enrich - may / june edition 2

20
enrich MAY/JUNE 2016 EDITION Ipswich International Church The Power of We

Upload: little-polar-apps

Post on 29-Jul-2016

214 views

Category:

Documents


1 download

DESCRIPTION

enrich is the magazine from Ipswich International Church

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: enrich - May / June Edition 2

enrichMAY/JUNE 2016 EDITION

Ipswich International Church

The Power of We

Page 2: enrich - May / June Edition 2

enrich2 May / June 2016

Welcome toIpswich International Church

We are part of the Elim Pen-tecostal denomination with sev-eral hundred branches across the country. We are blessed to be a multinational congregation represented by all generations, that seeks to be a family friendly church, where everybody feels included. One of the ways we express this is through what we call relational cells. These are groups that meet in homes in various locations in the town. In addition to this we also encourage everybody to find a place to serve within one of the ministries in the Church.We want to be a church where everybody is effectively disci-pled from infancy to maturity in Christ, we take seriously the mandate of Christ to make dis-ciples of all nations. We believe everybody is still learning and we are committed to lifelong learning, therefore we have dif-ferent tracks that are continually being developed depending on your level of maturity, to encourage us all to grow in maturity.We are also called to be a

contagiously generous church, and our vision is that there will be no one that has a need that cannot be met. Trusting in the resources God has given us as a body we seek to be generous with our time, our talents and our treasure in order to reach the least, the lost and the last.IIC has a vision to be pas-sionately mission minded. We believe that everybody is called to be a minister, therefore we seek to equip people to be missional wherever they are whether at work, place of study and at home. As an interna-tional church we are called to reach the nations and language groups both here in Ipswich and beyond.Finally, we take our walk with the Holy Spirit very seriously and our desire is to be people who are intimate with the Holy Spirit. We believe our lives are transformed and empowered to serve others as we hear the Father’s heart in the place of prayer and intercession.You are welcome to the family.

Contents3-4 The Power of WePastor Harold Afflu

4-5 Whitehouse UpdatePastor David Baker

5-8 What’s OnMay/June and Beyond

8 Relational CellsPhilip Ogunniyi

9 Refurbishment & Re-purposing Program Keith Hawes

10-11 CornerstonePastor Harold Afflu

12-14 Family Camp15 Care Team Wendy Allen

16-17 AcycleSharon Murray-Sakumai

18 Oasis CentreMaureen Huntly

19 Easter Holiday Club19 How to become a Christian

Meet the MinistersHaroldAffluSeniorMinister

DavidBakerAssociateMinister

WaleAdefuyeAssociateMinister

Content deadline for the July/August IssueIf you have any articles, events, reviews or photos for inclusion in the next issue of enrich then please see Ian Tearle or email [email protected] by Sunday 19th June.

Information

This is the magazine of the Ipswich International Church, Elim (Edition 2). The enrich magazine is designed and produced by Ian Tearle. Comments and suggestions are always welcome. If you would like to input into the design and creation of enrich please make yourself known. To contact us, please email [email protected] or telephone 01473 281614.All content is copyright Ipswich International Church 2016. No content may be reproduced without the written permission of Ipswich International Church or the individual article author.Elim Foursquare Alliance. Registered Charity 251549 (England & Wales) SC037754 (Scotland)

Page 3: enrich - May / June Edition 2

May / June 2016 3enrich

Genesis 1:1- In the beginning God created the heav-ens and the earth... This work of creation was car-ried out by the Triune God- Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This is confirmed by the specific statement in Genesis 1:27 Let US make man in our own image and likeness.

God created both the plant and animal kingdoms with the ability to multiply. He also said that it was not good for the man to be alone. This shows that it was the plan from the beginning that through ‘the power of we’ great things would be accomplished.

