news and reports stop and listen prayer meetings sympathy cards faith mission work in canada, uk & ireland The Magazine of The Faith Mission

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1 The Magazine of The Faith Mission May/June 2013 Price 75p stop and listen finding spiritual quietness in the digital age prayer meetings the key to changing communities sympathy cards how to write them so that they are a ministry news and reports faith mission work in canada, uk & ireland

2 Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness (Matt.6:33). FIRST! No March/April 2013 EDITOR: Lin Pearson CONSULTING EDITOR: John Townend and Sandy Roger OUR VISION STATEMENT To reach through passionate evangelism the lost of all age groups, particularly in the villages and rural areas of Great Britain and Ireland, and by biblical teaching to encourage holiness of heart and life in Christian people. COUNCIL MEMBERS President - Rev. N. Darragh General Director - J. Townend Mission Administrator and Treasurer - J. McNeilly, J. Bennett, Miss A. Brown, Rev. J. Currie, N. Liddle, I. MacLeod, J. Matthews, Miss A. Paul, R. A. Potts, Rev. A. M. Roger, J. Sandall, Rev. W. Smylie, D. Stevenson, Directors and Superintendents. The FAITH MISSION General Headquarters - Govan House, 548 Gilmerton Road, Gilmerton, Edinburgh EH17 7JD. (Tel: ) (Fax: ) hq@faithmission.org Website: General Director - John Townend Mission Administrator & Treasurer - Joe McNeilly ( admin@faithmission.org) Office Administrator - Carole Townley Practical work - John McCartney Bible College Interim Principal: Rev. John Shearer 2 Drum Street, Gilmerton, Edinburgh EH17 8QG (Tel ) (Fax ) admin@fmbc.ac Website: English Headquarters Director: A. Patterson 10 Millgates, York, YO26 6AT (Tel ) hq.england@faithmission.org Irish Headquarters Director: T. Matthews 62 Glenavy Rd, Lisburn, Co.Antrim,BT28 3UT (Tel ) hq.ireland@faithmission.org Scottish Headquarters Director: J. McNeilly 548 Gilmerton Road, Edinburgh, EH17 7JD (Tel /1419) admin@faithmission.org Faith Mission & Missionary Training Home (known as The Faith Mission) is a charity registered in Scotland No SC LOCATION OF WORKERS SCOTLAND South District: Superintendent DANIEL & JUNE CHAMBERS, 3 Southhouse Rd, Edinburgh EH17 8DZ. (Tel ) s.scottish@faithmission.org East District: Superintendent NOEL McCLINTOCK, 43 Great Southern Road, Aberdeen AB11 7XY. (Tel ) east.scot@faithmission.org Kirkcaldy: Kathy Wood Peterhead: John & Liz Macdonald Highland District: Superintendent DONNIE & Catherine MACLEOD, 1 Lodge Park, Inverness IV2 4YR. (Tel ). highlands@faithmission.org Fort William: Justin & Carol Cummings Ministry Apprentice: Stephen Houghton Anglo-Scottish Border District: Superintendent WILLIAM & CAROLYN HARRISON, The Steadings, High Barbuchany, Newton Stewart, Wigtownshire, DG8 6QF.(Tel ). anglo.scot@faithmission.org Bookshops : General Manager NORMAN & PEARL LIDDLE. bookshops.scot@faithmission.org EDINBURGH, 548 Gilmerton Road (Tel ) DUNFERMLINE, 4 Canmore Street (Tel ) PETERHEAD, 2 Erroll Street (Tel ) STIRLING,36 Barnton Street (Tel ) PERTH, 240 Old High Street (Tel ) Glasgow, Bothwell Street, G2 6NU, (Tel ) COVER photo: A watchful lion istockphoto.com See page 17 for Cover Comment. ENGLAND Headquarters and North District: DIRECTOR ALISTAIR & SHARON PATTERSON, 10 Millgates, York, YO26 6AT (Tel ) hq.england@faithmission.org Preston: James & Lynda Bovenizer Durham: Mark & Sheena Nelson North Lancashire: Paul Curwen South East District: In Charge Stephen & Cynthia Walker, Red House Farm, Fen Lane, Earl Stonham, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 5EG. (Tel ) southeast.english@faithmission.org Norfolk: David & Donna Ohin Kent: Arabella Paul Central District : Superintendent DANIEL & GRACE HOWSON, Glebe Farm, Langar Lane, Harby, Melton Mowbray LE14 4BL. (Tel ). central.english@faithmission.org Associate Workers: Simon & Rebecca Walsh Grantham: Tim Currie; Andrew & Grace Morton South West District : Superintendent IAN & HAZEL GILKINSON, Henerys Garden, Lewdown, Okehampton, EX20 4BS (Tel: ) southwest.english@faithmission.org Outreach: David Lewis WALES Regional Representative: PAUL & ELIZABETH CROWE, 5 Glandulas Drive, Mochdre Lane, Newtown, Powys SY16 4JB. (Tel: ). wales@faithmission.org (Locations are continued on the inside back cover)

