January 2010 Dear Friends May we first of all wish you a blessed and favoured New Year. May it be a year where Grace and Mercy flows; the Joy of the Lord strengthens; Forgiveness yields healing and the Love of Christ reigns in our hearts; may our God given Dreams leave us breathless in anticipation and hope. A 2009 Review It has been a huge year of growth and development,

New Life Church Ministries – the Church we Pastor, in Sleaford Lincolnshire, is experiencing the deepening work of the Holy Spirit and the stretching at all levels of life that this brings. We are honoured to lead a great team and pursue a vision that is bigger than any of us. We have been studying in and preaching from the Gospel of John all year, discovering the secret ‘to know, believe and have life in Christ.’  Our vision for the coming year is to align our lives to the ‘done deals’ of God’s promises. His ‘Yes!’ requires our ‘Amen!’ We believe that this is to be a year of ‘spiritual re-awakening’. By the power of the Holy Spirit we seek the manifest presence of God. www.nlcm.org.uk

Worship Academy International continues to flourish. We are now running Academy 7 and 8 in the UK, at Oakwood, Coventry, and Cliff College, Derbyshire. Academy 8 and 9, come September 2010, will both be located at the amazing Cliff College facilities. We are close to completing the first Ireland Academy, at Rostrevor, a stunningly beautiful Prayer Centre on the border of North and South. We have graduated the first USA Academy in Houston, Texas. Though there were challenges here the students were amazing and the friendships formed with Calvary Church will last a lifetime. Academy Portugal has started in Lisbon; Academy Romania is near their graduation; Academy Singapore, South East Asia Worship Academy, commences in May, hosted at a great Salvation Army Conference Centre called ‘Praise Haven’. In March 2010 we will be in Hatfield, South Africa, to pursue the possibility of starting Academy South Africa

Worship Academy is working because of the huge commitment of current and former students, a great team of tutors and Academy hosts, volunteers, amazing support of Trustees and the massive input of Matt Key, responsible for everything that moves! www.worship-academy.com

Family News

We are blessed and excited to announce that in 2010 Daniel & Jennifer are having their first child. A son. This is thrilling news. We anticipate our first grandson with great happiness.

Rachel and Paul, and our granddaughters, Lydia 9, and Eve 3, continue to be a great blessing. Their lives are very full, Medicine, IT, ballet classes, music lessons, tennis lessons, school activities, church responsibilities, watching football et al! We are loving seeing the girls grow up, developing their very distinctive gifts and personalities.

Mark & Becca continue to forge ahead with their lives in Eastbourne, Sussex. They both work for well-known Christian organizations but even they have felt some of the pressures of the worldwide financial difficulties. Mark was invited to tour as bassist for Leon Jackson, former X Factor winner, and their friendship has continued as Mark seeks to help Leon re-shape his career. We are confident that the spiritual foundations in their lives will see them through the challenges and opportunities they face.  They are a blessing!

Hannah has now worked in the Care Home for nearly eight years. This is the one who when diagnosed as having learning difficulties we were told it was unlikely she would ever work! She is diligent and disciplined. She thrives on routine. She still lives at home. She makes us laugh! She makes our hot chocolate every night at 10 pm prompt! Bless her!

Sara has had a very successful year in Education as a teacher at a Special Needs School in Lincoln. She is an outstanding communicator. She took a trip to South Africa in 2009 and connected with our friends at the Hatfield Church. We continue to support her in prayer as we sense the significant call of God on her life. She is now one of the leaders/tutors with Academy 8.

We are grateful that all the family still walk in relationship with God. Christians are not immune from the normal life challenges of health, finance, and work. Our hope and prayer for each of them is that they continue to remain open to the will and ways of God, engaged in the work of God and connected to the people of God.

Lesley and Chris celebrate 40 years of marriage in 2010. We will make it special and hope to get to see some friends around the world. We remain in quite good health apart from the usual ageing issues! Life, as you can imagine, is very full. Travel is still a part of our lives though essentially to do with Academy work.  We enjoy the purpose of travelling if not the process. Staying at home is our natural preference! Last year we were able to be together in USA, France, Singapore and Thailand. New Life Church and Worship Academy now more than fully occupy us. Chris relinquished leading at the Grapevine Celebration after 28 years and wants to express thanks for the privilege of serving at this great event.

dB Studios

As for many, business is difficult. We enter a new year with some amazing potential opportunities on the horizon but in the immediate a sense of concern. The whole Christian Music Industry is in major melt down. Key distributors are closing down. Christian Bookshops are not surviving the recession. Record labels are unwilling to invest in new product. This means that we have to respond by independently distributing product.

• Can you support us by purchasing the two new releases – ‘At Home’ and ‘Forgiven Hearts’ – only £.8.99 inc p&p – either on-line www.bridgemusicstore.com or write to: dB Studios Ltd, The Old Brick Yard, Brant Road, LN1 3NE
• Now that I am itinerating less the Internet will be the key ways of keeping up to date with my new albums, and, I intend to carry on writing and recording!  www.bridgemusicstore.com
• Pray for favour on the business. In 13 years the amount of quality Christian Music recorded, artists released and musicians given work has been impressive
• Pray for Dan as he navigates the business through these times and onto the fresh opportunities that lie ahead later in the year

This comes with love to you. We have known some of you for many years. Others of you have enriched our lives more recently. Some, we have worked together, prayed, cried and laughed together. Some we rarely see save for the picture we hold of you in our hearts. Who knows what God has in store for us in the year ahead?

Grow in Grace, Truth and Love. Live in Peace. Enjoy life. Love God with a passion.

Together for Jesus

Chris & Lesley