This is our FINAL of the Stronghold Verses series. A huge thanks to Mike Harvey for writing and recording these. The previous episodes have gone down really well so hopefully you know what these are all about. If not, listen to Mike's explanation at the start of the first episode of Series 5 titled "Stronghold Verse 1". We've already explored " where your help comes from ", how to " guard your heart ", the need to " renew your strength ", how to " be transformed " and how to " take captive every...
Nov 04, 2023•14 min
74 Episodes / 5,000 Downloads / 36 Countries The Ascend Men Podcast launched 5th Nov 2022 and we have great plans for 2024. To deliver on these we need GUESTS and we need YOUR help to find them. Please contact alan.colley@thec3.uk and we can figure out how they fit-in to our mini-series plans and how to get in touch with them. ----- A life-changing mouthful of food? "Simplicity" by Tony Smith It’s time for another short yet inspiring and challenging message from our man-in-Singapore, Tony Smith....
Oct 28, 2023•11 min
Today we find out about Hope Into Action (HIA) a UK charity, founded in 2010. They stand on the principle… that everyone has the right to a home, and churches have the power to meet the tragedy of homelessness in their community. They partner with churches to enable them to house and support the homeless. They welcome people of all faiths and none, all ethnicities and sexualities. Joining us on the podcast are Jonathan Tame - who has been working two days a week for 18 months, as an Empowerment ...
Oct 21, 2023•28 min
With the developments in Israel over the last week, we've interrupted our planned schedule to talk more about this difficult topic with a great longstanding friend of mine, Colin Symes. Born in London, Colin spent his first two years a stones' throw from Kings Cross Station which accounts for his love of transport, particularly trains and trams. The family relocated to Billericay, Essex and Colin committed his life to Christ at the age of 10 and quoting Colin, Jesus not only became his best frie...
Oct 14, 2023•35 min
It's the first Saturday of the month so it's time for another of our stronghold verses series. The previous episodes have gone down really well so hopefully you know what these are all about. If not, listen to Mike's explanation at the start of the first episode of Series 5 titled "Stronghold Verse 1". We've already explored " where your help comes from ", how to " guard your heart " and " renew your strength " and how to " be transformed ". Today it's time to " Take captive every thought " by l...
Oct 07, 2023•13 min
William Thompson William Thompson is passionate about the importance of names, their role in our lives, and the way they’re used in our relationships with others. This interest was sparked by his personal name journey and his formative experiences in Africa as a teenager, when he first was introduced to an intentionality behind naming. William’s Christian faith is the foundation that underpins his unique ability to listen well, offer deep compassion and lead others. From the unemployed to execut...
Sep 30, 2023•21 min
Today we have the pleasure of talking with Steve Campbell who made his first appearance on the Ascend podcast back on 31st December 2022. So if you want a more complete introduction head back to Episode 1 of Series 3. You'll also find out whether fishing trumps a Liverpool FC match for Steve as well as whether he's a Marmite man and what his schoolfriends said about him. As if leading the team at The C3 Church isn't enough for Steve and his wife Angie, they are also the National Directors of the...
Sep 23, 2023•25 min
Born 13th August 1982 when the No1 songs in the US were "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor and "Come on Eileen" by Dexy's Midnight Runners, Mike hails from Preston, Lancashire. Since graduating in geography at the University of Cambridge in 2003 he's worked for The Princes Trust and Romsey Mill before founding Concrete Rose in November 2020. Concrete Rose is a Community Interest Company (CIC) with a Christian ethos and a determination to both deliver, and equip others to provide, first-class care an...
Sep 16, 2023•25 min
Pete McAllen was born to faithful Christian parents in a Suffolk town called Eye, which with a population of around 2,000 people is a very small place. After moving to the metropolis of Diss he started to show early signs of his musical talent, picking up the violin at age 7. Later his high school music teacher said he was a "natural performer" and he was soon wrapping his fingers round the frets of the guitar from around 15. He met New Zealander Lizzie in 2009 and they married three years later...
Sep 09, 2023•25 min
It's the first Saturday of the month so it's time for another of our stronghold verses series. The previous episodes have gone down really well so hopefully you know what these are all about. If not, listen to Mike's explanation at the start of the first episode of Series 5 titled "Stronghold Verse 1". We've already explored " where your help comes from ", how to " guard your heart " and how to " renew your strength ". Now it's time to " be transformed " by looking at Romans 12. Romans 12 v1-2 T...
