Last Friday night (14 October), the latest Rock Thurrock Prayer event took place at Christ City Church (formerly Open Doors) at Belmont Hall in Parker Road, Grays.
After a welcome by Pastor Sam Sao, a time of enthusiastic worship led by CCC’s Tony on vocals and Seth on piano gave way to three sections of prayer.
These were introduced by Tim Harrold, who read out Isaiah 41:17-20, the word over Thurrock, as a foundation for the evening.
Follow-up
The first section was led by Andy Blakey, who has been responsible for the training connected with the Rock Thurrock project. He went through the statistics of the events of the weekend of 23-24 September and spoke about the Velocity course for young converts, taking place at the moment in a number of venues across the borough.
Andy also mentioned the other stories that are trickling through of young people and adults who responded to Will Graham and LZ7 that weekend but whose details were never documented, but also that many who did respond have not taken up the opportunity – yet – to join with a Velocity course. People gathered to pray in groups.
Finance
The second section on finance was led by Edwin Hughes of the Rock Thurrock Core Team. He emphasised that in his original vision for the whole project the one area he didn’t have anything from God on was that of finance – from which he concluded that he didn’t have to worry about it and that God will provide.
The majority of the money has been raised, with just £3000 outstanding. Edwin didn’t ask for money from those present, but asked them to pray that God would bring in that money or reveal how it could be raised. Rock Thurrock are determined to not let the BGEA underwrite this, seeing this as a challenge of faith and responsibility of obedience in taking the project on in the first place. Again, people prayed in groups.
Future
Tim Harrold led the final section by talking about some of the indications that the Lord seems to be 
revealing to the Rock Thurrock team, namely the imperative to ‘cast your nets on the other side’ and fish where the fish are swimming – in the schools!
But for this clear strategy from God is required and those gifted and called to schools’ work are needed to be raised up almost immediately.
Tim also pointed ahead to GSUS LIVE’s return to the borough next Autumn and possible future links with LZ7 – but this is all part of the next chapter, not the next page, which is yet to be written!
Tim prayed from the front and invited folk to come forward in a session of open mic prayer – about 6 people, including Pastor Sam, his wife Joyce, and Seth from the band – took advantage of this.
The evening concluded with another set of vibrant praise from Tony (middle picture) and the band of young people (bottom picture).
COLIN BAKER (Rock Thurrock Core Team Leader) is leading two seminars about the project at this Saturday’s TRANSFORM! event at Hassenbrook School, starting 1.30pm.
THIS WEEK’S ROCK THURROCK PRAYER IS AT LINFORD METHODIST CHURCH 7.30pm
Remaining Rock Thurrock Prayer events (all 7.30pm)…
October
- Friday 21 – Linford Methodist Church
- Saturday 22 – TRANSFORM! Unity, Mission & Prayer for Thurrock at Hassenbrook School, Stanford-le-Hope – includes seminar & prayer for Rock Thurrock
- Friday 28 – Corringham Baptist Church
November
- Friday 4 – to pray for the following week’s Velocity courses – St Cedd’s, Stifford Clays
- Friday 11 – Aveley Christian Centre
- Friday 18 – West Thurrock Chapel
- Sunday 20 – Transformation Thurrock Prayer (as part of the East Thurrock United Service) at St Margaret’s, Stanford-le-Hope (this will include prayer for Rock Thurrock)
- Friday 25 – thanksgiving event for end of Rock Thurrock project (inc. celebration) – St Cedd’s, Stifford Clays
For addresses of venues please use the calender to the left of the screen. Click on the event and a box will appear giving details of location.
