5 keys to a successful harvest!

In previous posts I have written about the keys to a successful harvest. There are five! And I will get to those in a moment. I like them for they are uncluttered, I believe they work in any culture or people group and they are powerful truths that are do-able for everybody.

But I found another factor that relates to this, just last week. The soil. In India the spiritual soil or the spiritual climate (especially in South India) has been plowed and it seems ready, people are responsive, churches are planted daily and relatively easy. Now compare this to the soil in Western Europe. The spiritual climate is completely different and that fact needs to be recognised. So we need to remember this as we action the 5 keys! 

Previous posts talk about, 1. Keep SOWING seed.  2. We RECEIVE in the Harvest what kind of seed we sow.  3. We always receive MORE than what we sowed.  4. You reap in ANOTHER SEASON than when you sowed.  

5. We can't do anything about yesterday's harvest, but we can effect & influence the harvest of tomorrow!

This encourages me to keep sowing, praying and labouring today. We might not see all we would like...even in our lifetime, but as we are doing our part, we will effect the harvest of tomorrow! 

A successful harvest...HOW? keys 1-4! (There are a total of 5).

I am sure there are more keys than these, but these are my 5. It was well over 20 years ago I heard them, for the life of me I can't remember where, but they have really helped me to keep focused on what God has called me to do. 

I like them for they are do-able, simple and uncluttered. I do believe we have cluttered Christianity & Church for that matter... When I hear some speakers, read some books & articles, Christinaity can seem so complicated & difficult, especially in Western Europe. Christianity is profound & supernatural, but certainly not complicated.

The first 3 keys on how to have a successful harvest are, (mentioned in previous posts): 
1. SOW SEED.
2. We RECIEVE in the harvest what kind of seed we sow.
3. We recieve in the harvest MORE than what we sowed.
Now number... 
4. We reap in ANOTHER SEASON than when we sowed. 
I remember when my mum was teaching me about gardening, I  was in primary school. We planted the seeds on a Saturday. On the Tuesdsay I came home from school and went straight to the garden. I looked & couldn't see anything! Now for a small boy, Saturday till Tuesday was eternity, so I dug up the seed to show mum. She smiled and asked me to replant it and leave it buried. She reminded me that as I have the patience to wait & trust, I WILL be able to see it rising above the ground!  Supernatural... but it's so true. Of course that's exactly what happened. 

Often we plant and expect to reap a harvest immediately. I wish... Sometimes it takes weeks, months or even years!! This is a powerful principle. We always reap in another season then when we sow!! It often takes time, personally I don't like this! I want things to happen now, today, immediately, straight away...

We always reap in another season then when we sow!!  This teaches us, to wait on God, patience, keep on sowing & simply learning the art of continuing & persevering to do what God has called us to do. And of course the biggi...keep trusting Him! 

How to have a successful Harvest...keys 1, 2 & now Number 3...

I just arrived back from the Czech Republic! What an amazing country and history. I think Prague (Praha) is one of the most beautiful cities of Europe. YET only 0.06% of the population have a personal realtionship with Jesus! So much needs to be done. Whole towns & small cities have little or no churches at all. We are losing a generation, probably more!! What can we do, here are a few thoughts? 

(See the last few BLOGs for the first 2 keys on how to have a successful harvest...)

1. SOW SEED. Just keep sowing. It is impossible to havest without sowing!! 

2. We RECEIVE in the harvest what kind of seed you sow.

3. We recieve in the harvest MORE than what you sow!

This is an amazing & encouraging supernatural truth. If I sow ONE apple seed in the ground, in time an apple tree grows. But it produces many many apples. But more than this, it produces hundreds of seeds...from ONE apple seed! If this happens in the natural, IMAGINE as you have God of Heaven backing you, (for HE want's no person to perish...He so desires people to know HIM & new churches to begin), it's called multiplication, supernatural... In fact if we are really serious about reaching countries like Czech Republic, we need to find God  inspired reproducable ways / systems of multiplying churches to reach this generation and the next!! 

