Hope mission academy @ nottinghamyfc #1

Hope mission academies at Nottingham yfc are a merging of our 30 hour missions and hope mission academies. The main idea of them is to help young people experience being involved in mission alongside training and equipping them to go back to their own communities and make a difference.

A group of ten of us set off to work with north staffs yfc and support the work they do with churches in the area. 

We started by meeting some of the local young people that we would be working with at the YMCA and looking at some of the issues that are faced by young people today but also what others think about young people. We were sleeping on a church floor over the weekend so it was nice to have a local base. From there we were able to go into Newcastle town centre and bless the community with an acts of kindness treasure hunt while also giving out hot chocolate. After playing some games we went out for a nice meal before planning our Sunday morning work which included leading worship, Sunday school and being involved in the preach.

Sunday morning was great and even better as throughout the weekend one lad had decided to follow Jesus and he just shared his story. Another girl, after losing her iPhone 5 on Saturday night had prayed and found it straight away, a girl who only a day before had said she didn't believe in God, shared on the Sunday morning that she understood that God had revealed Himself to her. 

Isn't it great to have opportunities to be part of what God is doing. Anyway it might be worth you listening to what the young people who came with us had to say about it. Check out the video diaries here http://youtu.be/ESNeVd1-GP8

Us being given breakfast on our hope mission academy

Grace v Justice

Grace has been described as generous, free and totally unexpected and undeserved. It’s shocking in a way to know that when we say sorry to God he forgives us unconditionally an forgets about our sin.

I’ve been reflecting recently on how grace fits within today’s laws and where justice comes into play.

Recently I met a young man who’d unfortunately made some serious mistakes and was facing jail.

As I began to talk to him I had an overwhelming sense from God that I should pray for him and plead with God to take away his jail sentence. As the conversation developed and I asked if I could pray for him, it sparked a huge conversation about having a faith in God. The conversation ended with the agreement that if the jail sentence was cancelled then it must have been God’s doing. My prayer is that I will see this young man next week and he can tell me that God has done a miracle in his life.

This is a very hard subject to talk about because I know people would argue with me and say ‘where’s the justice in that?’. In many ways I would agree with people like that and say that wrong actions have consequences and in this case a jail sentence is deserved.

However if I could choose between a young person going to jail or a young person experiencing God’s miraculous power in his life which changes him for ever, resulting in a new life which seeks to love God and others. I would choose God’s intervention every time.

One of the aims within my youth ministry is that I help young people experience God and if I think I can help this young man see God’s grace in his own life then I reckon I’m doing the right thing.

What do you think?

Simon Bentley is on his 2nd year placement with Nottingham YfC 

 

India13: video diaries day 11 and 12

Due to lack of Internet here at the last 2 regular video diaries if India 13 with hope, joe, Helena and Richard.

http://youtu.be/to5awM2QxNk

http://youtu.be/tFlFrfUXSNo

India13: video diary day 9

This time it is the turn of a becca and Jake to tell you what has been happening on today's travels. Includes our last 2 bore well dedications and sticking needles in bottoms.

http://youtu.be/i-iZdCrqDfI

India13: video diary day 8

Ben and Helena go over day 8's antics including henna and an Indian head massage.

http://youtu.be/vebpcOihQHA

India13: video diary day 7

Check out the Leah and Richard show as they talk about the happenings on day 7. Filmed in front of a live studio audience.

http://youtu.be/5o7nOEM7Ya0

India13: video diary day 6

Find out how Chung and Hope found day 6 of our mission trip which included visits to a medical camp, children's day care centre and an old people's home.

http://youtu.be/1wuHBTOkW8Q

India13: video blog day 5

Sorry for the delay in this but here is Becca and Jacob reliving today's events.

http://youtu.be/0uQK2o5oU60

India video blog day 4

So day 4 of our mission trip took us to a little village where we dedicated our first well of the trip and visited a school. We then went to a reap India staff meeting and finally led an outreach meeting. Hear how Helena and Jo found the day on our videos below:

Part 1 http://youtu.be/p8Xg6NOCmhs

Part 2 http://youtu.be/sFgs_KQOoJ8

India13 video diary: on the way

Check out ben and Leah's thoughts on the way to India  http://youtu.be/ZSb5CxV1xkY

India13: one day to go

So with one day to go what is happening in the world of the @nottinghamyfc India team. Well some have packed, some will be getting last minute toiletries, some will have finished work and some will have started taking malaria tablets.

We all need to prepare in different ways and it is easy to prepare in a physical way but what about a spiritual way?

With one day to go our minds are buzzing about what we are about to do and all the things we will experience and so we need to have our hearts and minds prepared, whether that's praying or putting the right people around you. But it isn't just as we think about going to India that we should prepare in this way but for all things.

Throughout life we can have good or bad times but God is always there for us. 

We hope you enjoy what you will see over the next couple of weeks as you journey with us in our thought processes and experiences.

Richard

India 2013 video blog

From this Thursday (hopefully) this blog will contain images and videos of our trip to India. Our flight leaves Heathrow at around 25 past 9 in the evening and we are due back on 25th. Keep up to date with all that is happening as 10 people from across Nottingham aim to bring God's kingdom in India as it is in heaven.

Look out for posts from Jake, Jo, Becca, Leah, Helena, hope, Chung, Jacob, Ben and Richard throughout the next couple of weeks.