IJM UK Conference 2014

IJM (International Justice Mission) held their first UK international conference yesterday and 4 of us from The King's Church, Wisbech attended. It was a valuable time to engage again with God's heart on issues around modern-day slavery, violence and injustice around the world. We were taken to the depths of despair hearing about some of the horrific situations people find themselves in, but we were also shown that although there is great darkness and evil in the world - there is hope!

By following Jesus and obeying his call to look after the widow, the orphan and the poor. By following God's heart to set captives free and bring justice where there is injustice. IJM is engaged practically on the groung in countries around the world setting captives free, restoring hope, vision and dignity. They are also engaged in trying to change legislation that gives more protection to the last and the least.

Through their work they have seen captives set free. They have seen abusers taken to account for their crimes. They have seen entire justice systems reform and govermnents change their opinions. They great thing is, God has called all of us to get involved. To be doers and not just hearers. To take action to bring justice and freedom.

We may not be able to be 'on the ground' raiding brothels and freeing underaged prostitutes in Cambodia or rescuing people from brick kilns in India. But we can educate our neighbour. We can write a letter to our MP to help change the law in this country. We can choose to buy fairly traded goods when we shop. There are ways everyone can get involved!

Find out more about IJM and their work by visiting their website.

New Sermon CDs Ready to Go

New Sermon Series CD Box-Sets are ready in our new look packaging.

Starting with a 2-sermon mini series preached by Clive Butcher about 'Spiritualists, Mediums and the Occult' this series looks at the realities of the spirit realm as well as what the Bible says about things such as mediums, horoscpoes, tarot cards etc. Sermons well worth listening to! Cost £1.

'Do Justice, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly With Your God' is a 4 disc 7-sermon series that uses the minor prophets in the Old Testament to explore issues around justice and mercy - a topice God has been laying heavily on our hearts recently. A valuable resource to refer to again and again. Cost £3.50.

'Dare to Dream' is our latest sermon series fresh from our recent conference with special guest speaker Hugh Osgood. These contain some invaluable insights into how the church should respond to our community as well as the importance of working together across denominations to build God's Kingdom here on earth. Cost £3.50

All titles are available at the shop at church.

Don't Miss These Wisbech Rose Fair 2014 Events!

An Evening With Henry Olonga

 

Retired international test cricketer, henry Olonga will be paying a special visit to Wisbech on Friday 4th July 2014 at the Queen Mary Centre. He will be appearing as the 'After Hours Live' special guest and will be telling stories about his cricketing career and life as well as singing some amazing songs with his superb tenor voice. He will also be answering some questions from the audience as well as signing autographs.

 

Octavia's Cafe will be on hand to provide refreshments and delicious cakes. The evening will be relaxed, seated around tables in an informal 'cafe-style' atmosphere. Henry's book and CD will also be on sale at the event.

 

Entry is free, but come early to get a good seat! Doors open at 7pm with the event starting at 7:30pm.

 

Visit the Gift Box in the Market Place

 

Saturday 5th July 2014 is the Wisbech Rose Fair parade day. Come along to Wisbech Market Place and visit our 'Gift Box'. These boxes were used in London during the 2012 Olympic Games and there are also some currently being used at the World Cup in Rio right now!

 

They are sure to draw a crowd and create interest - so don't miss out! The boxes contain a serious message that is well worth thinking about as it impacts our community in Wisbech as well as other Fenland towns.

 

We would love to have a converstaion with you as well as show you how you can help.

The Gift Box will be up in Wisbech Market Place until 4pm on Saturday. First parade starts at 11am.



Wisbech Foodbank Donation

 

A copule of weeks ago, there was a huge response from the congregation at The King's Church, Wisbech for another appeal from the Wisbech Foodbank. A big thank you to all those who gave to the appeal.

Remember, the Wisbech Foodbank is always looking for donations as they give over 40 food parcels to those in need every week!

You can bring your donation at any time to the Queen Mary Centre or the Oasis Book Shop on Norfolk Street.

http://wisbech.foodbank.org.uk/

Our time at the IJM Conference

3 of our team who attended the conference (4th taking photo)

 

 We were excited to travel through to St Mark's Church in Battersea in London yesterday to attend the IJM (International Justice Mission) conference. The focus of the event was to encourage local churches to become a 'Justice Church', where an emphasis and focus is given to not just talking about justice, but actively doing justice - within our own communities as well as further afield. The verse from Micha 6:8

"And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

Q&A Pannel

By actively doing justice in society, we become more mature in Christ. We actually put into practise  those things that we have learnt. If we love God, we should love the things he loves and hate the things he hates - justice ministry and mercy ministry does just that! 



In the keynote address, President and CEO if International Justice Mission, Gary Haugen gave some moving stories of a couple of people who had been rescued from a life of slavery and suffering. He also suggested that God does not want to make His people safe, rather He wants to make His people brave! Getting involved in justice ministry requires bravery. It requires extravagant compassion, it requires sacrificial courage and it requires tenacious hope!



Gary Haugen - President and CEO of IJM

There was also opportunity for group discussion which helped churches to figure out how this might work for them in their specific context.

The team left the day inspired and eager to pursue looking into how we can do justice better within our church, community and world. I am sure this is not the last we will be hearing about how we as a church can get involved in justice and the work of IJM, so watch this space!

 

If you would like to know more about the work of IJM, please visit their website by clicking here.