Issue 65, Spring 2015

Word of Centre Everything is possible 27-29 ALMA STREET UNIVERSITY OF BEDFORDSHIRE

to one LUTON, Beds, LU1 2PL Polhill Campus, Polhill Avenue who has faith Telephone: 01582 520444 BEDFORD, MK41 9EA MARK 9:23

Saturday Prayer @ 06:00-08:00 Sunday Services @ 08:30 & 12:00; & every last Sunday @ 17:00 [Bedford: 11:45 - 13:15]

www.wofc.org.uk

CONTENTS CONTACT PERSONS WEEKLY CELL GROUPS

Pg 3: Pastor’s Corner SENIOR PASTOR KENNY OGUNJI LIMBURY - WED 07538 848914 DONNA / LAVERNE Pg 4: Cut the Umbilicus… 07951 403421 Pg 6: Testimony - Vindicate Me, O PASTOR FRED LAMPTEY … 07538 848915 CENTRAL - FRI 1

Pg 9: Ladies in Waiting… KOFI & ADWOA PASTOR KINGSLEY BLAKE 07956 447368 Pg 10: Puzzle Me, Colour Me 07538 848916 Pg 12: Boys to Men… MARSH FARM - FRI 2 Pg 14: 3 W’s of Incarnation… ELDER NIYI OBEMBE REG & PAT Pg 17: An Invitation 07932 678018 07940 456243 Pg 18: Vision, Mission Statements & Beliefs ELDER REG REINDORF BRAMINGHAM - FRI 3 07966 010197 CHRISTIAN & DORCAS

07939 269762 UP-COMING EVENTS ELDER CHRISTIAN OWUSU-YIANOMA

07939 269762 HITCHIN - FRI 4 3-5 Apr Annual Retreat ELDER PAUL MANTE DIANE 25 Apr Youth Conference @ 13:30- 07766 623548 07772 440631 20:30 (inc Evening Concert) 23 May Singles Ministry @ 16:00 EDITORIAL TEAM BEDFORD - FRI 5 PAUL / SHARON 28-29 May Holy Spirit Meetings @ 18:15 Kenny Ogunji, Laverne Anamelechi, Paulette McGhan 07766 623548 6 Jun Financial Management Donna Obembe, Annette Rose Workshop @ 18:00 MILTON KEYNES - FRI 6 27-28 Jun Body Dynamics Pt13 @ 18:00 GLEN / TOYIN NEXT ISSUE 31 Jul Maintaining Godly 07946 622847 SUMMER 2015 Friendships with the Opposite Sex @ 19:30 Weekly meetings are scheduled to 1-4 Aug Ablaze UK (Cheltenham) run from 19:45-21:15 (http://www.ablazeuk.org/)

Abbreviations and names of the Books of the Old Testament Gen Genesis 1 Sam 1 Samuel Est Esther Lam Lamentations Mic Micah Ex Exodus 2 Sam 2 Samuel Job Job Ezek Ezekiel Nah Nahum Lev Leviticus 1 King 1 Kings Ps Psalms Dan Daniel Hab Habakkuk Num Numbers 2 King 2 Kings Prov Proverbs Hos Hosea Zeph Zephaniah Deut Deuteronomy 1 Chron 1 Chronicles Ecc Ecclesiastes Joel Joel Hag Haggai Josh Joshua 2 Chron 2 Chronicles SoS Song of Solomon Amos Amos Zech Zechariah Jud Judges Ezra Ezra Isa Isaiah Obad Obadiah Mal Malachi Ruth Ruth Neh Nehemiah Jer Jeremiah Jonah Jonah

Abbreviations and names of the Books of the New Testament Matt Matthew 1 Cor 1 Corinthians 1 Thess 1 Thessalonians Heb Hebrews 3 Jn 3 John Mk Mark 2 Cor 2 Corinthians 2 Thess 2 Thessalonians Jas James Jude Jude Lk Luke Gal Galatians 1 Tim 1 Timothy 1 Pet 1 Peter Rev Revelation Jn John Eph Ephesians 2 Tim 2 Timothy 2 Pet 2 Peter Acts Acts Phil Philippians Titus Titus 1 Jn 1 John Rom Romans Col Colossians Philemon Philemon 2 Jn 2 John ALL SCRIPTURES ARE TAKEN FROM VARIOUS TRANSLATIONS WHICH INCLUDE: AMPLIFIED, ASV, JERUSALEM, KJV, MOFFAT, NIV, NKJV, NLT AND RSV

Evangelical – Pentecostal - Trinitarian – International Page 2 PASTOR’S CORNER

If you are a Christian that makes you a love child of a faith God. If so then there are certain assertions you can and should make on the basis of what Christ has done. Regardless of what you may be going through now – what Christ did through the sacrifice of Himself is a once and for all proposition, never to be repeated again.

