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.
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
Archbishop Metropolitan Steven has thanked former Prime Minister Gordon Brown for his kind words to Bishop-elect Michael (Pastor Mick), regarding the work that our churches are doing in response to the Cost of Living Crisis. TICCN ministers are at the forefront of meeting both spiritual and physical needs.
Archbishop Steven continued: “Whilst it’s not easy for people with differing political opinions to work together, we must make every effort to find a way forward at this time of great and urgent need. My concerns are growing, as the response from political leaders to date, seems to lack the urgency that is needed to meet this crisis.” He concluded with the simple but nonetheless profound wisdom of Reverend John Wesley:
“Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can.”
Listen to Bishop-Elect Michael and Gordon Brown on Radio 4.
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).
This year TICCN ministers have been busier than ever. Around the world our devoted ministers and church members alike have contributed in sacrificial giving to the poor and needy. We have heard some amazing stories of sacrificial love and devotion for those in need. We estimate that since March this year TICCN ministers have given over 250,000 meals to the poor in addition PPE equipment and medical aid to some of the poorest people in our communities.
We feature here the work of TICCN minister Revd. Michael Fleming who has been at the forefront of work amongst the Covid-19 impacted and poor in Burnley. Revd. Michael spoke to Bishop Steven about recent events and the way in which they have been able to offer strategic resources to those most vulnerable and in need. He was also quoted in a BBC interview describing the dramatic scene of ‘Children ripping bags open for food’ during the pandemic.
BBC analysis shows the death rate from all causes between April and June this year in the most deprived areas was nearly double that of deaths in the least deprived parts of England. The majority of the top 10 cities and towns with the highest death rates were in the north of England. (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-55133081)
Bishop Steven has confirmed that TICCN will continue to offer support and guidance to all our ministers during this unprecedented time. He also thanked the people who have responded in a remarkable way to the CoTs charity appeals. Currently the Go Fund Me page has received almost £100,000 in just over a week. Bishop Steven concluded by saying that “During these times of great needs TICCN is setting an example of walking in love and service whenever and wherever we can.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.