FILM STIRS FAITH

The venue didn’t work out like it had been hoped as it was difficult darkening the many windows and the sound tended to echo… but it didn’t stop the message of ‘Faith Like Potatoes’ getting through to people’s hearts. And the fantastic shared lunch together part-way through the film, turned out to be a real feast and important church-family ocassion, as we sought God together.

Angus Buchan’s testimony of how his life was changed and given new purpose and direction by his encounter with Jesus Christ is faithfully told throughout the film. As we watched him experience miracles, and tragedy which God brought him through, and as we saw his willingness to step in obedience to the inner promptings of the Holy Spirit, we were challenged again to leave unbelief and complacency behind… and prove God in new ways.

Thank God for this great man and his wonderful story. For those who missed it, or want to watch it again, we’ll be arranging other opportunities.

DALTONS RETURN

No it’s not the name of a pub or a football match but it is with great pleasure we welcome another visit to Golden Valley Church by Scott and Hilary Dalton from “Rivers of Grace Ministries”, and who are also itinerant ministers out of “Catch the Fire, Toronto” (previously Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship).

Scott and Hilary travel widely sharing the love of God the Father through teaching and prayer ministry. Their mandate is “to ignite a passionate love for Jesus in the hearts of all people”. They believe this passion will be ignited as people deeply encounter both the Word of God and the Presence of God.

Last year they were with us for a weekend conference entitled, “The Battle Belongs to the Lord”, which as the title suggests focused on finding the victory in life that belongs to us because of Jesus Christ. The teaching was Biblical, clear, practical and relevant, and the presence of the Holy Spirit evident throughout.

The Daltons are with us again in Golden Valley Church on Saturday and Sunday the 18th and 19th September. Meetings will be held in Innsworth Community Hall commencing 1pm on Saturday, and finishing about 4:30pm on Sunday.

“All things are possible to those who believe!” Maybe you are familiar with those words, and long to find a deeper reality of them in your life. the subject of faith can be confusing and challenging, and often bring pressure, disappointment, or condemnation.

In this conference we will be trusting God to assist us in removing some of the ‘roadblocks’ in faith, to renew our hearts and minds, and set us free to believe in Father’s love and the Word of God in much greater measure. Come expecting to be impacted by God’s loving presence and powerful word.

Further details can be found on our website, or on our Facebook event page http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/event.php?eid=140551332643124&ref=ts

FAITH LIKE POTATOES

Next Sunday, 12th September, at Golden Valley Church we will be screening the movie ‘Faith Like Potatoes’ which tells the true story of rugged South African farmer Angus Buchan.

“Frank Rautenbach leads a strong cast as Angus Buchan, who leaves his farm in the midst of political unrest and racially charged land reclaims and travels south with his family to start a better life in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. With nothing more than a caravan on a patch of land, and help from his foreman, Simeon Bhengu, the Buchan family struggle to settle in a new country. Faced with ever mounting challenges, hardships and personal turmoil Angus’ manic quest for material success is slowly transformed into a wild love for God and people, as he wrestles with faith, hope, natural disasters and tragic personal loss.”

The first part of the film will be shown during our Sunday morning service, which will be followed by a shared lunch, and the second part of the movie being screened about 2:30pm. If there’s time we will also show a documentary which includes interviews with Angus Buchan himself.

Come along and get your faith stirred! Our God is a great God who loves us with an everlasting love and in His kindness draws us to Himself and works wonders. Glory to Him!

Angus himself is still preaching the gospel throughout Africa. His website is http://www.shalomtrust.co.za/

Please note: as this film is certificated as a 12/12A due to one incident of bloody injury, no children will be allowed to present without their parent or responsible adult with them.

ALPHA RESUMES AT PLEROMA SALON

After a summer break the lunchtime Alpha course resumes tomorrow at ‘Pleroma Hair and Beauty Salon’ in Churchdown. A fantastic group of ladies is currently spending an hour on Thursday lunchtimes to chat over sandwiches, listen to a short talk on an aspect of the Christian faith, and discuss questions and thoughts.

“I’m so enjoying having Alpha in the salon” says Penny the proprietor, who is also a part of the pastoral team of Golden Valley Church, “It’s great to see what is happening here.”

It’s not too late to join, if you hurry. You can simply do the sessions you have missed on the next course.

ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!

by Jean Packer

Sunday 22nd August

God released a new sound of worship at Golden Valley Church this Sunday! As I listened to the sound of Colin’s prophetic call of the drums I was caught up with something that I can barely define …

We seemed to enter into realms of the Holy Spirit where a new dimension lay before us. Our Father’s love rained down on us in waves of His glorious presence! We entered into new heights! We broke through into new realms! As I write I hear God say ‘this is the drumbeat of my heart. The throb of rhythmic contraction and expansion. Hear the throb of my voice. My breath. My very thoughts’. We were all caught up into the powerful rhythm and melded together as one as we responded to the call to ‘come up here’. Ian prophesied that there were huge waves of Gods love pouring into our land, overwhelming us with His Glory. Only those of us who are committed to Him will stand! Wes prayed for the clouds of rain to come and asked ‘are we really ready for the downpour of what God is about to do’? ‘Are we ready to receive God’s outpouring of love’? ‘His intimate presence’? ‘The closeness of His glory’?