So what did He do for our benefit as believers in Christ ? Here are a few examples:

 He became a curse for us that we might be free from the curse of the law (Gal 3:13) and we might know the blessings of Abraham (Gen 24:1);  He took upon Himself our sin that we might become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (2 Cor 5:21);  He delivered us from the dominion of and his kingdom so that we are no longer victims of circumstances but victors over them (Col 1:12-14; Rom 8:31-39);  He redeemed us (bought us back) by His own blood therefore satan cannot lord it over the believer for we have been redeemed (1 Pet 1:18-19; Rev 12:11);  He provided us unhindered access to Father God and all the resources of Heaven (Jn 16:13-15; Heb 4:14-16);  We have peace and joy unspeakable full of glory (Rom 5:1; 1 Pet 1:7-8);  We have zoe (that is the God kind of life) within – wow! (Jn 3:36; Jn 14:6);  We have agape (that is the God kind of love; it does not need a chemistry, an affinity or feeling. It is a love that endures through any circumstance or difficulty). This love is in our hearts as believers, wow! (Rom 5:5).

However, these benefits are of no use to the believer if he/she does not know them, believe them and then confess them (personally verbalise “this is what Jesus accomplished for me…” – over and over again especially in the face of contradictory circumstances). What Jesus did for us at the cross, at resurrection, post ascension (the coming of the indwelling holy Helper who takes a permanent residence in the believer); the giving of His Name to us to employ in every situation we face is necessary to live a victorious life on a daily basis.

Recently, during the early hours of one Wednesday morning, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart the following prophetic and powerful phrase, “It’s a victorious day!” The most intriguing part is that He said my days, our days, are days of perpetual victory because of what Christ has done and that the greater ONE (Holy Spirit who is LORD in the church) lives BIG within us – wow! Just let it soak in precious child of God…

So whatever you may be experiencing right now, remember today is a day of victory! Say it to yourself and speak it to the situation because you are God’s special treasure…You are more than a conqueror (Rom 8:37), a royal diadem (Isa 62:3), a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord (Isa 62:3) and the redeemed of the Lord (Col 1:14).

Ps. Kenny

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It’s always a joy to see people – young and not so young come to the saving knowledge and grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The Bible says that there is great joy in heaven over one sinner who repents (imagine what the ‘party’ is like over many who repent?) Lk 15:7

It is also encouraging and exciting to see many baptised in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in another tongue. Our God is a giving God! He gave Jesus for our redemption (from second death, sicknesses & diseases and poverty) and Christ, in turn, gives the Holy Spirit unto us – a Divine Personality who makes His abode in us. He is with us always through thick and thin - we are never alone. Praise God!

But why is it that some of us who have experienced the remission of sins, tasted of the healing gift (eternal life) and the powers of the age to come sometimes find our walk with God an uphill struggle? Could it be because we have some unfinished business with the Devil? Perhaps there are still, attached to us, umbilical cords through which the enemy constantly gains access? We find it difficult to sleep at night and our thought patterns and processes are plagued with unholy things. We've fasted, prayed and reckoned ourselves dead to sin but all to no avail.

Over many years of helping and ministering to people of all ages I’ve found that Christ remains our Deliverer and the devil our oppressor. I’ve also become, over the years, acquainted with the devil’s schemes. The Bible does say that we are not ignorant of his schemes (2 Cor 2:11). In the following paragraphs I am going to unveil some of the reasons why , although born of the Spirit and filled with the Spirit, still experience fear, and defeat in their walk with God and never advance in God as they can or want to.

WHOM THE SON SETS FREE IS TRULY FREE

In the Gospel of John, Jesus revealed Himself to us as the giver (Jn 10:10) and that the devil, by contrast, steals, kills and destroys. The devil can and will steal our joy, our sleep and dreams, and destroy our health if we allow him. You see, the Bible says in Eph 4:27 never to give the devil a place or a foothold in our lives. But there are a number of doors, unknown to us at times, through which the devil comes into our lives to steal what God has given to us. Permit me to mention but a few:

(i) Unconfessed involvement with the occult

(ii) The use of astrology for direction

(iii) The use of soothsayers (fortune-tellers), palm readers

(iv) The application of some ‘omen’ or soaps as a means to secure protection against harm

(v) The curious visit to a medium or spiritist, playing with a ouija-board or tarot cards

(vi) The practice of levitation or astral projection

(vii) Involvement with secret societies such as freemasonry

(viii) Involvement with witchcraft

(ix) Unconfessed sin of abortion(s)

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(x) Wearing occultish symbols such as a talisman around the neck, wrist, waist or ankle

(xi) Cutting of the skin, with the application of black powder to secure protection against harm.

Any or a combination of the above will legitimise the devil’s entrance into your life. If it is unconfessed sins such as resentment (against anyone – dead or alive) or abortions then confess them to God in accordance with Prov 28:13, 1 Jn 1:9; but if it is any of the above then you need to break all association with the devil. You do so by faith – pray a sincere prayer of faith, thus:

PRAYER OF FAITH

(1) Ask God’s forgiveness for such association with the devil. Deut 18:9-14 itemises what we have discussed as abominations before God.

(2) Destroy or burn every occultic art, book(s), symbol(s) and object(s).

(3) Plead the blood of Christ over yourself; psychologically and otherwise and over every other member of your immediate family.

(4) Release yourself from under the curse for Christ became a curse for you so that you might receive His blessings – Gal 3:11-13

(5) Verbally disassociate yourself from every work of the devil and his cohorts – list the activities.

(6) Command the devil to take his ugly, stinking and defiled hands from off of you NOW in Jesus name.

(7) Confess Jesus’ Lordship over your life and every part of your being now. (Everywhere that Jesus occupies is safe!)

