off some of the negative shackles and perceptions of 'religion'. Nomad were truly blessed to be able to be a part of this work for a few days, as many young people were reached during the mission. Please pray for James and his wife Liz as they continue this fantastic work, developing existing relationships and nurturing new ones formed over half-term.<br />
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While in the sun-kissed (?!) south, we also took the opportunity to go to Plymouth for a day. There, we partnered with Plymouth Christian Centre as they launched their football youth ministry. A large number of new contacts were made around the cage (including getting to know two Nepalese lads who only moved to the UK a month ago). Please pray for the guys at PCC who strive to develop these relationships and integrate these young people into their existing youth work.<br />
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Currently, we are assisting Sarah Hockley, Nathan Iles, Steve Bownds and Tom Soar in leading seminars at the Explore residential at Whitemoor Lakes, near Lichfield. Over 100 Year 7 pupils from schools around the Midlands are at the residential doing various activities. As YFC, we are responsible for roadshows in which they hear a Christian perspective on issues like money and dealing with emotions.<br />
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Thanks again for your prayers. James 5v16<br />
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Joke of the week: Nobody was expecting our local library to start growing vegetables. What a turnip for the books!<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537721874513489638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186512179638742917.post-28798467048751748772012-10-29T11:08:00.001-07:002012-10-29T11:08:37.464-07:00Southall to Shrewsbury...and smiling all the way!So much has happened since our last post as God continues to bless the Nomad team. In September, a super Fort Rocky weekend was followed by our first mission week in Coventry. We were blessed with great weather as we did school lessons and brought the cage to the HEBA's 'LoveCov' event. The Saturday afternoon in Coventry city centre was particularly blessed, with many young people playing in the cage and chatting about God around it. <br />
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From Coventry, we made our way down to Clevedon in Somerset where more schools and detached work was done with the cage and the legendary Neil Wylie at the YMCA. Again, God blessed the work and many contacts were made and relationships built. Please pray for Neil as he develops these.<br />
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October continued apace with another mission as we were welcomed to the London borough of Southall. A top week was had working with Calum Burke, as many young people were shown Christ's love in the estates.<br />
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After a week back in leafy Lichfield we were on the road again, this time to Shrewsbury where we worked in partnership with both Barnabas Church and Shrewsbury YFC. We did three days of schools lessons and visited six different secular youth clubs - a great opportunity to display that God is interested in the local community!<br />
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This week we have two days of Hub training before heading to Exeter on Thursday 1st November to bring the cage to some half-term events. Prayer appreciated!<br />
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Please pray for those places where we have already done missions. Pray that the links built in communities can be capitalised on by the local churches and youth workers, who do such a sterling job!<br />
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Peace out.<br />
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Joke of the week: <br />
Someone threw a lump of cheese at me yesterday as I walked down the street. Mature.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537721874513489638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186512179638742917.post-39009743140542800582012-09-13T01:54:00.001-07:002012-09-13T01:55:32.066-07:00Newmad... Nomad<span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><strong>September 13th 2012</strong></span><br />
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<strong>The Nomad team for the 2012/13 has taken shape! Erik Hayter once again leads the team, and is joined by new team members Jenna Allison, David Burke and James Girling. Give thanks to God for the brilliant week we've just had at the Evangelism Training Conference alongside all the other YFC One volunteers. The conference gave us brilliant training in both theology and youth work from some amazing speakers and also developed real unity amongst us! This week is being used to sort out practical things (i.e. van cleaning) as well as going over school lessons and outlining our vision for the year. On Friday, it's off to Smallwood Manor for a Fort Rocky weekend before we head to Coventry for a week's mission from September 17th-23rd. Please pray for the practicalities of travel safety and assembling the cage, but most importantly that young people would meet Jesus at both Fort Rocky and in Coventry! </strong><br />
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<strong>Joke of the week: My friend has a chicken proof lawn. It's impeccable.</strong></div>
</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537721874513489638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186512179638742917.post-48223294120094761972012-05-18T04:15:00.004-07:002012-05-18T04:17:41.297-07:00In It Together<strong><span style="color: #999999;">Croydon</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #999999;">We were privileged to be a part of a family fun day down at Crystal Palace’s ground, Selhurst Park, with glorious weather and 3000 people to entertain. As well as NOMAD with the cage there was also a whole range of sports and other activities taking place throughout the day. The event was run well and was a real blessing to the whole community. Many proud parents were film their children as they engaged with the vast range of fun activities there for them. The event was free and everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves. It was fantastic to see all the churches in the area uniting together to create such a successful event.