city of God newsletterJANUARY, 2012

Ever-increasing IncreasePsalms 115.14

contents:Increase in Knowledge 4 2011 in Review 5 The Overcomers 8 Back to the Kitchen 9 - Feature: Carrot and Ginger Soup Family Circle 10- Feature: Increase in a Godly home Kids Corner 11 F-5 Football League 12 Your Health 13- Feature: Eating right to avoid cardiac arrhythmia Calendar 2012 14

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CONTRIBUTORS: Uche Okorji, Pearl Digwo, Niyi Adebayo, Onii Madu, Pelumi Adebayo, Sola Okunuga, John Abolarin, Iyiola Ogedengbe, Mark Igiehon

shalom Pastor Mark Osa Igiehon

CELEBRATING THE LORD OF GREAT HARVESTS & GREAT REWARDS

– NOW ENTER INTO EVER-INCREASING INCREASE

Thanking God for God’s great grace with us

We saw God’s Great Grace in 2011! We saw His great harvest and we enjoyed His great rewards! We return much gratitude to the Most High for the year 2011. We celebrate our Lord and The Good Shepherd for His life in us, His preservation, provision, protection, promotion, advancement and all -round progress. Carefully, we return the glory to the Lord for babies, marriages, new parishes, better understating on the home front. From Church viewpoint, we celebrate our God for the salvation of souls across the land; for healings and deliverances; for babies and babies; marriages and marriages; great Kingdom advances; for Love & Marriage University programmes; for our first two books from the School of Wisdom Publishing House – “The Secrets of Famous Couples in the Bible” and “The Miracle of the City of God” with many more great books coming in 2012; the entr y into the Smithfield complex now renamed City of God Campus; the commencement of new parishes – Perth City Tabernacle, Le Havre Cite de Joyeux;, Smithfield City of the Great King and Stirling; the commencement of the football league ; the focus during the elections’ . In 2011, we also faced challenges, one daughter of God went home to be with the Lord – rather untimely in our eyes but we have deferred to Kingdom’s better judgment. A number had family members go home to be with the Lord. We have faced challenges in resources, finances, people and property. We return great glory and gratitude to the Most High.

Welcome to 2012 - THE YEAR OF EVER-INCREASING INCREASE

The year 2012 shall be for us all under God and this house, the year of Ever-Increasing Increase! Psalms 115.13-16:

Psalms 115:11-1611. Ye that fear the Lord trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.12. The Lord hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron. 13. He will bless them that fear the Lord, both small and great14. The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children.15. Ye are blessed of the Lord which made heaven and earth.16. The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.

From Gen 17.2b, 6a, we understand and declare that the Lord is multiplying us exceedingly, and causing us to be exceedingly fruitful. We shall greatly increase in power, glory, in His presence, in fruits of the womb, in salvations, riches, hopes, in friends, in wealth, in health, in power, exploits and in all good things!

At 99 years old, can you imagine the Lord telling Abraham that He will make him exceedingly fruitful?No matter how advanced or blessed you are already, great and exceeding increase and multiplication are yours in 2012!

There will be much trouble and hardship out in the world but in the same year and season, it shall be increasing increase for those who are in God’s house!

ahead

Increase in knowledge•Christian education

“Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good…” (Proverbs 19:2a KJV)“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6a. KJV)

The above quotations are a few of bible verses that emphasize the importance of knowledge to the soul of the believer. Knowledge by definition simply implies the state of knowing; the perception of fact or truth; clear and certain mental apprehension. If knowledge is the state of knowing then, the question is; what am I required to know? Jesus Christ said, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). “The truth”, what is the truth? Again, Jesus Christ said; “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me” (John 14:6 KJV).

Jesus Christ has given us an open invitation to come and learn that we may know Him (The Truth). “Come to me, all you who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me;” (Matthew 11:28-29a NKJV). All that is required is to come as you are, confess past sins, acknowledge Jesus Christ as the Lord and saviour, receive His gift of salvation by faith and be determined to learn and to live henceforth for him.

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10 NKJV) “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2Cor. 5:17 NKJV).