(8) Make Jesus central in your life.

In conclusion, the Bible says to stand having done all (Eph 6:13). Therefore, continue in fellowship with God through the daily scriptural reading and meditation, prayer and fellowship with like-minded Christians. (Heb 10:25) Put on the garment of praise and keep it on…and stay free. Free to love yourself, free to love God, free to love others as per the love of God poured out into your heart (Rom 5:5), free to serve God in sincerity and truth, and free to advance in God's will and purposes for your life. Amen.

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In the last issue, Sister Barbara shared how she had been falsely accused at her workplace and the steps leading up to the appeal process. Here she shares the outcome.

On the morning of the appeal I met with my union representative and I showed him the report I had from the external investigators about the same incident. Normally, you’re not given a written report, you just get a summary, but for whatever reason the Lord had prompted me to ask special permission to get a complete report of the investigation. The union representative looked at it and said “Well, based on what we have here that’s all we have to present”.

So we went to the hearing. I was standing on God’s word that He would vindicate me whatever happened. I had prayed for peace and the peace of God was upon me. I was so calm and peaceful. I had also asked Him to put the words in my mouth to speak. When I was given the opportunity to ask a question I asked my boss why she believed the allegation. She said because the patient had said it and the ancillary worker had agreed. I said “I waited so long to hear you say this”. I explained about how long I’d been there and all I’d done. I basically presented my case.

I have some knowledge of how you present a case and how you defend it, but the way this appeal ran it was completely out of the box. Because I was playing by the rules they were just going to walk all over me, because they weren’t going to play by the rules. I presented my case as the Spirit led. I asked the Lord to put the words in my mouth. They were not my words. There were lots of things that I would have said, because I can be quite vocal, but I spoke as the Spirit led.

Part of the problem for them was that wherever I went I said the same thing, there was no change to my story because I was telling the truth. When you’re honest and truthful you don’t have to make up a story. Irrespective of the stress I was under my documentation of the incident was flawless. So when you compared the complaint with the documentation – which I couldn’t add to after the fact and which was written when I didn’t know the patient was going to complain – my boss’s boss said that she could not understand how I was cleared of all the more serious charges, but the charge that I was rude to the patient was still upheld. That was the one thing they held onto and took a whole year to investigate.

My boss’s boss, who was chairing the meeting was not happy with me because she felt I should have presented my defence before the actual hearing. But I knew if I had done that they would have sabotaged my case. She asked me why I hadn’t presented the report before and I said “I understand how this system works. And I felt that if I presented this document it would have been suppressed.” She made it clear that she wasn’t happy that I had done it but said that she had no choice except to continue because she wanted to get to the truth. They never brought the ancillary worker into the hearing so that I could question her. So they breached procedure – because it was my boss who arranged everything.

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The chairwoman couldn’t make a decision because I’d brought this new document. When she read through the document and compared the external investigation with the internal one of the same incident, she had to come to no other conclusion than to dismiss the case. So I was vindicated of all these allegations and my name was cleared after one year. My union representative nearly fell off his chair. Because when I was appealing he said to me, “Barbara, no one appeals for a first caution.” They don’t normally entertain it, but when God is in control…

This incident changed my whole life and my pattern of how I pray and praise the Lord. Amidst all the adversity, pressure can make you a better person and change the way you perceive life. It’s been really, really hard, but I thank God for WoFC, because I don’t know where I would be without that support.

It changed my life completely in terms of how I see myself as a person. I began to be more cautious about what I said, not that I was careless before. But whenever anything was happening I would listen to what people had to say but I wouldn’t tell them what I thought.

It changed my prayer life in that I started praying in a more structured way. Before this happened, I would get into work, I would just go and get changed and probably sit and chit chat until my shift started. Now, I get up in the morning, pray, get ready, get in the car, put the praise and worship on low, and leave. By the time I hit the motorway I am speaking in tongues. I do it for about half an hour or 45 minutes. Sometimes I don’t even know when I stop.

When I park I have to get a bus, so I will read my scriptures on the bus. Normally I get to work quite early, so I will go to the chapel and spend half an hour praying, reading, meditating on God’s word, covering myself, putting on my spiritual armour. Then I will go upstairs and get changed and get ready and start work.

When I’m doing day duty, I fast. Every day that I work, I fast. When I have my break I’ll read either the bible or one of my books or I’ll just close my eyes and rest in the Lord. When you’re with people they’re always chatting somebody’s business or gossiping.

It has led me to a different lifestyle. I wasn’t really able to hear from God before in terms of what He was saying to me about my everyday life. But now I’m able to hear and see and understand what my purpose is, what He wants from me and what I need to do. I’m able to appreciate that what God gives you is loaned to you and for you to use and share. It made me stop and think that one day I am going to leave all that I have behind, including the work I’ve done. So it should be of good report and perfecting. So whereas I used to try to do a good job anyway, now I’m looking to work as unto the Lord. And for Him to keep me steadfast in whatever I do and whatever decision I make is based on what He wants.

Years ago, one of my supervisors observed that I was always leaving places, and asked why that was. I explained that was how I solved my problems. I don’t like confrontation so when an obstacle came my way I would leave.

