Christ Central Church Fredericton: Recent Episodes
Christ Central Church
In the letter to the Galatians, Paul addresses some misconceptions that the church had about the message of salvation. There was some false teaching that believers needed to act in a certain way to be saved. Things were being added to the gospel. The same can creep in to the church today. Joe addresses the way we can slip into thinking we earn our salvation by something we do, because our culture, even church culture, expects certain behaviour from us. He encourages us that Christ alone is our salvation.Joe Crummey is the Lead Elder of Christ Central Church.
In the first of a three part series, David Fellingham encourages us that it is time to rebuild. As we build according to the pattern and principles of God's word, He will make His church grow. God is in the business of sorting us out and wants us to build, 'not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord' (Zecharah 4:6).David Fellingham is visiting us from LifeSpring Church, Horsham, UK.
In Galatians, Paul tackles some misconceptions of the message of the gospel. The message in our culture is that 'you are enough'. From the start of Galatians though, Paul states that we are sinners, that we are not enough. We need Jesus to rescue us. Joe looks at the good news of the message of grace. He encourages us not to fall into relying on our behaviour which gets us nowhere, but to come to Jesus for grace and forgiveness.Joe Crummey is the lead elder of Christ Central Church.
On this first Sunday of a new season, Joe talks about our vision for the next few months before introducing our new series in Galatians. Until Christmas we will be looking at some of the misconceptions that Paul deals with in his letter to the churches in Galatia, as we still find them around us today. What does the gospel really tell us about these things?Joe Crummey is the lead elder of Christ Central Church.
What are you thankful for? Psalm 100 is a call to praise. Passionate finishes our Summer in the Psalms series by encouraging us to worship God every day and to live with an attitude of thanks and praise.
'The Lord is our shepherd' says Psalm 23:1. We can be so familiar with the words of this Psalm, but we're invited to consider the words afresh. Adam Renouf shows how God's character is shown through this Psalm and why it is so good that He leads us and pursues us with His mercy and love.
Psalm 51 is a prayer of repentance that David prayed after he had committed adultery with Bathsheba. All of us have sinned and messed up. The good news is that because of Jesus death on the cross we can all now come and confess our sins and 'God is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness' (1 John 1:9). How do we do that? Following David's pattern in this Psalm, Joe encourages us to come before God in humility - to confess our sin, to receive God's mercy and be cleansed, to ask God to create in us a pure heart, and to celebrate the mercy we receive.Joe Crummey is the Lead Elder of Christ Central Church.
How do we trust God when life is difficult? In Psalm 13 we see how David approaches God when he faces adversity. David is honest in his expression of his emotions with God, he seeks to have God's perspective and trusts in the love of God. Gary Gallant encourages us to deliberately seek after God and to engage in worship, encouraging one another and ourselves in the midst of trials.
We live in troubled times. How do we not give in to fear when terrible things are happening around us? We can be comforted that God is exalted far above everything. What is more, when we are hidden in Christ we need not fear anything. Mark explains how the river of God, the Holy Spirit, gives life to us and power to live in this truth.Mark Rushworth leads our Dartmouth Church Plant.
What makes us happy? Happiness is not something we can make for ourselves, but is found in delighting in God. Psalm 119 is about delighting in God's word. Oli shows how it points us to the real source of blessing and happiness - not looking into ourselves, but meditating on God's word and His bountiful grace.Oli Surgenor is an elder of Christ Central Church.
In Psalm 34, David writes us a review of God, declaring His goodness. It was written when David was in enemy territory looking to God for deliverance. Joe looks at this Psalm's call to rejoice in the Lord, to find refuge in God and calls us to consider 'the righteous one' who rescues us.Joe Crummey is the Lead Elder of Christ Central Church.
In Psalm 139, David reflects on several mind-blowing attributes of God. When we consider the omniscient, omnipresent, incomprehensible, creator God, we see what we are and what we are not. Yet, God still loves and pursues us, even sending Jesus to die for us. Emma Bicknell looks at why it is good news that God knows us and how we can trust Him to search us and lead us in His mercy and grace.
Are we prepared to pay the price as we seek a move of the Holy Spirit in revival? Don Longworth continues in Psalm 126, looking at how we sow seed with tears of travail in prayer and tears of repentance, seeking a harvest for Jesus.
In Psalm 126, the Psalmist remembers what God has done in the past, calls out to God to restore their fortunes and counts the cost of obedience. Don Longworth stirs us to long for revivial - to remember what God has done in previous revivals and to be passionate in prayer for revival.Don has worked as a missionary with SIM in Benin since 2004, but is currently based in Canada working with SIM's Cultural Connections ministries equipping churches to reach marginalised and culturally diverse people groups in urban society.
We're starting a new series: Summer in the Psalms! In Psalm 16, David says, 'I keep my eyes always on the Lord' (v.8). Joe encourages us to stay single minded by declaring the truth about who God is, being thankful for all He has done, by keeping our eyes on Jesus, and living in the hope of all that Jesus has promised us both now and in eternity.Joe Crummey is the Lead Elder of Christ Central Church.
In Acts 13:1-3, we get a snapshot of the church in Antioch. The church was full of the Holy Spirit, loved the word, was strengthened by apostolic input, made up of many nations, worshiped and prayed, and planted churches. Mark looks at these building blocks of the church and how we apply these things in the local church today as we plant a church into Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.Mark Rushworth is an elder of Christ Central Church.
Jesus travelled through Samaria with the intention of speaking to the woman at the well. This divine appointment was a surprise to his disciples and to the woman! Jesus offered the woman living water. He does the same for us today. Gary talks about how Jesus meets with us, offers us living water, unveils our shame to draw us to himself and calls us to true worship in spirit and in truth.Gary Gallant is a leader of Christ Central Church.
God gives second chances. The people of Israel found this after their first failure in the promised land at Ai. God restores them once again and they go on to claim victory, rededicating themselves to God and His ways. Joe looks at the restoration, rewards and renewal we experience as we come to Jesus.Joe Crummey is Lead Elder of Christ Central Church.
In Joshua 7, the people of Israel experience a setback as Achan gives in to the temptation to take what God had forbidden. His sin was bad news for all of the Israelites and had to be dealth with. We are all like Achan, prone to become devoted to things other than God. Joe encourages us to confess our sins to each other and receive forgiveness for which Jesus paid the price, and to be satisfied in God so we don't give in to the temptation to be devoted to other things.Joe Crummey is the Lead Elder of Christ Central Church.
The people of Israel gave a loud shout and then the walls of Jericho fell. We all face battles - mostly spiritual - and worship is our weapon. Joe looks at three things that are central in our worship - God's presence, proclamation and being together.Joe is the Lead Elder of Christ Central Church.
Joshua and the Israelites had to exercise faith to enter the promised land because they faced challenges and opposition. We too face spiritual battles which require us to walk by faith, but how do we prepare? Mark encourages us to get right with God and allow Him to change our hearts, to enjoy the blessings we have as a down payment of what's to come and to submit to God's way rather than expecting Him to follow ours.Mark Rushworth is an elder of Christ Central Church.
Jesus came to do a new thing. His first miracle at the wedding in Cana points towards who Jesus is and what He came to do. Gary talks about the significance of what Jesus does and how it points to the way He would provide salvation through His death on the cross.Gary is a leader of Christ Central Church.
As the Israelites crossed the Jordan they took stones from the river bed to remind them of what God had done for them. How do we remember what God has done for us? Joe reminds us of the many ways God has provided for us, both in things He has done for us as a church and His greatest provision of Jesus as our Saviour. He encourages us to remember what God has done, to allow our stories to be a witness to the world of God's goodness and to move forward in faith knowing that God will provide once again.Joe Crummey is the Lead Elder of Christ Central Church.
The Israelites had to camp by the river Jordan for three days while it is in flood before crossing. They found their helplessness and realised their complete dependance on God. God wants us to trust Him to do what only He can do. We may be facing very real trials and impossible situations, but God wants us to fix our eyes on Him and trust that He will do what He has promised, as we step into all that God is calling us to. Mark encourages us that we have a great High Priest - Jesus - who stands in the gap for us.Mark is an elder of Christ Central Church.