3 It is finished When Christ shouted from the cross, It is finished! it was not the despairing moan of a man beaten by the task he had set out to do. Christ s death was not the abject failure some suppose it to be. It was the triumphant fulfilment of his life s work. what was finished? Thoughts from the editor When Jesus died he defeated Satan 1. We have all sinned and deserve to die 2, but Jesus never sinned. So, by conniving in Christ s death, Satan unlawfully took a life. As a murderer Satan forfeited all his rights. Christ, by willingly submitting to an undeserved death, has exposed Satan to be in the wrong and so defeated him. Satan s power is now limited and unwarranted. Perhaps he is succeeding to grip your life so that you cannot break from the habits and sins that bind you. Jesus can break Satan s grip. Trust him! Does God seem remote to you? He need not be. When Jesus died he opened the way of personal access to God 3. Our sins have cut us off from God 4, but because Jesus suffered the punishment we all deserve, there need be nothing between you and God if you confess to him your sin, trust in Christ s death to have paid your punishment and ask God to forgive you. Perhaps you feel at odds with God, ill at ease with spiritual matters. When Jesus died he made peace between God and us 5. When Jesus died he made it possible for us to be adopted into God s family, to be at peace with him. Yes, it is finished! Christ has provided complete freedom from Satan, forgiveness of sin and peace with God. Will you now by faith receive from him these precious gifts? 1. John 12:31,32; 2. Rom. 6:23; 3. Hebrews 10:19,20; 4. Isaiah 59:2; 5. Col. 1:20-22.

4 Surrendered Sleep: Part 2 Don t let the sun set By Dr Charles Page In your anger, do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry and do not give the devil a foothold (Ephesians 4:26-27). One of my favourite past-times is watching the sun go down with my family. It's good to slow down and reflect on the events of the day. In our previous article, we discussed how God has designed our brain to process the events of the day while we sleep. But now we need to understand some of the negative aspects of our mind and memory as we lay our heads down for rest. As I was watching the sun sink over the horizon yesterday an old adage came to mind. Don t let the sun set on an ectopic pregnancy was just an old cliché in obstetrics, until I saw a patient almost bleed to death in medical school. After seeing the cascade of consequences of a missed ectopic pregnancy, the diagnosis was forever embedded in my memory. At the end of the day a doctor must be certain to exclude all life-threatening possibilities. Diligence is needed Anger is a spiritual malady that should be addressed with diligence before the day ends. Neuroscience continues to confirm the importance of sleep on our memory. As we sleep our brain works overtime to organize, process and store data. Our Creator, who elegantly fashioned the sleep physiology of our brains, understood the importance of dealing with certain issues before we sleep. Perhaps that s why Paul encourages 4 March/April 2013