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Now that I know the Spirit of God lives within me it has changed the way I do things. The old me would want to lash out at people who have wronged me. I wouldn’t be speaking to them; I would just pick up my things and go get another job. When Pastor Kenny said I should stay at this workplace I knew it was from God. Because I wasn’t fighting this battle myself I knew I had to see this out.

The Lord has had to take me full circle. I knew He had a purpose for me but through this adversity I can now see. You can’t have the victory unless you’ve fought a battle. And I’ve never had to do anything like this before. Life has been kind and I give God the glory for that. Things have always gone really well and I’ve been quite successful in whatever I’ve put my hand to.

I’m now able to appreciate God’s word and how to live the way He wants me to. It’s not something that anyone can make you do. The Lord knew that this is what it would take for me to deny self, not just say it in theory, and to depend on Him. To understand that whatever I do I have to first acknowledge Him. So now I say “Lord whatever it is, I’m trusting in You.” I no longer get upset if things don’t quite work out as I expected. I always say, the Lord knows. It’s probably for a purpose. It changes your perspective of life and you realise that things you might have worried over or fussed about before no longer matter. Because everything is for a season.

I remember I said to Pastor Kenny, I believe but every now and then the doubts come and he said, “Sister Barbara, that’s the devil knocking. Don’t let him in!” There are times when you stand on the word and you say Lord I thank you because you know the Lord is going to do it and then the devil comes and says what if? But there’s no what if. You have to stand firm. Now I no longer fear those who have tried to get rid of me; they can’t do anything to me because I’m trusting in God. That’s all He says I’m to do, trust in Him and praise Him. I praise Him the least chance I get.

Evangelical – Pentecostal - Trinitarian – International Page 8 …letter of encouragement

The Joys and Challenges of Being a Mother

I have a scenario for you ... Imagine you are in your late teens, just starting your first year of university, no real responsibilities and still trying to get your life together. Now here's a question - would you ever believe that in less than 6 months you would be married and with child? Sounds crazy right - so you can imagine the shock when I experienced the above.

Some would argue that I should have been over the moon with excitement however, my mind was focused on the journey ahead and I doubted if I could cope. The joys and challenges of being a mother have helped me to depend on God and move by faith rather than what I see. Allow me to elaborate...

When I first realised that I was pregnant, I seriously considered abortion to free myself of all responsibility. I now realise the child God had placed within me (Ps 139:13) was the catalyst to a serious turning point for my life. After the initial shock and disappointment, I went on to disclose the news to the father of my child, who shortly after proposed to me. Despite his courage, I struggled to believe he wanted to marry me for the right reasons. I loved him and wanted to spend the rest of my life with him but I just wasn't sure. So I denied his proposal, but this did not stop the Lord from starting His work in me. He began to show me that my husband-to-be's proposal was genuine and that this was the man I would spend the rest of my life with - The Lord had already ordained my steps (Ps 37:23).

So, now pregnant and a newlywed, I thought the hard part was over. However with my husband committed to work overseas for the planned duration of my pregnancy, I doubted if he would even witness the birth of his first child. In amongst this, I continued through my second year of full time study at university while juggling part time work. Needless to say, this stage was quite draining but I thank the Lord for His strength (Phil 4:13). I love God's timing because He ensured I completed my second year of University, finished my last shift at work and brought my husband back to the UK just before our child was born.

As any mother I'm sure will tell you, having a child is as much a shock to the system as it is an amazing experience. Witnessing our child develop only exaggerated for me how wonderful my God is and how far He had taken me already (Ps 34:8). However, He wanted to take me further...my husband was now in full time work when I returned to university to complete my final year in addition to going to work part time. This was a chance for me to lean on God all over again. The enemy did endeavour to deter me from meeting my deadlines - with every late rush, with every technology fault, even the minor car accident on route to submission, I praise God that He saw me through to the end (Rev 3:8) giving me strength also to maintain my responsibilities of being a wife and a mother in between.

Even after graduation the Lord continued to amaze me, head hunting me for a job in my desired profession. He taught me how to rely on Him in every challenge when I could see no other way. In my eyes, I was not ready to become a mum or a wife, but God is gracious - the child He has knit together within me was my kickstart (Ps 139:13) and throughout the journey His mercies never failed me. He has a plan for our lives, plans that will make us prosper, give us hope and a future (Jer 29:11) but I have realised that God's plan does require us to have faith in Him and let Him lead (2 Cor 5:7). Today I still have challenges but God has given me many reasons to believe everything will continue to be ok.

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Evangelical – Pentecostal - Trinitarian – International Page 11 …a letter of encouragement