The book of Nehemiah shows how the people

were faced with the challenge of rebuilding the broken wall. Although it was Nehemiah who had the vision to see the wall rebuilt, when he shared it with his fellow Israelites they embraced the vi-sion and said “Let us rebuild the wall” - Nehemiah 3:18. In spite of being threatened by their enemies they said in Nehemiah 3:20 “The God of heaven will prosper us. We His servants will arise and build...”

Where the ‘The power of We’ is at work, people think as ONE; they speak as ONE and they act as ONE. The fact is we can do more together than we can apart. Winning teams are made up of those who know it does not matter who gets the glory as long as the team wins.

The Power of We

Pastor Harold AffluWhen a group of people with a common purpose and a singular focus come together, they can achieve much together.

Page 4: enrich - May / June Edition 2

enrich4 May / June 2016

L2 Leaders Meeting 16th April 2016

Ephesians 4:4-6 reminds us that there is One body and One Spirit. We have One Hope, One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism and One Father over us all.

Jesus taught His disciples to pray ‘Our’ Father... Teaching us that we belong to One family.Nearly all of the uses of YOU in the New Testa-ment although applicable to the individual, refer to a group of people rather than individuals.

This month we want to intentionally think, speak and act conscious of this fact.

During the month of April as we have taught on generosity and stewardship. It has been encourag-ing to see the response of many in our fellowship to our refurbishment and re-purposing building project. Together WE can.

Confess with me: ‘We are one body with many parts. We are together, the household of God. As living stones we are being built into one building in which Christ is the Cornerstone.’

Harold AffluPastor Harold Afflu

Whitehouse Update

Over the past few months we have been starting to understand the needs of the local area and hearing what God is saying to us. I have been meeting and building relationships with ministers in the local area. This is a very important aspect of prepar-ing for the future. In addition to this we have been approaching people to be part of the broader team.

The following people have come on board so far – David Howe, Sophie Woodward, Tracey and her son Jamie Mauge, Jeffrey and Joana and Kieran, Shante and their daughter Kaysha Manners. We are going to be looking at being ‘family on mission’ together. Our focus is on living as three dimensional disciples and in time multiplying disciples. Did you realise that in Jesus’ specific three year ministry it is thought that he spent 50% of his time with his disciples? What an astounding statistic!

As we seek to develop a discipling culture we are developing a rhythm of living UP, IN and OUT together. In the next few months we are going to focus on how we collectively as a team live as disciples. It is important for us to establish a firm basis to build upon. We recently met together over food and had the chance for the team to chat and get to know one another.

We are not going to be starting any Sunday servic-es or major projects in the near future but we are asking God to link us to ‘People of Peace’ in the area. ‘People of Peace’ are those who are open to us, the message of Jesus and are willing to serve us as well as be served by us. We feel especially called at this time in our journey to work with young families, young people and children. Our calling we feel will develop and grow as we become more established.

Obviously, taking on this role of starting a new campus will mean that a majority of my time needs to be focused in Whitehouse. For this to

Page 5: enrich - May / June Edition 2

May / June 2016 5enrich

be possible it will mean that I will be less visibly involved at IIC. Remember we are all still one church with one vision of making disciples – im-pacting nations!

We are currently in the lengthy process of trying to get a ‘change of use’ for the building from busi-ness to a place of worship – this could take some time. Although, this is a challenge it will help us keep a missional focus of reaching out rather than building centred where we expect people to come to us.

How can you partner?You may be wondering what you can do to sup-port us as a team? At this time the most important thing you can all do is pray for us!! Please pray for:

1. The new team that have come together to grow as disciples2. Good relationships with other local churches3. People of peace in Whitehouse4. Open doors in the Primary School5. The change of use for the building

In addition to this, we would love some of you to regularly commit to pray for specific individuals involved – please come and chat to me about this if you are interested.

If you want to know more about what we are doing or feel that God may be calling you to work in the Whitehouse area please do not hesitate to contact me and we can see if it is good with the Holy Spirit and us.

