by Peter Ruck | Aug 28, 2015 | Blog
Brentwood Vineyard – August 2015
Immediately following the The Way Festival, I received an invitation from Pastor Lukas Roos Senior Pastor of Brentwood Vineyard Church who had attended the tent.
Lukas gave me a theme to share “Why & How we share our faith”. I had shared with him about some of the Zeal teaching modules like “Caring Sharing” earlier in the year.
It was a real privilege to speak on this theme over two weeks. The first week was to be on “WHY” I did this by emphasizing the Love of God. The importance of the new commandments. The great commission. I illustrated five points to “Why” with biblical references. I also showed a thought prevoking utube clip of “people downing” it was published originally by the salvation army.
No 5 was to tell everyone God had given each one of us a testimony. That each one of us are special in God eyes and he has given us a testimony to share.
My return visit was to share “HOW” this we I began with a favourite movie clip of mine you’ll find permanently on my website “ Go and make disciples”. Then “Caring Sharing” using a selection of slides from modules one and two. These are confidence building modules with the intention of taking the “fear” out of sharing your faith. Maybe for some it was a revelation to hear 80% of our communication is body language. So the smiles practice was on our agenda! The word evangelism often brings a follow up of “I can’t”, so we substituted this with “Caring & Sharing” it brings a much more acceptable response! We finished the morning with a short testimony using “Tear & Share” which the whole church got involved in.
My goal was to leave folk, with this in their hearts and minds. I do care about people. I can share God love. I will share with some of the tracts we’ve been given! I am praying the seeds sown with be shared.
Why & How we share our faith
by Peter Ruck | Aug 27, 2015 | Blog
In 2013 the Way Festival saw several hundred people hear vibrant presentations of the Gospel & many people touched by the Father’s love & power. Peter Ruck with steering group of Alan Cass, Jem Trehern, Gary Seithel, Chris Lincoln and Tony Tuffnell got together to rekindle the flame of mission this summer, and give opportunity for gifted evangelists to encourage, equip us and share the Good News. The team approached local churches to be a part of this tent mission from 19-26 July and declare the truth about Jesus Christ and what HE means to you.
Changing lives and hearts through the preaching of the Gospel and demonstrating His Kingdom. We see evidence of His work breaking out all over! As we step out in faith in response to the great commission to “Go in to all the world & preach the gospel” We’ve seen the truth of “The Lord working with them and confirming the Word with signs and wonders following”. Mark 16:15 & 20.
We invited spirit filled live bands each evening representing ministeries from Chemsford, East London, Southend , Bristol, Romford.
We had special Youth, Ladies & Men’s events which including boxing ring testimony by Jimmy Tibbs.
This was a six day event in a “BIG TOP” events like this take a lot of organising physically putting up the tent thankful my colleague Tim Grant owns and has the experience of errecting these tents.
We took to the street with leaflets designed to look like a tent, we had many interesting encounters inviting people. One noteable one was a lady who came from a distance in Kent. She said, she was interested but truthfully we had expected to see her. It just showed how important street outreach is she came and her four teenagers came to make a decision to receive Jesus. In fact this family came every night and brought other members of the family.
We displayed banners with partnering churches, put up posters in pet shops, fish and chip shops.
We were focussed on getting the message out there for the event. This included Peter Ruck and Anna Trehern appearing on SKY Ben TV you can see this in our Photo & Video file, Tim Grant & Peter Ruck appeared on Pheonix Radio promoting the event we used many forms media to reach out. The Way Festival had its own facebook page and website www.thewayfestival.com they’re live so can pick up on events still.
You can still see accounts and photos of George Osborn speaking, Tim Grant, Peter Ruck. Kalbi Massey and others at the Ladies events and Jimmy Tibbs at the men’s event. on this media.
Gary Seithell one of the steering group leaders forwarded this short report to some local ministries:
Praise to the Father for the Way Festival – There was a lovely sense of God’s presence/ wonderful worship/ and many churches represented.
