It is hard to believe that it
was 5 years since Solid Ground travelled to The New Forrest area of England to
share in the gospel outreach. With
Ashley already working in England and driving down to Ringwood/New Milton, the
others flew from Belfast to Southampton courtesy of flybe. The flight was delayed for an hour but all
arrived safely at Poulner Baptist Chapel, Ringwood mid afternoon for set up and
sound checks.
Poulner Baptist Chapel – Friday 22nd June
Last time Solid Ground sang in
Ringwood it was at the local Parish church and due to technical difficulties
had to borrow some sound equipment from Poulner Baptist Chapel. The Pastor,
Adam Skirton was extremely helpful and so it was fitting that the first gospel
concert of the weekend was at his church. Check out www.poulnerchapel.org.uk for more
details of Pastor Adam’s ministry.
Mr Andy Varney, who was
responsible for organising the outreach weekend opened the evening by welcoming
Solid Ground and giving a brief outline of how their paths crossed some years
ago. Solid Ground then sang 15 pieces,
both old and some new along with a few favourites of Andy’s from the previous
visit. During the evening Andy gave a
personal word of testimony and related to how God have helped and guided him
through a period of sickness when he was diagnosed with cancer. One of the things that helped him through
this time was the words of a song that Solid Ground sang during the previous visit
– “If This Is What God Wants”. Pastor Adam brought the evening to a close in
prayer and there was a time of fellowship around some tea/coffee and biscuits
after.
New Milton Memorial Hall – Saturday 23rd June
Having the morning off was an
opportunity to view the local beach (not just quite like Portrush), visit a
motorcycle museum, see the town of New Minton or just simply have a lie in!!!!
The afternoon was set up and sound
check time and back to the host families before returning to the hall for the
second concert. Solid ground shared the
evening with Mrs Ann Savage - 'Ann
appeared with New Sadlers Wells Opera and Kent Opera before becoming a member
of English National Opera, with whom she performed from 1989 to 2003.
After many years in London, Ann returned to her home town of Southport
where she expected to stay for the foreseeable future, BUT has since met and
married the Rev. Bev Savage and they now live in Bournemouth. Her work as
freelance singer and speaker is now centred on the framework of her faith and
she is increasingly engaged by many evangelical churches and organisations'.
Solid Ground sang 14 pieces
during the evening to a well filled hall and the evening was brought to a close
by Andy Varney. The outreach was well
supported by the Christians from New Milton Evangelical church and many unsaved
were present as Ann and Solid Ground presented the gospel in song and word.
New Milton Evangelical Free Church – Sunday 24th June
With the morning service
starting at 10.30 it was an early start for some! New Milton Evangelical Free church
were celebrating 79 years as a church fellowship and it was very encouraging to
see that some had responded to the invitation on Saturday night to come to
worship. The church was full and some
sitting outside in the hallway. Solid
Ground sang 3 pieces with the congregation helping as backing singers on ‘At Calvary’.
Pastor Simeon Woodcraft is
the pastor at New Milton and for more details check out www.nmefc.com
Solid ground would like to
thank Andy Varney and others who had the vision to plan the 2 outreach gospel
concerts. To the host families a big thank you for letting Solid Ground into
your homes and for feeding us!! To the
Pastor Adam and Simeon – thank you for your support, encouragement and prayers.
But most of all we thank our wonderful Saviour for allowing us to be involved
in His ministry. Please pray for those
unsaved who attended the outreach that soon there will be much rejoicing in
heaven over those who have trusted in Him.
To Him be all the glory.
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