With new friends joining my little Facebook friends group daily, it’s time for Januarys latest diary updates.

But whilst informing you of visits already booked…

Would the Church you attend like Ishmael to visit them and do a real ‘all age praise party’ where everyone can have fun as they learn more about Jesus and the Bible through Ish’s simple songs?

Or would the Church you attend like Ish to do a REAL all age Sunday service when young and old can stay together for a full 75 minutes and all enjoy worshipping and learning together as one big family?

Or maybe the Church you attend would prefer for Ish to do his ‘big celebration concert’ where he tells how he became a Christian and also shares a bit about his exciting 50 years of ministry whilst interspersing the stories with lots and lots of the favourite songs that he has written over the years?

Or maybe, sadly, the Church you attend has a lot of people who are going through really difficult times where his ‘when the road is rough and steep’ seminar / concert may be more appropriate where he talks and sings about his time facing cancer and trying to deal with bereavement?

Might any of the above add a little sparkle and add a little something that might bless the Church that you attend this coming year?

If the answer is a definite no thanks…hey, Ish will quite understand!

But if the answer is yes or maybe, please messenger Ish or drop him an e mail at ishmael@ishmael.org.uk and he will give you more info about any of the above.

The only dates he can’t be with you…are the ones listed below!

Jan 11th Chichester training day / 12th Swindon / 19th Portsmouth / 26th Barnehurst
Feb 1st-2nd Lincoln / 9th Chichester Cathedral / 15th Newport / 16th South Wales
March 7th Wincanton
April 8th Spring Harvest Minehead
May 16th-17th Guernsey / 23rd Forest of Dean / 29th-June 5th Relaxing break.
June 13th-14th Birchington / 21st Chiddingfold / 27th-28th Lymm
July 5th Foots Cray

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Although it’s always a thrill to be invited to new places and make new friends, it is almost a greater thrill to be invited back somewhere for a return visit.
I think whatever Christian ministry you have, when you visit a place to minister then never hear from the Church again, the human side of you thinks…did I blow it? Did I do / say something wrong? Did those I ministered too really not like me, because I thought we got on so well.
Of course it was (hopefully) none of those and we are just being over sensitive but in Scripture even the Apostle Paul seemed to enjoy an on going relationship with the Churches he visited not just a one off hit.
Why am I saying this?Well I’m thrilled to announce that the booking I was asking you to help me to find when I revisit South Wales on February 15th has been kindly taken up by a Church I visited on February 9th earlier this year, Lliswerry Baptist Church in Newport. I will be doing an all age praise party concert with them. More details to follow.
Of course I am really looking forward to doing the praise party but believe it or not I’m even more looking forward to catching up with my Lliswerry friends that I made earlier this year.
So anymore revisits to renew friendships made, are always welcomed!

So here they are at last! The 4 main events that I will be offering organisers / Church leaders up and down the country throughout 2020

1) Sunday All Age Service
Ish’s ‘rather special’ all age service will include a Bible reading, prayers, a short Bible talk with a challenge, and of course, a lot of singing and learning Scripture together. The service will last approx 75 minutes and will obviously be fairly informal, light hearted and fun so as to include any younger ones present. It is a service that most adults and children will enjoy because there will be no long sermons, no long prayer times, and no worship songs will be repeated more than twice!But I promise you, the presence of the Lord will be with us…even if this service may be a little livelier than some are used to!

2) The All Age Praise Party Concert
A great fun concert that is aimed at ALL ages. Nearly all the songs will require audience participation, mostly singing, but some songs will require a few actions where I will encourage the children and any ‘lively’ adults to get involved. Lot’s of Scripture learning songs, very little chat but maybe (if appropriate) a short Bible story. Amid all the craziness, of course the Christian message will gently come across loud and clear.This Praise Party concert will last approx 75 minutes.

3) Ish’s Big Celebration Concert
Do join me as I thank God for allowing me over 50 years of travelling on the road and over 70 years of living on the earth! In between the songs I will be sharing a bit of my life story, of how and why I became a Christian, how I changed from punk to Glories and how I faced chemo and found a Cathedral etc! Full of fun, packed with sing-a-long songs and just a gentle bit of challenge!This concert is suitable for both adults and older children and will last approx 90 minutes..

4) When the road is rough and steep seminar / concert
A very honest musical testimony concert where I share some of my most difficult times over the past few years having had to face both cancer and family bereavement. Although understandably serious at times, there will still be plenty of smiles throughout keeping the concert easy listening and positive. A concert that will hopefully encourage any who have been through, or are going through difficult times themselves.I will be happy to pray with any who require prayer afterwards. This concert is suitable mainly for adults and will last approx 75-90 minutes

Need more info on any of these? Please messenger me or e mail ishmael@ishmael.org.uk

As mentioned earlier, I’m just revising what I’ll be offering Churches as I tour during 2020 but whilst doing so I glanced at the new year diary and realised that nearly all the bookings so far in Jan / Feb are for Sunday All Age Celebrations.
An idea came to mind and I just wondered if any Churches fairly local to where I’ll be going to be on the Sunday, fancied starting the new year with a fun All Age Ish 75 minute Praise Party on the Saturday beforehand, mainly for your local Church and their guests. Maybe even having a Church tea party before the Praise Party!What a great way to start the year, and I would provide all the sound equipment if needed.
Large numbers would not be expected and It wouldn’t take hardly any organisation, just shouting about and advertising in your notices and would only cost £100 towards expenses, plus an offering at the actual Praise Party.
So…. I would be available to do a Praise Party near Portsmouth on Saturday January 18th.
A Praise Party near Bexleyheath on Saturday January 25th.
A Praise Party near Newport, South Wales on Saturday February 15th
What a way for all of the Church family to begin the new year…and I promise you, it will be suitable for both adults and all ages of children.
If interested please messenger me or e mail me at ishmael@ishmael.org.uk