Highlights of Leadership Conference 2025

I have just returned from 3 days away at the annual Leadership Conference organised by the Commission family of churches in Bournemouth. It was brilliant. So many good things, so many good sessions, so many good and challenging reports from around the world. So many precious friends. Whilst the conference was hosted by Commission many individuals, churches and spheres were welcomed and represented. Newfrontiers is a global family of churches. Vinu (India) brought faith each time he took to the floor; Rachel Wilson (Eastbourne) dropped a stunning Compassion bomb on Day 1; Chris Hawes (Woking) wins the prize for the funniest preach; Dave Devenish (Bedford) was in vintage form - Sent, Sent & Sent (!) with compelling stories; Mike Betts & Ian Hodgson helped us so much thinking about Prophetic Culture; stories from around the globe where believers are under great pressure and persecution is real were sobering and humbling; and Bournemouth beach in the heatwave was a short walk! Next year Winchester...

Hernia Op Recovery Week 2

Apparently it is the most common surgery in the UK with over 100,000 people having hernia surgery each year (mostly men). I am one of them. I had an inguinal hernia (groin) that was getting larger so relunctantly I did what the doctor said. A staggering 25% of men in the UK may suffer from inguinal hernia. The staff at The Royal Berkshire Hospital were great. No complaints at all, only garatutude for the NHS. Then signed off for 2 weeks - welcome time to slow down, read and watch Jesus the Gamechanger on Amazon Prime. Week 2 is a little less painful. I am not waking up with every movement. I don't need a pillow between my legs and I am going out each day for little walks. Still going to bed early exhausted. 4 weeks to go...

Mark's Review of House of David on Amazon Prime

How refreshing - a big budget, well produced and well acted Biblical epic on Amazon Prime House of David. At the beginning of each episode (6 in Series 1) a slide tells you that whilst this is based on the Biblical story and history some artistic licence has been taken in telling the story. In the first episode for example the relationship between the boy David and his mother plays a significant part. We don't actually know much about her from The Bible but it makes for an interesting story. All the big and important charcters there: David, Saul, Samuel and of course Goliath. Saul's wife too becomes central to the story for some time. The scene where Samuel the prophetc calls on Jesse and his sons to annoint the new king is powerful and laced with tenderness and humour. The purists may say there is too much extra-Biblical material but for a good Bible story on TV House of David makes for compelling viewing. It feels a bit like The Chosen - no surprise given that Dallas Jenkins is executive producer. It is rated 15 because of the violence and battle scenes so is not for children. It also has a large amount of very good looking people with amazing smiles and very white teeth! The best thing of all - it made me want to read my Bible to find out more...

Having a refugee to stay...

We have a teenage refugee staying with us. She is great. She has been with us for 18 months now. She fled a dangerous place to find safety, freedom and a new life. Her story has been featured on BBC TV, the BBC website, BBC Radio Berkshire and this week in Newbury Weekly News. She came to us via Step by Step an agency that places young people in supported lodgings - a bit like fostering but without the long-term committment. Step by Step gave us good training and have always provided good support. So far we have had 7 teenagers come and live with us, 2 of those refugees. It has been very worthwhile and I have learnt a lot. The challenge presently is that there are too many young people needing help and not enough homes. If you have a spare room and a bit of time for a young person maybe get in touch:. www.stepbystep.org.uk

Mark's Review of Conclave

Watching Conclave right now seems strangley appropriate give the current Pope's ill-health. Plans are already being made for the real Conclave. In the movie The Pope has died and the Cardinals gather in Conclave ((from the latin gathering under lock and key) to elect the next Pope. Cue political thriller, skeletons in the cupboard, lots of concerned looks and some daftness (who has a secret meeting in a stair well...?!) The film is full of surprises. The story will surprise you. The musical score will surprise you (Volker Buglemann as in All Quiet on the Western Front). The cinematography will surprise you. The ending will surprise you. It is surprisingly good. At £4.99 to watch on Amazon Prime Conclave makes for a good movie night. It is little wonder the accolades it has received. My predictions for Oscars: Best Movie Best Actor Ralph Fiennes Best Screen play Peter Straughan Best Costume Lizi Christi

Trump, Tarrifs and Tulips (From Newbury Weekly News)

One thing you cannot say about the President of America is that he is boring. We don’t know what he will do or say next: buy Greenland, Gaza or Mars? Put Tariffs on wind and waves because they come from overseas? We are confronted with the next big, unsettling thing. We just don’t know. Closer to home we do know that Spring is coming. The promise of longer, warmer days, colourful gardens, turning the heating down and who knows…maybe even a T-Shirt! It can be therapeutic in a big, crazy world to stop and look at what is happening on our doorstep – in the small things. The purple crocus coming through, the daffodil sprouting, the tender tiny bud appearing and tulips making a move. Soon gardens, parks and hedgerows will be awash with colour, the sky will be blue, the sun will shine. The cosmic canvas of the Creator coming to life once again. Aaah...relief. So, stop. Take a look. Closely. What do you see…? A spring flower – colour, life, growth, design, delicacy…and wonder…wonder at the Designer who made it for us to enjoy and for us to connect with Him. “The heavens declare the glory of God” the Psalmist wrote. We see it in the blue expanse, the blazing sun, the night sky. Our hearts soar in praise or maybe a whispered “thankyou God”. “Trump today, Sir?” “No thanks, a tulip will do.”

