AUTUMN-WINTER 2013
“My dad killed
my mum - I
forgave him!”
Celtic star
Emilio Izaguirre
Business
Tycoon
Brian Souter &
Hollywood Star
Sylvester
Stallone
Stories of
ordinary
lives being
transformed
by an
extraordinary
encounter!
Julie and Lynn. Lynn was 14 For the years that followed,
as is often the way, Lynn
and Julie was 8 years of age.
internalised her thoughts and
Paul was taken away to emotions.
Saughton Prison Edinburgh,
leaving the girls as homeless With no offer at that time of
counselling, she just had to
orphans.
get on with it. Often she would
The children were placed in feel numb, disconnected or
foster care, and on the following confused, hoping that it was
Saturday, just one week later, all a bad dream and that she
The horrendous carnage was were taken in by their uncles would soon wake up. Everyone
around her hated her dad, yet
witnessed by his two daughters and moved back to Glasgow.
she felt that she still loved himLynn said, “In just a few days after all, he was still her dad. To
we lost our parents, our home, love what everyone else hated
our friends, our school, and only made it worse; she felt
‘no strings attached’ everything that we knew, mum guilty for such thoughts and
was dead and our dad was a emotions.
murderer”.
Then she blamed herself for
Who could have believed that the murder. Had she caused it?
in one day - your destiny would What if she had stepped in and
be
dramatically
changed taken some of the stabbings?
forever?
It was just like any other
Sunday night in Aberdeen, but
in one moment, everything
changed for 33 year old
Glasgow man Paul Harris. In
a fit of rage, he murdered his
wife by stabbing her to death.
This was a sudden end to a 15
year marriage. Irene Harris was
only 33, and a mother of two.
Have you nowhere to turn?
Ask an Angel for Help
ANGELS 0333 9000 909
Destiny Angels Hopeline is a Destiny Church Initiative Scottish Charity Number SC017898
2
ENCOUNTER
AUTUMN-WINTER 2013
Ex addict helps others
get their life back
“The whole drug thing
seemed pretty exciting.
It was just as the rave
culture had started and
I
began
smoking
cannabis, but shortly I
was experimenting with
more, including ecstasy,
acid, speed and cocaine.
Alistair McPhee, 42,
was brought up in
Pollokshields in Glasgow
with a loving family and
had lots of aspirations
for the future, until one
summer he experimented
with drugs and his life
went in a downward
spiral.
Soon I was getting
arrested and a darker side
of drugs appeared along
with gangs, violence and
crime”.
He began using heroin
and quickly became an
addict. Relationships
began to suffer and personally and spoke
friends and family fell right into his situation.
away from him.
“I started to search for
“Doctors, police, prison the truth about God and
and sickness were all I then I met someone
knew and I just wanted who invited me along to
to die. I tried every Destiny Church. I found it
possible way to stop all very strange but I was
using but slipped every sure I would find what I
time. I felt hopeless and was looking for there.
a failure in life”.
I responded to prayer
Sitting in a friend’s house and weeks later I came
one day, he noticed a off prescription drugs,
Bible and felt an urge methadone, and Valium.
to open it. Reading the I gave up cocaine and
words, he felt as if they heroin without the usual
were written for him
side effects”.
Louise Andrew, a 22 yr old nursery nurse
from Bridge of Weir, loves life and has the
world at her feet. But that wasn’t always
the case.
and romantic relationships would solve
my problems, but nothing worked. I
just felt false”. This downward spiral left
Louise feeling more isolated than ever.
She became so depressed that she
Every day of her teenage years, she considered ending her life several times,
experienced violent threats, physical, and even attempted suicide to numb the
and verbal abuse from her schoolmates. pain.
Louise describes one of the incidents:
“One day at school, I was forced into a
corner, my clothes were ripped and my
hair was pulled, my belongings were
thrown on the ground, and I had to crawl
on the floor to collect my things as I was
called names by everyone around me. I
felt invisible…and less than human”.
The abuse got so bad that Louise often
hid in the school toilets to eat her lunch,
full of fear that her tormentors would
track her down.
She had hit rock bottom when, one day,
she somehow found herself at the door of
Destiny Church instead of out Christmas
shopping as she had planned.
Trying everything to win approval from
her peers, she began dressing to fit
in, smoking, drinking, and forming
destructive relationships. She says: “I
felt so angry inside. I thought alcohol
That one prayer changed her life forever.
Once inside, she heard of a God who
loves and accepts each and every person
for who they are. When someone offered
to pray with her, she couldn’t refuse. In
that moment, she experienced a real and
loving God. She felt genuine hope for the
first time.
Louise is now living life to the full and
enjoying every moment. She shares how
her outlook has changed: “I finally feel
Since then, Alistair has
found peace in his heart
and has finally met the
aspirations he set out
to achieve, gaining a
HND in Accounting and
a COSCA Counseling
Skills certificate. He also
helps out with Destiny
Angels,
a
church
initiative helping those
in similar situations.
“I have been given a new
life through God and in
the church”.
that I belong. I love myself for who I really
am, and have found life-long friends who
do the same. I’m comfortable in my own
skin, and, most importantly, I know God
loves me”.
AUTUMN-WINTER 2009
ENCOUNTER
3
Sir Brian Souter needs
no introduction to the
business community in
Scotland. He is the cofounder of Stagecoach,
a multi-billion pound
business,
employing
more
than
35,000
people. Once described
by Richard Branson as
a “maverick like me”, Sir
Brian's interests include
Sun Seeker yachts,
gocompare.com,Virgin
trains and much more.
