Supporter Weekend 2025
'On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine – the best of meats and the finest of wines.’ Isaiah 25:6
And what a feast it was! For those of us who accepted the invitation to partake in God’s blessing through the 2025 Supporters Weekend we were indeed bathed in God’s gracious love and provision. Well-fed with the choicest of meats and finest wines, challenged and refreshed by the presence of God.
The run up to the weekend proved a struggle for many and although the battle seemed unending, our hearts were right with God by the time we reached High Leigh. We give thanks to the staff who served us so well. Nothing was going to distract us from the purposes of God, and we rejoiced to see old friends and quickly meet new. This was a time set aside and already bathed in prayer and so began the weekend.
The run up to the weekend proved a struggle for many and although the battle seemed unending, our hearts were right with God by the time we reached High Leigh. We give thanks to the staff who served us so well. Nothing was going to distract us from the purposes of God, and we rejoiced to see old friends and quickly meet new. This was a time set aside and already bathed in prayer and so began the weekend.
Friday evening opened with deep and wonderful worship by Yo Kim, ably assisted by Gail Rich, where the prophetic word of God was shared. A wonderful start to our time together.
Then Eugene Bach kept us enthralled and captivated, giving us something to talk about over a drink in the bar or thinking about as we made our way to our rooms. Eugene is remarkable and stands out from the ordinary, used by God to further his Kingdom in the most difficult situations. He shared his testimony and exploits, opening our minds to fascinating adventures, expanding our thinking that what is impossible for man is certainly possible for God. How we love to be encouraged by such ‘daring dos’ and exploits.
Eugene began by speaking about how we resource mission and that the fundamental resource required is the Holy Spirit. He spoke about working with Brother Yun who was so freed from the fear of man he was able to speak from the spirit not from the mind; in sometimes very strange and surprising ways but ones that brought impact and fruit.
Then Eugene Bach kept us enthralled and captivated, giving us something to talk about over a drink in the bar or thinking about as we made our way to our rooms. Eugene is remarkable and stands out from the ordinary, used by God to further his Kingdom in the most difficult situations. He shared his testimony and exploits, opening our minds to fascinating adventures, expanding our thinking that what is impossible for man is certainly possible for God. How we love to be encouraged by such ‘daring dos’ and exploits.
Eugene began by speaking about how we resource mission and that the fundamental resource required is the Holy Spirit. He spoke about working with Brother Yun who was so freed from the fear of man he was able to speak from the spirit not from the mind; in sometimes very strange and surprising ways but ones that brought impact and fruit.
Saturday dawned and, having our appetites whetted, there was an expectation in our spirits as we looked forward to further stories from Eugene. It was indeed a hearty feast after what had already been a hearty breakfast in the physical.
He spoke about how God is truth, life, creativity; when we draw closer to the source of these things we share in them. He focused particularly on Holy Spirit inspired creativity and shared some of the incredible ideas and inventions that Back To Jerusalem have been working on to get the Bible into the most unlikely and locked down places.
In his third talk he spoke about the importance of our testimony. We aren’t just committed to an idea – if this were the case people couldn’t withstand persecution - but we are given a personal experience of God and testimony that is eternal. No-one can argue with it. His disclaimer – this will make you a misfit!
Even at this early stage in our weekend it was clear we had arrived hungry and thirsty for Jesus, and we were not going to be disappointed.
How can anyone follow the dynamic Eugene? Robert Karami answered the call with a talk on Suffering and Opportunity. Robert came to the UK from Turkey having been exiled from his own nation. We have the privilege of partnering with him in reaching out to Farsi speakers. The tempo changed somewhat but it was fascinating to listen as Robert spoke about Smyrna and Philadelphia, bringing the scripture from the book of Revelation alive in real time and as real places. The history of Iran is complex, but his narrative helped us to put the pieces together and understand God’s plans for this nation. Iran has the fastest growing evangelistic movement globally in the face of severe persecution. Robert introduced us to friends and fellow believers known to him, persecuted for their faith. He challenged us as he showed us God’s heart for his church, opened the scriptures with real stories, and shared some of his own testimony. He encouraged us to stand firm in our faith and to give back to God what he had given to us, in walking alongside the persecuted church. He left us with the challenge – ‘Are you prepared to offer your heart to Christ?’
With hardly time to answer the question we were treated to yet another feast with Sheena on the important topic of intercession. Having been challenged to pray for the persecuted church we were about to be helped along the way. Sheena gave us insight to her own walk on this route as well as setting us up with tools to get going and sustain our prayers. You can read her article of the P’s of intercession at the beginning of the magazine.
