Pursuing God's plans for growth: The Emmanuel Centre

It's now 10 years since we moved into The Durham Centre, the first permanent home we could call our own.

Since then, we've seen God grow us as a church in Durham, and planted out into Chester-le-Street.

We've also seen God bless the conference centre business at The Durham Centre, beyond anything we could have imagined; and this has created resource to plough back into our Kingdom ministry. 

We're so thankful to God for everything He has done.

But we don't want to stop there...

God has spoken clearly to us about further growth and, as part of this, we're very pleased to report that we have now purchased the industrial unit opposite The Durham Centre.

We plan to convert the unit into The Emmanuel Centre, a new church and conference venue, with an auditorium seating up to 500, a small kitchen and toilet facilities.

As with The Durham Centre, during the week this would have a commercial purpose as a conference and business venue.

On Sundays, it would host our Durham congregation, allowing The Durham Centre to be used for children and youth provision, which is growing rapidly - beyond the space currently available. 

The next step in this project is to turn the grassed area next to The Emmanuel Centre into additional car parking space. 

We want to do this first because it will allow The Durham Centre to take extra bookings, in turn creating extra resource for The Emmanuel Centre project.

This project requires significant finances. 

Church members and friends have already contributed to the purchase of The Emmanuel Centre by one-off donations, and increasing their regular giving. 

Our next Gift Day, on Sunday 9 June, will also be dedicated to the project. For more information on how you can give, please visit our Giving page.

If you have further questions, please get in touch.

Scarlett's May Update: Being Spiritually at Home

Scarlett Payne, our FP intern for the year, has recently provided us with her latest update on what God is teaching her…


Although, unlike many, I am fortunate to have a physical home, I have realised this month just how important it is to be spiritually at home with my Father (1 John 5:18). For if I am at home spiritually, I find peace no matter where I am, and I am less likely to fall into any bad habits that the comfort of a physical home can encourage. 

For example, sometimes my prayer at home can be so relaxed that I fall asleep, or end my time resting with God much earlier so that I can watch a film, or do something else I know needs doing that day (Luke 22:40-46). This can stop me from obeying God's call to intercessory prayer and opening my eyes to the plans for Kingdom breakthrough He wishes to show me (Mark 13:35-37). 

Below is a table I noted down earlier in May, when I realised the importance of being spiritually at home: 

Table 1. Traits of being physically at home vs. spiritually at home.

Table 1. Traits of being physically at home vs. spiritually at home.

Now, this is not to say that we shouldn't enjoy the blessings of a physical home! Or that we can't be spiritually at home when also physically at home. Only to share the warning God has given me when attempting to take rest with Him in my house, without first being in tune with His Spirit.

"By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you."‭‭ (2 Timothy‬ ‭1:14‬)

God gives good gifts, including houses, to His children, and it is through grace that we receive them. But I also pray for us that the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with our spirits (Philemon 1:25). So that we may know the thoughts of God and walk in His truths (1 Corinthians 2:10-13). It is only through the Spirit that we can be rooted in God's peace, which acts as a witness to the lost (Hebrews 12:14-15).

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."‭‭ (John‬ ‭14:26-27‬)

Jesus has given all believers the opportunity to be more spiritual than human (1 Corinthians 3:16). There are times in my life when I've been in conversation with someone and God has said more through me than I could possibly think-up. Or times I'm physically and mentally exhausted yet, through prayer, received supernatural strength to go on. This is the power of God's Holy Spirit in me, and I am recharged by that; filled with faith in Jesus and knowing the fullness of life with Him. 

No wonder when having conversations not revolving around Jesus I feel them to be pointless - what is life without Him? As David Campbell shared with us last Sunday (19th), he feels most alive when being used by God! Jesus needs to be glorified in everything, for we are nothing without Christ. Lift Him high I say!

Finally, Exodus 33:14 says: 

"My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." 

The Holy Spirit is not something to be achieved through striving, but is available through faith in Jesus Christ alone. It is only through acknowledging the Holy Spirit, who is given to all when they first believe, that we are able to know and do God's perfect will for us.

***

What a great update - Thanks Scarlett!

As many of you may already be aware, this summer,  Scarlett is going to Albania. Who with? What to do? How can I help? These questions and more are answered in Scarlett's recent post for our website. 

Make Lunch - filling the Holiday Hunger gap

God is calling us as a church to love and serve the poor and needy around us.

One opportunity we have to do this is through Make Lunch.

A core team led by Jenny Booth has connected with the charity Transforming Lives for Good to bring to Durham the Make Lunch initiative: providing an activity club and nutritious lunch in the school holidays for children - and families - who might otherwise go hungry.

We’ll be running Make Lunch at Gilesgate Primary School, Durham, initially on Tuesdays and Thursdays for four of the six weeks of school summer holiday. Exact dates will be confirmed shortly.

We’re looking for volunteers to: prepare food, help with children’s activities, and meet and chat with parents. Various time slots will be available, around the club’s core lunchtime hours.

If you would like to help, please contact Jenny Booth.

For more information on Make Lunch, check out this video…