Modern Day Supernatural
Experiences?
These days it’s not
uncommon to hear
stories of supernatural
encounters.
Have you ever had one?
People claim to have been
healed through prayer,
directed by voices or witnessed unusual events.
Many believe in angels, demons, ghosts and ghouls,
witches and worse!
11-year-old Aidan Witty says when he had one such
encounter he felt special and loved – not frightened
or spooked.
“ I was playing with a friend when I saw two glowing
figures. I couldn’t understand why no one else
could see them; although I did feel special being the
only one. My mum and dad said they sounded like
angels”.
This wasn’t Aidan’s first angelic encounter either:
“One night I saw the shadow of an angel on my
bedroom wall but when I looked back it was gone”.
Have you had a supernatural encounter? Tell us
here: [email protected]
His private investment
arm, Souter Investments,
has grown beyond £400
million in 5 years. Sir
Brian is a man who
seems most at ease
when not taking himself
too seriously. Recently
at Destiny Church he
told of how he was
once introduced as the
creme de la creme of
the business world. He
was encouraged with
this until he checked
out the meaning of this
phrase - finding it meant
thick and rich! So what
would a man who can
buy anything want? He
went on to tell a room full
of business people that all
he wanted was a blue jug.
In recent years his
mother passed away,
and on disposing of
AUTUMN-WINTER 2013
her possessions, all he
wanted was her blue
jug. This item, he said,
had the most profound
impact on him. Growing
up as a child with little,
he would often watch his
mother, motivated by her
Christian faith, fill the blue
jug with soup to feed the
hungry in their streets
before sitting down to
feed her own family.
Since then, the Souter
Trust has given away
more than £20 million to
good causes - a sizeable
sum
by
anyone's
standards.
His philosophy on life
is summed up by a
modern parable he
tells: “All of us, given
the opportunity, would
visit three rooms in life.
The first being material
possessions. We want
things. But eventually it
may be possible to buy
anything - what would
you then want? You can
only live in one house,
drive one car, and own
so many things. The
second room, he says,
you would then visit is
power! You want power,
buying up controlling
interests
in
other
companies, or even
entering politics. But
eventually, the second
room will leave you as
empty as the first. The
third room to visit would
be immortality. The rich
and famous eventually
realise that you can take
nothing with you - and
it's a fearful thought to
think you passed through
this world unnoticed,
making no difference. So
libraries, hospital wings
or other institutions start
carrying your name as
an immortal memory.
Showing you were here did live - and left a mark.
This last room is the first
one Jesus offers: eternal
life. It's available to all
and any, the young, the
old, the rich and the
poor. What about you?
Which room are you in?”
4
ENCOUNTER
Would mum be still alive
- would it have all turned
out differently?
Burying the pain deeper
still, Lynn got on with life
as best she could, trying
to be sincerely grateful
for those around her
who had shown such
love and care.
The adult Lynn self
harmed,
struggled
with
self
esteem,
and did anything to
gain acceptance and
approval, only to then
push away the very same
people who showed her
any interest or concern.
It’s natural, it seems,
to lash out and reject
before you get rejected.
The old saying is true hurt people hurt people!
In the same vein, Paul
Harris’s plea was based
on his rejection that
he had experienced.
He was convicted of
culpable homicide on the
grounds of diminished
responsibility; a crime
of passion due to the
abuse he received as a
child.
Lynn said, “ I muddled
my way through life,
picking
up
other
identities, not knowing
who I was, but none
of these changed the
pain inside, so out of
desperation, one day I
prayed”.
Lynn had been attending
Al Anon, the organisation
set up to help families
struggling with family
members addicted to
alcohol. Here, just like
at AA meetings, she
kept hearing references
to ‘a higher power’, and
noted in particular the
second step of the 12
steps programme - if
you came to believe in
this power greater than
yourself, it will lead you
to sanity.
when he killed her, but
Jesus was also 33 yrs
old when he chose
to die in our place.
Overwhelmed by such
an act of love, it was not
long before Lynn also
had a God encounter, a
very real and life giving
experience. From that
moment, life took on a
new dimension.
Lynn’s curiosity was
aroused. “Who is this
higher power?”, she
asked. Driven on by
need, Lynn’s search
continued, until one day
a chance meeting with
a Christian gave her
the answers she was
looking for. This higher
power, she learned,
was God the Father,
who sent his Son Jesus
to die on a cross for
her. This same Jesus
rose from the dead 3
days later, and is in the
business of saving and
changing lives today deeply changing lives,
from the inside out.
Lynn’s life changed,
healing
began
and
that process continues
today. Yet the most
remarkable part was still
to come.
Having not seen her
dad for many years, she
found herself praying for
him - and desperately
desiring to meet him.
Last
year,
through
social media sites, Lynn
came face to face with
convicted murderer Paul
Harris - her dad. Now
released from prison,
and sick with cancer,
they
reconnected.
“When I met my dad
again,” said Lynn, “all
Lynn’s mum was 33 yrs he could say was, ‘I’m
old when she met an sorry’”. He was full of
untimely death, Lynn’s remorse, wishing he
could have been a
dad was 33 yrs old
AUTUMN-WINTER 2013
better
father
and
husband. He hadn’t
lived a single day without
regret. Everyday he had
been thinking about
us. He felt so ashamed
and a million miles from
deserving any kind of
forgiveness. Lynn was
able to tell Paul what had
been told to her - there is a
God who loves you - and
forgives the unforgivable.
