Our dear friends,

I hope you have found some space and time to relax, unwind and reflect this summer. Here in the UK summer was – WET!!  Gordon and I had a wonderful three weeks in Scotland but it rained relentlessly. Fortunately we always managed to find some time each day that was relatively dry  and walk somewhere – even if the skies were leaden and grey. It was not our tropical, sunny holiday by any means but it was a time of real rest and relaxation. In fact, I even managed to find space to write! I have just completed the first draft of my manuscript of a new book called HOPE FILLED. I have wanted to write about hope since February 2012 and then, during the Covid season, I prepared the messages of hope, and now I have finally sat down to write a book on hope. At the moment it is being read and edited by people to make sure it is readable and theologically correct. Then we will send it for layout and cover design before the final editing and printing. It is always an exciting but laborious process but I trust that it will be ready by November 2023 in time for USA Thanksgiving and the UK Christmas! So this was my summer holiday.

While writing this book, I was again reminded of the importance of keeping great expectation for our future. In this season it is so important to anchor our souls in biblical hope, filling our minds with peace, and enabling us to awaken fresh dreams even when our natural circumstances are challenging. At a time when so many need hope, how wonderful to know that hope does not depend on human self-effort or positive mental thinking.  No, this hope has a name: His name is Jesus! So as you start this month of September, this is my prayer for you: Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 NLT)

Although life has been at a different pace in August it has still seemed very busy. Helen and I have been in the office planning for a new project for leaders called The Roundhouse  which we will host in September in Oxford. This is taking lots of planning, structuring and strategic thinking. We are so excited to welcome all sorts of invited friends and leaders to Oxford to pray and plan together for the future. All over the nations we are excited to hear the stories of hungry people gathering to seek Jesus. People are walking in off the street asking about God, neighbours are having long spiritual conversations at BBQs or while walking their dogs. It seems as if there is a new inquistiveness about spiritual matters and Jesus. I believe these are days when we need to be ready to help people find God.

These last weeks have been a time for family and friendships too. I have cooked meals, made blackcurrant jam, and enjoyed meals out with friends. Gordon has had eye surgery so was unable to drive for some days so being at home in our garden was wonderful. My mum was also unwell at the beginning of the month so Gordon and I travelled back from Scotland early to help her. She is also unable to drive for one month now so we are navigating a summer of caring for dogs while family is on holiday, looking after grandkids for busy working parents, and being a taxi service as required! A different rhythm of life, and busy!

Gordon and I continue to be actively involved in the life of our Oxford Hillsong church. We have had some special services where the presence of God has been so close and people are hungry. Once September comes I will not be around in the life of the church so regularly as I will be travelling again more extensively, but it has been a joy to be with this church through this tough season of losing Anna and the journey of grief after her death. I am so proud of our community who have chosen to press into God and each other in intentional ways. We have really seen family culture being formed. In spite of the pain, we have developed stronger relationships and it is a joy to see! 

Helen writes:

August has also been a busy month of planning travel and ministry itineraries for the autumn. This week we have booked flights to USA, Austria, Moldova, Slovenia, Germany and the Middle East so, apart from being a taxi service, we might open a travel agency as well! Joking aside though, we are full of expectation for the months ahead as we visit missions’ projects in Moldova and minister in the nations. It is a privilege that we never take for granted and we are so grateful to those of you who generously support us in prayer and financially to keep us on the road carrying the message of hope. Over the next couple of months we will be leading some prayer ministry training days in the Chelmsford area so if you are interested in joining one of those, please see the itinerary below for links to the host church’s event details. 

We are also excited that bookings are now open for our next Legacy Day in Oxford on Saturday 7 October 2023. As we have prayed, we have felt to call the day “Presence & Power”. This is a season when we need to intentionally position ourselves to encounter the presence of Jesus in a fresh way. These are also days when expectation is rising for His presence to be made manifest in power in signs, wonders and miracles.  As we meet together, we will be pressing in for this manifest presence. So come if you are hungry and let His presence come upon you in power!

After a break over the summer, we are resuming our monthly Fresh Bread messages and Rachel will bring us a word this coming Sunday 27 August so that you can listen over the UK bank holiday weekend. Look out for this on our YouTube and Facebook platforms.

Here is an overview of our speaking and travel schedule for September.

Ministry Dates September 2023

27 August Fresh Bread message Heartcry social media platforms (Rachel)
3 September Life Church Sunday service, Chelmsford, UK (Rachel & Helen)
10 Sept Letchworth Garden City Church Centenary services, UK (Rachel)
10 Sept Epping Forest Community Church, UK (Helen)
10 Sept Riverside Church, Exeter, UK (Gordon)
12-21 Sept Seattle & Spokane, WA, USA (Rachel & Gordon)
13 Sept Wednesday Warriors meeting, Bothell, WA, USA (Rachel)
17 Sept Victory Faith services, Spokane, WA, USA (Rachel & Gordon)
26-27 Sept Heartcry Roundhouse leaders gathering, Oxford, UK (Rachel, Gordon, Helen)
30 Sept Prayer Ministry Training part 1, Life Church, Chelmsford, UK (Helen)

Our love and appreciation, 
Rachel & Gordon and Helen and the wider Heartcry family.