It’s been a month…

Hey everyone.

First I need to apologise because it has, as the title suggests, been a month since I last posted a blog. Which is far too long, I know. Especially because this has been a particularly excited and busy month. But then again, maybe that’s why I haven’t posted.

Since I last posted, loads has gone on. So, this post is basically going to be a long list of what I’ve been doing, which I agree isn’t particularly exciting, but for the sake of those back home who are eager to find out what I’ve been up to, it will be fulfilling!!

Here we go:

I lead worship at a funeral (a first!)

I’ve sung in a vocal group at a Women’s breakfast (yes, women’s…!)

I’ve had some time songwriting with Luke

I’ve visited home (which was lovely and full of catching up over coffee!)

I’ve been on tour with Worship Central (see below for more details)

I’ve sang in a vocal group for the 150th anniversary of St. Pauls, Onslow Square (which had over 1000 people attending)

And I’ve lead worship in a prison

(Oh, and seen the new Harry Potter movie!!!)

 

So, there is a super quick overview of some of the things I’ve been up to.

As I mentioned, I’ve been on tour! Worship Central do a UK tour each year and this year I got to go with them. Well, for most of it anyway! We visited Southampton, Bristol, Bradford and Edinburgh. The tour involves a lot of shifting heavy equipment, a long of counting in and out stock for the merchandise stand, a lot of button clicking for the song words, a lot of travelling, a lot of fun, BUT not a lot of sleep!!

We left London on Wednesday the 10th November at around 7AM (we were there earlier to pack the bus and so on), and we didn’t get back to London until Sunday the 14th November after a long drive down from Scotland.

The night involved a great time of worship, some teaching from Tim and Al, lots of ministry and more worship. It was truly a privilege to be with them and to experience the incredible skill of all of the musicians, techies and event planners! I’m not sure I could ever do what they did!

The way we got around was in a big bus. But not just any bus. Oh no. This was a tour bus. The bus has 16 bunk beds on the upper floor (so that everyone can have a snooze while the driver takes us to the next location), 2 lounges (both with flat screen TV’s and sofas) and a little kitchen area to make a cuppa tea. Basically, it was the coolest bus I’ve ever been on. Although, I can imagine after sleeping on it for 4 days, it’s not so wonderful any more. I only slept on it once on the trip down to London from Scotland, and it wasn’t exactly the most comfortable I’d been, but not as bad as I thought it might have been.

Anyway, I can see all of your eyes glazing over so I had better stop.

One final thought. The other night as I was leaving my house to go and meet some friends to do some worship right outside “Erotica”, the porn festival (a story for another time perhaps), I felt God remind me of the amazing words in Isaiah 40. We often sing these words in the song “Everlasting God” by Brenton Brown, but I think I often sing them without really thinking them. Have a look, and no matter how busy your last month has been, or how busy the week ahead of you is going to be, remember this:

 

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31)

 

God Bless,

Oli x

The deep end…

Hey guys.

I’m just coming to the end of a wonderfully chilled day off! Since my first night and my last blog post, a lot has happened.

I’m really enjoying my job so far and the opportunities that it has brought about. I’ve been really busy doing various things around the office, for church and other bits and pieces.  And the reason I’ve called this post “The deep end” is because that’s where I’ve been chucked!

Now, to be clear, I don’t mean this as a bad thing at all, in fact it has been a really exciting 2 weeks! So, as you may know, I have lead worship quite a lot over the last couple of years at my home church, The Beacon Church, at my youth group, Impact and a couple of other places and I hoped that my gap year would involve some worship leading or playing in the worship band and so on, but if I’m honest, I didn’t expect to be doing that straight away.

However, Luke Hellebronth who is my line-manager this year has been really amazing and generous in getting me as stuck in as possible and since moving down here I’ve played keys at 2 Alpha training nights, the HTB staff meeting, an early morning prayer meeting (for which I had to leave the house at 5.30AM) and a prayer & worship celebration evening with both Luke and Ben Cantelon. I must admit, and I think Luke and Ben know this, but I was super nervous before a few of these, but I have learned that sometimes, the deep end is the best place to be! It is still a challenge at the moment (especially because I don’t as yet have my keyboard with me in London) to play without much preparation and without chord sheets in front of me, but it’s also been a great exercise in just praying and trusting that God will help me and keep my nerves down!

Ok, so that’s the ‘what I’m up to’ update. Now for the ‘where I’m living’ update!

Currently, I’m still on the lounge floor at Steve and Anne’s flat, which has been really nice and they have been so generous to me. BUT, I am very excited to tell you that I have found a place to live! Rachel, who is the Worship Central global manager, has a room for rent and today we have closed a deal and so now I just need to sort out a few things and I should be there within the next couple of weeks! I’m really grateful for all your prayers and praise the Lord they’ve been answered!

I think that’s all from me right now! Keep in touch!

Oli

Packing

So, this morning I got up and after a cooked breakfast (of course!), I have begun to sort through my room and all my drawers and cupboards. The idea is I’ll be able to see what stuff I own and what stuff I’ll need to acquire before I move. Unfortunately, I am currently weeping and itching all over due to a very irritating dust or cat allergy and so the process is not very pleasant!
Anyway. I should probably get back to work!

Oli

Just starting out!

Hey guys.

Oli here.

Just started to set up my blog, which I plan to use from now on, to keep family and friends up to date with what I’m up to on my gap year.

I am going to be living in London and I will spend the next year as the Worship Central intern at HTB Church.

Do keep me bookmarked and soon I will start posting for real!!

Blessings.

Oli