When we are united with Christ everything that we are and everything we have belongs to Him. We are entrusted to steward what God has provided. Joe encourages us to have an eternal perspective as we seek to serve God now with all that He has given to us.Joe Crummey is the Lead Elder of Christ Central Church.
Those who first encountered the risen Lord Jesus were transformed. Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, the disciples and Thomas and dealt with them where they were at. They did not stay the same. Mark encourages us to see that God loves us unconditionally - which is why He came to die for us. Jesus wants to meet us where we are at and transform us.Mark is an Elder of Christ Central Church.
Humility is not regarded in our culture as highly as it once was. On Good Friday, Emma looks at Jesus' humility in coming to earth and dying on the cross. What did He give up, why is this such good news for us and how should we respond?Emma is a member of Christ Central Church.
Why does God allow suffering and death to happen to good people? There are times, like this week, when we ask this question. We see these questions asked even in Scripture. How can we be perplexed, but not fall into despair? Mark encourages us to live by faith in Jesus from first to last, the One who defeated death, knowing that one day we will be raised with Him.Mark is an Elder of Christ Central Church.
John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus and was eager to point away from himself to Jesus. The Spirit had revealed a right view of Jesus to John the Baptist - the chosen one; the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Gary explains what Jesus' sacrifice means for our lives.Gary Gallant is a leader of Christ Central Church.
The psalmist talks about the trials and hardships and people of Israel faced - intense difficulties, persecution, hardship, affliction or testing. But God is faithful! He delivered the Israelites to a place of abundance. Passionate looks at the purposes of trials in our lives and what we can do in the midst of them.Passionate is a member of Christ Central Church, Fredericton.
God brings His plans and purposes about through all kinds of people from all kinds of backgrounds. Rahab is an unlikely woman of faith in the story of God's people entering into the promised land. Mark shows how God has a big plan going on as people live out their lives with faith in what God is saying. Are we people who embrace faith in Jesus above everything else?
This chapter in Isaiah is a prophetic proclamation of the coming of Jesus. Jesus quoted this chapter when He began His public ministry (Luke 4:16-21). He proclaimed the day of favour. How can we be the kind of people that God intends His church to be? Dave talks about what 'the anointing' is, what it achieves and encourages us to maintain life in the Spirit.David Fellingham is visiting us from LifeSpring Church, Horsham, UK.
God has a plan and purpose for His church to 'Arise and shine' (Isaiah 60:1). Isaiah prophesies that a day would come when Zion would be restored and all the nations would see God's glory. The New Testament writers equate Zion with the church. Dave encourages us to look for times of refreshing and to live in the power of the Spirit as we seek to see God's glory rise upon us.Dave Fellingham is visiting us from LifeSpring Church, Horsham, UK.
Over the centuries there has been heavy persecution amidst extraordinary blessings in revivals and times of refreshing in the Lord. In the first of this three part series on living in the day of favour, Dave starts in Isaiah 59. This chapter outlines the problem that sin separated us from God and the solution which God Himself provides, allowing His people to experience His favour.David Fellingham is visiting us from Lifespring Church, Horsham, UK.
Throughout Scripture we see that God chooses to use the weak, the broken and the failures. God takes us to a place where we rely on Him and His power working in and through us. Oli shows us through Scripture that God isn't looking for individual superstars, but humble servants comforted by God who are able to comfort others.Oli is an Elder of Christ Central Church.
God desires us to open a room for Him so He can come and dwell in and with us (Rev 3:20, 1 Cor. 3:16). Passionate talks about how we make room for Jesus in our lives and considers the benefits that living for Jesus brings.Passionate is a member of Christ Central Church.
Over the next little while Gary will be working through the gospel of John. The first few verses of John introduce us to Jesus - the Word of God. Gary looks at what these verses tell us about Jesus' identity and how this provokes a reponse in us.Gary Gallant is a leader of Christ Central Church.
Even when we're beginning to step into God's promises we can encounter wobbles and doubts. We are called into God's purposes. Mark encourages us to be a people of faith - giving ourselves wholeheartedly, believing what God tell us in His word, enjoying God's presence, knowing God delights in us and taking steps into what God has promised?Mark is an Elder of Christ Central Church.
We give our lives to what we love. Do we ever forget that love is the driving force when it comes to church? Mark looks at how Jesus deals with the disciples after they have returned to what they think they can succeed at and have found they can't even do that by themselves! The way Jesus deals with His disciples, and particularly Peter, shows how His love restores them to Himself before He commissions them. Are we in need of Jesus' loving restoration?Mark Rushworth is an Elder of Christ Central Church.
When we look around in the world there isn't much peace. How do we attain peace and maintain it? Gary encourages us to look to Jesus as the source and sustainer of our peace.
As Christians we live in the 'now and not yet'. God's kingdom is breaking out, but we don't see it fully. Just as there were promises in Scripture about Jesus' birth, there are promises that are hope for us today. Joe encourages us to continue to put our hope in Jesus alone knowing that He will be faithful to all His promises.Joe Crummey is the Lead Elder of Christ Central Church.
What things give us hope? As we enter the Christmas season Joe encourages us to put our hope and certainty in Jesus. In Jesus, God fulfilled the promises of the Old Testament. We can be sure that God, who is faithful to all His promises, will never leave us or forsake us.Joe Crummey is the Lead Elder of Christ Central Church.
Have you ever thought about who Jesus appeared to on the day of His resurrection and why? He doesn't do what you might expect. Jesus has a plan for the extension of His kingdom and He is getting His followers, outsiders who He has brought inside, ready. Jesus walks with us in our grief and suffering, but He is unafraid to confront any distorted views we have of Him. He brings us in and gets us ready to reach outsiders. He walks with us, corrects and encourages us through His word, and opens our eyes to who He is and what He has done.Emma is Christ Central Church's administrator and leads Kids Club.
When we follow Jesus and are on mission with Him, there will be storms. The disciples experience this, but Jesus uses their experience to address their faith in Him. It's all about getting them ready to take territory for Jesus, to spread the good news. We're in a battle because Satan does not want us to obey God's call. Are we followers of Jesus or are we expecting Jesus to follow our own agenda? Are we willing to follow Him into the storms for the saving of many lives? Mark encourages us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus as we experience these challenges.Mark Rushworth is an elder of Christ Central Church.
Our church family started back in the '90s during a move of the Holy Spirit. Joe tells some of the history of this time and encourages us to continue to be soaked with the Holy Spirit. As we give and serve, we seek to leave a mark of the kingdom of God everywhere we go! As we give, we need to keep receiving both individually and together as a church family.
When Judah was taken into exile in Babylon, King Nebuchadnezzar took four young men to be indocrinated into Babylonian culture. Daniel (Belteshazzar), Mishael (Meshach), Hananiah (Shadrach), and Azariah (Abednego) face pressure to conform and compromise. Gary looks at how these men adjusted to living in a different culture and what that teaches us about how we live as Jesus followers in our culture today.Gary Gallant is a leader in Christ Central Church.
The two blind men called out to Jesus, 'Lord, son of David, have mercy on us' (Matthew 20:30). Sometimes all we can do is cry out to our Lord Jesus to help us. Following our 24 hours of prayer and on our Gift Day, Joe encourages us to continue to be a praying church.Joe Crummey is the Lead Elder of Christ Central Church.
When Peter and John were arrested in the early days of the church in Acts, they were released and told to stop talking about Jesus. They went back to the church and prayed. Mark talks about prayer as the engine room of the church. As we are on the move and encounter opposition we need to call on God as the early church did. Prayer is where the battles are won and the anvil where God shapes us. There's something powerful in joining together to pray. Mark reminds us of the answers to prayer we have seen already, and encourages us to pray together as we face fresh battles and challenges.Mark is an Elder of Christ Central Church.
When the Israel fought against the Amalekites, Moses stood on top of a hill and held his staff up to God. Moses called it the staff of God - a representation of God's covenant promises to Israel. Rich Crosby talks about how this is a picture of prayer. When we pray, do we hold up God's promises to Him? To prevail in prayer we become acquainted with what God has spoken to us, remind God of His promises and trust Him to accomplish what He has promised.Rich Crosby leads Grace City Church in Ottawa.
