spark ing passion for the Gospel across the UK

October - November 2012 / Issue 54

Revamp for LIFE expo

Revamp for LIFE Expo

Praying with Jimmy Cricket

Afternoon tea with the High Sheriff 6 85

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Why change?Three years ago we adopted our new logo, fonts and colours. This month we hope you will find this new ‘mini magazine’ refreshing and helpful. Some of you may have grown attached to the previous larger format, but we’ve always felt it was rather spoiled by folding to save on postage! Maybe, this revised format will be an ideal companion for your Bible, along with ‘Praise & Prayer’? Please tell us what you think!

Why report?Counties evangelists are called by God to different forms of evangelistic ministry. Through our publications, prayer letters and website we aim to follow the early Apostles who “reported all that God had done through them.” (Acts 14v27)

Our Creative Communications Officer, Helen Rimmer (who once worked as a reporter for the Wirral News!), is now helping us to review how we can best report what God is doing, so that you can share more fully in this great work with your involvement and prayers.

Why Ignite?When Paul was encouraging the work of the Holy Spirit in followers of Jesus, he warned them, “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire” (1 Thess. 5v19) So, the Gospel work to which we are committed is utterly dependent on the fire of God’s Spirit. Furthermore, we have a collective and personal responsibility to “Fan into flame the gift of God”. (2 Tm. 1v6)

We are praying that our regular news will ignite a greater passion for the Gospel and ultimately result in glory to God, through the extension of His kingdom.

Welcome to the new look Ignite magazine from Counties!

John Wilkes, Evangelist - CEO

Counties (formerly Counties Evangelistic Work) is a Registered Charity No. 264278 and a Company limited by guarantee registered in England & Wales No. 1041761

Counties exists to present ‘Life in all its fullness: locally & nationally’ through our full time evangelists, exhibitions and resources, in Biblically faithful and culturally relevant ways.Address: Counties 30 Haynes Road, Westbury, Wiltshire BA13 3HDTelephone: 01373 823 013 Email: office@countiesuk.org www.countiesuk.org

Thank you for your valued partnership.

Editor: Helen Rimmer helen@countiesuk.orgDesign: www.relevantdesign.co.uk

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Contents

Please introduce Counties to your friends by following us on Facebook and Twitter.

Facebook ‘Counties Evangelism Network’ Twitter ‘@countiesuk’

News4 From Kenya to Oldham5 Afternoon tea with the High Sheriff5 Give thanks5 Keep on walking

Features6 Revamp for LIFE expo8 Jimmy Cricket raves about chaplains

Regulars 10 Round-up of summer camps 11 Praying for exhibitions

11: Making space for prayers in schools

8: Life’s a stage for comedian Jimmy Cricket with evangelist Ray Dadswell

10: Camping success

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A short-term mission trip to Kenya inspired a Counties evangelist to share the Gospel in his home town in the UK. Manchester evangelist Tim Cooke was so inspired by the way the communities in Kenya shared their faith he decided to place a huge advert on a busy road in Oldham to provoke people into thinking about Jesus.The 15ft sign which reads: ‘Jesus? - itsjesus.com’ can be seen by 20,000 cars which pass by every day. It points people to a website where questions and comments can be posted.

Top of the billboard for evangelist Tim

Tim said: “I was so struck by the way the Gospel was shared in communities in Kenya and the way the Christian faith is growing rapidly. People openly place stickers and posters about Jesus in their homes, taxi cabs and shops. There was a hairdressing salon called ‘Jesus Saved Me’ and another shop called ‘Born Again’. “It challenged me to think about ways we can sow seeds in our own country. I wanted to get people thinking about Jesus and asking questions, the billboard in Oldham seemed a great place to start.”Tim has already had a positive response to the billboard. He continued: “We have had several people contact us from seeing the advert and a steady stream going onto the website to find out more.

“Someone recently asked me about the banner as his friend (a non-Christian) had driven over from Leeds, seen the banner and then told his friend ‘I didn’t realise Oldham was a Christian town’ - that sparked a great opportunity for the guy to share his faith with his friend!”Tim plans to place more ads up around the town and develop a mobile phone app as another point of contact and reference for people wanting to find out more. Visit www.itsjesus.com.

Tim Cooke is encouraged by the response to the advert.

News

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One of the Queen’s representatives made a special visit to a Christian family support centre to see for themselves the successful work carried out there.The High Sheriff of Suffolk - Andrew Norman-Butler - and his wife Karin enjoyed an afternoon tea and chat at the Number 72 centre, run by Counties evangelists Tim and Joy Ayrton in Sudbury.The centre provides bereavement support, parenting and money management advice for families in the Suffolk area.Tim said: “We had a great afternoon showing Andrew and Karin the centre

Afternoon tea with the High Sheriff at No.72

The High Sheriff of Suffolk Andrew Norman-Butler, wife Karin, with Tim and Joy Ayrton and Judi Newman from the Suffolk Foundation.