5 us not to let the sun set on our anger. If our anger is not addressed before we sleep then our brain begins the natural process of embedding it into our memory. What begins as an isolated angry thought at bedtime can ultimately be internalized angry habits when we awake. Once anger is entrenched in our brains, our adversary has the foothold he desires. Instead of renewing our minds (Rom 12:2), we allow our adversary to use our own sleep physiology against us. Like a virus that s accidently downloaded to the hard drive of a computer, anger is much easier to deal with before it becomes rooted in our minds. We must proactively confront our anger issues before our eyes close in slumber. Natural response Anger is a natural response to the hurts and injustices that bombard us on a day-to-day basis. Someone once said: He that would be angry and sin not, must not be angry with anything but sin. But honestly, our blood boils because of the unrealistic expectations we put on ourselves and others not because of some righteous anger. The challenge for the exasperated is to be angered with the right motive, timing, purpose and degree. Grieving the Holy Spirit Of all the human emotions, anger seems to have the greatest effect on grieving the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives (Ephesians 4:30). Have you ever considered the influence of anger on every expression of the fruit of the Spirit? Anger is the enemy of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and self-control. That s why Paul subsequently admonishes us Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behaviour (Ephesians 4:31 NLT). dealing with anger How do we deal with anger as it surfaces before the sun goes down? (Eph.4:26). This passage alludes to Psalm 4:4. In the previous Psalm David is running for his life from Absalom. Here he expresses this song in the night. As David lies down to rest in the barren desert he reflects on the wrongdoing he has suffered from his own son. To do: Meditate on the ill effects of anger: Proverbs 19:11, 15:18; James 1:19; Psalm 37:7-8. Meditate on verses that focus on renewing the mind and apply them specifically to own anger issues: Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. Be still. Give God the opportunity to apply justice to those who have offended you His way and in His time. Ask God to heal those hurts that surface as you rest. In so doing you will invite the Great Physician to your bedside. Surrender your sleep. He has the remedy for your anger. Allow Him to begin the process of healing before your eyes close in slumber. This series continues in our next issue. Charles W. Page, MD, FACS, is a surgeon, author and father of five, who enjoys watching sunsets with his wife Joanna in their Texas-sized tree house. For an overview of the spiritual principles of sleep, and regularly updated comments, check out Dr Page s Surrendered Sleep blog at surrenderedsleep.blogspot.com. First! 5

6 Read it and Use it By Angus MacKinnon Do you just read first! magazine, or do you also use it? Like most of you I read FIRST! from cover to cover and then keep it close by, to dip into at a later date. The wide selection of articles always seems to strike the right note. But I also use it in my preaching and speaking ministry. Clear illustration When the Jan/Feb 2013 edition came through the post along with all the rest of my Christmas mail, I was in the process of putting the finishing touches to a Christmas Eve sermon. I was going to be preaching from John 1:14 about the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us, and wanted to get across the message that because of Christ s incarnation we can have God with us and in us always. What I needed was a relevant, crisp, clear illustration of just how stupendous a fact it is that with the coming of the Son of God to earth any believer can have instant access to unlimited resources. Bill Gates Laying aside the unfinished sermon I turned to read FIRST! magazine and there was exactly what I was looking for on page 9. It was a one-page article about prayer being an open line to God in every situation. It mentioned Bill Gates of Microsoft being bombarded by messages when his address was inadvertently printed in the famous and widely circulated New Yorker magazine. He found himself in a situation that was intolerable. He couldn t possibly answer all the s and had to install software that would deal with them and only allow essential messages to filter through. He was incommunicado; only those and such as those could access him. 6 March/April 2013

