At the press conference held after his win Scottie Scheffler said, “My buddies told me this morning, my victory was secure on the cross,” he said. “And that’s a pretty special feeling; to know that I’m secure forever and it doesn’t matter if I win this tournament or lose this tournament. My identity is secure forever.”
In that same press conference he said, “I believe that today’s plans were already laid out many years ago, and I could do nothing to mess up those plans,” he said. “I have been given a gift of this talent, and I use it for God’s glory. That’s pretty much it. So when I’m out there, I try to compete to the best of my abilities.
Scheffler’s wife had also been a great support, he said, “She sent a lot of prayers, my neck was bugging me a little bit. She just prayed for some healing and prayed for a lot of peace out there.” I had a good conversation with my buddies this morning about the victory and that victory already being secure.”
TICCN has our very own Golf Chaplain, Protin Nalké. Protin is very aware of the support professional Golfers need as they face the pressures of competing.
A New Chapter: Missionaries To The Dominican Republic
Hi friends, we are pleased to let you know that by God’s grace, we have arrived safely in Jarabacoa. On the fi ve-hour drive from Punta Cana to Jarabacoa, we saw a man with two oxen pulling a plough. The Lord gave us a scripture just before we set off from the UK in Luke 9:62 about ‘the cost of discipleship’, But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fi t for the kingdom of God.” So we have taken that as a sign to keep moving forward in God’s purposes and not to look back. We have a modest home in the poorer area of Jarabacoa but we are grateful to God for His blessings, we have a pomegranate tree overhanging into our backyard that we believe is an indication that the Lord is with us and He will establish us in the land.
It’s been a busy few weeks settling into our new home and getting used to the area. It’s extremely noisy here and life is very different so it will take time to adjust. We have all started serving at JCS School, Troy’s been actively sharing the Gospel and encouraging his new friends to read the Bible. Precious has settled in at school, she’s making friends and shared about Jesus at assembly. Kathryn’s been teaching the young kids at the school English and the Bible, Graham has been teaching the older children English and about Christian leadership. The children at JCS are likely the ones who will go on to be the leaders in some capacity in the Dominican Republic, so please pray that we can lead them to a personal relationship with Jesus and live out a Godly life as well as helping educate them to live a fruitful life for the benefit of others. There are a lot of people with alcohol and gambling problems in Jarabacoa so please also pray for us as we spread the good news of the Gospel around the town.
Spreading the Love of Jesus in the Dominican Republic!
Our mission is to share the love of Jesus through both words and actions as we become an integral part of the community, serving at Jarabacoa Christian School and with Mission Direct. We’ve had the privilege of praying for healing for individuals while walking through the town. Additionally, we’ve been entrusted with overseeing the spiritual needs of the school, focusing on prayer, pastoral care, worship, and Bible study for the teachers and over 400 children. Currently, there is no existing framework for this at the school, and we believe that God is opening a significant door for us in this regard. In the coming weeks, we’ll also be visiting Claire at GoMAD to assess the project, preparing for our missionary teams scheduled to arrive in July. Our mission will be to construct a toilet block and a kitchen/dining facility.
2024 Project
Arroyo De Lechez School – this is a rural community of around 200 families.
The school is grades 1-6 and has 28 students.
They have 3 classrooms and 3 teachers.
The school is full day
The Project
To build a toilet block of 2 toilets – the school currently has a latrine toilet.
To build a dining and kitchen area – the school currently has no facilities for lunch and is washing dishes on the ground.
Team 1 will build the toilets and do some painting work.
Team 2 will build a dining and kitchen area.
We will assist a team of local builders and tradespeople to accomplish the project.
Please Pray For
Our Protection, Especially On The Roads And Paths
Our Health, Especially Mosquito Bites
The People Of The Dominican Republic And They Come To Know Jesus
The Children And Teachers At JCS School
The New Chapel, Worship, Prayer And Bible Study
The Missionary Projects With Mission Direct
For More People To Partner With Us Both In Prayer And Financially
To Connect With Other Christians In The Dominican Republic
At salvation a very important ministry of the Holy Spirit took place in your life. But that ministry is different from the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
In the moment you made Jesus the Lord of your life, spiritual death was removed from your spirit, and there was born in you a new life, you were born of God. “Dear friends, we are already God’s children” (1 John 3:2). “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God” (1 John 5:1). Without encountering the Holy Spirit, man cannot be born again (Romans 8:9).
