Ahead of Jonathan Thomas returning to Christchurch to preach for us on October 31, Lewis got to sit down with him to hear his story.    As happens when old friends get together, they covered a lot of territory. But the majority of this first part of the conversation is taken up with Jon’s recollection of a personal season of weariness and burnout and the grace of God he found in the midst of it.    This is part 1 of a two-part chat. We’ll release the follow up in a few days time.    Listen in as we get to know Jon better and look forward to welcoming him back on October 31. 

We Are Christchurch

JT part 1: where we talk about burnout and grace

Ahead of him coming to preach with us on October 17, we thought it would be a good idea to get to know Will Savory.    Will is a husband, father, pastor and church planter. For 8 years he’s served Soul Church, Neath having been a part of the original team sent from Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Swansea. In this episode we more about the church, how a church in South Korea played a vital role in seeing it established and we learn of Will’s previous life working the doors of Sin City.    And bizarrely, before all that, we hear Will quoting William Blake poems.    During the chat, Will mentions Medhust Ministries  20 Schemes  Mount Pleasant Baptist Church Swansea and Soul Church Neath. Follow the links if you’d like to know more.   You can connect with Will direct here.

Will Savory and Soul Church Neath

As Christians worldwide celebrate Harvest we do in thanksgiving for every good gift we’ve received from the Giver of all, and to remember that everything we have we have to share. Harvest is about mercy as much as it is thanksgiving.    So as part of of our time together last Sunday we heard from Fran and Linda Richley and Jon Slocombe as they each lead ministries that serve our city in Jesus’ name.    Follow the links if you’d like to know any more about Eden Gate, CAP or Newport Foodbank.

Stories of Mercy

200 yards away, but who are they?    In today’s We Are Christchurch we get to know our neighbours, as Lewis sits down with Meirion Thomas and learns about Malpas Road Evangelical Church; a people with whom Christchurch share a postcode and a wonderful Saviour.

Hey Neighbour!

Did Jesus meditate? Inside and outside the church, meditation is a word that we hear a lot, but what exactly is it? Is it there more to it than mindfulness? Join Bob, Lew and Hilary on this latest episode of 'We are Christchurch' as they think through what it is to meditate.

Meditation Roundtable

After 18 years, 15 thousand members and a global reach that influenced a generation of pastors and church planters, Mars Hill Church, and its then pastor Mark Driscoll were gone. The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill wants to tell you the story.    This podcast has become so popular (it’s #1 on the podcast charts right now), we thought it might serve to chew it over. So we invited  Sammy Davies from Ammanford Evangelical Church and Sarah Woolley to join Lewis and Pete and discuss not just Driscoll and Mars Hill phenomena, but how to listen to the pod with gratitude and discernment.   During the chat, Lewis makes reference to an article by David French. You can find it here.    We Are Christchurch is a ministry of Christchurch Newport. Get in touch! They’d love to get to know you.    The music for this episode is taken from In Thorns by Christchurch Music. You can hear the full version here.

A Podcast about a Podcast: A Mars Hill Special

Bob Silvester has been part of our church since day one, longer still if you go back to the day he journeyed from Bradford to Risca. Since 2013 he’s been on staff, serving the church by pastorally supporting our elderly congregation. In this latest episode of We Are Christchurch, listen in as Bob shares the honour of walking alongside our senior members.

Learning from and loving our elderly congregation

Gavin Smith. He’s been part of Christchurch Newport since day one and for 17 years, he’s served as our church Administrator. But when it came to Christ and his people, things weren’t always that straightforward. Listen in as Gav tells his story; from professional footballer to discovering that Christ is all. Please visit the church office website at www.thechurchoffice.co.uk.

Our God is almighty. He reigns over all things; even down to the minutest of levels. He is the God of Providence. And this is no abstract theology. Listen as Jo Black tells her version of the story God is writing.

Me and the God of Providence

Christians Against Poverty (CAP) provides free help to those living in the darkness of debt. They provide practical and emotional support and exist to show people that there is always hope.   As Christchurch Newport begins its partnership with CAP, we hear from Linda Richley as she prepares to lead this vital new ministry.

Help for those in debt

Mark Altrogge is a husband, dad, pastor and songwriter. Over many decades he has expressed heartfelt joy in Jesus Christ through songs sung in churches across the world, and published by Sovereign Grace Ministries, Integrity Music, Glad, Anne Herring, Matthew Ward, and others. Some of his most well-known songs include “I Stand in Awe“; “How High and How Wide” and “Forever Grateful”.  On Sunday April 25, Christchurch Newport pastor, Pete Greasley caught up with his old friend, Mark for an evening of Story and Songs. Join us as we eves-drop on their conversation and recount the grace of God to them, to us and the world. For more information about Christchurch Newport, visit ChristchurchNewport.co.uk 

Mark Altrogge, In conversation and song

2000 years ago, a young couple nursed a newborn child, and celebrated that first Christmas in isolation; far away from friends and family. Their country lived in fear and weeping was heard on the streets. We are not the first to know a cancelled Christmas.   “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2: 10   We have reason for sorrow, but we have more reason for hope. Come celebrate Jesus’ coming with us at Christchurch.

Sunday Night Light

As a follow-up to Sunday’s message on friendship, here’s a seminar and Q+A that Lewis and Jenny Roderick did for you Ammanford Evangelical Church https://ammanfordchurch.com/ last summer. There’s a little bit of overlap in the content, but otherwise, it's a different angle on this important subject.   If you want to skip the seminar and jump into the Q+A, it starts at 47:15

Friendship

On Monday September 22, the Welsh Government placed Newport in lockdown. In this short message, Pete Greasley explains how this will affect Christchurch.

Sunday Morning Changes

 A few weeks ago, I sat in Christchurch member, Naomi Miles’ garden and learned about the links that exist between the global porn industry and modern-day slavery.  Few conversations have landed so hard. I left enlightened but brokenhearted for the tens of millions of women (and men) worldwide who live in this darkness. But it doesn’t have to be this way.  Listen in as Naomi shares her heart for a modern-day abolition, and how the gospel of Jesus Christ compels her to speak for those without a voice. 

Pornography, Slavery and a Vision to Change the World

We our Christchurch. This podcast is about filling in the blanks, asking further questions and joining the dots between the gospel and all of life so that Christchurch can more and more be a church together, to make Christ known to all.

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We Are Christchurch

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