‘Standing together, moving as one’
An Ecumenical group serving in the
An Ecumenical group serving in the
one body of Christ
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Last up dated 19th September 2011
Testimonies
The Holy Spirit Moves Pulled in by the Lord Lightering of Weight
Big' in God Forgiveness Accepted Receiving Inner Healing
M. Williams 'Surrey'
The Holy Spirit Moves Pulled in by the Lord Lightering of Weight
Big' in God Forgiveness Accepted Receiving Inner Healing
M. Williams 'Surrey'
I'm sorry to have taken so long to contact you and give you my impressions of the "Unity Conference Day". I thought the day was absolutely tremendous and spiritually, very powerful. As I enclosed in my letter I must have been pulled in by the Lord's it was a very odd chain of events which led me to coming to the conference.
And the result was to free me of an intractable problem of
un-forgiveness which had resisted all attempts at solution over 5
And the result was to free me of an intractable problem of
un-forgiveness which had resisted all attempts at solution over 5
M. Williams 'Surrey'
I'm sorry to have taken so long to contact you and give you my impressions of the
"Unity Conference Day".
I thought the day was absolutely tremendous and spiritually, very powerful.
As I enclosed in my letter I must have been pulled in by the Lord's
it was a very odd chain of events which led me to coming to the conference. And the result was to free me of an intractable problem of un-forgiveness which had resisted all attempts at solution over 5years.
I would like to thank everyone involved in organising the day and the Lord for turning up there, for he certainly did. I saw the notice for it in the ‘Good News’ but only came because my husband was going to Birmingham for a meeting.
When I arrived I felt a bit nervous because I wondered whether it was meant to be only local, but I soon felt at home with the people there and well able to praise the Lord even with unfamiliar songs.
I felt sorry for the little group demonstrating at the gate, because there was nothing in the talks that they could object to, and very much that would have been very helpful to them. Still I felt that the fact they were there, showed something really powerful was going on inside.
Personally the effect on me was like dynamite- the Lord seemed to have freed me of a problem of un-forgiveness that I had had for five years.
In the early 90’s I lost my baby. Like the woman in the gospel, I had tried everything I could find to get rid of the resentment, but nothing had succeeded, and I was feeling quite hopeless about it. I didn’t know the conference was going to have forgiveness as a major theme.
I was part of a group and had severed them for ten years and even though they knew, and sent cads, no one came to see me, or rang me, not even to ask if I was going to a conference where I attended regularly and gave lefts. Time went on and no birthday cards, when the year previous year they sent me one expressing undying love, and I could not understand why I was dropped from the group.
I was extremely hurt and bewildered and for the next five years I could not sit down and pray, the question immediately coming to mind “Why did they do this to me?”
I did not talk about it to anyone for three years, my prayer life had gone and my relationship with God seemed to be at an end. I did speak about it to people privately at any conference I went to. And each time thought I had forgiven and forgotten. When I went to the old prayer groups, all went well until there was some reference to love or community,
at which I become filled with anger at what I thought was the hypocrisy and would leave as soon as I could.
What got through to me at your meeting was the story about the women whose child had been killed and the assurance that God would see justice done-she didn’t need to do it.
I also think the resentment had been so deep-seated it had attracted other grievances to join it and I had become rather an irritable and offensive talking person.
I am not quite sure what changed at the Conference but the sting seems to have gone out of my memory and I feel I feel I have been freed of something rather horrid, I would picture it as along scaly beast, (a bit like the ‘Alien’). I feel ok about the other people in the group now, though there are a couple that seem to remain pretty distant with me, I thing this is on their side now. It’s sad that there has been no great reconciliation, but maybe the time for that will come, when the time and circumstances are right.
I am extremely grateful for your hard work and courage in pioneering this work, I will pray for it to prosper.
I'm sorry to have taken so long to contact you and give you my impressions of the
"Unity Conference Day".
I thought the day was absolutely tremendous and spiritually, very powerful.
As I enclosed in my letter I must have been pulled in by the Lord's
it was a very odd chain of events which led me to coming to the conference. And the result was to free me of an intractable problem of un-forgiveness which had resisted all attempts at solution over 5years.
I would like to thank everyone involved in organising the day and the Lord for turning up there, for he certainly did. I saw the notice for it in the ‘Good News’ but only came because my husband was going to Birmingham for a meeting.
When I arrived I felt a bit nervous because I wondered whether it was meant to be only local, but I soon felt at home with the people there and well able to praise the Lord even with unfamiliar songs.
