Suddenly daffodils are everywhere – trumpets of glory proclaiming spring is here. They edge the roads and the river banks and they are filling the gardens with their bright yellow accent. Colour is back on the landscape! In the UK it has been a very wet and dark winter. The sun  has been hidden behind heavy rain clouds for months. But suddenly in one weekend the sun is out, flowers have opened, and the sky is blue. As I considered this transformation in the garden this morning, I reflected that this is similar to what we are seeing in the churches and in our times of ministry in Europe. There has been a long season of resistance and tough stuff but suddenly there are accents of Jesus moving all around. Just as in the garden, the landscape in many nations is still muddy and difficult to navigate but, in the midst of the mess, there are the signature signs of God breaking through. It is not perfect yet. We are still needing to pray, stand and resolutely believe; but there is a shift.

Many are noticing this shift with some people calling it the “Quiet Revival”. Even if we do not understand everything fully, we must be careful not to become cynical in this season. We read in Zechariah 4 that God speaks about His building season and reminds us that these shifts are “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit”, says the Lord Almighty. (Zechariah 4:6) He also challenges us to honour what is happening: “Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the Lord that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?” (Zechariah 4:10).God is building – so let us partner together and cooperate and resist every sceptical attitude that could distract us.

February has been a busy month of both administration and ministry here in Heartcry. Helen, Gordon and I were ministering on the same day in 3 different locations several times this month; so that was new for us as a team too. Everywhere we have been we have encountered a simple desire to serve God more fully in the people we have been with. Everyone is hungry for more!

Gordon and I were back in Watford at the start of February with Soul Survivor. After 3 busy services we were tired but satisfied. Each service carried a different atmosphere and, although I spoke the same outline message, I changed the illustration and content a little for each service and somehow each congregation was ministered to and responded. People lingered in the presence of God and were hungry. On the Monday we were in Wembley, London, for a prayer event and the presence of God was so strong; it was a powerful time. God really met with us. We were with Betty King and Chuck Pierce released a word by video and then we prayed. Steve Tebb was leading worship and a spirit of prayer and worship fell and everyone was encountering God. It was one of my favourite meetings for many months. It was a Jesus disruption service. Later in the month Gordon had the opportunity to be in London again, this time at Holy Trinity Brompton. Gordon spoke to a men’s group there. This invitation was triggered by Gordon’s new book, Surprised by God at Cambridge. He was able to share stories, pray for people and connect with many interesting people. As seems to be my new life since covid, there have been many zoom calls too this month filling the schedule. But one of the most fulfilling zoom calls was teaching the YWAM Madagascar base on prayer and prophetic discernment for their land. Teaching for 4 hours on zoom, on two consecutive days, seemed like a big ask but it worked! It was such a joy to watch them share about the impact of the teaching on their lives. So I was in Madagascar this month – I wish!

But we did travel to Italy this month. What a special time we had with the Sabaoth network  from Milan at their prayer and intercession retreat. It was wonderful to be in a room of hungry, prophetic, praying people. Gordon and I taught at the retreat and our translator, Lucas was incredible. He was such a preacher himself, so it was a joy to speak with him. The gathering was called “The Edge” and about 150 intercessors gathered for this Retreat, at Peschiera del Garda, just outside Verona, Italy. The Winter Olympics were just starting in Italy and the eyes of the world were on this nation as we prayed. During this time God spoke to us about the nation from its national flag – the green speaks of a season of grace and growth, the white speaks of the purity coming to the church, the Bride of Christ, and the red speaks of the passionate new life being released and the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus. It was a special time. So do pray for Italy.

Finally this month Gordon and I had the privilege to be with Kingdom Advance Network (KAN) with Steve and Jenny Watson. During the first week of the month we went to their prophetic training school. It was good to be reminded by the teaching of the privilege we have to prophesy and then activate this gift in many different ways. It was so good to be stretched. Then last weekend we stood with Steve and Jenny Watson and their leaders as they were formally recognised as the lead Apostolic and Prophetic leaders of KAN. They have pioneered a good work in Burton and it was time to recognise their leadership both here in the UK and the nations.