David Baker

DIARY DATES

From the BibleMatthew 6:26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

Words to live by in enrich

Page 6: enrich - May / June Edition 2

enrich6 May / June 2016

MAY

/ J

UN

E 20

16

MONDAY 2ND MAYWorship Training - 7pm

MONDAY 9TH MAYMaria Santana’s (Portuguese Group) CellHosted at No.1 - 6:30pm

TUESDAY 10TH MAYMinisters BreakfastHosted at No.1

Kem’s Cell - 7pm

Pastor Harold & Florence’s Cell - 7:00pm

WEDNESDAY 11TH MAYCarl & Helen’s (Young People) Cell - 7pm

Femi & Folake’s Cell - 7:00pm

Philip & Lolu’s Cell - 7:30pm

Wale & Sheila’s Cell - 7:30pm

Jemima’s Cell - 7:30pm

Edward and Dolapo’s Cell - 8:00pm

THURSDAY 12TH MAYGavin & Eileen’s Cell- 7pm

Stephen & Angela’s Cell - 7:30pm

FRIDAY 13TH MAYTransformation Seminar - 7.30pm @ IIC

SUNDAY 15TH MAYPentecost Sunday

MONDAY 16TH MAYWorship Training - 7pm

SATURDAY 21ST MAY

Marriage Seminar for CouplesMinor Hall - 6pm

FRIDAY 20TH MAYTransformation Seminar - 7.30pm @ IIC

FRIDAY 21ST MAYStrengthening Foundations - 6pm @ IIC

SUNDAY 22ND MAYUnited ChurchesPs. Harold AffluHosted at Burlington Baptist Church - 10am