Since knowledge (especially of God) is progressive, every believer must seek to grow in the knowledge of the truth. “It is the truth that you know that will make you free”. Knowledge comes by acquaintance with the truth, through the study and meditation on the Word of God. “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.”(Joshua 1:8 NLT)

The Church (RCCG Jesus, Aberdeen) Christian Education directorate is responsible for the teaching and encouraging growth in the knowledge of the Word of God through the following means:

• The Faith Foundation Class is for new believers to the Christian faith, We teach the basic foundational truth of the Christian faith. Long time believers are also welcome.

• Baptism Class is specifically for believers who are prepared to be baptized by immersion in water

• Workers Training Class is to prepare every believer for the work of our Father.

• Sunday School Class is the time of interactive exposition of the “Word" every Sunday usually before the second service.

• Bible Club is an opportunity to study the bible in a year with other believers. The study holds every fortnight on Saturdays, time 6pm

We encourage you to join us in one of these classes as you seek to grow in the knowledge of God.

We would also like to seize this opportunity to encourage you to seek to know the truth about your purpose in life and how to fulfil it by joining us in the New Year for the Life changing 40-days of Purpose journey starting 1st February through 11th March 2012 based on the Purpose Driven Life book. “The LORD has made everything for his own purposes” (Proverbs 16:4 NLT). Make it a 2012 year resolution to discover your purpose in life.

“I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return” (Philippians 1:9-10 NLT).

Shalom,Christian Education Directorate.

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EQUIP MILLION LEADERS MANDATE REPORT IN 2011

MLM Conferences

Building on the leadership drive of 2010, we started 2011 with the commencement of two Volume OneMillion Leaders Mandate conferencesin Edinburgh and Glasgow. In addition, we continued trainings at the Kings Community Church in Aberdeen. In total about 45 leaders were awarded certificates of achievement in the 3 centres in 2011.

A leader@ Kings Community Church Aberdeen

Testimony @ KINGS COMMUNITY CHURCH

Testimonies of the experience of theattendees continue to pour in, as demonstrated by the report from David Dangfa below:

“I did not know what to expect when I registered for the Million Leaders Mandate, but I was completely blown away when I attended the first training session. I realized this is the type of leadership program people in secular organizations would pay thousands of pounds to attend. The spiritual dimension of the content was brilliant, taught by church leaders (Pastors) whose love for God can best be described as contagious. My personal walk with Christ on daily basis was greatly challenged as I listened to Pastors Mark and Chris teachings. As a Christian leader it is imperative that one spends quality time seeking the face of God as well as developing the necessary skills

required to lead God’s people. I think it is a great privilege that we in The King’s Community Church host this program and have the opportunity to benefit from it. I strongly encourage anyone aspiring to be or currently in any form of leadership in the chu rch to be part of the Million Leaders Mandate”

Some leaders in Glasgow

MLM Volume Two Conference@ Stoke-on-Trent, England

Six members of the EQUIP team in Scotland attended the Volume Two notebook 4 and 5 conferences of the Million Leaders Mandate programme in May and October 2011 at Stoke-on-Trent, England. The lessons were onthinking for a change and failing forward. This is a Train -the-Trainer initiative organised by United Christian Broadcasters, United Kingdom in partnership with EQUIPUSA to train partners and national leaders in the United Kingdom.

Though there is one more conferenceto go, this great opportunity will lead to the start of the EQUIP MLM volume two training streams in Scotland come2012. The MLM Volume two conferences are thematic, based on six Dr. John C. Maxwell’s bestselling books with each focusing on one specific leadership area. The books are: Today Matters, Winning with People, The 360 -Degree Leader,

Thinking for a Change, Failing forwardand Talent is never enough.The Inaugural EUROPEAN LEADERSHIPACADEMY@ Thessaloniki, Greece

The year 2011 saw the introduction of the MLM curriculum to the leadership of the RCCG mainland Europe. With immense support from pastors Dele Olowu and Mar k Igiehon, the ELA commenced on the 14th to 15th ofOctober 2011. EQUIP Associate Jan Ernst from Norway and pastor Mark Igiehon were train ers. In this conference were RCCG national coordinators (NCs)/national representatives (NRs) from 33 European countries . The second conference will take place in Holland in February 2012.

