Celebration 25.02.04 - feedback

Our launch event

The Salvation Army Centre, 27 Ashton Lane, Sale, M33 6NP

Worship led by Lynn Swart, with a band from churches around the region

Following on from the successes of the annual Prayer Network prayer celebration in Manchester, which attracts many hundreds of people from across the region, Debra Green hosted this evening to highlight and support the work of Christians who work in the secular and Christian arts worlds.

Worship was led by Lynn Swart of c.net, with a band drawn from churches around the NorthWest.

We had performances by the Sale Salvation Army Dancers, BlushUK, The Tribe and thebandwithnoname.

Live artwork was produced during the worship by Jo Spurling, Juliette Rose and others.

We heard the latest news from around the nation, courtesy of Steve Cole and Nancy Goudie. We watched an exclusive clip from Mel Gibson's amazing new film, The Passion of the Christ, and prayed for its success in the UK.

We prayed for loads of people & ministries, including :

church-based artists, musicians, leaders & technicians
those serving & resourcing churches
bands
Christians working in commercial media, arts & entertainment
arts in the community & statutory sectors

There was a great time of networking, chatting, and seeing some of the fantastic ministries working in & around the region. Plus, of course, time to enjoy the mountain of doughnuts!

Some of your comments ...

Just to say how much we enjoyed it last night! It was absolutely wonderful to be in the presence of so many of God's people and to be prayed for with such passion and encouragement (me with my writing and Gray with his music). We had a difficult year in 2003 and it was good for us to be in such a holy place. We attend St. John's in Lindow, Wilmslow and serve there but our vision is wider. Pray for us that God will reveal his plans concerning Romania/Russia and our work with sponsored children. [Gail McNeill]

Just had to congratulate you on this evenings event. It was inspiring, challenging and beautifully handled by you. The years of contact/networking are SO paying off for the Kingdom! May God protect you and surround you as much after this event as on the run up to it. Roll on the next one! Great to hear what's going on at NGM and would love to hear more about 'Artisan'. Reminds me of the Jean Darnell (itinerant pentecostal preacher) prophecy given in the 1970's regarding revival in Britain coming through the Arts and then on into Europe. Will dig it out and send it to you - I think you will be really excited by it. Thanks too, for praying for us in Wellspring - we really appreciate it.Much love and may God bless your socks off! Sally Thornton sally@wellspring.org.uk

Thank you for a wonderful evening last Wednesday - so much hard work must have gone in the organising. I enjoyed it all so much and it really encouraged me to hear the testimonies and to be able to pray together. I look forward to other such evenings.I pray you will be blessed and encouraged to go on to even greater things for the Lord.love Jackie Marsh, Trinity Methodist

just a quickie - thank you so much for last night! I was really encouraged in prayer and the Spirit of worship was amazing - I am sure this was because of the oneness of heart from the body! Janet Green, Kingsway Church, Sale

It was so kind of you to invite me up for prayer, alongside Steve Cole and it was a very great blessing to me. Thank you.during the prayer time I had a picture of fireballs falling from Heaven and crashing onto the people who came to the event. We were so encouraged because someone elsehad had a similar picture earlier in the week. Indeed I believe that the Holy Spirit did come like fire. I thought that your leading was superb, Debra, as was Lynn's leading of the worship band. The sense of the Presence of the Lord was very real and weighty. I pray that you have a peaceful week ahead and good and positive feed-back from all that took place.Kindest Regards to you. Tina Cooke, Former presenter of Blue Peter

Robert Varnam, 16/07/2004