‘GOD HAS NOT GIVEN US A SPIRIT OF FEAR, BUT OF POWER, LOVE AND A SOUND MIND’
Meet the Directors, Treasurer & Meet our Guests
The FGB Treasurer and Director’s shared their testimonies and why they’re involved in FGB. The take away from all the people that spoke was that FGB has grown their relationship with God, introduced them to spiritual gifts, which they developed and used. That Spiritual growth which may not have been available in a church setting, was free and encouraged within FGB.
Another thread that tied their stories together was the family bonds they had with other FGB members. The friendships that spanned decades, with support and openness. That when times were hard and they didn’t know where to turn, it was FGB men that were their for them practically and spiritually.
We had a wonderful group from FGBMFI Nigeria that joined us. They shared their enthusiasm for FGB Europe and how invested the FGB Nigerian members are in seeing growth for the UK. It was a real blessing to hear how wide and reaching the FGB family are.
Morning Prayer Meetings
The prayer meetings were a powerful way to start the day! We joined together for time filled with worship, contemplation, prayer and listening to the Holy Spirit. It great to have the sessions led by members from all over the country.
Saturday Morning – Led and with Music from Clive Addison (Wales)
Sunday Morning – Led by George Amos (Cambourne), Joshua Hulse (Sheffield) & Jamie Staniforth (Rotherham)
Social Media & AI: Getting set up, Using it, Impacts on Society & the Future
Simple Guide to Social Medial – Chris Cheshire
Some of the Chapters have started setting up a Chapter Facesbook page, Chris shared that he was nervous at first but they’re getting more confident at using Facebook. It’s easy to do and a great way to reach people in your area! You can find a easy step guide with the links to the presentations. It’s also a great way to get someone involved to help you get set up, then invite them to a dinner!
The Gift of Creativity come from God, AI helps you finish your poster before midnight – Emma Bendrien-Gumbs
Emma shared how easy it is to make professional posters that can be printed, shared on social media and sent over WhatsApp with AI. How you can set up a template and change it as needed for each event. Let’s make our advertising the best it can be, even without the skills of a graphic designer.
Spotting Misinformation, Disinformation & Misleading Information – Dave Reading
Dave shared the importance of not getting distracted with all the information that’s thrown at us on a daily basis. How essential it is that we use discernment with what we are shown on TV and see on social media. The presentation includes easy things that you can look out for.
In a word full of noise, let truth be your guide.
Discern the truth. Reject the lies. Walk in the Spirit.
Faith in the Age of AI – Jacob John
Jacob spoke about the implications on Christian Faith from AI. He focused on What AI is looking it at through a Christian lens. The threat that AI causes to Christians and society as a whole, as well as the opportunities that it opens up.
AI will change everything. The Gospel will not change. Be wise, be discerning, be present and above all – be men who know the living God.
Praying for Derby with special guests
Whilst spending time at the Derby Conference Centre we had the pleasure of meeting another Christian group that had joined together. The group were planning a large outreach due to take place in Derby this summer, and were holding a time of prayer in one of the other conference rooms.
We invited them to join us for a time of worship and prayer. It was an absolute pleasure and divine moment where we joined together in unity. God’s power was tangible as we prayed for Derby and everything the group was planning.
Even when we are joined together as FGB members The Kingdom of God is the priority, and we will continue to pray for team their and the city.
Moving in the Spiritual Gifts
Jacob John and Peter Ashburner headed up this empowering session where we focused on the Holy spirit. We took time to look at the gifts and their importance in our Christian walk with God.
The evening before Jacob has asked for us to pray about what colour to wear during the session. Which led to a wonderful time of looking at where we were all gifted. During the session Peter’s was filled with an incredible anointing, and he went around and prayed for people to be fulfilled in their callings.
Following that the FGB members prayed for each other, there were words of wisdom spoken and healing needs identified. God moved powerfully and equipped everyone there willing to open up their hearts and be used by God.
The anointing received however wasn’t just for us to have a blessed time at the conference. It was to take away! To continue acting upon and to use to make a real difference in the life of others.
Issues Facing Men in Today's Society - Holy Spirit led
The evening session was left completely up to the Holy Spirit to lead us. Throughout the whole weekend it was FGB members that spoke, shared and prayed. The decision had been made that we would not have a main speaker for the event, this meant that the Holy Spirit could move freely.
We started with a wonderful time of worship prayer and seeking God’s direction.
One of the words that started the direction of the session was about younger men, and their focus on their Mental Health. With the news covering ‘the male loneliness epidemic’ and the increase in male suicides. Where does FGB fit in? We have the answer people are looking for and we need to look at how we share it.
With the success of other secular groups that are growing at an increasing rate, encouraging men to get together for a ‘brew and a chat’. The challenge came what are we as FGB doing? How do we need to change.
Throughout the weekend we’d heard stories of the FGB family, on the Friday night the Director’s spoke about what the FGB men had meant to each of them over the years. In a world where men are struggling to make friendships we were in a room with relationships that had lasted decades.
Several attendee’s shared their experiences of times of suffering, throughout many of the stories the COVID pandemic played a big part. That time of isolation has had a lasting effect for society as a whole, and on so many individual lives.
