Asked if the Church is fit for purpose, most Christians, looking at the church of the Western World, would have to say ‘No, it’s not’.

The Church I dream of has a passionate and overwhelming commitment to reaching the lost.  It knows with certainty that all men and women were made to live out the dreams of God and so discover their own.

The Detling Conference vision statement is simple: ‘In God ordinary people can be extraordinary – and are meant to be!’  Wednesday 7th May on HMS Gannet gave us a chance to join together with some of those who value Detling and believe in its aims and values.  It was an opportunity for those who long to see revival in Kent and the south east to connect with each other.  A chance for all of us to stop, take stock, and breathe again; to be refreshed by being reminded of some fundamentals.

It was also, unashamedly, a fundraiser.  Why do we need to raise funds particularly for the Detling Conference? Because we aim high at Detling to provide the best, and why not?  Our goal is that we should be at least as good as New Wine or Spring Harvest – if not better.

It is true that those who speak at these events and at Detling notice a difference in the clientele.  A larger proportion of those attending Detling would be from a less wealthy socio-economic band than those attending the other events, and that is because we are particularly local and reflect our catchment area.   In spite of its public image, little of Kent reflects the relative affluence of, say, Tunbridge Wells, which, in the most elevated sense of the term, is truly County.   Maidstone is simply however the County town and still today, in character, reflects its founding as a working and market town.

The Medway towns grew up around the Chatham dockyards.  The Royal Navy built, repaired and manned ships from the time of the Spanish Armada to the Falklands crisis, at the dockyards.  The maximum number of workers employed during the Second World War was 13,000. 

However, the dockyard closed in 1984, removing millions of pounds of income from the local economy and putting many thousands of people out of work.  The area has never truly recovered and many social indicators point out the difficulties facing the Medway towns in the struggle to re-establish themselves.  It is interesting that out of a population of 251,000, 62,000 state that they are of ‘no religion’ or do not state any preference.

The closure of the East Kent coalfields had a similar impact on that area, and again, many of the jobs lost have never been replaced by jobs of a comparable worth.  Similarly, the closure of the oil refinery on the Isle of Grain removed a vital income stream from that area. 

Dover, as a port, has prospered, but its prosperity has been drained by the enormous demands of an immigrant population, both legal and illegal, and many refugees, who remain the responsibility of the County and the town, and a huge drain on local resources.   Folkestone of course has lost its status as a Channel port and is frequently described by its residents as ‘a dying town’.

Then there is South East London, including areas like Peckham, where along with others, our friend Patrick Regan of XLP works confronting the knife and guns culture amongst young people. 

These are some of the backgrounds from which our people come.  They reflect enormous daily struggles, economic and personal, that frequently drag down the faith, not just of individuals, but of whole churches.  Many churches and church leaders find it impossible to believe that God can truly do something amazing with them or in their area. 

Even if everyone attending Detling were to pay full price, we would still need further funds to meet the costs.  Each year we’ve been waiting on God for a financial miracle at the Conference, and delegates have given generously – splendidly so.  However, we do have a higher proportion of assisted places than any other major conference enabling families and people on low incomes to attend Detling and why not?  We believe no one should be excluded from receiving the best teaching and worship we can provide, giving them inspiration and a sense of the Holy Spirit that many testify, will carry them through the whole year? 

And so I am asking you – whether your resources are large or small, and probably, already stretched; would this not be a magnificent opportunity for courageous investment?

Our dreams for 2008 are surely the dreams all of us cherish and long to see lived out in our churches.  To be:

Such qualities reflect a church which is in lasting, ongoing Revival.  And this is our dream; a church alight with confidence from Heaven; a church that is truly the light of the World.

And so, I am asking you for your financial support, not for Revival Fire as such, but for its Vision of a Church on fire, a region revived, a nation restored, Heaven released on earth, because at last the church has come into agreement with Heaven.  And we know that when heaven and earth come into agreement, Heaven invades.
Jesus’ report to John the Baptist says it all:

This is our dream.  If you share it, please stand with us in prayer and in financial support - become a Detling Partner.

To make an online donation click here or contact our office on 0870 901 7777

To receive information about regular monthly giving click here or contact our office on 0870 901 777

Thank you – we really value your support!