Pray with US 2017 Summer Prayer Diary Thank you so much for praying for the annual Sprees, holidays and mission trips! There s lots going on this year as you will see below. Once again, this summer will be an amazing opportunity for children and young people to hear about God, the good news of Jesus and the plans He has for their lives. Your prayers make such a huge difference to the effectiveness of the ministry. I was privileged to attend the baptism of a 16-year-old girl from my church recently. Although she is from a solid Christian background, she spoke of the big influence that Spree had had on her Christian life: "So, by year 7, I was fully aware of what faith was and I knew that I wanted mine to show more in my everyday life. This shone through when I invited one of my best friends to join me on a Christian camp weekend called Spree. This was where I made the huge symbol of actually getting up from my cramped seated position among a surprising amount of earwigs in a hall with a few others from our group and some others from different church youth groups in the last worship/meeting session of the weekend and confirming that I was and had chosen to become a Christian. This was a big step for me to take with my now growing faith." You can see from this, and you already know, that holidays have a huge impact on children and young people, both from churched and non-churched backgrounds. Thank you for your prayers they are so valued. Jo Slater Supporter Relations Co-ordinator Key Spree/Weekend Holiday Build Project Summer Holiday Urban Saints, Kestin House, 45 Crescent Road, Luton, Beds LU2 0AH 01582 589850; email@urbansaints.org; www.urbansaints.org Urban Saints is the operating name of The Crusaders' Union, a company limited by guarantee and registered in England & Wales, company number 07771037, charity number 1144923, and in Scotland, charity number SCO39313.
June 16th 17th 18th 19th 20th 21st 22nd 23rd 24th 25th Spree in the Borders z Spree Wales Spree in the Borders 16 th 18 th June Rock UK, Newcastleton Please pray for good weather this weekend to make the whole event run smoothly and to foster a great atmosphere. We will have over 200 people on site and pray that God will impact every person here. Please pray for our hosts, band and speakers, that the main sessions will flow well, that God s Spirit will move freely and young people will hear and respond to the Gospel message. Please pray for safety on all of the activities, and for strengthening of relationships between leaders and their young people. Due to some technical challenges with the online booking system this year, some leaders are not happy. Please pray we can restore those relationships and draw leaders in to share the vision for Spree. Spree Wales 23 rd 25 th June Welshpool, Wales Spree is smaller this year as we were let down by our usual site and have had to move some distance away to Middle Park in Welshpool (Mid Wales). Pray for the team as they adapt to this new temporary venue. Pray that the site will have its mains electricity connection in time (scheduled for 22nd). Please pray for the groups who ARE coming - for safety as they travel and for easy journeys North. Pray for young people to have amazing encounters with God over the weekend. Pray for safety in all the activities. June July 30th 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th Spree North West Spree Midlands and East Spree South West Solid Festival Spree North West 30 th June 2 nd July Forest Camp, Cheshire Give thanks that bookings are full, that speakers are being inspired and a sense of anticipation is growing. Pray for his presence as the pre-spree teaching guide is released; that God will already be meeting with young people and making Himself known in incredible ways. Please pray for a hunger to grow amongst the groups, to make friends, have adventures and encounter God in a new way. Pray leaders are uplifted in His power, refreshed in His spirit and fully equipped. 2
Please pray for protection as the Spree spiritual team present the theme in creative ways, giving all the opportunity to encounter God in new ways. Spree Midlands and East 7 th July 9 th July Rock UK Frontier Centre Please pray for our hosts and partners at Rock UK as they have been struggling to recruit staff which will make the delivery of a full programme of activities at Spree particularly challenging for them. Please pray that young people will be inspired by our theme of Mission and encouraged to take what they have learnt at Spree and apply it in their local communities and beyond. Please pray for the teams delivering the teaching and worship sessions, particularly in our main venue. Ask God to bless their preparation and delivery so that their sessions will be well received and encourage and challenge the young people in their faith journey. Spree South West 7 th July 9 th July Shobrooke Park, Devon Everything is under canvas at Spree SW so please pray that the weather would be fine in the days leading up to Spree and for the weekend itself. Please pray for the leaders of the five teaching/worship streams, that God would give them wisdom and discernment to pitch their programmes at the right level for the young people. Please thank God for the wonderful opportunity we have to bring the Gospel to 900+ young people, and please pray that all would move on in their faith journey as they encounter His presence at our fantastic location. Solid Festival 7 th July 9 th July Upminster, Essex Give thanks for really good bookings and plans coming together well. It s been great to see God s hand at work right from the start of planning this festival. Pray for protection and strength for the management & delivery team as they run the weekend. Pray for all those children and young people coming along. Pray that as they hear the gospel proclaimed, God s message of salvation is received in their hearts. Pray for those speaking in the venues (Phil Timpson and Red Balloon Family) for the ability to speak faithfully, communicate effectively and to be inspired by the Holy Spirit as they plan and prepare. Pray for all the practical things great weather, safety, brilliant fun on activities, for groups as they travel and set up camp, caterers as they feed their groups etc. Pray that this is a weekend where group leaders have many opportunities to build relationships and disciple their children and young people. Pray this is a weekend where life-long memories are made. July 14th 15th 16th 17th 18th 19th 20th Spree West Midlands Spree West Midlands 14 th 16 th July Evesham, Worcester For each member of the core team and the continued working partnerships between all four organisations involved (BYSP, Gloucester Diocese, Urban Saints and Worcester Diocese). 3
For the new groups joining us this year for the first time at Spree WM; including St Catherine s Gloucester, Tewkesbury Baptist and The Hothouse Aldridge. For the continued blessing and encouragement of Susanna and Phil Besley, the new site managers at Lenchwood Christian Centre, Evesham. July 21st 22nd 23rd 24th 25th 26th 27th 28th Studland Family Camps Middle Park Camp Build Family Studland Family Camps 21 st 29 th July Studland, Dorset Pray for the set-up of the site on 14 th -16 th July, for deliveries, safety, helpers and weather. Pray for a sense of family and God s presence on the site, for protection of the site, for a relaxing time for all and for opportunities to share the gospel with unchurched families. Pray for a good use of the site and facilities, our relationship with National Trust, our relationship with the farmer, and opportunities to share the gospel with passersby and locals. Pray for the pack down of the camp (26 th -28 th Aug), for safety, helpers, weather and fun! Middle Park Adventure Camp 23 rd 28 th July Welshpool, Wales There are a couple of new groups joining us this summer. Pray that they will quickly feel part of things. Pray for leaders as they work hard with their groups. Pray for those speaking each evening - that God will clearly be heard through them. Pray for great fun together in the activities programme and for good relationships and safety in all things. Pray for the new cooks team taking on camp this summer. Build Family 25 th July 6 th Aug Tijuana, Mexico Pray for safe travel and logistics. Pray for the impact on the British families as they take on this challenge together. Pray for fruit for God s Kingdom and openness to the Gospel for group participants and those we meet along the way. 4
July August 29th 30th 31st 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th Dorset Venture Studland Family Camps Wholly Wonderful Westbrook Max, Madness and Mayhem Nefyn Camps Llanddwywe Junior Camp 1 Cranfield Junior Camp Kalos Senior Camp Build Family Dorset Venture 29 th July 7 th Aug Studland, Dorset Give thanks that 75% of spaces are already filled, but pray that God would fill those remaining spaces. Give thanks for a great team, with a mix of old and new leaders. Pray that we would be godly and wise as we look after and witness to the young people attending. Pray for our training day (17 th June), that it would be an encouraging time where the team unites around the gospel and gets excited to see what God will do through us in the summer. Wholly Wonderful Westbrook 31 st July 6 th Aug Ryde, Isle of Wight Pray for more children to book on, as there is still space. Pray for the new overall leaders, Ray and Corinne, as they take over this role after the faithful leadership of Stuart and Isabel Fraser, and for wisdom about the future of the holiday. Pray for new team members, that they will settle in quickly and feel part of the team. Pray for the teaching in the evening meetings as this will, for the first time, be shared among different team members, that it would work and fit together well. Pray that those speaking would find time to prayerfully and carefully prepare. Max, Madness and Mayhem 29 th July 5 th Aug Rock UK Frontier Centre Give thanks for a great gifted team of leaders committed to M&M including 16 who are coming as 10:45ers (our young leader training programme) and for the provision of a new site at the Frontier Centre. Please pray for young lives to be transformed by faithful fun teaching of the gospel and for those preparing talks, seminars and other teaching slots. Pray for the logistics of fitting everyone in on the new site. Pray for Godly wisdom as we take care of some young people with special needs and deal with difficult behaviour and for our own godliness. 5
Nefyn Camps 29 th July 2 nd Sept Nefyn, North Wales Pray for campers to apply and fill the remaining space. Pray for the leaders we require on the camps. Pray that God will be preparing campers hearts as camp gets closer. Pray for wisdom and inspiration for speakers as they prepare for camps. Llanddwywe Junior Camps 1 st 4 th Aug and 15 th 18 th Aug Llanddwywe, Wales Give thanks for all that God has done over the last few years of camping at Llanddwywe - for those who have come to faith, for the many who have served and for lives transformed. We give thanks for the new site, and for the completed phase 1 development Pray for each of the groups who are inviting people to come to camp. Pray that they would have favourable contacts with parents. Pray for inspiration for those involved in speaking and delivering the spiritual programme on the camps - especially