Digital Brochure
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a new knowledge centre for mission on mainland Europe
A ‘knowledge centre’ for mission in Europe.. In an era of massive cultural change and significant missional challenge, the church needs two qualities above all others: confidence in her ancient calling to be salt and light to the world, and imagination in her efforts to do so. Innovation and effectiveness do not arise by themselves – they come from a commitment to explore the missional challenges of the day and to find viable, authentic, faith-filled strategies to meet them. For denominations old and new the 21st century offers both challenge and opportunity. The challenge: to breathe new life into an ancient story. The opportunity: to see faith take root in the new landscapes of European culture.
Determined both to meet the challenge and to seize the opportunity, in 2009 the Bless Network will take on the operation of a Christian Centre in Normandy, France. Working across the denominations, the new centre will be home to a missional community and will offer: - A rhythm of prayer focused on the missional needs of Europe. - A training base for the activities of Bless. - A launch-pad for mission across Europe. - A ‘knowledge centre’ developing resources for 21st century mission
The vision of the Bless Network is: To be a centre of excellence for prayer, mission, training and research and a bridge for the global church into mainland Europe. To date this has been expressed trough a virtual network, with team members based in the UK, France and the Netherlands. With the new centre Bless will be ‘at home’ in a missional community serving as the hub of the dispersed network. Our mission remains unchanged; to transform the lives of people in Europe by empowering Christians through prayer, personal creativity and strategic partnerships to live for the service of others. The new centre will consolidate this mission, enabling us to impact more individuals, more churches and more communities. We will create space for prayer, space for learning and space for interaction and exchange, fostering imagination and innovation for mission across Europe.
Why a Centre? Why France? We have long believed that our vision for innovation in mission should be housed in a physical centre on mainland Europe. In 2008 we were asked to consider taking over an existing Christian Centre near Lisieux in Normandy; where we have already held several Bless training events. This centre, called ‘Bethanie’: - is an established residential centre, with 20 beds and potential to grow to 50 - is ideally located in France, close to UK ferries - is known already as a place of prayer and learning.
Based on a farm not far from Lisieux – France’s second most significant place of pilgrimage after Lourdes - Bethanie Christian Centre has operated for fifteen years as a centre of healing and renewal, serving Protestant and Catholic believers from France, the UK and beyond. The centre has a strong reputation as a place of prayer and personal growth. There is an ancient well at the very heart of the farm: and many visitors would claim that they have found ancient wisdom here. The current centre can accommodate 20 people, and planning permission is in place to extend this to 50. There is a meeting / training room for 60 people, a prayer room/ chapel and space for personal retreat and prayer. Overflow guest accommodation is available in other homes nearby.
Bethanie is 20km from Lisieux and just under 50 from Caen and the crosschannel ferries. Paris is less than 2 hours away by road or train. Ideally located for mission in France and as a gateway to Europe, the new centre at Bethanie will be a place of mission, spirituality and learning. We will establish a missional community at the centre who through their shared work, prayer and rule of life will provide its living heart. Their work will form the hub of a dispersed network across denominational barriers and across Europe - working to foster and resource missional imagination. With an emphasis on a new generation, on creativity and on work with local churches, we see the centre as a vital new resource for European mission.
The community will create and resource a permanent prayer room, modeled on the 24/7 movement, encouraging all who come to see prayer at the heart of mission and mission as the heart of prayer. Out of this will flow training and mobilisation – participants in the Bless programme of gap-year and summer-team missions will be able to gather and find mutual inspiration and learning in the task of re-engineering Christian mission for a post-Christian Europe. Beyond this there will be learning opportunities for a wider network of partners and participants: all those sharing our desire to see the churches of Europe renewed and the communities they work in transformed.
A UK Limited Company with charitable objectives, The Bless Network operates under the name Bless and uses the strap line ‘live for others’. Bless is overseen by a Board of Trustees chaired by Rt Rev Pete Broadbent, Bishop of Willesden. Founding Directors Gerard and Chrissie Kelly are also trustees and give leadership to a volunteer team in Birmingham (UK), Amsterdam (NL), Perpignan (FR) and Melbourne (AUS). All work undertaken for Bless is on a voluntary basis, and team members are financed through a combination of ‘tentmaking’ and personal support-raising . Participants in Bless are drawn from many different churches and are predominantly in the 18 to 30 age range. They serve Placement churches in France, Croatia, Spain and the Netherlands. Bless is supported in prayer and finance by Partners in the UK, on mainland Europe and in the USA.
