Europe...

Europe...
Nick in Gent, Belgium

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Travel. Europe. Leadership thought.

We are off to Vision Church Kaikohe with Mike & Raewyn Tohu this weekend. Then I go to NLT (National leadership Team meeting) in Christchurch. Karen comes back to Hamilton.
On the 5th Dec. Karen & I are involved in Naomi's Moores & Dricus wedding. Which will be a fantastic time.
The 6th & 7th Dec I am in Inglewood with Kevin & Penny Dixon then onto New Plymouth for an evening meeting On Monday evening is a leadership night.
On the 13th Dec we are in Auckland with Russell & Marie McGuiness.
Inbetween times we are praparing to rent our home, catch up with family & friends & prepare going to Europe around April the 6th, 2010. Plus I am about half way to finishing another book on devotions on healing...I am so enjoying writting.
We will spend Christmas around the Waikato, then we begin travelling again on the 10th of January 2010. Its a privaledge, alot of fun & exciting being involved in His purposes.

Here is the latest re Europe. I just recieved my Dutch passport in the post...a miracle!! We will aim at this stage to live in Amsterdam as I know the City & have relatives there. Also there is no Acts Churches (Apostolic) in Holland & lastly most people are fluent in English.
How will we do this: I want to work with people who don't know what they can't do! The 2 priorities are; 1. To plant churches and establish a beachhead. 2. We need to disciple, train, mentor & coach leaders. That's why we will plant churches most nights of the week. We are expecting the supernatural; signs, wonders & miracles...I am expecting to have words of knowledge - revelation of which streets to walk in, homes to go to, people to meet...also Miracles of healing etc. I do not want to plant A church, we want to plant churchES! So we need to have a reproducible system immediately! It will take faith, and the supernatural power of God! I absolutely believe after 20 years of prayer & the leading of God; I cannot see how it cannot happen!!!!! It is important to recognize that it is Western Europe that we have a vision for! Please pray for leadership connections & finances to be released for this dream.

It really is very exciting and momentum is gathering in our Spirit!

The other day I was musing on things I have had to say to myself as a Pastor / leader of a church: (actually I believe they are the same for bussiness). Please allow me to provoke you, Here are a few...
1. If your the leader do everyone a favour including yourself & please lead. I had to relize God has put me in the role, so back yourself, commit yourself to that role & go for it. Three time God said to Joshua (Josh 1) "Be strong & of good courage...be strong & couragous...be strong & of good courage!"
2. Grow up! I've had to say that to myself...It sounds a little harsh, it's certainly not meant to. I know the pain of this as I've had to grow up & be the big person! In other words I've had to think release, ask forgiveness often, restore, love as though I've never been hurt. Often I've simply had to get over myself, & stop making excuses!
Hummm, who says leadership is easy & without it's struggles!

Anyway there's a few thoughts...until next time...thanks for your prayers...

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Nick's latest challenge!

Who's under that disguise? It was Nick's first attempt at ski-ing in Queenstown, Sept 09.
- It's called - preparation for Europe! Actually a special time of connecting with his brother & his family; and truly understanding RISK! On the second day the weather closed in while they were on the slopes and I (Karen) patiently waited for them to eventually appear through the white mist and snow... It was a little scary for a moment or two! Thanks to lots of training on the tennis court, there weren't too many sore muscles.
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Thursday, November 12, 2009

VCI South, Europe, & Travel

What a great few weeks it's been. First the Vision Churches meeting in Christchurch was a joy to be at. There were 20 of us there, from Invercargill to Hamilton. The three days were filled with excellent times of prayer, ministry, interaction, hearing from one-another and connecting over meal times. "Very encouraging, informative and relational," were some of the comments! It's great to have relational connection but for growth, I have a conviction leaders need to nurture connection which allow authority in their lives. Relationships that allow authority is a very healthy thing indeed.

On the 11th NOV. we had a fantastic meeting in our home talking about Europe & answering questions. Ps Sheridyn Rogers spoke of how Euro-Vision will be one of our main priority as a Church, (Eastside). Ps Trevor Wilson spoke of why he would support us as apostolic ministry.

It's still all go for us in April 2010. We are aiming to live in Amsterdam. There are two main focues that we aim to see take place before the end of 2010:
1. To establish a beachhead, a stake in the ground and plant 3-6 churches.
2. Recruit, train & coach leaders into their role.

We are not going to plant A church! We are aiming to plant churchES! The month we begin is when we begin churchES! Also it is important to note that we are NOT planting house churches, but because of hall avalibility and costs etc many of the churches will be in a large homes. At this point we are connecting with those in Europe & NZ who are willing to pray, support or come and be part of this dream.

On the 13th Nov. we are off to Fielding, with John & Jenny Sefton, then the following weekend (22nd Nov.) is Palmeston North with Dale & Rachael.

It's fun - and all go...I've just begun writting another book. I've found that I have another book in my heart!!! I can't wait to finish it. It's a daily devotional on healing! I'm aiming to find a publisher this time. Anyway that's the latest.

If you could Pray as you can imagine that there are alot of details yet to come together, things such as renting our home; Dutch passports & visas; connections with others who are aiming to work with us. Also - I nearly forgot - that financies would come in...Amen.

If you want a copy of the document that we have given many which includes alot of the dream & details, please email me. nick@apo.org.nz

Thanks for your prayer - until next time!