1 Timothy 2:1 is a remarkable summary and a pattern of the complete prayer process from taking your needs to God to giving thanks for breakthrough.

1 Timothy 2:1-4 says, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

“First of all” speaks of priority. The context shows that the priority is to pray for our governmental leaders. There is a purpose for it – the salvation of souls. This is a matter of urgency. At times it is easy to be sluggish in prayer and active in your own energy. But when we move in the spirit of urgency prayer becomes automatic.

Paul uses four different words for prayer in verse 1, and they each have their own nuance.

Supplications, the first word for prayer – requests in many other versions – means asking with a sense of need. The consciousness of a need is uppermost. You have a need. Someone else has a need. And with the help of the Holy Spirit, you can pray for someone else’s need no matter where they are in the world.

It can be your heart cry but also supernatural empathy for someone else. With the help of the Holy Spirit, you can pray for the need of someone that you don’t even know! That is what makes prayer exciting! If you have a need, you are motivated. Praying over a long list of people that you hardly know can be tedious. But your prayer suddenly comes alive when the Holy Spirit shows you what they need!

The next word for prayer is translated simply as “prayers”. This is the most common word for prayer in the New Testament. The emphasis here is not need but our sense of dependency on God.

First, we are arrested by a sense of need; then we begin to seek God. But we don’t hold on to that need. Instead, we hand it over to God and begin to depend on him.

By now, faith is operating, as we know that God is not only hearing us but also leading us in this prayer.

The third word is “intercessions”. All these prayer words are in plural. This implies manifold repeated activity.

Intercession means praying on behalf of someone else. The word was used for approaching a king with a petition. It carries an idea of formality, presenting a petition in the right way, at the right time and by the right person.

We have intercessors in the legal profession. They are our legal representatives. But Jesus is our Great Intercessor. He asks us to sit back, so that he can deal with it.

An intercessor does more than prays on someone’s behalf. An intercessor is someone who represents others before God. Imagine the privilege of representing the Prime Minister on his behalf before God!

Intercession can be strong and persistent, it can be eloquent pleading, or even feel like violent intervention.

Often, it must be timely. Have you ever been woken up in the middle of the night to pray for someone, not knowing why, only to hear the reason afterwards?

Eventually, something happens. There will be a breakthrough, a release.

When we come to pray together, we can often feel a sense of resistance, but then there is a moment of breakthrough, and intercession begins to feel irrelevant. Something has taken place in the heavenly realms, and there is a lifting of that intercessory burden.

When there is a breakthrough, there is joy, praise and thanksgiving.

Supplications, prayers, intercessions until breakthrough comes and thanksgiving are a prayer cycle that can be repeated, even for the same topic.

Imagine the possibility of praying for our governmental leaders like this! What would happen? Our nation would be transformed.

Watch Colin Dye’s full teaching on Sunday 22 August at 4.50pm on KTTV or enjoy the full prayer meeting from Wednesday 18 August HERE

 

It is a basic feature of flawed humanity to want to control, to dominate, to be powerful. But this is not Jesus’ way. He did not commend the warriors or the rulers, the powerful or the leaders, instead he said: ‘How fortunate are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God’.

Only disciples who are poor in spirit enter fully into God’s kingdom. A few are then paralysed by their awareness of their poverty, while the rest make spiritual progress and mourn for their failings. Some who begin in mourning end in moaning, the others become meek. One or two of the meek become passive and weak, but most go on to hunger for being right before God. Sadly, a few of those who taste God’s righteousness do become harsh; but the others are filled with mercy. Some merciful disciples settle for second best, but we are all called to progress to purity of heart. A few of the pure opt out of the world, but God wants us all to press on to reach the point where our attitudes become our actions, where our character shows itself in conduct, where our filling with and by God has a deeply practical Christ-like result.

It is important we understand that we can all progress through all the attitudes. The fact that a few believers do sometimes backslide does not mean that we are all bound to stagnate in our spiritual life. Jesus calls us to follow him, and he provides us with everything we need to follow him deeply into his wonderful kingdom. We can all reach the point where we are filled with his attitudes, so we must keep going along God’s way – even when it is narrow and difficult.

These beautiful attitudes show that people who are filled with God have three positive characteristics – mercy, purity and peacemaking. These are the key ingredients in disciples who are ruled by God.

Just as each attitude becomes harder, so each promise gets better. Those disciples who are peacemakers will be called ‘children of God’. They will not just be clients, spectators, members, citizens, servants, partners or disciples – they will also be children. They will have a new identity to go with their new nature, and a new relationship which matches their attitudes.

What is peacemaking?
Peacemakers are not quarrelsome or argumentative. They do not go out of their way to make trouble. They are not concerned with themselves. Instead they go out of their way, at great personal cost, to bring people together in a peace-filled relationship which is based on God’s justice.

Peacemakers are not over-sensitive or defensive. They do not look at situations and ask how they will affect them or their group. Instead they are pure, meek, humble. They are dead to self and self-interest – when they look at a situation they ask only how it will affect others.

Peacemakers must first mourn and be merciful. They look at people lost in their anger and bitterness and realise that they are the victims of selfishness and sin. They know that these people are heading for calamity – and this increases their mourning and mercy. Then they do something.

