Innovate with Erwin

Some Thrivers enjoyed a one day conference with Erwin McManus last Friday at Ballynahinch Baptist Church. The conference focussed around the need for us as a church to be relevant to our culture. Can you guess which of the leaders pariculary enjoyed the day?

Yes, it was David as he got to meet his minsitry hero! The face says it all really doesn't it?

Baptism Sunday 19th April 2009

With a thumbs up from Jonny Clarke we were ready to celebrate what God has been doing in the lives of some Thrivers as they were baptised!

First up we had Donna, then Lorna, followed by Gareth, Lauren, Jordan and Gareth. The building was full to capacity of people coming along to witness and celebrate with them what God has done. Enjoy some of the images from the night.

Brother and sister baptised together. Dad gives some encouraging words.

Steven and Lorna enjoying a cup of tea after the big event!

Easter!

Life is really thriving at TLC lately. The Easter season kicked off for us on Good Friday when we reflected on the cross and prayed earnestly for those dear to our hearts who don't yet know Christ. We took physical steps of pinning the names to the cross as reminder that Christ went to the cross for us all, even if we haven't fully grasped that yet.

We enjoyed a fantastic Easter Sunday Morning Service in which the cross literally crashed through the roof of the building. The idea of the a 20ft cross as a centrepiece was certainly whacky but proved a very effective illustration of the lengths some of us go to ignore the cross.

The Centrepiece - Easter Sunday

Join us on Easter Sunday and watch out for this average family who just want to enjoy their Easter Sunday lunch! Service begins at 10.30am. Refreshments before and after.

Watch out - it's contagious!

On Sunday 22nd February TLC ran the opening night of the 'Becoming a Contagious Christian' course. This is a six week course designed to help normal everyday Christians share their faith with the people they work, live and play with.

It was wonderful to see so many people sharing stories and praying for their friends and families who don't yet know Christ, and what's more ... having fun doing it! We learned to identify our own personal style of evangelism and be relaxed and confident about it - instead of trying to be someone we're not.

Keith did a great job of leading us through the video teaching from course writers Mark Mittleberg and Lee Strobel as well as the times of interacting with each other.


During the break between sessions one and two, one attendee received news that someone they had been praying for in the first session had just accepted Christ that night. So we're all looking forward with anticipation to the next session!

Home of Hope Night

The climax of Ernie and Anna Smith's visit with us was billed as the 'Home of Hope' night. Ernie invited anyone from across the province who had ever served in Ukraine to attend and see the progress made to the Home of Hope. Over sixty people came - old and new faces. It was a great opportunity for peole to renew old acquanitances and for those of us going in the summer to put some faces to the names we have heard so much about and the building which God has blessed the church with.

Sorry its blurred but the Ukrainians like action in photos!

Valentine's Weekend

Love was in the air at TLC recently. In a fundraising effort for the Mission teams to Ukraine and Mexico, a classic rom-com "You've got mail" was shown at Comber Private Cinema on Friday 13th, whilst on Saturday 14th many people came to church to enjoy a romantic meal with their loved one (and a few other people as well)!