Who was St Valentine...?

At the time of Emperor Claudiuas there was a Christian man named Valentine. He ministered the gospel of Jesus Christ to many people, assured them of God's love for them and took care of their physical needs as best he could. He also did something else illegal - encouarged couples to get married, performing many marriage ceremonies himself. At the time men were not allowed to marry - the rationale was that men would fight more firecly without having to worry about a wife and family. For his alleged crimes against the pagan Roman empire Valentine was imprisoned, tortured (he would recant) and killed 14th February 269 - hence Valentines Day. On the eve of his death he wrote to his beloved and signed off "From your Valentine".

Who is this Jesus ? (written for Life Church Southampton)

Who is this Jesus? He is the Wave walking; Storm stilling; Boat climbing; Peace bringing; Sickness healing; Deaf hearing; Blind seeing; Paralytic walking; Demon chasing; Satan fleeing; Pharisee upsetting; Breakfast cooking; Lash taking; Cross bearing; Death defying; Tomb busting; Heaven opening; Sin forgiving; Grace giving; Spirit breathing; Ever loving Saviour

Parenting Seminars at Bridge Church

Being a parent is beautiful, rewarding and challenging. No one really teaches you how to be a parent. Mostly we pick things up from our own upbringing then modify those experiences, for good or ill. Becuase parenting is so important and pressure is great we want to provide a series of seminars for parents to support and encourage. There are lots of topics to consider but in the first session we will look at the digital challenge, marriage and family devotions. These are seminars - places to learn and discuss together (not a lecture). What is more...your child will be looked after during the seminar! Whether you are a parent, grandparent, married or single these Sunday afternoon seminars might just help... More information can be found on the Bridge Church Newbury Website.

Books that shaped me #4 The Hallelujah Factor by Jack Taylor

This book is full of praise. How to praise God, the scriptures and praise, the benefits of praise, when to praise, where to praise, the different words for praise, even the psychology of praise. Praise was erupting through the church in the 1980s. Paise was a real feature and highlight of the growing number of Bible Weeks. It was louder. Longer. And real. And this book helped to biblically explain and encourage praise for the individual and the church. A classic.

Christmas at Bridge Church

Bridge Carols on Sun 15th Dec was a great sucess. Lots of friends and visitors, mulled wine, a choir and special guest speaker Adrian Holloway. This w\e there are more opportunities to celebrate with a Live Nativty in collaboration with St Marys Church Speen with a light trail and animals. Sun 22nd Dec 10.30am at Trinity School is the Bridge Christmas Celebration with carols, games and dressing up (for those who want to). Then on Christmas Day a short informal meeting at Trinity School 10.00-10.40am. Further deatils can be found on the Bridge Church Newbury website. Whatever you are doing, wherever you are have a Happy Christ-mas!

Books that shaped me #3 The Holy Spirit & You by Dennis & Rita Bennet

For many people seeking to understand the new move of the Holy Spirit in the 1980s this was the go to book. With a new edition and then reprinted 3 times the Bennets systematically taught through the scriptures about baptism in the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Their real life stories and testimonies created a curiosity and hunger. Here was a book that explained what was happening but also raised faith for more...more of the Holy Spirit, more gifts, more healing, more faith...

Books that shaped me #2 Ordering Your Private World by Gordon MacDonald

Before the best selling The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Marc Cromer there was this book in the 1980s : Ordering Your Private World. It was so helpful in terms of leading from a place of rest, tending your inner garden, planning and budgeting time, looking ahead, dealing with hurry sickness, reading, time for family - mostly things we know but sometimes it helps when someone else tells us! The authors description of Life Change Units is still relevant today - death of a spouse is 100 units, loosing a job 47 units, gaining a new family member 39 and Christmas 12 units! All of these (and more) create stress and the accumilation of stress can have a detrimental affect upon health. And...saying no...can be very helpful...

Books that shaped me #1 Sharing Your Faith by Selwyn Hughes

As a new Christian in the 1980s I was impacted by reading this book by Selwyn Hughes. At the time Selwyn was a well-known speaker, author of Every Day with Jesus and the drive behind CWR - Crusade for World Revival. He was instrumental in establishing Waverley Abbey House as a training centre in Farnham UK - still flourishing today. His passion for the gospel, his love of sharing the good news with people and his practical wisdom had a lasting effect. His diagram about communicating with people: 55% non-verbal (posture, eye contact etc), 38% tone of voice, 7% actual words is something I think about to this day. His study of Jesus meeting the woman at the well in John chapter 4 I have requently returned to - a masterful study about engaging in conversation with different types of people and being open to the Holy Spirit.

Meeting my new MP

Imagine your life turning up side down in 24 hours. New job, new city, new office, new staff, new colleagues, new rules, new flat, nights away each week, new calendar, new clothes...new everything! Such is the life of a new MP. Completely different. And longer hours. I went to meet my new MP to find out how he was doing - not to complain about anything or ask him to do anything. He was open, honest, vulnerable and bewildered. He was trying to figure out the impact of all this on his family. When I asked him what could we pray for - he was honest about that too. Most MPs are honest - honestly trying to serve the communities in which they live and to represent them well. Have you met your MP...?