LoveMums is an exciting new toddler group that King’s Church is launching in Cheadle. We are a toddler group unique in its focus to bless and love mums as well as the children.

We would also happily see dads, childminders and grannies too! We provide a really welcoming, warm and dynamic environment that turns on its head what people expect of ‘church’ toddler group. We are clear about who we are and what we are doing.

Our vision is to see mums and their families saved and added to the Church. We expect those who come to experience the family of God and the power of God each week. We want to be known for the presence of the Holy Spirit.

In the first few weeks we have seen new mums every week and been able to get to know them. Mums have commented on seeing something different, being spoilt and a friendly warm atmosphere.

On our first week we received a prayer request from a lady for her friend’s little boy who was in hospital with pneumonia. His family had been told that he was quite unwell and would be in hospital for at least another 3 days. We prayed for him that morning.

The next day we received news that he was now well enough to be discharged from hospital. On our second week the lady returned with her friend and her little boy. He was doing well and we were able to pray for him for complete healing.

God has spoke to us about having a BIG vision for LoveMums as he wants to do BIG things through it. We are excitedly looking forward to week three!

Rachel Belton

LoveMums runs every Thursday from 10-11.30am (term time) at Cheadle Village Hall, SK81PQ

Last week I met with the Church that meets in Old Trafford at Tim and Jacqui Nelson’s home. We meet at 7:45pm each Thursday (click here for more information)

Since the weather was nice we sat outside in the garden! There is something about sitting in a garden together; it’s another aspect of home life, such a relaxing environment.

We started the evening by breaking bread together, after what Richard shared with us last week I came to the table knowing that it has been prepared for me on the frontline, right in the action of our battle against the principalities and powers in the spiritual realms! (Listen to this preach from Richard on the Missional Table in our Homes by clicking here)

We spent the evening looking at what is prepared on the table for us! As we looked into the word and discussed the subject we then spent some time writing down some things that we can rightly take from the table when needed.

We put them in the middle and one by one took them off and read them out. There were some powerful things people had written which reminded us of some of the promises God has made to us.

One person wrote that “all authority over the enemy has been delegated to God’s children”, another had put “he will command his angels concerning you”. There were many more encouraging words read out that night. People were touched, encouraged and strengthened by what everyone had shared.

It was in the comfort of feeling at home we discovered all these great things that God has prepared for us on the table. In Acts 2:46 they went from home to home breaking bread together, feasting at the table of the Lord day by day in each other’s homes.

After feasting at the table on Thursday night, it stirred me to want to go around more often breaking bread in other’s homes, on the battlefield, proclaiming the Lord’s death, proclaiming that he has won the victory, proclaiming who we are and who God has called us to be.

Kelly Shennan

On Sunday 16th May King’s Church hosted an event with Paul Valler, associate speaker with LICC (London Institute of Contemporary Christianity), on the topic of ‘Integrating Work and Life’. It was an informal and interactive evening, with delicious cakes and refreshments, a light atmosphere and people who clearly wanted practical advice and principles about how to balance the various demands of a busy lifestyle.

Paul shared his own experiences in this area from his time as both the Human Resources and Finance director for Hewlett Packard. Paul testified to the challenges he faced in balancing his responsibilities as a father, husband and leader in his church, as well as keeping up with the demands and requirements of his work, which often involved extensive travelling. Paul was very open and honest, sharing with us the positive and negative outcomes that resulted from his decisions.

Handouts were provided as an interactive means for us to weigh up and judge ourselves on how well we thought we were doing with integrating our own lives and work as individuals. We were given the opportunity to share, on our tables, any issues that the handouts had helped us identity in our own lives that needed to change in how we managed our time and we prayed for each other in those specific areas.

Paul used an excellent demonstration by taking a glass tumbler which represented us as individuals. He then placed the eggs in the tumbler first, then the marbles and then the sand. The eggs represented important priorities i.e. family/friends, work, church, sleep and health. The marbles represented your hobbies/fun activities and the sand represented the not so important things.

Paul repeated the process but this time he placed the sand in the tumbler first then the marbles and the eggs last. However, two of the eggs could not fit into the tumbler because all the other things had taken precedence over the key important things.