Abounding and Sustaining Increase I wrote a piece for ‘His Faithfulness’ approximately 12 months ago, I had recently secured a new job which I had been leaning on and believing God for. When I got the job I was extremely excited and incredibly thankful. However over time as I became more familiar with the role I began to find myself becoming increasingly bored and in turn began to moan about the job. I then started to look and apply for other jobs. In doing this I had a moment of clarity, I had prayed and beseeched God for the position I had which now I had so quickly become unthankful for. In that moment I repented and asked for God’s forgiveness for the ungrateful attitude I had adopted. I purposed I was going to remain thankful despite the boredom I might feel, because in my heart I knew it was required and furthermore why should God bless me with anything more if I didn’t learn to appreciate what I already had. About two weeks after making this conscious decision, I was nominated to be involved in three major projects, which presented the work diversity I had been seeking. God couldn’t bless me with more until I valued what He had already blessed me with. Since that point 12 months ago a lot has happened, which has only been God and no one else that I am sure off. I continued to excel in my work with God underpinning everything I did. One of my more senior colleagues was due to take maternity leave. With this approaching, I asked my manager whether there would be the development opportunity to step up into in her role in her absence. I made it clear, thanks to God, that salary was not an issue and all I wanted was the opportunity to develop and support my line manager in a similar fashion as my colleague had to which he agreed. So I took on a number of my colleague’s responsibilities and additional ones of my own accord. Again by God’s grace I continued to excel to the point my second line manager pulled me aside to ask if I felt fulfilled in my role and if I was getting the necessary development I required. He also let me know that, of my fellow colleagues, he felt I was the strongest and emphasised how valued I was. This was further reinforced when my salary was reviewed and subsequently increased. Time continued to pass, until I was approached by my second line manager regarding the prospect of stepping up and covering my line manager while he went on annual leave for three weeks. I was happy to do so and thankful again to God for yet another opportunity. The opportunity became increasingly interesting as during the time I was covering my managers role, his role became available in another team. The question I was now faced with was do I apply. There were a number of questions running through my mind, all of which held weight. However all this contemplation was doing was creating noise, noise which made it a struggle to hear what God was saying about whether to pursue the opportunity or not. In the past I had been hasty to apply for roles that weren’t for me and also God had blessed me where I was. So for me it was very important I was making the right decision and had a sense of peace. I sought the counsel of my family, who all encouraged me to pray and wait on the Lord. I had two weeks to apply for the position, while simultaneously I was covering my line manager’s role. At the beginning of the two weeks I sensed the lord just telling me to wait, go through the two weeks and absorb what I could from the opportunity. However, this afforded a greater amount of time for those thoughts that had been so vivid in my mind to continue to run wild, making it harder to hear God. To add to this noise I also had a conversation with my second line manager about the vacancy which would take me out of his team. He gave me an honest assessment stating it would be a big step, however, that I had come a long way from where I was when I joined the company and potentially possessed the ability to make that step. Evangelical – Pentecostal - Trinitarian – International Page 12

It wasn’t until the end of the second week when I was really able to hear from God. I remember listening to a message from the late Rev. Kenneth E Hagin, where he talked about how head knowledge can conflict with spirit knowledge. With this it made me look at the situation very differently, I asked the question should I apply, momentarily blocking out /ignoring the thoughts. I focused on whether there was a peace or not. What was poignant was that I felt a peace, but that that peace was submerged when I allowed my thoughts to take centre stage as opposed to God’s peace. My decision was made, because my faith was not in my human reasoning but in what God can do which we are spiritually in tune with but not necessarily intellectually capable to understanding, I applied. God also showed me how some of the concerns I had were a reflection of failure on my part to walk Christ like. I sent an email to my second line manager outlining that I had applied for the role after much thought and that by no means was it due to dissatisfaction with working in his team. So now I was in the position of needing to prepare for the recruitment day, which entailed a number of online prequalification tests, an onsite test, a presentation and an interview. A number of the tests I had done when applying for my initial role with the company. My experience wasn’t great, so that played somewhat on my mind. However, I was standing on and committing all I did to God. The recruitment day arrived and passed and, while I felt there were good and bad parts I was completely drained. When my colleagues asked how I thought I had done, I said “I have no idea, if I get this job it will only by God’s hand”. I went home and my wife had to encourage me because I felt slightly resigned to defeat but she reminded me who I was standing on. With that I checked myself, I began to prepare myself to be grateful for whatever the outcome, success or not, so I could maintain the diligence in my work as I had always but also to give God the thanks He deserves irrespective. The day after the recruitment day I was back in the office. I felt a lot better and when talking to my colleague I said I was ok with whatever the outcome because I had determined not to let the outcome adversely affect how I worked and again if it was God’s plan for me to get the job it would be so. I carried on with my day as usual, for the first time in a long time really enjoying the daily task of my initial role, as if God was reminding me what I had at present wasn’t bad at all. The end of the day approached and the hiring manager for the vacancy I applied for approached me and asked if he could have a word. As we walked to a room to talk, my mind was racing as to what he would say. In the interview he had said they were considering running another recruitment day to look at more candidates. He sat me down and said that I had interviewed well and presented a good presentation. However, that I had also voiced some areas I felt I needed to work on and at this point I thought he was going to say unfortunately at this time you have been unsuccessful and we want to talk to some other candidates. Despite these thoughts running through my mind I was prepared in my spirit for what he had to say because I had regained an appreciation of the role I already had. Well when he then said he would like to offer me the role on a trial basis with some training to address the concerns I had raised and that at the end of the trial he would assess if I was capable of taking the position permanently. I was speechless, when I regained the ability to articulate I thanked him and then remained in the room after he left to compose myself as the news wasn’t to be made public yet. All I could say was God is good, what he had done in my life at work but more importantly in my spiritual development to hear Him was beyond amazing. Abounding and sustaining increase in every sense of the word. God is seeking to move but we must let Him, allow ourselves to hear what He is saying but also then act in obedience when we do hear.