Seeking investors. Bethanie has been offered to us at a reduced purchase price of just 400,000 Euros. We are seeking partners to stand with us in this investment and to contribute towards set-up costs for the centre. The operation of the centre will be largely self-funding, but we are committed its ongoing expansion and improvement and we will be seeking long-term supporters for this. Please contact [email protected] if you want to discuss this further, or visit www.justgiving.com/blessnetwork to make a direct donation. In addition, we will create a prayer support network for the centre, based on periodic e-mail updates. We would be glad to include you in this support team. Please stop even now for just a moment to pray for this vision. We believe it to be in God’s heart and greatly appreciate your interest and support. Please do get in touch if you want to stand with us in this new venture.
The Bless Network Unit 745, The Big Peg 120 Vyse Street Birmingham B18 6NF United Kingdom
Limited Company #5156475 registered in England, UK Registered Charity #1105173 Member of Global Connections, the evangelical network for world mission. Trustees: Rt. Rev. Pete Broadbent, Bishop of Willesden; Gerard Kelly; Chrissie Kelly; Marguerite Eccleshall; Martin Thomas; Ben Wickham; Tom Gwilliam
e. f r i n a h t e b e r t n www.ce
http://ihardlyknowher.com/35758559@N05
www.bless.org.uk
www.blessatbethanie.tumblr.com
“Gerard & Chrissie bring unusual passion, commitment and imagination to giving birth to this Missional Centre to share the good news . I am looking forward to seeing how they help a new generation unleash their imagination in creating new ways to make a difference for God’s kingdom in these turbulent times. “ Tom Sine, author, The New Conspirators “The church needs innovation and inspiration as never before – I thoroughly endorse this imaginative vision.” Al Hirsch author, The Forgotten Ways
“There is no challenge more pressing for the churches of Western Europe than the rediscovery of missional imagination. This project will make a major contribution.” Chris Stoddard Director, RUN Network
“Europe needs strong churches. Churches need motivated young leaders. Leaders need quality resources. Bless is working towards all three: please join with us.” Rt Rev Pete Broadsbent, Bishop of Willesden “A knowledge centre for the churches of Europe; a L’Abri for the 21st Century. This is an idea whose time has come – and Bless are just the people to do it.” Jim Saker, Ford Professor in Retail Management, Loughborough University “This is a thrilling new project from an organisation with a proven track record. I cannot recommend it highly enough.” Ian Coffey, Director of Leadership Training, Moorlands College
you
A ‘knowledge centre’ for mission in Europe.. In an era of massive cultural change and significant missional challenge, the church needs two qualities above all others: confidence in her ancient calling to be salt and light to the world, and imagination in her efforts to do so. Innovation and effectiveness do not arise by themselves – they come from a commitment to explore the missional challenges of the day and to find viable, authentic, faith-filled strategies to meet them. For denominations old and new the 21st century offers both challenge and opportunity. The challenge: to breathe new life into an ancient story. The opportunity: to see faith take root in the new landscapes of European culture.
Determined both to meet the challenge and to seize the opportunity, in 2009 the Bless Network will take on the operation of a Christian Centre in Normandy, France. Working across the denominations, the new centre will be home to a missional community and will offer: - A rhythm of prayer focused on the missional needs of Europe. - A training base for the activities of Bless. - A launch-pad for mission across Europe. - A ‘knowledge centre’ developing resources for 21st century mission
The vision of the Bless Network is: To be a centre of excellence for prayer, mission, training and research and a bridge for the global church into mainland Europe. To date this has been expressed trough a virtual network, with team members based in the UK, France and the Netherlands. With the new centre Bless will be ‘at home’ in a missional community serving as the hub of the dispersed network. Our mission remains unchanged; to transform the lives of people in Europe by empowering Christians through prayer, personal creativity and strategic partnerships to live for the service of others. The new centre will consolidate this mission, enabling us to impact more individuals, more churches and more communities. We will create space for prayer, space for learning and space for interaction and exchange, fostering imagination and innovation for mission across Europe.
Why a Centre? Why France? We have long believed that our vision for innovation in mission should be housed in a physical centre on mainland Europe. In 2008 we were asked to consider taking over an existing Christian Centre near Lisieux in Normandy; where we have already held several Bless training events. This centre, called ‘Bethanie’: - is an established residential centre, with 20 beds and potential to grow to 50 - is ideally located in France, close to UK ferries - is known already as a place of prayer and learning.