</span></strong></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537721874513489638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186512179638742917.post-11852546236842918522012-05-18T04:15:00.001-07:002012-05-18T04:17:26.201-07:00Igniting Hope<strong><span style="color: #999999;">Cardiff</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #999999;">Cardiff proved to be one of our busiest, if not the busiest, mission the team have had to tackle all year. Monday to Friday began working in Llanishen high school which 1700 pupils attended. Most of these days we were taking at least three lessons if not four or five. On top of this the team worked solid throughout break and lunchtime. It was demanding of us but the team coped really well and had many opportunities to share about what we were doing and why we were here. The majority of the lessons covered the topics of self-belief (which is “believing you can do anything accept fly!”) and respect. It was good to see all the students engaging with the topics and taking something away from each lesson. Many of the pupils had more than one lesson with us during the course of the week, so that gave us an opportunity to teach them on other topics such as team work. Again, the weather (with the exception of Tuesday!) remained dry which was another blessing. Being in the school, or ysgol (Welsh for school), all week again meant that good relationships were established and we were able to gain keen interest for the weekends big event Ignite Hope. It kicked off on Friday night at Sophia Gardens, just opposite the City Temple Church which we had attended the previous weekend for their evening service. The project ran all day from Saturday through to Monday (as it was a bank holiday) and it was action packed and very busy. Each day was split into two and in the mornings the team would also divide up as Phil and Ben went out to an area called Tremorfa to help run a soccer school where twenty young people were eager to improve their skills. Erik and Sammy on the other hand took the cage down Llangranoc Road which was where a charity shop being run by the church was opening. Unfortunately, due to issues with the neighbours the cage could not stay there but a football match was organised and played on a green nearby none the less which the youth got stuck into and really enjoyed. In the evenings we would regroup and work the cage at Sophia Gardens and it was good to see a few familiar faces from the school we had worked in all week. During the evening there was a talk and always an opportunity to surrender yourself to Christ. Approximately 80 people came forward that weekend as well as another 20 or so rededicating their lives to the Lord. Over the course of eight days the team worked with and engaged with roughly 450 young people. With all the other projects happening as part of Ignite hope as well, many more young people were reached. On the final Monday there was a monsoon over the city but despite this, the week concluded having been one of the most successful missions this year.</span></strong></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537721874513489638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186512179638742917.post-40903455481471372512012-05-18T04:14:00.001-07:002012-05-18T04:17:10.612-07:00To Wales!!<strong><span style="color: #999999;">Swansea</span></strong><br />
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<u><strong><span style="color: #999999;">23/04 – 29/04</span></strong></u></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #999999;">We started work in Mumbles, Swansea on the Monday by setting up the cage in one of the local secondary schools. We continued to work in the school each week, opening up the cage every lunch time to the pupils. It was really great to see everyone so keen and interested to have a go. Even the girls came over and, although we couldn’t get them in the cage, watched the boys as they tricked their way past each other. We had some really good conversations with some of the students, some of who were already Christians and we met them at church on the Sunday. God really did bless us with the weather we had over the week. Every lunchtime we worked stayed dry, which was a miracle seeing as we were in Wales. However, on each day, as soon as the team began to pack down the cage, it started raining. Due to rain we were not able to bring the cage into the school on the Friday but that did not take anything away from the great four lunchtimes we had spent with that school and its pupils. On top of the schools work the team also contributed to helping a local drop in session at the Red Cafe which was very convenient seeing as that was where we were based all week. It was a fantastic opportunity to share our faith with the youth as well as build relationships, play games (such as Fifa 2012 on the Xbox) and even run a sports quiz for them, which was interactive and they all seemed to enjoy. Throughout the whole of the week the team were able to engage with 170 young people and we pray that the seeds planted in these young hearts will fall on good soil and flourish.</span></strong></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537721874513489638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186512179638742917.post-86563867455804201192012-03-27T02:12:00.001-07:002012-03-27T02:43:57.313-07:00Norfolk to Faringdon.<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: #999999;">The first of another 2 weeks of mission started off in North Breckland, Norfolk. We worked in three schools - one primary school and two secondary schools. We also did a cage event on the Saturday which despite a low attendance and rain stopping play led to some great conversations with the young people and their parents. In total we engaged with 300 young people and it was great to be able to support the work of </span><span style="color: #999999;">North Breckland YFC.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #999999;">Our second week was working with Faringdon churches together. We worked in Faringdon community college the whole week doing assemblies, lessons, break-times and lunchtimes. The goal of the week was scored by a sixth former dressed as Tinky Winky for sports relief (#tinkywinkytekkers).</span><span style="color: #999999;"> In addition we set-up on Monday and Tuesday evenings at Rock Solid and a youth group. On the Saturday we organised a cage football tournament at the local youth centre</span><span style="color: #999999;">. Throughout the week we had spent time with 1100 young people playing cage football, soaking up the sun and sharing our faith. In the lessons we shared what it meant for us as Christians to live life to full and to believe in ourselves and on Saturday Sammy shared a moving testimony with 52 young people.</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;"><b>We hope and pray for the continued work of North Breckland YFC and Faringdon chuches together as they continue the relationships and engagement with the young people we met.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: inherit;"><b>We had an awesome time working locally with Zion Christian Centre on 24th February, and their youth group of around 100 or so young people.<br /><br />After that we had a retreat just down the road from the Office, this was a time of seeking God and contemplating our future beyond YFC One. This was also the first time for us to meet our newest member Ben Green.<br /><br />We had worship in the morning followed by a talk from Anne Calver which I have to say was amazing she used the story of Joseph to illustrate the theme of each day which was Past, Present and Future, and how Joseph overcame these things and God used him.<br /><br />Then during the day we had some activities and time to chill, then in the evenings we had more worship which was led by fellow YFC One volunteers, the evening talk was done by the YFC One staff.<br /><br />We are looking forward to our next 2 missions with Ben in North Breckland and Faringdon.