A key foundation of being in Christ is prayer! We read in Matthew 6:6-8 and 16-18, Jesus says when you pray and when you fast, expecting us to be intentional about praying and fasting as we seek God together. Joe talks about the heart of fasting - less of something equals more of God!Joe Crummey is the Lead Elder of Christ Central Church.
Jesus was passionate about the temple being a house of prayer. Today, Jesus is just as full of love and passion for His church. Gary looks at the story of Jesus clearing the temple and how He is still turning over the areas in our own hearts that act as blockages in our relationship to Him.
This Vision Sunday Joe gives some updates on what will be happening in our church family and in the building over the next few months. There are many challenges ahead and we need God's direction! This Sunday also begins 40 days of prayer. Joe encourages us from Matthew 6:5-6 to be a people who pray both by ourselves and together.
If you are a follower of Jesus, God is with you wherever you go. As many of us head back to school, college and university this week, Passionate looks at what it means to have God with us as we go about our lives. When we know this truth it will influence how we live our lives in our schools, workplaces and wherever we go.
When the people of God listened to the book of the law read aloud, they realized they had forgotten to carry out what it said. We can forget practices that Jesus has asked us to do, particularly baptism and communion. Why do we do these things today? Joe talks about how we remember and live in the light of gospel truth that Jesus came as the perfect High priest, He is the temple of God (He is God!), and He is the once and for all sacrifice.
This week we rewind to Nehemiah 3. The people who rebuilt and repaired the wall were not expert builders yet they responded to God's call to repair and rebuild. God calls us to serve, often in unglamorous and unseen ways. Emma encourages us to trust Jesus as we follow Him in laying down our lives for others, knowing that we have the glorious hope of eternity ahead.
God is concerned about the very practical, everyday things in our daily lives. Many people in the land in Nehemiah's time were hungry and being exploited. There were issues that the people had to address as they sought to line up with God's word. Joe talks about how we face many of the same issues today and how God calls us to be stewards of the resources He has given us, to respond with obedience and action when He speaks and to be accountable to others. All of this comes from a heart response to what Jesus has done for us, receiving help from the Holy Spirit. Joe is the Lead Elder of Christ Central Church.
Dave and Rosie Fellingham were part of Christ Central's story from the start back in the '90s and we're thankful to have had them visit this summer. Hazel talks to them about their own stories. They cover how they came to know Jesus and how God has led them and their family to have a heart for worship and the church.
As the people repaired and rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem they faced opposition. They could have been discouraged and not finished the wall. Instead they armed themselves, kept working and finished the job. Dave encourages us to stand firm, putting on the full armour of God so that we can complete what God has called us to do. Dave Fellingham is visiting us from Lifespring Church, Horsham, UK.
In the book of Nehemiah, Ezra stood before the people and read the book of the law which led to a response from the people in repentance and the celebration of a feast the people had neglected - the Feast of Booths. Dave talks about the role that the law has in our lives as christians, and the importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit. David Fellingham is visiting us from Lifespring Church, Horsham, UK.
David Fellingham looks at the story of Nehemiah to give us some building principles for the church. The New Testament tells us that we are being built together as a church on the foundations of the apostle and prophets. Nehemiah mourned over the state of the city of Jerusalem, prayed fervently and then encouraged the people to build. Dave encourages us to be consecrated to what God is doing and build according to God's pattern.
Joe Crummey interviews our good friend Dave Fellingham about some of his experiences of the Holy Spirit. Dave tells the story of how the move of the Holy Spirit in the 1990s lead us together.
Joe talks about three key things we need to know about the Holy Spirit. The Holy is the promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit is God and the Holy Spirit is a person. Joe explains that we can receive the promised Holy Spirit. He encourages us to grow in our relationship with the Spirit learning to walk with and be led by Him. Joe is the lead elder of Christ Central Church.
Gary begins a new series on the Holy Spirit and His work. He starts off by outlining some of the ways the Holy Spirit is misunderstood, under-appreciated and ignored before delving in to the Holy Spirit's work from Genesis in creation through the Old Testament to the coming of Jesus. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would be poured out on all people. Gary asks us to consider ways we may have resisted the work of the Spirit and to remind ourselves of how important the work of the Spirit is. Gary is on the leadership team of Christ Central Church.
In the Old Testament, God's people would bring sacrifices to the altar. In the New Testament, Jesus was paid the price once and for all, and gave us access to the Father. Passionate talks about the altar of prayer, where we sacrifice our time and priorities to seek God's face. Passionate encourages us to respond to God's call to us to pray and seek His face above anything else.
When we are in Christ we are new creations and called to live a new life. In this context Paul tells his readers to not let their anger lead them to sin. Mark explains the difference between righteous anger and the anger that leads us to lose our temper and sin. He encourages us to bring our anger into the light, to allow God to deal with it so that we don't allow the devil to gain a foothold in our lives or those around us. Mark Rushworth is an Elder of Christ Central Church.
God's generosity to us is great. What should our response be with regards to our money, and giving as an act of worship? Oli challenges each one of us to give with cheerfulness and hilarity knowing everything we have belongs to God.Oli Surgenor is one of the elders of Christ Central Church.
Rebekah and Jessica are our summer student at Christ Central this year. They are a great team! Here you'll get to know them a bit better as they share their own stories.
John the Baptist proclaimed Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. John 1:29Of all things John couldve chosen to say who Jesus is, why did he pick 'the Lamb of God'? Joe looks at the significance of the passover lamb in the Old Testament and how Jesus is our passover lamb who died to set us free from slavery to sin.Joe Crummey is the Lead Elder of Christ Central Church.
In Ephesians 4, Paul starts giving some practical directions to the church with 'stop telling lies'. Why does he start with that? Lies and deception led to the fall. God is about bringing things out into the open so that forgiveness and reconciliation can happen. For the church to grow we need to get beyond superficiality. Mark encourages us to think the best of each other and not to spread rumours about others, to be quick to apologise and to receive forgiveness from God and others, and to speak truthfully to each other.Mark is an elder of Christ Central Church.
When we say 'Jesus Christ' we are saying Jesus 'the anointed one'. Jesus is the fulfilment of a promise from Genesis 49, 'out of the line of Judah a king will rule'. Jesus proclaimed Himself the anointed One when He quoted Isaiah 61 in the synagogue (Luke 4:18-21). Peter tells us how Jesus was anointed with 'Holy Spirit and power' (Acts 10:38). Joe explains what that meant for Jesus and what it means for our identity as Christ followers today.Joe Crummey is the Lead Elder of Christ Central Church.
Paul encourages the Ephesian church not to live like the Gentiles do...even though they were Gentiles! He was pointing out that they were no longer part of Gentile culture but rather Kingdom culture. Paul isn't setting out a new list of laws - he's drawing our attention to a person - Jesus Christ. As we live in relationship with Jesus, read his Word and walk by the Spirit we discern how to live this completely new life.Mark is an Elder of Christ Central Church.
Lord, please open his eyes and let him see. Elisha prayed and his servant saw the mountain was covered with horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. When we are daunted by life we need eyes of faith to see what God is doing. Renovations of our building, which require finance, church planting in the Halifax region, and other situations we face in our lives regarding sickness, trials, and obstacles, can be viewed through fear, or with eyes of faith in Jesus.Joe talks about the prayer from Ephesians 1:17-19 as a New Testament equivalent of the prayer of Elisha, that God would open our eyes to who Jesus is, that we would get to know him better, and face the challenges before us with faith in Jesus.
At the beginning of the letter to the Ephesians, Paul prays that the church would know who they are in Christ, what their inheritance is and that their eyes would be opened to all that they have in Christ. Paul did not want to see a church operating out of duty, but out of knowing Jesus and being transformed by Him. Knowing Jesus is the most important thing! Jeremy encourages us to delight in spending time with God, to enjoy getting to know Jesus both by being in the Word, the Bible, and by being filled with the Spirit. Out of this stopping, resting, hearing and growing in Him we will then get up and go, ministering out of a place of knowing Jesus and fueled by the power of the Spirit.Jeremy Simpkins leads the ChristCentral Churches apostolic team.
