29 Blogs

The Koruna, Sterling, Kronor, Francs, and The Euro are some of the currencies The 29^th Chapter have come into contact with over the past summer. I mean not that we are all about the ‘Dollar Bill y’all’ it’s just it’s my job between gigs to do our banking (yes…seriously) and as we travelled around Europe this summer we came across some serious monopoly-esq. money (yes, I’m a cultural ignoramus).

The past summer has been about two things for me, covering new ground and maintaining the ground we have already worked. Please bear with my farming metaphor here. For a number of years we have committed wholeheartedly to this country in our ministry. God has taken us to places I can remember only talking about with the guys in cafes or car journeys in the terms of dreams and aspirations. We have worked hard for the last 8 years since the bands conception in 2000. From weekend gigs to part-time and then full-time ministry. It has been a phenomenal journey of faith, sacrifice and joy.

It feels like events such as Soul Survivor and New Wine have become fields that we joyfully work in every year. We are familiar with the environment, the conditions and the role we play. Once you do something a number of times you begin to understand how it works and you just go about your work. This summer I feel God gave us a startling glimpse into the fruit we have been bearing during our years of faithful (and at times frustrating) labour so-to-speak….and it was truly overwhelming. I am going to come clean here. I went way above my ‘crying in public’ quota this summer.

Throughout the past 8 years God has affirmed the ministry He has entrusted us with in various ways. However, this summer it was like He threw the curtain back and revealed what He has been doing behind-the-scenes. We had youth leaders coming up to us telling us how we have encouraged their young people, young people telling us how our music had challenged and inspired them. We heard stories of God using our CD as a way to reach people with addictions and brokenness with His message of love and rescue. I found myself welling up with tears in various conversations at our merchandise stand as I listened to people stories, just feeling so thankful and honoured to be involved in what God is doing. This does not happen all the time, and when it does it is encouraging.

I love that lyric in Tim Hughes song ‘Everything’ it says ‘Christ in me the hope of glory’. It comes from Colossians 1:27 which says “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” This is truly the call. We do not claim the credit for the stories we heard over the summer; it is Christ working in us. When we partner with Him and make ourselves available to Him, He works through us to bring His glory to this world….and I am just pleased to be invited to participate. The exciting thing is He wants to do the same with you. He wants to work with you and through you to bring the ‘hope of glory’ to the people you come into contact with….are you ready to let go of some stuff, in order that your hands are free to receive what He has for you and has called you to.

God’s timing is perfect. This is the first summer we have ventured into Europe with real vision and purpose. We managed to tour to a number of countries performing at both secular and Christian events. I really believe that God revealed a little of what He has been doing through us over the last 8 years in the UK to empower and encourage us as we stepped onto new ground of Europe. This enabled us to go to Europe in boldness and the knowledge that God is establishing His kingdom every moment we choose to make ourselves available to Him, Europe was a challenge at times, but we could serve with the joy that came from the encouraging stories we had heard over the summer. Knowing that He was working in those places despite what we could see with our natural eyes.

COMING SOON..... Being a dad means I don't have time for blogs!!!