26th April 2010

What a fantastic weekend of celebration with our church plants and friends from around the world.

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8

We count it a priviledge to partner with men and women who are fulfilling this mandate all over the world.

Let us pray for the couples as they prepare to return to their churches. Let us also lift up the churches that they represent and trust God for many, many more witnesses to be raised up all over the earth.

Lastly, let us continue to pray for them in the future as they press on with the task of building Church in another nation.

God Bless,
The Eldership Team

20th April 2010

Hi there everybody,

We serve an awesome God!

As a church we believe that God can and does answer prayers. Just this week we have had two instances of miraculous healing. Tarryn Houlson just over two years ago, was diagnosed with thoracic scoliosis. Many prayed and trusted God for healing. On the 13th April, Tarryn went to see the doctor, whose response was, "Have you swallowed a sword ?". Her spine is straight and the doctor has said, "I do not need to see you again!!"
Additionally, Kirsty Wright recently suffered a stroke, leaving her entire right side lame. This last weekend during worship, Kirsty simply prayed to God, "Lord please heal me", at which point she heard God say to lift her right hand. She felt the right side of her body go warm and was able to lift her hands to God, as well as walk without a limp, and even do some pirouettes! By His stripes we are healed! Church, let us trust God together this week for those among us who are experiencing illness and physical pain.

This weekend we have guests with us from all over the world who have planted churches and have a relationship with us. Let us pray that not only are they blessed while with us but also this time will be incredibly strategic.

God is doing amazing things in HCF. In our prayers, let us remember all three sites: Hillcrest, Westville and Waterfall, and continue to trust God to draw men and women to Himself.

God bless
The Eldership Team

A journey filled with purpose

What an awesome journey we find ourselves on as a church! Being able to actively see the move and direction of the Holy Spirit in our meetings, to witness many regularly getting saved... How could we ever say that life is a little mundane, a little dreary !?! Possibly we need to catch a glimpse again of the wonder of Jesus. Catch sight of him and watch clarity and perspective come flooding back. What an amazing scripture Psalm 139 : 1 - 18 is. He hems us in - behind and before. Always in control, always dealing with us in specifics as he makes his Glory known.

We have a sense that God says ask of me, ask specifically of me and trust me with those asks. See how I will undertake on your behalf.

We would like to pray and ask for this continued revelation to capture the hearts and minds of HCF... That Jesus is the start, the end, and everything in between. As we begin to partner with Him and each other in the Gospel, we will see an increase and growth in both numbers and maturity across the sites that we have at present.

Secondly, "UNITE" is happening in two weeks time. Church leaders who have planted out of HCF or have formed a strong relationship with us are coming together from around the world. Can we pray that this time reveals some of the big picture that God calls each and everyone of us to as we partner in the Gospel. And that excitement for the future as we walk together relationally settles in every heart.

God Bless

On behalf of the Eldership team.

Tuesday - April 6th 2010

Hope In The Gospel: Colossians 1:23

What a wonderful God we serve. Last week we prayed for the lost to be drawn into church with our "Each One Reach One" service. This Sunday we were privileged to see many first time visitors.

It was an absolute delight to see the power of the gospel touch many lives in Hillcrest and Westville, all the glory and honour to our King.

Please lift up those new converts in your prayers this week. Pray that they would continue in the faith, that they would be grounded and remain steadfast, and not be moved away from the hope of the Gospel.

Let us also pray for UNITE 2010. Many who have planted churches out of HCF will be returning home for a time of celebration and equipping. They will be with us for a week and we are trusting that God will speak to us all during our time together. As we lift up their hands, ask God to touch their lives, refresh them, and re-energize them.

Have a great week.

God bless

The Eldership Team