40 days of Purpose!

Thriving Life Church have been talking about the '40 days of purpose' campaign for a long time! For so long it seemed to be something in the distance, but it is finally here!

Our pre-launch weekend was a special time in the life of the church. A chance for some of us to experience the power of prayer and fasting as we thought about our friends, family and neighbours that we have asked to join us in this experience. We broke fast with a meal together and enjoyed a non-service (as Gareth and Philip kept referring to it) of praise, prayer and the practical instructions for the next 40 days.

Notice the smiling faces after the food! The idea of doing a project like this or even all of us fasting on the same day, has given us a shared sense of 'purpose' and has had a unifying impact on many.

Day One - Sunday 18th Ocotber 2009

What on earth am I here for?

Day one of the campaign coincided with the launch of two services 10am and 11.30am. This was a huge operation for the teams that serve on a Sunday but as ever the servant hearts of the Thrivers showed up and both services went very well with many of you bringing the important people in your lives with you.

The idea of finding out your purpose in life in a fortune cookie, (pictured above) added a light hearted introduction to Gareth's message, when he reminded us that "Everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him" Colossians 1:16

There are 46 host homes running throughout the week where people from TLC are reading 'The Purpose Driven Life' and watching a short DVD together with their friends and family. Please remember to pray for those groups and share stories of how your group went. Feel free to email them to 40days@thrivinglifechurch.org

The 40 days of purpose is not a campaign sorely for the adults of the church, but the children and youth ministry teams have also done a fantastic job in preparing the campaign for 'Thriving Kids' and D4Y. As the adults read one chapter a day, the children and youth complete their journals and memorise verses from the bible. The opportunities for whole families to be impacted by God and find their purpose in life are there, and we have got to take them as they arise.

40 days of prayer for 40 days of purpose

Be encouraged church - God is already moving in the lives of our families and friends, but we must continue to underpin the campaign with prayer. Each weekday morning between 7.00 and 8.00am there are people at the church praying for you and your group! There has been a real sense of God's power at these meetings and we encourage you all to attend at least one a week and be involved in the power house behind the campaign.

Prayer is happening on Saturday mornings between 7.30 and 8.30am and on Sunday mornings at 9am. One of the values of our church is that full dependence on God is normal , so let us make a decision to depend on Him in prayer in the coming days!

Hope you can make Sunday as we think about the first purpose "You were planned for God's pleasure". Remember to keep reading one chapter a day, so on Sunday you will be beginning to read chapter 8.