It’s exciting that Food for Thought Sunday and Hope Explored are coming up. (Notwithstanding from our Vision series you are, humanly speaking, your neighbours best hope!) As Hope Explored is new this year to SCPC, I thought it could be helpful to interview our ministry apprentice Steve Tilley who, with Matt C, is heading up Hope Explored in 2024.
SP: Hope Explored is coming up. How are you feeling about it?
ST: Excited. It’s crazy how quickly it’s come up. Matt and I have been preparing for the last couple of weeks so we’re ready to go!
SP: For those who don’t know, what is Hope Explored?
ST: It’s a 3-week program that offers a great opportunity to start to explore and engage with what the Bible says about hope, peace, and purpose. We kick off this Tuesday at Park Ave.
SP: Sounds good, what will your typical session look like?
ST: Some lovely ladies from our church family will provide dinner from 6:30pm, then everyone will sit at tables of up to 5 people. At 7:00pm, we will have a quick ice breaker question to start, then a series of videos and discussion questions. We’ll wrap up at 8:30pm, but people are welcome to chat after.
SP: Discussions can be a bit confronting. What’s expected from participants?
ST: Almost nothing. They can come to all three sessions or just one. They can have lively discussion or sit and listen. We are there to facilitate their exploration, so no expectations, just opportunities.
SP: Who are you hoping will come?
ST: Anyone who’s keen to start exploring what God’s word says about major life topics. Also, anyone who invites someone is welcome to support their friend and facilitate their exploration.
SP: What if I don’t have a friend?
ST: Prayer! We would love the church to be very deliberate in prayer, especially on the nights the session is running – saturated in prayer if you will. If the Lord brings a huge inundation, then we may also call on some of the church family to help facilitate the explorers.
Thanks Steve. Please be praying for Hope Explored. It’s not too late to register. We have an incredible God don’t we!?! The one who brings satisfaction, joy and contentment. What a hope we have:
Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous deeds among all peoples. Psalm 96:1-3 NIV
SP
