At the Newfrontiers Global 18 event last week, we once again gathered leaders from around the world. People travelled from Asia, North and Central America, Africa and Europe, representing hundreds of churches. As I looked around the room at our first meeting, I was reminded of the final verse of Lex Loizides’ brilliant worship song, Be Still and Know that I am God, which some of you may remember:

Be still and know that I am God;
My Son has asked me for
The nations of the world.
His sprinkled blood has made a way
For all the multitudes of India and Africa to come;
The Middle East will find its peace
Through Jesus Christ My Son.
From London down to Cape Town,
From L.A. to Beijing,
My Son shall reign the undisputed King!

The 80 or so people at Global 18 came from many nations, cultures and ethnic backgrounds; although much of the conference was conducted in English, we had Spanish, Russian, Ukrainian, Hindi and Bulgarian speakers in the room, to name just a few. I am always amazed by those who are fluent in more than one language – I struggle with English! It was another learning experience on how cultures can work together. We may live in very different countries and have diverse life experiences, but we are united in Christ and in our desire to see Kingdom extension around the world.

This week I had the privilege of speaking at a seminar for church leaders with my dear friend Tope Koleoso, Senior Pastor of Jubilee Church in Enfield. We spoke on the subject of diversity and cross-cultural awareness. Increasingly it seems that almost every leadership situation I am in involves a cross-cultural element. I have led a racially diverse church for more than twenty years, but I am constantly aware of how much I still need to learn.

One way we can learn is through reading, and I have recently come across a couple of books which I would love to recommend. The first is Global Humility by Andy McCullough. Andy is a church planter who was born and grew up in Cyprus and has lived in the Middle East as well as the UK. His insights into working cross-culturally are challenging, helpful and provocative. The second book is Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall. This is a well-written, very accessible book which gives an overview of modern global politics – very helpful for any of us wanting to broaden our understanding of the world we feel called to reach. Do also have a look at Andrew Wilson’s recent guest blog listing his Top Ten Resources on Diversity.

In more than two decades of leading a diverse church, I have found that one of the best ways we can learn is by building friendships, spending time and sharing meals with people from different cultures. In the last two weeks at King’s I have visited two Nigerian families in their home. Food was provided and I enjoyed their hospitality - in the past  I might have been very ‘British’ and declined, but I am learning! Then on Sunday Deb and I were delighted to accept an invitation from a lovely Indian couple at King’s to have a meal together in a couple of weeks’ time. Another rich learning experience to look forward to.

In Global Humility, Andy McCullough urges us to ‘travel to learn, not just to teach’. We may not feel called to move to another country, as Andy and his family did, but many of us live in increasingly diverse cities and towns – we do not need to travel to meet people from a different cultural or ethnic background to our own! Let’s continue to reach out and build bridges, to listen and learn.

On Sunday 23rd September we launched Vision 2030, setting a course for King’s for the next twelve years. I spoke about how we believe we have a God-given opportunity to be involved in major Kingdom extension over the coming decade.  We believe God is calling King’s to be like the Antioch Church in the book of Acts, to Reach thousands with the Gospel, to Restore individual lives and the communities around us, and to be a Resource to the wider body of Christ.

This is an important moment in the life of King’s, and if you were unable to be there on Vision Sunday, I would like to encourage you to listen below. Copies of the Vision 2030 document, which sets out our vision in more detail, are still available at all sites if you do not already have one. This is an exciting season for us! Please take some time to listen to the preach, read through the booklet and pray for Vision 2030.

‘King’s is like Niagara Falls, strong and secure. You do not need to worry about King’s…
…but I am calling you to be like Victoria Falls, a church whose reach goes much further, a wider calling.’

This is a prophetic word given to me when I was on a trip to Zimbabwe in 2013. It has proven to be a significant word for us, one which continues to shape the life and direction of King’s Church, London.

This week, we will see an example of this prophetic word in action, as we launch our fourth site in Beckenham on Sunday. Deb and I, however, are unable to be there, as we will be in Cyprus for the Newfrontiers Global conference, the annual gathering of apostolic leaders in the international Newfrontiers family. While I would love to be present at the Beckenham launch, I am fully confident that the excellent team have everything in hand and that all will go well.

I would like to ask for your prayers for this coming week. Please pray for a fantastic start for the Beckenham site on Sunday. I know that the team have been working hard delivering thousands of leaflets and we are hoping for many visitors to join us. Please pray also for an excellent Newfrontiers Global conference in Cyprus. Lastly, let us keep praying that King’s will become a church that reflects the strength and depth of Niagara Falls, while also having the wide reach of Victoria Falls.

Our Vision 2030 series continues this Sunday with Phil Varley preaching on ‘Restore’.

Westminster Chapel, London, 20th March 2019

One of the things I have always appreciated about the ministry of Terry Virgo, Newfrontiers’ founding father, is the emphasis he places on prayer, both personal and corporate.

Over the years, I have had the privilege of praying with Terry on numerous occasions – on early mornings while travelling together in Mexico, in leadership meetings and at conferences. Each January, Terry would often invite small groups of leaders to his home to pray as we began the new year. Those of us who have been around Newfrontiers for a while will remember the regular days of prayer and fasting when we gathered from across the country to come before God. In the new era of Newfrontiers, prayer remains the backbone of the new apostolic spheres.

As we increasingly partner across the spheres in the UK, prayer is once again a natural point for us to come together. When we gather at Westminster Chapel, London, on Wednesday 20th March 2019, the nation will be days away from a decision on Brexit. Whatever your view on this national debate, it is undoubtedly a good time to pray! We will also be praying for an expansion in Gospel breakthrough and church planting.

Booking is now open and you can reserve your tickets at Prayerday.uk. Once again, this is a day for all leaders – elders, pastors, staff and spouses. This will be the second national prayer day we have held in this new era of Newfrontiers, and it promises to be another encouraging and exciting time as we seek God together and pray for our nation.