7 Total accessibility Oh, I thought to myself when I read the article, this is the exact opposite of the truth of the incarnation. Because Jesus came, anyone can come right in to the Father s presence (Ephesians 2:18). It opens up the possibility of coming to the Father through Jesus the Son. Christmas is all about the Lord of the universe being accessible any time and any place. If the incarnation has any meaning and relevance at all in our lives it can only demonstrate that God is not only very much for us, but wants to be available to us whenever we need him. And he does it not just by being born in Bethlehem for us, but through the miracle of his resurrection and the gift of the Holy Spirit he can live in us. Every time the Bible speaks about Christ coming, he is arriving to take up residence. At the first Christmas he came to reside in Mary s womb (Luke 1:35). When he comes again at the close of human history he will dwell on earth. In the meantime he longs to live in human lives. Our Saviour is not restricted to some distant heaven or far away galaxy. He is Immanuel, God with us, incarnate Deity. Miracle, not museum piece It is certainly true, as C. S. Lewis once wrote, that We live on a visited planet and even more true when the famous American astronaut James Irwin proclaimed that More important than man walking on the moon, is God walking on the earth. But even such rich, true, quotations pale into insignificance beside the clear teaching of the Bible about Christ dwelling in the heart through faith I will answer you He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him (Psalm 91:15). B ILL GATES was hooked up to the computer network we call the internet. Using it, subscribers can send electronic mail ( ) to other users of the internet. Originally, Gates had an internet address just like everyone. But he got into trouble when The New Yorker magazine published his address. Then, anyone could send the computer genius a letter. In no time he was swamped with five thousand messages he simply couldn't handle it. So he armed his computer with software that filtered his , allowing important messages through and sending all the others to electronic oblivion. We are limited; we can handle only so much and do only so much. God, on the other hand, never tires of s-mail (spirit mail). His ear is always open to our prayers. And he has an unlimited capacity to help. You'll never hear God say, Due to an unusually high call volume I am unable to take your call at this time. Please call back or leave a message. No, the Bible says, He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honour him....the desire of the righteous will be granted (Proverbs 10:24)....the prayer of the upright is his delight' (Proverbs 15:8). Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know (Jeremiah 33:3). If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you (John 15:7). Above: Bill Gates of Microsoft (on the right) with the late Steve Jobs (Apple). From UCB Word for Today used by permission. Bible verses are from the NKJV. FIRST! 9 (Ephesians 3:17). If the mighty miracle of the incarnation is to become more than a historical museum piece, the Christ needs to become incarnate in us. To be able to say, Christ lives in me (Galatians 2:20) is to have the assurance of perfect access to him at any time and be filled with confidence about the future; an assurance based on the reality of Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). If you are a preacher, a Sunday School or Bible Class leader, make use of the articles in FIRST! Allow them to feed your own soul and then pass on that feeding in your ministry to others. Read prayerfully and allow the Lord to suggest themes and ideas from the articles that could enrich your own preaching. If it has spoken to you it will communicate to others. Photo Wikipedia,Creative Commons First! 7

8 God in every circumstance Part 2 - when we are threatened By Catherine Slight Jesus has been right with me in circumstances that could have been worrying. Sometimes my colleague Lin Pearson and I worked in Ireland. For several years some of the people asked us to have open-air children s meetings in a local housing estate where there was an IRA following. Threatening The first day we went there, a man was very threatening. The next day he brought a camera and took closeups of our faces and continued to be hostile. The following day a gang of youths arrived. They threw crab apples at us. One had a rusty tin can on a chain and he whirred it nearer and nearer my face. They spat at us. When we finished our meeting they formed a human chain across the road, trying to block our way out of the estate, and as we edged our way past they pulled bits off the car. In the homes around the green where we held the meetings, people put objects in their windows to let us know their very strong feelings. It wasn t a safe place for us to be. But despite this, every day a big crowd of children came. They sat absolutely quietly and listened as we spoke about Jesus. They were totally oblivious to how we were being threatened. Kindness But not everyone on the estate was against us. When we went into a local store the shoppers were so kind to us. The customers showed they were friendly and indicated that they welcomed the work we were doing. They insisted that we go to the front of the queue to be served right away! On our last day on that housing estate the gang of youths came back. This time we saw them coming out of a local shop. They had handfuls of eggs. As they advanced towards us in a line it wasn t hard to know what they had in mind! I said to Lin, We re in for egg shampoos today! Christ came But suddenly the presence of Jesus came. I am not being fanciful; this was very real. And those youths, as they advanced, without consulting each other suddenly stopped dead in their tracks. Their arms dropped to their sides. Their hands opened and they let the eggs they had just bought drop to the ground and smash at their feet. Then they sat down where they were and listened quietly to the whole of the meeting, as we spoke about Jesus. We had another meeting to do elsewhere, so we had to leave. But as we drove away the place was thick with the atmosphere of God. Those young 8 March/April 2013

9 Posed by models. Photo by Image Source/Thinkstock The children sat absolutely quietly and listened. people were still sitting quietly, their eyes following us as we left the estate. Lives gripped by God A few days later, on the boat going home to Scotland, two young men came to speak to us. They had been in that gang and now they wanted to talk. Jesus had gripped their lives. He had come into that situation. It wasn t a safe situation but Jesus had wanted us to be there. The local people had been very much guided by God to invite us and God was working. Before we left the estate a lady came from one of the houses and said to us, Thank you for coming. This is the message we need to hear. I ve got two sons. One has gone bad; the other one isn t like that. But they both need to hear the message that you have been giving. You don t know this, but every day when you left this estate sweets were being given to the children and papers were being dropped all over the green, so that you would get the blame and be in trouble. But I ve been going out and picking up the papers. Just after that a local person asked us, Do you know who that lady was that spoke to you? She is the wife of the leader of the IRA in this district. Jesus had been with us. He had touched the heart of this lady to support us and she had the courage to take her stand and associate with us in front of all her neighbours. I have found that, no matter how threatening a situation might seem to be, when God has led me into it, there has been nothing to fear, because he has been with me and at work. This series continues in our next issue. Catherine is a retired Faith Mission worker. She worked in the Mission from 1968 until 2002, in both youth and children s work. This article is extracted from a talk she gave to a ladies group. First! 9

