Reverend Christopher Hughes was ordained as a TICCN minister in October 2021.
Reverend Christopher Hughes has travelled to over 50 countries talking with individuals and groups about the love, power and mercy of God. Christopher has worked with national and international groups and charities establishing churches and training the next generation of leaders. He uniquely combines the global interest in sport as a bridge for crossing cultures with speaking about the bible as a conduit for helping others find faith in Jesus.
Christopher is a martial arts expert and the author of a book that explores the relationship between Christianity and martial arts Taekwondo and Christianity.
He has studied theology, law and politics and he has worked within the NHS providing palliative care. He is a chaplain within the health service and a sports chaplain attached to a worldwide Surf Chaplaincy Movement. He is responsible for equipping chaplains in preparation for the 2023 Rugby World Cup and the Paris 2024 Olympics.
2022 is off to a great start for the Kingdom of God! I am home from a month long mission to Africa. This has been the best trip for my health and strength for the past ten years, and the most intensive.
In Uganda I visited several churches to teach, all along dusty stone roads, for one we had to park the car and walk through a banana plantation to find a church or timber shed with 60 people, all having walked, but praising God enthusiastically.
Having travelled by road for many hours I crossed the border into Tanzania, at the point where Idi Amin used to throw his opponents into the crocodile infested river. The next church, in the mountains of Kamuli, Tanzania, was only accessible by foot, a Tanzanian Assemblies of God, timber framed building made with mud, where they had started an outreach venture to the youth through football. The Lancashire based charity ‘SportsReach’ which is well established in this method of evangelism had provided a full set of new, though out of date, authentic England Football Team outfits for me to present to this church. Many of the journeys were on the back of a motor cycle, which after a one and a half hour ride on a dusty stone track does not do a suit and tie much good, but I spent several days of Bible teaching meetings before moving on.
I travelled by bus a 13 hour journey along the side of Lake Victoria into Mwanza city. This proved to be a busy week. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday all started at 10 am teach one hour+, ten minutes break, teach one hour+, break for lunch then teach for one hour+. Saturday was free.
Sunday morning was outstanding! A full church of 350 and some outside listening through the open windows, to a call for a commitment to daily evangelism and a dedicated life, the response was 270+ made this promise to God.
The next church was in Nyehunge, 120km after the tarmac roads turned to stone tracks at Sengerema. Wednesday through Saturday required two or three messages each day, and one on Sunday morning.
Monday and Tuesday I travelled (two flights) from Tanzania to Nairobi. Wednesday a three hour drive to Kitui, Kenya for a TV recording, which was a great success. Thursday night fly home.
TICCN Head office based at Living Faith Church in Orrell Greater Manchester has responded to the Ukrainian crisis. Notices were placed on social media outlets that food and essential supplies were going to be collected and then donated to the Ukraine and that the TICCN Living Faith Church was to be the focal point for local collections.
Local church volunteers rallied and items were collected over three days this week. The goods were then transported on Thursday this week via lorry directly to the Ukraine. We have also heard of other TICCN network churches responding with similarly tremendous generosity.
“The overwhelming response has been remarkable and fitting, our ongoing prayers are for peace and a swift end to this horrific crisis.”
Bishop Steven Lyn Evans
Thank you to all our TICCN network members, you’re making a massive impact.
The people of Pakistan especially Pakistani Christians need urgent prayer and support to survive and save their lives. Recently, heavy rain has caused floods, and it has affected Christians more as they live in mud houses. Due to heavy rain and floods, the walls and roofs of their mud houses fell down causing people injuries, also caused some deaths.
In one city ‘Islamabad’ a total of 50 houses have demolished and they have lost everything as everything has swept away in water, now they have nowhere to live. They need urgent help for; food, kitchen crockery, medicine, tents, blankets and clothes.
May the spirit of God inspire you for Pakistani suffering Christians. “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done” Proverbs 19:17
Best wishes and blessings, Rt.Rev.Bishop Dr. Yousaf Nadeem Bhinder Founder and General Overseer His Grace Churches International http://www.hisgracechurchint.org
It is a great privilege for me to thank Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge who have given TICCN the tremendous honor of visiting our church in Burnley. The Royal couple met with Pastor Mick and various workers, volunteers, and congregants at Church on The Street. This visit is so encouraging for the TICCN network and helps to support the tremendous work of the Burnley team. In addition, it helps our efforts into the wider world. Their Royal Highnesses have a genuine care and love for people and we sincerely thank them for the tremendous work that they do.
