Ashburnham 2017: Great teaching, lots of laughter and plenty of sun

We've just got back from an amazing weekend at Ashburnham with about 2300 others from the New Ground family of churches.

Ashburnham is a beautiful place, especially when the sun shines. And the sun really did shine. Good weather always helps when you are camping but that wasn't the only reason why this last weekend was so good.

Over the weekend there was some amazing teaching; exploring the theme 'make a difference'. The teaching was big picture and practical at the same time and I'd encourage everyone to listen to the downloads when they are available.

 

There was also time to hear some amazing stories of what churches across New Ground are doing to impact their communities. Innovative and engaging projects are making a massive difference across the UK.

I had the privilege of speaking in the youth venue. I spoke on revival and it was just incredible to see a big crowd of teenagers come to the front of the venue and start crying out to God for revival in their generation. I will always remember that evening!



There were so many things that I could mentioned; the prayer room, the fact that £223,000 was given, the amazing times of worship that we enjoyed together.

But more than anything...Ashburnham was special because it meant I got to hang out with a crowd of people from the church that I love and lead. Some I knew well, some not so well, but sitting out late at night under a clear sky sharing stories and laughing...alot... was so precious.

I know that many went to Ashburnham two years ago and it was a difficult experience for reasons I won't go into here.  It was tough and I understand why this will have deterred people from attending this year.  However,  2017 was a very different experience and I have come away from this weekend refreshed, envisioned and so grateful to be part of New Ground, a family of churches that help us connect to a bigger picture of what God is doing beyond Mid-Sussex.  Plus... it really topped up the tan!

Ashburnham is happening again over the August Bank Holiday weekend in 2019