Celebrating the birth of Liberty City Church!

Posted by Bill on January 22, 2012

A few days ago I received an email from Wale and Emma Oladipo – old team mates from Maadi Community Church in Cairo, saying …

“We are just so pleased to update you with the fact that our church location has been confirmed – a community centre very close to the University of Leeds – and that our first Sunday service will be on February 19. Wooo! And have you seen the fantastic job that Nick has done with the website? Check out www.libertycitychurch.org.uk. It’s mega!

You may not have known that Wale and Emma (CCI Teammates) received a vision from the Lord to plant a new church! Well, I am thrilled to share with you that the birth of Liberty City Church will be celebrated in Leeds, UK, on the 19^th of February. When I visited their website, I was greeted with …

“Welcome to Liberty City Church, a brand new church plant in Leeds, based within walking distance from Leeds University, we are a Bible-believing church who love Jesus and love people. Our commitment to every member, seeker or curious bystander is that you are welcomed and accepted as you are, and that you will hear and be taught the uncompromised wisdom of God which unleashes faith to live a life of victory. Our passion is to enable and empower others to become all that God has called them to be and to experience the love of Jesus through a deeper relationship with God and each other. In His presence is fullness of joy… so why not come and experience His joy at Liberty City Church. Wale & Emma.”

Wale & Emma Oladipo

Wale and Emma are totally motivated to play their part in fulfilling the Great Commission. Between them, they have a broad experience and knowledge of various Christian denominations and they are passionate about leading people of all backgrounds into a relationship with Jesus Christ. Wale is a qualified psychotherapist and treats private clients alongside his work with Anxiety UK and Greatvine. In his free time he loves to play football and spend time with his family. Emma is a secondary school English teacher. She is passionate about music and languages and loves to meet people from other cultures.

Let’s rally around Wale and Emma, and Liberty City Church, with prayers and encouragement. Let’s expect great things from our great God, for what He will do in and through Liberty City Church.

“Thank You, Lord, for Wale, Emma, and Liberty City Church. We stand with Wale and Emma in the dedication of this church on the 19^th of February. May the life and ministries of this church reflect your grace, love and mercy to its surrounding community. Lord, may You be honored and glorified through Liberty City Church. Amen.”

Bill J

Half way point at Warsaw

Posted by Bill on October 9, 2011

Dear Friends

At the half-way point of our assignment in Warsaw the small groups development landscape is shaping up well. Beryl and I are glad to share with you this encouraging, summary news update:

. Five training groups are at the half-way stage of training: Saturday AM, Monday PM, Tuesday AM, Wednesday AM and PM
. Preached at the Christian Fellowship North on 2 October and at Christian Fellowship South on 9th October.
. Participated in a video recorded interview on Small Groups Development
. Q&A session with fifteen small groups leaders of CFN church
. Have been invited to facilitate a discipleship workshop with the youth of the CFN church on Saturday, 15th of Oct.
. Our training program for the Gydnia church (North of Warsaw, Southern coastline of the Baltic Sea) is being fine-tuned.

I hope these photos will help to give you a small taste of our experiences so far. Thank you, thank you for your encouraging support.

The good times have just begun!

Bill and Beryl

Investing in “relay-runners”

Posted by Bill on October 8, 2011

Our present visit to Poland is quite different to our previous four visits. This time, we are focussing all our thoughts and channelling all our energy on equipping and empowering the small groups director (Iza Pazdyda) of the Christian Fellowship North (Warsaw), and her faithful assistants, Marcin and Agata Gochnio. They are ideal 2 Timothy 2:2 “relay-runners” … receiving from us small groups resources and experiences the Lord has entrusted in our care that they may pass these things to other trustworthy “relay-runners”.

By the time we conclude our program in Warsaw on the 26^th of October, a great deal of time, money and effort will have been invested in Iza, Marcin and Agata. I can tell you now, how blessed we are to be partnering with such fine, trustworthy, disciple-makers. What they have received from us they have already begun to invest in other “relay-runners”.

As stewards of the Lord, we are accountable for the valuable things He has entrusted in our management. We can manage, or mismanage “these” things – we can invest, or we can spend them … there’s a big difference. Are you investing in “relay-runners”?

“Lord, please help me to be a wise investor of the good things you have entrusted in my care. Help me to identify trustworthy relay-runners who will be glad to pass these things to other trustworthy relay-runners. Amen.”

Poland, October 2011

Posted by Bill on October 5, 2011

Just a photo update from our fantastic visit to Warsaw in Poland.

Celebration at Christian Fellowship North in Warsaw

Posted by Bill on September 27, 2011

Dear Friends

Yesterday (25 September), Beryl and I experienced, a rich time of worship and fellowship with the Christian Fellowship (North), a church family of 500 members, in Warsaw. Not being able to understand the Polish language did not inhibit us from experiencing the amazing presence, power, and pleasure of the Holy Spirit at work in His people. An elder of the church sat behind us and quietly translated the message that was presented by Pastor Krzysztof Zareba, a humble man of God. Krzy preached with simplicity, passion and power.

Pastor Krzy invited us to lunch with him and his wife, Mariola, at a nearby Nepalese restaurant after the service (the owner of this restaurant has a brother who manages a Nepalese restaurant [Café Kathmandu] at Broadbeach, 15 minutes from where we live at the Gold Coast!). At the end of the meal, Krzy asked if I’d be willing to preach next Sunday, at both AM services. So, this boy is now chained at a desk in our bedroom, working on a message. (Your prayers would be appreciated.)

Tonight (26 September), Iza, Martin, and I will team up to facilitate training with Monday’s group (about 10 people). And, tomorrow (daytime), Iza, Agata and I will facilitate training with Tuesday’s group (10 people). The pace is slowly stepping-up. Iza and Martin’s phones have been busy with trainees from last Saturday’s group calling to express appreciation for the training they received, and new trainees were signed up last night, for today’s and tomorrow’s group – every training spot has been taken up!

Thank you for your encouraging support to us, and to the Lord’s work in Poland, and beyond.

Bill and Beryl J