The launch of the 20/20 mission initiative for one of the new RM communities, in Norfolk and North Suffolk, took place recently. Glynis Wiley tells us more…

This gathering of the members of RM Churches from across our region launched a renewed drive to move into areas where New Testament church life could be established: twenty more places over the next twenty years across Norfolk and North Suffolk. It’s part of the RM vision for multiplication and growth across the UK, Europe and the wider global stage. The day was faith-inspiring, momentum-increasing and strength-building: it’s a glorious thing we’re about, whether taking ground or embedding existing churches.

Hearts were charged in worship to start the day, but not just that once. As we caught Jesus’ plan for his church, we turned to worship again and again. Jon Beardon outlined how we got here - the story of planting across the region, which was helpful for people new to the scene, and encouraging to us all.

Stef Liston spoke engagingly and authoritatively on Isaiah 54:1-3, building a picture of how we are children of the promise, and that joined to Jesus we have life, Spirit and fruitfulness. Multiplication comes through his work on the cross. The journey isn’t always comfortable, but fruitfulness will come.

In practical terms, we ‘enlarge’ by prioritising the pursuit of the presence of God, and training, nurturing and being a Spirit-filled people. We ‘stretch’ resiliently in our neighbourhoods, and ‘lengthen and strengthen’ by a willingness to go and by building strong foundations of prayer, teaching, spiritual gifts and fellowship. The stories of people among us who have lived lives of ‘mobility’ - being willing to go, and ‘stickability’ - faithfully building the local church, illustrated the ‘lengthening and strengthening’ principles.

From there, we were encouraged to get behind on-the-ground prayer initiatives, the first wave of which includes Poringland, Long Stratton and Watton. Prayer will always be essential in everything we do, to make way for God to come through. Prophecy, too, will play a major part in the task, and the words offered on this launch day will be carefully weighed. As for further training and equipping, LEAD and the School of Supernatural Life were highly recommended.

The final phase of the day prepared us individually with an infilling of the Holy Spirit as we passed through fiery prayer tunnels. Many encountered God powerfully and received words of strengthening and promise.

Stef encouraged us to be available, for we are God’s strategy. This day could be the beginning of many stories!