Ian carried a powerful message that God had put on his heart. “Humanly speaking it is impossible but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). He stated that we all have assignments from Heaven to fulfil, yet sometimes we struggle, lose heart and give up. We were reminded of the church of Laodicea where lukewarm Christians did not fulfil God’s call. Yet, we are in a battle! God can intervene at any time! Don’t give up! In a lighthearted manner, Ian told us that this is what we have signed up for! And if we stress, panic and give up, we then look stupid when God comes through and fulfils His purpose!

Assignments are not of our design yet we are included in His plan. God is working something through that we don’t see the full picture of, but we can be assured that He is watching over us every minute of the day. He can do ‘all things’. Ian showed us through the illustration of the slave girl in Acts 16, that a demon was using her as a distraction from Paul’s assignment, but she was speaking God’s truth. He pointed out that God has power over the devil and demons and that he can get the demons to dance to His tune if it means completing His assignment. Everything is under His feet! We were exhorted to get involved in God’s assignments for us even if  we don’t fully understand them, and we were reminded that we should be encouraged that God thinks we are worthy to be a part of the process!

King Saul dropped out of his assignment. Scripture tells us that God delights in obedience. ‘to obey is better than sacrifice’ (1 Samuel 15:22). Rebellion is like the sin of divination. Arrogance says the right words but there is no substance behind them. Saul did things his way. We need to abide by the core principle and make no deviation. No shortcut. No back route. Lets keep our eyes on eternity. Praise changes the atmosphere! Lets pray with joy for our partnership in God’s plan. Be confident that He who began a good work in us will complete it! Remember – All things are possible…

William Wilberforce was about to give up his assignment to end the slave trade when he was at John Wesley’s death-bed. John Wesley told him ‘unless God has raised you up, you will be worn out, but if your call is of God you will complete it’. After 42 years of work, and 3 days before his death William Wilberforce saw the act of parliament abolish the slave trade! All things are possible..!

‘MORE LORD’ AT THE REGENCY

by Jean Packer

There were around 100 people gathered at the Cheltenham Regency Hotel on Tuesday evening, for our ‘More Lord’ conference, with Pastor Steve Long from Toronto, Canada.

It was great to join together in worship and encounter the presence of the Holy Spirit within this comfortable venue. The staff were very welcoming too and some were interested to know and see what we were there for! We believe that a deposit of His glory has been left behind and that many people will be touched as they experience the presence of Jesus – Praise God! We have a great worship team! The worship was very potent and we rapidly became lost in His presence as we were drawn into the throne room of His Glory. This was enjoyed by all and our hearts were united as His presence was multiplied!

Steve began by building our faith with many healing testimonies given through ordinary people, speaking about how God uses whosoever will allow themselves to be His vessels. He shared Gods heart to touch us and heal us and explained that ‘Sozo’ means ‘complete healing and wholeness’. Yet God doesn’t wait for us to be perfect in order use us. He will take us as we are. Sometimes we don’t know how to pray but God uses us anyway because Its not about us doing it, but allowing Him to flow through us. Simple faith! Do we really believe God’s word! Steve empathised some keys to healing. Keys of forgiveness and confession. He highlighted the importance of not judging others or going to sleep with anger in our hearts. We were also shown how we need to deal with ungodly beliefs that prevent us from stepping out in childlike faith to give and receive our healing.

Pastor Steve continued by sharing the longing of God to activate in us three main areas of restoration: 1/ Relationships 2/ Finance and 3/Healing. Many people responded to these areas of need and we were encouraged to lay hands upon, and pray for one another. One young man said that he did not know what to do because he had just come along with a friend! Steve told him that he could say whatever he thought of and God would lead him in his prayer. When the young man prayed, the receiver testified to being healed! This was truly a demonstration of Gods power and we all laughed with pleasure and delight at what God had done!

The ministry time was quite long as many people had responded to prayer. There was a great deal of spiritual activity amongst us as the Holy Spirit worked and people were touched, healed and set free to a larger extent of wholeness. Around 15 people came forward to share their testimonies of healing. Half of them were healed completely and the others were 50% healed! I can personally testify that my crooked right leg and knee received a measure of straightening and healing – and pain was removed! Steve concluded the meeting by announcing that after ministry and prayer we needed to be filled with the Holy Spirit! We had great fun, joy and laughter as the Holy Spirit came upon us and filled us!

It was great to have Steve with us again. His clarity of thought enabled him to impart what he carried to us plainly. This means that we can receive and run with these truths ourselves! We can all be used by God to bring a healing touch to others. Simply step out and obey! ‘More Lord!