Regent Street 31 March-2nd April 2017
The leaders of Regent Street Methodist Church invited a Lay Witness team to conduct a weekend mission in March 2017.
Tom Wilson and Shirley Alexander led the team.
Tom Wilson and Shirley Alexander led the team.
Weekend Reports and Photos
Bruce Mullen; Holly Bennett; David Best; Tom Wilson; Shirley Alexander; Julian Bardon; Louise Wilson; Trevor Smith;
Jennifer Hutchinson; Dianne Morris; David Griffith and Ryan Harris
With the congregation in Regent Street Methodist Church
Louis Latimer, Regent Street, writes....
Our last LWW was 40 years (a generation) ago when our church was filled with love through the work of Holy Spirit. At that time team were all from America, here to introduce the movement to Irish Methodism. It was with prayerful expectation we prepared for a further stirring of hearts towards The Lord. We decided our theme would be based on Isaiah 54.2 ‘Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen the cords, strengthen your stakes’; in other words ‘go deep/spread wide’. This resonated with our Church Mission Statement: “To Know God’s Love and to Share it with Others”. Our welcome/organising team was a great mix of all ages, with long standing members as well as relative new comers to the church. It worked so well and proved to be a great blessing in itself, strengthening and developing relationships within the group and the church. We felt the practicalities around the organisation went so smoothly because we began to pray earnestly early in the process. It was so good to feel God’s Spirit working, and although many were praying individually when we had our particular groups together at regular times, we all were really strengthened. We were blessed to have twelve God-chosen people with us for the weekend. It was apparent from the first moment that our prayers had been answered in a wonderful way. There was a sense of a clear sky between us and God. Those ‘witnesses’ spoke to so many hearts in so many ways. God used stillness, tears, laughter and joy. A common theme that ran through the weekend was “He’s got it”. We may have our trials and our struggles, but deep down, “it is well with my soul”. This sense of God’s sovereignty and the assurance of his love was what blessed many in a very deep way. About 100 people came for each of the two evening meals. Barbara Haughan and her team from Movilla were fantastic caterers. The six coffee mornings and the men’s breakfast were also a great success. While much valuable work was done throughout the weekend, it wasn’t until Sunday morning that people felt comfortable to come forward and request prayer ministry. Many availed of this opportunity to do deep work with God. At our service of thanksgiving on Sunday evening numerous people surprised themselves by coming forward to speak prolonging that service in a most useful way. People had been stirred in ways they hadn’t expected. It was also wonderful to have a great group of our young people with us throughout the time. |
Some individual comments:
‘Before the weekend the sense of anticipation was unreal, there was excitement, apprehension and all sorts of feelings and vibes floating around.’
‘The weekend was all a bit of a whirlwind and as someone who enjoys being busy I was exhausted but buzzing.’
‘As a church we do a lot for others and it was very special to do something for our church family’.
‘People have a great desire that we as a church family grow closer to one another; the joy that we experienced will stay with us’
‘It was wonderful, reaffirming and heart breaking all at the same time, to hear so many witnesses tell their "story" - some having suffered so much.’
‘We have never experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit so intensely’.
‘This weekend was the most spiritually uplifting and reassuring experience we have ever encountered.’
‘It is something I will never forget and felt truly blessed.’
Some of the stories of the deep work of the Holy Spirit in hearts will never be told. He did, as He promised, more than we could ask or think. The Spirit is still at work.
Any church thinking of inviting the Lay Witness Team – don’t hesitate, just do it.
‘Before the weekend the sense of anticipation was unreal, there was excitement, apprehension and all sorts of feelings and vibes floating around.’
‘The weekend was all a bit of a whirlwind and as someone who enjoys being busy I was exhausted but buzzing.’
‘As a church we do a lot for others and it was very special to do something for our church family’.
‘People have a great desire that we as a church family grow closer to one another; the joy that we experienced will stay with us’
‘It was wonderful, reaffirming and heart breaking all at the same time, to hear so many witnesses tell their "story" - some having suffered so much.’
‘We have never experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit so intensely’.
‘This weekend was the most spiritually uplifting and reassuring experience we have ever encountered.’
‘It is something I will never forget and felt truly blessed.’
Some of the stories of the deep work of the Holy Spirit in hearts will never be told. He did, as He promised, more than we could ask or think. The Spirit is still at work.
Any church thinking of inviting the Lay Witness Team – don’t hesitate, just do it.
Jennifer Hutchinson, Team Member, writes....
What a blessing and privilege it was to be on a Lay Witness team in Regent Street Methodist Church! Forty years had elapsed since the last time a Lay Witness Team had visited from America, and expectations were high. That preparations were detailed and prayers for all were faithful is an understatement! Each week the church prayed twice on Tuesdays in the most beautiful prayer room for the weekend, The team and our photos were even placed on a little prayer tree! We felt very comfortable, welcome and loved by the Regent Street church family even before the weekend arrived. We were treated to excellent meals and very generous hospitality from our hosts, for which we were very grateful. Our prayer partners continued to soak the whole weekend in prayer and the minister, Rev Andrew Kingston and the whole team worked enthusiastically to ensure that everything flowed seamlessly. Room for All was the theme and this proved a prophetic word as so many people were powerfully touched by God throughout the evening meetings, the wonderful singing, the men's breakfast, the youth activities, the coffee mornings and, of course, the Sunday morning service. Each testimony resonated with many others, and God moved in a mighty way on Sunday morning as people poured forward to receive prayer and ministry. Expectations were met in a marvellous way as the Spirit moved in people's hearts. Thanks be to God for answering all our prayers for Regent Street; may there always be room for all in this place. |