MONDAY 22ND MAYMaria Santana’s (Portuguese Group) CellHosted at No.1 - 6:30pm

TUESDAY 23RD MAYKem’s Cell - 7pm

Pastor Harold & Florence’s Cell - 7:00pm

WEDNESDAY 24TH MAYCarl & Helen’s (Young People) Cell - 7pm

Femi & Folake’s Cell - 7:00pm

Philip & Lolu’s Cell - 7:30pm

Wale & Sheila’s Cell - 7:30pm

Jemima’s Cell - 7:30pm

Edward and Dolapo’s Cell - 8:00pm

THURSDAY 25TH MAYGavin & Eileen’s Cell- 7pm

Stephen & Angela’s Cell - 7:30pm

FRIDAY 27TH MAYTransformation Seminar - 7.30pm @ IIC

MAY / JUNE DIARY DATES

The Power of We

Throughout May

Page 7: enrich - May / June Edition 2

May / June 2016 7enrich

MAY

/ J

UN

E 20

16

FRIDAY 3RD JUNEExtended Night of PrayerMinor Hall - 7pm

SUNDAY 5TH JUNENew arrivals LunchMinor Hall - 1pm

MONDAY 6TH JUNEMaria Santana’s (Portuguese Group) CellHosted at No.1 - 6:30pm

Worship Training - 7pm

TUESDAY 7TH JUNEKem’s Cell - 7pm

Pastor Harold & Florence’s Cell - 7:00pm

WEDNESDAY 8TH JUNECarl & Helen’s (Young People) Cell - 7pm

Femi & Folake’s Cell - 7:00pm

Philip & Lolu’s Cell - 7:30pm

Wale & Sheila’s Cell - 7:30pm

Jemima’s Cell - 7:30pm

Edward and Dolapo’s Cell - 8:00pm

THURSDAY 9TH JUNEGavin & Eileen’s Cell- 7pm

Stephen & Angela’s Cell - 7:30pm

SUNDAY 12TH JUNEHM 90th Celebration Service and BBQ* @ No.1 after 11am Service

SATURDAY 18TH JUNELadies Prayer Retreat - 11am - 4pm IIC Upper Room

Dad’s & Lad’s Curry Night6pm - Minor Hall

SUNDAY 19TH JUNEFather’s Day & Baptismal Service

MONDAY 20TH JUNEMaria Santana’s (Portuguese Group) CellHosted at No.1 - 6:30pm

TUESDAY 21ST JUNEKem’s Cell - 7pm

Pastor Harold & Florence’s Cell - 7:00pm

WEDNESDAY 22ND JUNECarl & Helen’s (Young People) Cell - 7pm

Femi & Folake’s Cell - 7:00pm

Philip & Lolu’s Cell - 7:30pm

Wale & Sheila’s Cell - 7:30pm

Jemima’s Cell - 7:30pm

Edward and Dolapo’s Cell - 8:00pm

THURSDAY 23RD JUNEGavin & Eileen’s Cell- 7pm

Stephen & Angela’s Cell - 7:30pm

TUESDAY 28TH JUNEMinisters BreakfastHosted at No.1

For more information visitelim-ipswich.org

facebook.com/iicelim@iicelim

or email [email protected]

The Power of We

Jesus The SaviourJesus The Baptiser

Jesus The HealerJesus The Soon Coming King

IN JUNE

Page 8: enrich - May / June Edition 2

enrich8 May / June 2016

Relational Cells are groups of people where you can encourage, support and care for one another whilst de-veloping as disciples.

Meeting in houses has always been an inte-gral part of the life and health of the Christian Church. In fact, this is how the early church originally met. The word ‘church’ is a translation from a common Greek word for ‘a meeting or gathering of people.’ Throughout the New Tes-tament ‘church’ was a gathering of Christians in various different locations rather than a particu-lar building or denomination.

Relational Cells meet on the second and fourth week of the month in various locations in town. We worship, pray, share and learn together. By focusing on the sermons in our sessions we unite, explore and apply the Biblical truth to our everyday lives.

For your nearest cell, or more information, please contact:

Church Office: 01473 281 614 - Mon, Wed-Fri (10:00am - 4:00pm); Tue (1:00 - 4:00pm)SMS only: 07624 880 367; Email: [email protected]

DIARY DATES

Page 9: enrich - May / June Edition 2

May / June 2016 9enrich

Refurbishment and Re-purposing ProgramFor some time now the church lead-ership have had it laid upon their hearts from the Lord to address cer-tain important issues. These include the Sound/Video facility, the poor state of decoration within the build-ing and looking at improving both seating and heating within the Sanc-tuary. We are about to embark on a major Refurbishment and Re-pur-posing program within the church building.

We have decided to divide these needs into pro-jects, they are:

Project 1 - Video/Audio FacilityAs you will of already seen, the facility has now been moved to the back. New equipment has been installed to ensure the best possible viewing of the screens and improved quality from the Audio/ lighting system. Our grateful thanks to Ian Tearle and his team for the hard work they put into this project.

Project 2 - Refurbishment and repainting of the SanctuaryIt has been some time since the inside of the Sanctuary has been decorated. The result being the walls have become somewhat damaged. Damp has penetrated some areas, plaster work coming off and the paintwork very dated etc. Work to completely refurbish the walls in the porch and Sanctuary is set to start around mid May and expected to be completed by end of June. We will endeavour to keep any inconvenience minimal whilst the work is being carried out. Please be patient with us.

Project 3 - Replace Pews with Chairs Over recent years, many people have felt we should look at removing the old pews and replac-

ing them with more comfortable chairs. With faith the funds will be found to carry out this work. This project also addresses dealing with the various floor levels, the two alcoves at the front of the Sanctuary to facilitate a refreshment area and a private prayer area. The chairs will be stackable, thus allowing us to layout the seating arrangement to suit the occasion. We plan to have finalised all the negotiations including pricing during the summer. The total cost of the chairs alone will be ~£8,000 (£40 each chair). We ask members to include this in your prayers and to consider sponsoring a chair or more.

Project 4 - Replace heatingThe current system of heating the church is prov-ing to be both very expensive and not inefficient. We are talking to heating engineers to come up with a system which will be cost effective and provide give efficient heat distribution. We hope to have the result of our findings during summer.

