Words that have shaped us

Many  major moves in Newfrontiers have been prompted by prophetic words.  These have often come when church leaders have met together three times a year for two days of prayer and fasting, and at major conferences such as Stoneleigh or the Brighton Leadership conference.

No well worn paths

'There are no well-worn paths ahead; together you will make a road that others will follow.  Together you will accomplish what you could never accomplish alone.'
John Groves, now the lead elder at Winchester Family Church, brought this after having had a picture of elephants crashing through the jungle, flattening trees and vegetation and creating  a new pathway. Prior to this prophetic word, Terry and his team had simply served local churches that had no specific relationship with one another.  After this prophecy Terry invited the leaders to a new relationship of working on a mission together under the title of 'Newfrontiers'.

An arrow pointing towards Europe

A significant change in strategy came when Terry had a vision of 'a bow super-imposed on the south coast.  An arrow pointing towards continental Europe and beyond was fitted and the bowstring drawn back into the midlands and North of England'. As a result churches have been planted all across the Midlands, Manchester and now into Scotland. We are also now serving churches in a number of nations across Europe.

Changing the expression of Christianity in the world

On a visit to Brighton, Paul Cain prophesied that he 'could see laser beams of light beaming out from England and that an apostolic work was taking place that would change the expression of Christianity in the world'. We continue to be encouraged by this word as we seek to work into the nations as well as making our values known through magazines, tapes and conferences.

A light to the nations

David Devenish, who is based at Woodside Church Bedford, brought another powerful prophecy based on the scripture that 'restoring God's house was too small a vision and that we should be a light to the nations'. God impressed on us that whereas we had found words like 'church' and 'body ministry' had thrilled us, soon we would find words like 'cities' and 'nations' inspiring us.

Dare to believe

 '…believe him for a 1000 churches to be planted throughout this whole nation through this movement... There's going to be unplanned pregnancies leading to unplanned births because God is going to be bringing things that are not even planned or thought about to suddenly arise and spring forth in the end. He says you shall dare to believe him for 1000 churches through the work of this movement in this place,' John Kpikpi, who leads City of God Church in Accra, Ghana, brought this prophetic challenge to churches in the UK at the 1999 Stoneleigh Bible Week. This now lives with us as we look to reach the UK and the nations with the gospel. To dare to believe in a Great God!

Let's Go

David Devenish brought a significant word at a small leadership meeting in March 2001. Part of it is reproduced here.

There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven. I'm a God of seasons and I said it right from the beginning, it was part of my promise, that there would be seed time and harvest, there would be a summer and winter, there would be in other parts of the world, a dry season and rainy season and you've got to understand that. I also want to speak to you about scattering and gathering, and the seasons for scattering and the seasons for gathering, because you've been through a mighty season of gathering where you gathered once a year, where that's been your focus.

When my Son was here, He worked that way, he gathered the twelve then he scattered the twelve and then he gathered them again and then he gathered a greater group of disciples and he scattered the 72. And it was like that in my early church. I gathered them together. They gathered in the upper room to receive power from on high. Well what was that in view of? I'd already told them " when you receive power you will be scattered, you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth." So I gathered, I gathered, a huge church in Jerusalem, and then I scattered it!  You'll be scattered evangelistically into areas where the whole burden is to reach people with the Gospel, whether it is in this land or into other lands, I'm going to scatter you.

With these prophetic words as a back-drop, and the conviction that Jesus is building his church, we press on to see many more churches planted and established across the nations.

Half - Time Talk

Prophecy brought by John Groves at Leadership 2003 in Brighton.

I have called you together for a half-time team talk. This is half-time, it is not the end of the game. I want to refresh you, encourage you and make some alterations to the team before I send you out for the next half. You have played well, but  many of you are tired and bruised. You are surprised at the ferocity of the game, this is a cup tie, it's not a practice match, it's not a friendly! The opposition are out to deny you, there is a ruthlessness about them that has shocked some of you. Don't be surprised, this is a vital match- realise you must take the game to them, you must play to win! I am going to make some half-time changes. Some of you will play in different positions. The tactics will change. I am going to set a more attacking field- we're going to attack more in this half. I want you to play knowing my side always wins in the end. I have equipped you to win. I've trained you and given you the winning game plan. Remember what you've learnt in the team talk and practiced on the training field. Apply it in the heat of the game.