Bishop Steven Lyn Evan (Presiding Bishop, The International Christian Church Network: TICCN)
From 14th to the 19th September Bishop Steven was the guest speaker at the Faith Explosion Conference in Malta. The conference has been hailed as a tremendous success with hundreds in attendance and an atmosphere of great faith. Bishop Steven was thrilled by the enthusiasm of the people and the graciousness of his hosts Dr. Gordon Manchè and his beautiful wife Mariella. There were reports of miracles, deliverance from demonic activity and transformed lives.
The River of Love Church hosted the conference and Bishop Steven reported that there was a real sense of Christian devotion and diligence among the delegates. Bishop Steven spoke and ministered on 5 separate days and delegates responded with great enthusiasm to his inspiring messages which were delivered with a unique mixture of seriousness and humor. The impact was clearly felt, transforming at times and the will stay in peoples memories. Clearly, this was the start of what we all hope is a long and fruitful fellowship between key and strategic leaders within our international missions.
This remarkable conference which had so much to offer is remembered by the delegates and here is a selection of some of the feedback that we’ve received:
“We love and appreciate you Bishop Steven Evans. We thank God for you. God bless you.” Fiona Incorvaja
Fiona Incorvaja
“Great words dear Bishop Steven Evans we were delighted to have you around because we were blessed especially with those examples that you did carry forward they were an inspiration to us all…God bless you and keep on shining for God…Hallelujah where there is God there are miracles.”
Catherine Kate Galea
“Thank you dear Bishop for honoring us with your presence. It was a big blessing an honour and a pleasure.”
Edwin Borg
“Thank you for such a beautiful message of appreciation and encouragement. It was an honor to welcome you and a blessing to receive the Word from you. We are truly blessed to be part of this wonderful family with faithful spiritual parents for guidance and support, blessings.”
Caroline Falzon
“Beautiful words of encouragement dear Bishop Steven Evans and thank you for honoring our precious spiritual parents Mariella Manchè and Gordon Manchè. This conference was truly blessed and it was something we all needed at such a time as this. Dear Bishop I bless you and your family and your ministry, I love you in Christ until we meet again thank you for the laughter.”
Sharon Mifsud
“It was a wonderful conference where the glory was manifested! We’re blessed to have had you with us and blessed to be in this church and have Pastors Gordon and Mariella as our spiritual leaders!”
Theresa Aquilina
“Thank you Bishop for such a kind word, we love you too and thanks for coming, thank you for the time spent and word shared. We shall see you again here, there or in the air.”
Mario Debono
“It was such a great honor meeting you bishop. We thank you for your wonderful words of encouragement, and lifting up of our congregation and of describing the hearts of our Pastors.”
Jennifer Farrugia
“That’s a very powerful message, thanks Bishop. Hope to see you back here.”
Rebecca Paris
“It was an honor to meet you dear Bishop Steven Evans, and glory to God for you and for everyone that preached, that God mightily used for feeding us His Holy word, and stepping into the glory all together. We’re going from Glory to Glory.”
Rhona Sapiano
This conference was truly blessed and it was something we all needed at such a time as this. Dear Bishop I bless you and your family and your ministry, I love you in Christ, thank you for the laughter!
It was also a blessing to catch up and enjoy fellowship with TICCN minister Nigael Lewis who is currently based on the Island of Malta.
Click on the links below to watch videos from the conference:
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Walk in The Glory Part 2 – Bishop Steven Lyn Evans – 19/09/2021
Walk in The Glory | Bishop Steven Lyn Evans | 18/09/2021
By Grace for Faith – Bishop Stevens Lyn Evans – 17/09/2021
Worship To Breakthrough | Bishop Steven Lyn Evans | 16/09/2021
Personal Testimony – 3 Steps To Victory | Bishop Steven Lyn Evans | 15/09/2021
By Grace for Faith – Bishop Stevens Lyn Evans – 17/09/2021
It’s my pleasure to write and invite you to support two TICCN ordinands who are due to be ordained this Saturday. They like many others before them have successfully gone through the TICCN Ordinands Training and now are about to enter this important new chapter of life. I want to encourage you to please remember them in your prayers. Emma Cathrine Daggers is part of the Church on the Street outreach in Preston and Christopher Miguel Hughes is based in Oxford.
It’s been my privilege and pleasure to spend time with them both and hear about the great things that God has done in their lives. This Saturday’s Ordination will mark the next and very important step in their walk of faith.
As a TICCN Partner you are warmly invited to attend the ordination which will take place at:
The Hub, Church on the Street, 1-7 Hammerton Street, Burnley BB11 1NA
On 22nd July the official opening of the TICCN Church on the Streets (CoTS) ministry in Burnley took place. A plaque was unveiled by Lord Shuttleworth with the inscription “In commemoration of David Hurst Co-Founder of Church on the Street Ministries.”