If this were not the case
- not one person on
earth could possibly be
accepted, since we are
truly all as guilty as each
other. Lynn was able
to point out to her dad
that we all require God’s
forgiveness, not primarily
for what we do - but for
what we are! Pain - sin
and negative behaviour beside him - reconciled.
is but a consequence of Today, Lynn is an active
part of Destiny Church
this fact.
where she spearheads
outreach
called
In a moment of prayer an
and reunion, Paul Harris Lifeline, helping all kinds
asked God to forgive of vulnerable women.
him and then invited this She has found her
God to live in his life. destiny, turning her pain
He wanted the same to someone else’s gain.
transformation he had Encouraged by her own
answers to prayer, Lynn
seen in his daughter.
is the first to share Not long afterwards, God hears you too - just
expect those answers.
Paul died with Lynn
AUTUMN-WINTER 2009
ENCOUNTER
Christmas at
Destiny
5
AUTUMN-WINTER 2013
It should be the happiest time of the year.
For some it’s more sadness than joy at Christmas.
This year we will help over 800 families enjoy some festive cheer
by giving away festive food hampers. Do you need our help?
Call the Hopeline today. Don’t be alone Christmas Day. We are
having lunch together and you are welcome to join us – just let
us know via the Hopeline.
Join us at one of these other Special Christmas Celebrations:
Sunday 22nd December: all meetings as normal
Tuesday 24th December: 11:30pm Watchnight Service.
Destiny Southside.
Wednesday 25th December: 11am. Christmas Day Service.
(Kids, bring a toy with you!) Destiny Southside
Sunday 29th December: Check web for details
Tuesday 31st December: 11:30pm Hogmanay Thanksgiving
celebration. Destiny Southside
Sunday 5th January: All meetings as normal.
www.destiny-church.com
Professor discovers At home in a new country
truth beyond science
Wendy Onabule, 47, is a hard working single parent who now
lives in Glasgow’s Southside.
Professor Joachim Gross, 46, of Glasgow University has 20
years field experience in the area of brain research.
Joachim has always had an interest in Physics, the study
of the universe and the laws that keep it all together. This
interest was born from a need to understand everything
around him, from the smallest details to the biggest
questions.
“Throughout my life, ‘finding the truth’ has probably been
the most important and recurrent theme in my career as a
scientist. Although science was enjoyable and rewarding,
it could not help me find the truth I was looking for. The
truth of the meaning of life, and answers to questions such
as ‘Why am I here?’”
After searching, Joachim devoted his life to following Jesus
Christ when he was a teenager and describes it as an
encounter with a real God rather than an intellectual process.
“I saw something attractive in my Christian friends and
families’ lives that I now realize is being grounded in the
truth of who Jesus is”.
“The biblical truth differs from the scientific truth, as it is not
a mathematical equation or theory that has to be discovered
and understood. It is a relationship to Jesus and knowing
that He has the answers to the questions and issues we
face as humans that matters most”.
Professor Gross is married to Bettina and they live in
Bearsden with their two children, Juliette and Bennett.
Born and raised in Nigeria, Wendy was a devout Muslim, faithfully
following the teachings of Islam, a faith she has much respect
for. Wendy says:
“I appreciated my beliefs and the community so much. I always
gladly prayed five times a day although I was unsure about the
true purpose of my faith”.
Wendy raised her children to follow Islam as well but did give
her oldest daughter permission to go to church when a teacher
invited her.
Even when Wendy’s family moved to the UK, her daughter still
insisted in pursuing her new found faith. One day Wendy went
to church with her.
“At first I only attended to look after my children but as I started
to listen, the messages began to make sense and I felt at home
in the church. I always felt calm and better after the meeting”.
“As a single mum I was worried I wouldn’t feel welcome but the
people made us all feel involved immediately”.
“The more I came to church and listened, the more I started to
believe and understand. I realised for years I had been pursuing
a faith I knew hardly anything about simply because I was told it
was the right thing to do.
Now I have trusted my life to God and it has been the best
decision of my life”.
6
ENCOUNTER
AUTUMN-WINTER 2013
Are you a deep thinker?
One God, 3 distinct persons - how do you get your head around good news. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy
Spirit are totally committed to a redemptive plan.
that - and why does it matter?
The apostle Paul (writer of most of the New Testament) is quite
emphatic on this point. He introduces his famous letter to the
Romans claiming he was called to serve the gospel of God, and
then goes on to speak of the Father, the Son and the Spirit.
Various people have tried to explain this by using different
analogies, such as water: it can exist as steam, water or ice but it’s all H2O. God is God in substance called deity, identified
by being-all knowing-all present and all-powerful. By definition,
this is GOD.
Other people, even of the Christian faith, have chosen by
upbringing or default, to instead focus on one person of the
godhead.
Traditional churchgoers may speak of God the Father - with no
mention of Jesus the Son, or any knowledge of the Holy Spirit.
Evangelical Christians will often focus only on Jesus, with no real
mention of God the Father, and may ignore or reduce in importance
the Holy Spirit, whilst charismatic Christians love to talk and teach
mostly about the Holy Spirit. On one thing they all agree, however
- God, it seems, is knowable, relational and present.
We learn from the Bible that God the Father is good, and not at
all like the austere perfectionist headmaster that some would
have Him be: difficult to please due to his holy and impossible to
keep standards. However, the Bible leaves us with no doubt that
God is both holy and loving. He saw our predicament of a failed
life and a fallen nature. No matter how hard we try, life it seems
always gets the better of us. Many live with the voice ringing in
their heads: ‘Must try harder, can do better’.
