Graham and Marion feel called to leave Manchester for Central Asia between April 25th and July 17th 2012.

Central Asia - Most of the region is semi-desert and until 1991 Russia told the people what to do, where to work and what to think. The present generation are learning how to make decisions for themselves.  This has led to some major problems: addictions to alcohol, pornography, drugs etc.

“We will be working with Americans called David and Tirzah (+ 3 children), who have been there for 7 and half years.
David, works through an Australian chairty called HADA, who work with alcoholics/homeless people and their families - social development projects/support groups/study groups in ‘valueology’ (study of human health).  There is also an English club there.

What are we doing?  Well…..we have been asked to ‘come with a flexible spirit’ (and we are well aware that a year ago we had a stab at telling you what we would be doing in South Africa…and ended up doing something completely different!)
We expect to be joining in with whatever David and Tirzah do - working within HADA . We also have a heart to support the workers who are there (that was some of the most valuable stuff we did in SA). We have also been asked to prepare materials on marriage and family life. (The region tends to practice folk Islam rather than the fundamentalism found in the Middle East - so there is a history of domestic violence and the suppression of women. Hence the teaching on marriage and what the bible says).”

Prayer Requests:
The local people - that God would give us a heart for them
The churches - groups of 20 or so believers
For wisdom in a very different culture and atmosphere
For the flexibility for God to us however He wants
That David will quickly find us somewhere to live

We shall be meeting as normal, starting at 10:30am and finishing around 12noon. Kids work will also carry on as normal.

This Sunday morning we will have Dave Devenish speaking, following our day with him on Saturday. Dave is an excellent speaker who has planted churches all over the world and has a far reaching apostolic ministry. So it should be good (no pressure).

We apologise for all of the venue related confusion but it was out of our hands! However, we are able to use the school again.

If you have any questions please .

“The women’s conference has now finished, all our preaches touched hearts! We prayed for the fire of God to fall and people were baptised in the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues for the first time. We heard lots of testimonies from people at the conference, who had been healed and touched by the message. There are 2 days of ministry left and amongst other things we are distributing clothes for railway children, please pray we make the most of this opportunity! We begin the long journey home on Sunday 6am. Love from Clare and the team.”

God has been awesome! In preparation for the India trip next week there has been fundraising in the shape of a charity ‘come dine with me’, selling christmas cards and other events which have raised up over £900! Wow! Find out the final total this sunday…. Its just 4 days till our CCM mission team go out to Andra Pradesh to work with Reap India. Here is a very rough itinerary so you can pray for us:

Tue 29 Nov leave UK. Arrive Wed 30 in Chennai. Travel Thurs 01 Dec, by train to Tenali (2am).
Friday 2 Dec visit Leprosy Camp at Vetapalem, encouraging people, giving mercy meal, tending sick.
Saturday 3rd Dec At Sekuru old people’s home. laying first brick for new bathroom facilities and distribuing new clothes.
At new life centre, giving sewing machines and releasing one girl from the red light area.
Sunday 4 Dec Preaching at Sunday service at Local Church. Evening: Dedicting Gorton’s bore well.
Monday 5 Dec 07.00am travel to Markapur for Women’s conference. 2 sessions - Clare and Julia preaching.
Tuesday 6 Dec Second Day women’s Conference Christine and Sue preaching
Wednesday 7 Dec Last Day women’s Conference Julia and Clare preaching
Thursday 8 Dec Reap India all staff meeting with preach, evening bore well dedication
Friday 9 Dec TBC and outreach meeting in evening at Valabhapuram (Onesim)
Saturday 10 Dec morning Medical Clinic.  afternoon: visit Balatejassu railway boys, give them new clothes.
Evening outreach & mercy camp at Ratnalacheruvu(Ratcatcher slum)
Sunday 11 Dec 06.20am Leaving to Chennai, At 21:40 depart Chennai for UK.

We are so excited and thank for all your support, encouragement and prayers!
Love Clare, Chris, Julia, Libby, Sue and Vicky

This means we need to be very intentional in getting everyone together so that we can be one community. Thus The Big CCM Day Out! So on Sunday we are going to worship, pray, listen to teaching, eat, and hangout. Sound good? Of course it does.

How do I get there?

So the practicalities are very simple. If you need a lift to CCM:East then get to Luther King House at 10am where there will be a minibus and a bunch of cars. You will be returned to Luther King House at around 1:30pm.

If you have any questions please contact or call him on 07961233768

There will be no evening meeting this week.

  Oasis Centre Interview by ecstasyonion

Then Jonny joined our church and boom. 80 people a night, tons of talented musos, stacks of Non-Christians and one very very happy Tim.

Have a butchers -

Joshua, the leader of the people of Israel, had plenty of good loyal fighting men, weapons and horses at his disposal, he was a force to be reckoned with; yet we read that it would be none of these things that would bring about the destruction of such an impressive city.

Joshua is simply told to march around the city for seven days, on the seventh he would have to march around seven times. For the first six days he was to march the people around in complete silence, then on the seventh day, after all was done, the priests were to lead the people, by the blowing of the trumpets, into shouting as loud as they could, exalting God’s name. At this the walls would crumble and the city would fall.