Peacemakers are deeply practical people. They do all the things that the rest of the Sermon on the Mount describes:
• They make reconciliation a priority
• They go the extra mile
• They turn the other cheek
• They love their enemies
• They give to everyone who asks
• They keep their generosity and righteousness to Themselves
• They serve God not money
• They set their hearts on God’s kingdom
• They do not judge others
• They do not worry.

In one sense, the rest of the Sermon on the Mount is only a lengthy description of practical peacemaking. It follows on from the beautiful attitudes and illustrates the consequences of being ruled by God – of living in his kingdom.

Right at the start, we saw that these hard sayings of Jesus are impossible to keep by self-effort, now we can see that they are the natural result of following Christ and progressing from poverty of spirit right through to his holy peace-making.

Children of God
Those disciples who make eternal and earthly peace their priority will be claimed by God as his children. This is why so many of the Bible’s promises of heavenly rewards and inheritance are not for doctrine and dealing with demons, but for welcoming strangers, feeding the hungry and housing the homeless.

To be a child of God is to be a brother or sister of Jesus. He showed all the eight attitudes all of the time, but his highest priority was to make peace – peace between God and ourselves, and peace between people. He is ‘the Prince of Peace’ – the supreme peacemaker – and all those who follow him are meant to be like him.

Colin will be preaching on “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9) on Sunday 25 July at 9am & 11am.

Watch all of Colin’s messages on The Sermon on the Mount beginning with THE GREATEST SERMON EVER TOLD – The Kingdom Has Arrived!

Photo by Wylly Suhendra on Unsplash

Have you noticed in life things get old and wear out? Your jeans, your shoes, your car. We sometimes push them to their very limit, squeezing that very last mile out of them; one might even say we run them into the ground.

Well, that’s how many of us treat our spiritual life. We run it into the ground. We don’t renew, don’t refresh, don’t realise often we’re exhausted and spiritually inconsistent. When it comes to material things, we can easily replace them: you can always buy a new pair of shoes, but what happens to living things when they are falling apart? You can’t just replace your relationship with your parents. You can’t buy a new set of kids.

God’s solution is renewal. Paul says in Colossians 3:10, “Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him”. Renewal only occurs when we stay connected with the life source. The same way a branch cannot survive separated from the life giving tree, we need to learn to stay connected and dependent on Him for continuous strength and revitalisation.

So many of us are exhausted, worn out, some have even given up in our spiritual life, and our purpose. However, God is calling us to a time of recommitment, restoration, and refreshing by connecting to Him.

That’s the message we got from the ‘REJUVENATE’ Hub Worship night

If you would like to learn more about what KT’s young adults aged 18-30s are doing, follow us on Instagram @thekthub

Our next Crazy Golf social on Saturday 17th July is a great opportunity to meet us and learn more about how to get involved.

Many will remember that during the early stages of the lockdown in 2020 when Colin and Amanda led morning devotions ‘live from west London’. Now he picking that up, this time through Instagram stories. Every Monday to Friday Colin will post a ‘thought for the day’ to those people who he is really connected with.

Each day Colin will prepare a one minute daily devotional thought which will be posted at one minute past midnight – so no matter how early you have to get up it will be there at the start of your day.

All you have to do to get connected is visit his instagram @colin_dye_official and send him a quick message asking to be included.

Don’t forget to check out the videos and posts on Colin’s website colindye.com and his YouTube channel.

Rev Dr Joel Edwards, the former General Director of the Evangelical Alliance passed away after battling cancer. Joel wrote a letter to family and friends before he passed away bidding them goodbye and thanking everyone for their prayers.

A British immigrant of Jamaica, he came to faith in the black Pentecostal church and had a rich time of ministry. He served as the senior pastor of the Mile End New Testament Church of God and was an honorary Canon of St. Paul’s Cathedral. A significant part of his career was with the African and Caribbean Evangelical Alliance then the UK Evangelical Alliance.

In 2019, he was awarded a CBE for services to tackling poverty and justice and in April 2021 was appointed by the Church of England to establish a racial justice commission.

Joel’s goodbye letter included ‘Dear friends, this is to say my final goodbye. Words cannot express the depth, breadth, and height of my gratitude, but I have gone home. My earnest prayer is that your faith and tenacity on my behalf will not be considered a pointless religious exercise, but that it will have strengthened your faith in a God who is marvellous, mysterious and majestic in all he does: The Faithful One.’

We at KTLCC are saddened by his death, but encouraged by his legacy and impact, and will continue to pray for his family and loved ones.

Every day, battles rage as nations or people groups try to establish supremacy over parts of the earth. Most people believe that ‘might’ will triumph over ‘right’ in the end, but Jesus suggests something different:

“The meek shall inherit the earth.”
Meek people are not weak people; their strength is self-controlled; they are submissive, non-defensive, open to correction, considerate of others, seeking the benefit of others rather than personal gain; they waive their rights in order to serve others; they are merciful and forgiving.

They do not engage in “power play”. They guide rather than control; They do not dominate or seek the highest place. They do not seek recognition. They build up rather than tear down; they are prepared to suffer loss, if it is for the benefit of others; they waive their rights, if it means others can be elevated; they take the lowest place to encourage others to shine; they serve others rather than expecting others to serve them.