Project 5 - Renovating the toiletsFor a few years now we have been working to increase the current capacity and also to redesign our toilet facilities to include a toilet for those with additional needs. This year we are trusting the Lord for the funds to make this happen by the autumn providing the plans are approved by the Council. We will be fund raising further for this project during the summer. Additional details and information will be available in our next edition of Enrich magazine.

As you can see the next few months are going to be a very busy period for those involved with the collating of the information and estimates. We pray that God will give us the wisdom to point us in the right direction at all times. The costs of Pro-jects 3 and 4 are likely to be considerable. We ask you to keep these in your prayers. That we may overcome the challenges and find the finances to complete the work ahead.

Keith Hawes - Project Leader

Page 10: enrich - May / June Edition 2

enrich10 May / June 2016

In the month of June, our theme is Corner-stone. This focuses on:Jesus the Saviour,Jesus the Baptiser,Jesus the Healer,Jesus the Soon Coming King.This also known within Elim as the Four Square Gospel.

JESUS THE SAVIOURWe firmly believe that Jesus is the Saviour of humanity. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoso-ever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

(John 3:16).

Elsewhere in Romans 5:8 it says - “God demonstrated His love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Acts 4:12 re-enforces this point - “There is salvation in none other, for there is no other name given among men by which we must be saved.”

As He is our Saviour; Jesus wants us to have complete confidence in the Power of the Gospel which transforms lives. To live this out and to share it with those who have not yet discovered this truth. Jesus cat-egorically stated that “I am the way the truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father except

through me.” (John 14:6)

JESUS THE BAPTISERWhen a person makes a com-mitment to follow Christ the next step in their discipleship is to be baptised in water. This act of water baptism is an outward expression of an inner convic-tion. It is a public confession of faith to be a follower of Christ in which the believer is One with Christ in His death, burial and His resurrection.

Romans 6:2-4(TLB) “…Should we keep on sinning when we don’t have to? For sin’s power over us was broken when we became Christians and were baptised to become a part of Jesus Christ; through his death

Page 11: enrich - May / June Edition 2

May / June 2016 11enrich

the power of your sinful nature was shattered.  Your old sin-lov-ing nature was buried with him by baptism when he died; and when God the Father, with glo-rious power, brought him back to life again, you were given his wonderful new life to enjoy.”From this scripture, it is clear that we are baptised into Christ and are made one with Him in our spirit. The Holy Spirit helps us to live from this place of truth, walk in victory over sin and the works of the flesh.Christ before leaving earth encouraged his disciples to wait in Jerusalem to be baptised with the Holy Spirit who empowers us for service (Acts 1:8). Just as the early disciples were em-powered we also need His Fire for passionate service, to live for Him and to serve Him.

JESUS THE HEALER The atoning sacrifice of Christ did not only purchase our salva-tion but also made provision for us to be healed and made whole emotionally, mentally and physically.

In Luke 4:18-19 Jesus declared His Mission and mandate “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, for He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”

It is clear from the gospels that healing was a major aspect of His ministry. Further to this, in Acts 10:38 we are told that ‘God

anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power and He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil for God was with Him.’He has empowered us His church, to do the same, so we believe in the power of God to heal the sick. We therefore lay our hands on people. We speak forth the Word of God and trust that the finished work of Christ will manifest in their life. We sometimes see instant results. Other times it takes time or does not manifest physically. Why not take the opportunity to pray for somebody when the opportunity arises.

If you are sick in any part of your body; your emotions or your mind we are happy to stand in agreement with you to see His grace of healing manifest.

JESUS THE SOON COMING KINGThis is a major truth the Church of Jesus Christ has held to for many centuries. It is rooted in the truth that Jesus is not only our Saviour but that He is also our King - Revelations 19:16 says He is: “The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords”

When Jesus was on earth he talked a lot about the Kingdom of God/ Heaven (Matthew 4:17). He left people in no doubt that He belonged to a Kingdom. He was born a King and died a King. The charge against Him was that He claimed to be The King of the Jews; the expected Messiah (Matthew 27:37). Those who embraced His rule entered and those who still do so now, have the privilege of being called royal priests. His Kingdom is here now, but is still to come in full measure. He made it absolutely clear that He will be coming back again to rule and establish His dominion.