As a student studying for a Masters degree, working full time and ensuring I make time to meet with the church, family and friends; I personally found the evening very beneficial. By the end of the meeting I had put action steps and deadlines in place to ensure that my work/studies (although very important) and other activities don’t take priority over spending time with family or at the expense of my health. Matthew 6:33 clearly says that we should ‘seek the Kingdom first’.

To me this means ensuring that before I make any decision and in planning how I spend my time, that I firstly spend time in prayer seeking God’s wisdom. As the body of Christ I am confident that if we do this everything else will come into order and our ‘work’ and ‘life’ will bring glory to Jesus Christ.

Leancia Donaldson

There is revelation on every page waiting to be discovered and to change your life. Whatever you like to read, it’s all in there – indescribable love, romance, blood and guts, miracles, signs and wonders. If you ask the Holy Spirit, it will be impossible for you to read it without being changed. It is the best book ever and the best bit is, it is all true. It’s not just a collection of children’s stories to make Sunday school interesting but real life events, full of the power of God.

In the past I have become discouraged when I have tried to read the Bible all the way through and found it difficult. I think sometimes the sheer magnitude of incredible truth can seem overwhelming and too much to take in. However when I persevered God has made it real to me.

I’ve learnt as I’ve read the Word that “The Lord doesn’t look at the things human beings look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Sam 16:7). This is so often quoted but when you look at it in context, you realise God was choosing David out of a line of seemingly “more appropriate” men. He chose David for being David, just like he chooses you and I for who we are. It can be tempting to assume God has someone better for the job than us, when actually God chooses each of us as unique children. He places a seed in each one of us and when that seed is watered and fed in the intended way, we are enabled to do all He asks of us. We have such potential as people made in His image. David had such strength and character that he was known as a man after God’s own heart (1 Sam 13:14). His relationship with God always came first.

As we heard from Andrew Hughes recently we can’t neglect ourselves in relation to the things of God. Lack of time in the word and fellowship with God’s people will only lead to gradual deflation of our spirits.

There is so much to be gained by prioritising our walk with God. There is so much fresh revelation to be received. Each time I read something I’ve read before it’s like I’m reading it for the first time – another God-moment between me and my Dad who loves me and wants me to grow. God honours what you put into your relationship with Him. He is desperate to reveal himself to you.

If you are struggling to pick up the Bible or feel like the task is too big, then be encouraged. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s word to you. Put God first before the cleaning, before reading that novel or magazine, before putting the television on and I promise you won’t be disappointed.

I have been massively blessed by the Bible reading plans given out at the beginning of the year. I would encourage you to pick one up from the Help Desk.

Jane Barrow

Last Saturday (8th May), King’s Church Youth visited Alton Towers to see if they could handle the heights. They had an amazing time trying to get onto as many roller coasters, pirate ships and log flumes as possible.

There was much tension as the lads stood in front of Oblivion looking like they were about to run home; and indeed some made their excuses and headed off for lighter options. However many conquered – overcoming the queue line in order to face their fears! Well done Isaac, Liam and David!

The day had its ups and downs but only really on the rides – even the queue lines were a laugh. Many fun memories were made – including when Ruth-Anne unveiled a hidden talent as she won a giant dragon cuddly toy by smashing plates. Watch that girl.

Inevitably the Manchester Youth seemingly gravitated towards the fried chicken stall of Alton Towers, where everyone was able to hang out and just have fun!

The day ended in a concert that included bands Dweeb, LZ7, Bandwithnoname alongside a Scottish comedian. King’s Church Youth did us proud unleashing the best dance moves of the 5,000 strong crowd throughout the show.

Many eyes and cameras were focused on them. Good times – but guys, where are these moves on a Sunday morning? I’m sure that soon they will be showing the older members what we do in youth!

It’s sure to say that King’s Church Youth are some of the most hilarious, unique, best dancing, fastest running, crazy-faces-on-rollercoaster-making people I have ever encountered!

Dave Perkins

Wednesday 28th April was another fantastic V.I.P night, which saw about 80 of Manchester’s poor and homeless men blessed with excellent food, clothes, new haircuts and an evening of good company.

I believe that we, as a church demonstrated to these men that they are Very Important People, both in our eyes and God’s.

