The Wigan host of an international religious gathering has received a very special gift.
Bishop Steven Evans of Orrell-based Living Faith Church was presented with a cross which had been blessed and given to Rev Christopher Hughes by His Holiness Pope Francis during a visit to Rome.
The church was hosting The International Christian Church Network’s (TICCN) conference with delegates from as far afield as the USA.
Among those present was Bishop Michael Fleming – otherwise known as Pastor Mick from the Church on the Street in Burnley whom Bishop Steven consecrated and bishop and whose book Blown Away is currently number one on Amazon.
Also in attendance were Vice-Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire Christine Kirk DL and the BBC’s special correspondent Ed Thomas who were both guest speakers.
Bishop Steven said he was deeply moved to have received the gift and that he would treasure it for the rest of his life.
What a day! Thanks be to God for all He has done and congratulations to my precious brother Bishop Michael Fleming on his consecration.
A consecration service like no other, with Mezzo-Soprano Samantha Oxborough, who opened the Commonwealth games, an award winning BBC Correspondent, the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire, and an abrupt interruption from a congregation member.
Our special guest speakers did a wonderful job, they clearly have a deep respect and love for Bishop Michael. Here we are with the BBC’s Special Correspondent Ed Thomas and the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire, Mrs Christine Kirk DL
Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire, Mrs Christine Kirk DL was interrupted during the service. Two people came to the front of the church shouting and clearly in great need. Bishop Michael embraced them in love and led them to the side. I explained to the congregation that the church is a spiritual hospital so we ought not to be surprised if we encounter some patients. I went on to conclude that we’re all patients, with differing degrees of need. In many ways, the incident was a perfect illustration of what a church could and should be.
TICCN minister Reverend Christopher Hughes attended the Sports For All Summit in the Vatican. People from around the world came together to promote the importance of sports for human, educational and spiritual growth. During the summit a Declaration was presented with a commitment from attendees to give greater promotion in their own institutions and sports organizations to the social and inclusive dimensions of sports.
Reverend Christopher was a cosignatory on the declaration and among the gifts that were exchanged he presented Pope Francis with the popular golden TICCN crest badge (see photo).
Pope Francis showed great interest in the work of TICCN and presented Reverend Christopher with a cross which Reverend Christopher will present to Archbishop Steven during the TICCN conference on 12th October.
Since the birth of modern sports in the 19th century, the Church has willingly accompanied and promoted the practice of sports. Using the words of His Holiness Pius XII, sport is not “a vain agitation of limbs,” but an “activity with high educational and social potential, capable of promoting the person.”
Archbishop Steven Lyn Evans has received an award in recognition for his loyal and devoted work towards the development of Pakistan from the Bright Future Society & Implementation Minority Rights Forum.
TICCN continues to support the work carried out by Bishop Yousaf Nadeem in Pakistan. Over the years this work has provided food aid, medical supplies, and other essentials to poor communities in Pakistan. This support has been especially important in recent years during the COVID-19 pandemic and now with the extensive floods Pakistan has experienced.
Church of England minister Reverend Chris Low and her husband John visited Living Faith Church to share from her new book ‘Shattering Glass Ceilings.’
She has a tremendous testimony of healing from Multiple Sclerosis and until recently was the National director of the OSL (Order of St Luke). The OSL is a healing order focused on bringing the essential healing ministry of Jesus into churches.
The Reverend Christine “Chris” Low has spoken on many occasions about the testimony of her healing from multiple sclerosis and has frequently been asked to put it in writing. Now she sets out to tell her story with the hope of encouraging others to step out in faith and trust to God’s enabling to fulfill their God-given potential.
Shattering Glass Ceilings presents a story of the frustrations and restrictions of gender-shaped glass ceilings and how Chris saw those ceilings come crashing down one by one. By God’s grace, she was healed of multiple sclerosis and enabled to follow his call to ordination. The road was far from easy, but through God’s Holy Spirit and the support of many good people, it became possible. Along the way she learned many lessons—most of all, coming to trust to God’s empowering and to refuse to allow the prejudices of others to determine who she was and what she could become. Inspirational and biblically based, this personal narrative tells one woman’s story of healing and empowerment as God’s grace and hand in her life made possible many great things.
Blown Away, the autobiography from Bishop-Elect Michael Fleming, is released tomorrow, 15th September 2022. Bishop Steven Lyn Evans and Michael sat down together to bring you a sneak peak of the book. In it Michael explains how important the role of TICCN has been in the formation of his own ministry, Church on the Street, and how Archbishop Steven’s mentorship has been invaluable over the years.