Last week it was very exciting to be with a group of leaders who have the vision, faith and perseverance to plant at least one church a year. They are aiming to double this & more next year!! 

For more information: contact www.jinacirkev.cz  

Quotable Quotes, Healing & the QUOTE of quotes!

Fidges are wonderful places to find quotes: Here is one I found on a fridge in Christchurch NZ, "Happy people don't usually have a happy set of circumstances; happy people have a happy set of attitudes". So true!

In talking to a friend he mentioned a quote from a speaker who unfortunately is unknown to me and I have no knowlege of his name...but the quote was great, the context was in praying for people's healing needs, he stated; "I am not going to talk to God about your problem, I am going to talk to your problem about God". Now that's a great one!!!  I so believe and know God heals today! So much so that in most public settings I feel empowered to declare healing over peoples lives. Also I have written, what I believe is a helpful tool for encouraging people contend & persevere for their miracle. It's called, "Daily Medicine". It know this will nurture your faith.  

(www.booksbynick.com  has this resource plus others). 

But still the greatest commission summed up profoundly in few words by the greatest teacher who ever lived; "Go...Make Disciples of the Nations...Baptise...Teach everything I have commanded you", is still the greatest quote ever!!  It sums up with succinct clarity why Jesus came, our purpose in life and our mission! Lost people SO matter to God He sent His Son Jesus. The question is this: Is this our purpose, our mission?  I think if we find ourselves getting tired & weary of this...this GREAT commission quote...we loose meaning, purpose & why we have been placed on earth for, no matter what our job or vocation is... To finish...here is a great quote I heard by Dr George Sweeting in Amsterdam in 1986, "The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing".  

There are sooo many detours in life, even in church life, to sideline us from what the master teacher, God Himself, has Commissioned us to do. Let's follow the Master. 

Title: "How to have a successful harvest"

'The following I have found to be keys in the process of seeing His Kingdom extended.

Before I share these keys, there are some foundational understandings:

1. Harvest is not an event it's a process. 

2. The further evangelism is removed from the local church the less effective it will be.

3. In my view, and I believe it has been proven time and time again, friendship evangelism is the BEST way to proceed. 75-90% of people become Christians through a friend or a relative. Most people will have 2-3 people who are either relatives or friends or work colleagues who are open to the gospel in some way. These are the ones to specifically pray for and ask along to a special small group, church event, concert or guest speaker.

The keys...

1. SOW seed. Keep sowing seed. There is no tree without the sowing of seed.

2. You receive in the harvest the KIND of seed you sowed. Plant apple seeds, you will get an apple tree. 

3. You receive in the harvest MORE than what you sowed. If you sow one apple seed, you receive not only another tree, but lots of apples and countless MORE seeds. That's what happens in the natural, imagine… the supernatural!!

4. You reap in ANOTHER SEASON to when you sowed. Sometimes it takes months, even years for the harvest to show itself. Keep sowing!!

5. There is NOTHING you can do about the harvest of yesterday...but you can EFFECT THE HARVEST OF TOMORROW!!

Keep sowing Gospel seeds - lives depend on it!! 

Until next time...

Do we realize how much God has given us?

Flying back from London this year, I was reading the daily mail. There was sad but fascinating article about a homeless man who was found frozen to death in Wyoming. He died from hypothermia under a railway overpass. Authorites found few uncashed cheques in his wallet. The story doesn't end there. His name was Tim Gray who was an adopted son of the wider Clark family when he was five by Dr Gerald Gray. At the time of his death Tim was due to inherit 12 million pounds!!

A very sad story indeed. But maybe as disciples of Christ we live not realizing how much God has given us? Let's go back in time and look at the story Jesus told of the lost son. (They are 3 stories making the same point - but that's another story). Luke 15:1-32.
The younger son comes home ashamed & repentant and even after the Father gives him the
'finest robe' - signifing, honour,
a 'ring' - this gave the son power of attorney (authority),
'sandals' - which stands for freedom, the father gives the younger son a huge party!!