I felt sorry for the little group demonstrating at the gate, because there was nothing in the talks that they could object to, and very much that would have been very helpful to them. Still I felt that the fact they were there, showed something really powerful was going on inside.
Personally the effect on me was like dynamite- the Lord seemed to have freed me of a problem of un-forgiveness that I had had for five years.
In the early 90’s I lost my baby. Like the woman in the gospel, I had tried everything I could find to get rid of the resentment, but nothing had succeeded, and I was feeling quite hopeless about it. I didn’t know the conference was going to have forgiveness as a major theme.
I was part of a group and had severed them for ten years and even though they knew, and sent cads, no one came to see me, or rang me, not even to ask if I was going to a conference where I attended regularly and gave lefts. Time went on and no birthday cards, when the year previous year they sent me one expressing undying love, and I could not understand why I was dropped from the group.
I was extremely hurt and bewildered and for the next five years I could not sit down and pray, the question immediately coming to mind “Why did they do this to me?”
I did not talk about it to anyone for three years, my prayer life had gone and my relationship with God seemed to be at an end. I did speak about it to people privately at any conference I went to. And each time thought I had forgiven and forgotten. When I went to the old prayer groups, all went well until there was some reference to love or community,
at which I become filled with anger at what I thought was the hypocrisy and would leave as soon as I could.
What got through to me at your meeting was the story about the women whose child had been killed and the assurance that God would see justice done-she didn’t need to do it.
I also think the resentment had been so deep-seated it had attracted other grievances to join it and I had become rather an irritable and offensive talking person.
I am not quite sure what changed at the Conference but the sting seems to have gone out of my memory and I feel I feel I have been freed of something rather horrid, I would picture it as along scaly beast, (a bit like the ‘Alien’). I feel ok about the other people in the group now, though there are a couple that seem to remain pretty distant with me, I thing this is on their side now. It’s sad that there has been no great reconciliation, but maybe the time for that will come, when the time and circumstances are right.
I am extremely grateful for your hard work and courage in pioneering this work, I will pray for it to prosper.
Mary Jones (Birmingham England)
May this be the first of many Unity Conferences in Birmingham.
I'm sorry I wasn't able to be here for the whole of it, and also sorry that Fr. John wasn't able to be here today (Saturday).
Many thanks to all the organizers and speakers, especially Rev. Paul Miller who was moved by the Holy Spirit to minister God's Grace.
May this be the first of many Unity Conferences in Birmingham.
I'm sorry I wasn't able to be here for the whole of it, and also sorry that Fr. John wasn't able to be here today (Saturday).
Many thanks to all the organizers and speakers, especially Rev. Paul Miller who was moved by the Holy Spirit to minister God's Grace.
Laura King (Birmingham England)
I only attended the meeting on Saturday and noticed that after lunch there was a lightering of weight that was apparent earlier.
God's Holy Spirit was breaking through.
The speakers were excellent as was the content of the message.
I only attended the meeting on Saturday and noticed that after lunch there was a lightering of weight that was apparent earlier.
God's Holy Spirit was breaking through.
The speakers were excellent as was the content of the message.
David Lucas
The Holy Spirit ministered in a powerful yet very loving way.
This is the start of something 'Big' in God.
The Holy Spirit ministered in a powerful yet very loving way.
This is the start of something 'Big' in God.
Derek Green (Birmingham England)
Excellent Conference on Saturday especially, did not attend Friday evening.
Forgiveness accepted.
Excellent Conference on Saturday especially, did not attend Friday evening.
Forgiveness accepted.
Ray Granner (Birmingham England)
Congratulations to the Unity Leadership and Music ministry who put on their first Annual Conference, and God put His seal of approval on it, with many receiving inner healing.
This must certainly clear away any doubts that God wanted this Unity group started, and a further confirmation was the delegation outside; some had come as far as Scotland to try and stop it.
The talks were very enjoyable, enlightening and humorous, but at the same time serious enough to go deep.
Many Churches were represented with people coming from Manchester and Surrey,
looking forward to the next one.
Congratulations to the Unity Leadership and Music ministry who put on their first Annual Conference, and God put His seal of approval on it, with many receiving inner healing.
This must certainly clear away any doubts that God wanted this Unity group started, and a further confirmation was the delegation outside; some had come as far as Scotland to try and stop it.
The talks were very enjoyable, enlightening and humorous, but at the same time serious enough to go deep.
Many Churches were represented with people coming from Manchester and Surrey,
looking forward to the next one.
Hope to see more of you there.
Vision Fulfilled in Birmingham
Vision Fulfilled in Birmingham
In 1996 the Lord gave Unity a vision of all the different Churches in and around Birmingham
coming together in Aston Park and at this meeting the Church leaders
would stand together on a stag before the people and make a commitment to work
together as one body.