Many have tried to defeat death. Only Jesus has achieved it. Jesus died in weakness and seeming powerlessness, but God's power raised Him from the dead. It was all part of God's sovereign plan. Jesus was raised, Son of God in power. That power is now working in our lives. We often don't see it - we know our weaknesses and vulnerabilities. Mark encourages us not to try to live in our own strength, but to trust God to sustain and work in us and through us with His resurrection power so that we can be the people He wants us to be.Mark is an elder of Christ Central Church.
In the book of Hebrews it tell us that 'for the joy set before him he (Jesus) endured the cross.' What was the joy set before Jesus - and why did He even have to die on the cross? Emma Bicknell looks at what we learn about God and what we learn about ourselves when we fix our eyes on Jesus on the cross. It really is good news on Good Friday.Emma is a member of Christ Central Church who works on staff as Administrator and Kids Club Team Leader.
God has provided for Christ Central over the years in miraculous ways but also with the steady, faithful giving of the church family. As we approach our Gift Days for 2023, Joe gives an update on the building renovations, and the challenges we face. These challenges are a fresh opportunity to pray, give, trust God, and see how He provides through this adventure of trusting Jesus to meet all our needs out of His glorious riches.Joe Crummey is the Lead Elder of Christ Central Church.
When God reveals Himself to Moses on Mount Sinai, His name tells us about His nature. Gary Gallant talks about God's heart towards us and how the character of Yahweh is also the character of Christ. As Jesus transforms our lives we in turn take on His nature which reaches outwards in love to others.Gary Gallant is a leader in Christ Central Church.
Jesus provided a stark contrast to many popular definitions of greatness, when he said, "Whoever wants to become great among you, must be your servant. Jesus served us and, as we draw close to Him, He empowers us to serve others. Joe talks about three foundations of service: love, prayer and action.Joe is the Lead Elder of Christ Central Church.
In Ephesians Paul casts a vision of the church being united in Christ, growing together in maturity, with every part involved and being supported together. Our spiritual disciplines, prayer meetings, church gatherings are a means to the end of knowing Jesus Christ and become mature in Him. Mark talks about how this guards us and works out in the local church as we relate with each other and build each other up in love.Mark is an Elder of Christ Central Church.
This passage in Ephesians shapes how we view church leadership and how the church is structured. Mark explains the roles of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers and how we need all these ministries in the church to equip (or mend) us for works of service so we in turn can serve and contribute to the church body. There is a city, a nation and a world to be reached and this is how God chooses to do it - he uses us...equipped by his gifts of people to the church.Mark is an elder of Christ Central Church.
Bread plays an important part in the story of the Bible from the Old Testament right through to the New Testament. Jesus declared Himself to be the 'bread of life.' Our deep spiritual hunger can only be satisfied in Him. Joe talks about what this means and how we become the aroma of Christ as the Spirit works in us. Are we hungry for God right now?Joe Crummey is the Lead Elder of Christ Central Church.
Christ gives grace and gifts for what He wants us to do in the body of Christ. His love for us is equal, and He portions out gifts to each of us according to His grace. Mark talks about why the Holy Spirit and His gifts are not just spiritual add ons, but they are what Christ died to win for us!Mark is an elder of Christ Central Church.
'In this world we have trouble,' Jesus tell us in John 16:33. How do we cope with pain, suffering and sickness that we inevitably encounter in our lives and in the world around us? Joe points us to Jesus, the suffering servant. He faced hardship, and ultimately was obedient to death on a cross to be our Saviour. Joe explains that as we trust Jesus we find peace that defies understanding.Joe is the Lead Elder of Christ Central Church.
Work is a God-ordained idea! God Himself is a worker, He gave work to humans before the fall and Jesus worked. How do we develop a godly attitude to our work whatever that may be? Whether we're going out to work or working in the home, Joe talks about how we become co-workers with God and honour Him in our labours.Joe is the Lead Elder of Christ Central Church.
Kinyanga Ahuka and his family arrived in Canada as refugees from Congo via Burundi. Kinyanga now travels back regularly to Burundi and Congo and is helping to establish a farming initiative to provide food and employment for families in the region as well as to preach the gospel. Kinyanga's story is an incredible story of faith and trust in our faithful God.
Every plant needs roots to give it nutrients and enable it to grow strong and healthy. Passionate Ncube talks about why we need our roots to go deep into Christ and how we do that. He encourages us to have confidence in Jesus and the gospel - the good news it brings to our lives and the lives of those around us.
When we see God's holiness and encounter His grace we are humbled, because we realize how sinful and small we are! Jesus was humble and didn't take advantage of the fact that He was (and is) God. His Spirit enables us to be humble before God and repent, and to treat others with humility. In Ephesians Paul encourages us to 'make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit'. Mark enourages us to be humble, to let the grace of God transform us and to forgive others and deal with relationship issues as God builds us together in the local church.Mark is an elder of Christ Central Church.
Jesus, the sent one, knew His Father's peace, plans and experienced His provision. He left heaven where He was rich to become poor to be with us. Because of Jesus' sacrifice we get to know God's peace, plans and provision in our lives. It not earned. Joe explains how knowing Jesus enables us to become the sent ones.Joe Crummey is the Lead Elder of Christ Central Church.
In Ephesians we see Paul has a magnificent obsession with the church and seeing churches built to display the glory of God, to display Jesus to the world. The church is made up of each one of us who have been called by Jesus. God changes us in the nitty, gritty, day to day living of our lives. Mark talks about grasping this glorious vision of the church and how, with the power of the Spirit at work in our lives, we can live a life worthy of our call not because we're under compulsion, but because we're passionate about Jesus.Mark is an elder of Christ Central Church.
The people of Israel were promised a Messiah, but before the New Testament times began there were 400 years of silence. That's a long time to wait for God's promise. Gary talks about the angel Gabriel's visit to Zechariah and how God met Zechariah in the waiting. He encourages us to look at our attitude to waiting and how God can meet us in that time.Gary is a leader in Christ Central Church.
Paul has a massive vision from God for the church which causes him to get on his knees and pray. He imagines some pretty incredible things happening but he then states that God can do even more than we can ask or imagine. What we can and do pray is almost too small a thing for God - and it's all according to God's power at work in us. God's power works through what we do and say. Mark encourages us to focus on God and, with that perspective, pray for God to fulfil His promises and to work mightily as we step out in faith as participants in what God is doing.Mark is an elder at Christ Central Church.
Before we know Jesus we don't think we need Him as light of the world because we dont think we are in darkness! Jesus is like an X-ray or CT scan that reveals our hearts, rather than a small flashlight on a lit path that we don't think we need. Joe provokes us to think about what living in darkness without Jesus means and how, as we follow Jesus, we become the light of the world together as His church.Joe is the Lead Elder at Christ Central Church.
What does it mean to be rooted and established in love? Mark encourages us to grow in our love for God and for each other. These are the most important things for the church. It's not about systems and structures, but the love of God flowing out to each other. This is possible because of God's love for us.Mark is an elder at Christ Central Church.
This month Hazel Surgenor interviews Betty Price. Betty had a difficult childhood and many experiences which caused her to be angry with other people and the church in general. In this podcast she talks about how she grew up feeling unwanted and confused about her identity, and how encountering Jesus transformed and is transforming her life.
God transformed Paul's life from persecuting Christians to preaching the gospel to the gentiles. God turns our lives around and uses us for the sake of His glory, whatever our age or background. Mark talks about how we can all be faithful stewards of God's grace using our gifts to serve in and through the church. He encourages us to receive Jesus' grace and love and fan into flame the gifts God has given us. Mark is an elder at Christ Central Church.
Jesus is our high priest. He gives us access to the Father. Jesus prays and intercedes for His body, the church. In Him we are a royal priesthood and have a role in crying out in prayer, interceding for others. Joe talks about how Jesus models a life of prayer for us and we can join with Him to pray for our brothers and sisters around the world who are suffering for their faith around the world. Joe is the Lead Elder at Christ Central Church.
The lost sheep wandered off without realizing, the lost coin got lost through no fault of its own, the prodigal son intentionally walked away from his father. Through three parables Jesus brings us to understand His work of bringing people home. But, what is home - is it a place or is it relational? Marcel takes us through the structure of these parables to show us how Jesus goes to find the lost and how we can be part of that work. Marcel LeBrun is the founder of the 12 Neighbours Community.