Evangelical – Pentecostal - Trinitarian – International Page 13 …teaching article by Pastor Kenny Ogunji, previously published in HF06 (Dec 1999)

Jn 1:1-3, 12, 14 (AMP) (1) In the beginning [before all time] was the Word [Christ (Rev. 19:13,16)], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. [Isa. 9:6] (2) He was present originally with God. (3) All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being…(12)…To as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority [power, privilege, right] to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in – adhere to, trust in and rely on – His name. [Isa 56:5]…(14)…The Word [Christ] became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled – fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile – among us; and we [actually] saw His glory – His honour, His majesty; such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favour, loving-kindness) and truth. [Isa 40:5] The doctrine of the incarnation is taught throughout the Bible, and comes to explicit statement in such passages as found in the above text and 1 Tim 3:16 and Rom 8:3. The doctrine teaches that the eternal Son of God became human, and that He did so without any manner or degree of diminishing His divine nature. The virgin birth is necessary for our understanding of the incarnation. In the process of natural – ordinary birth, a new personality begins. Jesus Christ did not begin to be when He was born (contrary to what some, like , believe). He is the eternal Son. The virgin birth was a miracle, wrought by the Holy Spirit, whereby the eternal Son of God “became flesh”, that is, took to Himself a genuine human nature, in addition to His eternal divine nature. Mary’s response to angel Gabriel as he announces Christ’s birth is noteworthy here, as found in Lk 1:34- 35 - (34) “Then Mary said to the angel, how can this be, since I have no [intimacy with any man as a] husband? (35) Then the angel said to her, the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you (as a shining cloud); and so the holy (pure, sinless) Child which shall be born of you, will be called the Son of God. [Ex 40:34; Isa 7:14] The Holy Spirit has never been thought of as the father of Jesus. Jesus was not half man and half god like the Greek mythological heroes. He was and is fully God, the second Person of the Trinity (Godhead). “In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead in bodily form” (Col 2:9). At the same time He became genuinely a man. For to deny His authentic humanity is “…the spirit of the Antichrist” (1 Jn 4:2-3).

Incarnation is the union of divinity with humanity in the person of Jesus Christ. This is the celebration of ‘Christmas’. There is no Christmas without Christ. Incarnation was the only solution to the human problem – the only hope for mankind to be reunited with God. Any religion that denies the incarnation of Jesus of Nazareth is false!

This Eternal Being, called Emmanuel – God with us, or Jesus Christ – is in our text, called the Word. The Word existed in the beginning. The Word was with God – with God in fellowship, in purpose, working with Him. God made the worlds through the Word (Heb 1:2; Jn 1:3). And this Eternal Being was God! He possessed the same nature, the same form and equality with Father God (Phil 2:6).

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This Being became flesh! The Word became a man and dwelt among us. He became human – as much a man as if He’d never been anything else, yet He did not cease to be what He had been. The Word made His home among us, and we beheld the glory of God (Col 1:15; Heb 1:3).

We shall be examining four reasons for the incarnation of the Son of God. The purpose of incarnation is: 1. Mediatorial in nature, 2. Redemptive in nature, 3. To afford humanity the right to sonship, 4. To reveal the Father God.

MEDIATORIAL

“For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Tim 2:5) Man’s condition demanded an incarnation – man had become spiritually dead with no approach to God. The incarnation of Deity with humanity provided One who could stand as Man’s Mediator. Equal with God on one hand and united with man on the other, this One could assume the obligations of man’s treason and satisfy the claims of justice, thereby bridging the chasm between God and man. You see, God created man in His own image, just a little lower than Himself; so nearly like God that it was possible for God and man to become united for eternity in one individual! (When Christ became a man and took on a physical body in the incarnation, He did so for eternity. Therefore there is a God- man in heaven today, right now, at the Father’s right hand as a result of the incarnation. Somebody shout glory!). It was possible for God and man to become united because of Jesus. Thank You Lord. You see, God can dwell in these our human bodies. God can impart His life and nature to our spirits. That is what takes place at the New Birth: Spiritual death is eradicated from the spirit, and God gives man His life (Zoe).

REDEMPTIVE

Matt 1:21 “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shall call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins”. The first step in redemption (buying us back from the slavery of sin, Satan and his cohorts) was Christ’s identification with our humanity. This, as we have already discussed, took place in His incarnation. Christ was made flesh (Jn 1:14). Heb 2:14 says, “For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same …” But at the time of His incarnation, Jesus did not partake of the nature that reigned in the spirit of man. Had He done so then, He would have been spiritually dead during His earthly ministry. Then He could not have pleased the Father by doing His own will. No, His identification with the spirit nature of man did not take place until His crucifixion. Because it was at the crucifixion that God actually made Jesus Christ to become sin for us (2 Cor 5:21). Our sin nature was laid upon Jesus Christ until He became all Evangelical – Pentecostal - Trinitarian – International Page 15

that spiritual death had made man. On the cross therefore, Christ Jesus became our substitute. Believers, can therefore, say and re-affirm the words of Apostle Paul in Gal 2:20 (KJV). “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me”.