Consequently, because God the Father is love, He sent into
the world the most precious thing he had - His Son. The most
famous verse in the Bible is probably, “For God so loved the
world he sent his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes
in Him will not perish but have eternal life”. This is indeed good
news. God loves us and commissioned a rescue plan. Jesus,
who is also God, existing before the first Christmas, agreed to
this plan and willingly came to this world to walk with us, and
eventually suffered terribly and died for us on a cross, taking
upon himself both the sin and judgement we deserve. In Paul’s
day, the Greeks had a big problem with this, asking, “How could
God die?” Even Islam is troubled with this, choosing instead to
believe that at the last moment Jesus went back into heaven,
leaving a disciple to die in His place.
The truth, however, is so profound and yet so beautiful. It sums
up what the Bible means when it speaks of the Gospel - or (Continued on page 7)
Lisa Finnen: “Drinking tore my
family apart-but I found hope!”
drinking led to such
severe abuse that Lisa’s
mother, Liz, Lisa, and
her siblings had to flee
their house when Lisa
was only 7, keeping
the location of their
new house a secret to
prevent Steven from
finding them.
16-year-old Lisa Finnen
has experienced more
trauma in her young
life than many have
experienced in a lifetime.
From 5 years old, Lisa
watched
her
dad,
Steven, fall into a
deep, dark depression,
drinking heavily to cope
with the death of his
sister and then his baby
twin boys. Steven’s
Steven
found
out
where they lived, and
things seemed to get
better for a while. The
drinking stopped, and
Lisa started to hope for
what she had always
dreamed of—a normal
family. But the old
patterns emerged, and
the situation got even
worse.
Lisa tells of the moment
she knew things were
at an all-time low: “I
was walking home from
school one day when I
saw my mum and knew
something was wrong.
She was bruised all over,
and I rushed over to her,
worried and scared. My
dad found her when
he had been drinking,
and ended up almost
throwing her over the
balcony of our house”.
Fed up with her family life,
lying to her school friends
about what was going on
at home, and “crumbling”
on the inside, Lisa turned
to alcohol. “When things
got tough and I felt
alone, I saw drinking as a
solution—a way out”, she
says. Even though her
friends warned her that
she was following in her
dad’s footsteps, and the
amount she was drinking
“scared both her and all
her friends”, she couldn’t
seem to stop.
Out one night, Lisa saw
a group of teenagers
having fun outside a
building in Shawlands.
She wanted to join in and
came back the next week
to find out this group
was GNR8, the youth
group at Destiny Church.
She started going along
and what began as just
fun with friends ended
up transforming Lisa’s
life. As she got to know
people at GNR8, she
started opening up
and trusting them—
something she had
never done before. She
met new friends and they
told her about a God
who could be trusted
and who wanted to have
a relationship with her.
And at 13 years old, she
decided to take the step
to get to know Him for
herself.
Since that day, she has
never looked back. She
says: “I used to drink to
escape my problems, but
that never fixed anything.
Now I have a relationship
with God, someone I can
always rely on during the
good and the bad times.
I don’t need to drink
anymore because I know
I am never alone”.
The happy, fun-loving,
16-year-old Lisa that
you see today, who
faces challenges head
on, is a long way from
her terrified and lonely
7-year-old self. And she
is so grateful for that.
AUTUMN-WINTER 2009
7
ENCOUNTER
AUTUMN-WINTER 2013
Never Give Up!
Nine year old Celia looks the picture of severe headaches, tiredness, slurred
good health. But four years ago things speech and was vomiting all the time.
were very different.
In October 2010, the family rallied
At age five, Celia’s parents noticed friends to pray once again.
changes in her ability to move fast,
think like the bright girl she was, and The local church was praying and
in her mobility.
friends all over the world were doing
the same.
Celia was diagnosed as having a very
aggressive brain tumour. The outlook A miracle was on its way.
was not good.
Viv recalls, “One morning during this
Mum Viv says, “She underwent time of intense praying Celia simply
six surgeries, four courses of got up out of bed and asked if we
chemotherapy and six weeks of could go to the park!”
radiation. The treatment had taken a
year to complete and sadly, the tumour The family have never looked back.
had grown back. Doctors gave Celia a Celia is now a big sister to two little
life expectancy of just three months. brothers. Her mum gets the last word.
We were devastated”.
“She is a beautiful, healthy, intelligent,
All the while, her health was worse fun little girl. We thank God for healing
than ever. Celia suffered constant our daughter”.
Before
After
Andrew Owen, Author
Continued from page 6
But the claim is clear, and the witness of millions
substantive: it was Jesus - the divine Son of God
- that did die on the cross in our place. In fact, it
had to be Him, since only His perfect, sinless life
would suffice. All other men are guilty as charged,
and should face their own judgement. This shows
clearly, that unlike some liberal thought, this act
by Jesus was not only a supreme example of
one laying down his life for others - but a vibrant,
necessary substitute for a lost humanity. It’s
claimed this same Jesus rose from the dead, is
living today and personally interacting with people
as Saviour and Lord.
This is also good news. Further, Jesus told us
(in John 17:3) that His primary purpose was to
reconnect us with the Father. Real life is found by
re-establishing this relationship, made possible
only by faith in the Son. What’s your relationship
like with the Father? (A very important question in
a fatherless generation).
But we are not finished yet. Once more we must
compare and contrast with a misconception.
Becoming a Christian is not even accepting the
above, but then thinking I must now follow Jesus
as my example, trying my hardest to be like Him.
