ON FRIDAY night, 'Pizza and Praise' saw the end of ncounter Summer for this year.
A time of great prayer, worship and sharing was had by all
It was clear from everyone who spoke that we'd all seen wonderful things happen, across the city and county, with God working through us and impacting on the lives of people, with a number giving their lives to Jesus!
But it was also clear that God had also been working in us; increasing our faith, helping us to become better servants on his behalf.
Ncounter Summer has been an awesome experience, fun, full of service to our communities and great conversations enabling us to share our Christian faith with others.
Perhaps the best part of 'Pizza and Praise' was Matt Brown sharing his vision, after prayer and consideration, for nocunter to become not just a once a year thing, but to have ncounter days and weekends throughout the year!
This had been communicated to him, from God, via the young people involved in ncounter Summer who'd expressed a deep belief that something like it should take place throughout the year.
I gave a little mini speech on Friday night (I'm not sure how much sense I made, however) talking about how the songs played before Matt Brown's BBC Radio Leicester interview had really impacted on me.
One of them was Bryan Adams' Summer of '69.
The lyrics include the following: 'Aint no use in complaining, when you got a job to do.'
Well I never heard anyone in any of the teams complain they just got down to the task at hand.
Also, 'We were young and restless, we needed to unwind.'
Yes, we are young (well, some more so than others)and we're certainly restless for God to impact on this our generation and on the communities in which we live.
And, 'Oh when I look back now, The summer seemed to last forever.
And if I had the choice, I'd always wanna be there, those were the best days of my life.'
I don't think I need to add anything to that!
Also played by the BBC before Matt's interview, was Coldplay's Fix You.
The chorus is: 'Lights will guide you home and ignite your bones and I will try to fix you.'
Well God did light our way this week and I believe His Holy Spirit really did ignite our very beings and he has truly been fixing broken hearts.
Mathew Hulbert.
Sunday, 27 July 2008
Friday, 25 July 2008
MORE OF THE SAFFRON LANE TEAM HARD AT WORK...
Here's some more of the guys from Saffron Lane, busy with their paint brushes.
It looks like they've done a superb job!
This lady's giving us a great smile...
...I think the bloke must be shy!!
OUR MATT...
Here's Matt Brown from the Saffron Lane team hard at it.
That's what we like to see, a leader who's prepared to get his hands dirty!
I know I speak for everyone when I say Matt's done a superb job pulling everything together!!
He was great on BBC Radio Leicester yesterday too.
Well done Matt...and thankyou!
WATER, THE CAGE AND A ROUNDABOUT RIDE WITH A DIFFERENCE! (FAN-TASTIC!)
WELL, where do I start?
Last night I was back with the Eyres Monsell team at their Sutton-in-the-Elms Baptist Church base.
After a time of prayer, which was great, it was time to get wet, wet, wet (weren't they a 90's pop group?)
They had a water slide, which the kids really enjoyed and a few members of our team did as well.
I thought I'd managed to stay quite dry (I kept saying I couldn't possibly join in as I was holding my microphone and mini disc recorder)...that was until I went to interview Luke and George...big mistake...I managed to find myself in the middle of a wet man-hug...eeugh!!
A great time was had by all!
Today, after not managing to find the Wigston team (sorry guys!) I went to the park in Eyres Monsell where their team had set up the cage (it reminds me a bit of Gladiators from the 90's, I wanted to shout 'Awooga' and, adopting a deep voice, announce "And now, ladies and gentlemen, right here in the heart of Leicestershire, it's time for...The Cage.")
Loads of children came and took part which was fantastic and we were able to have some great conversations about God with them and a couple of members of our team shared their testimonies which, I believe, really had an impact.
One of the park's other attractions was a rather difficult to stay on roundabout...somehow I was talked onto it and I lasted, oh, about a minute before I was off...in the air... and, down into the surrounding chippings.
For some reason, our team seemed to think this had been very funny...I can't imagine why.
This has been a fantastic week which has seen God working in us and, through us, to the people (young and old) of the communities we've been serving.
I've managed to get around three of the teams; Saffron Lane, Braunstone Town and Eyres Monsell (they seem to think they're my favourites, but I couldn't possibly comment!) and they've all gone above and beyond the call of duty to show, after prayer, and with love, God's heart for Leicestershire and its people in words and actions.
