We had a really great Easter and much more for which to give thanks. I hope that you also experienced God gracious blessing through the Easter season.
Action for Christ
I apologise for repeating some aspects of the story but we need your prayers and some explanation is necessary.
I joined Mission for Christ, as it was then known, straight from school and spent the first two years using all my spare time for the mission as I undertook some training. It was a small organisation in 1963. Through the 25 years that I spent in the Mission I was privileged to share in evangelistic outreaches and see many men women and young people come to faith in Christ. I also saw the organisation expand with additional team members and a national network of associates. We set up the first Training Base for those completing Bible College who felt a call to rural evangelism. We undertook and published research into various aspects of rural evangelism, and shared in setting up the national Network for Rural Evangelism.
I and several others left in 1988. A year afterwards an situation was discovered that cast a dark shadow over the organisation and that led to the eventual arrest and imprisonment of the Mission Director. The trustee who assumed leadership after this appeared to be a competent and trustworthy person. Sadly, in early summer last year it was discovered that he had committed VAT fraud in which he had taken almost £30,000 from the organisation. It was at this stage that I was invited back as a trustee. This man had also managed the finances recklessly while deliberately keeping the trustees in the dark. For the second time a leader from the organisation has come to Court and given a custodial sentence (in this case suspended for two years).
By mid-summer 2012 this organisation that had funds of around £500,000 two years before was struggling to survive. This week there are a series of meetings that are likely to determine the future course for this organisation. It is for this reason that I ask your prayers this week.
Give thanks
- for the offer of legal advice received in the last few days;
- for the trustees who have been working hard as a team to sort out the problems they have inherited. I am thankful for Elizabeth and Terry;
- for those who are helping us fulfil ministry requests;
- for those from within past supporters who are standing by the organisation both in prayer and in donations;
- for Heather who is keeping the office open and at work.
- safety in travelling as the team comes together from around the country late on Tuesday.
- for our meeting with officers of the Charity Commission which will take place on Wednesday and Thursday this week. Because of the seriousness of what has happened the Commission will undertake a thorough investigation and audit of the charity. This could be a difficult process.
- for an appointment with the legal adviser on Friday morning. We need wise counsel as we have three major complex issues to address.
- for appointments later in the day related to a complicated trust indirectly linked to the charity.
- for at least one additional trustee to be willing to join the team at this time. Terry is a USA citizen and returns to the States in May. It is imperative that someone is appointed before that time.
It is inevitable that I will be preoccupied with this aspect during the week, though I will remain in touch with the office at home by phone each day. Please pray that the Lord's hand will rest upon all aspects through this time.
Thank you.
Barry
PS Computer Problem. During the past week Microsoft updated some of the apps on my tablet computer and in the process severed the calendar link and erased some entries that had not been synchronised to my laptop. If anyone reading this is aware of a forthcoming engagement made during February or March please contact me as soon as possible.
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