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John Kirkby I had an incredible time in Australia and New Zealand. What stood out most to me was the fact that the stories of lives transformed are exactly the same as here in the UK. The problems out there are identical – crumbling marriages, depression and suicide, fear of eviction and utter devastation. I had the privilege of meeting clients helped by CAP Australia and CAP New Zealand at their Client Awards and Fundraising Dinners. Each story was an incredible testimony to what God is doing with broken people. To see the hope that CAP is bringing to these beautiful people made all the travelling, jet lag and time away from my family worth it. For the last week, I have been spending time catching up with all the CAP UK needs. I am so proud of the team. This machine keeps on turning, even when I am on the other side of the world. I also spent time preparing for the UK's Client Awards and Fundraising dinner in Bradford. This incredible event took place on Friday 28 November. What a night! The client testimonies were amazing and the support we received from such generous people blew my mind. Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone for their wonderful support – we could not do it without you. This week, I am back in the office. Plenty on, with lots of meetings and also the arrival of CAP's brand new book Journeys of Hope. This book features twelve incredible testimonies from our wonderful clients and staff. Order your copy from our online shop – it promises to be an inspirational read! I hope this is a great week for you all and I look forward to updating you later. God bless |
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John Kirkby The following evening I spoke at the CAP Australia Client Awards and Fundraising dinner. I was so inspired as I heard from clients whose lives have been completely transformed through the work of CAP. How incredible that thousands of miles away from where CAP first began in my house in Bradford, CAP is still impacting hundreds of lives. The dinner was amazing. Over 350 people attended a glittering evening of celebration with $153,000 raised in gifts and pledges for 2009. During that year, we aim to double the number of centres in Australia to 30 in total. This means we can reach even more people! I can't wait to hear more stories from those whose lives have been changed. I now face an exciting week. We are preparing for Gareth and Heather Jones to return early next year to the UK after spending 18 months pioneering the work in New Zealand. What an incredible couple! I am overwhelmed by what they have achieved so far. We already have five centres, have helped over 75 families and seen 19 people become Christians. This Friday will be our 2008 CAP New Zealand Awards Ceremony, where over 300 people will be attending. We have high hopes for another amazing night of testimony and fund-raising for 2009. I will be returning to the UK in time for CAP Money Training next Saturday and the UK awards dinner the following Friday. What a month! It's been exhilarating, amazing and a little overwhelming! Praise God! |
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John Kirkby Wednesday, however, was a special day. Over 40 pastors from our partner churches came to the mill for our Northern Pastors Conference. What a joy it was to hear from them of the incredible work being done in their communities. To hear how inspired they are about the individual people being helped by their church and how much they appreciate working with CAP to reach the poor and needy was truly humbling, and certainly gave me hope for the future of the church in this country. One of our clients, Donna, came and shared her story with the group. Her life had been devastated because of debt and the pressure that put on her marriage. It was amazing to listen to her describe how CAP and our partner church, St John's Bowling in Bradford, had reached into her darkness and shone God's light into her life. Her family and the kids are now fully integrated into the church, and Donna is even coming to work for CAP on Monday! What a privilege to see the local church impacting communities one life at a time. Well, it's my birthday on Saturday, so I am looking forward to a well deserved rest and time with my beautiful family. Catch ya later, John |
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John Kirkby We gave awards to three incredible clients who have overcome so much to get out of debt. What a privilege to hear their testimonies and meet them face to face. These three clients represent the thousands of people across this nation who are discovering hope in the midst of their dark situation of debt. We also honoured one of our centre managers, Anna Weaver from Ealing, for her commitment and hard work reaching people in her community. So what does this week hold? Friday sees me driving back down South. I am going to Bracknell for our first ever Southern CAP Money training day on Saturday. To date, we have 193 CAP Money Coaches signed up for it. Our largest yet, so it promises to be a fun day! On Sunday, I am driving to Leamington Spa for another centre launch. How great to see all these churches stepping out in faith and partnering with us to reach the poor and needy in their communities. It's a busy week, but as always, I feel privileged to be part of this exceptional ministry. God is so good to us! John |