<br /><br />Sammy B</b></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537721874513489638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186512179638742917.post-77231319768233346002012-02-20T09:11:00.001-08:002012-02-21T02:04:56.790-08:00From Nomad to Snowmad<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><span style="color: #999999;">So after a week in Crawley came to an end the widespread snow hit the UK but was not going to stop the Nomad team from sharing the Gospel with young people. </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #999999;">As a team we serve God and young people and 2 weeks ago we even served members of the public on the A23 while digging and pushing them out of the snow!</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #999999;">Last week we worked with Croydon YFC and young people in London. We also spent time with young people in Chislehurst. </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #999999;">We ran a tournament on the weekend outside a baptist church, where we had a few young people attend which was cool (freezing -9!!).</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #999999;">On the Friday we had a big youth event that we were asked to be a part of called Warehouse, which was in the New Life Christian Centre in Croydon. The line up included local talent from the church who sung and danced, also we had christian rapper 'Husky' who preformed. We had a cage football tournament with the young people where the final took place after Husky had performed. These 2 weeks were character building for us as a team, impacting the lives of 100s young people.</span></strong></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; letter-spacing: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>We are coming to the end of our time in Crawley and heading towards our time in Croydon, as this time draws to a close we have been reflecting on things and how to improve the team and be the best we can be, for both God and the Young people.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>This has been beneficial to all three members of Nomad, looking at the roles we can adopt to serve each other as a team and individuals.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>In the Bible the words Servant or Serve are mentioned 698 times, and the words Servants or Service are mentioned 608 times in the Bible. This implies that much of Christian life is about serving whether that is in a host home, church, youth club, or in school. It means serving your teachers and friends, your work and your work colleagues. In the small things as well as the big things.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>‘Ephesians 6:17 - Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people’</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>‘Colossians 3:24 - Since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving’</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>‘Romans 12:11 - Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.’</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>These 3 verses are just a few that state this simple point about serving God and not people. When you serve people do it as if you are serving God and the opinions of people and how they react to you serving them doesn’t matter as it is God you are serving not man!</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>'Sammy B'</b></span></span></div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537721874513489638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6186512179638742917.post-9899926611914440042012-01-26T07:50:00.000-08:002012-02-03T09:02:47.948-08:00Pressing on towards... Crawley and Croydon...<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<b style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Nomad has spent the last couple of weeks in preparation to hit the road. Next week we head to Crawley again for a week of team building and work with Street360. From here we will travel on to Croydon YFC for what looks set to be an action packed week of schools work, detached work and youth events. Last week we visited the legendary Jon Tattz and his youth group at St. Johns Harborne. The young people loved the cage (well they appeared to be having fun!) and Sammy B scored a legendary nutmeg which will live long in the memory! Joking aside it was great to connect with such a great bunch of young people and we pray that God will bless them outrageously over the coming weeks and months! </b><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Tomorrow we will be rocking up to Zion youth club in Halesowen for what looks set to be a quality night spending some quality time with some quality young people! </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>Prayers for a renewing of strength and maintenance of high energy levels over the next two weeks would be really good. We would also ask that you pray for safety and protection as we travel, in the practicalities of setting up the cage and safety for the young people who play in the cage. We pray that God will do amazing things over the next couple of weeks in the lives of young people in Harborne, Halesowen, Crawley and Croydon! Thank you for your prayers and please do keep up the good work!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Nomad are back after a well-deserved Christmas break and looking ahead to a new year and a new school term. Fresh from conference at Bodelwyddan Castle Nomad are refreshed, inspired and refuelled ready to hit the road and relevantly take good news to the young people we meet.</b></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #999999; font-size: small;">Drawing on the themes of conference Nomad are excited to be a small part of the jigsaw which makes up the body of Youth for Christ. At the start of this new year Nomad are studying the key aspects of discipleship which Paul so passionately and fervently expresses in his New Testament letters. We are exploring what these themes mean for us as individuals and collectively as a sports ministry team. We want to build on the ceilings of previous Nomad teams and strive to be a team with hearts set apart for Christ as Lord as we witness to the young people we meet. In all this we are reminded of the hope we have in Christ Jesus.</span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>“Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining for what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus.”</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Keep up to date with us: </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Facebook: <a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1123891136"></span>http://www.facebook.com/YFC.Nomad<span id="goog_1123891137"></span></a></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/yfcnomad">https://twitter.com/yfcnomad</a></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>YouTube: </b></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/YFCNomad"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">http://www.youtube.com/YFCNomad</span></b></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537721874513489638noreply@blogger.com0