Edwin Hughes has sent this message to Transformation Thurrock
A few definitions before we start:
BGEA UK – in case you’ve forgotten this is BILLY GRAHAM EVANGELISTIC ASSOCIATION UK
THURROCK EPICENTRE was the name agreed at the last general meeting under which the churches of Thurrock would unite to work initially with the BGEA
and then to continue working in unity after that on youth discipleship, development and community projects.
ROCK THURROCK will hopefully be the name adopted by BGEA UK to partner with us in 2011 on a short term youth evangelistic, outreach and discipleship programme that will form an integral part of Thurrock Epicentre.
UNITE 30/31 is the united youth event project which was established out of the last Thurrock Epicentre meeting.
TRANSFORMATION THURROCK is as always behind us in unity all the way.
… and now, the news!
BGEA AGREE TO PARTNER WITH THURROCK CHURCHES IN THEIR ROCK THURROCK PROGRAMME TO ENGAGE, CHALLENGE AND MINISTER TO BOTH CHRISTIAN AND NON-CHRISTIAN YOUTH.
- TO REACH YOUNG PEOPLE WITH THE MESSAGE OF JESUS THROUGH THE LOCAL CHURCH, TO BRING THEM INTO A LIVING RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM, AND TO EMPOWER THEM TO BUILD A GENERATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE WHOSE LIVES ARE FULL OF ZEAL FOR JESUS
- TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE TO HAVE A LONG-TERM COMMITMENT TO JESUS BGEA BELIEVES THAT YOUNG PEOPLE NEED LONG-TERM SUPPORT AND A STRONG CHURCH COMMUNITY.
- TO SEE STRONGER RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN CHURCHES ACROSS THE COMMUNITY COMING TOGETHER FOR THE COMMON GOOD OF SEEING THE YOUTH IN THEIR COMMUNITIES IMPACTED IN A POSITIVE WAY.
After intense negotiations, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) have finally agreed to come and partner with the churches of Thurrock with their Rock Thurrock programme.
The event has been renamed Rock Thurrock to make it more specific to us. The BGEA will be working closely with the core committee in the next 2 months to finalise Governance, Budgets and Finance. For all events, the BGEA does ask that local churches raise funds (through event ticket sales, donations and so on) towards the cost of the programme.
I believe God is favouring us in as much as BGEA could have pulled out completely when other centres decided not to proceed, but they have seen our enthusiasm for this concept and are keen to work with us to make it a great success.
I know many people have been praying for many years for young people to be given the opportunity to rise up and make a difference and I believe this is God’s answer to those prayers. Also a few weeks ago at Unite 30/31 many young people stood to receive God’s anointing to become unstoppable disciples, so this is an opportunity for them to receive training to do that and to be able to move into action.
Now is the time to show the true unity that Transformation Thurrock has been working towards over the past few years and ensure that the youth of our churches and those who are not gain access to this unique God-given opportunity to make a positive impact on the community in which they live.
For a leading world ministry to physically come and work in Thurrock is a miracle – and one that we need to grasp with both hands and embrace with all the passion of our hearts.
I believe God is favouring Thurrock at this time and we need to ensure we don’t miss out on this blessing.
Below is an outline program of what has been agreed with BGEA so far concerning dates and venues. Some dates and venues are still to be worked out and others firmed up.
The next Thurrock Epicentre meeting is at Aveley Christian Centre on Monday 29 November 7:45pm for 8:00pm start. This is an opportunity to pray about this project and to discuss plans of how to put it into action.
OUTLINE ROCK THURROCK PROGRAMME
BGEA in partnership with Thurrock Epicentre
ROCK THURROCK LAUNCH EVENT
Thurrock Hotel 9am-12noon Saturday 5 March 2011
To be ticketed at £10 per person. Excess funds used for FM419 or Unite or Community Action project by youth or maybe as incentive for selling tickets for Big Event (say free place if you sell 10 tickets to fit in with the bring a friend initiative).
ROCK THURROCK BOROUGH WIDE PRAYER + bring a friend initiative
8-10pm Friday 1 April 2011
Time of prayer/worship, venue to be decided. To organise and launch prayer teams and promote the bring a friend initiative.
ROCK THURROCK COMMUNITY ACTION PLANS
To run during the months of April to June 2011 with projects being run by participating churches in unity with everyone in the churches participating not just youth.
Third week in September 2011 a united youth Community Action Project between FM419 and the Big Event to sustain momentum.
ROCK THURROCK CHRISTIAN LIFE & WITNESS COURSE
Second or third week in May
For adults of all participating churches. Session one to be held on Thursday and Friday (so people working have a choice of dates) remainder of the program on Saturday. Ticketed at £10 with excess funds being utilised to cover costs of the FM419 course for youth.
ROCK THURROCK FM419 COURSE FOR YOUTH
To be held at beginning of September 2011 possibly two sessions over Friday night Saturday.
BGEA to discuss and advise exact dates depending on when facilitators available.
ROCK THURROCK BIG EVENT
Saturday 24 & Sunday 25 September 2011
Will Graham to come and speak.
With top UK Christian band or bands, yet to be sourced, providing the music.
CHURCH LEADERS DEBRIEF
Monday 10 October Probably and evening buffet style meeting.
ROCK THURROCK VELOCITY COURSES
To run weekly for 6 to 7 weeks from October to November. Can be run as small groups or larger events depending on how many respond at the big event and where they are located.
What happens after…
Up to us hopefully – a lot rather than nothing. With More Than Gold 2012 there are opportunities to develop on that. Discipleship must be an ongoing process. Community action plans can be ongoing as well. Basically that is open for everyone’s input and suggestions.
Obviously, apart from the Launch and the Big Event dates could be subject to change depending on facilitators etc but this is currently the basic plan.