They are prepared to be misunderstood and maligned by others because they are not bound by the fear or praise of men. They are not doormats because they stand for truth and are not afraid to speak it when necessary. They have no pride in their own achievements, but rather enable others to achieve. They lack self-importance, are non-entitled and non-demanding.

They are not easily offended. They are non-critical, non-judgemental, empathic, not hard-hearted; they promote others above themselves. They bear all things, endure all things and do not look for self-vindication, but trust Christ in all things.

They pursue Christ’s glory rather than their own glory. They are not boastful or arrogant. They know that they do not deserve one good thing in and of themselves, but that in Christ they possess all things. They glory in the grace of God; they glory in the cross; they deny self in order to gain Christ.
They are secure in who they are. They draw attention to Christ, not themselves. They are followers of Christ who said:

Matthew 11:28-30
Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” ESV

Over the last year, our church family has learnt a huge amount about doing things online, and our work by the ‘Giants’ groups in equipping our church did not slow down. Now, as more and more of us return to places of work, we are reminded of our harvest field with the number of close relationships we tend to develop in the workplace.

UK law gives us rights and freedoms and allows us to establish Christian groups at work. We have now had three educational KT webinars on how to start up a group successfully and within the context of workplace protocol and the law.

Our most recent webinar (all three can be found in KTTV, filed under ‘recommended webinars’) was led by our own Elizabeth Ugiomogbe (Workers Aflame!) and guest Dave Law from Transform Work UK. Offering a practitioners’ perspective, both shared of the success they have seen in organisations that started up Christian groups. In fact, Elizabeth displayed an impressive list of recognized organisations that have well established Christian groups. We heard of regular prayer meetings taking place, opportunities opening up to explain the significance of Christmas and Easter, and ventures such as sing-a-longs at the office all being allowed.

The Equality Act 2010 protects nine characteristics, which include religion or belief. What this means is that if an organisation is serious about practicing equality, and has established equality groups, then there should be no reason why they would not allow a Christian group to also be established. But starting a Christian group at work demands much prayer as workplace relationships are defined by contractual arrangements to get work completed and operating in the company’s value system. Anything that introduces discomfort or distractions between fellow workers is likely to be frowned upon.

Dave Law shared his wisdom from overseeing several Transform UK groups, as well as a Christian Group at his workplace (a large, well-recognized brand name). He gave some helpful tips:
– Form the group to pray – pray for one another, pray for the company, pray for your boss, pray for your work colleagues
– Look for opportunities for dialog with people of other faiths about things that may be common. Sometimes this may be possible in multi-faith forums
– Look for opportunities for celebrating special events around the Christian calendar
– Do not do anything that would jeopardise the working relationship between you and your manager and work colleagues, including disagreements over faith issues. Remember the relationships at the workplace are defined around getting work done as the top priority, and organisations are less likely to be supportive of faith groups if the groups are divisive or introduce discomfort in the workplace. The words wisdom and discernment come to mind
– Seek opportunities to develop genuine friendships that could lead to evangelism opportunities outside of work hours and the office
– Let the Holy Spirit do his work. Be gentle, don’t lecture and don’t judge.

For those interested in starting a Christian group, a fantastic on-line resource on the freedoms we have to share our faith is the booklet ‘Speak Up’ by the Lawyers Christian Fellowship and the Evangelical Alliance. Additionally, Transform Work UK is available to help and encourage anyone that may be running into challenges getting a Christian group started (they are not able to dialog with your organization but will share their experiences and best approach with you).
Additionally, don’t miss catching up on the three recent KT webinars. They are in the KTTV archives on kt.org – recommended – webinars
How to take your faith to work – Feb 27 2021
Salt and Light in the City – April 24 2021
Starting a Christian Staff Network Group – May 22 2021

“God is So Good” says Julie as she shares her story of his presence taking her from immobile in her hospital bed back to independent living.

In early April 2020, days after the national lockdown, Julie was on a zoom call with work colleagues when she felt unwell. Her colleagues called an ambulance, which arrived quickly and took her to hospital. Julie was diagnosed with a stroke and had lost the use of her right side and her speech.

Prayer was immediately raised, from her sister’s church in the USA, family and friends in Nigeria and, of course, KT – particularly in the areas where she served. The Children’s ministry began daily prayer vigils. Her primary leader, Claudeth mobilised the whole cell generation, who were joined by the KT intercessors and Welcome team. Colin and Amanda Dye prayed for Julie during the daily devotionals –many people were involved.

Soon, Julie was able to say some words. Then she was able to read text messages and started to reply. Her speech returned more quickly than the doctors could have imagined. No visitors were allowed so the Lord sent Christians hospital workers to encourage and help her. Julie heard the Lord for herself and found her faith growing stronger as she listened to his promises that he would never leave her.

All in all, Julie spent three months in hospital going through rehab and treatment, and her only contact to the outside world was her mobile phone.

Julie left hospital and underwent another two months of intensive physiotherapy during which her sister was able to join her from the USA. Julie re-joined her cell by September and has strongly participated ever since.

