Norwich churches join together for service

ccc rofBy Aaron Curran
 
2010: Two very different Norwich churches have come together for a joint meeting with one purpose: to share their love for God and love for God’s people.
 
Rivers of Life Ministries is largely a Congolese church which was founded in 2009 and based at City Gates Centre, Cowgate, Norwich. This venue is also home to City Church Norwich a family church that also has congregations in Great Yarmouth and Wymondham.
 
The three City Church sites regularly meet at the Sewell Park College, Norwich for their Church Together events, and on Sunday July 18, they were joined by the Rivers Of Life Church.
 
It was a jam-packed service that started with an energetic dance from the City Church Dance Team as they performed to a remix of House Of Love. This was followed by a time of praise and worship with a twist. Alongside the English worship songs led by the City Church band, were two songs sung by a member of the Rivers of Life church in a mixture of English and Swahili. The African culture coming through their worship really inspired the whole church, with the presence of God really tangibly felt by everybody.
 
After the praise and worship the opportunity was given to Pastor Didier Ngolo of Rivers Of Life to say a few words and through a translator acknowledged the meeting of the two churches as “not human doing but rather God’s work.” Before the sermon was brought, the Upendo Choir lifted the congregation with two songs in their language.
 
The sermon was brought by senior pastor of City Church Pastor Phil Thorne and was an inspirational message based on John 5, asking the question: ‘Are you ready for a miracle?’ This was also translated into Swahili for the Rivers Of Life Church. Many people responded for prayer and healing during the appeal.  The service was then ended by a song sung by the City Church band.
 
Phil said: “It was a privilege to come together in tangible unity, to worship God. Pastor Didier and I seeking to move forward together in mutual honour and respect, looking for opportunities to bless one another and cooperate for the sake of the King and His Kingdom.”
 
It was a service that demonstrated the kingdom of God. Regardless of race, background or language all Christians can stand together in agreement in one thing and that is the greatness of our God.