for Greg Leavers as he takes a lead role in this. Pray that each and every person who steps onto the site - campers, leaders, delivery drivers, setup volunteers etc. - would have an encounter with God through being there. Pray that this will be transformational in their life. Cranfield Junior Camp 30 th July 5 th Aug Chesnutt Holiday Park, Northern Ireland For the setup team at Cranfield for an intense day erecting tents and preparing the field. Pray for dry weather and energy in abundance! Continue to pray for good weather throughout the week as all activities are outdoors. Pray that relationships will build quickly between leaders and campers Pray for energy and enthusiasm for young people and leaders alike and pray the campers would be open to discussion during quiet times as they dig further into God's Word. Praise God for Cranfield camp and the life-changing experience it is to all who are there. Pray that all the young people will learn loads and have a transformational encounter at camp. Kalos Senior Camp 5 th 11 th Aug Rathmore House, Larne, Northern Ireland Give thanks for the formation of the leadership team, pray they are able to gel quickly. Pray for Reuben and Heather as they organises practicalities of camp and lead the week. Pray for any new campers hoping to come on board that they will find the transition from junior to senior camps easy. Pray for campers for whom this year is their final year, that they would make the most out of the week. Pray for wisdom in tailoring the talks to meet the campers' needs & the other activities. (please see above for Studland Family Camps and Build Family) 6
August 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th 15th 16th Purbeck Venture Dorset Venture Houseparty @ Bethany School Nefyn Camps Llanddwywe Family Camp 1 Kalos Senior Camp Llanddwywe Junior Camp 2 South East Summer Camps Purbeck Venture 7 th 15 th Aug Studland, Dorset Pray for all the young people heading to Purbeck Venture this year. Pray that they will have an awesome and safe time at the fabulous Studland site. Do pray for lasting friendships to be formed and great fun to be had trying out all sorts of activities! Pray that the Gospel message sinks deeply into the hearts of those there. Pray that each person will be challenged to take steps in their faith journey as they explore the Christian faith. Pray for Matt and Catherine Rowe and their team of leaders for strength and protection over them all before, during and after the holiday. Houseparty @ Bethany School 12 th 20 th Aug Goudhurst, Kent Pray for a warm welcome to those new to the Houseparty. Pray for the building of a good leadership team. Pray for relationships with personnel (some are new) in the school that kindly hosts us. Pray that the theme of prayer will be effective in encouraging long-term prayerfulness. Llanddwywe Family Camps 7 th 11 th Aug and 20 th Thu 24 th Aug Llanddwywe, Wales Pray for phase 2 of the site development - for provision of enough volunteer help and enough finances (around 29,000) to meet our development plan. Pray for favour with the electricity suppliers re. connection to mains and for safety. Pray for each and every person who books - that God would prepare their hearts for all that He is planning to do during their time at camp. Pray for the leaders of the two children s camps and two family camps as they plan and prepare together. Pray especially for those stepping up to new roles/responsibilities this year. Pray God s blessing on the farm as they work this land throughout the year and as they prepare for our use of these fields. South East Summer Camps 13 th 25 th Aug Dalesdown, Horsham Pray for all young people and children to encounter friendship, fun and the love of God. Pray for organisation to be smooth and for great team work! (please see above for Dorset Venture, Nefyn Camps, Kalos Senior Camp and Llanddwywe Junior Camp) 7
August 17th 18th 19th 20th 21st 22nd 23rd 24th 25th Houseparty @ Bethany School South East Summer Camps Chattabox @ Studland Nefyn Camps Voice Music Residential Llanddwywe Junior Camp 2 Llanddwywe Family Camp 2 Chattabox @ Studland 17 th 20 th Aug Studland, Dorset Please thank God for the 40 or so young people attending this year, and please pray that the leaders would help this very young age-group to feel welcomed and cared for especially those spending time away from home for the first time. Quite a few youngsters coming have potentially challenging medical or behavioural conditions, so please pray that the team would be sensitive to their needs and that nothing would stop any child from having a wonderful holiday and experiencing God s love at first hand. Please pray that the team would be able to follow up each young person (especially those unconnected to a church) appropriately after the holiday so that there would be a continuity of spiritual care. Voice Music Residential 20 th 25 th Aug Lancaster Our theme for the week is 'I Am'. Pray that everyone will grow in their faith in God and know that Jesus truly is the way, the truth and the life. Please pray that the music rehearsals go really well and that the concert is a powerful witness to who God is and what He has done for us. Pray that new core and junior team members would settle in quickly and that all team would be anointed for their work, confident in themselves and grow in their gifts. Pray for fun, friendship and for sunshine when we need it most! (please see above for Houseparty @ Bethany School, South East Summer Camps, Nefyn Camps, Llanddwywe Junior Camp and Llanddwywe Family Camp) August September 26th 27th 28th 29th 30th 31st 1st 2nd Nefyn Camps (please see above for Nefyn Camps) Thank you for your support! 8