Revelations 22:12 affirms this:“See, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me, to repay all according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

My prayer is that this truth will affect the

way we relate to our Father, to each other and to those who are not yet followers of Jesus.

Harold AffluPastor Harold Afflu

Jesus The SaviourJesus The Baptiser

Jesus The HealerJesus The Soon Coming King

Page 12: enrich - May / June Edition 2

enrich12 May / June 2016

Time toBook

Thursday 25th - Sunday 28th August 2016Red House Farm - Earl Stonham

This year we are encouraging advance booking to aid preparation. We also encourage those whom cannot utilise a family ticket on their own to join with others in the church in a similar position. For example if only one adult and one child can attend, you are welcome to be paired with another adult and two children in order to take advantage of a Family 2a3c ticket.

Booking is easy. Either obtain a registration form from the church office or enrich magazine. Fill it in and return it complete with your funds. Or purchase your ticket online iic.io/camp (booking fee applies), and complete the e-registration form.

Page 13: enrich - May / June Edition 2

May / June 2016 13enrich

Day visitor food prices

iic.io/campfor more information or to book online visit our website or call the Church Office 01473 281614

At Family Camp 2016 we are very excited to invite back Pastor Nigel Tween. He was our guest speaker last year and brought the word of God in a relevant and simple way. Pastor Nigel opens up the word and uses it to bring Gods heart for you and me out of it.

We also have our Senior Minister Harold Afflu speaking again this year. Harold speaks in way that brings both revelation and clarity. He speaks in a way that all ages can lock into what God is saying. We have many other wonderful men and women of God speaking at Family Camp 2016, so come along and see what God has for you.

Amazing Speakers

When I think about Family Camp and what it’s all about, I think of the 5 F`s. Faith, Family, Fun, Fellowship and Food.

Page 14: enrich - May / June Edition 2

enrich14 May / June 2016

Fill in this form and send it back complete with your funds no later than 30th June 2016 for Early Bird Pricing.

Thursday 25th - Sunday 28th August 2016Red House Farm - Earl Stonham

Group Name:

Address:

Telephone:

Dietary Requirements:

Medical/Disability Needs

Medical/Disability Needs:

Email:

Post code:

Adults (16+):

Vehicle:

Children (Under 16):

Registration:

Please indicate the person

Accommodation Tent Caravan * Dormitory

Size of Tent Large (6+) Med (3-6) Small (1-2)

Page 15: enrich - May / June Edition 2

May / June 2016 15enrich

More about the care teamThere are members/new people that may not know what we do or the role we play in IIC fellowship, so we thought we would give you some more information.

The care team currently consist of 15 members which is fantastic. We still desire and are excited to continue to see the team grow. We have a min-istry that is committed to encouraging and bring-ing a lifestyle of loving care within the church fellowship; specifically to follow up those who are facing various challenges/ needs. We aim to be welcoming and caring to those who have recently began worshipping with us and to reach others outside the fellowship through acts of kindness.

Sunday servicesWe make ourselves visible on Sundays by wearing our badges to ensure we are easily identifiable by visitors and members. We are committed to being at both services on a Sunday. The team members get to the services at least fifteen minutes before the start and stay after the services a further fif-teen minutes or as required. The team is encour-aged to relate to and share with those present, checking that we have them on our church care

list, lovingly showing an interest in their lives, introducing folks to others in order to give added support and seeking to grow in our knowledge of each other by building friendships. Each week, one or two members of the team stand on the door after the service to speak to people as they leave the services. Where possible we try to allocate individual team members to specific areas of the church, i.e. the balcony, right, left and centre seating areas.

VisitationWe want to ensure there is an awareness that we are there for each other in good and bad times. We visit people in hospital, in homes and offer other support as necessary or requested. We share these among the team so a team member would not do more than three visits in a week. Another key aspect of what we do is responding to specific prayer requests.

