History & Future Developments

The Past

Having been involved with Living Water since it began in May 1995 and a trustee until July 2006, it is sad to come to the end of this particular road. This would have been Wavemakers tenth year at Living Water. When we first set up Wavemakers in October 1997 we had no idea of all the good things God had in store for us. Since then we have gained experience from the many different events we have been involved in. Looking to appeal to the whole family and not just limit ourselves to seeing children come to know Jesus. We have worked at other camps and across all denominations, so our experience has been wide and varied.

One of the things we have clearly seen over that time, is the need for input to be at a local level, geared to the local environment, whilst not losing sight of what is happening elsewhere. Most of us come from small churches where congregations of more than 150 are considered large.

Whilst it is great going off to larger camps for their input, the difficulty for many is translating what we have learnt, back into the local environment. This is why we feel the need for something to happen locally, for local people and communities.

The Vision

In many ways the vision of Wavemakers can be summed up in the words from Paul's prayer for the Ephesians

Ephesians 3: 14-21

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

When Living Water closed down 3 years ago the Lord led us to develop the Wave Conference where the whole church family could come together and be filled with the fullness of God.

The original idea was formulated the year of the foot and mouth (2001) when Living Water did not happen and Wavemakers ran a day event in Bury St. Edmunds for parents and their children. The day included times when we worshipped together, did craft and games activities together, yet had separate teaching along the same theme.

We have continued this thought developing further the idea of All-age multi-sensory worship, and an integrated teaching theme for all the different age groups.

Many come from small, local and sometimes very traditional churches where keeping the congregation can be difficult. Many are losing their young people and families are constantly under pressure with some having to go in different directions at the weekends. Being together as Church is proving ever more difficult.

Often the trend within the Church is for the different age groups to go in different directions and attend to a variety of conferences and celebrations which are age related (nothing wrong with that). The teaching can be extremely beneficial.

Unfortunately, the problems often arise when people return to their local expression of church and find it difficult to fit back in.

The Wave conference is just one expression of Church where people are seeking to bring Jesus into their local setting and provides the opportunity for all ages to come together.

The Wave conference does this by providing a background of all-age multi-sensory worship and prayer, age related teaching, workshops, craft and games activities, entertainment, all in a relaxed atmosphere of camping and a true sense of holiday.

Wave provides teaching and encouragement for adults and youth together with children and their parents to show that church family can be an enjoyable experience where we can learn to worship and experience His power which is beyond understanding. That as we gather together we may be strengthened and filled with God's Spirit, we may be rooted and established with a deep love for one another and consequently show to the world that there can be unity in the body of Christ, that as Church we are the loving, caring and alternative way that the world is looking for.

Support and giving

On the proverbial chestnut of finance, if Wavemakers is to remain active and be able to continue to encourage churches from across the region we will need your financial support on a regular basis. If everyone who receives this letter were able to give £10 or even £15 per month we would have enough to run the Wavemakers office, handle the day to day expenses of organising the different events we do, and when planning for larger events we would be able to keep the costs to a minimum.

Wavemakers Ministries already receives a small number of gifts from individuals and one church towards its work but we now need many more contributors. We are aware that there are many calls upon your finances, but would ask that you prayerfully consider this request.

Please support Wavemakers Ministries by completing the standing order form and send it back to us.

Thank you.