Sep 02, 2023•7 min
We launched the Ascend Men podcast on the 5th November last year with the intention of running a pilot for a couple of months. The plan was to get your feedback in February or March and based on that, decide whether to continue and in what format. And here we are 65 episodes later. Wow, who would have believed that? I really can't say this strongly enough, please encourage others to listen. I'm staggered how many people still don't know we're doing these and I challenge every one of you to sprea...
Aug 26, 2023•8 min
I've yet to encounter anybody who doesn't find Tony Smith a source of inspiration and encouragement. This is short but is uplifting and packed with direction. We can all do more of what Tony suggests. Recording this in Singapore, Tony is one of our global contributors who has a huge heart for C3 and Ascend Men. 'At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”' Matthew 18:1 'And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become lik...
Aug 19, 2023•6 min
Luke Franks was born in an Army field hospital in Germany but has lived most of his life in Cambridgeshire, now residing in Haverhill with his lovely wife Shelby and two cute daughters. His first job was a paper-round and he must have done it well because he was soon promoted to be a shop-assistant in the same corner-store. A couple of football facts - he's a Chelsea supporter (so hasn't had a great year) but once refereed a match involving Fran Kirby who went on to represent England at the 2015...
Aug 12, 2023•21 min
It's the first Saturday of the month so it's time for another of our stronghold verses series. Hopefully you've caught one of our previous episodes and know what these are all about. If not, listen to Mike's explanation of why we all need some of these Stronghold Verses at the start of the first episode of Series 5 titled "Stronghold Verse 1". We've already explored where your help comes from and how to guard your heart. Now it's time to Renew your strength by looking at Isaiah 40. Isaiah40v28-3...
Aug 05, 2023•7 min
This week we are hearing from Liam Rushmer who is the Founder & Fitness Professional, at Fitness Rush Ltd. He was born in Huntingdon, raised in St Ives and now lives in Sutton near Ely. Married in 2016 he's the very proud father of two daughters aged 2 and 5. And with relatives in Orlando, those girls are getting to see plenty of Mickey and Minnie. Why not come along and meet him and see his mobile gym at the C3 Centre, 2 Brooks Road, Cambridge CB1 3HR. You can find out more on the C3 Wellne...
Jul 29, 2023•19 min
In this episode we're talking with Adrian Semerene who started his church leadership as Youth Pastor at Comberton Baptist Church, while completing a BA in Theology at the London School of Theology. In 2016 he followed a call to join Gamlingay Baptist Church where he was Inducted and ordained to be Lead Pastor. Married to Amanda, Adrian has three amazing children and loves coffee, beatboxing and basketball. In Francis Chan's synopsis of his own book "Until Unity", he writes that " Despite what ma...
Jul 22, 2023•20 min
At Ascend Summit 23, back in February, we heard from Nathan Blackaby, CEO of Christian Vision for Men or CVM as it's known. Nathan lives in Essex and attends the C3 Church in Colchester along with his wife Jennie and 3 young children. Nathan is teetotal, loves gaming on his PS5, motorbikes, fast cars and writing. Nathan's inspiring talk was brought alive through the use of some key photos. I suggest you review these below as you listen to the podcast. Slide Images - see the whole folder of image...
Jul 15, 2023•21 min
Dr Terence Ascott was born in London but has lived and worked in the Middle East since the 1970s pioneering the creative use of Christian print and visual media. Terry launched the first Christian magazine to be successfully distributed on newsstands in more than a dozen Arab countries. He soon realised that TV would be the gateway into millions of Middle Eastern and Northern African homes and in 1995 launched SAT-7, the first Arabic-language Christian satellite-TV channel. This has grown from a...
Jul 08, 2023•29 min
It's the first Saturday of the month so let's get back to our stronghold verses series, thanks to Mike Harvey. If you've forgotten what these are all about, jump back to Series 5 Episode 1 titled "Stronghold Verse 1 - Psalm 121.." and the first few minutes of this episode explains why Mike has invested so much time into this series and why we too should ground ourselves in some of these. This Stronghold Verse is very short but a challenge to all of us. “ Above all else, guard your heart, for eve...
