NewdayBlog

It’s hard to believe that Newday finished nearly three weeks ago!

You can now watch the review video that was shown on the last night, click here to relive all the best bits from Newday 2008.

We are 6 weeks from publicly launching our new church in Greenwich and today our website goes live. We really wanted to make sure that our website was engaging for non-Christians of all types: our slogan was ‘for families, bankers, and hip-hop gangstas’. Its not easy trying to design something for everyone but i think the guys did pretty well. This is where I take the risk and invite you to take a look and send through some feedback as to what you think…

One of the things I have learnt from church planting is to think through everything we do from the view of people outside the church.  They are the reason we are doing most of what we do!

The first downloads are now going online, check them out here.

Also, you can pre-order the Newday Album (CD & DVD) now here. It’s cheaper if you pre-order! Title and tracklisting will be announced soon and this year the album features a DVD with live worship, preaches, interviews and much more!

Joel Virgo has written some musings on Newday over on the CCK Blog. JV makes mention of the extraordinary offering and hundreds who were healed and saved, make sure you have a read.

Also, many people have been asking if the review video will go onto the website and youtube? The answer is yes! We are just ironing a few things out and should have it live next week. And if you are wondering about the downloads of all the talks, they are also on their way and the first batch should be live late this week.

**BEARD WATCH** It is difficult to conclude beard watch as JV is now on hols and declined to mention the facial growth in his blog. Rumour has it that is now gone but official confirmation is yet to be received!

Finally, thanks to Andy Cross who helped me write this blog during Newday. All the bad jokes and legendary ‘beard watch’ are his fault.

This week we have seen over 6200 attend Newday 2008 at the Uttoxeter Racecourse in the heart of England. At least 315 have responded to the Gospel and been saved. Many thousands have received commissioning from God, and scores filled with the Holy Spirit for the first time. All this to one end - to follow Jesus Christ to the very ends of the earth. It has truly been an amazing week in the presence of God.

Wow. This evenings meeting has just finished and I’m now back in the office. On the way here I passed all three of our large seminar marquees, each of which was FULL TO OVERFLOWING with people that have just responded to the Gospel. Our God truly is a God who saves! Adrian Holloway did an amazing job at articulating God’s plan of salvation, possibly must stunningly portrayed through an onstage demonstration of a full size, functioning guillotine. As Adrian allowed the blade to fall to the floor, there was an almost total stunned silence (there were one or two shrieks), as the reality of Jesus’ death in our place hit home for the first time for many present. It was an awesome sight to then see hundreds flocking forwards as God called each one to Himself.

Then we celebrated! If you had asked me yesterday whether rock, disco and worship could live in harmony together on one stage, I would have had my doubts. Paul Oakley truly is a man of surprises. We were led so well and Paul’s new songs really added something fresh to the week. Look out for them on the upcoming live album!

As we head toward the end of Newday 2008 tomorrow, we have so much to thank God for. Hundreds saved, hundreds envisioned, and many, many lives challenged to live for the cause of Christ in this generation.

**BEARD WATCH**
It’s still there. Who knows for how long…

Tree63 are currently playing to a packed crowd in Big Top 2 and I’m off to bed.

This morning I ventured across to the 12-14s, their particular brand of fun (mayhem) was quite a show. The meeting started with ‘Revamp your camp’ where delegates creatively decorate their campsites in an attempt to win tickets to Alton Towers. This was followed by some lucky young people smothering their legs with honey and cereal with a free gig ticket as their goal. Gross. More oddness ensued, culminating in a show down on the ‘bucking bronco’ (I kid you not) between ‘The Bishop’ and ‘Speedie Stevie’. It doesn’t quite seem believable does it?

The site is just kicking into life this afternoon, various sports competitions continue and the cafes are all getting going. I think I may find a quiet corner in Café Froth and look forward to tonight’s meeting and the next installment of beard watch.

The evening meeting has just concluded, what a night. Simon Brading was joined by 29th Chapter who contributed a fresh, electric, hippyhoppy sound to the time of worship. Jesus rocks (in a hip hop sort of way). Hearing Dave Stroud preach on the subject of church planting and transforming our culture was a major highlight to the day. It seems God has now shifted the focus of the week on to His mission and purposes for His people. It was awesome to see so many responding to the call to be the leaders of tomorrow and freshly dedicate all they are to God.

Around the site things were certainly thriving, despite the drizzle. Lou Fellingham played a half hour set in the Pink Bar (apparently Lou didn’t quite finish the set after bursting into giggles a few times. The girls enjoyed it though), and 29th Chapter also played in Café Edge before being whisked away A-Team style to the big top for rehearsals with the band.

Other than that, the main word of the day is rain. It was a day of much drizzle. Although, we didn’t allow this to dampen our spirits.

**BEARD WATCH**
Today, Stu Gibbs put it to the vote. The overwhelming consensus was that Joel’s beard should stay. An artists interpretation was shown, depicting Joel in a years time, uncannily resembling the gifted bass play of Phatfish, Luke Fellingham. Apparently Joel’s wife has already vetoed such an idea.

**STEWARD OF THE DAY**
I was greatly helped to my seat (or space on the floor) by a very helpful steward today. Well done to Luke Davenport.

**WORST DANCER OF THE DAY**
Referral team leader Steve Horne busted some outrageous moves during tonight’s meeting, unfortunately the video on my phone didn’t work but it was truly amazing.

Tomorrow is the big night as Adrian Holloway preaches the Gospel, please pray for us. Also, check out more photos in the Newday Gallery

This morning, Stef continued his series on the Parable of the Sower. It was challenging to consider how our generation can so easily succumb to worry, allowing the thorns of anxiety to choke the freedom we have in Christ. Many responded to a call to lay worry aside and trust in God.

Taking a walk round site this afternoon, it was great to see so many people enjoying the cafés and other venues on offer. I managed to sneak in to the Pink Bar and try the candy floss. The climbing wall is no trifle.

Joel spoke in the main meeting this evening on being God’s men and God’s women. Something there for everyone. Many men were challenged to step out of passivity and take responsibility to the calling God’s given them. Both guys and girls were tasked not to conform to the standards set by culture but rather look to real biblical manhood and womanhood.

**BEARD WATCH**
As Joel was preaching this evening, I seized the opportunity to make some careful observations and ponder the way ahead. Firstly, I think it safe to say that, generally, things are developing well. In the bright light of the main platform, it was difficult to miss the fact that it is definitely becoming increasingly ginger by the day. I think it unlikely that we’ll ever get Joel and Luke Fellingham confused.

The first full day of Newday 2008 was a full day indeed. This morning the 15-19s were led into worship by Lou Fellingham and her band, with Stef Liston kicking off a series based on the Parable of the Sower. The 12-14s spent time worshipping God, led by Aled Cousins and Simon Brading. P-J was also up with the birds to speak to them from the Bible.

Following mid morning seminars, over 800 hit the streets for an afternoon of outreach in the city of Derby.

Pumping cafes today too. Superhero played a set earlier, which was well received. The Climbing Wall is also proving very popular.

The Goldfish Bowl debuted before the main meeting tonight. Bascially, it’s an opportunity for Newday delegates to grab five minutes of fame!

This evening P-J spoke again on living for eternity, challenging us to hang tough and live courageously. A mighty, mighty word that impacted many lives.

**BEARD WATCH**
Joel’s beard is coming along nicely. Mixed feelings across the site at this stage. We’ll keep an eye out to see how things develop.