Global Leadership Summit @EDINBURGH

2 members of the E QUIP team attended their first Global Leadership Summit organised by Willow Creek Association, USA from the 4 th-5th ofNovember 2011 at St Paul’s & George’s Church Edinburgh.

A leader collects certificate in Edinburgh

2012 OUTLOOK

Among other plans, we are preparing for the ELA in Holland . We are alsolooking forward to starting the volume two conferences in Glasgow and Aberdeen while volume one will continue in Watford and London in England, Elgin (Scotland) and o ther parts of the United Kingdo m.

- TESTIMONY CORNER

LET SOMEBODY SHOUT HALLELUJAH!

• Healing from Asthma

I thank the Lord for healing me from asthma. I know and believe that I am completely healed and restored. - E. E • Delivered from Accident

I thank the Lord for saving my family from death on Tuesday 29th November 2011. My sisters and brother had an accident but God took over and controlled the vehicle until it came to a complete stop without them being injured. May the name of the Lord be praised forever. Amen. His an Awesome God.- V. A • Healing from Incurable disease

I give God the glory for healing my younger brother of an illness that the doctors had already told us was incurable. Praise God!- A. V • Healing from Ovarian Cycts

I bless God for His unfailing love over my family and for His favour on every side. I want to bless the name of the Lord for Divine Healing I received during the ordination this year from Ovarian Cycts. The healing has been confirmed after medical tests.- K. O • Nominated Banking Hero

I praise God for work and for his wisdom this year. While at work, I was processing some deposits and noticed a funny looking cheque which ordinarily I would have overlooked as something small. I held on to it and showed it to a manager who then confirmed it was fraudulent and said well done. In a couple of days while processing another set of deposits, I saw exactly the same type of cheque for a higher amount which I passed on to the senior manager who was so excited and said other branches have been hit by the same cheques and has been ascertained as fraudulent. A report was then sent to the regional manager and hence I was nominated as a helpful banking hero for my region. Praise God!- D. S

• Healed from Sharp Pain @ Alone with GodI had been having a sharp pain in my right leg. At the Alone with God I prayed that God will heal me as it was getting unbearable. To God’s glory by the time I got home the pain had gone. During communion on the 4th of December, the symptom appeared just when prayer was intense. I declared the pain gone and I have complete healing - pain free!- D. F

Carrot and Ginger Soup brightens a winter's day but is also perfect in the lighter months. This Carrot and Ginger Soup Recipe is packed with healthy fresh, carrots and warming, tingling spices of ginger and a light sprinkling of curry powder which gives it a slight kick. This soup freezes well, so make a large batch. The carrots give the soup a lovely sweetness, so children really like it and its good for part of the 5-a-day. It is quite a filling soup, so you could serve it for lunch as a snack meal with cheese and fruit afterwards.

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

· 1 ½ lbs/700g carrots, peeled and chopped

· 2 medium onions, peeled and roughly chopped

· 1 clove garlic, peeld and crushed

· 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

· 1 tsp powdered ginger

· 1 tsp medium curry powder

· 3 pints /1.6 litres chicken or vegetable stock

· Sea salt and black pepper

· Rind of 1 lemon, finely shredded

· LEMON CREAM

· 7 oz/200g creme fraiche

· Grated rind of 1 lemon

· 2 tsp fresh parsley, chopped

· 2 tsp chives, chopped

Preparation:

· Heat the olive oil in a saucepan and add the onions and carrots, cook for several minutes, stirring from time to time. Do not brown the vegetables.

· Then add the garlic, ginger and curry powder and cook for a further minute.

· Add the stock and lemon strips to the pan, half cover the pan with its lid, and simmer gently for 20 minutes until the carrots are tender.

· Cool slightly, then liquidize the soup until smooth.

· Taste and season with sea salt and black pepper.

· Reheat to serve.