I take my hat off to them all...you've all been incredible!
Oh, before I forget, Becky would like me to point out that she didn't fancy Hope'08 film man Paul, who visited us on Wednesday...she just thought he was good looking.
As ever I'm happy to clarify the situation.
I wonder if I should e-mail Paul and let him know?
Mathew Hulbert.
Last night I was back with the Eyres Monsell team at their Sutton-in-the-Elms Baptist Church base.
After a time of prayer, which was great, it was time to get wet, wet, wet (weren't they a 90's pop group?)
They had a water slide, which the kids really enjoyed and a few members of our team did as well.
I thought I'd managed to stay quite dry (I kept saying I couldn't possibly join in as I was holding my microphone and mini disc recorder)...that was until I went to interview Luke and George...big mistake...I managed to find myself in the middle of a wet man-hug...eeugh!!
A great time was had by all!
Today, after not managing to find the Wigston team (sorry guys!) I went to the park in Eyres Monsell where their team had set up the cage (it reminds me a bit of Gladiators from the 90's, I wanted to shout 'Awooga' and, adopting a deep voice, announce "And now, ladies and gentlemen, right here in the heart of Leicestershire, it's time for...The Cage.")
Loads of children came and took part which was fantastic and we were able to have some great conversations about God with them and a couple of members of our team shared their testimonies which, I believe, really had an impact.
One of the park's other attractions was a rather difficult to stay on roundabout...somehow I was talked onto it and I lasted, oh, about a minute before I was off...in the air... and, down into the surrounding chippings.
For some reason, our team seemed to think this had been very funny...I can't imagine why.
This has been a fantastic week which has seen God working in us and, through us, to the people (young and old) of the communities we've been serving.
I've managed to get around three of the teams; Saffron Lane, Braunstone Town and Eyres Monsell (they seem to think they're my favourites, but I couldn't possibly comment!) and they've all gone above and beyond the call of duty to show, after prayer, and with love, God's heart for Leicestershire and its people in words and actions.
I take my hat off to them all...you've all been incredible!
Oh, before I forget, Becky would like me to point out that she didn't fancy Hope'08 film man Paul, who visited us on Wednesday...she just thought he was good looking.
As ever I'm happy to clarify the situation.
I wonder if I should e-mail Paul and let him know?
Mathew Hulbert.
Thursday, 24 July 2008
NCOUNTER IN ACTION
Here are some ncounter volunteers hard at work on Rye Close!
er...the cameras this way!!
For more pics keep visiting this blog.
(Thanks to Leicester City Council for this pic)
Please e-mail your ncounter pics to me via:
DAY FIVE: Out and about in Braunstone and Eyres Monsell
TODAY has been exhilarating but also very exhausting!
It's been very busy but also hugely rewarding.
This morning I was with the Braunstone team.
Tim and the lads worked so hard digging up weeds and trying to uproot tree stumps near some shops on the estate.
I think I, again, was more of a hindrance than a help but I did my best.
During our break we listened to Reality Youth Project Director Matt Brown talking about ncounter on BBC Radio Leicester.
He did a great job and even promoted this blog!!
Then, after some lunch and a coffee at the Salvation Army centre in South Wigston, I went with the Eyres Monsell team to the tea party, set up jointly with the local authority.
It was a blast!
The local residents seemed to enjoy it greatly (their cakes were to die for...not good for my already expanded waistline, however), but boy can older people be, how can I put this politely, a bit saucy...I think I blushed on more than one occasion!
The residents were so thrilled when Hayley, Matt and Rebecca presented them with a pot plant and Janet with some flowers of her own.
On a slightly different tack it seems our visiting Hope'08 film man, Paul, who came yesterday made, shall we say, quite an impact on some of our female volunteers.
Apparently they thought he was a nice boy...and good looking too.
Oh well some of us are blessed with good looks and some of us, me included, are blessed with...erm, well, come back to me on that one!
I reassure myself with the fact that I'm made in God's image and so if I'm good enough for Him that's good enough for me.
I'm writing this ahead of the evening activities tonight which are set to be wet and wild.