Based on a farm not far from Lisieux – France’s second most significant place of pilgrimage after Lourdes - Bethanie Christian Centre has operated for fifteen years as a centre of healing and renewal, serving Protestant and Catholic believers from France, the UK and beyond. The centre has a strong reputation as a place of prayer and personal growth. There is an ancient well at the very heart of the farm: and many visitors would claim that they have found ancient wisdom here. The current centre can accommodate 20 people, and planning permission is in place to extend this to 50. There is a meeting / training room for 60 people, a prayer room/ chapel and space for personal retreat and prayer. Overflow guest accommodation is available in other homes nearby.
Bethanie is 20km from Lisieux and just under 50 from Caen and the crosschannel ferries. Paris is less than 2 hours away by road or train. Ideally located for mission in France and as a gateway to Europe, the new centre at Bethanie will be a place of mission, spirituality and learning. We will establish a missional community at the centre who through their shared work, prayer and rule of life will provide its living heart. Their work will form the hub of a dispersed network across denominational barriers and across Europe - working to foster and resource missional imagination. With an emphasis on a new generation, on creativity and on work with local churches, we see the centre as a vital new resource for European mission.
The community will create and resource a permanent prayer room, modeled on the 24/7 movement, encouraging all who come to see prayer at the heart of mission and mission as the heart of prayer. Out of this will flow training and mobilisation – participants in the Bless programme of gap-year and summer-team missions will be able to gather and find mutual inspiration and learning in the task of re-engineering Christian mission for a post-Christian Europe. Beyond this there will be learning opportunities for a wider network of partners and participants: all those sharing our desire to see the churches of Europe renewed and the communities they work in transformed.
A UK Limited Company with charitable objectives, The Bless Network operates under the name Bless and uses the strap line ‘live for others’. Bless is overseen by a Board of Trustees chaired by Rt Rev Pete Broadbent, Bishop of Willesden. Founding Directors Gerard and Chrissie Kelly are also trustees and give leadership to a volunteer team in Birmingham (UK), Amsterdam (NL), Perpignan (FR) and Melbourne (AUS). All work undertaken for Bless is on a voluntary basis, and team members are financed through a combination of ‘tentmaking’ and personal support-raising . Participants in Bless are drawn from many different churches and are predominantly in the 18 to 30 age range. They serve Placement churches in France, Croatia, Spain and the Netherlands. Bless is supported in prayer and finance by Partners in the UK, on mainland Europe and in the USA.
Seeking investors. Bethanie has been offered to us at a reduced purchase price of just 400,000 Euros. We are seeking partners to stand with us in this investment and to contribute towards set-up costs for the centre. The operation of the centre will be largely self-funding, but we are committed its ongoing expansion and improvement and we will be seeking long-term supporters for this. Please contact [email protected] if you want to discuss this further, or visit www.justgiving.com/blessnetwork to make a direct donation. In addition, we will create a prayer support network for the centre, based on periodic e-mail updates. We would be glad to include you in this support team. Please stop even now for just a moment to pray for this vision. We believe it to be in God’s heart and greatly appreciate your interest and support. Please do get in touch if you want to stand with us in this new venture.
The Bless Network Unit 745, The Big Peg 120 Vyse Street Birmingham B18 6NF United Kingdom
Limited Company #5156475 registered in England, UK Registered Charity #1105173 Member of Global Connections, the evangelical network for world mission. Trustees: Rt. Rev. Pete Broadbent, Bishop of Willesden; Gerard Kelly; Chrissie Kelly; Marguerite Eccleshall; Martin Thomas; Ben Wickham; Tom Gwilliam
e. f r i n a h t e b e r t n www.ce
http://ihardlyknowher.com/35758559@N05
www.bless.org.uk
www.blessatbethanie.tumblr.com
“Gerard & Chrissie bring unusual passion, commitment and imagination to giving birth to this Missional Centre to share the good news . I am looking forward to seeing how they help a new generation unleash their imagination in creating new ways to make a difference for God’s kingdom in these turbulent times. “ Tom Sine, author, The New Conspirators “The church needs innovation and inspiration as never before – I thoroughly endorse this imaginative vision.” Al Hirsch author, The Forgotten Ways
“There is no challenge more pressing for the churches of Western Europe than the rediscovery of missional imagination. This project will make a major contribution.” Chris Stoddard Director, RUN Network
“Europe needs strong churches. Churches need motivated young leaders. Leaders need quality resources. Bless is working towards all three: please join with us.” Rt Rev Pete Broadsbent, Bishop of Willesden “A knowledge centre for the churches of Europe; a L’Abri for the 21st Century. This is an idea whose time has come – and Bless are just the people to do it.” Jim Saker, Ford Professor in Retail Management, Loughborough University “This is a thrilling new project from an organisation with a proven track record. I cannot recommend it highly enough.” Ian Coffey, Director of Leadership Training, Moorlands College
you
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