· To make the cream, stir all the ingredients together gently, or the crème fraiche will go runny, and then spoon a dollop into the middle of each bowl of soup, garnish with chives or parsley if you wish. Serve with wholemeal crusty bread.

Understanding the word ‘increase’ is always relative to the subject being discussed, and I perceive it as quality, maturity and balanced growth,

rather than a material or numerical attribute. As a bible-believing Christian, the book of Psalms 115 :14 which says that ‘The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children’ - is a scripture I will always confess; I cannot thank God enough for the total package of that prayer and blessing. The greatest form of any increase in the home is based on the scriptures.

As a wife and mother of three lovely children; learning, growing, and sharing our experiences and knowledge as a family is a tremendous

increase on every side.

I remember from the time my husband and I got married, learning to live and know each other better, was a period of growth. Over the years,

we’ve learnt a lot from these experiences and continued to build our home together based on the foundation of God’s word.

With the arrival of our children, another level of increase was added to our family. Being responsible and having the ability to give and receive

support, love, contentment and well-being in the home is a progression I would always desire and pray for because these are increases in a godly home that are invaluable. Having a God –fearing husband and father who provides leadership and direction is always a blessing not to be taken for granted because it creates an atmosphere to maximise our God-given potentials as we grow.

As the years roll by, watching the children develop and grow before us is a privilege; being there as they took their first steps and said their first words; maturing in stature and increasing in knowledge, is something I cannot comprehend.

Joannes is already playing the big sister role very well and being a great help to the family, while Irene would always offer to help mum in her department. David is often the prayer lead. They are fun to watch, and are my amazing gifts and friends. Above all, making out time to pray and play together as a family is not negotiable. It is a time of bonding and relaxing, as these go a long way to provide stability and joy in greater dimension. There is no increase greater than God’s own manifold blessings indeed.

- Increase in a Godly Home by Onii Madu

Family Circle

Pelumi Adebayo (Jesus House Dyce) An acronym for my name: P olite to adults E very day I go to the park L ikes watching TV in my home U p in the air M um is special to me I am smart to my dad

COLOUR SHEET - NOAH AND HIS ARK

What’s so special About Jesus?

F-5 Football League- Zubi Emele

Given the slow reception of people of the western world to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the need to foster cooperation among the churches for this cause, Pastor Mark came up with the vision of using the many passions of the people to carry the gospel to them of which football (soccer) was chiefest. This led to the birth of the J League.

Pastor Mark gave Bro Zubi Emele the mandate to bring the vision to fruition which was gladly accepted. However by the time Zubi set out to get the ball rolling, he discovered that some other churches also had this vision already cut out thus confirming the scriptures that “out of the mouth of two witnesses shall a matter be established...” (2 Corinthians 13.1). One of such churches was The Kings Community Church - KCC (formerly known as the Assemblies of God Church) on Kings Street. Because the KCC had gone ahead of Jesus House in this vision, we decided to join forces with them to see to the actualisation of the vision.

On the whole, seven churches and one youth ministry entered for the competition. These pioneer churches include:• The Kings Community Church, Aberdeen• Jesus House, City of God Aberdeen• Fountain of Love, Aberdeen• Assemblies of God Church, Fraserburgh• The Baptist Church, Peterhead• The City Church, Aberdeen• The Deeside Church, Aberdeen (Deeside team presented two teams - under 25s and over 25s)• Youth for Christ, Oldmachar

Each church/ team has a contact or lead person who acts as a liaison officer between the league board and the teams. The first assignment of these lead persons was to agree to a name for the league and suggestions as J-League, The church league, The F5 League amongst others were proffered and in the long run, F5 won majority of the votes hence the name F5 League. The idea behind F5 league is that football, just like the refresh (F5) key the computer keyboard, refreshes the participants and so also does Christ as often as one has fellowship with him and the brethren.

The league began on the 6th of may 2011 and ended on the 5th of November 2011. A total of 36 matches where meant to have been played though Youth for Christ, Oldmachar could not complete theirs. At the end of the league, Assemblies of God Fraserburgh won the Scudetto having amassed the highest number of points (16) followed by Deeside over 25-team (15points). Fountain of Love church came third with 12points. Jesus House team came a distant 6th, having played eight matches, winning four and losing four. The trophy presentation was done on the 26th of November which was preceded by a fellowship get-together by all participating teams at the Kings Community church Auditorium by 7.30pm.

