"Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds" (John 12:24 NIV)
The words quoted above were spoken by Jesus regarding his own impending death, and we are part of that great harvest. But Jesus went on to speak of those who would follow him and the importance of self denial. It seems to me that these words also have relevance as we come to terms with the home-call of my friend and colleague for 40 years - Monica Cook who went to be with Jesus last Sunday.
Monica's journey of faith started in her childhood Her early life was spent as a Primary School teacher both in the UK and in Australia. It was a job she loved and she was good at it. Then, towards the end of her 20's Monica began to fee that God was wanting more from her. But letting go would not have come easily.
She enrolled in what was then the Birmingham Bible Institute. Any of her contemporaries reading this will know that this also brought a challenge to faith and Christian commitment. It was here that I first met Monica Cook. I was a visiting speaker presenting the challenge of rural mission within the UK. After the presentation she asked, "What opportunities does your organisation have for women in Christian service?". My feeble answer was, "We are able to fit them in". Monica later recalled thinking, "That's the last organisation I would want to be in; I dont want to be just 'fitted in'"
When we learn to die to self, though that is often painful, we discover great things. Within a year Monica had enrolled onto a training programme I was running at the time. Seeing her potential I encouraged that she be invited onto the staff of our evangelistic team. For the next 13 years she took part in evangelistic missions, taught on our training programme, set up children's clubs to follow up the missions and produced material to nurture new young followers of Jesus. In 1988 there was another challenge to self. Doreen and I had left that organisation and were looking to place greater emphasis on enabling rural churches to become truly missional in character. Monica took the bold step to join us though we had no resources to be able to pay her.
In 1995 we agreed she should go to Kenya following a visit I had made. I asked her to focus on the village of Obambo. She came back to the UK fired up with a vision. What she has since achieved in that place is amazing as she proved herself to be an effective 21st Century missionary. Other invitations from around the world started to come in and in 2002 Sunrise Ministries granted her autonomy to go wherever she felt God calling her. That has taken her t,around the world including countries in Africa, South East Asia, New Zealand and Australia. Wherever she has gone she has shared the gospel with children and adults alike. She has provided training for children's workers and so much more. And along the way hundreds of children have become followers of Jesus. As they grew up she often found herself teaching and reaching their children. One seed that fell into the ground has produced an amazing harvest.
Self-denial and sacrifice did not always come easily. Monica liked certain creature comforts. But she happily gave these up to travel rough roads in developing countries, to run the gauntlet of armed gangs and secret police, to eat strange food and survive when sometimes hygiene was barely basic. None of this came naturally to her. To all of this some might add she took on the challenge of working with me for forty years! But she did it all - and did it gladly - because she knew that self had to die for the fullness of the blessing of the Lord to be realised.
Now Sunrise Ministries is looking at ways in which the harvest time of her life might continue. The harvest from her life produces seed that themselves have been leading to more harvests. We value your prayers as we seek God's guidance. Firstly, we are committed to encouraging those who have been supporting the work in Obambo to continue faithfully The future of the children in this remote Kenyan village are in our hands. This will be managed by a separate organisation that Monica set up with others called "Friends of Obambo".
Then we are also considering whether Sunrise Ministries could appoint someone to take on Monica's role within the UK. This is a ministry of evangelism but also helping rural churches and others to develop appropriate, effective and self-sustainable programmes of mission to and with children. Is there, I wonder, someone who is the fruit of Monica's ministry who will answer this call? We need prayer for guidance please.
Monica's journey of faith started in her childhood Her early life was spent as a Primary School teacher both in the UK and in Australia. It was a job she loved and she was good at it. Then, towards the end of her 20's Monica began to fee that God was wanting more from her. But letting go would not have come easily.
She enrolled in what was then the Birmingham Bible Institute. Any of her contemporaries reading this will know that this also brought a challenge to faith and Christian commitment. It was here that I first met Monica Cook. I was a visiting speaker presenting the challenge of rural mission within the UK. After the presentation she asked, "What opportunities does your organisation have for women in Christian service?". My feeble answer was, "We are able to fit them in". Monica later recalled thinking, "That's the last organisation I would want to be in; I dont want to be just 'fitted in'"
When we learn to die to self, though that is often painful, we discover great things. Within a year Monica had enrolled onto a training programme I was running at the time. Seeing her potential I encouraged that she be invited onto the staff of our evangelistic team. For the next 13 years she took part in evangelistic missions, taught on our training programme, set up children's clubs to follow up the missions and produced material to nurture new young followers of Jesus. In 1988 there was another challenge to self. Doreen and I had left that organisation and were looking to place greater emphasis on enabling rural churches to become truly missional in character. Monica took the bold step to join us though we had no resources to be able to pay her.
