Sunday, January 27, 2013

Churches unite to revive York

Churches in York have come together with New Wine to develop Kingdom ministry in the city.

The partnership was launched last week and aims to revive the spiritual health of the city.

The launch was joined by Gary Best, the former leader of Vineyard Canada.

One of the biggest churches in the city, St Michael le Belfrey, is involved in the partnership and hoping for real transformation.

Rev Matthew Porter, Vicar of St Michael le Belfrey, said: "The Belfrey has been asked to be a York Network church for New Wine and we're very pleased to take up this role. We're really pleased to begin the York New Wine Network and it was great that so many people from a variety of churches turned out on Monday on such a cold and snowy night to launch this new Network."
 
Ian Parkinson, North & East Regional Leader for New Wine, is excited about the potential.

He said: "New Wine local Network groups are some of the most effective ways I know, not only of encouraging leaders to press more fully into Kingdom ministry as they gather with likeminded people, but also of holding those leaders accountable through a structured system of peer-mentoring. Everywhere I see a functioning New Wine Network group operating, the local church seems to have greater health, expectancy and effectiveness, which is why I am so thrilled to hear of the launch of the York Network. May those involved find it a refreshing and enlarging experience, one of 'iron sharpening iron'."