The older son enters the story and is angry and will not enter the party... 'I've slaved for you all these years never once refused to do a single thing you told me to do. You have never given me a party so I could celebrate with my friends...now this son of your's...'

The father replies, 'you are always with me & EVERYTHING I have is YOUR'S'.

Two powerful supernatural basic truths that run through the New Testiment: He is with us! And EVERYTHING I have is your's! 

Tim was adopted. Did he realize what he had? Maybe he did, but didn't walk in what was his. We are adopted. Do you realize what you have in Christ? 

The inheritance is being contested by family and friends...there's a terrible fight going on!! Our fight has already been fought & won...by JESUS!! 

Jesus Mandate... It must happen in Europe!!

Tim Keller from Redeemer presbyterian Church USA, writes a powerful article on 'Why Plant Churches?' For the full article see below...

http://download.redeemer.com/pdf/learn/resources/Why_Plant_Churches-Keller.pdf

Here are a few highlights for me:
In the article he more than suggests that, 'Jesus essential call was to plant churches'. That's powerful. Virtually all of the great evangelistic challenges of the New Testament are basically calls to plant churches... Matt 28:18-20. Acts 2:41-47. The only way to be truely sure you are increasing the number of Christians in a town is to increase the number of churches. 


I believe the Apostle Paul's "missionary journey's" in the book of Acts, should be more accurately called, "Church planting and church strengthening journey's".


It is a great mistake, Keller goes on to say, to choose between church planting & church renewal. Strange as it my seem, the planting of new churches in a city is one of the VERY best ways to revitalize many older churches in the vicinity and renew the whole body of Christ. WHY? 
1. New churches bring new ideas to the whole body. 
2. New churches are the best ways to surface creative, strong leaders for the whole body.
3. New churches challenge other churches to self examination.
4. The new church may be an evangelistic feeder for a whole community. 


"Church planting is still the most effective long term evangelistic method under God's Heaven!" How are you involved?

'How to start a church for dummies'. FAQ's & Info Day!

This weekend a new book in Dutch is being released at Opwekking, 'How to start a church for dummies'. If you purchase your pack at 'Opwekking' (this weekend) - it will give you free access to the FAQ's and information day.


'FAQ's & Information Day' - 25 August, 2012   Time 9:30-13:30
Register by emailing nick@visionchurches.com 
If you have your pack it's free.  Without a pack, the cost is 10 Euro's. You will receive your 'How to start a church for dummies' pack on the day. 


This will be a very exciting time of answering the questions of how to partner together and put feet to the dream of 'planting churches in Western Europe'.

How to start a Church for dummies.

Yesterday I recieved a box of my newly printed books, "How to start a church for dummies".  By the way it's in Dutch. It deals with the ABC's of church planting. It answers questions such as; what is church? It's quite facinating when the question is asked of Christians, "What is church?" The response is quite subjective. What are the componants of a Biblical Church? What do you think? How does one begin a new church? What do you do? It's all in the book...




I am believing this will be a tool to empower Europe's next generation...so they will be able to be effective in the best way to fulfill Matthew 28: the great Commission that Jesus gave to us! This is Church planting! It's still the best long term evangelistic strategy under God's Heaven. Mission leaders around the world believe this to be true. Dr Ralph Winter, Dr C.P.Wagner, Dr Jim Montgomery, Ed Stetzer, Warren Bird, Tim Keller, Rick Warren and Floyd McClung Jr, to name but a few. In the book of Acts, Paul has three so called missionary journeys, I believe, they are three church planting & church strengthening journeys! 




So if all the above is true...if it really is true, are you somehow involved? I am still absolutely convinced that if we are really serious about reaching Europe for Christ, we MUST employ the most effective means...church planting!! 

Developing Spiritually...in the Church????

