Warning! Summer mission may change your lifeIan Nicholson - 8 Jan 2013

On the move with 24-7 in 2013.

It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.
Romans 15:20

The Apostle Paul had it ‘made’; he was a top teacher of the scriptures, received direct revelations from heaven and was pretty impressive in the signs and wonders department. He could have settled for a lifelong ministry in Jerusalem or Antioch but his apostolic destiny propelled him outwards to the margins.

This missionary impulse has been at the core of 24-7 ever since the first Prayer Room. As Brian Heasley, who moved with his family to Ibiza, often comments ‘apostolic prayer is about intimacy and involvement.’ A separation between prayer and mission renders us ineffective in seeing God’s kingdom advance into pioneer situations.

Personally I believe that the best launchpad for discovering God’s purpose for our lives is a great discipleship foundation coupled with involvement in pioneer mission. The big choices are not just about what we do with our life but where we are located as we do it!

With the Vision Course 24-7 prayer now has a wonderful discipleship model, which is transforming the lives of young disciples. In addition we are now really excited to announce an expanded menu of short-term mission opportunities for the coming year, mobilizing young people to serve long term vision within 24-7.

We have operated mission teams for many years now with an emphasis on pray (an intense rhythm of prayer at the heart of the team), obey (sacrificial service and outreach expressing God’s love to the local community) and play (a celebration and appreciation of whatever culture and context we visit). The teams are well trained and work with great leaders on the ground. A major focus has obviously been Ibiza but there have also been multiple teams to places like India, China, Macedonia, Spain, Italy or Russia. Much of our long-term vision, and many of the core members of 24-7, first emerged in a short - term mission context.

All the teams (between 4 and 8 people) will be working on the ground with 24-7 communities, teams and boiler rooms which have a long term vision to build and plant. They will also all be going to challenging situations where God’s kingdom is beginning to break in and bring lasting change. The teams are ideal for friends or a church group to join together and can come from anywhere around the world. The details and locations will be fully finalized by mid January but we are giving you advance notice so you can pray and get in touch. The provisional locations are Iceland, Ibiza, Greece, Macedonia, Turkey, Spain, Germany, East Asia and Belfast, N.Ireland.

Please check the website in the new year and  email me to register your interest;  a lifetime serving God effectively usually starts with a single step or choice. We look forward to hearing from you and meeting you.