THE RIGHT TO SONSHIP

Gal 4:4-7 (4)But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, (5)To redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. (6) And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” (7)Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. The object of the incarnation was that man might be given the right to become a child of God (Jn 1:12). Man could become a child of God only by receiving the nature of God; therefore, Christ came that man might receive eternal life (Jn 10:10; 1 Jn 5:11-12). And man could receive eternal life only after he had been legally redeemed from Satan’s authority (Col 1:13-14)

REVELATION OF FATHER GOD

Jn 1:18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.” Jn 14:9 “Jesus said to him…He who has seen Me has seen the Father...” Man, born into a world ruled by Satan, did not by nature know his Creator. Since Adam’s sin – when man died spiritually - God and man had been spiritually separated. Man desperately needed an incarnation. The incarnation of Jesus Christ – God manifested in the flesh – gave to the world the true knowledge of the nature of God. Spiritually dead men could not know the nature of the Creator without a revelation from Him. God had been conceived as weird, cruel, grotesque, immoral, aloof, or, perhaps, an impersonal energy, but He was never thought of as a God of love – a loving heavenly Father. “What’s He really like?” People will inquire about some movie star, TV personality, politician, and so on. And sometimes those close to that celebrity will attempt in an interview to tell what he or she is really like. What’s the God of this universe really like? People want to know. Friends, if you want to know what God is really like – just look at Jesus of Nazareth! You see, God has so loved this world that He gave us His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life (here and now and forever!). For God did not send His Son to our world to condemn it but that the entire world might be saved through Jesus Christ (Jn 3:16-17). It was good tidings of great joy, which the angel proclaimed to the shepherds (Lk 2:10-11) – and to all people everywhere. Man, separated from God for 4000 years, could now gaze upon God’s glory, could now see God, could now know God as He is, and could now be reunited with Him. The Word has become flesh!

Evangelical – Pentecostal - Trinitarian – International Page 16 An Invitation to Know Christ…

All it takes are a few simple but sincere steps by you to give your life to Jesus Christ. God sent His Son so that all may be saved and know Him. That means you can come to know Jesus just as you are today. He is not looking at your clothes, your race, your job or your qualifications. All God is looking at is your heart. You first need to follow these steps:

“...surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.” (Ps ACKNOWLEDGE YOU 51:5); “...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” (Rom 3:23) ARE BORN A SINNER

BELIEVE THAT JESUS “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our DIED FOR YOU Lord.”(Rom 6:23)

“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that CONFESS YOUR SINS God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you BEFORE GOD believe and you are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” (Rom 10:9-10)

“Therefore I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer up your bodies as DECIDE TO FOLLOW living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do JESUS AND TRUST HIM not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the AND HIS WORD FROM renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - NOW ON His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Rom 12:1-2)

If you believe in the above scriptures and want Jesus Christ to be the Lord and Saviour of your life, then pray the following prayer. Allow God to heal your broken heart and show you the kind of love that man cannot give. You will feel a sense of inner peace that only God can bring and despite your situation you will have joy.

Heavenly Father, I thank you for sending Jesus to die for me that I might have life to the full. You love me so much and Your word says if I come to Jesus He will not cast me away (John 3:16; John 6:37). Now, by faith, I come and accept that I was born in sin and believe that Jesus died for me. I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Master from now on. Help me to live a life of total devotion and dedication to Him. Thank you heavenly Father for your unfailing love and accepting me into Your family. I am now Your child (John 1:12) and a member of God’s family here on earth. Amen.

If you are sincere in your prayer, you are saved and have become a new person in Christ - welcome to the family of God. If you do not have a church to go to and would like advice or need someone to pray with you or explain things further to you, please contact one of the persons shown on page 2, or email your prayer request by using the “Contact Us” form on this site.

Evangelical – Pentecostal - Trinitarian – International Page 17 …Tenets of the Apostolic Church

1. The one and living God, externally existent in three persons in unity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Don’t be alarmed if you can’t understand everything about God…He simply asks us to believe in Him. [Matt 28:19; 2 Cor 13:14]

2. The divine inspiration and authority of the Holy Scriptures. The Bible is a complete manual for living. It shows that God deals with real people…remaining a Lord of mercy at all times. [2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:20-21]

3. The inherent corruptness of man through the Fall; the necessity of repentance and regeneration by grace and through faith alone, and the eternal separation from God of the finally impenitent. Every part of human nature is deeply damaged by the Fall. We require the new spiritual birth which the Holy Spirit gives. Any who refuse God’s command and offer of life will suffer everlasting separation from him in . [Rom 3:23; Eph 2; Acts 20:21; 2 Cor 5:17; Rev 20:11-15]

4. The virgin birth, sinless life, atoning death, triumphant resurrection, ascension and abiding intercession of our Lord Jesus Christ. His second coming and millennial reign upon earth. God’s eternal Son was born to a virgin, from whom He received his humanity. Fully human, He was without sin, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit. He bore in His death the penalty of all others’ sin. After the Father raised Him from death He returned in triumph to heaven where He represents his people. He will come again to rule over the earth for a thousand years. Jesus did all this for you. Just consider for a moment, how much He must love you. [Matt 1:18-25; Heb 2:9; 1 Pet 2:21-24; Acts 2:29-32]

5. Justification and sanctification of the believer through the finished work of Christ, and the resurrection of the believer in an incorruptible body. Imagine you were guilty, expecting to be condemned, but the One who was wronged says – “you are no longer guilty, but forgiven…and accepted into the family”. [Rom 3:21-24; 2 Cor 3:17-18; Eph 4:23-24]

