An important message from City Prayer Leader, David Gilbey

Hello everyone, trust that you are continuing to navigate the ‘strange times’ that we find ourselves living in and are finding strength, peace and purpose in The Lord.

In September I sent a circulation to those on our mailing list. It had the following written in the first couple of lines:

He [God] has I believe given us a time to pause, breathe and prepare for what He will reveal in due time for His Church here – get ready for [really] different! All is in God’s perfect ‘Kairos’ timing.

I am pleased to say that I believe that one significant step for City Prayer has now been revealed and it starts with a personal announcement about a new role that I have moved into. This will affect everything that I am presently involved in and things are likely to look very different and will greatly affect the ongoing ministry of City Prayer.

The Rooftop – Joining Jesus in His Mission

Some of you will already be aware of my journey and growing relationship with the expanding global movement known as The Rooftop.

I am excited to tell you that with immediate effect, I have accepted an invitation to serve as The Rooftop UK Pioneer.

A focus point for City Prayer will now shift to supporting The Rooftop here in the UK and myself as Chelmsford based UK Pioneer, as its message to join Jesus in His Mission, goes to the nation.

I will also simply say that there is a second specific new focus for City Prayer presently under consideration and subject of discussions.

The existing role for City Prayer, that encourages the Christians of the City to pray in unity will continue, including at the moment our twice a week 30 minutes of Zoom prayer, which has a focus on the coronavirus situation – see the last part of this newsletter for details how to join in.

I have prepared a document which will tell you more about The Rooftop and for context, some personal background as to how I find myself now in this role:

click here to view/download the document as a pdf

A summary also follows:

The Rooftop – a brief overview

Founded in 2014 by Essex man, Rev. Dennis Pethers, from small beginnings, it now has a rapidly expanding representation in thirty plus countries around the globe.

Carries a passion to see a vast number of Christians and churches be proactive in sharing their faith, joining Jesus in His Mission.

Based on the moment in scripture where Peter went to a rooftop to pray, he received from The Holy Spirit a fresh vision of God’s heart for the lost, which allowed the Good News to spread to the Gentiles. (Acts 10). Many Believers today also need such an encounter, leading to their own paradigm shift in thinking and vision.

Groups of Christians have their own Rooftop Encounter. If possible on a roof top or high place over their city, town, or region. Together, they take part in a guided time of prayer, listening to God and with opportunity for an encounter with The Holy Spirit. Many leave with a new commitment to relationship and unity in The Spirit to join Jesus in His mission to the lost.

National Pioneers are commissioned in each country and develop relationship and partnership with individual churches, local, regional or national Christian organisations, streams and denominations. In turn, these are encouraged to become Partners and ambassadors for The Rooftop where they are.

Chelmsford to The World – October 2022

The current rallying call of The Rooftop, is The Rooftop Global Encounter which will take place in just under two years time, on 2nd October 2022. Through Partnerships, it is envisaged that potentially thousands of Rooftop Encounters will all take place on one day across the world.

The Global Encounter will be launched our City – Chelmsford, ‘The Birthplace of Radio’. In 1920, through the pioneering work of Marconi, the first ever transatlantic commercial radio broadcast was made from Chelmsford. The Rooftop strongly believes that through this amazing legacy and this time utilising modern media and TV/video broadcast technology, Chelmsford has been once again positioned by The Lord to be a most strategic place of global transmission, but this time for the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

My role and a new role for City Prayer to support The Rooftop

My immediate task is to share and offer understanding of the Vision of The Rooftop to my friends and existing contacts (in this case yourselves!). Gradually this will expand to others in local, regional and national contexts who already share The Lord’s heart to see the UK turn to Jesus. My experience over many years now is that God has an amazing way of opening doors to meet just the right people at just the right time..

The City Prayer website will be updated soon to reflect the new Partnership with The Rooftop and more will be circulated soon as to how you can specifically pray and support as things develop. Very exciting times ahead and it would be wonderful if you can continue and support the journey.

Blessings to you all.
David Gilbey
Leader, City Prayer