conference
“The Stones Cry Out are passionate about quality, interactive and inspired teaching that unlocks the Scriptures for believers, so that they can mine the riches so often clouded by the distance of Time, Space and Culture.”
DE-GREECING THE CHURCH:
Turning from Athens to Jerusalem
WHEN:
Saturday 24th January
10:00-17:30
WHERE:
Eastgate, 141 Springhead
Parkway, Northfleet,
Kent, DA11 8AD
PRICE:
Super Early Bird Price: £35.00
Early Bird Price: £37.50
Full Ticket Price: £40.00
+ booking fee
“If one desires to be radically Christian, a thorough understanding of the Jewish origin of the Church is, by no means, optional; it is foundational.”
Marvin R Wilson
Christianity was born in the vibrant soil of first century Judaism. Jesus, a devout Jew, followed and fulfilled the Hebrew Scriptures—not to start a new religion, but to complete an ancient one. The apostles were Jews. The 3,000 saved at Pentecost were Jews. The Apostle Paul founded every church he planted by preaching first to Jews. His message? Turn to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—Jesus, the Messiah. Yet… as more Gentiles filled the church and Jerusalem fell, Greek thought eclipsed the Hebrew worldview that birthed the Christian faith. That shift toward Athens still shapes beliefs and practices today, leaving the church cognitively severed from the olive tree she was grafted into (Romans 11:17-24). This disconnect clouds our understanding of Scripture, God’s Purposes and Christian Practice.
Join us for a transformative day to explore the tensions and challenges of the Greek worldview and rethink Christian practice through the Hebrew worldview that gave us our Messiah.
SPEAKER: MARK HENDLEY
A Christian since 1993, Mark has been in vocational Christian Ministry since 1999. He is a graduate of Moorlands Bible College and was awarded a Degree in Applied Theology and the Graduate Preaching Prize. He has trained with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and studied Biblical Archaeology with Bar Ilan University, Israel. Most recently Mark was awarded a Doctorate of Divinity by Sutlej Reformed Theological Seminary for his work in Biblical Interpretation and Ancient Near Eastern Contexts.
Mark’s ministry experience spans a wide range of Christian traditions both in the UK and internationally. This broad exposure has shaped his ability to connect with diverse audiences. He has spent time in Iraq, Egypt, Jordan and Israel, which might explain his passion for the Geography, History and Culture of the Ancient Near Eastern world of the Bible.
Mark has spent years chasing the echoes of Scripture across continents and bringing them home to share. He is passionate about quality, interactive and inspired teaching that unlocks the Scriptures for believers. As a consequence he has hosted thousands of Christians at Conferences, Seminars, Tours of the British Museum’s biblical artefacts and the archaeological Land of Israel; so that they can mine the riches so often clouded by the distance of Time, Space and Culture.
Mark is not just a teacher; he’s a bridge-builder—connecting ancient stones to living faith. His blend of scholarship, wanderlust, and pulpit presence has carved out a niche where dusty artefacts and distant lands breathe life into the Bible for anyone willing to listen.
WORSHIP: PAUL OAKLEY
Paul is a prolific songwriter and worship leader. He has travelled extensively, leading and teaching on worship all over the UK, Europe, North America, Canada and many other nations. He has a persistent hunger to know the Lord and a passionate desire to go deeper in understanding how to minister to the Lord and to fulfil our priestly calling.
Paul and his wife Sarah live on the South Coast have three grown up children and a growing collection of grandchildren.
WORSHIP: TOM NICHOLLS
Tom, who is currently working on a recording project with Paul, has his own recording studio in Buckinghamshire and is also a highly gifted, anointed and well travelled worship leader, musician and songwriter. His heart to minister to the Lord and to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit is insuperable.
Tom is married to Fiona and they have two young boys.
DE-GREECING THE CHURCH:
From Athens to Jeruslaem
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
EXPECTATIONS
Aim:
To unlock the Scriptures, so that you can mine the riches so often clouded by the distance of Time, Space and Culture.
Goal:
Enabling a deep and nuanced understanding of the contrast between the Greek worldview of the West and The Hebrew worldview that God’s Word was communicated through. Taking time to consider how our Scripture reading, God’s purposes and Christian practice have all been distorted by our Greek worldview and how we begin to remedy this distortion.
Objectives:
- To unpack the main differences between Hebrew and Greek thought so you can see how the two worldviews can lead to different understandings of the text.
- To explore our Western worldview and observe how it colours and distorts the Hebrew worldview of the Bible, as it was articulated by the authors and understood by the original hearers.
- To demonstrate how interpreting the Scriptures in their Ancient Near Eastern context helps us to understand the Gospel, the Mission of Jesus and our Destiny as Believers.
- To illuminate how the Scriptures assume a Hebrew worldview with its presumptions and works on the basis of what is understood need not be discussed.
- To equip you on how to process the cultural divide so that you read Scripture well, Understand God’s purposes and rethink your Christian practice.
- To help you understand what the biblical authors are trying to do to you and the tools they use to do that.
Experience:
We will be giving dedicated time to connecting, worship, teaching, interactive response, and Q&R.
Text:
The main conference translation will be the ESV.
PARKING
The Eastgate venue is located within a residential area, and they have asked that you act neighbourly by respecting the parking conditions. Vehicles parked along the roads around Eastgate or in residents’ spaces risk a Parking Charge Notice.
The car park immediately in front of the building is reserved for Blue Badge holders, those with mobility concerns and team .
Eastgate has a large car park further down Springhead Parkway, past the Springhead Primary School playing fields near the bridge that connects Springhead to Ebbsfleet Station. It’s approximately a 5-minute walk from the car park to Eastgate.
For directions please click on this map or use the what3words ///shuts.curve.blend
Should both carparks be full there is free onstreet parking on the industrial estate below Eastgate use the what3words ///arrive.eagles.hills
Please arrive early as capacity is limited and where possible please car share or use public transport. There will parking stewards to help you.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Eastgate’s closest train stations are Ebbsfleet International Station, Northfleet Station and Gravesend Station.
There are also local bus routes available.
ACCESSIBILITY
Eastgate welcomes anyone with accessibility requirements and endeavours to accommodate any needs you may have. Please get in touch before your visit to make necessary arrangements.
FOOD
We are exploring whether a bookable lunch option is available…details to follow. Alternatively, there is a Sainsbury’s and a Co-op 15 minutes walk or 5 minutes drive from the venue.
There are restaurants at the Spring River and a Toby carvery nearby.
CHILDCARE
We are very sorry but no facilities are provided for children or childcare. The event is not suitable for children (including toddlers and nursing babies) and we reserve the right to refuse entry to delegates bringing children to the event.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. Places must be paid for in full – deposits or reservations cannot be accepted.
2. Payment is only accepted by credit/debit card via the online booking facility (there is a modest booking fee charged per ticket but capped at £5 for block bookings). Please do not send cash or credit card details by post.
3. We are unable to give refunds for cancellations.
4. Bookings are not transferable.
5. In the unlikely event of an incident that causes the event to be cancelled refunds will be given.
6. Accommodation is not included in the booking fee.
7. No facilities are provided for children or childcare. This event is not suitable for children (including toddlers and nursing babies) and delegates bringing children to the event will be refused entry.
8. Entrance to the event will be by printed or electronic copy of the tickets attached to the booking confirmation email.
9. Personal filming or recording of any part of the event is not permitted. We may photograph and film the event for commercial and non-commercial purposes. It is possible that you may appear in photographs and video and these may be used online.