Below is how this came about.
This year the Anglican Church in Birmingham celebrates it’s Centenary and as part of the
celebrations, Bishop John Sentamu, Bishop for Birmingham 'Church of England' invited J. John
who is widely regarded as one of the most creative Christian speakers in the UK to come and put
on his Just 10 programme on the 10 Commandments.
His much-loved art of storytelling helps us discover God and spiritual meaning – in a way that
makes more sense, too, of everyday life.
Both Dianne and I knew that this was the fulfillment of a vision the Lord had given us in 1996,
a vision of all the Churches from the different denomination in and around Birmingham coming
together in Aston Park.
On Thursday the 7th of April 2005 Birmingham Just10 started and would go on until the 9th June.
The message J. John shared with us was inspiring, challenging and anointed.
This was shown by the amount of people that attained and came forward at the end of each
evening responding to God’s call.
Around 2500 to 3000 people attended every week. Christians, none Christians, unbelievers,
youth and many more were giving their lives to Christ and Christians were reaffirming their
commitment to Christ Jesus.
Dianne and myself were on the prayer team that meet every evening before the start and part
of the response team, and then afterwards with others doing some of the follow up calls afterwards, it was
wonderful and encouraging to hear the enthusiasm and excitement in their voices as they shared what had
happened to them.
Dianne and myself are Just10 Co-coordinators for St. Peters the Church, which we attend, we are
also on the prayer team and the response team. Every Denomination was involved, barriers came
down as we worshiping together in unity and proclaiming the one body of Christ Jesus to all.
Last Thursday evening 9th June Just 10 finished, and it was amazing; the place was full, more
people came for the first time and responded to God's call at the end of the night.
Before the evening began Bishop John Sentamu invited all the Church leaders, priest, minister's
and pastor's of every denomination that was there to join him on the stage to make a commitment
to work together in the one body of Christ as a witness to God's presence in Birmingham, the stage
was packed.
After the Ordained had made this commitment, the Bishop called on everyone there to make the
same commitment. Then the Roman Catholic Archbishop Vincent Nichols prayed for God’s blessing
and gave the his full support.
Then Pastor Nick Cuthbert spoke about how over the past 30 years he had been a minister in
Birmingham the work that had gone on, to come to this time. David Carr Senior Pastor of Renewal Christian Center
Prayed for God’s blessing on the Churches and the lay for the commitment they had made and the work ahead.
It was during this time that the Lord reminded me of the vision he had showed us and said:
‘it is fulfilled’, now the healing of my Church and my people here in Birmingham and
beyond begins and I have placed my seal up on it.
What joy and excitement came over us as we watched them make that commitment, Bishop John also called every one there to make the same commitment.
A dream and prayers answered.
The Commitment.
We commit together, above all,
To seek the Kingdom of God and his righteousness in Birmingham ,
and it’s surrounding areas. Our mission is for the renewal of the
Church’s life and ministry, lay and ordained – so that together we may:
Pray for Renewal
Seek the Kingdom
Share the Good News
Search for the Truth
Serve our Neighbour
And follow Jesus Christ in his suffering love for the salvation of all people.
We would like to encourage all Christians denominations to make the same
commitment wherever you are in the world.
We believe mighty things will now start to happen in Birmingham because the Churches have
public proclaimed their oneness in Christ, the enemy is now in retreat.
It will not be easy for us, but as long as we keep focused on Christ and the commitment we
have made, honouring and respecting each others traditions we will see Christ and God's Kingdom
alive here in Birmingham and this anointing and blessings will spread throughout the UK and beyond.
Since 1996 when Unity was formed and called to provide the opportunity for all Christians to
come together in Reconciliation, Forgiveness and Unity we have been meeting every last Saturday
of the month to pray for Unity of Christ Body, and taking the message of Unity to wherever God sends us.
We would like to take this opportunity to invite you to join us if you are able, if not then we ask you
to pray with us daily for the continuing healing of Christ Church and unite with us in spirit on the
last Saturday of each month.
The vision below was conformation that the vision our Lord showed us was near.
A Vision of a New revival of Christianity
On Friday 23rd January 2004 a number of Churches met together in St. Matthew's Church in Nechells, Birmingham, England to pray for that area. This area has known deprivation and poverty for a long time and for which much
prayer had already been offered over the last few years.
The night in question, consisted of six hours of prayer, praise, scripture reading and sharing etc. with each church taking the lead for one hour. The night was so blessed and filled with the Holy Spirit that many people did not
want to leave and stayed on till after midnight. The presence of the Holy Spirit was almost tangible.