While Gordon and I have been busy, Helen has also been in many places and spaces. I will let Helen write her news:

The month started for me at Wellspring Church in Watford where Rachel and I ministered at a ladies afternoon meeting. Many had come with a desire for a fresh encounter with the Holy Spirit and it was deeply moving to see them weep their way out of weariness and the residue of past seasons and begin to believe for a fresh start with Jesus. One lady who had been suffering from severe back pain connected to a slipped disk and other complications was touched by the Holy Spirit and testified over the weekend to being completely free of pain for the first time in months. On the Sunday morning, while Rachel and Gordon were at Soul Survivor, I stayed on at Wellspring and spoke at their two morning services. One young man had been listening to the livestream from home. He was so convicted by the Holy Spirit that he needed to re-align his life and repent of poor life choices that he got dressed and drove to the church, arriving at the end of the second service, just in time for the team to pray with him. I am sure that heaven was rejoicing over this prodigal coming home!  

I have also had the joy of being back in Norway this month, just outside Kristiansand, teaching on the YWAM base and speaking at a couple of city-wide gatherings. The women’s network meeting was especially rewarding.  I shared about being “royal representatives” wherever we go and how the fragrance of Christ becomes irresistibly attractive to those seeking spiritual answers in this season. Sometimes we can feel intimidated at the thought of sharing about Jesus in our everyday contexts but, when we allow the Holy Spirit to shine through us, people notice and are curious about the “aroma” we are carrying. This can be a great conversation starter!  As we shared testimonies, we discovered that the “Quiet Revival” is also happening in Norway and Jesus has been drawing people, often through dreams. As his ambassadors, our task as those who already know and love Jesus, is to be ready to re-present Him to this generation. I believe that is why there is such an emphasis on discovering the person and gifts of the Holy Spirit afresh as we need to become confident in using our supernatural toolkit and allow His creativity to flow through us to help meet the needs of our culture. These are exciting days! 

I am delighted by some of the initial feedback from those of you who have started to use my book, Hungry for More: Discovering the Holy Spirit, as a resource and study tool. For those who would like copies for small groups or as a post-Alpha course resource, do please get in touch by emailing office@heartcry.co.uk and I would be delighted to offer a bulk order discount of 40% for your group. If you prefer electronic books, you will be glad to hear that the Amazon Kindle version is also now available! 

So what about the coming month? There will be a slight change in rhythm as Helen, Gordon and I will all be taking some vacation time during March. Gordon and I will be celebrating our 45th wedding anniversary and Helen will travel to Egypt with her mum. So the calendar is a little less busy this month! Here is what the ministry schedule looks like:

Ministry Dates March 2026

1 March Fresh Bread message, Heartcry social platforms (Helen)
4 March Heartcry Roundhouse meeting, Oxford, UK (Rachel, Gordon, Helen)
6-7 March Easterhouse Community Church women’s conference, Scotland (Helen)
7 March Hope Church women’s conference, Wellingborough, UK (Rachel)
8 March Motherwell Elim church morning service, Scotland (Helen)
8 March Emmanuel Church, Bicester evening service, UK (Rachel)
10-17 March Helen on annual leave
11 March Hillsong UK prayer leaders’ training, online (Rachel)
12 March One Church Gloucester prayer leaders’ training, online (Rachel)
15 March Hillsong Church, Oxford, UK (Rachel preaching)
17-24 March Rachel & Gordon on leave, 45th wedding anniversary!
21 March Fleet Baptist Church training morning, Fleet, UK (Helen)
22 March Fleet Baptist Church morning service, Fleet, UK (Helen)
27-30 March Prophetic Conference, Warsaw, Poland (Rachel & Gordon)

So thank you for all your love and support and for praying for us. We are so blessed by your generosity and encouragement.

With our love and His blessings, 
Rachel, Gordon, Helen and team.