Awaken:
Revival and Renewal

Pursue Jesus, Awaken Hope — Simon Ponsonby
Luke 13

In Luke 13 Jesus tells us a parable of a fig tree given a second chance in spite of its inability to grow fruit. When we look at the church in the UK with our physical eyes, we see decline. But as we look to the history of revival often renewal has come when the church is on its last legs. As we prepare ourselves for what God might do next, we need to draw nearer to Christ. With Christ. In Christ. For Christ. Through Christ. This is the grammar of the Christian faith. Can we awaken hope for a new generation of believers?

Losing The Fear Of God — Simon Ponsonby
Isaiah 11

Isaiah 11 is often used as a passage of scripture to commission others into calling. But tucked away at the end of its opening paragraph we read the following. ‘He will delight in the fear of the Lord.’ What does it mean to have awe and reverence for God? Have we as a church lost what it means to fear God?

There Is A River — Simon Ponsonby
Psalm 46

Psalm 46 says ‘There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.’ As a church we are called to be a river people. To live in the promises, provision and potential of the Holy Spirit.

Following an update from our church planting teams, Ness unpicked and unpacked what Open Heaven Church could look like through eyes of faith over the next five years. Through trial, error, learning, prayer and the grace of God could we reach every outreached neighbourhood and people group in our town?