In 1995 we agreed she should go to Kenya following a visit I had made. I asked her to focus on the village of Obambo. She came back to the UK fired up with a vision. What she has since achieved in that place is amazing as she proved herself to be an effective 21st Century missionary. Other invitations from around the world started to come in and in 2002 Sunrise Ministries granted her autonomy to go wherever she felt God calling her. That has taken her t,around the world including countries in Africa, South East Asia, New Zealand and Australia. Wherever she has gone she has shared the gospel with children and adults alike. She has provided training for children's workers and so much more. And along the way hundreds of children have become followers of Jesus. As they grew up she often found herself teaching and reaching their children. One seed that fell into the ground has produced an amazing harvest.
Self-denial and sacrifice did not always come easily. Monica liked certain creature comforts. But she happily gave these up to travel rough roads in developing countries, to run the gauntlet of armed gangs and secret police, to eat strange food and survive when sometimes hygiene was barely basic. None of this came naturally to her. To all of this some might add she took on the challenge of working with me for forty years! But she did it all - and did it gladly - because she knew that self had to die for the fullness of the blessing of the Lord to be realised.
Now Sunrise Ministries is looking at ways in which the harvest time of her life might continue. The harvest from her life produces seed that themselves have been leading to more harvests. We value your prayers as we seek God's guidance. Firstly, we are committed to encouraging those who have been supporting the work in Obambo to continue faithfully The future of the children in this remote Kenyan village are in our hands. This will be managed by a separate organisation that Monica set up with others called "Friends of Obambo".
Then we are also considering whether Sunrise Ministries could appoint someone to take on Monica's role within the UK. This is a ministry of evangelism but also helping rural churches and others to develop appropriate, effective and self-sustainable programmes of mission to and with children. Is there, I wonder, someone who is the fruit of Monica's ministry who will answer this call? We need prayer for guidance please.
Other Matters for Praise & Prayer
We have closed down the office in Battle where Monica was based. All her email communications have been routed to the office at Market Harborough. The past week has been extremely busy and I have sought to be helpful and supportive to those in Battle and the surrounding area. Getting communications out and sorting out administration has been demanding. Doreen and I value your prayers as we deal with these matters.
Please pray for Monica's brother Michael and for Pauline. Pray too for Monica's sister, Jean and her family. Remember all who will gather for the funeral on Friday 3rd July at Loddon and for people around the world who will meet or pray at the same time (14.00BST; 13.00GMT). Especially our friends in Obambo. I have been asked to speak about Monica at the service.
Pray for the trustees of Sunrise Ministries as we seek God's guidance, and for Clive Mills and the committee of Friends of Obambo. Pray also for her many friends who will miss her including those at her church in Battle, East Sussex.
Give thanks for a Christian friend who has provided some space for Monica's files, publications and other material from her office.
Pray as we continue the programme of Rural Mission Webinars over the coming weeks. The schedule will be appearing on our website.
Over the next few weeks I expect to be working with one church in Kent with an Away Day looking at friendship evangelism, and another church in Kent helping them with constitutional matters. I also have a church in Norfolk that I have to visit for a mission consultation and several requests for resources.
In addition to this I have my regular responsibilities with ministry at Yelvertoft Congregational Church on the next two Sundays and on Thursday before setting off for Loddon. I will be in HMP Gartree on Tuesday.
I am very grateful for those who have emailed or phoned to assure me of their prayers for me at this time of bereavement. That has meant a great deal. Thank you.
Please pray for Monica's brother Michael and for Pauline. Pray too for Monica's sister, Jean and her family. Remember all who will gather for the funeral on Friday 3rd July at Loddon and for people around the world who will meet or pray at the same time (14.00BST; 13.00GMT). Especially our friends in Obambo. I have been asked to speak about Monica at the service.
Pray for the trustees of Sunrise Ministries as we seek God's guidance, and for Clive Mills and the committee of Friends of Obambo. Pray also for her many friends who will miss her including those at her church in Battle, East Sussex.
Give thanks for a Christian friend who has provided some space for Monica's files, publications and other material from her office.
Pray as we continue the programme of Rural Mission Webinars over the coming weeks. The schedule will be appearing on our website.
Over the next few weeks I expect to be working with one church in Kent with an Away Day looking at friendship evangelism, and another church in Kent helping them with constitutional matters. I also have a church in Norfolk that I have to visit for a mission consultation and several requests for resources.
In addition to this I have my regular responsibilities with ministry at Yelvertoft Congregational Church on the next two Sundays and on Thursday before setting off for Loddon. I will be in HMP Gartree on Tuesday.
I am very grateful for those who have emailed or phoned to assure me of their prayers for me at this time of bereavement. That has meant a great deal. Thank you.
Yours gladly in His service,
Barry
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