As noble as this sentiment is-do you really think
you can be like Jesus? Do you really think you can
follow His example? It is as impossible as keeping
the 10 commandments. Instead-here is the secret
of the Christian life: Christ Himself lives in us by the
Holy Spirit. Don’t live for God - let God live in you!
GNR8 - Glasgow Needs Rebels
Definition of a rebel: A true rebel stands up for what
they believe is right, not against what’s right.
Fridays 6:30pm Destiny Southside
For 12-17 yr olds
Saturdays 6:30pm Destiny City
You see, God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all
involved with this rescue plan. God has done it all!
Religion - all kinds - will tell you that you must try
harder-you can do better. The gospel of God says
there is nothing you can do or need do - just believe.
Once this change starts on the inside, it’s not long
before you’re changed on the outside. Politicians
try to change human conditions, but only God can
change human nature. Isn’t it worth a deeper look?
ENCOUNTER
8
AUTUMN-WINTER 2013
AUTUMN-WINTER 2009
ENCOUNTER
9
AUTUMN-WINTER 2013
“Nowhere to turn? Ask an angel for help”
WHAT IS YOUR HOPE FOR THE HOPELINE?
no strings attached. It was this strapline
“We believe many people simply do not know where to turn
for advice and support that became “Destiny sometimes.The Hopeline will be there for them regardless of
their situation, beliefs or status. Our dream is to see it ultimately
Angels” in 2007.
become a UK wide Hopeline”.
Destiny Angels is part of Destiny Foundation, which is the
social action part of Destiny Church and provides support
for people in poverty as well as helping provide a Christian
approach to recovery, supporting people who have faced
trauma and life controlling issues.
How will it work with the existing
operation Destiny Angels?
David Thomson, Director of Destiny Foundation says, “Our
experience as a team has clearly identified that there are many
more people to help. We want to make it as easy as possible
for them to get the help they need and our newest project is
Destiny Hopeline, a person at the end of a phone to offer a
listening ear, prayer and support for those needing help; it will
be the first 24/7 Christian telephone support line in the UK”.
One trainee volunteer said she heard about the Hopeline during
a visionary meeting and felt she could help. She says:
We spoke to David Thomson to find out more about the
Hopeline.
What is Destiny Hopeline?
“Essentially, it is a telephone number that anyone can call for
any reason at any time of the day.
“It will be linked with Angels to provide practical support
and with the wider church to provide spiritual and emotional
support where required.
“The aim of this phone line is to provide hope to people
wherever they are in life. Whether people are in need spiritually,
emotionally or physically we can provide hope through
signposting, listening, sharing the amazing message of the
gospel and through the power of prayer.
The hope, peace and love that can be found in God is lasting,
satisfying and contagious. Connecting with the true source
of hope can transform lives and make a real difference for
potential callers”.
We will signpost to an appropriate agency for support if specific
expertise is needed, or we may just offer a listening ear or offer
to pray”.
What is your vision for it?
“That the number 0333 9000 909 becomes nationally
recognised as a number where people in need call and get help
24 hours a day”.
Where was the idea born from?
“Destiny Church has always shown a big desire to help people.
It all started with an advert in a shop window with the line
“Have you nowhere to turn? Ask an angel for help” No strings
attached. From that one postcard Destiny Angels became what
it is today”.
Will it be different from other call centre
charities such as The Samaritans?
“Yes, we will provide follow up support where required and link
people into Destiny Angels social action projects or any of the
wider services available to them in their city or town”.
WHO WILL OPERATE THE PHONE LINE AND TAKE
THE CALLS?
“A team of trained volunteers – we will need hundreds to keep
the line open 24/7.
Volunteers will work two hour slots and can be fitted in around
other commitments. Volunteers don’t have to be part of a
Destiny church”.
If you are in need
please contact
the Hopeline on
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10
AUTUMN-WINTER 2013
need a lifeline?
Destiny Lifeline is an initiative that reaches out to women and their families
who have experienced abuse, prostitution, or imprisonment.
Since it began in 2011, the support and care provided by Lifeline has
helped over 55 women, seeing dramatic turnarounds in their traumatic
situations and giving them tools and confidence to move forward in life.
After
From Punk
to Purpose
Gifted musician Barry Coupland, 37, grew up in
the peaceful village of Torrance, situated on the
outskirts of Glasgow.
Life was good in Barry’s primary school days but in
his teens, things began to go wrong.
“I became entrenched in the punk music scene
and drinking heavily. Soon I was drinking every day,
angry at the world and distanced from my family. My
health deteriorated quickly, mentally and physically I
was in a mess and was soon begging for money for
more drink, pretending it was for food”.
With one binge leading right into the next, Barry
felt more alone than ever. At his lowest point he
remembered the Christian faith his parents had
bought him up in. “It just wasn’t real to me at the
time,” he says.
After months of looking for answers, Barry fully
committed to a life following Jesus as a Christian.
He says now: “My life is very different, I’m sober
and feel I’m living for something rather than just
existing. I’m married now with two kids and another
on the way”.
Lifeline deals holistically with heart-breaking issues that touch every
aspect of life. With no conditions for joining, the Lifeline team get to know
people at every stage of recovery and at a pace that is comfortable for
them. Trust is built in this safe environment; it is so important since many
that come to the group have had their trust sorely tested in the past.
Spearheaded by Lynn Smillie, she shares some of the success stories:
“We have seen drug addicts and alcoholics become clean, women break
away from abusive partners, children who have been in care returned to
a stable home life, and many who have been plagued with thoughts of
suicide now living happy, productive lives”.