Keep on walking...Thanks to those of you who responded to senior evangelist John Martin and his plea for volunteers to replace him as a Christian heritage walker. John now has people to take over the exciting role and he can now rest up his boots! John said: “Many thanks to all who have prayed for us regarding the Christian heritage walks. We have seen the Lord answering.”

Give thanks!“We were able to place a young homeless man into a Christian rehabilitation centre where he became a Christian and recently we witnessed his baptism! He has many issues he is working through but it is thrilling to see how God is working in his life and how fired up he is to win his family for the Lord.”Tim Cracknell, church planter in the Forest of Dean.

and the work which we do. They were very interested in the Lost and Found course and were keen to help us reach more young people who may be struggling with issues with family break-ups or the death of someone close.”The Lost and Found programme is an 8-week course aimed at children 11-15 years

old. It enables young people to meet with others going through similar experiences and helps them explore their feelings, giving them skills to grow through their experience of loss.One young person said after the course: “Before I came on the course I was crying a lot – I stayed in my room and tried to shut myself out. Now I think it’s easier because if I do lose someone, then I know how to cope with it, and I know I can talk to someone else.”For more details on the Number 72 Centre visit: www.number72.org

News

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The popular LIFE exhibition has been given a revamp for the start of the new school term – complete with new state-of-the-art touch screen tablets.The revamp includes freshly printed panels and materials, as well as new tablets to replace hand-held PDAs for the children.Since it was launched in 2006, more than 56,000 primary school children and 12,000 adults across the country have visited the LIFE exhibition to learn all about Jesus – his birth, teachings, miracles, death and resurrection.

Children’s exhibition gets a new lease of life

Features

“We are very excited by the changes we have made to the exhibition. The new tablets will enable pupils to really engage with the story of Jesus in a fun and relevant way.” Martin Buckley, LIFE exhibition co-ordinator

One pupil from Alderman Davies Church of Wales Primary School, Neath, enjoys the LIFE expo.

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Features

The tablets were trialled at a recent LIFE expo in Neath, South Wales. Hundreds of pupils from schools in the local area visited the exhibition over a week-long period. Local co-ordinator Carolyn Patterson commented: “We’ve had an excellent response. The displays are really colourful and hands-on, so it makes it exciting to learn for pupils. I think the children have really enjoyed getting out of the classroom and doing something different.“The majority of the children don’t go to

The new tablet. Pupils engage with the exhibition.

Checking out the new tablets.The LIFE exhibit keep pupils interested with interactive features.

A church volunteer talks to children.

church, so it’s a great opportunity for them to hear about Jesus and what he did for them. I think the whole thing is amazing - the new tablets add an extra dimension!”11-year-old Megan Chambers from Alderman Davies Church of Wales School, Neath, added: “It was such fun! I didn’t know a lot about Jesus but now I know quite a bit. I loved the tablets – it made the whole experience fun and different!”To find out more about the LIFE exhibition call Martin on 07968 705623 or visit lifeexpo.co.uk

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Praying with Irish comedian Jimmy Cricket and his wife is just one of the highlights from an East Sussex man’s unusual chaplaincy role.

Evangelist Ray Dadswell is the chaplain at four theatres in Eastbourne where he regularly visits the staff, backstage workers, performers and audience members to chat and listen to their needs.As part of his role Ray is often asked backstage to talk to the performers and his most recent invite came from the famous comedian Jimmy Cricket who welcomed

lunch at Ray’s house and a chance for prayer.Ray said: “I knew Jimmy had a faith background, so I invited him for lunch. We talked about his career, his family and about his contact with local churches. He let me pray with him and his wife May and also for the show he is involved in and we all enjoyed the fellowship.” Jimmy said: “Theatre chaplains do wonderful work. They are a confidant in the crazy world of show business. They bring an air of spiritual serenity. Without meddling they are there to sooth ruffled tempers and always with an arm outstretched to welcome and console people and give divine guidance.” Ray, who has worked with Counties for 27 years, visits the Hippodrome, Devonshire

Evangelist treads the boards in unusual chaplaincy role

Features

Life’s a stage for comedian Jimmy Cricket pictured with Ray Dadswell at the Hippodrome Theatre, Eastbourne.