We often sing and talk about Jesus as king, but what is he king of? Old Testament prophetic promises pointed towards a new king who would establish a new kingdom of righteousness, peace, joy and love. A kingdom that would reign forever. One that would reverse the curse of sin. This kingdom isn't a piece of holy land, a political group or military might, but wherever the rule and reign of God is established on earth in and through His people. Jesus is king of this kingdom and our citizenship as followers of Jesus is now in Him and His heavenly kingdom. Joe looks at Jesus' rule and reign, and the privileges, rights, responsibilities and priorities of our citizenship in heaven right now as we live our lives on this earth. Joe Crummey is the Lead Elder of Christ Central Church.
Paul was a in jail at the time he wrote Ephesians, but what does it mean when he says he is a prisoner of Christ? His life changed direction when Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus. Mark talks about our wonderful captivity in Christ and challenges us to willingly embrace it. Mark is an elder at Christ Central Church.
Gary talks about the top ten practices he uses to encourage himself in God. Gary Gallant is a leader at Christ Central Church.
Jesus is the Son of God. He is in a perfect relationship with the Father and we are brought into that family relationship when we are saved. What does this mean for us and why is it important for us to focus on Jesus? Joe Crummey is the Lead Elder of Christ Central Church.
Our culture says, 'Be true to yourself', but also 'Be yourself and be like me.' Where does our identity come from? The Bible has a radically different view on how we should find our identity. It tells us to look to Jesus for who we are. Joe tells us why this is such good news for our lives. Joe Crummey is the Lead Elder of Christ Central Church.
The last two or three years have been a strange time for the church not just here, but all over the world. Ginny Burgin shares what God has been speaking to her about the church in the West, particularly, in this time. Ginny Burgin is visiting from City Church in Sheffield. She is on Jeremy Simpkins' ChristCentralChurches apostolic team.
Joe gives an overview of where we've got to over the past year with the formation series and outlines our vision as we've sought to strengthen and now lengthen. In this next season how do we lengthen without striving, feeling pressured or feeling guilty? The key is to keep our eyes on Jesus. Joe is the Lead Elder at Christ Central Church.
Does the church need experts to fix it?! In Ephesians, Paul tells us that the church is a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit. Being filled with the Spirit is what makes the church work! He helps us to be built together and working effectively, giving gifts so we can use them to glorify God and serve others. Mark encourages us to be thirsty and active in coming to ask for God to fill us with His Spirit.
David is faced with an attack on a city, his wives and children taken prisoner with many others, and the threat of death from his own men. What would we do in that kind of situation? It tells us in 1 Samuel 30 that David encouraged himself in God. Passionate Ncube talks to us about seeking strength from God even when we feel like giving up.
The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 tell us that as we behold the glory of the Lord, we are being transformed into His image. What does it mean to behold? How do we do that? Joe talks about beholding the promises, purpose and presence of Jesus. Joe Crummey is Lead Elder at Christ Central Church.
God is changing the world through His church. When we are in Christ we are part of this household. We see in Ephesians what the church should be like and it's what we are aiming for as God works in our lives. Mark looks at the foundations of the church and why there is nothing more important than giving our time and our lives to what God is building. Mark Rushworth is an elder at Christ Central Church.
Jesus has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, but what is this wall? Mark looks at how Jesus has abolished all that disqualifies us to come to the Father and how we are now called to be people of the Spirit. The church is a new humanity in Christ displaying that all divisions have been dealt with by Jesus. Mark Rushworth is an elder at Christ Central Church.
Scott reflects on James 1:27 and outlines the ways in which Boaz Global has works to help vulnerable young people both here and further afield. He explains how they help widows and orphans, including those who are widows because they are separated from husbands, and orphans because they are separated from parents. He outlines a number of ways we can help and get involved.
We live in a cancel culture which shames those who it deems unworthy. We all deal with shame, whether we feel shame ourselves or are shamed by others. Is there a way we can be restored and cleansed? As we prepare to take communion together, Joe encourages us to make the connection between what Jesus has done and how that deals with the sin and shame in our own lives. Joe Crummey leads Christ Central Church Fredericton.
Joe has a conversation with Bart Byl. From Vancouver to Fredericton to Charlottetown to Tbilisi, Georgia. Bart and Michelle's interesting story is one of godly wisdom, a love for Jesus and the church and a willingness to serve wherever you are. Bart tells us how his short time in Christ Central (The Meeting Place at the time) helped them on their onward journey. The Byl family have been in Georgia for six years and Bart has led Tbilisi International Christian Fellowship for the last three and a half years.
Gary Gallant speaks to us from Psalm 24. He shows us how Jesus, the word of God who created everything, unifies and reconciles us to Himself.
Bart Byl used to be with us a few years ago and now leads a church in Tbilisi, Georgia. Bart talks about how we see the glorious triumph and victory of Christ resurrection from the dead. He shows us how Psalm 68 is about Jesus, how Jesus defeated sin, Satan and death, and how we now share in what Jesus has achieved.
Joe explains what God has been doing among us as a church, and where we fit into the bigger picture of what God is doing in our relationship with our wider church family.
We are God's handiwork and He works on us, shapes us and moulds us to be like Jesus. Mark talks about how God does this in our lives so that we can do good works - good works that aren't the cause of our salvation, but the product of our salvation. He challenges us not to shrink back from the things that God has given us to do and the gifts He has given us to use for His glory.
Sometimes we can be too serious, intense, stressed, and lose our childlike faith and joy and wonder. Joe encourages us to take time to play as having fun is part of being Christ-like.
Gary Gallant talks about spending time with God in silence and solitude. He gives us some ideas of a framework for what to do when we spend time with God like this.
How can we be confident of God's love for us? Mark talks about why we can be secure in God's great love and how God has demonstrated His love for us in Christ's death on the cross.
We are embodied beings - we have a physical body that needs certain things to be healthy. God cares about every area of our lives and we can honour Him by taking care of our physical selves. Joe talks about how we honour God in caring for our bodies without taking it to extremes.
Mark talks about what it means to be dead in sin and alive in Christ. We couldn't do anything to save ourselves, but God has given us His grace. What does this mean for the way we live our lives now?
Passionate encourages us to activate the anointing God has for us as believers in Jesus to do good works.
Joe Crummey talks about God's grace to us and our response to Him in giving what has been given to us. Our goal is be a generous people in every way. As we give God blesses us spiritually with contentment and peace, and a dependence on Him rather than money. Joe challenges us to give in faith and have fun being generous with what we have, to examine our lives and consider what we invest in.
We have hope because of the resurrection. Mark gives us the top ten reasons why we can believe in the resurrection of Jesus.
Joe encourages us to focus on the person of Jesus Christ. When we pray we can know Jesus cares. He has faced every temptation we have and was victorious. He empathises with our weakness. Jesus weeps over our city. Joe challenges us to pray because we need Jesus in our lives and all that we do.
The Bible tells us that Jesus intercedes for us. He stands in the gap and prays for us. Gary Gallant speaks to us about how intercessory prayer is the call of every believer. He encourages us to take on God's heart, to become like Jesus, and seek God in faith for others.
God's purpose for the world is tied up in Christ and the church. Mark talks about how Paul wants God to switch on the lights for us in this area. He encourages us to see the hope to which God has called us in relation to the church which is His body - the fullness of Him.
Joe looks at the next part of the framework of life - family. Joe talks about some helpful things we can build into our lives to make Jesus central in family life both at home and in our church family.
Hazel Surgenor interviews Jerusha Borden. Jerusha's joy is infectious and her testimony of God's faithfulness is an encouragement to us all. She speaks about her journey of suffering with Lipedema while raising two children with autism, and how God has worked in her life and in her marriage to Steve in the midst of these trials.
Passionate encourages us to ask ourselves the question whether we love Jesus and why we love Him. How do we demonstrate that we love Jesus in our lives as individuals and the church?
In part 2 of Sex, Sexuality and Jesus, Joe reminds us that we're not looking at a bunch of rules, but starting with a relationship with God where our desires are transformed by the work of the Holy Spirit. Joe gives some guidelines on how to honour God and others in this area of our lives.