After a time in temporary accommodation Julie moved into her own rental place – a beautiful one-bedroom flat, near to friends. This too was a miracle! Julie gained great favour with the agency. She got the property despite having no regular income – they did not even ask for bank statements. Moreover, she was blessed with monies to furnish the property.

Rehab continued, including some full-on intensive weeks, throughout the rest of 2020 and into 2021. Speech therapy ended – she had improved so much it was no longer needed!

Today, just a year later, Julie is getting stronger day by day, able to move her right arm and is walking well again.

Hear Julie telling her full story!

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). Discover the first steps of your discipleship in the Christian faith as you embark on this life-transformational course.

Jesus has a perfect plan for your life
A life free of sin. You have been assured of an outstanding salvation in Christ. You have been saved by his amazing grace, and made holy by this grace. This is God’s unmerited favour operating through your life.

Jesus has set you free from the power of sin
He has given you access to the power of the Holy Spirit to function in your life. You have received this as a free gift, and, as his righteousness begins to work in and through your heart and mind it will produce the nature, heart, and fruit of his character.

As you prepare yourself for Living Free, you will embark on an outstanding journey of growth and progress as you take your first, intentional steps of Christian discipleship. You will not be alone on this journey as other brothers and sisters in Christ will partner with you and support you all the way.

You will learn how to enjoy life-long freedom and permanent victory through Christ. Every time you encounter the Risen King – you will experience deeper, more profound levels of deliverance, wholeness, and freedom.

The gospel remains the power of God, and possesses complete ability to deliver you from sin and bring total transformation to every aspect of your life.

You are a new creation in Christ
Celebrate that you are no longer who you once were. You will learn how to put off the old and put on the new. The power of the Holy Spirit will equip and strengthen you; he will lead and guide you as you embark on fresh patterns of thinking, and living a life worthy of the Gospel.

Authentic change usually takes time, so it is important to not burden yourself with unrealistic expectations of instant change. God works from the inside out in our lives. Lasting progress is best shaped over time and by being thorough and diligent in implementing the steps needed for that progress.

Your identity, purpose, value is found at the Cross of Calvary. It is not found in your job title, your salary income, or your status in society. That is superficial. You are a child of God! Celebrate and rejoice in that truth.

You will also uncover your calling in him and the ministry he has prepared for you. Your future in Christ is bright, blossoming and vibrant.

You will learn how to commune daily with the Lord Jesus Christ through the reading of the Scriptures, and waiting on God as he speaks to you through his Word, your prayers, and your intercession.
God’s power operating in your life will bring change. As you apply the truths attached to the One who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6) you will start to see significant shifts in your circumstances.

This means that healing, wholeness, lasting change, and irreversible victory is your God appointed portion – receive it!

As you recognise the lordship of Jesus Christ in your life, it will produce a total surrender in your heart. You will cultivate the skills and steps necessary to commit your entire life under his rule and reign. Everything about your life – your possessions, your finances, your talents, your abilities, and your time are no longer your own. You will find yourself using all that God has provided for you to bring him honour and glory.

This is how the Kingdom of God operates. Total commitment to Christ is no something to avoid or ignore, but something to embrace and endorse. Everything you do for Christ will always produce a great reward.

What to Expect:
• Tailored teaching each Tuesday that will help strengthen your faith in Christ
• Building lasting friendships as you journey through this engaging and practical course
• Confidence in Christ and his word that will build immensely as you grow in your walk with him
• Greater levels of freedom, joy, breakthroughs, and victory

By the end of this course you will be a joyful, walking testimony of God’s goodness, grace, and love.

Living Free! Begins on Tuesday 25 May, 7pm in Kensington Temple. Register via the KT X:Change portal; alternatively registration forms are available from KT Reception or by emailing info@kt.org

One night, I was listening to a worship song about being free and surrendering all to God. Whilst listening to the words I began to pray and asked God to feel his presence.

 

At the time, I was in a dark place emotionally, I felt lost and far from God. As I prayed, I began to surrender everything that was troubling my heart and mind. During that time of prayer, the word baptism came to my heart. At first, I was hesitant and I began to overthink on whether I was ready to get baptised, and if I had the right reasons to get baptised.

To help me make the right decision, I began to research what baptism was and why people get baptised. I also received support from my Christian friends who sent me Bible scriptures on the subject. I prayed that God would confirm that I should get baptised – which is so ironic since he was the one who placed that desire in my heart and it is also his command.

After praying about it, I decided that I was going to trust God and stop overthinking. I then made my decision to get baptised.

Whilst my body was going in the water, I was overwhelmed by a sensation of freedom and cleanliness. I was consciously leaving my old life behind to step into the new life that God has called me to live. Since getting baptised, my desire to live for God and to discover my identity in Christ has increased.

Our next Baptism service is on Sunday 20 June, if you would like to be baptised you can apply through the KT X:change portal or email info@kt.org

Senior Minister Colin Dye has launched a pioneering online Bible school for the converts from Islam in Central Asia and Caucasus. The Bible school is using Colin’s Sword of the Spirit video series which has been translated into Russian as a study material, and it includes live interactive teaching sessions where believers in the region can find answers to difficult questions.

The first module taught over four weekends focused on The Rule of God, volume 3 in the 12-part series. It was launched with the help our or ministry partners in the region.