For more visit this blog tomorrow!
Mathew Hulbert.
It's been very busy but also hugely rewarding.
This morning I was with the Braunstone team.
Tim and the lads worked so hard digging up weeds and trying to uproot tree stumps near some shops on the estate.
I think I, again, was more of a hindrance than a help but I did my best.
During our break we listened to Reality Youth Project Director Matt Brown talking about ncounter on BBC Radio Leicester.
He did a great job and even promoted this blog!!
Then, after some lunch and a coffee at the Salvation Army centre in South Wigston, I went with the Eyres Monsell team to the tea party, set up jointly with the local authority.
It was a blast!
The local residents seemed to enjoy it greatly (their cakes were to die for...not good for my already expanded waistline, however), but boy can older people be, how can I put this politely, a bit saucy...I think I blushed on more than one occasion!
The residents were so thrilled when Hayley, Matt and Rebecca presented them with a pot plant and Janet with some flowers of her own.
On a slightly different tack it seems our visiting Hope'08 film man, Paul, who came yesterday made, shall we say, quite an impact on some of our female volunteers.
Apparently they thought he was a nice boy...and good looking too.
Oh well some of us are blessed with good looks and some of us, me included, are blessed with...erm, well, come back to me on that one!
I reassure myself with the fact that I'm made in God's image and so if I'm good enough for Him that's good enough for me.
I'm writing this ahead of the evening activities tonight which are set to be wet and wild.
For more visit this blog tomorrow!
Mathew Hulbert.
Wednesday, 23 July 2008
All work and no play...
NCOUNTER ISN'T all hard graft, there's a whole load of fun to be had as well, as these videos show...
1: Matt and Ana dancing to high school musical!
http://web.me.com/jbaileypro/sing.mp4
http://web.me.com/jbaileypro/sing2.mov
2: Haley having some fun with sweets that crackle in your mouth.
http://web.me.com/jbaileypro/sniff.mp4
If you have any videos taken during the week, please e-mail me to them and I'll link them to this blog.
Mathew Hulbert.
1: Matt and Ana dancing to high school musical!
http://web.me.com/jbaileypro/sing.mp4
http://web.me.com/jbaileypro/sing2.mov
2: Haley having some fun with sweets that crackle in your mouth.
http://web.me.com/jbaileypro/sniff.mp4
If you have any videos taken during the week, please e-mail me to them and I'll link them to this blog.
Mathew Hulbert.
DAY FOUR: Sun, fences and, oh no, a reporter getting his face painted!
TODAY SAW the beginning of three days of social action in and around the Leicester area.
It was truly action packed!
For me the day began at 9.45am, meeting up with our guest for the day, Paul Kent, at the South Wigston Salvation Army centre.
Paul had kindly agreed to come down from Coventry to film some of our activities-he's part of the Hope'08 National News Team.
Once edited, the video will appear on the National Hope'08 website, which will be fantastic!
We then headed off to St.Christopher's (Sandworth Academy) on Trenent Road.
There we met up with the Saffron Lane team who, after a time in prayer and devoting the day to God, went off to Saffron Lane to begin painting fences and litter picking.
Everyone got down to the hard graft, working as a team and enjoying the good weather.
Even I had a go at painting fences...I don't think I was as good as the rest at it, but I did my bit.
Paul got on with filming and interviewing Reality Youth Project Director, Matt Brown, as well as local residents who came to see what was going on and asking us why we were doing it.
The local residents were great, bringing us out drinks and biscuits, etc.
After about an hour and a half we went to lunch back at the Salvation Army...and got to watch an edition of Friends (The One Where Rachael and Ross Get Married...Quality!)
Then we headed off with the Eyres Monsell team to various streets in the area, via a garden centre to buy a resident a plant (she was so thrilled, she said 'oh, you little angels.')
Paul again took some shots of the activity going on...clearing paths, picking up weeds, painting fences.
The highlight for me was going into the home of local resident Janice, a true local character who, after telling us about her cake making and assorted other stories, was glad to be interviewed by me.
She's a great supporter of what we do, which is brilliant.
Then, just before the day came to an end, poor old Paul had a couple of editions to his face when a couple of our youngsters decided to daub a bit of paint on either cheek!