Joe uses Romans 12:1-2 as a starting point to talk about not conforming to the worlds pattern of sex and sexuality, but following Jesus and His way. How do we live our lives, body and mind for Jesus in our society today? Our sexual energy can be very powerful, and be used for Gods glory, or it can be dangerous and hurt ourselves and others. Joe talks about how the Holy Spirit empowers us to make good decisions channeling our energy into honouring God with our lives, and helping others.
Paul prays that the Ephesians will have the eyes of their hearts enlightened to see the hope they have. Mark talks about the hope of eternity we do have in Jesus and how this impacts how we live now, and gives us hope in our struggles. He also talks about the present hope of Christ's power and victory at work in our lives.
Our culture shapes our identity. Joe invites us to recognize these influences on our identity and see what is different about being in Christ. Having our identity in Jesus changes everything.
What is Biblical friendship? Oli Surgenor looks at what is and what is not friendship, what to do when we feel lonely and how we become good friends to those around us.
Joe explores the way Jesus put aside His divinity when He was on earth and lived with dependance on the Holy Spirit's guidance and leading. He encourages us to be filled with the Holy Spirit to be able to become more like Jesus, living lives of service to others and giving glory to God.
Mark talks about our journey into knowing God better - immediate, personal knowledge of God. He explains that the greatest knowledge of all is to know Jesus and this is our ultimate treasure beyond anything in this life. How do we get to know Him more? How does this affect how we live our lives?
Mark continues his series in Ephesians looking at two essential characteristics of followers of Jesus - faith in Jesus and love for each other. We do face some challenges to these fundamental things at this moment in history. Mark encourages us to put aside other differences we may have between us and prioritize loving each other.
Joe reviews the Formation series so far. Andy Balzer share his experience of taking a sabbath rest. Jenny and Derek Rattray share how God led them to start the Hope Garden Project (now associated with World Hope International) in the Bahamas.
Gary Gallant talks to us about how to pray. In Part 2 of Prayer 101 he talks about the second half of the Lord's prayer - praying for our needs, forgiveness and protection.
Joe talks to Gary Gallant about some of his life experiences and how spiritual practices have helped him to experience God's presence. This podcast compliments our series on Formation that Joe and Gary are doing on Sunday mornings. Music from Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/hartzmann/sunny License code: L9XLLBTGKDNQHWEX
Joe talks about making time to take a Sabbath rest and what it looks like to refresh your body and soul. Tim and Pamela Naugler share their experience of making time to rest.
Mark finishes off this series by talking about the Holy Spirit. He explains how the Holy Spirit is a sign of God's ownership of our lives, marking us genuine and authentic, how the Holy Spirit is promised to everyone who believes and is a deposit guaranteeing what is to come. Mark challenges us to ask God for more and to look for the things that happen when we are filled with the Spirit.
Gary Gallant talks about how we start to develop a practice of prayer in our lives learning from the way Jesus prayed to His Father.
Joe starts to look at some foundations to our framework of life that help us to become more like Jesus. This week he encourages us to develop the discipline of reading God's word and suggests some helpful ways we can get it into our hearts and our minds.
Joe explains how a framework can be helpful in developing a pattern of practices to support our friendship with Jesus. He uses the example of Daniel having a framework and a big view of God so that he was able to live in the Babylonian culture without being influenced by it. Dan and Julia Thompson also share their testimony of going through the process of developing a framework of life.
Mark encourages us to read and listen to the word of truth, allow it to transform our lives, and, in faith, put what it says into practice.
Joe kicks off our series about spiritual formation. What is it exactly? How we can be intentional about becoming more like Jesus?
Gary Gallant speaks to us about the unintentional ways our lives are formed and instead suggests we become intentional disciples of Jesus through teaching, spiritual practices, and community, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Mark encourages us to seek Godly wisdom and to see God's purpose to bring all things back together, reconciling all things. With so many people with different viewpoints in the church, how do we pursue unity?
Joe interviews Derek and Jenny Rattray about their journey of faith to start the Hope Garden Project prompted by Isaiah 58:10-12. The Hope Garden Project promotes dignity and builds opportunity and hope among children, educators, and communities in The Bahamas. It is a project associated with World Hope International (Canada).
Joe reviews what God is saying to us about lengthening and strengthening, and outlines where we are going from here.
Mark talks about the wonders of God's grace towards us and how grasping what grace means can bring us peace.
In Vision Sunday Part 2, Joe talks about the lengthen part of how God wants to 'strengthen and lengthen' us in our own individual lives and as a church; from being disciples to sharing our faith.
Mark talks about what it means to be chosen by God, and how that truth impacts how we think and live.
What is going on at the moment? As Joe shares our vision as a church, he invites us to assess where we are and encourages us to take time to be strengthened by God.
Mark begins a new series on 'Every Spiritual Blessing in Christ' based on Ephesians1:1-14. In this first talk, Mark looks at what it means to be 'in Christ'.
Neville Gosman unpacks Acts 15 and looks at how we can regain some momentum for mission during these pandemic times.
How did Paul and Barnabas handle being popular one minute, persecuted the next, and still carry on? Mark teaches us how Paul handled these things and challenges us to be counter-cultural in where and how we look for our self-esteem.
Passiionate encourages us to stand firm in the faith in the face of trials and hardships.
Joe invites us to focus on the fundamentals of the christian life - enjoying the grace of God, honouring God's Word and being a light to the world.
Acts 13 gives a pattern for preaching the gospel and growing the church: salvation through Jesus for everyone! For us locally, Jody looks at what we lay down and what we can pick up to serve our local community with the love of Jesus.
Paul and Barnabas followed God's call and came up against opposition along the way. Joe talks about how we handle the challenge of being obedient to God's call when we face opposition.
James gets killed. Peter is released from prison by an angel. Herod is eaten by worms. Why did God send an angel to release Peter, but James was tried and killed? Mark tackles this difficult question and how we handle situations in our own lives where prayers are answered for one person and it seems they're not for another.
The church at Antioch sent out Paul and Barnabas for the work that God had called them to. Joe looks at the characteristics of that early church focusing on worship, teamwork, and sending people out, as well as talking about what's going on in Christ Central today.
Barnabas was a man who had faith to see what God was doing in the church and in individuals. Mark enourages us to have faith to see the big picture of what God is doing today and to have faith for others.
Episode 4 of our Central Stories podcast features Gemma Booth. Listen to hear Hazel and Gemma talk about her journey to the nations.
Is it still right to share the gospel with those of other faiths and backgrounds? Joe talks about God's plans for the good news to be spread and why this is still relevant to us today.
God gave Simon Peter a vision three times in this passage to get him ready to share the gospel with the gentiles. Mark encourages us to be listening and ready to follow the Holy Spirit's direction.
Why do we need the Holy Spirit? Passiionate encourages us that the same power that enabled the apostles to do the miracles in Acts is available to us today. He looks at the work of the Spirit to bring healing and restoration, and asks us to think about the legacy we will leave behind us as we step out in faith in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Joe talks about Paul's time of preparation before his public ministry. Through this passage in Acts he looks at how God prepares us and forms our character, how we need help from others and how we need to be hungry for God.
Mark looks at Saul's conversion on the road to Damascus. He talks about how God finds us and redeems our lives for His glory.
Joe encourages us to rely on the Holy Spirit to lead us and to be ready to share the gospel when we experience the unexpected in our lives.
Episode 3 of our Central Stories podcast features Leo Berk. Tune in to hear Leo and Joe discuss how to find hope when facing challenges with mental health.
Jody Ward takes the story of Philip's encounter with the Ethiopean in Acts 8:26-40 and looks at obeying the prompts of the Holy Spirit, and how the good news of the gospel is for everyone.
Joe Crummey looks at Acts 8:1-3 and speaks about mourning in today's society and the hope we have in Jesus.
Mark looks at how things don't always turn out as we expect they will, but God is at work and in control through it all.
Mark Rushworth looks at Acts 6:1-7 and encourages us all to play our part in the mission of the Church.
To celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, this Easter Weekend Joe Crummey looks at 4 small words that have a huge impact on our past, present, and future.
Mark Rushworth looks at the three simple words of Jesus "It Is Finished" and what that means for us today.
Mark Rushworth looks at Acts 5 and 6 and reminds us of the importance of living our faith publicly.
