SENT REVIEW: Doreen Chengula

Redeemer Church Colchester

2 May 2019

Church Planting, Testimonies, Sending

Hi, my name is Doreen and I went to Sent 2019.

Before going to Sent, I knew that something amazing would come out of it but I wasn't too sure what, and that's exactly what happened!

Over the past few months, church planting has been something I've really had a heart for, especially in places where the gospel may not be widely preached or even heard of, and at Sent, my eyes were really opened to God's vision for 'every nation, tribe and tongue', getting the opportunity to find out how to get involved in pioneering, praying for those in countries where the gospel isn’t at all easy to preach and looking at the vision for Relational Mission. So much more took place, beautiful times of sung worship, prophecy and renewed vision of our calling as sons and daughters of The King.

I really really encourage you to attend Sent 2020 as what I got from it was completely different to what my friends got from it, showing that God really does speak to us individually, and getting to meet and spend time with people with a similar hunger for God's kingdom is something that I really loved whilst being there and I know you will too.

See you next year!

Hugh Pearce

6 October 2015

A Brief Reflection on RMCPC '15

Hugh Pearce

6 October 2015

Last week I had the privilege of going to Berkel en Rodenrijs in The Netherlands for Relational Mission’s ‘Church Planting Conference 2015’ (RMCPC’15) which was brilliantly hosted by Vine Church.

RMCPC ‘provides four days of inspiration, envisioning, resourcing, preparing and equipping. It's a place for pioneers to refuel and gather new momentum. And it's also an inspirational opportunity for those exploring or preparing for church planting in the future. We share practical church planting strategies, give God space to shape and direct us and hear the best - and worst - stories from those who have been there and got the t-shirt. Most importantly, we hope that this time together will inspire you to develop new relationships which will serve what God is doing among us.’

“15 The brothers and sisters there had heard that we were coming, and they travelled as far as...to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged.”

— Acts 28:15

I find these environments refreshing and stimulating on a number of levels and RMCPC was no different. It did all the things it says on the tin (listed above) and so when I am asked ‘what was your highlight?’ it is hard to give a succinct answer – all the above are true! However as I have reflected on the conference one things has stood out for me particularly and my reading in Acts this morning has given me a vocabulary for it! In Acts 28 Paul is heading to Rome as a prisoner, he has been shipwrecked and bitten by a viper to name a few things! In the description of his journey verse 15 says that some other Christians (‘brothers’) heard that he was coming and they travelled a fair distance to meet him and the result was that he ‘thanked God and was encouraged’ or as the ESV puts it he ‘took courage’.

Pioneering. Sacrifices. Relationships. Mutual encouragement. F.F. Bruce puts it this way ‘There are times when Christian fellowship moves one in quite a special way to “thank God and take courage”’. RMCPC’15 was such a time.

Worshipping in different languages. Meeting pioneers from different countries and contexts. Watching the generation ahead of us sharing stories of the years they have walked together and – my highlight – getting to know men and women of my generation with whom we will walk together in the coming years.

Brothers and sisters – thank you for coming together, seeing you has made me grateful and given me courage.