He spoke about how God is truth, life, creativity; when we draw closer to the source of these things we share in them. He focused particularly on Holy Spirit inspired creativity and shared some of the incredible ideas and inventions that Back To Jerusalem have been working on to get the Bible into the most unlikely and locked down places.
In his third talk he spoke about the importance of our testimony. We aren’t just committed to an idea – if this were the case people couldn’t withstand persecution - but we are given a personal experience of God and testimony that is eternal. No-one can argue with it. His disclaimer – this will make you a misfit!
Even at this early stage in our weekend it was clear we had arrived hungry and thirsty for Jesus, and we were not going to be disappointed.
How can anyone follow the dynamic Eugene? Robert Karami answered the call with a talk on Suffering and Opportunity. Robert came to the UK from Turkey having been exiled from his own nation. We have the privilege of partnering with him in reaching out to Farsi speakers. The tempo changed somewhat but it was fascinating to listen as Robert spoke about Smyrna and Philadelphia, bringing the scripture from the book of Revelation alive in real time and as real places. The history of Iran is complex, but his narrative helped us to put the pieces together and understand God’s plans for this nation. Iran has the fastest growing evangelistic movement globally in the face of severe persecution. Robert introduced us to friends and fellow believers known to him, persecuted for their faith. He challenged us as he showed us God’s heart for his church, opened the scriptures with real stories, and shared some of his own testimony. He encouraged us to stand firm in our faith and to give back to God what he had given to us, in walking alongside the persecuted church. He left us with the challenge – ‘Are you prepared to offer your heart to Christ?’
With hardly time to answer the question we were treated to yet another feast with Sheena on the important topic of intercession. Having been challenged to pray for the persecuted church we were about to be helped along the way. Sheena gave us insight to her own walk on this route as well as setting us up with tools to get going and sustain our prayers. You can read her article of the P’s of intercession at the beginning of the magazine.
Even for the staunchest of men and women a break to digest this rich food was needed. Jon signed the new Flame book which he had authored, The Beacons are Lit, which were selling fast. Some enjoyed a walk in the winter sun, whilst the ministry team set-to in pairs to pray for those who needed a healing touch from Jesus.
Physically fed, then into worship followed by Sheena once again who excited our spirits with stories of nations being transformed through intercessory prayer, how intercession creates a highway for the Lord to come in. We long to see our Intercession Hubs reaching these heights and as Sheena reminded us, it is being faithful in the little things that the Lord calls us to. As the Hubs grow, we believe that the changes already seen will increase as we partner with God. Sheena invited us to step forward and receive a commissioning into Intercession – many responded.
Physically fed, then into worship followed by Sheena once again who excited our spirits with stories of nations being transformed through intercessory prayer, how intercession creates a highway for the Lord to come in. We long to see our Intercession Hubs reaching these heights and as Sheena reminded us, it is being faithful in the little things that the Lord calls us to. As the Hubs grow, we believe that the changes already seen will increase as we partner with God. Sheena invited us to step forward and receive a commissioning into Intercession – many responded.
Sunday morning had quickly come around and we briefly turned our thoughts to packing our bags, but God had not finished with us and Robert returned to thrill us and stir our hearts with more testimonies from the persecuted church. He shared how Iran is no longer a receiver but a distributer of God’s Word, no longer a closed nation but one that evangelises along the Silk Road. Bible translators within Iran are translating the Bible into the minority languages spoken not only in Iran but in neighbouring nations where the word is now being received in their native tongue. The huge growth of Christianity is gathering pace in the young generations who are looking for something better than captivity and are forming their own view of the conflicts around them. Hearts are turning to Christ. This unstoppable flood is exciting, and we were given the challenge to pray, give resources, go and advocate for religious freedom.
We ended the weekend with encouragement from Jan who gave an update on the work of Flame and then Robert led us into a time of Communion and sharing the bread and wine.
So, the weekend’s adventurous journey came to a glorious end.
“They feast[ed] on the abundance of Your house, and you give them drink from your river of delights.” Psalm 36:8
The talks for the weekend can be found on our website: flameinternational.org/media
We ended the weekend with encouragement from Jan who gave an update on the work of Flame and then Robert led us into a time of Communion and sharing the bread and wine.
So, the weekend’s adventurous journey came to a glorious end.
“They feast[ed] on the abundance of Your house, and you give them drink from your river of delights.” Psalm 36:8
The talks for the weekend can be found on our website: flameinternational.org/media
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