Beginning with Acts 5 and the amazing story of God's power, Joe Crummey shares personal stories of how he has witnessed God's power in his own life.
This week are so glad for our friend Passiionate Ncube to be preaching again. Passiionate brings a challenging message reminding us of God's desire that we be "on fire" for Him.
TRANSCRIPTION Joe Crummey Welcome to our Christ Central Church Fredericton podcast our first one! And so we're excited to be able to talk to Emma today. Really the whole context of our podcasts is that we just want to share some stories of what God's been doing in the lives of people in our church. My name is Joe Crummey. And I'm going to be helping facilitate today and I just want to welcome and introduce Emma Bicknell. Emma, welcome. Why don't you just share a bit of your story, a bit of your background to get started? Emma Bicknell Well, I grew up in England. Joe I could tell her might have been a different accent. Emma Yes, I grew up in England, in Norfolk, in a really small village, with my parents and my sisters. And I lived we lived in Hevingham, a much smaller village until I was about 11. And then we moved to a slightly bigger town. Joe All right. And how did you end up to Canada? When did you come? And how did you end up in Fredericton? Emma We came to Canada in 2010. So I grew up in Norfolk, but then moved down south. I went to university in London, I got married, and we lived in in Lansing on the south coast, which is quite near to Brighton. We went to a church in Worthing down there, which is connected with the Newfrontiers family of churches. And that's how we heard about Fredericton. And through quite a few years process of feeling God calling us to Canada, we we ended up here in 2010. Joe Here you are 11 years later, hard to believe, isn't it? Well, amazing how you've ended up here and well over a decade has gone by. Selfishly, we're thrilled that you're here in Fredericton, and Canada. Today we're going to talk about really an important subject and topic and one that might be maybe not so comfortable to talk about, and that has to do with eating disorders. So I just want to thank you in advance for being honest today and just sharing a bit of your story, and hopefully it might bring some help to others today. So why don't you just if you don't mind to share a little bit of your story and a little bit of your background. How how did things develop? And then how did you get some help, but we'll just start first with a bit of your story. Emma Well, growing up I loved food. I love food. I have memories of big family weddings, and buffets and you always come away feeling sick because having so much. Joe Yes. We understand! Emma A bit of background too is that my family was a Christian family. It was all I was brought up believing: God, going to Sunday school. But it wasn't until I was 11 and we went to a Bible week called Spring Harvest the UK. And it was that week, March 1983, when I gave my life to Jesus, and that's a very clear memory. So that's when I was saved. But as often happens in teenage years, there were two things going on. There was my church life, my Christian life, but there was also part which was a bit of a tangle. There were lots of things that contributed, I think, to me developing an eating disorder. I found some things out about my family that I didn't know before that I found very hard to reconcile, hard to adjust to that that reality. I felt rejection from friends at various points as, as often people do, especially in their teenage years. The transition to England high school is at age 11/12, much younger than here. Youre in high school from 11 to 16 years, and then sixth form college from 16 to 18. And when I was in high school, I went from a really little Primary School Elementary. Elementary is where I was smart, I was top dog, and I won the school prize every year then I went to a high school where I was not the centre of attention. Joe The context changed. Emma And I think I started high school really trying to make my mark and I was really, really very outspoken about my faith. I wore an I love Jesus badge. I was very loud about it. And I think I managed to scare several of my friends into the kingdom of God by telling them that they would go to hell if they didn't give their lives to Jesus. But, you know, that doesnt stick for very long, you know, that approach. But anyway, yeah, so I wasn't the most popular. But I didn't mind that. I was prepared for not everyone to accept Jesus or everyone to accept me. But as time went on, lots of thingsIm a perfectionist, I like to do well, and that's a that's very common for people with eating disorders. It wasnt, one day I didn't have an eating disorder and then one day I did. It was very gradual, I gave up something for Lent one year when I was about 14 never ate it again. And I just found it was something I could control. So kind of partly consciously, partly subconsciously, I just started to restrict what I was eating. Joe So just a quick review. Following Jesus at a young age, a lot of change, through teenage years, a lot of things going on all at one time, some family things, different dynamics in school, and even starting out with something good, giving up something for Lent, even that, even though it was for good started a bit down of a road. When we're talking about eating disorders, there's different types. We have anorexia, bulimia, and different depths of what can people can get into things. Can you maybe just share a little bit what was specific to you, were there other triggers, things that you now realize, contributed to going down this path? Emma Well, I remember once, and it was had a we went to a Methodist Church at the time. And I can't remember how old I was maybe around 10 to 12, somewhere around that. And I was taking this something from this buffet table. It was a celebration after a christening or something like that. And I took some trifle and you know how you put a spoon in and sometimes you just get far more than you want. And that's what happened there and I had it on my plate. And I walked past someone, I can't even remember who it was in the church, but they said, Look how much that girl has put on her plate! And it just stuck. It really stuck in my head, that one little comment. Forever after, when I went to anything, I was super conscious of what I was taking because I did not want to look greedy. So just that little comment just stuck. That was a little trigger that kept replaying in my mind and made me very conscious in future whenever there was a social event, not to appear to be taking too much. But then it got really bad for me, because it wasn't so bad through those high school years, I was just gradually restricting. But then from 16 to 18, it really got more out of control. Though I thought I was controlling it, it was controlling me. My thoughts. It just dictated my whole daily life from when I got up in the morning to what I was doing, my routine. I was thinking about that whole cycle of restricting. And if I broke the rules, my rules Joe So that was going to be my next question or comment. Emma, can you just expand a little bit upon that. Because sometimes it's a hybrid of all these things, but sometimes there can be different root issues, body image, and we're concerned about how other people look at us or how we look. But then there's issues of control. What what were some of the driving factors that really caused you to kind of be crippled by this disorder? Emma Well, what people thought of me I wanted to be liked, like any teenager. I wanted to be liked, I wanted to be successful, I wanted to be popular. And when those things don't happen, then you're just [asking] how do I change?. That was all tangled up in the mess. But then there were relationships, friendships, that went wrong, caught me off guard and some unhelpful relationships. I had friendships that were not great for me. And then I felt rejected I had a bad body image. I never, I never ever thought of myself as pretty from when I was very young. I don't know why that was. Because I was always brought up to say, I could do anything, but I never saw myself as attractive. Ever. So I had that, like wrong kind of thinking, anyway. Joe Many things we wrestle through, not just teenagers. Emma No, not just teenagers. I know, that can happen throughout your life. Joe Before we get to sort of turn in the corner of how did things change, can you paint a picture of what what was a day like, sort of at its worst, as you said, things kind of got gradually worse from age 14, but maybe the worst was ages 16-18 or beyond. Take us through a day, how serious was this affecting your life? Emma A day was, I would get up early, really early. Because I'd have to read my Bible, exercise, and practice my clarinet before I went out the door to get the bus to go to sixth form college. And if I didn't do those things in the day wouldn't go right. In my head. The day wouldn't go right if I didn't get all those things done before I got out the door. And so then I either inevitably head out the door not having had time for breakfast. Deliberately. Maybe grab an apple from the fridge type of thing. And then at Sixth Form college, you know, hanging out with my friends and do all that stuff. But wherever food was concerned, I would be avoiding. I'd be working, very happy to provide food for other people. Joe Theres irony in that isnt there? Emma But I think that's a common thing. that then for me, I went to do everything to avoid it in social situations. Joe Did anyone else pick up on these things? Emma Well, I'm sure they did. I'm sure my friends noticed. Although I can't remember anyone asking me Joe So no one approached you or brought this up or showed concern? Emma Not My friends, and not my teachers. Although I know that one of my English teachers did because one of the effects of being so mentally unwell was that everything stressed me out. Schoolwork just completely stressed out and I kind of nearly had a breakdown when we were doing our mock exams just before the end, I just flunked them. I couldn't think I couldn't concentrate. And then one of my teachers said, Is it worth it Emma? You don't have to go to university, you don't have to And I think she was trying to reach out and say, I can see you're struggling. She was trying to show that. But you know, it didn't really go anywhere. And I know my parents noticed. Joe They must have been concerned? Emma They were, yeah, but maybe just didn't know what to