After you become a new creation, it is God’s will that you be baptised in the Holy Spirit. Within the bible this was always accompanied by the speaking with other tongues (Acts 2:4, 19:2-6), a separate experience that God the Father desires for you (Luke 11:13). Receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is important to a Christian because of the many ways the Holy Spirit enables you to be victorious in your life.
Five benefits of speaking in tongues
When you are baptised in the Holy Spirit, you gained potential access to a gift from God, the gift of speaking (or praying) in tongues. It is a powerful gift that every believer should desire. Here are five benefits to praying in tongues:
1. Praying in Tongues Allows You to Speak Directly to God “For if you have the ability to speak in tongues, you will be talking only to God, since people won’t be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious.” (1 Corinthians 14:2). When you pray in tongues, you are praying God’s will, directly to Him. It allows your mind to get out of the way so your spirit can commune with the Father.
2. Praying in Tongues Keeps You in Tune With the Holy Spirit “And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.” (Acts 2:4). Tongues is a gift from God. It allows you to pray the will of God by the empowering of the Holy Spirit. When you pray in tongues, you are yielding to the Holy Spirit who dwells in you. Then you are allowing that same Spirit to pray through you, so you are in tune with Him.
3. Praying in Tongues Strengthens Your Spirit “A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church.” (1 Corinthians 14:4) Praying in tongues builds you up spiritually and helps you to live a Spirit-led life.
4. Praying in Tongues Allows You to Pray Even When You Don’t Know What to Pray “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.” (Romans 8:26) Even when you don’t know how or what to pray, you can still pray…in tongues. You can trust your spirit to pray the perfect will of God, regardless of the situation.
5. Praying in Tongues Is a Weapon Against the Work of the Enemy “And then he told them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved.… These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages.… They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.’” (Mark 16:15-18)
Jesus proclaimed several things that would happen to those who followed Him and continued His work. Speaking in tongues is one of those gifts, and it allows Jesus’ followers to stand against the work of the enemy.
Praying in tongues is a gift that’s available to every believer. It allows you to pray God’s will to Him. It keeps you in tune with the Holy Spirit and strengthens your spirit as you stand against the work of the devil. Don’t discount this powerful gift from God. Desire it. Embrace it and the strength it adds to your spiritual life.
Want to learn more about speaking in tongues? Watch the video below.
Bishop Mick and Pastor Emma have developed a ground-breaking recovery programme called ‘The Exodus Project’. The Exodus Project has been born out of their 25 years experience of addiction, mental health, recovery, and Christian faith journeys. The Exodus Project is part of Church on the Street’s Recovery Academy.
The Exodus Project is based upon 12 biblical foundations for recovery. The biblical foundations are sourced from Matthew 5-7, the Sermon on the Mount. The aim of the Exodus Project is to show people, of all backgrounds, that Jesus Christ is the answer to addiction and the consequences of trauma.
I am not living a lie anymore, being truthful, even if it hurts.
Exodus Project Student
A cohort of 12 students will journey together 3 days per week, over 12 weeks, and participate in teaching, bible study, church services, group sessions, and community activities, all of which will deepen their faith and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. After graduating from the Exodus Project students will be supported through volunteering opportunities, recovery groups, one-to-one support, education, training, employment, and being part of the wider Church on the Street community.
It was a tremendous week for Bishop Michael Fleming from Church on the Street Ministries. We congratulate him and his team on conducting their first ordination service for The International Christian Church Network. We have received prayers and congratulations from supporters around the globe and we are thankful for each one of them and their show of kindness.
The ordination took place in the centre of Burnley at the new church which was recently purchased from the United Reformed Church.
On this important occasion four people were ordained. Bea Wilkinson is now a Chaplin within the TICCN Network and Joanne Duke is heading up the church fellowship at Barnoldswick. Graham and Kathrine Dunwell are planting a TICCN church in the Dominican Republic which is focusing on tackling extreme child poverty and hopefully expanding into other areas as the Lord leads.
Please can we all pray for these wonderful people who have responded to the ‘call’ of God. We ask that they, like us, will be all that the Lord has called us to be and do all that He has called us to do.
Sir Tom Jones, Elvis ‘The King of Rock and Roll’, and Archbishop Steven Lyn Evans
27 years ago this month, at the Royal Variety Show in London, a young singer had an important life-changing conversation with Tom Jones. Last week, that young singer now archbishop Steven Evans, had a mysterious experience when visiting Graceland the home of the man at the centre of that conversation, Elvis Presley.
