Do please take a look at the immediately previous post about discipleship. I would value your comments.
As predicted it has been a busy week and the one in front of me looks just as busy. A good number attended the Area Assembly in Oakham, Rutland where we explored the importance of every Christian knowing and engaging in the role that God has called them to. The Monday school assembly theme was about ambitions and after praying about this we focused on the vision for the kingdom of God and our part in working with God to bring it in.
Tuesday's Prison choir practice was our last before the concert the following day. Fourteen men turned up (the most ever) but we had a few (slightly) unruly characters. This was made up for by a high level of enthusiasm. The concert itself on Wednesday was well attended by those from outside (mostly prison visitors) and men off the wings. The tumultuous applause at the end said it all. It was good to see the smile on the lads faces as they stood for yet another round of applause!
Thursday morning held a Bible discussion on the start of Paul's second missionary journey and was well attended. In the afternoon I led one of the home groups for my local colleague as we began exploring friendship evangelism. Friday was given over to some pastoral work with a meeting of the Congregational Federation's East Midlands Area Executive which I chaired in the evening. This brings us to today which is all about preparation for tomorrow's harvest thanksgiving services.
Two other answers to prayer: we received a secure promise of a portable baptistery for the event at Yelvertoft referred to in last week's post. Please pray for Catherine who will be baptised on 23rd October. My baptism on Easter Sunday 1963 was a real milestone in my journey of faith. May it be so also for her. The other answer to prayer is that we seem to have obtained listed building consent for the much needed alterations to our premises at Yelvertoft.
The Coming Week:
Sunday 9th 10.45 Harvest Thanksgiving at Yelvertoft. In the evening we will be supporting a similar event at Theddingworth.
Monday and Tuesday - Group for Evangelisation Residential at High Leigh, Hoddesdon.
Tuesday afternoon - Gartree Prison.
Wednesday - Churches Rural Group, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire.
Thursday - Second session of the Friendship Evangelism Home Group. This time exploring the importance of listening to God and the people we befriend (Bible passage Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch).
The tail end of the week is free of engagements and Doreen and I might use this to make fleeting visits to some family members in Worcestershire and Lancashire.
I hope you are encouraged by the many answers to prayer we have been experiencing. God is good (all the time)! Don't forget to read the posting about discipleship. What our ministry is all about is the developing of disciples within missional churches. God has so much more that he longs to do through Christians in rural Britain. The challenge is getting people to catch that vision.
Our thanks and warmest greetings in Christ,
Barry and Doreen
As predicted it has been a busy week and the one in front of me looks just as busy. A good number attended the Area Assembly in Oakham, Rutland where we explored the importance of every Christian knowing and engaging in the role that God has called them to. The Monday school assembly theme was about ambitions and after praying about this we focused on the vision for the kingdom of God and our part in working with God to bring it in.
Tuesday's Prison choir practice was our last before the concert the following day. Fourteen men turned up (the most ever) but we had a few (slightly) unruly characters. This was made up for by a high level of enthusiasm. The concert itself on Wednesday was well attended by those from outside (mostly prison visitors) and men off the wings. The tumultuous applause at the end said it all. It was good to see the smile on the lads faces as they stood for yet another round of applause!
Thursday morning held a Bible discussion on the start of Paul's second missionary journey and was well attended. In the afternoon I led one of the home groups for my local colleague as we began exploring friendship evangelism. Friday was given over to some pastoral work with a meeting of the Congregational Federation's East Midlands Area Executive which I chaired in the evening. This brings us to today which is all about preparation for tomorrow's harvest thanksgiving services.
Two other answers to prayer: we received a secure promise of a portable baptistery for the event at Yelvertoft referred to in last week's post. Please pray for Catherine who will be baptised on 23rd October. My baptism on Easter Sunday 1963 was a real milestone in my journey of faith. May it be so also for her. The other answer to prayer is that we seem to have obtained listed building consent for the much needed alterations to our premises at Yelvertoft.
The Coming Week:
Sunday 9th 10.45 Harvest Thanksgiving at Yelvertoft. In the evening we will be supporting a similar event at Theddingworth.
Monday and Tuesday - Group for Evangelisation Residential at High Leigh, Hoddesdon.
Tuesday afternoon - Gartree Prison.
Wednesday - Churches Rural Group, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire.
Thursday - Second session of the Friendship Evangelism Home Group. This time exploring the importance of listening to God and the people we befriend (Bible passage Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch).
The tail end of the week is free of engagements and Doreen and I might use this to make fleeting visits to some family members in Worcestershire and Lancashire.
I hope you are encouraged by the many answers to prayer we have been experiencing. God is good (all the time)! Don't forget to read the posting about discipleship. What our ministry is all about is the developing of disciples within missional churches. God has so much more that he longs to do through Christians in rural Britain. The challenge is getting people to catch that vision.
Our thanks and warmest greetings in Christ,
Barry and Doreen
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