Dear Friends,
Like many others I have taken time out this evening to watch some of the Olympics and just seen Team GB collect three gold medals. Each of these was an outstanding performance and the victories brought interesting scenes. For Jessica Ennis, winning the heptathlon, how wonderful to see the camaraderie among those who moments before were competitors. They all seemed to be fully sharing her joy. Then later later to see Mo Farah win the 10,000 metres and share his joy with his daughter and wife was wonderful. But there was a wonderful interview with Greg Rutherfold who won gold in the long jump.
While still letting his achievement sink in Greg was quick to name those who were part of his team: his trainer, physiotherapist, and many others. He clearly saw that what he had achieved was to a considerable measure due to the way they had fulfilled their roles. As each week I reflect of those who have responded to God's word, or found helpful advice for their own ministry - whatever has been achieved is always a team effort.
When Paul wrote his letter to the church at Colosse he introduces us to Epaphras, a servant of Jesus who was part of the Colossian church. Paul tells us that he was always wrestling in prayer for his fellow Christians in Colosse. The Greek word that is used here means to fight or to strive. It is the Greek word from which we get the expression "to agonize".
Paul rejoiced in what he had heard about this faithful and loving church, but how much was due to the faithful and earnest praying that went on behind the scenes. Please, never underestimate the importance of your prayers on our behalf of of the gifts you are able to send. This is a team ministry.
Sunday morning at the prison saw 47 prisoners in attendance for the morning service. Afterwards a significant number expressed appreciation and stated that God had spoken to them. Please keep praying for them, for the faithful witness of the prisoners who are committed Christians, and for the work of the chaplaincy team. We also had a good choir practice on Tuesday and in the fellowship afterwards some were still talking about the Sunday morning meeting.
While a lot of time this week has been spent on administration for Rural Mission Solutions, some was spent in pastoral ministry and some with fellow trustees in managing Action for Christ (formerly Mission for Christ) as we move forward through a difficult time. Please keep praying for this organisation that once was a significant force for rural evangelism. AfC plans to move into new offices but currently a former tenant is slow in moving out. We pray that the way will open up for him quickly so that we can move before the end of August.
This week's diary:
Sunday 5th Yelvertoft Congregational Church, Northants.
Monday 6th Pastoral ministry followed by an important Church Meeting at Yelvertoft. This small village church is undertaking a scheme to ensure better access and facilities for those with disabilities, plus improvements to our kitchen and entrance porch. Around one third of the cost was covered in a recent thanksgiving service.
Tuesday 7th Gartree Prison, after which I am driving to Hastings.
Wednesday 8th Various management matters for Action for Christ.
Thursday 9th & Friday 10th provisionally activities in Yorkshire
Sunday 12th Yelvertoft Congregational Church
Monday 13th to Friday 17th "Holiday at Home" outreach programme each morning in Market Harborough. Please pray for the team and those attending. Our target group is the over 50s.
Practical Matters
Since the start of the current financial crisis in 2008 we have been operating with a negative budget. We have no plans to curtail our activities. Indeed we have visions yet to be fulfilled. However the financial resources for Sunrise Ministries in the East Midlands (the Christian charity that enables all my rural ministry activities) are rapidly dwindling.
Way back in 1965 I faced the challenge of stepping into full time ministry. What began at that time was made possible by 36 people who gave half a crown a week (the equivalent of 12.5 pence today) which was just enough to live on then. Several strategic decisions taken in the past mean that we are able to offer our services to rural churches operating on a small budget. A similar team effort to that which launched me into full time rural mission work is needed once more. An additional annual income of £5,000 would put us back on an even keel. The Lord has never failed to supply our needs over almost 50 years of ministry and we look to him. We believe that what we are engaged in is what he requires us to do, and that he will raise up a team to make it possible.
