Climate Change

In London

What a day of beauty as the Church in London gathered as one at the Millwall stadium in south London on 11th May 2008. Christian churches of all the flavours were there. Most of the top Christian musicians in the country were there. People of all sizes and colour attended. Colourful clothes were complemented with national and personal flags.

Yes, the strings of All Souls Orchestra provided heavenly music. The rap group Green Jade made us hip and hop. We did some spiritual warfare with Godfrey Birtill’s music and Graham Kendrick was there to lead us in asking Jesus to Shine Jesus Shine.

There was lots of Prayer led by church leaders, youth, community leaders. Even the new London mayor, Boris Johnson slipped in for prayer. Simon Hughes the local MP prayed for him. A liberal democrat praying openly for a conservative? There is definitely a climate change in London. We are looking forward to Arsenal 2009 and Wembley 2010.

In Brent

When the churches got together to host J. John at Brent Town Hall in December 2007, we knew the corner was turned. The council leader who claims to be an atheist had to admit that it was a remarkable night, unparalleled in his time as leader.

The transformation Brent is experiencing now can only be described as miraculous. People are scrambling for newly constructed property in former ‘no-go’ areas like Stonebridge, Church End and Chalkhill. The old has been demolished.The new has sprung up. Criminal dens have become family homes. Thank you Prayer for Brent and other intercessors in Brent. This is a sure sign of what prayers can do.

When church leaders from all denominations gather bi-monthly for prayer breakfasts; when the churches in Brent gather for 24 hour prayer sessions monthly; when the churches gather every quarter in different parts of the borough to just Thank and Praise the Lord; when the churches come together once a month to evangelise on the streets of Brent, then the climate has changed in Brent. When United Evangelism organised the Brent Family Festival with Music, Barbecue and Games at John Keble school in Harlesden on 26th April 2008, you could literally feel this climate change. The local MP and other local dignitaries were eager to be part of what is going on.

In Joy House London

Like fire brands plucked out of the fire, ministers of Joy House London are turning out to be trailblazers wherever they go. The days when people did not know we were the church around the corner are over. Positioned at the junction of Harlesden, Stonebridge and Neasden, the people in these areas recognise what we represent and are increasingly enjoying the anointing that is on Joy House.

Testimonies of healings and the miraculous are not uncommon in Joy House. ‘B’ had a growth in her throat and was due for surgery; received prayer. Doctors amazingly found the growth had disappeared when they prepared her for surgery. ‘J’ at 28 years had never been able to work. No one would employ him because of criminal record and mental incapacity.

After prayer, he receives an invitation to a job he had not applied for and is gladly working at this job. When the world’s eyes were fixed on the violence and chaos in Zimbabwe, ‘Js’ travels from the U.K to Zimbabwe, is wedded beautifully in a garden ceremony in one of the leading hotels in the country. She is able to obtain a visa for the husband in less than a week after application (miracle). God can give you a plush garden in the midst of a desert. This is just a sample of the many testimonies happening in Joy House. We believe in the power of prayer.

Be Strong Conferences

Lives have been transformed and ministries birthed at our ‘Be Strong’ conferences so far this year. The highlight of our ‘Passover Be Strong’ was the ordination of Rev Sam Ofori unto the pastoral board of Joy House. He stands in the office of a teacher. The Blood of Jesus brought deliverance to many. ‘B’ has been waiting for her visa to remain in the UK for a long time.

She testified after the conference that something had shifted in her life and she knew her visa was on the way. The following week, her MP (no less) wrote to her that she has been granted an indefinite leave to remain in the UK. The highlight of the ‘Pentecost Be Strong’ was the impartation of the spirit of boldness and fire. After the conference, many have testified of the climate change in their lives. ‘A’ has been waiting for a job change for some time. After the conference, one bold step got her the job of her dreams.

Every believer is a minister

Not only are people living on the fruit from members of Joy House. We are also seeing an increasing number of our members being invited to minister in other churches and ministries. ‘G’ is a health care professional busily at duty in a large hospital.

She is approached by the first lady of a fairly large church and told she has been chosen by God to be the keynote speaker at their major women’s conference. ‘J’ receives an SOS from a well established non denominational ministry in the community. They believe God has asked her to come to their rescue in their community ‘mother and toddlers’ group. In both cases, they say yes. ‘Y’ is approached by the local Anglican church: “Could you be the keynote speaker at our men’s breakfast meeting for the Stonebridge community?” The answer is always yes. Send us Lord and we will go.

Take the Gospel where the People are

Joy House is well known for its street and door to door evangelism. We are proudly ‘In Your Face’ when it comes to the Gospel. Though we are not threatening or bullying. We are loving and gentle. We turn hecklers into gentle listeners. Saturday 16th May 2008 – the venue is Bar Plus a local wine bar. The time is 7pm. We have the permission of the proprietor to minister to the clientele.

As soon as the musicians start singing, there is a lot of heckling as you would expect in a bar. The Holy Spirit was there with us and did what we could not do. After a couple of songs, they had tasted of something they wanted more of. After the sharing of the gospel, 2 people gave themselves to the Lord, including one bar tender. Praise God. There is a climate change. Caretakers of a half way house who were very suspicious of us have now opened their doors to our ministry. The climate is changing.

Worship In Spirit and Truth

We thank the Lord for changing the climate in our worship. Our worship has become spontaneous and from the heart. The presence of God is awesome in our services. There is a lot more freedom in the order of the Holy Spirit than that of man.

Religious organisation is going out of the window and the power of the Holy Spirit is coming through the front door. Joyful Praise leads the church in powerful worship, releasing prophetic words and prayers which have brought deliverance to many. The 2 services on Sunday (9am & 11am) are real encounters with the Holy Spirit.

There is a Climate Change. Watch this space for more....