Page 13 - Summer 2016 Contact issue 38

“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people
and also members of His household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with
Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. In Him the whole building is joined together and
rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together to become
a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19-22 (NIV)

We are a family, a family has many members, We began this year with a special evening service
young and old, all at different stages and seasons in on 31st January in the Oasis communicating our
life but still of the same family. Twenties and thirties vision and with the specific objective of growing
is a time when life’s journey can change the most and small groups. We were greatly encouraged by the
often it’s a time that shapes the person we become. number who came along and the excitement and
We may have left our family home, our home town or buzz created!  ….and were delighted that an
country, embarked on new jobs or paths in life, forged additional eleven people joined our Laser Group
new relationships, maybe started a family. We’re all network on the night…..a great start and much to
grown up and can make decisions for ourselves now, give thanks for.
right?
As a Church family we cater well for our children Since then we have had a number of events seeking to
and young people (and with good reason) but now for get a balance between social and teaching/discipleship
twenties and thirties it is important that we continue to including:
encourage, equip, disciple and go deeper in our faith.
This is the vision of the Twenty Thirty ministry: not to Sunday Evening Service, 21st February -
separate us from the family, but strengthen the present Norman Cameron: Work & Our Witness
and future of our church family through a program of Saturday 19th March: Live Rugby -
social events, special services and development of our Ireland v Scotland 5pm in The Oasis
small group ministry. In essence we want to reach out Sunday Evening Service, 24th April -
to, mobilise and engage this generation. Rick Hill: Discipleship
A core team was formed in February 2015 and we Friday 29th April - Quiz Night
started out with a few social get-togethers (mostly at Middletown Coffee
involving food!). These gatherings served as a great Saturday 21st May -
way to get to know people better, develop friendships Campfire Worship at Whiterocks Beach
and break down barriers.
This year we planned more of these events including I always remember a sentiment from a children’s song
a schedule of evening services that will tackle subjects from the Psalty series (showing my age!), it said if you
and issues we feel are important to our generation; took the hottest coal from the fire and set it on its own,
strengthening our faith and service in the church it would soon burn out. We recognise life is full of
family and equipping us better for the challenges of highs and lows and we don’t want to face them alone,
everyday life. This is also aimed at emphasising the but with Jesus at the centre, and our brothers and
importance of our Laser Group ministry where we sisters by our sides we won’t burn out, instead we will
can go deeper in our discipleship. In a Church our size burn brighter and stronger for Him!
it’s vital that we have these safe, smaller groups
of people for support and where we can thrive and So if you’re in your twenties or thirties and want to
be accountable. find out more follow us via our Facebook Page or join
us on Twitter …..and if you’re not please support us
in prayer!

Kenny Gregg