6. The ordinances of baptism by Immersion, and of the Lord’s Supper. Jesus commanded that new believers be plunged in water to symbolise our sharing in the benefits of His saving work. His death and resurrection are the permanent basis of Christian life. Therefore He also ordained that the church should meet to remember Him by eating bread and drinking wine as symbols of His body and blood. [Matt 28:19; 1 Cor 11:23-26; Rom 6:3-14]

7. The security of the believer as he abides in Christ. God is faithful and gracious to His people, earnestly desiring and providing for our salvation. It is possible, however, for a Christian to forfeit salvation by a wilful failure to continue in faith and obedience. [1 Cor 10:12; 1 Tim 1:19; Heb 3:12]

8. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit for believers, with signs following. [Acts 2; Acts 10:44-48; Acts 19:1-6]

9. The Nine Gifts of the Holy Spirit for the edification, exhortation and comfort of the church, which is the Body of Christ. God does not leave us alone; He knows we need encouraging and when this happens, God can dynamically work in a situation by using the gifts he has given. [1 Cor 12:4-11; 1 Cor 13:9-12]

10. Church Government by Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers, Elders and Deacons. God has ‘gifted’ people in the church to lead it. God’s gift in them is recognised, nurtured, tested and they may be ‘set’ into their place of ministry (serving). [Eph 4:11; 1 Tim 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11]

Evangelical – Pentecostal - Trinitarian – International Page 18

11. The privilege and responsibility of bringing tithes and offerings to the Lord. God has given us everything; life, health and strength – and even our finances. If we are obedient in this aspect He has promised to bless us far more. [Mal 3:10-12].

…WoFC Vision & Mission Statement

VISION

A strong Word of Faith Centre, located here in Luton, with a congregation of over 1000 people. Five other assemblies, in and around the counties of Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

OVERALL

“To lead born-again believers to a place where they can operate proficiently in the biblical principles of faith, love, healing, prosperity, redemption and righteousness - and to the place of ‘spiritual multiplicity’, in other words, where those principles are shared with others.”

“Provide an environment where each believer functions positionally and progressively in their calling, vis-à-vis the Body.”

“Promote excellence in ministry.”

“Attract the unsaved by the presentation of the full Gospel with demonstration of the Spirit’s power.”

JUNIOR CHURCH & SUNDAY SCHOOL

The aim of the Junior Church & Sunday School is to equip each child with a living knowledge of and how it can change and enhance their lives.

We aim to lead the children to the Lord, not by force, or pressure, but by exposing them to the realities of biblical truths, and helping them as they make their own decisions about becoming a Christian. We hope to build confidence, and boldness into the children concerning the Word of God, so that wherever they find themselves in life, e.g. school, family setting, they will never be ashamed or afraid to own Christ as Friend and Lord.

The Junior Church & Sunday School is not about individuals, it is about instilling something precious into the lives of the children, and every adult can contribute in as much as they know prayer and Christ…

Our children deserve the best and will achieve it if we are faithful to God’s call regarding them, which is “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not...”

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JESUS IS KING 1 Cor 12:28 - And God has appointed these in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.

JESUS IS LORD 1 Cor 12:6 - And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.

PRAISE & WORSHIP Ps 100:4 - Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His Name. Praise and Worship is a vital part of the services. The Praise & Worship Team lead the congregation in a time of thanksgiving, praise, worship, singing, dancing, rejoicing, glorifying God for His Sovereignty and entering into His wonderful presence.

JUNIOR CHURCH Prov 22:6 - Train up a child in the way he should go. And when he is old, he will not depart from it. The children are taken out whilst the main service is going on and they have a time of prayer, testimony and worship before going to their respective sessions. The junior church consists of infant, primary and senior sessions.

FAITH LOUNGE 1 Tim 4:12 - Let no-one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Faith Lounge caters specifically for the 17-25 year olds. In a relaxed atmosphere, we explore Biblical truths, develop social networks and ‘chill’ in His presence. Contemporary issues are discussed with the aim of promoting a balanced generation for Christ.

DISCIPLESHIP CLASSES 1 Pet 2:2 - ...as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby... These classes, levels 1-4, are for new and matured Christians and those who may require a refresher course. Each level runs for a minimum of 5 months and the teachings are on basic and advanced Christian principles. There is an exam at the end of each course and all students who achieve the required pass mark will be issued with a certificate.

CELL GROUPS 2 Tim 2:15 - Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth These Bible study/discussion groups are held every week, one on Wednesday and six on Fridays. All believers are encouraged to attend whichever group is nearest to where they live. Spiritual growth is a process and these groups are an excellent follow up to the teachings at the discipleship classes/Sunday services.

EVER INCREASING FAITH Rom 10:17 - So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God All sermons preached each week are recorded, a copy of which, can be purchased via the Resource Centre. The recording is currently provided in CD and DVD formats; plans are nearing completion to provide in other formats - watch this space!!! To obtain copies, a complete order form (with payment) must be submitted and your chosen recording will be ready for collection from our Resource Centre on the following Sunday.

Copyright © Word of Faith Centre 2015 No part of this publication may be reproduced in any format without prior written permission from the editor. All rights reserved. The Apostolic Church - Charity Registration: 284789