What we achieved

Aflame

The Aflame young people's group meets weekly and has been going through Basic Training for the Prophetic Ministry by Kris Vallotton. Aflame also attended the Jesus Culture conference in Slough. Some have completed ministry training and are now on the Ministry team. They are also assisting in the Resource and Media Centres and helping with Rising Stars and Torchbearers.

Conferences & Speakers

During the year we organised a number of conferences and events with leading international speakers including John Arnott, Jill Austin, Heidi Baker, Paul Keith Davis, Roy Fields, Keith Miller and Kevin Prosch. The meetings we held when Rupert returned from Lakeland were some of the largest and most exciting we have ever had!

Connect Groups

Eight new Connect groups were formed in the Tonbridge and Kings Hill areas. Connect groups meet in homes and are a vital part of the life of our church - 'Connecting with God... Connecting with friends.'

Ministry Team

The Ministry team has been reformed and now includes over 30 people who have completed ministry training. Members of the Ministry team are now available to pray for people after the service on Sunday mornings and during conferences.

Open Hands

During the year the Open Hands ministry to low income families supported 232 new cases and provided 79 Home Starter Packs. At Christmas we distributed 254 hampers in the Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and Edenbridge areas. Every gift from Open Hands includes a card with the following verse - "I know the plans I have for you, plans to take care of you, not to abandon you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Rising Stars and Torchbearers

Rising Stars is a new children's ministry for 0-3 year olds which meets on Sunday mornings in the crèche at the River Centre and which is also the foundation for a new Connect group which meets twice a month on Wednesday mornings. Torchbearers have been following a teaching programme by Deborah Reed which is designed to equip children in the kingdom of God and have been learning more about Jesus. Most of the Torchbearers over the age of 11 also attended the Jesus Culture conference in October.

Schools' Outreach

Pupils from Judd Grammar School and Tonbridge Girls Grammar visited us during the year to find out about the church and were all given a Bible. Pupils from Slade Primary School also visited us during the summer term to take part in various workshops and to put on a short production of David & Goliath. We also prepared to lead RE lessons at Slade in 2009.

Sozo

The Bethel Sozo prayer ministry team attended a Sozo training conference at Bethel Church Redding (the home of Bethel Sozo) and is now looking to increase the size of the team.

The Gateway

After waiting for more than seven years our dream of a café centre for young people is now becoming reality! Construction has started on the Gateway and we expect the café to be completed by Summer 2010. 'The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call.' Acts 2:39

Worship Group & Media Team

The Worship group grew not only in size but also in confidence during the year. Jenny Lewis' move to Tonbridge has enabled her to lead worship more often. We have also expanded the Media team through some in house training with a media specialist. Helen Burgess, who accompanied Kevin Prosch here during the New Sound from Heaven conference, has also been working with the group. The Worship group and Media team's commitment on Sunday mornings and over conferences has been truly amazing.

Thank you to everyone who stood with us in 2008 and helped to rebuild the walls.

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit. Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land." Malachi 3:10-12