I would say they made him look better, but I can't really comment!
It certainly gave a bit of extra colour to his final piece to camera!
Here's to tomorrow!
Mathew Hulbert.
Don't forget to leave comments about what you've been up to (just click on where it says 'comments 0')
Thanks.
It was truly action packed!
For me the day began at 9.45am, meeting up with our guest for the day, Paul Kent, at the South Wigston Salvation Army centre.
Paul had kindly agreed to come down from Coventry to film some of our activities-he's part of the Hope'08 National News Team.
Once edited, the video will appear on the National Hope'08 website, which will be fantastic!
We then headed off to St.Christopher's (Sandworth Academy) on Trenent Road.
There we met up with the Saffron Lane team who, after a time in prayer and devoting the day to God, went off to Saffron Lane to begin painting fences and litter picking.
Everyone got down to the hard graft, working as a team and enjoying the good weather.
Even I had a go at painting fences...I don't think I was as good as the rest at it, but I did my bit.
Paul got on with filming and interviewing Reality Youth Project Director, Matt Brown, as well as local residents who came to see what was going on and asking us why we were doing it.
The local residents were great, bringing us out drinks and biscuits, etc.
After about an hour and a half we went to lunch back at the Salvation Army...and got to watch an edition of Friends (The One Where Rachael and Ross Get Married...Quality!)
Then we headed off with the Eyres Monsell team to various streets in the area, via a garden centre to buy a resident a plant (she was so thrilled, she said 'oh, you little angels.')
Paul again took some shots of the activity going on...clearing paths, picking up weeds, painting fences.
The highlight for me was going into the home of local resident Janice, a true local character who, after telling us about her cake making and assorted other stories, was glad to be interviewed by me.
She's a great supporter of what we do, which is brilliant.
Then, just before the day came to an end, poor old Paul had a couple of editions to his face when a couple of our youngsters decided to daub a bit of paint on either cheek!
I would say they made him look better, but I can't really comment!
It certainly gave a bit of extra colour to his final piece to camera!
Here's to tomorrow!
Mathew Hulbert.
Don't forget to leave comments about what you've been up to (just click on where it says 'comments 0')
Thanks.
Tuesday, 22 July 2008
Three, two, one...Worship
THE WORSHIP team at ncounter have done a fantastic job of leading us in praise to Our Father.
I must admit I haven't known some of the songs that the team have played, but they've all been meaningful and very apt for this week.
I must admit, though, I felt sorry for them today.
You see after a day of worship leading, praying and taking part in practical sessions ahead of the start of the social action sessions tomorrow, some annoying guy (er, that would be me then) asked them to stick around and play a song one more time just so I could record it for the CD I'm making, highlights of which will also be being aired on my show on Castle Mead Radio-Britain's Smallest Hospital Radio Station (2.30 to 4.30pm every Sunday; any budding broadcaster's among you, feel free to ask me more about it.)
Bless them, they did a great job and some of the young people stayed around to sing God's praises one more time.
Thanks guys!
Mathew Hulbert.
I must admit I haven't known some of the songs that the team have played, but they've all been meaningful and very apt for this week.
I must admit, though, I felt sorry for them today.
You see after a day of worship leading, praying and taking part in practical sessions ahead of the start of the social action sessions tomorrow, some annoying guy (er, that would be me then) asked them to stick around and play a song one more time just so I could record it for the CD I'm making, highlights of which will also be being aired on my show on Castle Mead Radio-Britain's Smallest Hospital Radio Station (2.30 to 4.30pm every Sunday; any budding broadcaster's among you, feel free to ask me more about it.)
Bless them, they did a great job and some of the young people stayed around to sing God's praises one more time.
Thanks guys!
Mathew Hulbert.
ncounter: the story so far
THE PAST three days have been truly inspiring...and fun too.
I've been asked to write a brief guide to ncounter (by Hope'08 National); so here goes...
It is a week of social action undertaken by young Christians, hoping, with God's help, to reach people of their own age for Him by showing His love in action.
They paint fences, pick up rubbish, tidy up gardens and, God willing, have the chance to interact with people who do not know Him and share the Gospel, in simple terms, with them.
The first two and a half days have been about getting to know each other and spending some time receiving spiritually before they give.