The mission work in the region is extremely challenging, as Christians in many parts of this predominantly Islamic region, which was formerly part of the Soviet Union, suffer from persecution. In many countries in the region, meetings with more than a handful of people need a permit, but asking for a permit can often expose converts to danger.

The online Bible school brings together students scattered in different parts of the region, but it has many challenges, especially as there are many connection issues, including low bandwidth in the more remote villages. Some students missed the live interactive teaching part during the first series because a storm had cut their internet and electricity.

Please pray for the believers in Central Asia and Caucasus, as the cultural impact of communism still lingers on, and conversion to Christianity often brings persecution. Also, please pray for us and for our ministry partners, as we seek to develop our work in the region.

Discover the story on KTTV at 4.50pm on Sunday 9 May

Pray for this along with other initiatives at our special KT Missions Prayer meeting on Wednesday 19 may at 7pm in Kensington Temple

 

 

Sunday 18 April was a great day at Kensington Temple as 30 people gathered with family and friends at 2pm, first for a reminder of previous teaching on baptism and then to be ministered to. Some had the joy of being baptised with the Holy Spirit immediately before going through the waters of baptism.

We saw 30 men, women and youth give a personal testimony of faith and state why they wanted to be baptised before going through a covid safe baptism. We had people who had believers from 3 months to 28 years get baptised, all very excited. It certainly was a time to rejoice with each and every one of them.

I would like to encourage anyone who has not yet been baptised as a believer to search the scriptures on Jesus’ teaching and to see his example of obedience to the Father by being baptised.

Join us to celebrate with those being baptised on Sunday 9 May.

Or register to be baptised on Sunday 20 June (closing date Sunday 13 June as there is a special preparation class in the week before).

Many of us know Roberts Liardon. He s a great friend of Kensington Temple and has visited many times. Less well known to us personally, but playing a vital role in his ministry is his mother, Carol, who passed away earlier this month.

Born in the months before the USA joined the Second World War, Carol she witnessed firsthand the glory of God in various moves of his Spirit, including the remarkable ministry of Kathryn Kuhlman who brought one of the great revivals of healing across the United States of America.

Together with her mother Gladoylene, Carol laboured in prayer and faith to lay a strong spiritual foundation for her children, Roberts and Priscilla. Today they both travel the world carrying the good news of the gospel, leading people to Christ and strengthening them in the Christian faith.

(For more images see Roberts Twitter page)

Many from KTLCC answered the call to pray for Carol following her operation in December and gave generously towards her treatment.

We pray for Roberts, Priscilla, and their family as they celebrate Carol’s remarkable life and say their earthly farewells this weekend.

Watch Colin Dye’s tribute on behalf of Kensington Temple London City Church.

 

Back to the office as the roadmap to ending lockdown unfolds

Monday 12 April was a very big day in our country as it marked the re-opening of outdoor cafes, restaurants and pubs, as well as hairdressers, gyms, and swimming pools. Seeing the High Street busy and shopping and town centres come alive again, one senses a cautious sense of euphoria.

And who can blame us for a bit of euphoria, tired of locked in our homes through a dreary winter period, so the ability to be part of something that feels alive again is special. Yet cautious because of the not-too-distant memory of our Prime Minister giving the nation just a few hours of notice on Dec 19th before more serious restrictions kicked in. Aborted Christmas shopping told the serious and challenging story that was unfolding and the dramatic surge in the number of Covid patients and deaths then led to the subsequent nationwide lockdown in January. We know the rest of our winter story.

Our Covid figures have tumbled since and we thank God for his grace, answers to prayer and the development of several vaccines. We have even been able to baptise 30 at KT, the first in a year. Yet we face the harsh reality that our neighbouring European countries, Canada, Brazil, India and others are struggling to contain the virus, reminding us why we call this a pandemic. Covid deaths may have dropped in the UK but we still have no idea when we will next see our overseas friends and loved ones in person. Across the globe this virus just hasn’t gone away.

But it’s back to the workplace we go in London, trains and buses once again full as hundreds of thousands return to serving food and drink, some operating and cleaning pools and gyms, others donning the apron and visor to put order to unkempt hair. While these industries appear to have a head start, thousands of office workers that have worked from home await instructions on returning to Covid-safe offices. They can expect one way systems, social distancing, protective screens and a lot of sanitiser as they head back. Of course we will miss the perks of working from home – no commute time, no rush hour, comfort clothing and footwear, the ability to toss your lunch into the oven while working, and stealing a few precious moments with the kids and pets. But nothing beats the workforce army being together physically, the chats over the work station, the sense that we’re in this together, and a reduction in numerous phone and zoom calls.

There is definitely something to the joint mission we set out on each day – arising, breakfasting and heading into our day at the office with a clear and renewed sense of purpose, aligned around something that feels so much bigger than just one person.

Thankfully zoom has kept us connected during this very uncertain year, but it never actually replaced seeing everyone in-person. While cells, small groups and office colleagues connected and collaborated on-line, we struggled knowing whether the person was really listening at the other end, missed eye contact, and yearned to go deeper in our relationship building. So yes it’s back to closer relationships and a ‘thank you Jesus’ for jobs and workplaces that are really our fertile ministry ground.