In Conclusion, the vision behind this league was accomplished as testimonies abound of lots of youths who came in contact with the message of the gospel and the church (in general) for the first time in the course of the competition. Also there has been greater cooperation among churches who were part of the league and the better news is that some of the churches who were not part of the first phase have signified interest to be part of the league when the second phase (season) kicks off. This will make for greater cooperation amongst the body of Christ in the land. Again, many new Christian friends were made in the course of the competition and contacts exchanged.

Above all, the competition was truly refreshing and bodily exercise, though the scripture says profits but a little (1 Timothy 4. 8), was this time around fully maximised and very rewarding.

Health Issues: Eating Right to avoid Cardiac -Arrhythmia

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health,even as thy soul prospereth. 3 John verse 2

Today in the western world, Heart related diseases are one of the highest causes of mortality, thus, raising the need for people to be

well informed of the causes of these diseases. In this edition, we will be looking at Cardiac arrhythmias. Another reason why we are looking at this is because it is the desire of the Lord that we prosper and be in health (3 John verses 2).

Our diet and habits plays a major role in determining our chances of being affected by a disease. Some might argue that God has given us everything for our use and should not be harmful. That is right but our God also wants us to be wise and eat right. A common saying of which we are familiar with says that ‘too much of everything is not good’. This is the angle from which we would look at this particular malfunction - cardiac arrhythmia.

Cardiac arrhythmias are any abnormality or perturbation in normal activation sequence of the myocardium. This occurs when the

electrical impulses in ones heart that coordinate heartbeats does not work properly, thus causing the heart to beat too fast, too slow or irregularly.

Arrhythmias may not cause any signs and symptoms. Some people do have noticeable symptoms which may include:

• A fluttering in ones chest

• A racing heartbeat (tachycardia)

• A slow heartbeat (bradycardia)

• Chest pain

• Shortness of breath

• Lightheadedness

• Dizziness

• Fainting (syncope) or near fainting

Many things can lead to, or cause arrhythmias of which certain food types can aggravate certain arrhythmias. As with other cardiac

conditions, arrhythmias are easier to manage if one eats a balanced diet. It has been shown that many weight loss diets can be harmful to ones heart. In particular, fad diets such as liquid-based programs or high- protein regimens can affect the concentrations of electrolytes in your bloodstream. This can cause problems in the heart’s electrical system which relies on electrolytes to function properly. Other studies have shown that limiting salt intake and excessive fluid intake can better control arrhythmias.

In all we see that making healthy lifestyle changes can help prevent heart arrhythmia from happening in the first place. Make a

decision to eat right to be healthy!

40 DAYS OF PURPOSE

Embark on a journey of

discovery during 40 Days of PURPOSE and

Answer life’s most fundamental

questions: ‘’What on earth am I here for?’’

This intensive campaign has changed millions of lives all

over the world moving people to live out five eternal

purposes. Campaign Dates: 1st February

2012 - 11th March 2012

Live in Aberdeen 23rd March, 2012

tickets available in NOW!

notices

8TH -15TH JULY 2012

The Normal Christian Life This has been republished in a new larger format incorporating "Sit, Walk, Stand". The Normal Christian Life is a modern spiritual classic which shows that there is only one way to live a life that is pleasing to God. It is when we learn to see ourselves on the cross with him, that we can experience true joy, freedom and spiritual release. Sit, Walk, Stand is based on the book of Ephesians where Nee shows simply and clearly that we must know how to sit with Christ in heavenly places, before we can walk worthy of him and stand before the spiritual enemy of our lives.

CITY OF GOD BOOK FOR THE YEAR 2012

Dyce Youth on Bus

Dyce Youth on Bus

Dyce Youth on Bus

Dyce Youth on Bus

Dyce Youth on Bus

Dyce Youth on Bus

Torry Bible Study

Torry Bible Study