A selection of new resources were unveiled by the team, catering for ages from 5 to 105 years old. These included:
The Cheeky Pandas video series for children – The 11 part, fun-filled (15 min long each) programmes are packed with Bible stories, prayers, animation, worship songs and interviews with special guests including Adventurer, Bear Grylls, CBeebies Presenter Gemma Hunt, Revd Nicky Gumbel (HTB and Alpha) and Pastor Agu and Sola (Jesus House) to name a few. The video series (which will be available from early April onwards) can be used as part of church at home, gathered church (online and offline) and in school assemblies. Similar to last year, the series will be the main content in the Family Prayer Adventure Map and App.
11 Youth video reflections - Thy Kingdom Come are working with the Archbishop of York’s Youth Trust to produce a selection of youth resources including a series of video reflections from young influential Christians such as the current Methodist Youth President - Phoebe Parkin, rapper and author - Guvna B, Worship Leader- Elle Limebear, Former Rugby Player - Jamie Jones-Buchanan and many more.
Printed & Digital versions of the Prayer Journal and Novena. This year’s prayer journal was penned by the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell- crafted with the express intention of inspiring readers to re-encounter the love and joy found in Jesus Christ.
A sneak peek of one of the main 11 day videos for this year which will be shown between the Ascension and Pentecost period. The video featured Bishop Rose Hudson Wilkin. Other contributors this year will include Archbishop Angaelos, frontline workers (hidden heroes of the pandemic) and many more.
The award-winning Thy Kingdom Come app, available in nine languages, was also mentioned, and for the first time, will include audio content from 24-7 Prayer’s Lectio 365 with audio reflections from Pete Greig, Archbishop Justin and 24-7 Prayer GB UK Director, Carla Harding.
A special video message from Archbishop Justin Welby, who will be on study leave during this year’s 11-day prayer period, was also shown at the virtual launch event.
Ahead of the launch event, a letter was sent to the Bishops in the Church of England, from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, announcing the launch of this year’s campaign offer. Whilst at the heart of Thy Kingdom Come remains the commitment to prayer for evangelisation, the team are also adapting their offer - creating resources designed to refresh, encourage and inspire worshipping communities, families and individuals who may have struggled with the idea of Church at Home.
Recognising also the strain on churches to serve their congregations during the prolonged pandemic context, Thy Kingdom Come are giving away 100,000 copies of the Prayer Journal and Family Prayer Adventure Map to UK churches as long as P&P is covered.
Emma Buchan, Thy Kingdom Come Project Director, said:
“I am so excited about TKC this year as we have been so intentional in our planning and thinking to produce resources that help the Church at this time. Where it has been such a challenging year for everyone, we really want TKC to inspire people in their relationships with Christ, to gather those who have found online Church challenging and to resource children and young people in fun, spiritually nourishing ways. We hope and pray Pentecost is a time of great joy after what has been such a challenging season.”
For churches looking to be involved this year –a number of ideas were explored - covering all eventualities - whether at home or gathered worship once the restrictions are lifted in the UK and also reflecting the varied global contexts where gathered worship is still possible.
A series of follow up webinars, including sessions specifically for the international context, will be available in March and April. Click here to watch the webinar in full.
To order resources for your church, including free printed copies of the Prayer Journal and Prayer Adventure Map visit: www.cpo.org.uk/thykingdomcome