When we look at the places we live and work in we see all the well intended government initiated plans to build communities together, reduce crime and generally improve the physical aspects of the community with nice housing, more facilities etc; we here lots of talk about a ‘big society’, all hoping that somehow this will change the way people think and feel. Like Joshua and his army this seems the obvious answer, we seem to have all we need to deal with the problem, but soon we realize however that the real problem is not the physical aspects and problems we see, but the fact that unless a mans heart is changed no system in the world will change any of the problems we see in the lives of the people around us. Jericho was brought down by God, he is the one that brought that wall crashing down, he alone was the only one that could change the situation and bring victory to the people of God. Joshua simply had to listen and be obedient to what God said.

With this in mind we too will only see change in the community we live in if like Joshua we listen to God and do it his way, not in our own strengths or initiatives.

So this week, as you may be aware, we are gathering to pray continually for 24/7, starting on Friday the 21st of Oct to Fri 28th Oct, kicking of and ending with two fantastic prayer meetings on the Fridays. God has told us to pray throughout the week for the lives of the people around us so that we too will see some big walls come down in the lives of the people we serve. It will be a great week, So please come along to Trinity Baptist in Gorton and pray, not only will it effect the lives of others around us, it will effect your own life too!

Anticipation filled the air.  It was the start of a new season.  What would the new term hold.  A fresh intake, a gathering of friends, the smell of fresh coffee gurgling on the percolator, fresh donuts and bananas.  Ipads and laptops ready to take notes and capture conversations.

No, it wasn’t the start of X factor – but the 1st session of this year’s CCM Academy. A place where leaders new and experienced (I nearly said old, but realised I would be talking about myself!) meet.  Eager to develop and learn more, we grabbed our chairs ready for the session to start.

Developing and Casting Vision was this month’s topic.  Colin Baron led the session and challenged from the off by asking us what vision actually meant.  This was followed with a few more questions, a scattering of stories and interactive discussion designed to get our grey matter thinking.  This was hard for some us – especially on a Saturday morning!

We were encouraged to dream big dreams, captivate others by telling our story and allowing ourselves the freedom to enjoy ourselves – whilst living creatively in a faith dimension.

Stirring stuff.  Faith.  The sort of faith that changes the world, moves mountains and brings a challenge to see things change.  Faith that sees the big vision – but comes with a reality check. We live in the tension of both worlds.  Lots to mull over - thinking about when I can apply this learning at CCM City in a few weeks.  The session ended with Neh 2 v 20.  “The God of Heaven will give us success, so we his servants will start rebuilding” Perfect. 

Already looking forward to month.

1. Student Lunches
We will hold one EVERY SUNDAY for 4 weeks, beginning the 18th. We’re very serious about food.

2. Open Mic.
Because everyone loves skinny indie-kids with guitars, including Jesus. These will start when we’ve got a venue figured.

3. Midweek Groups.
We have groups that meet in peoples homes, in halls and coffee shops. They are a great way of getting to know people and becoming part of the CCM:City community. This year we have more than ever and if you want to be part of a growing community that loves God and loves you, this is a must.

Wanna be involved? Get hold of me on 07800657502 or message me on facebook Alternatively email or call him on 07961233768

We’re more excited than an 8 year-old at Disneyland, because this is an incredible opportunity to serve Jesus, and proclaim the gospel to our city.

“HOW CAN I BE PART OF IT?” I hear you shout? (you didn’t, but hey, let’s pretend you did)

1. Pray.
God builds his church, not us. Please, please pray for our church, that we serve a lot of people, grow and stay faithful to God.

2. Meet Tom & Emma
Have you met these guys? They’re awesome. And coincidentally planting our Salford location. Why don’t you say hi?

3. Make friends with new people.
We have a lot of newbies planning to join us in September, not just students, some have real jobs! I joined exactly a year ago, and I have never felt more welcomed. More than ever, let’s be the big church family that God made us.

Big love.

CCM Notices 19/06/11 from Adam Purcell on Vimeo.

I had never really thought much about this man, probably because his life has been made into numerous musicals starring famous people such as Jason Donovan, and personally I can’t stand musicals. So for me he was not that interesting. But here I am in Genesis ready to read through the account of this mans life and too my surprise I have been very encouraged and challenged by what I have read. This mans life has given me a fresh insight into the amazing work of the Holy spirit in the lives of his people, clearly showing how the he leads us through the circumstances we find ourselves in, shaping our characters, softening and rounding our edges. The life of Joseph also demonstrates how the Spirit gives us the strength to turn away from sin, and live lives that testify to the world around us the love and grace of God.

I felt particularly challenged again by the fact that God really wants to bless those around us through our lives, as we live as witnesses to who God is. I certainly believe that as we walk in partnership with the Spirit we will be effective in affecting the places in which we live and work, as the life of Joseph clearly shows. But the most important thing that has clearly stood out to me in the life of this amazing man is the fact that presence of God never left him, God was always faithful. This is true for all of us who know Christ, the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit never leaves us no matter what we face each and everyday