Finally... it was encouraging to receive many encouraging comments from people who told us that the Lord had used last week's Praise & Prayer News to speak to them about sharing their faith and witnessing to others. I encourage you to keep that up. Whatever the circumstances - whether difficult or easy - please be faithful to testify to what God has done for us through Jesus Christ. Remember that "Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap." (Eccles 11:4)
Barry
Like many others I have taken time out this evening to watch some of the Olympics and just seen Team GB collect three gold medals. Each of these was an outstanding performance and the victories brought interesting scenes. For Jessica Ennis, winning the heptathlon, how wonderful to see the camaraderie among those who moments before were competitors. They all seemed to be fully sharing her joy. Then later later to see Mo Farah win the 10,000 metres and share his joy with his daughter and wife was wonderful. But there was a wonderful interview with Greg Rutherfold who won gold in the long jump.
 |
| Jessica Ennis wins gold. |
While still letting his achievement sink in Greg was quick to name those who were part of his team: his trainer, physiotherapist, and many others. He clearly saw that what he had achieved was to a considerable measure due to the way they had fulfilled their roles. As each week I reflect of those who have responded to God's word, or found helpful advice for their own ministry - whatever has been achieved is always a team effort.
When Paul wrote his letter to the church at Colosse he introduces us to Epaphras, a servant of Jesus who was part of the Colossian church. Paul tells us that he was always wrestling in prayer for his fellow Christians in Colosse. The Greek word that is used here means to fight or to strive. It is the Greek word from which we get the expression "to agonize".
Paul rejoiced in what he had heard about this faithful and loving church, but how much was due to the faithful and earnest praying that went on behind the scenes. Please, never underestimate the importance of your prayers on our behalf of of the gifts you are able to send. This is a team ministry.
Sunday morning at the prison saw 47 prisoners in attendance for the morning service. Afterwards a significant number expressed appreciation and stated that God had spoken to them. Please keep praying for them, for the faithful witness of the prisoners who are committed Christians, and for the work of the chaplaincy team. We also had a good choir practice on Tuesday and in the fellowship afterwards some were still talking about the Sunday morning meeting.
While a lot of time this week has been spent on administration for Rural Mission Solutions, some was spent in pastoral ministry and some with fellow trustees in managing Action for Christ (formerly Mission for Christ) as we move forward through a difficult time. Please keep praying for this organisation that once was a significant force for rural evangelism. AfC plans to move into new offices but currently a former tenant is slow in moving out. We pray that the way will open up for him quickly so that we can move before the end of August.
This week's diary:
Sunday 5th Yelvertoft Congregational Church, Northants.
Monday 6th Pastoral ministry followed by an important Church Meeting at Yelvertoft. This small village church is undertaking a scheme to ensure better access and facilities for those with disabilities, plus improvements to our kitchen and entrance porch. Around one third of the cost was covered in a recent thanksgiving service.
Tuesday 7th Gartree Prison, after which I am driving to Hastings.
Wednesday 8th Various management matters for Action for Christ.
Thursday 9th & Friday 10th provisionally activities in Yorkshire
Sunday 12th Yelvertoft Congregational Church
Monday 13th to Friday 17th "Holiday at Home" outreach programme each morning in Market Harborough. Please pray for the team and those attending. Our target group is the over 50s.
Practical Matters
Since the start of the current financial crisis in 2008 we have been operating with a negative budget. We have no plans to curtail our activities. Indeed we have visions yet to be fulfilled. However the financial resources for Sunrise Ministries in the East Midlands (the Christian charity that enables all my rural ministry activities) are rapidly dwindling.
Way back in 1965 I faced the challenge of stepping into full time ministry. What began at that time was made possible by 36 people who gave half a crown a week (the equivalent of 12.5 pence today) which was just enough to live on then. Several strategic decisions taken in the past mean that we are able to offer our services to rural churches operating on a small budget. A similar team effort to that which launched me into full time rural mission work is needed once more. An additional annual income of £5,000 would put us back on an even keel. The Lord has never failed to supply our needs over almost 50 years of ministry and we look to him. We believe that what we are engaged in is what he requires us to do, and that he will raise up a team to make it possible.
Finally... it was encouraging to receive many encouraging comments from people who told us that the Lord had used last week's Praise & Prayer News to speak to them about sharing their faith and witnessing to others. I encourage you to keep that up. Whatever the circumstances - whether difficult or easy - please be faithful to testify to what God has done for us through Jesus Christ. Remember that "Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap." (Eccles 11:4)
Barry
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