The theme seemed to be “The God of the Unexpected!’ Mary & her friend wanted to hear Jimmy Tibbs – a top boxing trainer from the East End of London- talk about his life and faith. Mary had known the family years ago & her neighbours invited them. This was a men’s breakfast! We hoped some men would respond… but both of these older ladies prayed to receive Christ at the end! They then asked about God healing today. Mary had fallen and hurt her back badly. Peter & I prayed for her … she tested it & it was fine! Her friend said “Pray for ME! I have breathing problems” As we prayed her breathing became easier & both of them continue to grow in grace.
Another unexpected outcome was a flyer Peter gave to a woman from Kent…she said “I’ll be coming to that!” Peter admits his thoughts were more “I’ll never see her there.” The surprise was when she did come & bring her four children. Then her brother came as well almost every night! It turns out Margaret had recently lost her husband & needed the prayers & encouragement. Her son Tommy rededicated his life to Christ. The three younger ones all gave their lives to Jesus for the first time! Her brother Larry felt the “time is now” to get his life recommitted to Christ.
Every night some came to Christ for the first time, others rededicated their lives, and others came forward for prayer where the Father did amazing things! Bernadette hasn’t been able to kneel for decades.. now has no pain or stiffness in her knees! Alan had back pain & it has been completely fine since receiving prayer at the festival. We heard testimonies of people who’s acid reflux was completely better, of depression that has lifted, of a deeper sense of confidence in God. Nicki gave testimony of her knees and arm being healed and instead of discouragement depression & anxiety a new peace in her heart from Christ. Please pray for those who have come to Christ and seen answers to prayer to continue to grow in their faith and walk of discipleship. (Gary Seithel).
We continue to hear testimonies and stories of how God touched lives, these are still filtering through weeks later. The Way Festival brings tremendous unity blessings to those who get involved – just want to say thank you!
by Peter Ruck | Aug 25, 2015 | Blog
On the Move in Brentwood is when people from churches come together to serve the community. Lives were touched again over these three days at the end of June “healing on the street” others responded to the Gospel message and made a commitment to follow Jesus. God’s Word says were there is unity we will see blessings.
We served passers by with BBQ Hot dogs with onions, Burgers in buns and one special ingreidient a double portion of the love of Jesus! We have team serving the food, others as table host who share the message of God’s love.
A team on the pavements inviting people with gospel tracts and inviting folk to have some free food and sit and listen to the Gospel bands playing great music.
by Peter Ruck | Aug 25, 2015 | Blog
Zeal prayer nights are held fortnightly throughout the year. This was a wonderful evening of prayer glorifying God’s amazing grace. Emily Dube Mapfuwa joined us shared her testimony and her work in Africa as everyone prayed for this work. We shared together and prayed together for the work going on in prisons for other missions around the world, especially our brother Peter Brown’s work locally. We prayed for healing for many individuals needs for our requests. Then focussing on outreach more locally with Athletes in Action, On the Move & Ignite programme and The Way Festival.In particular for the body of Christ to come together in Unity of Spirit and purpose to reach out in our community and beyond. Pictured are some of the team from this night in June. Watch our diary for these night, we begin at 7.30pm with teas and coffees, this a totally non denomination group of spirit filled believers come and join us.
by Peter Ruck | Aug 25, 2015 | Blog
Blagoevgrad is a city in the province of southwestern Bulgaria. It has a “Cross” that is very visible on the top of the mountain side daytime and at night time it is illuminated once seen it never forgotten. This was the second visit to the city. Last year we held a Tent 100 mission school in the Autumn, this was to equip Christian’s in evangelism and mission.
Well here we are in May 2015 holding a tent mission in the centre of town. We were supporting the Bulgarian Tent 100 team, and our colleague Tim Grant had organised a team from Spearhead Ministries in England.
We would be leading teams out on the street to evangelise locally, we would help with children’s ministry each day.
Tim Grant, Sofi Pranczk and Peter Ruck would preach alternative evenings local musicians from various would lead the worship. We saw people respond to the Gospel messages and signs and wonders followed as people received healing and salvation.
Peter Ruck shared the story of “the lost sheep” one evening. Peter’s final evening following our visit to the mountain top. Peter began to pray and felt being led and inspired to preach a message Jesus said, I am the light of the world. During the time Peter was delivering the message we had a rainstorm followed by brilliant sunshine. Peter really felt God’s presence as he shared. When we looked outside the tent we saw a double rainbow in the sky!