do, how to approach things. So I can't remember having a conversation about that until I finished my school. I did get through my A Levels. That summer, well, I changed things because I was going to go to university, I should say back up a little bit. Because whilst all this was going on, I was still involved in church life. And I was baptized when I was 15. I was involved in youth group, I had great youth leaders who were in the house all the time, you know, the kitchen talks, there's lots of teenage stuff going on. And at the time, when things were really bad, I helped to lead an 11 to 14 youth group. And it's crazy how you can live a double life. You can cover up so much. Joe We can do it in so many different ways. With so many different issues and problems. Emma I was helping to lead the 11 to 14s and, and I was really not very well. Joe So Emma thanks again, just for your honesty and for sharing your story with us. So begin to tell us, how did things begin to change? How did this begin to change so that this didnt, in a sense, ruin your life? Emma Well, because I had got that stressed with exams, I decided to defer my university for a year. And instead do a year team in the UK. At the time, you could do your team with another church and I applied to one. Joe So just a year team to serve a church? Emma Yeah, and it was the church in Lansing where I ended up after in university as well. So I was going to serve the church for a year with a team of five others. And so that was due to start in September or October after I did my A level exams. But I was ill and I don't know how I got through the interview for it or anything. I just don't know how. On the way back from the interview, the pastor of the church drove us down to London to have the interviews and then on the drive back we were in a roadside cafe and he offered to buy lunch. And I can remember, I was in a complete panic staring at the menu I because this is the kind of Joe Yeah, that would be a very uncomfortable situation for you. Emma So I'm trying to find the one with the least ever. And he said, I'll just choose for you. But anyway, so I remember that. Then as time went on, I've done my exams, and this is sort of all coming up. And after I finished my exams, my mom dragged dragged me to the doctor. And I mean drag, dragged me kicking and screaming to see the doctor and she came in with me to the office. And I stared out the window and I did not say a word. And he was saying Emma if you carry on like this, do you realize you're gonna die? You know, he was like really painting the blackest picture ever. And Im just staring out the window because I couldn't imagine. I couldn't imagine letting go of it. I didn't have the capacity or that didn't know how I was going to I felt ashamed. I felt helpless. I felt I was exhausted Joe Understandably so! Emma I didn't know how to talk about it. I didn't know how to explain what, why because I didn't really know why. And so anyway, he said, I'm referring to psychiatrist. So that appointment date came through, which was in the August of that year. But before that we were taking our youth group to a Bible week, a Bible camp. So it was about I think it was for 8s to 14s. And I was with our group Joe So like our Bible camps just a bit different. Emma Yes. So I was in with them. It was Jeremy and Anne Simpkins who were doing that... Joe That's a quite a connection. That they have a connection to our church is just amazing how small the world is. Emma All week, in the worship, I had a picture in my head. All week, whenever, in any of the meetings, I could see Jesus looking at me, but I could not meet his eye really. And every time in worship, that's, that's in my mind's eye. That was what I saw. I couldn't lift my eyes to him, and then all the way through the week they're encouraging the kids to bring spiritual gifts and to share words. And they did and it was great. There were tons of them through the week that applied to me. Words about a bird in a cage who couldnt open the door, someone with a habit they cant break. Joe Pretty specific to your situation, isnt it? Emma All the way through the week. And it wasn't until of course, the last night that I I said to someone, one of the other leaders, I think I need to respond. And I think they were probably going, Yes, finally! So I went forward and Anne Simpkins ended up being the one who prayed for me. And and so I explained, I have anorexia. Joe You finally named it. Emma Yeah, which I never would have done before. Joe Quite a big statement just to name it. Emma And so she looked at me and I thought, Oh, shes going to pray for me. And she said, I can't remember her exact words but the gist of it is, God created you, and you're destroying what God's created. And I think you need to repent of what you've been doing to your body. So she prayed with me, and I repented. And she prayed for me that God would heal my mind. Joe So Ill just stop you there. Some people listening might not even know what the word repent means. Can you just flesh out, what does that mean? What did that look like for you specifically in this call to repentance? Emma It means to turn a 180 away from the things that you're doing and turn towards Jesus. So turn in a different direction turn back to him. So that's a big thing to do. So I did that. Joe You spoke that out? Emma Yes, I spoke that out and asked God to forgive me. Which, I don't know, sometimes I don't know if that's a suggested treatment. Joe But what were seeing is were including a doctor, psychiatrist, and there's a spiritual component from the Christian worldview that is important as well. Emma And so I did that, she prayed for me to be healed, and I went down on the grass side of the tent. And I had a picture of Jesus and He was looking at me and I could meet his eyes and it was just Joe Thats so powerful. Emma Yeah. So then theres the next day. So you get up. And all week, it's been a nightmare for me because all the meals are communal. They have the school dinner service providing meals its very hard to hide. Especially when you're with the 11 year olds, sitting with them. And so I had to make the decision to go and get some food. And so I did. And it was a process over the next weeks and months. The next week I went on holiday with my family and we were staying in the hotel with full course mealsand I ate. When I was prayed for it was just like that thought pattern was broken. Like the hold that that had on me was broken. So I could choose then to just eat normally. And I didn't eat like tons straight away Joe But you started a new normal. Emma I started a new normal, and I started to eat again. But I was set free from that exhausting, relentless pattern that made me restrict what I ate. And then the guilt and the shame and the punishment and the restricting. And it broke that. And I can say I was healed. Joe It was a miracle. It was a mental miracle. Emma Yeah, absolutely. It was a miracle. And I'm really grateful to Jesus for that because it changed my life. Joe It did change your life. Well Emma, its hard to believe our time is almost gone. So just a quick review. Just to say, for anyone listening today who might struggle with some of these different things, and it could be eating disorders, it could be issues of control that manifests itself and other harmful behaviours we've talked about. We can get help through our healthcare. So you can see a health care provider, you can see your medical doctor, you might be referred to a psychologist or psychiatrist and get help there. And then we also believe from a Christian point of view from our church that Jesus is concerned with every aspect of our lives. And we can see in the Bible, and we can see as people came to Jesus, Jesus brought healing in many different forms and ways. And he's still doing that today. So Emma, if you wouldn't mind, why don't you just lead us in a prayer. And maybe there's someone listening who might be in a similar situation you were in that you could just pray for them. Would you be able to do that for us? All right, thank you. Emma Yeah, Lord Jesus, I thank you so much, that you love us that you have created each one of us to be the person that you intended us to be. You made us to be in relationship with you, Lord, Jesus, and I thank you for that too. I pray for anyone who struggles with body image and eating, with their relationship with food. Lord, I thank you that you can break through all the tangle of emotions and thoughts that we have about ourselves and about food and that you can set us free. You have the power to set us free from the wrong ways of thinking, and the wrong ideas we have about ourselves or about you. I just pray that if anyone's listening and they're struggling with these things, Lord, I pray that you would break through all of the mess, all of the guilt or fear, that holds them captive. Lord, I pray that you breakthrough and you just set them free and set them free to live for You Lord Jesus. You are the only place we find our true identity, the only place we find forgiveness and rest so I pray that you would bring rest to anyone who is listening who may struggle with these things. In Your name Jesus. Amen. Joe Emma Bicknell thank you so much for sharing with us. Well done with just being honest and sharing. I know that's not always easy. And so thank you and it gives hope. And again, for anyone listening, you can contact us through christcentral.ca on our website, on Facebook, and we'd love to be able to walk this out with other people if we can help in any way and again, you can touch base with your healthcare provider. We just ask that if you struggle with any of these things reach out, talk to someone, get some help, be courageous and take that step as Emma did and we pray that God will break through. Alright, well, thank you for listening to our Christ Central Church Fredericton podcast. Thank you, Emma, and we look forward to our next guest next month.
AW Tozer said, What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. What comes into your mind? This week Joe Crummey looks at Acts 4-5 and one of the least popular names of God... Judge.
In Acts we see incredible generosity from the early church. How did they do it? This week Mark Rushworth looks at Acts 4:23-37
When the early church prayed... there was power! Joe Crummey looks at what made the prayers in Acts so powerful and what that means for us today.
Looking at Acts 4, Mark Rushworth challenges us to courageously proclaim the Good News of Jesus.