Follow upWe are also committed to keep in regular touch with folk living in different IP postcodes within the town, this contact is usually by text, telephone or social media. If further action is required this is fed back to team leaders. This ministry will continue to follow up and support as much as possible.

CARE TEAM

Page 16: enrich - May / June Edition 2

enrich16 May / June 2016

We is a pronoun- it depicts you and I; it suggests cooperation and unity. We are one in Christ, therefore we show the world we are united and our pur-pose is to create change on the earth. Born again believers represent the body of Christ and although we have different functions, we are members of one body: “The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 12:12) Upon reading this scripture I asked myself the following questions: What is my part in the body? Am I doing what needs to be done?

There is strength when we come together as one entity to push back the forces of darkness on the earth. To achieve this; strength and victory needs to be coupled together. We see examples of this in famous quotes such as ‘Together we stand, divided we fall’ and in scripture Deuteronomy 32:30 says, “One can chase a thousand but two will put ten thousand to flight….” Working together makes us formidable. We know that nothing is impossible with God; so battles, challenges or issues on the earth can be overcome because we are not doing it alone.

As I continued to pray God brought to my atten-tion the issue of underachievement and identity in the African Caribbean community and children of mixed heritage. He gave me an idea of how I

“THE POWER OF WE”

Page 17: enrich - May / June Edition 2

May / June 2016 17enrich

could address these needs, hence the community project ACYCLE. I have outlined below what the project is and concerns that need to be addressed in a practical way.

What is ACYCLE?

ACYCLE is the acronym for African Caribbean Youth Creative Learning Experience. It is an after school project for children of African Caribbean and mixed heritage. The aim of the project is to redress the continued under-performance in education dating back to the 1950’s. ACYCLE aims to raise aspiration, self-confidence and motivation in order for these children and young people to achieve their true potential.

ACYCLE seeks to offer activities that will develop cultural awareness, identity and skills that will give human and social capital which will open doors of opportunities to these children and young people.

Facts and figures: • Ten percent below the national average in 2014-2015 for GCSE results A*-C grades

• Underperformed by 16% compared to white British at Key Stage 2 in Suffolk

• Achieve 21% less than their white coun-terparts at Key Stage 4 in Suffolk (i.e. 5 A*-C GCSE grades)

• Constitute 60% of the prison popula-tion yet only 2.8% of the UK population. Imagine the impact of this on families especially children growing up without fathers

• The report carried out in 2014 by the National Children Bureau, highlighted mixed race children and young people experience greater risk to their mental health because they struggle to develop an identity for themselves

• Mixed race is the fasted growing group in the UK

In the discipleship conference back in February, Darren Johnson asked “who is God sending you to?” I listened and realised my heart actually breaks for African Caribbean and mixed heritage children and young people. I discerned that God was speaking to and encouraging me to use my skills and background in education to help with the specific needs of this group in order for them to realise their potential. My background in education makes it possible to face this challenge head on, however, I cannot do it on my own. Working together with others is necessary to be effective in bringing the kingdom of God to earth. The disciples were taught to pray in Matthew 6:10 “We ask that your kingdom will come now. May your will be done here on earth, just as it is in heaven.” What is interesting about this scripture is that the disciples are being taught to pray collectively. Our Father not my Father (vs. 9) and give us this day our daily bread (vs.11) not give me. The Father wants us to work together because of the ‘power of we’. It is the will of the Father to transform lives and for us to be instru-mental in doing this. If you would like to know more please come and speak to me and see how you can support as we partner together in this project for the glory of God.

Sharon Murray-SakumaiContact: 07539 919 [email protected]

Page 18: enrich - May / June Edition 2

enrich18 May / June 2016

The Oasis Centre has now grown to such an extent under God’s hand that it has become a town wide hub where upward of 200 people are involved and attend English lessons, to chat with friends in our In-ternational Café, con-versation classes or just to keep in touch with us as a familiar, warm and secure environment.

