'WELCOME TO THE CHURCH OF SOUTHAMPTON'

A roar of agreement went up all around the hall. Some 600 people turned up to the first outpouring meeting at Central Hall, and they were eager.

Eager to meet with the Living God. Eager to worship alongside their brothers and sisters from across the city, across the churches, across the denominations. There were no labels of belonging, no stamps of ownership; none other than the unanimous - BODY OF CHRIST.

Billy Kennedy began the proceedings reminding everyone of the FIRE procedures (!) and opening the evening in prayer, before Simon Orton came to bring an opening word.

'I saw a picture of a large eagle hovering over the city of Southampton with its wings outstretched. Under one wing was written the word ‘Liberty’ and under the other wing was written ‘Life’. In its talons, the eagle held a scroll, which I knew was the gospel.

I felt that God had supernaturally removed the shame and rubbish from our city, not because of anything we had done or were doing but because He has chosen to do so. And He is bringing the city into a new season of Liberty and Life, the atmosphere has been changed supernaturally.'
Prophetic Word – Simon Orton, 02/06/08 (shared at SCN Prayer Meeting)
(Scripture that God gave in connection with this word: Zechariah 5:5-15, Malachi 4:1-3)

When the music started the floor of the building filled with a mass of bubbling people; swaying, trembling, some leaping - and raising their praises to Almighty God.

Steve Lee gave personal testimony of his time out in Lakeland at the Revival meetings, and the impact that the impartation has had since he returned to the UK. And then Alun Leppitt began to share.

He encouraged a response from those in the congregation that wanted to know Christ - there were takers! I encourage you to pray for these new brothers and sisters as they take their baby steps in new life.

Alun also went on to share just what all of this outpouring stuff; this move of God was all about. A wise move - previous meetings had only been able to accommodate numbers sub-300; that was now more than doubled - and no doubt there were new faces to this meeting. It was also important to remind everyone that while all the healing accounts are amazing, the resurrections, awesome; and the salvations cause for a party - they are simply signs that point to the Father.

Simple point: If we stop at the signs - and raise them up and don't acknowledge God - we have become idolators. Religious fanatics seeking the thrill of miracles.
Miracles are amazing, astounding, gob-smacking: but they are pointers.

So what do they point to? - God. Ok, what is He up to?

God is outpouring His Glory, manifesting His Glory among us and that brings all the bounty of His Kingdom with it - where there is no sickness, no death and no unbelief.

'unbelief in heaven sounds like "blah, blah, blah" - there's no interpretation for unbelief' - observed Alun.

And God is doing this to remind us of our Identity. We are His children. Loved, cherished, Fathered.

Who's Your daddy?

The congregation watched a clip of Randy Clarke speaking and praying at the Lakeland meetings (as shown on God TV) . And that, together with the message Alun brought, and tying in with Simon Orton's opening prayers, and Steve's testimony came the heart of God's promise for these days.

A chosen generation - free of fear and shame.



We will be meeting once again in Central Hall this coming Monday at 7:30pm. Come expectant, come willing. Come with faith. To quote Bill Johnson, 'Faith is where Heaven and Earth kiss' - If you want to see the Kingdom of God breaking loose throughout your lives, and this city then it will take faith. Just ponder what Jesus meant when he said 'The Kingdom of God is at hand' - where is your hand?


Please share your testimonies with us. We will post them up on this site, and we are hoping to use them at the Monday meetings for the edification of the body. To raise faith. To remind us to trust God - who can come in great power once again.

Keep praying for your friends and colleagues. Keep pressing in to God. Get in the fire, be burning ones - on fire, but not consumed.

Peace be with you.