I think it requires alot of love, joy, peace, forbearance - patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness & self control to remain committed to a local church. It is much easier to go to a seminar, conference or workshop. These require little commitment and development of the above! In fact in a seminar context, I don't even have to talk to others, let alone get to know them very well. Spiritual development is never developed or tested in a conference context, or in isolation from long term commitment to a community. Spiritual development is the result of commitment long term to a local church. Spiritual development...the fruit of the spirit (as above) are never developed in a micro-wave environment. It is developed over time, as we die to self and commit to a community of faith...the church! That's not easy for me, myself and I have to die! Western Christianity doesn't handle this too well! Yip, the church is still God's plan A! It may be tough but it's the best! It's where true growth takes place. What about the place of Seminars, conferences & workshops? They are there to enhance, support, encourage & come alongside the local church, never to replace it!

How imortant is the customer? How important is the visitor?

How important is the visitor in your church? 
If you are in business, how important is your customer?


Look at what Mahatma Gandhi says: "A customer is the most important visitor on our premises. He is not dependant on us, we are dependant on him. He is not an interuption in our work, he is the purpose of it. He is not an outsider to our business, He is part of it. We are not doing him a favour by serving him, he is doing us a favour by giving us an opportunity to do".    


Healthy churches have at least 5-8 people for every 100 people in service attendance. 


So some questions are: 
How do you treat and how much value do you place on your visitors? 
How can you increase your visitor flow? 
How can you make your visitors FEEL welcome? 

Multiplication: Church Planting:

The multipling of churches needs to happen for Europe to be reached for Christ. In fact I say the multiplication of networks / movements must take place if we are serious about reaching Europe with the Gospel of Jesus! Addition is good, for eg: 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 12; BUT what about 3 x 3 x 3 x 3 = 81. Muliplication is great!! Actually Jesus spoke about mulitpication in relation to forgiveness 70 x 7. What about when Jesus mentions 30 60 100 times!! The feeding of the 5000 men is a story of multiplication.

Look at the way Elephants reproduce themselves: The are only fertile 4 times a year. One baby per pregnancy. 22 month gestation period. sexual maturity 18 years. Maximum growth potential in 3 years...2 elephants to 3!

Now lets look at Rabbits: Almost continuously fertile. Average of 7 babies per pregnancy. 1 month gestation period. Sexual maturity = 4 months. Maximum growth potential in 3 years...from 2 rabbits to 476 million!!

We can count the apples on an apple tree, but it would be difficult to count the seeds in each apple from that tree. And it would be difficult to count the trees that could be planted from each apple tree...let alone the apples...I hope you can follow that!!! It's simply called multiplication!

more convinced than ever?

After a number of decades of thinking, writing and now living in Europe, I am more convinced than ever that if we are really serious about reaching Europe...particularly the Western Nations, we not only need new Churches we need NETWORKS or MOVEMENTS of churches!

Many Chinese Christians have a motto: "It is GOOD for a Christian to lead someone to Christ. It is BETTER to plant a church. It is BEST to start a church planting movement".

David Garrison in Church Planting Movements, defines what a church planting movement is: "It is a rapid, multiplicative increase of indigenous churches planting churches within a given people group or population segment".

To plant churches that plant churches we need people who are radical, out of the box, risk takers and faith inspired! There must be some in the 320 million in Western Europe!!! If your one of these and looking at impacting your world for eternity...let us know. www.visionchurches.com

Church Planting: Journalling:

I have blogged about the need for Church planting and the value of Journaling.

I encourage you to read these past posts as they are for me critical for ministry...in fact I have a conviction that all missions dollars needs to leveraged to Church Planting. In fact I believe that this IS Biblical MISSION!

Journaling has really helped me to stop the wanderings in my mind and to pull my thoughts through my fingers to the page. It undoubtedly clears the thinking and unclutters revelation and insights from unhealthy thinking.

Healing. Daily Medicine.

I have been praying for people for healing for the past 30 years. I still have a conviction that God wants to heal today! I have seen people healed instantly AND gradually; as they have continually applied the Word of God and joined with others to pray for them.

My new book "Daily Medicine - Thoughts from His Word" will nuture, encourage and empower you to continue to reach out for your miracle. (it's available at AMAZON and Barnes & Noble - hard copy or e-book).

I also seek to answer some very difficult questions regarding healing. It is an easy read for people who are unwell.