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John Kirkby I had the privilege of preaching at our new partner church, St Mary's in Reigate, to launch the centre there. What a response! The church was so excited about the work of CAP and so warm and welcoming to the team and me. It was a real joy to share our heart and vision. I am looking forward to hearing the incredible testimonies of transformed lives that I know will happen in that town as a result of CAP's work. So that was Sunday. Early on Monday morning, I hopped on a plane and flew down to Penzance. Four incredible CAP supporters had cycled 350 miles from Witham to Penzance in just four days – what an achievement! I went to welcome them home and then spoke at a special fundraising dinner in the evening. I am always so encouraged when I hear of CAP supporters doing extraordinary events to raise money for CAP – please know how much we appreciate anything you can do to help us help the poor and needy. Today I am driving down to Bracknell for the Willow Creek Leadership Conference until Saturday – I know that it will be an inspiring and challenging two days. Then I'm back in the office to prepare for our first ever London Client Awards and Fundraising Dinner next Friday. I simply can't wait. This will be an amazing evening! I can't wait to hear from the clients who are going to be honoured on the night and find out how their lives have been utterly transformed through the work of CAP. And if that’s not enough for one week, I’m also dropping in to the Hillsong Conference in London for a couple of days! I look forward to updating you later, John. PS – The Corporate Partners' Open Day at Jubilee Mill was a real success. Members of the finance and utilities industries were blown away by the work we are doing. What a day! |
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John Kirkby Saturday was also a very exciting day as we trained around 80 people as CAP Money Coaches. CAP Money is such an incredible tool that the church can use to empower people in their community with the knowledge they need to avoid falling into a situation of debt. It was such a buzz to see the passion these people had for the work of CAP. What an honour to be part of this incredible work! This Thursday is another 'first' for CAP. We have 20-30 people from the Corporate and Finance Industries coming to visit us here in Bradford for a special Corporate Partners’ Open Day. We hope to 'wow' them with the work we are doing and inspire them that they are part of something quite incredible. For the sake of our clients, it is vital that we have a great relationship with creditors. Please pray that they are impacted by their visit on Thursday. Well that's all for now. I am preaching at our new partner church, St Mary's, in Reigate this Sunday. Please come and see me there if you are nearby – I'd love to say hello! God bless, John. |
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John Kirkby The 30 August 2008 was a very special day - I watched my beautiful daughter Jasmine get married. What an incredible day! She looked absolutely gorgeous and was just so happy. I could barely hide my tears! This was followed by taking my second daughter Jess to Liverpool to study Midwifery. Two daughters moving on to new challenges – I feel their loss but I'm excited about their potential. I am just so proud them. On the 1 September we saw 20 new staff and interns start work here at our Head Office. What an incredible group of people. They are so passionate and excited about being part of our CAP family and seeing lives transformed across this country. If that wasn't enough, next week we have 21 people coming on our centre training. That's 21 people who are passionate about reaching into their communities with the love and hope of Christ! Eleven of these are brand new centre managers for new centres opening throughout the UK, some are extra staff for existing centres and others are replacements for centres. This is our largest training session ever in CAP's history, and I am sure it's just a sign of things to come. So life is as hectic as ever, but I am so blown away by what God is doing. In the month of August 50 clients became Christians, and yesterday we rang the bell four times! We are truly living in amazing times. With our Trustee Meeting on Monday focusing on plans for 2009, I am expectant and fully anticipate an incredible 2009 that will truly outshine even this exceptional year. Catch you later, John. |
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Matt Barlow We’ve had an amazing few days, great activities including canoe polo, pamper sessions, a circus for the kids and not to mention a day out to Alton Towers. All of this has been interspersed with some challenging talks, discussion groups all helping people either connect or grow with God. During the break 24 people connected with God for the very first time. One lady told us that she was anorexic and yet since coming away had felt so peaceful that she had eaten and enjoyed every bit of it. Many people talked about feeling the tingle of God’s spirit as we prayed for them, it’s just amazing. Truly good news for the poor and hope for the brokenhearted. When you come on these breaks you realise how rubbish life is for so many people and you’re reminded of why Jesus spent so much time hanging out with those who didn’t have it all together and sorted! |
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John Kirkby I’ve just spent an incredible time with the CAP Oz guys! They really are going from strength to strength and are doing great things. The number of clients we are helping is increasing every month, we are opening more centres and the whole team are on fire for what CAP is doing in their country. The CAP Australia staff conference of the last few days was truly spectacular! We spent time worshipping, praying, listening to God’s word and just having fun! I feel so blessed to be working with such an amazing group of world changers. So I'm off to NZ. I have to say that I am so impressed with what Heather and Gareth have achieved. We now have two CAP Centres and have three new employees working at Head Office. God has truly blessed our work and I am excited about what the next few days will hold. Catch ya soon, John. |
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John Kirkby My next challenge, although it doesn't involve running, is just as important and exciting! Today I leave for Australia to spend seven days with the CAP OZ staff at their annual conference. I then go over to New Zealand to spend six days with the CAP team there. Pray for all of us as there are going to be lots of great opportunities and, as always, a few challenges. |
