What a difference a month makes! Last month as we sat down to write the newsletter, we felt the vibrant hope of spring. Yet the last four weeks have been tumultuous around the world with new war fronts opening up across the Middle East, soaring gas prices threatening economic stability and national leaders scrambling to make sense of dramatic shifts in political power bases. Many are asking if this is the beginning of a new dark “winter” of world wars or just a severe but short-lived shaking? The weather has seemed to match this sense of chaos and indecision: this afternoon, as I am writing, there is bright sun one moment followed by the darkest rain clouds, then a hailstorm and then a sense of calm again. As Charles Dickens once said, “It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade”. In spite of this, carpets of spring flowers bravely demonstrate that it is still possible to blossom in adverse conditions. What an encouraging provocation!
As I reflected on the fragility of life and how quickly circumstances can change, I also pondered on the legacies which endure for generations and stand the test of time. What makes some fade while others flourish? I was reminded of this verse in Psalm 118: It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. (Psalm 118:8 NKJV). In Jeremiah the contrast is even more starkly expressed: The Lord says: Cursed is the man who puts his trust in mortal man and turns his heart away from God. 6 He is like a stunted shrub in the desert, with no hope for the future…7 But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and has made the Lord his hope and confidence. 8 He is like a tree planted along a riverbank, with its roots reaching deep into the water – a tree not bothered by the heat nor worried by long months of drought. Its leaves stay green, and it goes right on producing all its luscious fruit. (Jeremiah 17:5-8, Living Bible) As we mark Resurrection Sunday this month, we are once again reminded of the insuppressible power of life to overcome death when that life is fuelled and infused with the Spirit of Jesus. For the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, now lives within us – empowering, resourcing and equipping us to flourish in every season. Hallelujah, what a Saviour!
In seasons of turmoil it is so important that we lean into the Lord with a renewed focus on sitting at His table, reminding ourselves that this privileged personal relationship enables us to live from a place of greater security and more clarity as we yield our hearts to His instruction and leading. Throughout the Bible we see the significance of tables: there is the table set for us in the midst of our enemies (Psalm 23), there is the table of covenant and communion, there is the fellowship around meals and the banqueting table of Heaven to name just a few. Rachel has been studying this theme and sharing on it in various contexts and it has provoked some excellent discussions on how to intentionally create places of relational depth where people feel known and strategic “table talk” can take place. While conferences and events still have their place, we are finding that it is often the smaller gatherings which allow for deeper and more fruitful times of encounter and engagement.
As a team we are increasingly being asked to help individuals, leadership teams, businesses and churches to hone their spiritual listening skills and develop a prophetic culture which values the voice of God and prioritises prayer. This is one expression of the hunger for depth of connection at this time. So, this last month we have spent many hours on zoom calls, in one-to-one mentoring sessions, and in smaller seminars which help to train people in prayer, prophetic and the gifts of discernment. We are finding this hunger to learn is not just among those who are brand new to the faith but also those who know after many years they need a fresh connection with the Holy Spirit. There is also an awakening of hunger across various denominational streams, regardless of whether they would call themselves “charismatic” or not and it is such a joy to see!
It was wonderful to start March up in Scotland, just outside Glasgow, with a room full of women who had come together to explore the theme of “Releasing the Sound of Heaven”. In just 24 hours there was a deep and powerful shift from a simple appreciation that we are all made to hear the Shepherd’s voice to discovering a new confidence to carry His sound into the arenas of influence we are each part of. At one point in the worship time, a spirit of warring prayer broke out as one woman began to pray for the generation of young adults whom the enemy had been targeting through suicide and depression. From the depths of grief due to a recent family suicide, a courageous sound of defiance arose and a fresh commitment to turn what the enemy meant for evil into a new powerful movement for change in the arena of mental health. A roar of intercession erupted in the room as these warriors began to declare life over their sons and daughters. It was humbling to witness this in the room and hear the sound of heaven released. As we conclude this month, Rachel and Gordon are in Warsaw, Poland, speaking at a prophetic conference and ministering to leaders. Please pray for them this weekend.
Apart from ministry engagements, March also afforded us some holiday time. Rachel and Gordon had the joy of celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary and took a trip down memory lane, visiting Ambleside in the Lake District where they spent their honeymoon all those years ago. Jesus was incredibly kind to them and they enjoyed wonderful sunny days and beautiful surroundings. I also had some time away, taking a week to travel to Egypt to visit friends. It was an interesting time to be in the Middle East, a region which is often considered a prophetic “time clock”. Many of the leaders there are praying that the enemy would not be allowed to change the set times of God by pre-empting and provoking world events. But in all the shaking, it is so encouraging to remember that Iran is seeing an incredible harvest of souls – do pray for the church and its leaders there.
As we look ahead to April and the first half of May, Rachel, Gordon and I are preparing for our 4 week ministry trip to the USA. We will be in Spokane and Everett in Washington State, Lewiston in Idaho and then Harrisburg, Oregon. We are looking forward to meeting up with many long-term friends and partners. Our ministry engagements are a combination of larger meetings and smaller strategic gatherings in homes with leadership teams. Please pray for us as we travel and serve. Here is an overview of the month – we would love to see you if you are near one of these locations.
Ministry Dates April 2026 – 10 May 2026
5 April Fresh Bread message, Heartcry social platforms (Gordon)
9-12 April Jesusfellesskapet, Bergen, Norway (Rachel & Gordon)
16-30 April USA ministry (Rachel,. Gordon and Helen)
17-20 April Victory Faith Church, Spokane, WA, USA
22 April Wednesday Warriors meeting, Bothell, WA, USA
24 April Upper Room Awakening worship & prayer evening, hosted by The Way Movement, held at Sonrise Christian Center, Everett, WA, USA
25 April The Way Movement women leaders meeting (by invitation), Everett, WA, USA
26 April Sunday services, Sonrise Christian Center, Everett, WA, USA
27 April Gordon’s 75th birthday!
30 April Prayer evening held at Sonrise Christian Center
1-3 May River City Church, Lewiston, ID, USA
8-10 May Life Bible Church women’s conference and Sunday services, Harrisburg, OR, USA
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 blessings for a very Happy Easter,
Helen – on behalf of Rachel & Gordon too!