Steven Evans as a young singer with the Elvis look
As a young man Steven pursued singing after being inspired by Elvis, his career was developing well and whilst singing at the 1996 Royal Variety Show, he met fellow Welshman Tom Jones. Steven and Tom talked in Tom’s dressing room before the show, they chatted about music and especially Elvis. Elvis and Tom were great friends and Elvis used to warm up for his live shows by singing along to Tom’s hit record of Delilah. At one point, Steven asked Tom if he always thought he would be a singer. Steven says that God used Tom’s subsequent answer, to redirect his entire life. Tom said, “You know what it’s like, it’s a calling.” Once Tom said that, Steven felt God confirm deep within him a ‘calling’ which was nagging him for a long time. He knew he was being called to be a minister of the Gospel. That night after the show, as Steve waved goodbye to Tom, he felt that he had embarked on a higher and more important purpose, his God given ‘calling.’ He was more excited than ever and felt that through ministry he could make a deeper, even eternal impact, into peoples lives. Steven explained, “As a singer you might move people during the songs but as a minister you have the opportunity to convey and develop deeper ideas that change entire lives. I believe the highest calling is to be a minister of the Gospel.”
Twenty-seven years later in 2023, he was consecrated as archbishop metropolitan in Texarkana USA. Following the consecration he decided to stay at Graceland to visit the home of Elvis who had so inspired him in life. Like Steven, Elvis had Pentecostal beliefs, he believed in supernatural healing, signs, wonders, and speaking in tongues.
“Lights are forming all over you, there are halos of light!”
On the day of the visit to Graceland, Steven approached the house with several others on the VIP tour. His American assistant on the trip, bishop Steven Bellant, was walking behind him up to the house and began to observe strange lights encompassing the new archbishop. Amazed he called to him saying that, “Lights are forming all over you, there are halos of light!” He then began to take photographs, so the halo light is not a camera lens flare, the lights were actually appearing. It was a spiritual experience which happened outside the home of the one who had first so deeply inspired archbishop Steven to sing. These mysterious halos of light were forming and it was obvious to people that something extraordinary was happening, people were taking photos and capturing this strange event.
Why was this happening, was there a reason for these mysterious events? As a 10 year old boy Steven had wept when his Mother told him that Elvis had died. Clearly there was some connection from his childhood, some unquantifiable possibly even spiritual connection existed. Steven believes that the lights and halo were a confirmation of the importance of the decision he made 27 years ago to the month. “We take what happened as a significant encouragement for several reasons, and that is what our ministry is always attempting to do. We try to give people hope, to show them a better way, a more positive way of living. There is a lot of darkness in the world but Jesus said that, “While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light.” (John 12:36). For me, the mysterious lights are a testimony to our positive ministry. God is shining on us, pleased with our work, that we promote a life of love through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
We try to give people hope, to show them a better way, a more positive way of living.
Another verse within the bible speaks about a glowing halo: ‘All around him was a glowing halo, like a rainbow shining in the clouds on a rainy day. This is what the glory of the LORD looked like to me’ (Ezekiel 1:28). The halo is a symbol of holiness and in the original biblical language means to be set apart, to be ‘called’ for a purpose. This is especially significant because Archbishop Steven 27 years ago was set apart by the ‘call’ of God. This halo represents that ‘call’ and it serves as God’s kind confirmation that whilst at Graceland, that all those years ago, it really was God who spoke and He is pleased at how Steven responded. Steven has remarkable and unique ministry, he is a mentor to many significant ministers. Supernatural events have been a feature of his life. Angels, exorcisms, miracles, signs, and wonders have been a feature of the ministry.
There was also a sense that Graceland was important for another reason. It was the home of a young man who also had the call to ministry. Elvis had recognised a ‘call’ into Christian ministry and his original desire was to be in a Gospel quartet. He won three Grammy Awards for his Gospel music and was a tremendous supporter of full-Gospel ministries. Perhaps he was cheering us on from that Milky White Way that he once sang about. Just sending some encouragement to a younger brother, visiting his old home?
During October 2023 in Texarkana Arkansas The International Christian Church Network held it’s annual conference and Consecration Service for Archbishop Metropolitan Steven Evans and Bishop Steven Bellant.