Our Giants strategy at Kensington Temple reminds us that the meeting place is the learning place for the marketplace. Through our Giants program, we encourage one another to live our lives shining brightly the best way we can in our marketplace, wherever God has placed us. God has strategically located us in these hemispheres to be influential in a world that badly needs Jesus. As we head back to places of work may we again sense our calling to these locations and pray ‘Lord make me an instrument’ wherever you have placed us.

If you or someone you know is preparing to return to the workplace, why not enjoy our law forum’s webinar ‘Salt and Light in the City – Speaking up in the marketplace’ on Saturday 24 April. The KT lawyers have attracted two tremendous, encouraging speakers. Expect reminders about the wonderful opportunity that awaits each day as we once again operate side by side with those that God has placed in our path. The harvest field is indeed ready and the virus is receding in the UK so it’s now time to return to your land and lay hold of it.

Join the Lawyer’s Forum on Saturday 24 April at 10am (Password:297531)

Following the completion of the external audit of the Church’s accounts for the financial year ended 30th September 2020, we are delighted to be able to present a short financial update setting out some of the financial highlights.

Income
Thank you for your faithfulness and generosity in your on-going financial support, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, and for adopting the methods of giving that have been available to us during this time. As a result, we are pleased to report that general giving has remained consistently strong throughout the year. Your faithful generosity provides the financial foundation on which KT is able to minister in reaching London and the World for Christ. In addition to general giving, you have generously supported KT’s missions led by our Senior Minister, Sword of the Spirit training, the KT Food Hub, and the Naomi Children’s Fund.

Expenditure
KT tithes on its general income. Just under half of the church’s financial resources are then invested in the ministries of personnel who serve to facilitate the broad array of the church’s ministry activities. Ministers and staff are supported by several hundred very talented and committed members who volunteer thousands of hours in cell ministry, during services, on encounters and in many other ways. Approximately a quarter of the church’s resources are utilised in financing and running the church’s properties, which serve to accommodate and facilitate much of the church’s ministry activities.

Cost reductions were made as soon as lockdown restrictions were introduced, with particular emphasis on travel, events and publications. Overall, the 2019/20 financial year shows a surplus of 1.9%. We give thanks for this remarkable achievement, particularly given the severity of the restrictions that the church has operated under during the second half of the financial year.

Network Churches
Kensington Temple London City Church comprises a network of 26 churches that operate alongside KT across Greater London and beyond. Their accounts are consolidated at KT and they make a very valuable contribution to the finances of the Church as a whole.

Audit, governance and compliance
Kensington Temple is part of the Elim Foursquare Gospel Alliance (Elim), registered charity 251549. Further details, including those of KT’s annual external audit, can be found in the financial update.

Read the financial update here (longer read – Sept 2020)

Never have I felt so challenged about sharing my faith. To step up to the plate and publicly throw out the lifeline as a follower of Jesus during lockdown was a startling thought.

 

I awoke from a dream with a fading image of me having shared the gospel message on public transport. In general, I rarely dream but when I do it is unusual for me to recall it. However, the hazy memory of this dream was hastily pushed to the back of my mind with the thought “not today Lord”. The very notion was so outlandish to my personality and way of thinking.

Fast forward a few weeks to our Energise Women’s Net gathering in October. The invited guest speaker encouraged us to “test drive our new life and do something (for God) that we have never done before”. She continued with words of encouragement, activation and motivation.

During this current lockdown season we quite often revisit one of the weekly sermons during our regular cell gatherings. I generally prepare in advance by re-listening to a message to stimulate discussions, challenge, build and sharpen my cell members.

As I listened to this particular message for the second time I found myself responding to the challenge to “do something you haven’t done before” So I dared to ask the question in prayer, “What would you like me to do Lord?” It was a set up! Immediately the fading memory of the dream I had pushed to one side re-appeared. It was unavoidable. The dream had to be activated and become my living reality. I have stepped out and shared my faith before but never in such a dramatic manner. When the late Billy Graham died I had been challenged to share my faith. It was a turning point for me. However this challenge was new and different. It represented a distinct level of trust and obedience. The night before I decided to step out and share for the first time was a little nerve-wracking and I recall waking up earlier than usual to rehearse my ‘lines’.

Today, two short bus journeys to and from work travelling on the upper and lower deck will see me introducing myself by name to fellow passengers. Positioning myself for maximum coverage I preface my words of encouragement by acknowledging that sharing in this way was unusual but that the times in which we live were equally as unique hence my reason for sharing. I continue by quoting a verse from “God’s heart to their hearts” or giving a short explanation in my own words sharing the love of God and how much they matter to Him. I end by thanking them for listening – even when they look like they are totally ignoring me – and wish them a pleasant day.

I have met with mixed reactions. Some ask more questions, like the name or denomination of my church. Others thank me by name for sharing such beautiful words. Sometimes I receive a round of applause. Still others engage in short conversations. On one occasion a lady began to weep as she shared that she too was a born again believer and that the words shared ministered to her in a particular situation she was experiencing.

In general the response has been warm and encouraging but there have been a couple of occasions when my sharing was met with open hostility. Stepping out has been an adventure. To show and tell the good news of the gospel has never felt so urgent or timely. Who knows what type of soil the words have fallen on as the good news is aired “on the buses” in these testing times.

