Posted in In the News, tagged Facebook, Invercargill, Online, The Salvation Army on June 30, 2014| Leave a Comment »
As mentioned during the Soldiership Enrolments last week (22/06/2014) Ailsa has been tasked with maintaining The Salvation Army Invercargill Facebook page. This is now live so you can keep up to date with what is happening within the many ministries that we have running at the Corps and be encouraged by the affirming quotes and pictures that will be shared.
So go ahead and like us on facebook by clicking on the link below
Posted in Fellowship, Sunday @ 7, The Word, tagged Addictions, Bible, Invercargill, PLP, Positive Lifestyle Programme, Prison Ministries, Recovery on June 29, 2014| Leave a Comment »
The following article, entitled “Bibles in demand” written by Janette Gellatly, appeared in the Southland Express on Thursday 26 June featuring Ann Heather who has been doing the Positive Lifestyle Programme in the Invercargill Prison.
CELEBRATE Recovery Bibles are so popular at the Invercargill Prison that keeping up with requests is proving a challenge.
Positive Lifestyle Programme volunteer Ann Heather, from The Salvation Army, said the bibles were designed for people who were dealing with addiction issues.
Addiction came in many forms, Mrs Heather said, from an inability to stop shopping, excessive use of electronic games or the more familiar smoking, drugs and alcohol.
Similar to the 12 steps to recovery programme, the bibles included eight recovery principles and accompanying Christ-centred 12-steps, she said.
The 10 week Positive Lifestyle Programme was available inside the prison, as well as for groups and individuals on the outside.
“The programme is not just for prisoners, we also have people who self-refer.”
The run on bibles began when an inmate saw the bible Mrs Heather used at the prison and asked for a copy.
“The guys had seen (Mrs Heather’s husband) Bruce’s bible and asked if they could have some.”
She had already given two bibles away and had “ear-marked” another two to give to people, she said.
Recently the Invercargill Christian Centre (ICC), on Leet St, donated money to buy 10 recovery bibles, Mrs Heather said.
ICC Pastor Ian Wright, who had also been involved with ministry in the prison since he arrived in Invercargill 25 years ago, said “if we can help we will”.
He said the recovery bible was specifically designed with testaments from everyday people, and was based on the principles which Alcoholics Anonymous used.
“It is a really good bible… at the beginning of every book, (such as Genesis and Exodus) there is a run-down about what the book is about.”
Pastor Wright is also part of a ministry group who visited the prison twice a year [note: should have read month], he said.
The Salvation Army Invercargill holds a Recovery style meeting each week at 105 Tay Street, Invercargill from 6:30pm on Sunday evenings which is open to anyone that has addiction issues be that: gambling, drugs, alcohol, pornography, chocolate, shopping etc.
Posted in Blogs, Books & Music, Devotional, Prayer, The Leadership Challenge, The Word, tagged Discipleship, Evangelism, Focus, Jesus: Pure & Simple, Mission, Wayne Cordeiro on June 29, 2014| 1 Comment »
This is the final instalment from the chapter entitled ‘Eyes on the Harvest’ from Wayne Cordeiro’s book “Jesus: Pure & Simple”. Check out the following posts to get a feel for the transition thus far:
Eyes on the Harvest – Introduction, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3,
In John 4:34-35 (NIV) Jesus said:
My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Don’t you have a saying, “It’s still four months until harvest?” I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.
That phrase – open your eyes – is so important. Jesus wouldn’t have said that unless there was a reason. If we have been inflicted by the disease of misguided devotion, our eyes will be closed to that which truly matters. Jesus invites us to open our eyes. The fields are ripe for harvest!
Have you ever thought about the true size of your church? A church isn’t measured by how many people fill the pews each Sunday. It’s measured by how many are still outside! You might be in a church of a thousand, but if you’re in a city of one million, then the church is still fledgling.
Sometimes we get our eyes fixed on what we’ve already harvested. That’s why Jesus said, “Lift up your eyes and look on the fields” (John 4:35). He reminds us to lift up our eyes because we more often than not have our eyes fixed on what we already have rather than on what is still standing in the fields.
The harvest will not self-reap, but it will self-destruct if not reaped.
How do you place your eyes back on the harvest? You can start by asking yourself questions such as:
Look for opportunities to give people nudges toward Christ, to share your testimony, to give people invitations to spiritual events, and invite people to follow Jesus.
The Power of the Invitation
An old Hebrew saying was highlighted in the poignant film Schindler’s List. It says, “Whoever saves one life saves the world entire.”
If everyone reached a neighbour, we could win an entire community, and that is the gateway to the entire city. never forget that just one invitation can open the door to the world.
Never underestimate the power of one invitation.
Application:
Start a prayer list and record four names of people whom you will pray for. Regularly pray that they will one day come to Christ.
Can you identify some forgotten people in your community who are precious to Jesus? Spend a few minutes with them so that you can nudge them closer to the door.
Invite someone to an activity, event, life group / small group or even a service and spend some time with them discussing the theme’s / topics covered.
Posted in Fellowship, Prayer, tagged Evangelism, Faith Conversations, Jesus All About Hope, The Gospel, The Hope Project on June 1, 2014| Leave a Comment »
The Jesus All About Hope Project is a gentle Gospel project planned for this year (2014) which is the bicentenary of the Gospel coming to Aotearoa (New Zealand).
The Jesus All About Hope – Bulletin #2 is available now… Download a print-ready version here or click on the image. In this booklet you can read a brief history of early Christianity in New Zealand and how you can be an effective 21st Century witness.
For more information check out the Hope Project website.
The life and times of Perry... 