We are approaching a major transition in the family of churches we call Newfrontiers. As we continue to grow God has shown us that we need to become a network of apostolic spheres (as in the New Testament) rather than be centred predominantly on one person, Terry Virgo, the father of Newfrontiers.
In February God spoke to [...]
Resistance Fighter has just been published and is a read-at-one-sitting book. For me it turned the tedium of a flight from UK to West Africa into an enjoyable, challenging, emotional and disturbing experience as Susie Howe took me from the joys of playing with lively orphaned children in Zimbabwe to the horrors of learning of [...]
Continue reading about Resistance Fighter - Book Recommendation
Concluding the review of this excellent book we shall now look at one very practical application.
Short term mission teams.
Like the story of the elephant and the mouse dancing together at a celebration - both benefit and enjoy it until the mouse is squashed - such can also be the effect of a short-term mission team. [...]
Continuing this somewhat protracted commentary on the strongly recommended book, When Helping Hurts, we will now see what the authors say about Principles that need to be followed to avoid causing damage to those who are in need.
Relief, Rehabilitation and Development
First, it is important to distinguish between Relief, Rehabilitation and Development. In true crisis (e.g. [...]
Continue reading about When Helping Hurts - Part 2 - General Principles for helping without hurting.
Foundational Concepts for helping without hurting.
In this excellent book - a ‘must read’ for all who are involved in helping people who are poor or disadvantaged - the authors look critically at both the issues of poverty and how it is defined, and at the typical response of very well meaning individuals and agents of [...]
Continue reading about ‘When helping hurts’ pt 1 - Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert
I find that holidays are times for reading. There are a couple I want to recommend. This is the first.
Are you willing to be challenged about cross cultural issues?
For ten years Nigel and Lisa Measures have been leading a cross-cultural and multiracial church, Khanyisa Community Church, in a township outside Cape Town, an area which, in [...]
Continue reading about God’s Stump - book about cross cultural issues
Manyangalo
In 1924 people from 8 tribes were brought together in the centre of a 160,000 acre (250 sq miles) game reserve. They had been brought there to care for the area and tend the animals. Over the next 80 years the land changed ownership several times, the most recent being in 2004. The new owner [...]
Continue reading about Country report – Kenya pt 2. The forgotten tribes
Welcome to Kenya!
It is always a great pleasure to visit Kenya and to spend time with Edward and Fridah Buria. Edward brings apostolic oversight to many Newfrontiers churches in East Africa. This larger-than-life couple have a huge vision and a track record of success that is inspiring, including about 200 churches they have planted in [...]
Following my time in the Harare area a 4 hour drive to Bulawayo took me to the farm of Peter Cunningham, successful ostrich farmer and visionary, who seeks to help empower the poor by ‘out-sourcing’ the husbandry of young ostriches to village people and then buying them back for processing. I was also amazed to [...]
Continue reading about Report on Zimbabwe pt 2 - Rural Poverty
Recently Danny McBride, a friend from my church (CCK, Brighton) and I visited Ghana and Nigeria. In part 1 of this report (see February 8th) I showed an interview with John Kpikpi of his vision and apostolic ministry in West Africa.
While in Ghana I was also able to speak to John about his attitude to [...]
Continue reading about To the Nations - Visit to Ghana and Nigeria - Part 2