For me one of the main highlights has been hearing Andy Hawthorne speak.
More than a hundred young people as well as youth leaders and others were in the South Wigston Salvation Army to hear his two talks.
You can tell that he is truly on fire for God, someone who believes that, with prayer, we can reach whole generations with words and actions.
He is a radical social reformer who seeks to grow the Kingdom.
Another highlight has been simply spending time with these fantastic young people who clearly have a great heart for God and for seeing transformation amongst other people of their age.
As Andy Hawthorne said, in many other parts of the world thousands, if not millions, of people are coming to Christ, but here in the UK we've not been seeing anywhere the same kind of numbers of lives saved.
It's time we started to catch up!
From tomorrow through to Friday the young people will be in five groups, working across different parts of Leicester and Leicestershire undertaking social action.
Our prayer is that lives are changed and saved for Jesus.
Mathew Hulbert.
I've been asked to write a brief guide to ncounter (by Hope'08 National); so here goes...
It is a week of social action undertaken by young Christians, hoping, with God's help, to reach people of their own age for Him by showing His love in action.
They paint fences, pick up rubbish, tidy up gardens and, God willing, have the chance to interact with people who do not know Him and share the Gospel, in simple terms, with them.
The first two and a half days have been about getting to know each other and spending some time receiving spiritually before they give.
For me one of the main highlights has been hearing Andy Hawthorne speak.
More than a hundred young people as well as youth leaders and others were in the South Wigston Salvation Army to hear his two talks.
You can tell that he is truly on fire for God, someone who believes that, with prayer, we can reach whole generations with words and actions.
He is a radical social reformer who seeks to grow the Kingdom.
Another highlight has been simply spending time with these fantastic young people who clearly have a great heart for God and for seeing transformation amongst other people of their age.
As Andy Hawthorne said, in many other parts of the world thousands, if not millions, of people are coming to Christ, but here in the UK we've not been seeing anywhere the same kind of numbers of lives saved.
It's time we started to catch up!
From tomorrow through to Friday the young people will be in five groups, working across different parts of Leicester and Leicestershire undertaking social action.
Our prayer is that lives are changed and saved for Jesus.
Mathew Hulbert.
Monday, 21 July 2008
DAY TWO: Andy Hawthorne rocks ncounter!
DAY TWO of this fantastic ncounter week had a number of highlights: meaningful prayer, great worship and brilliant teaching courtesy of Andy Hawthorne, one of the founders of Hope 2008.
God's message, through Andy, was truly inspiring.
He confirmed that Christians are on the move and that initiatives like ncounter are truly where the action is-the cutting edge.
The overwhelming message from Andy is that we need, not just this week but on into the future, prayer and evangelism, words and deeds.
He had three key messages, bits of advice.
*Do More
God, through Hope'08, is inspiring people across the whole UK to have a bigger vision and a bigger heart.
Andy said healthy things grow and that, to God, numbers do matter. He wants as many people as possible to hear the good news and be saved.
He believes our churches can impact this country.
He says forget the worries and concerns of the past, it's all about here and now and the future.
*Do It Together
Any says "We will never do on our own what can be done in partnership."
*Do It In Words and Actions
It's not about just praying but not acting...and it's not about just being involved in social action without prayer; it's all about worshipping God by doing and putting both together.
Some Bible verses to look at: Acts 1:1
Colossians 1
Mathew Hulbert.
God's message, through Andy, was truly inspiring.
He confirmed that Christians are on the move and that initiatives like ncounter are truly where the action is-the cutting edge.
The overwhelming message from Andy is that we need, not just this week but on into the future, prayer and evangelism, words and deeds.
He had three key messages, bits of advice.
*Do More
God, through Hope'08, is inspiring people across the whole UK to have a bigger vision and a bigger heart.
Andy said healthy things grow and that, to God, numbers do matter. He wants as many people as possible to hear the good news and be saved.
He believes our churches can impact this country.
He says forget the worries and concerns of the past, it's all about here and now and the future.
*Do It Together
Any says "We will never do on our own what can be done in partnership."
*Do It In Words and Actions
It's not about just praying but not acting...and it's not about just being involved in social action without prayer; it's all about worshipping God by doing and putting both together.