I trust this book will inspire and encourage you to believe for yourself, family & friends.

Living in Western Europe we need to experience God's miracle working power. So people will see that God is alive & well today. Arguements and intellectualism abounds regarding God. We live in a dry & weary land, where God was wonderful once, but irrelevant to life today. I am convinced THE Good News message with signs & wonders following is needed to light a fire in peoples hearts!

The DREAM. Why? How? Who? DNA? HOW DO WE REACH EUROPE?

The DREAM:

Planting Churches that Plant Churches...like a virus, through Western Europe!

Why? Harvest. Matt 28 / Acts 1:8

Who? R.E.A.L. Our job is to find & Release European Apostolic Leaders.

DNA & Values? S.M.A.R.T. If we loose one of these we loose the heart of what we are doing. Supernatural, Multiplication, Apostolic leadership, Reaching the lost, Training & development.

Did you know 88,000 people per year leave the church in Holland. That's 1600 per week!! Two churches close their doors every week in the Netherlands. In 2009 52,000 people left protestant churches in Holland. The % of Christians by the way is higher than most other Western European Countries. (From the Dutch book "The Church is dead - long live the King". by Otto De Bruijne & En Stijn Postema).

In Western Europe (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Portugal, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Denmark), = 332 million people. If there is an average of 3% Evangelical Christian = 10 million Christians, (which I think is high). That leaves 322 million lost...a Christ-less eternity awaits - hell!! Something must be done! Some countries such as Belgium, France & Denmark have only .05 - 1% Evangelical Christians!!

David Womack, "There is only ONE way the Great Commission can be fulfilled, & that is by establishing Gospel preaching congregations in every community on the face of the earth".

C.P.Wagner, in his book "Spreading the Fire, pg 60", says, "The most concrete, lasting form of ministry in Acts is church planting..." In his book, "Blazing the way, pg 48", he says, "No missiological principle is more important than saturation church planting."

Dr Ralph Winter states, "The extensive activity of starting new congregations, the care & feeding of new congregations is thus the central activity to which ALL evangelistic methods must be bent."

Rick Warren, "The BEST way to fulfill the Great Commission that Jesus gave to us, is to plant new churches..."

Tim Keller, say's in (Viral Churches, by Stetzer & Bird, pg 72), "If we want to increase the % of Christians in a village, city or Nation, we must plant hundreds of churches". In fact he goes on to say, "New church planting is the ONLY way that we can be sure we are going to increase the number of believers in a city & it's one of the best ways to renew the whole Body of Christ."

Stetzer & Bird in their book, Viral Churches say, "The early church implemented the Great Commission mandate primarily by planting new churches."

C.P.Wagner, sums it all up with his famous quote, "The BEST (my insert - long term) evangelistic method under Heaven is church planting".

An African proverb says, "There is a crime in the desert worse than murder, that is to KNOW where the WATER IS and NOT tell anybody".

If not YOU...WHO?

If not NOW...WHEN?

If not HERE...WHERE?

If indeed the above statements are correct & true, I encourage you to partner in some way with a church planting ministry. Your missions dollar will not be wasted & it will bear fruit for many generations to come!

What are we up to? - Journalling - Sanity restored. The BEST way to fulfill Matt 28!

What are we up to?

• We are off to Karlsruhe, Germany this weekend, (23rd - 26th October), to meet with Bryce & Kate Gilmor, and their family & speak in their church! What a blast from the past this will be. Bryce & Kate are serving with Stieger International. They were in our church in Hamilton many years ago, as singles & then as a young married couple. It will be alot of fun & laughs I'm sure!!
• On the 27th Oct. we are in Ede meeting with a few contacts which I'm sure will be fruitful.
• For three weeks we have been taking the devotions in a Bible School (His Masters Commission) in Amsterdam North. We are really enjoying being with young people again...fun!
• Finding and nurturing the connections in Europe is our main work here. We aim to begin a Saturday & Sunday meeting (2 different places in Amsterdam) before Christmas...we are looking forward to this. We have 2 buildings to use.
• I will put some Church planting quotes at the END of this BLOG.