A prophecy given for Birmingham a few weeks earlier was read out. It told of conversions and revival to come in our life time. This was followed by a time of silence.
A man rose to his feet, compelled to speak out a vision he was receiving right then.
He said that he saw the revival of the Church starting in Nichells area of the city.
He saw many streams of people making their way to a huge gathering of all
Christians in the nearby Villa Park Football Stadium.
The stadium will be filled with the people of all Christian Churches coming
together, united in praise and worship.
People will witness many conversions and renewal of faith.
The time to work for revival is NOW!
Stories from the mission for your encouragement.
One co-ordinator from a "traditional" church has been enthusiastic about just10 for some time, but her husband felt it wasn't for him. However, having come with her to a meeting he is now also very motivated & wants to come every week. This week their daughter made a commitment and a young man with them who has just lost his job at Rover also responded.
One co-ordinator had no idea how she would get to the marquee. After the steward briefing at Riverside someone spoke to her & told her to pray about it - & then told her someone would offer her a lift. Sure enough the next day she received a phone call out of the blue, with the offer of a lift to Aston Park
Another co-ordinator from a "traditional" church had found it difficult to stir up interest within the church. They planned to go along later in the series, but one lady went on her own at the beginning. She then came back to church overflowing with joy & said "I'm now certain I'm born again". She encouraged the whole congregation to go along & find out about it.
Aston Churches Together used the tent last Sunday for a service which brought together 800 people from all different churches in the area.
Another co-ordinator saw a lady he had led through Alpha come forward to respond.
One co-ordinator took a neighbour to the Carols & was wondering whether to invite him to the mission. She was unsure whether he would want to come & didn't want to appear pushy. So she didn't invite him on the first week. She bumped into him in the street & decided to mention it - she told him she'd been to the first one. He said he'd love to come - but would be away for the next one - but is keen to come along when he's back. The co-ordinator learned that we shouldn't be afraid to ask people - they may be keener to come than we are to ask them!
Peter Howell-Jones told of a church leader from an Anglo-Catholic tradition who has been in touch with him throughout the mission.
He has bee surprised by the strong interest shown by members of his congregation who have found the meetings really helpful & wanted to bring their friends along. Its good to see people from different spiritualities being able to benefit from the talks.
One co-ordinator told of a Sikh who had been through an Alpha Course - but had met with resistance from his Hindu wife.
Another member of the Alpha course had encouraged him to come to Just 10, so he came along on his own. Friends from the church invited him to travel with them on their minibus the next week, and the following week he brought his wife and son.
They all really enjoyed what they heard & have had their views of Christianity deeply challenged.
One lad who came on the first night & responded came back with two of his hoodie wearing friends. Both came from difficult family backgrounds - & happened to turn up on the night of the "peace with parents" talk. One went back & began talking with his father. Both lads want to come back & Just 10 has become a topic of conversation at school.
I spoke with one co-ordinator who told me their church had developed a good relationship with their minibus driver over the weeks.
As his interest has deepened they have encouraged him to come into the tent with them. He was nervous of leaving his minibus unattended. But just 10 has the answer - patrolled car parks!!! Please pray he would feel confident enough to leave the minibus & come into the meetings.
Peter H J emphasised how good it has been to hear stories - including the testimonies in the tent & encouraged us to use them more - try & tell them on our churches & reclaim the power of telling what God is doing in people's lives.
Peter H J suggested that we hold an evening of celebration in September to thank God for all that He has done through just 10, and to hear more stories of changed lives. Those present felt this was a good idea, so we will try to organise it.
The full Mind the Gap Course has now been released. Two workshops from this were used alongside J.John's Calling Out in preparation for the mission. Agape are hosting a launch session for the full course on Tue 28 June and your church leader will soon receive an invitation to be present.
Nick Cuthbert has commented that there has been a real sense of togetherness for mission in the area more than for a long time. We are considering whether there should be something that continues after just 10 as a network for mission to keep us all in touch with what is happening. Co-ordinators were asked for a "grunt response" to this suggestion comments were made that it's exciting to have churches working together in mission, sharing gifts, resources & training. The day of prayer on the 11 bus was particularly appreciated & it was suggested we could do this once a year, followed by an evening of prayer & praise together. mind the Gap gives lots of practical ways forward in mission. Make Way, Carol-type events & open air rallies were suggested.
A website with mission news & events would be helpful.
Aston Churches expressed their appreciation of the use of the tent for joint services, with up to 1000 people present.
The last one will be at 11am on 5th June.