How to spark off some creative thinking!

Photos and words by our Communications
and Digital Lead Dan Morrell

GROWING churches, helping churches grow. That’s the vision of Firestarters. It’s a space created to enable prayer, conversation, strategy, inspiration, and more!
 
2 weeks ago leadership teams and individuals from churches throughout the country, a majority from the YBA came along for the Firestarters Conversation at The Well, Sheffield. *** You can get a flavour of the 2 days from this video.***
 
YBA Regional Minister for Pioneering and Church Planting Alex Harris said: “Firestarters isn’t a conference – it’s a low key, deeply encouraging conversation. At Firestarters, a few churches - some small, and poorly-resourced - share stories of growth experienced by the move of God.”
 
The welcome and hospitality offered by The Well was, in itself, a shining example of one of the ways we can help our churches to grow. The food was great, the coffee was flowing and the whole team offered a warm welcome, not least because we’d just come off the back of the 2-day heatwave!
 
The Well, fronted by Nick and Marjorie Allan, was just one of the success stories shared as part of the conversation. They were joined by Chrissy Remsberg, Associate Pastor at Beacon Church in Stafford, Aaron Jarvis from Londonderry Baptist Church in Oldbury, and many other friends from growing churches and movements. They shared their stories of how they began, how they found their vision and how God worked through them in a multitude of ways to grow His church.
 
As the 2-days progressed, teams and individuals were invited to begin planning and strategising. Concrete plans were formed, how their success might be measured, and what needs to be enabled for them to happen, or indeed what needs to be put down.
The whole conversation was wrapped in prayer and worship. Integral to the 2 days, but vital to flourishing and growth in the future. It was very special to hand over all our conversations to God and pray for each other in our future adventures with Him. 
Alex continued: “The Conversations offer unique space and support to discuss God’s direction and movement for your church. Encouraged, challenged and inspired, here you can reflect, share ideas and build.”
 
For more information about Firestarters click here. 
Or email Alex Harris: alex.harris@yba.org.uk