In June of this year, Maureen Huntly who has headed up this International project since 2003, with a break in 2006, will be retiring. From September 2016 this project will be run on a “partnership scheme” of which IIC will be one partner, together with others. The project will be headed up by Mrs Linda Pepper. Mr Rod Cook will be taking care of the funding and the admin to back up the existing team.

The Oasis Centre will become a C.I.O. (Charitable Incorpo-rated Organisation) for various

reasons. We believe it will grow even more, reaching hundreds with the love and compassion of God.

This is an Open Door, opened by the Hand of God and it beck-ons us to take up the challenge and provide a safe environment, for where there is LOVE , it casts out fear.

At the beginning of April, we were asked to accept an intake of new Syrian refugees arriv-ing in the UK. These precious people are fleeing from a very traumatic and frightening situation to safety in the UK. Their stories are heart-breaking. Please pray for these frightened, traumatised people whom the Father loves and wants them taken care of. (Matt. 25 v 40) It is the Father’s heart, to look after the broken hearted, take care and feed the orphans and widows.

What a surreal feeling when after watching the news and listening to reports, you are then faced with these precious, broken people in reality, talking to them and helping them with various aspects of life, not least

of which is a heart of com-passion and being the hands, mouth, feet, eyes of the Father to the lost.

The Lord has also recently sent us a missionary who speaks Arabic, which has been an enor-mous help with translating our heart to these families. Surely the harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few. (Luke 10 v 2)

Can you help?

For further information please talk to: Maureen Huntly or Cristina Gracia

MOVING FORWARD TO THE NEXT PHASE

Page 19: enrich - May / June Edition 2

May / June 2016 19enrich

How to become a ChristianIf you would like to know Jesus Christ personally as your saviour then it is as simple as ABC:

• ADMIT that you have sinned, kept God out of your life and gone your own way.

• BELIEVE that Jesus, God’s only son, took the punishment you deserve when He died for you on the cross, that He rose from the dead con-quering the power of sin and death, and making a restored relationship possible.

• COMMIT your life to Him. This involves being truly sorry for your sin and turning around from living your life for yourself, towards living to please God.

The simple prayer below is one you can pray if you want to accept Jesus into your life:Father God, I know that I have not put You first in my life and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me. I believe that your Son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, rose from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to be the Lord of my life. Help me live for you each day.

Amen

If you have prayed this prayer, join a church and ask them to help you to understand more about what it means to be a Christian. If you would like to talk to one of the leaders from Ipswich Interna-tional Church then please contact Pastor Harold Afflu on 01473 281614

Easter Holiday Club

Breaking Barriers is a local charity co-or-dinated by Jenny Howe from within the IIC Family. Breaking Barriers work with children and young people with additional needs/learning disabilities. A team of us joined with Breaking Barriers to run a one off 3 day holiday club in the second week of Easter Holidays. It was open to all Primary School aged children for three afternoons from 2-4pm at the Meeting Place in Whitehouse.

We had a fantastic time doing lots of fun activities including: making paper aeroplanes, badges, Easter nests, cakes, den building and a lot more. As you can see from the list of activities - it was action packed and required a lot of energy to keep up with the children. By the end of the week I think we were all quite ex-hausted. Over the course of the week we had around 15 different children attend. It was a great opportunity to bless the local community in Whitehouse.

Further to this, Jenny’s heart was to develop another arm of Breaking Barriers for Primary School aged children with learning disabilities called ‘Rising Stars’. However, the children who attended were mainly able bodied children. Therefore, she has decided to continue to run the group as it is for the next couple of months and see how it develops.

David Baker

From the BiblePsalms 71:8 My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day.

Words to live by in enrich

Page 20: enrich - May / June Edition 2

Barrack Corner / Portman RoadIpswich, SuffolkIP1 2NB England

+44 (0) 1473 2816141 Burlington Road

Ipswich, SuffolkIP1 2EUEngland