Transformation Thurrock : Treasure Hunting at T-Fest

Treasure Hunting at T-Fest

from Lee Hopper (Chafford Hundred Community Church)

I was asked to organise a Treasure Hunt event for the Thurrock Festival, otherwise known as T-Fest. This would tie in with other initiatives that were going on at the event; prayer walking, prayer tent, healing on the streets. We had a good group of people turn up and I will share some of the things that we got up to.

To start, we came together for training and prayer at the Gates of Praise Church in Grays, just down the road from T-Fest. Most people had not done it before so we discussed the practicalities before splitting in three groups. During the Treasure Hunt, all three groups met many people but I will inform you for the most interesting encounters. Just as a note, the writing in italics are the clues that were on peoples treasure maps.

The first group felt let to a couple of girls; Georgia and Yasmin. They asked them if any of the clues meant anything to them and the first girl said that her parents had split up, and the second girl said that her parents were thinking about splitting up. The group asked if they could prayer for them and they said yes. Afterwards, one of the girls was trying to pull her other friend to the group. This girl wanted pray too but was too shy to ask. Her parents were also having problems at home, so the group prayed for her too.

PICT19052

Moving on, the group met a lady who goes to Grays Baptist Church. She asked the group if they would pray for her because she was trying for a baby. So they did. After, the lady jumped for joy shouting "I am blessed".

Picture: Steve Wyles, left, and Lee Hopper, returning from their Treasure Hunt.

The second group found a clue with a boy who had a red balloon. They were also wearing a white t-shirt and next to an ice cream van. The group went up to them and asked them if there was anything they would like prayer for. The group felt that the couple did not want to share this with them, so they said they would pray for them later, blessed them and left.

Later, they met a lady called Laura and her partner. The clue they had was dog. They asked them if there was anything the would like prayer for and the lady said that her Nan had cancer. They prayed for this lady and the couple were grateful.

Lastly for the second group, the found someone in a red dress. They spoke to this lady and asked if there was anything they would like prayer for and she said that her second cousin, Scarlet, had leukaemia and now had a secondary infection. They prayed for Scarlet and the lady said thank you and went on her way.

For the third group, my group, the first encounter came for a man who was near sand who was sitting on a chair under a tree. We were pretty sure that God wanted us to talk to him so we approached him. I said hello and my name then held out my hand to shake his and he looked at me disapprovingly and leaving me hanging. We told him about the treasure hunt and what we were doing. He told us that he had been in and out of prison for 30 years and through all of that time he felt like God had been looking after him. He said he prays every night that God will protect him. We were able to go a little deeper and he (Sean) told us that his parents died when he was young of cancer and that he believed in Jesus. I wanted to make sure that he was saved so I went through the Gospel with him and he agreed with all of this. Only God knows his heart, but if all that he said was true, then I will see him one day in Heaven. I asked if he would mind us praying for him and he said it would be good if we could. After we prayed as we were leaving, he shook my at least tree more times which made up for leaving me hanging to begin with :D

ThurrockFestival2011

The second person was Rachel, wearing a hat and a dress that was red. We told her what we were doing and said that we think God had chosen her today. We asked if there was anything we could pray for and she said that she is just being tested for MS. Someone in our group was able to share that her mother has MS and she was able to connect with the girl. We asked if she would mind us praying for her, that the results would come back negative and she was completely open to this. After praying we exchanged contact details and asked her to let us know what the results were, she agreed.

Lastly, we met Kennedy. She was manning a Slush stool that had a red drink that was strawberry. We approached her and told her about the Treasure Hunt. She was very interested and told us that she believed in God. We told her that we believe God wanted us to talk with her today. I said that it is great that she believes in God, but does she know who Jesus is? She didn't have a clue. So I was able to share with her who Jesus was and what he has done for us and that he wants a personal relationship with each of us. I asked her if she wanted to know Jesus today, and she was a bit hesitant. So we told her to think about it and gave her a leaflet about Rock Thurrock encouraging her to go.

So that concludes the T-Fest Treasure Hunt. Some amazing testimonies to encourage others. We want this to be a Thurrock wide (and wider) opportunity, so please get involved in the amazing work God is doing. For the time being, the plan is to do another Treasure Hunt in September in another town in Thurrock. If you like us to come to your town, please get in contact with me.

Lee Hopper, 24/07/2011