Lifeline meets each Thursday from 1-3 pm in Dorcas Café at 1120
Pollokshaws Rd, Glasgow, G41 3QP, and has a drop in at the Destiny
Angels Centre located at 37 South Portland Street, Gorbals, Glasgow, G5
9JL, every Wednesday and Friday between 11 am & 2 pm.
Do you or someone you know need a lifeline? Get in touch today!
DG4 Electrical - Electricians who are
proud to support Destiny Church
With over 35 years experience, DG4 Electrical covers Glasgow and the Central
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AUTUMN-WINTER 2009
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11
AUTUMN-WINTER 2013
Why Suffering?
We have all suffered at some point. But for some, it seems
intense, mindless, random and grossly unfair. Some use the
challenges to become better rather than bitter, but the question
still stands. There are 3 things to say in response:
1. Suffering in our world is a consequence.
God did not create our world this way. He created it peaceful,
beautiful and in harmony with Him and itself. Man chose to live
life without God at the very beginning of time and has suffered
the consequences ever since. Even if you don't believe in
Adam and Eve, you would have to admit that most people are
still making the same choice today as they did. There is just
no room for God in their lives. If we don't open up our lives to
the loving and leading influence of good, then our lives, or the
lives of those around us, will be influenced by evil. The Devil
does exist; he is the sworn enemy of God and mankind, and
according to Jesus, he has no other agenda than to steal, kill
and destroy. It's apparent everywhere. Greed for profit keeps
medicines out of the reach of many, and millions go hungry in
nations with vast natural resources. We haven't even spoken
of wars, dictatorships, or man-made natural disasters. What
drives all of that?
For some, this still doesn't answer the question of innocent
babies with birth defects or cancers, or tsunamis that strike
without warning. The 'why?' still hangs over it for these issues.
But the same answer remains. Jesus said, “In this world you
will have trouble”. If a ship goes one degree off course at
the beginning of its journey - it will end up many degrees off
course by the end. This world is off course and in trouble, and
we feel it environmentally, relationally, genetically, emotionally
and spiritually.
2. Why doesn't God stop it?
Which bit would you have him stop? The tsunamis and the
wars? Would we want him to remove the cancers but allow us
the drugs, drink and cigarettes? Who would be the arbitrator
of God interventions? If we had Him stop the wars in the
Middle East, would we be willing for him to stop the wars
in our families, or the squabble with our neighbours? How
about if we just had no more babies born with birth defects?
Whilst at the same time, we terminate life in the womb by the
millions, under the guise of freedom of choice. Just how far
should this intervention go? The truth is, God HAS intervened,
by telling us how to live in a way that works - but we then have
a choice, free will to act or otherwise on His advice. He said,
“Love God with all your heart and your neighbour as yourself”.
Imagine if we all just listened to each other, there were no more
suicide bombers, we collaborated on research, and helped
our communities? Where could that kind of intervention end?
How much money would that save the country? And our courts
would be empty.
3. An appropriate response
A few years back, a newspaper ran some articles called What
is wrong with our World? In reply, G.K.Chesterton wrote in a
letter as follows:
Dear Sirs,
I am.
Yours sincerely
G.K.Chesterton
Even though God gave us good advice in loving Him and
each other, and some great rules of engagement in the 10
commandments, the truth is, we are powerless to keep them.
It's beyond us.
We can only go so far before something unravels. The solution
then is not only to think globally - but locally, very locally - my
own life. If I throw up my arms and admit I need God, and
personally ask for his personal intervention in my life, changing
my heart before I wish him to change others, then you just
don't know how far that intervention will go. Many in Glasgow,
as you read in this paper, are saying God encounters have
“Healed me, changed me, helped me, and saved me”. God is
ready to intervene. Will you let Him?
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AUTUMN-WINTER 2013
New Zealand, Malaysia, Columbia, China and all over Europe.
Livestream broadcasts have also helped connect the churches
who are part of the worldwide Destiny Ministries network.
In India, livestream broadcasts have not only been a vital
communication lifeline with our team there, but has had the
added benefit of supporting children and young people in our
orphanage, helping them learn valuable English language skills.
The team based at the Destiny Livestreaming Centre in Glasgow
are committed to producing the best weekly programme and in
fact were recognised by the Glasgow Herald Scottish Business
Awards by a Commendation Award for ‘Innovation in digital
media’.
Three years ago at Destiny Television, the decision was taken to
stop producing programmes for Christian channels broadcasting If you are interested in joining this growing global community
on the Sky satellite platform, and to concentrate our efforts on and learning about the Christian faith, why don’t you tune in
our then developing livestream system.
every Sunday night at 6.30pm?
A livestream broadcast has one great advantage in that it is Simply type in: www.new.livestream.com/destinytvlive1 or
available to anyone with an internet connection and a computer follow the link from the Destiny Church Glasgow website at
or mobile device. Over the last few years, people have www.destiny-church.com
connected with us from over 60 different countries as diverse as
Uncut meet
Wednesday
at 6:30 pm,
Destiny City
campus.
Life as a student and young adult is full of
questions and opportunities which the Uncut
group aims to answer in a search for truth.
They believe God has an exciting plan and an
adventurous life for every individual.
Destiny West End Pastor and Uncut leader Phil
Everitt says: “Life was never meant to be done
on your own and Uncut provides action and
fun as we overcome challenges together.
We see God move in our lives and those
around us, so why not do life with us and see
amazing things happen in our city?”
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13
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AUTUMN-WINTER 2013
Entrepreneur Consol Efomi, 43, recently appeared in the Sunday Times newspaper list of next
Mac millionaires with his innovative dance craze website and app makethatmove.tv
It capped another milestone in a life that can only be described as an adventure.