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Evangelist treads the boards in unusual chaplaincy role

Park, Winter Garden and Congress Theatres every week to chat and listen to people.Ray continued: “Most people know me now when I pop in and it’s great to get to know people and be there for them. I take an interest in people’s lives and share my faith when asked. Sometimes people ask for details on local churches. One lady asked if I could take a funeral for her mother who had

Features

just passed away. The work varies greatly.“When speaking to theatre-goers many people are surprised to find out the theatre has a chaplain. We certainly are a rare breed but wherever people gather there is always a need for pastoral care and support.”Ray’s love for the theatre began as a teenager. After he left school he had to choose between church and the theatre as a long-term career. Ray explained: “I had a keen interest in both. I chose to go into Christian work following Bible College, spending thirteen years in Thailand, and now some 27 years with Counties. But it has all come full circle, as I have the position as chaplain to Eastbourne theatres! The Lord is very gracious and no man’s debtor.”

“Theatre chaplains do wonderful work. They are a confidant in the crazy world of show business.”Jimmy Cricket

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A real hoot at Bible camp!Owls, lizards and snakes were extra guests at this year’s Good News Camp. A reptile show was just one of the highlights of this year’s camp

mixed in with lots of sunshine, laughter and spiritual blessing. This was the biggest camp to date with 75 campers, ranging in age from 10 to 17 years old and 40 leaders. The camp was organised by Hampshire evangelists Gordon & Penny Curley. One parent said: “It was such a superb camp. The children had such a great time and they are already talking about going again next year!”

Family fun at SizewellThe sun came out for the annual Suffolk Family Camp at Sizewell Hall in August. More than 80 people went to the week-long camp, which was partly organised by Suffolk evangelists Tony and Ruth Hood with adult teaching sessions led by Warwickshire evangelist Ivor Cooper. Tony said: “It was a real encouragement to hear the feedback from the children, teens and adults at what they had learnt during the week. It’s always good to hear that God has been transforming lives.”

GSUS Live and LIFE venuesPlease pray for the GSUS Live units in Northern Ireland and Essex:

•Devonish College, Enniskillen, 5th - 12th October

•Omagh High School, Omagh, St Clere’s School, Stanford-le-Hope, 12th - 19th October

•Ashfield Boys High School, Belfast, Harris Academy, Chafford Hundred, 19th - 26th October

Please pray for the LIFE exhibition to be held at:

•Swanfield Chapel, Chichester, Sussex, 28th September - 5th October

•Littlehampton URC, Sussex, 8th - 15th October

•Berkswich Methodist Church, Stafford, 17th - 24th October

•St Paul’s, Sarisbury, Hampshire, 11th - 17th November

Come and meet usSomerset Counties Link Group is meeting at Sladebrook Evangelical Church, Bath, on Saturday, 6th October, 6pm.

Come and join us as we pray for the work of Counties at our next Prayer Day at Southcrest Evangelical Church, Plymouth Road, Redditch on Wednesday, 21st November, 1.30-3pm.

We will be at CRE Manchester, Event City, 10th - 11th October.

Regulars

Hundreds enjoy camp fun

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Making space for prayer in schoolsChildren in Norfolk have had the opportunity to explore their faith in a creative and interactive prayer space in their school.A prayer space, complete with Bible quotes, audio material on MP3, pictures and stories, was set up at St Peter’s School, in Wisbech, led by Counties evangelist Kevin Baldwin. Kevin said: “The prayer space gave young people the chance to engage with God, whatever stage in their spiritual journey. It’s an interactive place where the children were given the opportunity to put into words how they felt – things they might not usually get a chance to talk about.”

Regulars

A prayer space held in Newton Flotman Primary School, Norwich.

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1. Charles & Elizabeth Addoco Heather Smith2. Will & Lynne Andrews3. Tim & Joy Ayrton Tony & Ruth Hood 4. Kevin & Anita Baldwin5. Jonathan & Heather Brain6. David & Lindsey Brown Andy & Isobel Hodson (CPI) Paul & Vanessa Willmott7. Tim & Katrina Cracknell8. Colin & Linda Johnson 9. Mike & Su Strange (National) Matt & Claire Merriam (CPI) 10. Tim & Charissa Cooke (National)11. Ivor & Angela Cooper Bob & Rita Telford (National)12. Clive & Fiona Cornish Mike & Janet Thomas13. Gordon & Penny Curley14. Ray & Carol Dadswell15. Phil & Sheila Davies16. Martin & Rachel Erwin17. Stephen & Jean Gillham Ian & Sally Carr18. John & Rachel Hardwick (National)19. James & Naomi Richards (ETP)20. David & Katie Symons 21. Robert & Sarah Watson

ETP - Evangelists Training ProgrammeCPI - Church Planting Initiative

Seniors

To contact your local evangelist please call 01373 823013 or visit countiesuk.org

Tom & Madelene Bathgate Geoff & Isobel CarrRoger & Hazel Chilvers Lionel & Mavis ClargoVictor Jack

Andy & Miriam JelfsJohn & Hettie Hall David & Wendy IliffeJohn & Jane Martin Dennis PierceDick & Betty Saunders

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