Journalling - Sanity restored! I have been journalling now for almost 20 years. I think it has been a critical ingredient in my christian life. As I talk to people in leadership, I am surprised at how many DON'T journal.

Journalling is powerful for several reasons...

1. It is like talking to another person. I find that sometimes talking to someone else helps to clarify issues & situations. If the issue is private & personal then it is great to journal it. Also journalling it over a few days or weeks can really help come to some clarification, answers & action points.

2. Journalling captures the issues, concerns, fears, attitudes & bad thinking patterns on the page! This is huge. Our minds can go round & round & round over a hurt, issue or wrong thinking that can be destructive. Remember that from our thinking, comes our emotions, which in turn causes actions. That's good if our thinking is good, but if it is negative or destructive in some way our emotions will be effected and this can lead to wrong actions. So to interrupt stinking thinking journalling is a key. There are times I write out whole prayers.

3. I often receive preaching messages, ideas & revelation while journalling. If we let the theater of our imagination run; where will it take you? I go to all sorts of wonderful places in God, dreaming, imagining & planning. I also capture those thoughts on a page. This enables me to process them - pray about them and see what God says in it all.

People often say as I did when I began, "What do you write". Sometimes you need to prime the pump to get it started. I began by asking the question, "What did I do yesterday?...How did I feel yesterday went?...What am I enjoying today?...What can I give thanks for today?...What are my major concerns at this time?...What is God saying to me about these?..."

I wrote this when I changed Journals at the beginning of 2010...

Why Journal?

-Disappointments are able to be de-cluttered.
-Untruths are brought out into the light.
-Truths are uncovered.
-Sadness is captured & held long enough to ask the appropriate questions.
-Gladness is celebrated.
-Difficulties are able to be spoken about freely & easily.
-It gives counsel.
-Dreams are nurtured.
-Questions are answered.
-Revelation is recorded.
-It brings self awareness.

-My thinking is checked.

-Prayers are recorded & re-prayed.
-It uncovers heartache & brings healing.
-Perspectives are clarified.
-Messages from God are saved.

-Insights are gained & captured.

-The future is discovered & imagined.

-Clarity comes.

-God ideas come to the surface.
So why wouldn't you begin Journalling! Believe me if I can do it, anyone can...

NOW for the quotes...on the BEST way to evangelize!!

(from the book "Viral Churches" - By Ed Stetzer & Warren Bird. Jossey-Bass).

• "The best way to fulfill the great commission that Jesus gave to us in Matt 28, is to plant new Churches". Rick Warren.
• "The single most effective evangelistic method under Heaven is planting new churches" ...who in turn reproduce themselves. Peter Wagner.
• Pauls missionary journeys were church planting journeys.
• Paul planted new churches, that in turn planted new churches.
• The early church implemented the Great Commission mandate primarily by planting churches.
• The healthiest churches are those who reproduce...
• ...Disciples multiplying churches - not the other way around...
• "It's time to stop counting converts and begin counting congregations." Ralph Moore.
• What a great goal for every church plant...for every new church that is planted, to be born pregnant!!!
• To really change things, we need to learn how to multiply churches.
• "The only way to increase the number & percentage of Christians in a city is to plant thousands of new churches". Tim Keller
• "New church planting is the only way that we can be sure we are going to increase the number of believers in a city & one of the best ways to renew the Body of Christ." Tim Keller.

The conclusion:

Let's not waste hard earned mission's dollars...use them to plant new churches!

Thank you for taking the time to read this...

...Until next time... think about how you can multiply yourself...

Europe, NZ & Multiplication.

We have made history...a small group has begun which meets every week. Its a beginning. I received a scripture on the 1st April 2010, a few days before we came to Europe, and was reminded of it on the first day we began our group: "DO NOT despise these small beginnings, for the Lord REJOICES to see the work begin". Zech 4:10. Yeah!! We also have been offered the weekly use of two buildings...one in central & one in North Amsterdam. We are aiming to begin something this year. Please pray for at least 2 couples to lead these churches.

