Enabling mission and Christian living
Missions
Kent Thameside
For the previous news - click here
KTCP January 2012 update
Cafechurch is continuing to grow. We had a great autumn with events which gathered a larger crowd than many previous evenings. Our discussion on angels in October seemed to be of particular interest to people who don’t normally come to church, we even had some shoppers stay and join in. In November, Joe and Nicky Davison performed live jazz – the relaxed, fun atmosphere lead to some interesting conversations. Our Christmas event was once again supported by the children’s choir from a school in Northfleet North and it was good to see their families packing the place out.
We have an interesting programme lined up for the New Year – you can find out more on the www.cafechurch.net website or e-mail Penny for details.
Please pray
- that cafechurch becomes even more effective at engaging with those who would not usually attend church
The building work on Springhead Park has continued. So once again this Christmas we joined with North Kent Community Church to carol sing and give out gift candles to those who were celebrating their first Christmas in their new home. As a result of this, one lady attended the carol service at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Gravesend, and I will be meeting up with her for coffee later in the month.
Please pray
- For this lady and others who received a visit from us.
- For the ongoing strategy to reach the new housing areas.
Dawn Turner is settling into the Northfleet North area. She has been working with the small group to develop a new name, mission statement, logo and strap line. Fleet Alive will be launching a new children’s club in the area in the coming months. The Christmas event, which included the local school choir and borough band, and concluded with a christingle service, was well supported by local residents.
Please pray
- For Dawn and the development of Fleet Alive.
Ebbsfleet Valley: This year I will be seeking to draw together a group who will commit to meeting and praying together for Ebbsfleet Valley. I am also hoping to see some training developed in this area for those who might form part of a planting team – please pray for these developments too.
And don’t forget to make the most of the DVD about the project!
Video of what's happening in the Kent Thameside Project
The vision:
It’s all change in Kent Thameside! The swathe of land sandwiched between the River Thames and the A2 trunk-road running between London and Dover, and including the towns of Dartford and Gravesend, is one of Europe’s largest regeneration projects. As a consequence, thousands of people will move into this part of South East England in the next twenty or thirty years, and it will change forever!
With the Bluewater shopping centre at its heart, and the new Ebbsfleet International rail station offering both a direct service to the continent and a high speed link to the capital, the area is receiving a huge boost. Not only this, but many new businesses are moving into Kent Thameside, and around 10,000 homes are due to have been completed by the time the regeneration is complete.
All of this brings tremendous opportunities to Christians who are keen to see relevant and lively expressions of church birthed as these new developments emerge. The call of God to the Christians and churches already in the area is to prepare in advance for the huge influx of people who will come, and help them as they settle in to have the opportunity to discover who Jesus is and what He can do for them.