Consol’s father was once head of the Congolese Secret Service, served as ambassador
in various countries, and was personal friend and advisor to former President Mobutu.
However, Consol went from affluence and status to an asylum seeker in days.
“Despite growing up enjoying a wealthy lifestyle, having everything I ever needed, being
waited on and travelling all around the world with my father’s job, I was very unhappy under
the surface. I ended up coming to the UK as an asylum seeker. I had no money, no rights,
I was in the middle of a divorce and taking whatever jobs I could, from cleaning to being a
kitchen porter”.
During this time Consol picked up and began to read a Bible. Gripped by what he read
in the opening pages of the New Testament, he began attending Destiny Church and
became a follower of Jesus. Slowly life began to get better.
Consol became a British citizen shortly before marrying his wife Kate, and now has full
time custody of his two daughters. He has also become a new father to baby Faith born
in May this year.
“I went back to studying and gained a BA in Entrepreneurship. I have since set up my own
business and have bought a house”. So for Consol and the Efomi family, the adventure
continues!
Over the next 15 years, they slowly discovered that mediums
couldn’t always control spiritual appearances.
“Some had breakdowns or attacked people, forced by spirit guides
and appearances of Poltergeists.
Then it happened to us! It became unbearable. Spirits appeared
constantly, attacking us physically and slamming doors”.
The worst instances Laura can remember are when a spiritual
trance caused a fire in their home and her mother was lifted from
the pavement by a spirit and thrown onto a moving car.
“We discovered spiritualism was dangerous and were betrayed by
our supposed ‘spirit guides’ and supposed dead relatives when
they insulted us and attacked us. They had only been pretending
to provide guidance and kindness over the years”.
Spirits drove my
mum insane
Laura was introduced to Christianity after meeting a Christian at
university. She originally believed that Jesus was just a cosmic
force or psychic healer but when she was promised peace in
her heart by accepting Jesus as her Saviour, she broke ties with
spiritualism and became a Christian.
Unfortunately, it was too late for Laura’s mother who was diagnosed
with Schizophrenia and tragically killed herself, aged just 46, a few
short months after being discharged from hospital. Laura believes
that it was the harassment of the spirits which drove her mother
Bishopbriggs girl Laura Maxwell, 43, was a member of a new age
to take such drastic action.
spiritualist church after being introduced to it by her mother Rita.
“Mum was a devout spiritualist and together we went to
Today, she shares her story through the media and literature along
transfiguration sessions and watched as the ‘dead’ spoke through
with other ex-Satanists and ex-Occultists.
mediums’ mouths”.
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14
Jason Higgins is a young man completely loyal to his family. So he followed
without question when aged 8, his father led him, his two sisters and his
mother into joining the Mormon movement.
What they believed in and expected of him grew too much for him and he
went in search of something else.
In his heart Jason couldn’t say he truly believed Mormon claims, so he
stopped going to the Mormon church in his late 20’s and found that
members disowned him for his choice. Disillusioned, his elderly mum left
with him.
As Jason’s mother’s health deteriorated, they went to a Christian meeting
where people helped them to get in touch with Destiny Church Glasgow
City Centre campus and they helped him and his family make the transition
out of Mormonism.
“Leaving the Mormon Church wasn’t easy. When I asked to be struck from
their records, my old Bishop told me that all blessings would be taken away
from me. But I knew in my heart I had made the right decision”.
Sadly Jason’s mum passed away not long after.
He says: “My mother’s death was one of the most difficult periods of my life
but I know that she is with Jesus. I continue to pray for others to have the
same encounter with Jesus and experience the love, peace and acceptance
that I have”.
Destiny Church Trust thanks Viridor Credits
Environmental Company for their generous funding
to provide an upgrade to the heating system in our
Southside building. This upgrade will greatly benefit the
community by providing a comfortable environment
for those in Shawlands and the surrounding areas.
The project has received £80,482 in funding from
Viridor Credits Environmental Company through the
Landfill Communities Fund.
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15
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Sylvester Stallone:
“Don’t battle life out alone”
Sylvester
Stallone
is
an
American actor, filmmaker,
screenwriter and film director.
He is best known for his macho
and action Hollywood roles.
The most notable characters he
has portrayed are boxer Rocky
Balboa and soldier John Rambo.
The franchises that stemmed
from these characters solidified
him as a mainstay in Hollywood.
His film “Rocky” was inducted
into the National Film Registry
and its film props were placed
in the Smithsonian Museum. He
was voted into boxing’s Hall of
Fame on December 7, 2010.
He says, “In the past, my ego
and temptations took over in
my life and I went spiraling out
of control. Rather than living
like Rocky with some sense of
ideals, I didn’t. I thought I was
entitled to things, but you’re
not entitled to anything. You are
what you leave behind”.
As a child, he used to attend
church regularly, but as he got
AUTUMN-WINTER 2013
older and his acting career
progressed, he stopped going
to church. After several years of
Hollywood fame and fortune, he
says: “I got back to my Christian
roots. After my daughter was
born ill in 1996, I turned myself
over to the process of believing
in Jesus. That conversion
experience released me from
the pressures of the world.
The more I go to church and the
more I turn myself over to the
process of believing in Jesus
and listening to His Word and
having Him guide my hand, I
feel as though the pressure is off
me now”. He said that the latest
and final chapter in the ‘Rocky’
series “reflects my conviction
that life is about following Christ,
not battling it out alone...you
need to have the expertise and
the guidance of someone else.