 

A year ago when you walked down a busy road, or a high street, you would find a number of cafes, bars, and pubs – many of them playing music. You would find people standing outside because there isn’t enough room inside – drinking, laughing and having a great time. When I see the crowds hanging by the entrance or outside, I am reminded of Matthew 9:37 “The harvest is plentiful…” and indeed, it really is.

Reveal Lounge live events present the gospel through music, spoken word and participation!

So, how do we get their attention? How do we share the gospel message with them? Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:22, “when I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.”

We know people love music and the arts. So, we take the gospel message to them through music and the arts. We host a music, poetry and dance night right there in the café, pub or bar. It’s cosy – they like that. There’s food, coffee, tea, and drinks – they like that. And we call it the Reveal Lounge.

You might say, what about 2 Corinthians 6:17 where Paul writes, “Therefore, Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord….”? If we get too close to people who don’t know God or who spend all their hours in the pub, we might be contaminated. No, the scripture is not talking about being physically distant from people but being distinct in our attitudes, values and in our actions.

We have been hosting the Reveal Lounge in pubs, bars and cafes for a few years. It is a great way of sharing the gospel and we have seen people give their lives to Christ. However, because of the lockdown, we have taken it online.

Last November we hosted 3 events online. Ladies in my cell group invited their colleagues, friends and Evangelism of 3. Angie invited her friend, who hadn’t been to church in a few years. The lady rededicated her life to Christ at Reveal Lounge and she joined our cell group. She told me that her husband was curious and wanted to know more about God. I asked her if he would be willing to speak with me. She asked him, and he agreed. We arranged a phone meeting to talk, I shared the gospel message with him, and he gave his life to Christ. Afterwards, when he gave the phone back to his wife, she told me that he had a huge grin on his face. Glory to God.

On Easter Monday – 5th April at 7pm, KTTV is airing our online Reveal Lounge Easter Special.

You can be a part of this outreach by inviting your unsaved friends, colleagues, Evangelism of 3 and relatives to login and watch online. You can host a watch party so that you can be with them and engage in conversations about the songs, poetry, interviews, and gospel message.

Or you can follow them up afterwards. Ask them if they have any questions or ask them what they thought about the gospel message.

Start praying for them today:
• That they will accept your invitation and join us at 7pm on Easter Monday.
• For the Lord to soften their hearts, remove any stones or impediments.
• That their hearts will be open and receptive to the gospel message.
• And that they will be saved!

So, let’s go fishing, let’s have faith and dream together. If everyone reading this were to invite your Evangelism of 3 – or at least one unbeliever – and begin to pray for them from today, that would be great harvest of souls.

We hope very soon to host Reveal Lounge in Trafalgar Square, in the car park of a drive-through restaurant, and in a shopping centre. Watch out for more details. Come along, invite your friends, bring your family, and join us in engaging in conversations with people about Jesus.

Join the Reveal Lounge on Easter Monday 5th April at 7pm on KTTV

Check out some recent videos by the  Reveal Lounge on KTTV

Informed * Heard * Included * Valued

Imagine a world where you can ask a question, make a request, register for training, or book time with a pastor without having to contact or go into Kensington Temple. Welcome to X-change – Kensington Temple’s own one-stop online system designed for you.

Consistent with our church’s communications strategies of ‘Informed, Heard, Included and Valued’, our X-change system gives us the platform to stay in touch. Fully GDPR compliant, KT members now have access to all the data we hold on you, and you now control when you want to change or update things. You may also choose to make requests of us and are no longer limited by office hours.

The KT congregation is already mostly familiar with online communications, receiving weekly prayer points, weekly mail out on Sunday sermons and plans, using the familiar ‘info@kt.org’ to message us, or using our kt.org home page to send in prayer requests. X-change takes this a step further and moves data and communications to one spot.

We hope that every Kensington Temple member now makes use of X-change to more easily and meaningfully participate in and interact with our ministry. Imagine the possibilities with everything at your finger-tips:

– Information on what we offer
– Asking questions
– Making suggestions
– Providing feedback
– Submitting requests for baptisms, baby dedications, and wedding
– Registering for training or events (Alpha too!)
– Enrolling on courses
– Subscribing to emails.

All Kensington Temple cell leaders are already familiar with X-change to report weekly cell meetings. For cell leaders, it should an easy step now to communicate with us on other needs.

Why not join other KT family members and register by clicking on the blue icon on our kt.org home page? The steps are easy and instructions can be found HERE.

Most of us would already have an email ID in the system and you would only need a password reset. For a few, you would need to let us know your preferred email address to begin the process.

So let’s get started, and let’s stay in touch!

 

Since the first Novo Tempo church was planted in Pernambuco, (North East Brazil) back in 2005, our dream has been to have a church that is more than just a gathering of people in a building.

We dream, pray and work hard to be a fully engaged discipleship church that is also committed to alleviating the serious social problems we face in Brazil such as poverty, violence, drugs addiction, street kids and many other issues.

