The school of Worship and mission

SEVEN STORIES IS A JOURNEY WHERE THE HEART OF WORSHIP AND THE HEART OF MISSION COLLIDE

ENROL OCT 2023

ENROL MAR 2024

THE SEVEN STORIES SCHOOL IS A JOURNEY INTO THE PURPOSES OF GOD.

Exploring the Bible’s story from creation to restoration, the school is time set aside in a place of beauty to absorb great teaching, to lean into the rescue that is in the Father’s heart, to discover His passion for your future, to grow in boldness and courage and to learn what it is to live in the full current of His blessing. The school will empower you to connect more deeply with your God-given inheritance and to search out the treasures that come from intimacy with the Father, Son and Spirit - embracing the value God places on you and the value He asks you to place on others. Currently the language of the Seven Stories School is English. We have found the course to be very fruitful to those for whom English is a second language, provided they are confident at a conversational level. Past participants have come from Holland, France, Russia and Albania as well as the UK, Canada and the USA.

If you're tired of being forced to choose between experience and action, between receiving good news and being good news…

…Then the Seven Stories school is for you

THE SEVEN STORIES SCHOOL IS AN 8-DAY EXPERIENCE OF:

Built on the book “The Seven Stories That Shape Your Life” our curriculum will increase your understanding of God’s mission and empower you to find your place within it.
We are a missional movement seeking to connect with the purposes of God for mainland Europe. Your learning will be forged in this context, reflecting on the contemporary practise of mission.
This is above all a journey of the heart: our reflections on mission and our practice of mission are both embedded in a deep and passionate journey of worship.
During your time with us you will be part of the Bless family, living in community at Bethanie, sharing life and meals together in a rhythm of work, rest and prayer.
We are a church-planting movement, and invite you to learn and grow alongside Bless Church, a bilingual, ecumenical and missional church meeting in Livarot and Caen.

FAQs

What can you expect?

14 sessions of inspiring teaching from international speakers and leaders of The Bless Network, Gerard and Chrissie Kelly

Teaching sessions take place in our Lacey Room which is a relaxed informal environment with plenty of tea and coffee on tap
Daily worship and prayer in our beautiful prayer room at Béthanie with plenty of space to enjoy the presence of God
Time to respond to and process the teaching through journalling, worship, art and walks in the countryside around Béthanie
Opportunity to meet one-on-one with a Bless Team Mentor for prophetic prayer ministry
Missional opportunities working with a refugee community and Bless church plants in Livarot and Caen
Community: we enjoy delicious home-cooked meals together around the table in our Apple Barn

Who are you?

We welcome applications from anyone over the age of 18. So far, we’ve found the school is particularly impactful if you are:

A recent graduate, exploring your calling and next steps
Further on in your career but either at a crossroads or looking to explore something new
Exploring a sense of calling to overseas mission in Europe
Needing to get out of your comfort zone to discover more of God's purposes for your life
Interning for a church or missional organisation and looking for opportunities to learn, process and grow

WHEREVER YOU’RE AT, WE’D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR STORY.

WHEN AND HOW MUCH?

We run the Seven Stories School twice a year in March and October. Each school runs for eight days and is hosted by our Bless Team at Béthanie in Normandy, France. The cost is 600€/£520 which includes room and board, teaching, and materials. Travel to and from the school is not included.
HOW TO ENROL

Please select a school from one of the buttons below and fill out the form. A member of our team will contact you shortly to complete your enrolment.
SEVEN STORIES ONLINE

We've been delivering this material in a residential setting for over five years - usually at Bethanie, a converted cider farm in Normandie, France. This teach:able course takes the full content of that residential experience - filmed live at Bethanie - and makes it available right where you are. Whether you follow these videos alone or in a group we pray that this material will impact and inspire.

ENROL OCTOBER '23

ENROL MARCH ‘24

FIND OUT MORE: ONLINE COURSE

Testimonials

“I love the Seven Stories mix of teaching, ministry, worship, action and the Bethanie/Normandy space. It's refreshing, inspiring and challenging. A time to reflect and to look at life from a different perspective."”

Martin M
“For me attending Seven Stories has provided an opportunity to think deeply about the things I believe, the teaching and practical exercises have been challenging and life changing. All this in an atmosphere of worship and prayer brings new life and refreshing. I love the beautiful, peaceful place that is Bethanie and its relaxed yet deeply spiritual atmosphere - it always feels like home.”

Alison M
“Thank you to all the Bless Team, for such a fantastic time over the summer at Seven Stories. It’s not an exaggeration to say that, for me, it was life changing. I came believing I had nothing, no gifts, nothing to offer but that God worked in me to heal me of those doubts (and lies). I was so strengthened, encouraged and blessed by your joint teaching, worship, prayer and mentoring.”

Pat W
“I loved the whole 10-day programme - both Gerard's mind-stretching teaching sessions and Chrissie's gentle but challenging application sessions. Even nearly a year later, I look back at my notes with delight, and am still discovering new 'walls' that God is taking down in my life, to move me into a closer relationship with Him, the whole process of which began on the Seven Stories School.”

Dawn J