I (Nick) go to NZ on the 14th Sept.

-I am speaking to leaders in Te Aroha Baptist on the 18th.

-Vision Church Tokoroa on the 19th;

-Westside Hamilton leaders on the 20th.

-A National Leaders Meeting on the 23rd.

-Then on 25th & 27th it's Vision Church Whangarei & Kaikohe.

-Our yearly Acts National Ministries Conference 27th - 30th.

-Then Te Awamutu Church on the 3rd October.

-It will be great to be with friends and family. I then leave for Holland on the 4th of October.

Karen goes to Belgium to be with the Burtons for a week, then is off to Edinburgh to be with Daniel & Zoe Moore.

Europe is a huge mission field. And to reach these great Nations of Western Europe, I am absolutely convinced & have a conviction deep within to see Churches Multiply...like rabbits!! EuroVision is all about Multiplication, churches that reproduce themselves...in fact let me go further, networks or movements that reproduce themselves! This idea was never talked about until recently.

I am just reading a challenging book, (by practitioners), with a forward by Rick Warren - "Viral Churches" By Ed Stetzer & Warren Bird. (A Leadership Network publication: Jossey-Bass). They explain this fairly new missional concept very well.

Here are some quotes & thoughts:

"The single most effective evangelistic methodology under Heaven is planting new churches...who in turn reproduce themselves".

"Most Bible teachers have referred to Paul's travels as his 'Missionary journeys'. We prefer to to call them Paul's 'Church Planting Journeys'".

"Paul planted new Churches that in turn planted new Churches".

Christianity Today concludes; "Today's church planting is the default for evangelism". This is a North American summary.

"The early church implemented the Great Commission mandate primarily by planting churches".

Research shows:

-In the USA at least 60.000 churches were planted in the last 20 years. page 31

-The healthiest churches are those that reproduce. page 31

"Todays energy & enthusiasm about church planting in North America is at an unprecedented high".

"Church planting is worthwhile only if it advances God's Kingdom".

"Our Viral Church idea is about falling in love with multiplication and abandoning what seems to be an addiction to addition".

"Disciples multiplying churches: In seminary we learnt the metric of churches multiplying disciples. This will never result in massive mulitiplication".

"It's time to stop counting converts & begin counting congregations".

"...being born pregnant. What a great goal for every church plant".

"To really change things we need to learn how to multiply churches".

This book has great resources & is a huge encouragement to Karen & Me.

Thank you once again for your support and prayer...

Eph 3:20-21...what a great scripture...

Until next time...Nick & Karen.

Travel - Nick & Karen - Europe

We are staying with rellies in Driebergen, near Utrecht, till Wed. 19th May. During this time we have been connecting with people face to face who we have only previously met through email. Plus, we are trying to get our social security numbers! This has been quite a process. We can't open bank accounts or get a cell phone till we get this number. It's a big brother country with huge red tape!! We have an appointment with the appropriate authorities early next month, I will get that number at this meeting (I believe). Karen will have to wait...that's another story.

On wed 19th - 23rd May we go to Brussels where we speak at the Apostolic Churches Conference, for French speaking Churches. It is Pentecost weekend - Yeah...I have great expectations!!

23rd May - 28th May = Next Level International leaders meeting in Birmingham. This will be a fantastic time to connect with other leaders wanting to impact Europe.

29th May - 2nd June = Ministering in Jurgen's Church, Berlin. It will be great to be with him and see this City.

2nd June - 6th July = In our own house in Amsterdam, which will be great having our own space for a period of time. We think living out of suitcases is overrated!!!

News Flash: We are booked to fly from Philadelphia to Brussells on Wed 28 April; arriving 8am next morning. We will be staying with Andy & Karen Burton, Operation Mobilisation Leaders in Brussells. Nick is planning to attend SHOUT UK conference in London that weekend! How cool!! Karen will probably stay in Brussells.
We will put up photos when we get back to Phillie... Take care everyone. Love from Us. xxx