The social work in Recife, our main church, has been constant year after year. The local pastors Edilson and Eliane are doing a fantastic job, constantly improving the quality of service to the impoverished community next to the church building, definitely a dream come true for us and there are still more to come!

The mission project in Sertao (380km from Recife) also is doing very well. In addition to the three churches that have been planted and the three wells that have been dug to alleviate the suffering of the population facing constant seasons of drought, at the start of 2020 they have also launched a new project farming fish and planting organic vegetables. The local pastors, Carlos and Cristina, are in the process of developing a cooperative project to make good use of fish and vegetables to benefit the local population, yet again a dream is coming true.

The youngest church in our network is located in Igarassu, metropolitan area of Recife, the local pastors are Joab and Rebecca and they also are developing a beautiful ministry over there. The pandemic and its consequences are dragging millions of Brazilians into extreme poverty, reaching unthinkable levels of misery, to the point where many families have virtually nothing to eat. They can’t rely on government help because the way the many different levels of government are dealing with the pandemic is a shameful disgrace.

With these situations in mind, the church in Igarassu rented a big hall to develop social work in the poorest area of the city, it is early days, but the testimonies are amazing, people come to Jesus, people are fed, abandoned kids are cared for with much love, and a light of hope shining for these suffering people. Praise the Lord, for one more dream is coming true!

I don’t have enough words to express how grateful I am.

First to God. To see something that was a dream 16 years ago becoming a consistent reality through the years, is a blessing. As is seeing these churches growing, with their commitment to the Word of God, the strong discipleship program and practical expression of the love of Jesus to all the people around them.

Second to our Senior Minister Colin Dye, for his dedication and input, pouring out his life to bless my people over so many years. As the apostle Paul said: “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Bringing transformational change within each Giant of Influence.

Following the Understanding the Times webinar on 23 January (watch below) we want to move forward in the 2020 Vision aim: to see every “giant” represented in KTLCC pursuing at least one major transformational change in that area of influence.

The panellists at the Understanding the Times Webinar raised a number of examples of problems we are facing as Christians in the market place.

Marriage & Family
• Young People looking for an avenue to ‘do something’ do not necessarily find an avenue at the church. There is a need to listen and get closer, develop relationships, heal, minister

Politics & Government
• City Hall excluded people from jobs because of views on Islam (overturned after lengthy process)
• Diversity and Inclusion events at City Hall/Civil Service includes expensive LGBT indoctrination
• Lord Pearson challenged on House of Lords code on conduct when querying ethnicity in grooming gangs

Education & Training
• Many locations having to deal with transgender toilets
• Stonewall, LGBT and Trans pressure group is active in schools for over 6 years
• School chose to not get involved over abuse regarding a ham sandwich
• Apology from pupil at school was ‘not good enough’ re ‘worshipping cows’ issue
• Parent used complaints procedure at school re ‘Raising Children without gender stereotypes’
• Religious Education appears to minimise Christianity to controversy over creation and intelligent design with Jesus as a moral teacher versus extensive teaching and teaching materials on Islam

Law & Order
• During adoption process, natural parents not likely to have influence whether new parents are LGBTQI+
• Changing laws to protect ‘divorce’ rights in same sex marriages

Medicine & Health
• Doctors required to wear rainbow lanyards
• The shift towards ‘non-gender-specific’ pronouns already in place
• Mental Health affected by WOKE – high suspicion of everyone that does not fit into an ‘acceptable’ identity group

Business & Finance
• Inclusion in the workplace does not appear to allow for the Christian point of view.
• Learn to work with those that may be transgender without being judgemental

We established some general principles for moving forward from the Understanding the Times Webinar.

• Do not stop at objecting – push for discussion
• We must engage wisely through social media as that’s where points of view are being expressed daily
• Encourage more involvement in the Giants, and unity across churches
• Apologise for the mistakes Christians have made in the past and humbly engage in the issues that confront us
• Remember that Equality Act 2010 legislation protects Religion and Belief among 9 protected areas
• Transform Work UK are supporting Christians in the workplace
• Reject Critical theory but look for positives and find common ground
• Do not ignore people’s pain.
• Make sure you approach the issues empathically and non-aggressively.

We also looked at some questions to stimulate thinking about the next steps:

Business & Finance
• How do we respond as Christians to pressure to comply with ‘diversity’ training?
• Do we resist or can we engage to bring Christian perspective?

Education & Training
• How do we counteract Stonewall / LGB / Trans / gender-identity curriculum and influences?

Marriage & Family
• How can parents respond to the influences coming into the home from school, media, institutions promoting woke-style diversity and inclusion?

Politics & Government
• How can we engage constructively with ‘diversity and inclusion policy and policy-makers?

Action questions
• What are our doorways into these areas?
• What people or organisations are already at work in these areas? How can we connect with them?
• What resources / information is already available to us?
• Who in KT, outside the working group, is already active or ready to be activated?
• What should be the foci of the 3 ‘Giant Saturdays’ (see below)

Engaging with Giant events and activities
Make sure you register your interest and involvement in the Giants Ministry. You can do this by emailing smo@kt.org or updating your profile on the KT Members login. You will be included in all communication of information and also alerted to forthcoming Giants events and activities.

Read Colin’s previous posts about the KTLCC Giants ministry: Church without walls and taking the giants