I had the opportunity to share food with some of these men, spending time chatting with them about some of their struggles as well as their hopes and aspirations. I shared with them that there is a hope for the future, which I believe God can and will provide, when they trust in Him.

Since then I’ve heard numerous testimonies from the evening. Mark Clayton explained how a gentleman on his table was suffering with an illness and was not able to eat the meal provided.

However after Mark prayed with him he was completely restored to full health and was able to enjoy the meal and the rest of the night.

My good friend Lee Wolsey who was saved about 9 months ago spoke to the men that evening to share the account of what God has done in his life.

He explained how he had ended up in a life of depression and drugs, where he was angry at the world, but through an old school friend he was invited to a church in the home meeting one Wednesday. He explained how that night he encountered God in a powerful way and gave his life to God.

Through that encounter his life has been radically changed, leaving behind drugs and depression for a new life of hope, joy and peace.

I would encourage anyone who hasn’t had the chance to be involved in a V.I.P night yet to take up the opportunity.

As Christians we are called to preach good news to the poor, bind up the broken hearted and proclaim freedom for the captives, so let’s do it!

James Bagley

For more photos from this event and previous VIP Nights, click here

April and May are school holidays in the Philippines. It’s a fruitful and busy time for us as we have youth camps and distribute school supplies before the school year starts in June.

We have more than 1000 children and young people in the youth camps during these two months.

DVBS is a camp we run for children in the neighborhood. They come for Bible stories, games, snacks and fun during the day for 3-5 days, but go home every night to sleep.

The youth camp at Core is where the youth stay all through the camp. Last week we had 54 youths attending. We make sure that more than half the campers come unsaved. 31 confessed Jesus as Lord for the first time, 34 were baptized in water and the Holy Spirit and all 54 went home rejoicing.

We give school supplies and livelihood programs to help poor parents send their children to school. The unemployment rate is very high in the Philippines and there is no help for people without jobs.

This causes many children not to go to school because their parents are too poor to provide school supplies, and we are helping 5000 of these children.

For as low as £7 or $10 we can help one child go to school for a whole school year. We are doing this in partnership with 80 churches, following up the families with a gospel presentation and many are being saved.

Emergency and relief assistance is going on more or less every month. It is wonderful when people can feel the touch and help of God in the midst of a tragedy.

Because of the drought, we continue to give food assistance to 17 villages in Mindoro. This is to give them nutrient-rich food in addition to the root crop they find in the mountains. This way, we can prevent sickness and malnutrition.

Over the last two weeks, we helped 18 families who lost everything during a fire. In the pictures, you can see one of the villages and some of the people we helped. We will assist them in rebuilding their homes and they are praising the wonderful name of Jesus.

Tone and Noralv

A mini-bus full of children from Brunswick and Ardwick arrived at King’s House on Saturday 17th April for the first Kids’ Club.

Kids’ Club is an hour of fun, games, music and Bible teaching for 7-11 year olds every other Saturday morning. Kids’ Club exists for those children who live in the areas surrounding King’s House but is also a place for children from the church to come and bring their friends to learn more about how wonderful Jesus is.

The children enjoyed popping balloons, swapping smelly socks, singing songs and hearing stories about Jesus and learning the memory verse “Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2, NIV). Hearing them sing about the reign of God and talk about what it means to fix their eyes on Jesus was amazing!

Some parents stayed and enjoyed the café – there were delicious cakes, tea, coffee, newspapers, music and a relaxing atmosphere. The buzz on the bus on the way home was great. The children were so excited for the next club and wanted to bring their friends along, so we’re planning for a larger number of children and parents this week!

Our vision for Kids’ Club is that it will grow in numbers and those children who come will be radically transformed – they will meet Jesus and have a personal relationship with Him. Through the café parents will meet members of the church and build relationships and experience the life of Christ.

We still need people to get involved in Kids’ Club in various areas. If you are free on a Saturday morning and you can drive a mini-bus, serve tea and coffee, talk to parents, work with the children or you can sit on reception please let me know, either call me on 0161 273 2168 or email kidsclub@kingschurch-manchester.org

If you’re a family in the church with children between 7-11 years old and you’re free on Saturday mornings you should come along. The children can come and have fun hearing about Jesus while you can relax in the café with the parents who’ve come from the local area.

Rachel Evans