Lord Shuttleworth unveils the plaque aided by Pastor Mick
We would like to thank Lord and Lady Shuttleworth for their support, the Mayor and Mayoress of Burnley and the many volunteers who worked so hard to made this a very special and happy occasion.
Bishop Steven with Lady Shuttleworth and the Mayor and Mayoress of Burnley
During the day a video team filmed interviews with the people for a documentary film about TICCN and in particular the tremendous impact of Pastor Mick and the Church on the Street Ministry. Bishop Steven commented: “The repeated theme of the day has been the unconditional love and practical support provided by Pastor Mick and his team. We have all be touched by the selfless dedication and Christian devotion of this ministry, Pastor Mick is demonstrating the heart of what it means to be a TICCN minister. We must meet people at their point of need, you don’t get clean in preparation for your bath, far too often the church has expected people to get cleaned up before they arrive but churches must embrace people wherever they are. In this way, we truly follow Jesus, who in encountering peoples weaknesses responded with unconditional love that manifested in practical ways. Healing for the sick, forgiveness for the sin, and food for the hungry. When people experience this, hope shines into the darkness of lives and a brighter future is born.”
In July 2021 Pastor Mick Fleming of Church on the Street Ministries in Burnley was appointed by Bishop Steven as the TICCN lead for house-church and Group of Three (GoT) ministries within the UK.
Bishop Steven described the developing strategy: “We are seeing many people coming to faith who are often for various reasons, unable to find a suitable fellowship to worship in. Our desire is to continue to facilitate small fellowship groups of two, three or four people. Each of these groups will ideally be located within the wider church and the house-church TICCN network. The groups are a non-judgmental place where people find acceptance and love (Agape). We continue to also facilitate larger groups and our growing house church network.
GoT: Growing in Grace
Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them (Matthew 18:19).
You can set up a GoT group easily. Find two, three or maximum of four trusted friends and meet along these lines:
Commit to meet with a trusted friend or friends once a week
Open in prayer to God asking the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in Jesus’ name.
Each person answers questions about the previous week. Groups should aim at bringing: Openness, honesty, accountability, being non-judgmental and confidential.
It becomes a place to listen and to be listened to bringing healing and freedom.
Groups can worship, read from the Bible and close in prayer at around an hour. Whilst enthusiasm might cause you to want to go on longer than an hour, in our experience sticking to an hour will help the group’s longevity.
GoT Questions & Forgiveness for groups:
(THANKS) Describe what you can be thankful for this week. Consider the Biblical advice to: ‘Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you’ (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
(SIN) Describe what you are struggling with, where have you missed the mark (sin) during the previous week. Don’t be ashamed just pour out the sin and create a space for God’s forgiveness to flow in. Pour our as much details as possible, this helps deal with the issues thoroughly. There is a humility in opening up to others about your sin, it’s not easy but it can have a life changing impact.
(FREEDOM) You are totally forgiven, if you don’t feel forgiven it’s no surprise, repentance a change of knowledge needs to happen. Just accept forgiveness, not by feelings but by faith and soon enough your feelings will follow your faith. For many people their faith follows their feelings (Confess and discuss the following verse: ‘In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace’ (Ephesians 1:7). ‘Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?’ (Romans 2:4). You are the righteousness of God in Christ free by faith in Jesus alone and all your sins have been paid for ‘In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace’ (Ephesians 1:7).
GoT Learning:
GoT learning is available through TICCN and New Life Bible College, the impact of understanding Biblical truth can be tremendous. Let’s look at repentance as an example: One of the most frequent words associated with Christianity is ‘repentance.’ However, repentance is an English word and the Bible was not originally written in English. In the New Testament the Greek word we often translate as ‘repentance’ is ‘metanoia’ and it means ‘a change of mind.’ It doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with salvation or penance, those correlations came later through the Latin Vulgate.
A return to the original Greek text came through the reformation. ‘Meta’ comes from the root for ‘after’ or ‘beyond,’ and ‘noia’ is ‘to think.’ So metanoia means to reconsider or rethink something.
This is a Biblical route to healing: ‘Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much’ (James 5:16). Also, ‘Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy’ (Proverbs 28:13). Also, ‘Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord’ (Acts 3:19).
This apparent weakness will cause the power of Christ to enter into your life: ‘And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me’ (2 Cor 12:9).
Church on the Street Ministries in Burnley, helps supply food and provisions for the homeless. This Coronavirus crisis has seen food banks struggling for food as the supermarkets don’t have the surplus to give.
If you can help give any amount, so this ministry can help those who are in real need at this time, please do. Details on how to give are at the end of this short video
Christopher is a martial arts expert and the author of a book that explores the relationship between Christianity and martial arts Taekwondo and Christianity.
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