Some Bible verses to look at: Acts 1:1
Colossians 1
Mathew Hulbert.
Sunday, 20 July 2008
BE DIFFERENT. BE BOLD. JUST BE.
I'VE JUST come back from the commissioning service and BBQ.
The food was great but the message was even better.
Fiona, from youth training organisation 'Urban Saints,' gave an important message about how we can 'be noticed' for God.
She gave us three key pointers.
*Be different.
-God wants us to live in a different way to that of the world.
*Be Bold.
-We need to make sure we're not Lions that have forgotten how to roar.
*Just Be.
-You don't have to be spiritually gifted-just be you; the person God created.
It's about us putting ourselves in Jesus' hands.
The worship was also fantastic!
All in all a great start to what's set to be a fantastic week of sharing and showing Jesus' love in action.
Mathew Hulbert.
The food was great but the message was even better.
Fiona, from youth training organisation 'Urban Saints,' gave an important message about how we can 'be noticed' for God.
She gave us three key pointers.
*Be different.
-God wants us to live in a different way to that of the world.
*Be Bold.
-We need to make sure we're not Lions that have forgotten how to roar.
*Just Be.
-You don't have to be spiritually gifted-just be you; the person God created.
It's about us putting ourselves in Jesus' hands.
The worship was also fantastic!
All in all a great start to what's set to be a fantastic week of sharing and showing Jesus' love in action.
Mathew Hulbert.
AND SO IT BEGINS
IN AN hour or so I'm going to heading off to the Commissioning Service.
This is where we'll prey about the week ahead, we'll sing God's praises in worship, we'll encourage each other about what's to come.
The service (and a BBQ...what more could we ask for on a lovely, sunny Summer's afternoon) is at the South Wigston Salvation Army.
It's going to be great to get to see the 100+ young people who are coming together to do good enjoying time together before the hard graft starts.
For them to have given up part of their summer holidays to serve God and their communities is truly special.
I just know I'm going to thoroughly enjoy being the roving reporter this week!
Join us throughout the week, right here, for loads more coverage and info!
Mathew Hulbert.
This is where we'll prey about the week ahead, we'll sing God's praises in worship, we'll encourage each other about what's to come.
The service (and a BBQ...what more could we ask for on a lovely, sunny Summer's afternoon) is at the South Wigston Salvation Army.
It's going to be great to get to see the 100+ young people who are coming together to do good enjoying time together before the hard graft starts.
For them to have given up part of their summer holidays to serve God and their communities is truly special.
I just know I'm going to thoroughly enjoy being the roving reporter this week!
Join us throughout the week, right here, for loads more coverage and info!
Mathew Hulbert.
Thursday, 17 July 2008
Welcome to ncounter online!
HI THERE!!
Welcome to the online blog home of ncounter, an incredible week of social action in lovely Leicestershire, bringing hope and change and new life to parts of our beautiful city and county.
More than 100 incredible young people have signed up to work in five different areas, for nothing, to show Jesus' love in action in our communities.
We're going to be in: Netherhall, Wigston, Eyres Monsell, Saffron Lane and Braunstone Town.
Some of the things our wonderful volunteers are going to be doing include:
* Litter picking.
* Sports/games.
* Gardening.
* Summer Schemes.
* Graffiti removal.
*Fence painting.
...and much more.
From Sunday this blog will be covering the week in-depth, so please join us for it all!
Mathew Hulbert
Hope'08 Leicestershire Roving Reporter.
Welcome to the online blog home of ncounter, an incredible week of social action in lovely Leicestershire, bringing hope and change and new life to parts of our beautiful city and county.
More than 100 incredible young people have signed up to work in five different areas, for nothing, to show Jesus' love in action in our communities.
We're going to be in: Netherhall, Wigston, Eyres Monsell, Saffron Lane and Braunstone Town.
Some of the things our wonderful volunteers are going to be doing include:
* Litter picking.
* Sports/games.
* Gardening.
* Summer Schemes.
* Graffiti removal.
*Fence painting.
...and much more.
From Sunday this blog will be covering the week in-depth, so please join us for it all!
Mathew Hulbert
Hope'08 Leicestershire Roving Reporter.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