You cannot train yourself. I feel
the same way about Christianity
and about what the church is:
The church is the gym of the
soul”.
From Beverly Hills To India
For 40 year old Ivan Squillino, life couldn’t have been better. Raised in beautiful Florence,
Ivan migrated to England to establish very successful ladies’ hairdressing salons, and
then pizzerias. His restaurants were always popular as Ivan wooed his customers with
guitar playing and traditional Italian songs. Being asked by a friend to help out in his new
establishment, Ivan became the manager of a very classy Italian restaurant called The
Beverly Hills. Here everything changed. A chance encounter with a local church pastor
raised questions in Ivan’s mind. Questions he was already asking. The fast cars and
numerous relationships left him as empty as he had always been. Why was he here? What
was life all about? Was his destiny really all about pizzas and pastas?
In no time at all, Ivan had a God encounter, finding, like others, that God is real, findable
and knowable. It was then that the adventure really began. God spoke to Ivan in a dream.
The dream became a reality.
Ivan, along with his wife Daphne, found themselves in a very remote part of India, Orissa
state, becoming the adopted dad to a rag tag group of orphans. An orphanage was built,
and many lives were rescued and shaped. Today, those kids are young adults, doing well
and thriving. They have been replaced by the next generation of orphans. One of the first
orphans taken in - Solomon, now 34 years old, with a lovely wife and three kids, runs
the programme. A brand new building is emerging, complete with a leadership college, a
training and conference centre, and room for many more needy children. Further, hundreds
of contemporary, community engaging Destiny churches have emerged, bringing positive
change to a changing India. To many in Glasgow, Ivan has become known as a ‘faith healer’
holding healing meetings in dozens of places. Ivan constantly reminds people the power to
heal is found in Jesus, not him. For some, Ivan will always be the smooth Italian pizza host,
for others he will be the one who helped them get well, for many young folks in Orissa state
- he’s just ‘dad’. Where will your God given destiny take you?
Celtic & Honduras Football Star
To football fans, Emilio Izaguirre
needs no introduction. The 27
year old Celtic defender has
been playing for the club for over
three years and is widely known
for his speed and dribbling skills
on the pitch.
Here we ask the SPL player of the
year 2010/2011 about his life growing up in the South American
Republic Honduras and his football adventures so far.
What was life like in Honduras and how did that have an affect
on you?
“I had a good life, there was always football and I had a good family
life.There was a low point when my parents separated and my
father left, from then I always felt alone. My life changed hugely
about the age of 14”.
Tell us what happened?
“I became a Christian and started going to church – even though it
was a long walk it was worth it”.
What do you mean you became a Christian? Weren’t you born
in a religious family?
“We were religious but it brought me little comfort – then when dad
left mum took me to church, I heard of a one to one encounter with
God that was available to anyone, I wanted that”.
Wasn’t church boring to a 14 year old mad about football?
“No! It was a church very similar to Destiny church in Glasgow:
friendly people, live music and engaging speakers. It was exciting!”
How did life change?
“I didn’t feel alone anymore, my pastor helped me balance football
and faith commitments and I realized I was blessed with a talent.
You can have all the money in the world but you will not be happy
unless you have the satisfaction and assurance of why you are here
– and only God can give you that”.
Is this why you always point both hands to the sky when you go
onto the pitch for a match?
“Yes – I want everyone to know my trust is totally in God; he has never
let me down. In Honduras when the children ask for autographs, I
tell them about God and the Bible instead. I hope to do the same
with young people over here”.
Finally, how do the rest of the players in the team feel about you
being a born again Christian?
“Players not only from Celtic but from the other teams as well really
respect that I am a Christian. They love
talking to me before the game and
recently before a game, the team came
round and gave me a hug while I was
praying”.
For the recorded interview, please go
to the Destiny TV channel on YouTube.
16
AUTUMN-WINTER 2013
If you think you can sing like
Beyonce, kick like Messi or
dance like Diversity, sports and
arts group Sphere is perfect for
nurturing your God given talents.
of arts, drama and sports. God
did not make mistakes in making
us and he can use us through
playing sports, acting, dancing,
singing and painting”.
The Destiny Southside based
multicultural
group
aims
to make a difference in the
community and provide a
culture of self-acceptance,
friendship and family.
The mission and vision of Sphere
is to help, develop and promote
the skills and talents God has
given the participants. Alex and
Marjorie strongly believe that
the more an artist trusts in God
the better their works will shine.
It is run by husband and wife
team Alex and Marjorie Chong
who were inspired by a quote
from American scholar Warren
Bennis, and the Bible, to create
an environment in which artists
and athletes can flourish.
“We are an environment that
cultivates each person’s creativity
not only in singing but in all forms
“Sphere helps its participants
build their confidence by
giving them the opportunity
to showcase their talents and
thank God for them”.
For more information on
meeting and rehearsal times
please contact Alex and
Marjorie on 0141 616 6777.
If you have been impacted by any of these
real life stories, you can meet the people in
them and others like them by joining us at:
Sundays 11am
Destiny Southside: 1120 Pollokshaws Road,
Shawlands, G41 3QP
Destiny City: Check our website for venue
information
Destiny Drumchapel: Check our website for
venue information
Destiny West End: Hillhead Sports Club,
32 Hughenden Road, Glasgow, G12 9XP
Sundays 6pm
Destiny Southside: 1120 Pollokshaws Road,
Shawlands, G41 3QP
(full kids programme at all meetings)
T: 0141 616 6777
E: [email protected]
www.destiny-church.com
All articles written with assistance from Hayley Burrell
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