Those who had struggled came to the front. This was the time when after being prayed for, filled with the anointing and encouraged to use our gifts everyone had to get involved and minister.
The UK has gone through it’s challenges since the early 1900’s. With the men being sent away to fight in two World Wars. It gave a close sense of community, however the anger and hate which was inspired to fuel the fighting had left it’s mark. Men came back broken and often left a mark on their families. The next generation of men were put to work rebuilding the country, it was a time of hope for the future. We made leaps forward with technology and expanding businesses.
However, we are going through a time were often men feel like there is nothing left to fight for. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to find work, buy a house and raise a family. They are left with quiet and years of generational anger which has been passed down and has no where to go.
There’s a real challenge for all FGB members to seek God’s direction for their area’s. What should we be doing to reach people? How can we offer hope and the provide the answer to societies loneliness?
Being an FGB Member, building relationships, inviting people to events
Sunday morning was set up to answer the previous nights questions.
Barrie Lawrence spoke about his years in FGB. How God has used him in his work life and his retirement, because he was prepared to talk to people. When he wasn’t sure where to find people he asked God where to go. Throughout the years Barrie had continued to invite people to dinners, not just as one off’s but to build lasting relationships.
Barrie became a friend to those around him, he invited them into his home. As a couple Barrie and Wendy fed the guests they welcome into their home.
With the challenge brought to us by God on the Saturday night, Barrie had prepared a how to guide.
Find an FGB Member as your next speaker
We had seen throughout the weekend what God can do with FGB members, but often when we are planning our dinners we look outside for speakers. Peter Ashburner spoke about how we have so many wonderful and incredible testimonies within our members.
Peter shared how sharing your own is so important. As well as knowing the incredible way FGB is shaped to be a comfortable place to bring guests. For those who would not go into a church it provides a place non Christians can relate to.
The meetings are structured to share a time of fellowship and getting to know your guests. We can ask members to share short testimonies and listen to a speaker share what God has done. The focus for FGB as well is always the ministry time and asking for salvation.
Who better to set up an evening for your guests than an FGB member.
You can find some of the FGB member testimonies and get in touch to book someone for a dinner here – Find a Speaker for your next event – FGB
If you are happy to be added to our FGB speakers page get in touch with the office. Read through some of the Bio’s there and send yours over on email with some photo’s to office@fgbuk.org.
Sharing your Testimony
Everyone should be ready, willing and able to share a 3 minute testimony. We need to work on ours and in this fast moving world we have to be ready to go!
The beginning of an event is a great way to build confidence at sharing testimony. So make sure you know yours, and when you’re ready to share your full testimony speak to the Chapter presidents and get up there!
We had a wonderful time listening to some of the attendee’s share their short testimonies.
The scripture that started and ended the conference was 2 Timothy 1:17.
‘GOD HAS NOT GIVEN US A SPIRIT OF FEAR, BUT OF POWER, LOVE AND A SOUND MIND’
Some of the messages brought by attendees
Two days before the conference the Lord gave a picture in my sleep of a teapot that had the spout cut off. I was then aghast at the price of £200 to repair it! I was asking I was asking the Holy Spirit what this meant and I looked into scripture for more understanding. A broken teapot can often symbolise a blockage in your ability to pour out your spirited gifts, likened to ‘jars of clay’. Meaning to pour out God’s love to the world a cut off. The restoration of the spout means time to replenish and refresh. There’s a call for reflection and examine your walk with the Lord throughout the weekend. It has been very much about being replenished refreshed and re energised and the Lord.
On Friday others were speaking about dryness and being refreshed by the living waters pouring out the Holy Spirit. I became bolder but kept quiet until Saturday. Whilst praying the word burst forth from me, the word of the Lord placed in me.
Thank you Lord for FGB you care for equipping the Saints. Nothing is past repair for the Lord and restoration like Nehimiah rebuilding the walls. Restoring and scriptural restoration with new chapters, and old ones revitalised with God is moving powerfully.
Evangelism – So many say I’m not an evangelist because of the idea evangelism is proclaiming the gospel loudly on the street or approaching complete strangers. But it is so much more than that, evangelism is in everything! The clothes you wear, the spirit of God you carry with you, the way you behave, the way you speak, if you carry the Holy Spirit with you and align your heart with gods everything about you evangelises.
Count your blessings – We get disheartened by what we don’t get a gift a healing a job anything we have prayed for, but we did not receive? But do you have you a roof over your head? A bed to sleep in? Income? Food? Loved ones? Never forget what you do have because what you take for granted others dream of having if you have unanswered prayers there is a reason even Paul had a thorn in his flesh.
Potbellies – “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
When the Saints come marching in, proclaim over your cities. For audacity, ferocity, generosity, electricity and authenticity.
Healing – Came in to meeting with painful, sore feet went forward and got prayer. Then at lunchtime I went out for a walk and walked for 2 1/2 hours with only a slight twinge. God has healed me. Isaiah says you will rise up on wings as eagles. God is faithful.
Upcoming Conferences