10 As I see it By John Townend Reflections and news from our General Director These days a great deal of emphasis is placed on the gaining of knowledge and academic qualifications. Perhaps that is why I was forcibly struck when reading through the second epistle of Peter this morning to notice that he frequently makes reference to an altogether different kind of knowledge the knowledge of God! An Intimate Knowledge I once heard a preacher say, You can miss heaven by eighteen inches! This, he explained, is the distance between your head and your heart. To many, the Christian message is reduced to nothing more than knowing about God. This has resulted in an insipid, powerless version of Christianity, which the Bible refers to as a form of godliness that denies its true power. Peter is not referring to a mere academic knowledge. The word he uses refers to experiential, intimate heart knowledge a close, personal, living relationship with a loving and caring heavenly Father. This relationship is made both possible and gloriously real through the Lord Jesus Christ. a PRODUCTIVE KNOWLEDGE Peter tells us that this intimate relationship with God is the secret of: Knowing peace in our lives. He says that through God s grace we can know God s peace abundantly. Peace to cover our past sin and failure, peace to cope with the troubles we face today, and peace for the future because we know that we have already been accepted by God and will be received into his heaven. Experiencing power to live the Christian life. Too often becoming a Christian is understood to be turning over of a new leaf trying to live a better life in our own power. Over the years many people have said to me, I would become a Christian but I couldn t keep it up; I would be back to my old ways within a few days. They have failed to understand that we are not left to flounder in our own strength. Through this personal, intimate knowledge of God we receive power for everything we need to live lives that are worthy of him. Being fruitful in our Christian witness. The term sanctification is little used today, but in its simplest form it refers to being made more and more like Jesus. Increasing Christlikeness of character is an evidence of our true knowledge of God through Jesus. The greater God s sanctifying work in our 10 March/April 2013

11 lives, through our personal identity with and surrender to him, the more fruitful and productive our lives will be for him. Knowing his perfect peace, proving his all sufficient power and experiencing his sanctifying work in our lives are the wonderful product of a personal knowledge of God s saving grace. Daily seeking to know him more brings joy, satisfaction and purpose to life which a mere intellectual knowledge of the things of God can never do. A Purifying Knowledge At the end of chapter two, Peter reminds us that an intimate growing knowledge of God and his Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, is a safeguard against the corruption or pollution of this world. When we trust in the saving work of Christ s death on Calvary, in our place, our sin is forgiven and God pronounces us justified just-as-if-i d never sinned at all! Just as with any other relationship, the more intimately we progress to know him, the more sensitive we become to that which offends him. We will want to avoid that which is unworthy of him and seek forgiveness and cleansing when we know we have failed him. A Stabilizing Knowledge In closing his letter, Peter warns his readers to be on their guard lest they are led away and lose their stability. Rather, they were to grow in grace and their knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Therefore, it stands to reason that to know Jesus and to determine to know him more each day is the greatest safeguard to enjoying a stable and satisfying Christian life. Please pray with us that through the evangelistic ministry of the Mission many will come to know this personal, intimate, satisfying, saving relationship with the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom to know is life eternal. Mission News At our Council meeting in January an application by former worker Gordon Thomson and his wife Janice to join the work of the Mission was warmly approved. Based in Glasow, they will commence with the Mission in April and will be involved in evangelistic ministry throughout the South West of Scotland. Please uphold them along with their daughters Bethany and Holly as they prepare for this change of ministry. Also remember the members of Drumchapel Baptist Church as they come to terms with the loss of their much loved pastor. Do continue to uphold Andrew and Grace Morton, who have just joined the Project Grantham team. We rejoice with them at the birth of their second child, Isla. We value prayer for our annual staff meetings. The Workers in Ireland meet from March and those on the Mainland 4 8 April. Please also pray for Bangor Easter Convention Weekend, which is one of the highlights of our work in Ireland. The Bible College students will really appreciate prayer as they join with members of Mission staff for their Spring Outreach placement from April 20 May 16. The second- and third-year students will also value prayer as they seek God s guidance regarding his will for their lives after they graduate. We are pleased to have accepted a few students for next session, but continue to seek God for several more with a clear call to prepare for full-time Christian ministry. First! 11