The Conference was hosted by Archbishop Johnny Riley and we would like to extend our gratitude for his tremendous hospitality. His experience and spiritual wisdom were evident and impacted everyone, particularly during his tremendous sermon address. We must also thank his wife Barbara Pitts who did such wonderful work during our time there, she worked so hard multitasking in many things from supervising the supply of meals though to professional photography.
(The included group photographs here are used by kind permission of Barbara Pitts)
The conference started with a tremendous session from Reverend Curtis Wilson who gave such accurate words of knowledge and preached with a clear and insightful revelation from God. Clearly, Curtis had spent time with the Lord and sought Him for what to preach, it impacted everyone deeply. We can see why he preaches in stadiums, he has a powerful ability to convey spiritual truth and touch people’s hearts. Similarly, with Mei Powers who brought a very strong and insightful word that went straight from her heart into ours. Like Curtis, she has a world impacting ministry that impacts thousands of people. She is clearly a powerhouse for God.
Bishop Steven Bellant was able to bring some of the remarkable testimonies from his work to the conference. They ranged from the practical needs of everyday supplies for poor people in Nepal, to the prophetic and the reality of supernatural healing. As each speaker continued it became so clear that we as TICCN have an essential and important role in the worldwide Kingdom of God. We are small enough to be agile and not get bogged down in unnecessary bureaucracy. To follow the leading of God and not need to fit into often limiting structures.
Archbishop Doyle brought prophetic insights and warmth to everyone. He is elder the Father figure and it was a delight for him to consecrate his co-founder Archbishop Metropolitan Steven Evans. He said that he has wanted to do this for years and now his joy is complete in this particular ambition.
What was particularly important was the move of the Holy Spirit that took place. People were impacted by the power of God on numerous occasions. It was clear that this conference was a place where God was empowering our leadership for what is coming next. We rejoiced with each other for the fellowship and love that was evidenced in abundance.
All the glory goes to God, and as was sung repeatedly during this time, what a mighty God we serve!
We are delighted to introduce Protin our Golf Chaplain. He is passionate about the world of professional golf and trained under the guidance of Reverend Christopher Hughes. Since 2010 he has been connected to the world of Golf and has a passionate desire to advance Golf Chaplaincy within professional Golf.
Speaking about his work Protin explained, “Golfers are athletes that need to be holistically supported as the pressure they face is significant.” He continued, “My concern about a specific Chaplaincy ministry for golfers led to an encounter with Archbishop Steven Evans in August 2021. I am grateful to Reverend Christopher Hughes for the connection and I am honoured to be part of TICCN Sports Chaplaincy team by God’s Grace.”
We are thankful for the passion that Protin has and for his God given ability to support and encourage golfers. We are confident that his efforts will continue to advance our increasing positive impact into the world of sports.
In the picturesque town of Paray-le-Monial 2000 people gathered to listen to the remarkable testimony of TICCN Bishop Mick Fleming, a man whose journey of faith has inspired countless hearts worldwide, including the Prince of Wales. Prayer and healing followed as people opened up their hearts to receive from the Lord.
“There was also a huge gathering and I spoke to thousands of people there. I had interpreters who started crying as I was speaking, then the crowd started crying and breaking down. It was a profound experience. It was very powerful. I’ve never preached to that many people before. I’m happy: it was amazing.”
Bishop Mick Fleming
Bishop Mick’s life is a testament to the enduring power of faith, healing, and the grace of God which serves as a guiding light for those seeking hope and redemption in a sometimes chaotic world. His autobiography, Blown Away: From Drug Dealer to Life Bringer was published in the UK by SPCK and was the company’s “biggest book last year” as well as being an Amazon bestseller three or four times. It has now been translated into French and titled, ‘Rédemption Du deal à la vraie Vie’, and will be released in several French-speaking countries, including Belgium, Switzerland and in North Africa.
Bishop Mick said: “The lady who translated the book had a profound experience with it. She got a lot of peace from it and said it changed her life.”
Many lives around the world have already been touched by his extraordinary story, and we thank God that many more will be able to hear Bishop Mick’s profound testimony as this translation opens up the doors to a whole new audience.
It was a tremendous week for Bishop Michael Fleming from Church on the Street Ministries. We congratulate him and his team on conducting their first ordination service for The International Christian Church Network. We have received prayers and congratulations from supporters around the globe and we are thankful for each one of them and their show of kindness.
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