Reflecting on 2021 by Alex Afriyie

We began 2021 as LNC (London Network Church) with the word Shalom. Shalom meaning peace, well-being and wholeness. It has been a whirlwind of a year with various reports of Covid, the ups and downs of restrictions, lock-downs, political turmoil, conspiracies and mistrust of those in power. 

This has affected people’s mental health, finances, family gatherings and general well-being. One of the positive things we have seen is a great increase in the amount of people seeking God and coming to Christ. We need to have our anchor somewhere and natural things are seeming to be less and less stable. 

Many have wanted to gather together and when we have been allowed to, real deep fellowship has been appreciated. We’ve worshipped together, eat together, had BBQs and biblical feasts. We’ve seen marriages this year and rejoiced in the birth of new babies. 

Despite the pressures we continued with livestream and in person services and it has caused many people to deepen their relationship with God and each other. We thank God we were able to minister to people online through our well-being shalom clinic. It was great to be able to be there to listen and pray with people as they shared their concerns. 

It’s also been great to see the increase in people coming to faith, getting baptised and joining life groups this year. We have especially seen an increase in the 20 to 35 age group this year in our church. 

As we enter 2022, let’s continue to put our faith in Jesus, the rock who never fails us. As an old chorus says, ‘Though the winds may blow and the rains may fall, He will never let go of your hand!’ 

‘…That they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified (for the display of His splendour NIV). (Isaiah 61: 3 AMPC)

Living the Kingdom Life in 2020

As we have sought the Lord together in LNC we have felt that this New Year will be one of living the kingdom life together. To live the kingdom life means to live out king Jesus’ life in our everyday lives and to be persistent with that. It means arising and shining for our light has come and recognising that the glory of the Lord has risen upon us (Isaiah 60: 1).

To live in the benefit of this we have to first realise that as New Covenant believers our light has come. This light (owr in Hebrew) is illumination, and symbolises salvation, prosperity, wisdom and justice. Jesus said, ‘I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life’ (John 8: 12). With all the confusion today personally, morally, emotionally, politically, relationally and financially, we are given light in the darkness so we can clearly see the way and show the way.

John Piper said, ‘in the light of Christ, is the brightness of God shining on the retina of the human soul’. We can see clearly now the light has come (pun intended).  Jesus explained it this way, ‘You are the light of the world’ (John 5: 14). So, people can recognise God through the light and glory (Kabod in Hebrew) on us. This glory is weighty, honourable, majestic, esteeming and a manifestation of God’s nature. It totally contradicts and overcomes the fear, division and despair we see in our world currently.

2019 was a year of great harvest for us in LNC and in London as a whole, where we saw over 1144 people respond to the gospel through the Turnings street evangelism and give their names and details in to be followed up. We saw unity in churches working together. We also saw many new ones coming into our congregation. We were surprised as we experienced the harvest and learnt to move in our authority and gained confidence in the power of the gospel (Matthew 28: 18 – 20 & Romans 1: 16).

So we believe arising this year for LNC will involve being faithful to disciple the new believers God is bringing in, being ready to rise into leadership, being ready to intentionally spend time praying together regularly, and being ready to take our mountain of influence for Christ, whether that is in family life, church, work, business, community work, education, media or arts and entertainment. Therefore, we need to be ready to support each other in doing this.

Will you be found living the Kingdom Life together with others this year? Will you arise in the areas that God has called you to?

‘…..who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns.’ (Luke 12: 42 – 43)

Pastor Alex Afriyie