Jul 01, 2023•8 min
Today we have the pleasure of welcoming Becky Ingamells, Head of Church Partnerships at Tearfund. With her 3 red-headed children, Becky lives in Fairlight, Hastings where she enjoys walking her dog and can occasionally be found drinking wine and eating ice cream. According to the "Oxford Languages" dictionary, a definition of " masculinity " is a noun that describes the qualities or attributes regarded as characteristic of men or boys. An example phrase being: " handsome, muscled, and driven, he...
Jun 24, 2023•19 min
Sunday 18th June 2023 is Father's Day here in the UK. We want to honour some of our Dads and encourage ALL men to demonstrate the Father's heart. So we approached a few of our grown-up sons and daughters to talk about how fathers or father-figures inspired them to live lives full of faith. It was a struggle editing this one because every single contribution moved me. I reckon many of you will have the same reaction. Whether you have children or not, who wouldn't want to leave a legacy like these...
Jun 17, 2023•11 min
This week we have an opportunity to hear Tim Robertson's inspiring talk that was delivered at Ascend Summit 23 in February. We can't recreate the warm atmosphere of 120 men after they've sung their hearts-out, but we can still plumb the depth of Tim's message on Mighty Men . David’s Mighty Warriors - 2 Samuel 23:8-17 These are the names of David’s mighty warriors: Josheb-Basshebeth, a Tahkemonite, was chief of the Three; he raised his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed in one encoun...
Jun 10, 2023•23 min
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot slip – He who watches over you will not slumber; 4 indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The Lord watches over you – the Lord is your shade at your right hand; 6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The Lord will keep you from all harm – He will watch over your life; 8 the Lord will watc...
Jun 03, 2023•9 min
This week it’s the final episode of our four part MENtal HEALth series. Today we are joined by one of the world's most ambitious explorers. Nick Hollis & I both worked at Hewlett-Packard for around a decade before Nick stopped trying to juggle his IT career with his passion for adventure and fitness. Leaving HP in 2011 he launched Fitways Adventures and has recently been pursuing his 721 Challenge , Guinness World Record attempt. 721 is short for 7 Mountains , 2 Poles and 1 Ocean . Nick's al...
May 27, 2023•25 min
This week it’s the third episode of our four part MENtal HEALth series. According to Co-op legal services, a study published in 2011 suggested that mental health issues had been found to increase the likelihood of divorce with a range of between 20% – 80%. That study is over a decade old and the range is very wide. But we don't need a fresh survey to know that one person in a relationship undergoing a mental health crisis will put incredible pressure on the other and on the relationship itself. ...
May 20, 2023•24 min
Today we are talking with Mark Baldwin-Smith who was born in Cambridge, studied Environmental Science at the University of Reading before undertaking a Masters in environmental ethics at Edinburgh University from 2012-2014. After a relationship makeup with Christ Jesus and a relationship breakup from a long term girlfriend, Mark returned to Cambridge in 2019. Since then he has been finding a home-church, whilst working for the National Trust and in various key roles on staff at C3. Find out what...
May 13, 2023•17 min
MEN tal HEAL th To kick off our month focussing on Mental Health, we are privileged today to hear from Ben Slater. Born in Essex, Ben developed a career in education, increasingly working with children who needed specialist teaching environments. This led to a keen interest in attachment theory & mental health which combined with his faith gave him a heart for clergy and their families. As Ben says, Christians are capable of beating themselves up like anybody else but with a shinier stick. B...
May 06, 2023•24 min
What a great reminder that we need to live life optimistically, with a glass half full, looking for the percentage of sunshine and worrying less about the occasional shower. “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!" - Matthew 6:22,23 The Bible goes one step further. Rather than just being optimist...
Apr 29, 2023•8 min
“ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith .” 2 Timothy 4:7 The phrase, "As strong as Fort Knox" comes from a city in Kentucky where the United States holds its Gold Bullion deposits currently estimated to be worth 7 Trillion Dollars. That's not the only valuable thing about Fort Knox. Today's guest, John Conner also hails from that city. And he's from good stock too having close relatives from Manchester, England. John was a personal trainer and a nurse befo...
Apr 22, 2023•14 min
Today we are trying something new. My friend Adam drives big articulated lorries and he starts his day very VERY early. Probably earlier than some of you finish yours. Adam often leaves me a WhatsApp voice message in the early hours to which I respond at some point during the day. We share all sorts - what's happening in our lives, a word of encouragement, a reflection, a joke. I've called Adam the brother I never had and I really value him. We thought it would be fun to record a few messages ov...
Apr 15, 2023•24 min