We can’t wait to read it all, you can order the book from here: https://spckpublishing.co.uk/blown-away. Also available on Amazon and many other book stores.
To coincide with the book launch, Bishop-Elect Michael and Church on the Street Ministries have produced an online resource which includes a series of videos designed to help individuals and churches learn to make a difference in the communities they serve. https://www.cots-ministries.co.uk/blown-away
We are so pleased to announce that Archbishop Metropolitan Doyle Volentine of The International Christian Church Network (TICCN) has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity Degree. The New Life Bible College Board of Regents have made this award in recognition of the remarkable work that Archbishop Doyle has done among some of the poorest communities in the world.
We recently spoke to Archbishop Metropolitan Doyle Volentine about the award and his remarkable international work for TICCN. Archbishop Doyle has personally funded and raised money to sponsor many missions around the world, especially in some of the poorest communities of Africa, India, Mexico and the Philippines. He has given sacrificially, both his time and other resources working among some of the worlds poorest people. His memories have been rich and inspirational to us.
His most impacting memories were of the Pastors living in poverty with nothing to eat themselves and still trying to care for others.
His most impacting memories were of the Pastors living in poverty with nothing to eat themselves and still trying to care for others. The impact of their love for people, their humility, and their devotion to God continues to inspire. He recalled how one Pastor brought two eggs forward as an offering, it might not seem like much but it was all that he had. At another time, a Pastor came forward with great sincerity and a cup of rice for the offering. He remembered the warmth and generosity of many of these Pastors as they would do their best to make his stay with them comfortable, offering whatever small comforts they had for his disposal. The most interesting observation was that they always wanted to give and didn’t use their lack as as excuse not to give. Clearly, the modern day equivalent to the widows mite (Mark 12:41-44). Indeed, we believe that the widows mite was proof of the depth of her faith in God. Faith always gives, always sows because it must be expressed.
He has almost died on two occasions on the missionary field once in South Sudan and another time in a remote area of Mexico.
At times, these missionary trips were dangerous and very uncomfortable, Archbishop Doyle has always stayed among the people in their villages and modest accommodation. He has almost died on two occasions on the missionary field once in South Sudan and another time in a remote area of Mexico. As a Grandfather figure to the church he explained that he has only tried to be an obedient servant of God. He continued “Mine was the joy, to see the faces of the people, smiling small children in the orphanages of Africa and India as our modest gifts were distributed. As medical supplies were provided to relieve peoples’ pain. As some hope of relief was distributed. To offer by our presence the proof that to God, these darling people were of great value and importance. We travelled around the world to meet them. I think of the children living on the trash heap in the Philippines, the tears and the pain. We’ve been involved, we’ve worked as best we could, we could do no less.”
Army feeling program in the Philippines overseen by Bishop Stephen Villiester
Young children living on the dumps and collecting items to earn a living in the Philippines
Archbishop Doyle being escorted through the poverty ridden slums of Nairobi on the way to ordain TICCN ministers.
Archbishop Doyle and Bishop Steven with two Network Pastors outside St Thomas’ Mount Church, Chennai, India.
Archbishop Metropolitan Doyle Volentine and Presiding Bishop Steven Evans addressing a Pastors’ & Missionary Conference in Chennai, India.
Visiting the poor villages to share the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ.
St. Asaph’s Cathedral Wales, Archbishop Doyle with Bishop Steven and TICCN ministers
Archbishop Metropolitan Steven has worked closely with Pastor Mick from Church on the Street in Burnley. He first took Pastor Mick through the TICCN pre-ordination course and following that, presided over his ordination in November 2019. Over the last three years he has mentored Pastor Mick through an unprecedented ministerial journey. He recalled the telephone conversation that initiated the first GoFundMe page. “I thought it was an excellent idea and we were aiming for £10,000 but following the BBC broadcast it was soon over £250,000. All of the funds help provide resources for those in need, the great needs in Burnley are being met through a ministry of love. Ministry isn’t about theology, it’s love first and theological truth manifests through love.”
Archbishop Metropolitan Steven announced his first ministerial appointment today. “Following my recent acceptance of the office of Archbishop Metropolitan within The International Christian Church Network, my first appointment is for Pastor Mick from Church on the Street in Burnley. I’m pleased to announce that Pastor Mick has accepted the office of Bishop and is now therefore officially Bishop-elect.
The consecration service is set for October 16th 2022. Please remember us in your prayers and Bishop-elect Michael especially as he prepares for the next step of his ministerial journey. ‘See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!’ (1 John 3:1a)
You must be logged in to post a comment.