12 Beyond Casseroles By Lisa Copen If you are looking for ways to encourage a friend who is living with a chronic illness, dealing with a lot of pain, or even fighting cancer, this article is a great starting point to think creatively! Put meals in disposable containers and attach a note saying This doesn t need to be returned. Arrange for your friend s kids to have a night with your children. Ask, Would you be willing to talk to a friend of mine who has recently been diagnosed with a chronic illness and offer her some encouragement? It makes a person feel good to know that her experience can offer someone else hope and that God still has a purpose for her life. Wash his car and put a little note inside for him to find later. Ask, Do you want company the day that you wait for the test results? I could come over for a couple of hours. Just listen... until it hurts to not say anything. And then listen some more. Ask, What do you wish people understood about your illness? Don t make her feel guilty about things that she cannot do. Ask, Would you be comfortable with having your name on a prayer list, so that others can pray for you? Don t assume. Instead of saying, I will pray for you, say, I d like to pray for you right now, if that s okay. Mop the floors. Ask her to do spontaneous things, like go to a concert in the park, or just for a picnic. She may be more likely to participate since she will know if she's having a good day or a bad day. Don t say, So, why aren t you healed yet? or I wonder what God is trying to teach you that you just aren t learning! 12 March/April 2013

13 For a unique gift, provide brightly coloured paper plates, napkins, and utensils in a gift bag with a note that says For when you don t feel like doing dishes. Get her a pretty box to keep all of her notes of encouragement. Remind her to get it out and read things when she is feeling down. Be her advocate. If you are at an event and walking/seating is an issue because of her disability, ask her if she d like you to take care of it. If she says you can, be firm but not rude. Don t embarrass her by making accusations of discrimination or by making a scene. Purchase matching coffee mugs for you and your friend, and then commit to pray for one another each morning while using them. Say, While you re in the hospital I d be happy to take care of your pet. Don t tell her about your brother s niece s cousin s best friend who tried a cure for the same illness and... (you know the rest). Ask, What are your top three indulgences? and then spoil her soon. Don t tease her and call her hop along or slowcoach. Comments you mean in fun can cut to the quick and destroy her spirit. Proverbs 18:14 says, A man s spirit sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? Say, I know you must need someone to just vent to occasionally. I may not fully understand how you feel, but I m here to listen anytime. Don t gossip about others. She ll wonder what you say about her. (Ephesians 4:29). Proverbs 25:11 says, A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Be kind, gentle, and respectful. Don t say, Let me know if there is anything I can do. People rarely feel comfortable saying, Yes, my laundry. Instead pick something you are willing to do and then ask her permission. Send an encouragement card or a funny card, but resist the temptation to send one that says, Get Well Soon. Buy a magazine subscription for her on her favourite topic. Plant a rosebush to view from a window. Understand that you don t need to know all of the details about the illness in order to be helpful. He ll share with you what he s comfortable with you knowing. Don t ask, Why can t the doctors help you? or insinuate that it must be in her head. There are millions of people who are in pain with illnesses that do not have cures. Avoid having gifts be pity gifts. Just say, I saw these flowers and their cheerfulness reminded me of you. If he doesn t have a cordless phone, get him one. Phone headsets are also nice. Lisa Copen is the founder of Rest Ministries (restministries.org), which offers Christian support to those with chronic illness. Lisa suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and lives daily with chronic pain. This article is an excerpt from her book, Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend, and is used by kind permission. First! 13

14 Guidance: Part 5 when god says no! By Sandy Roger No matter how sure we are that a certain course of action is God s will, sometimes the door just will not open. We may pray to know his will, and genuinely desire to do it, but no matter how hard we pray or for how long, the answer keeps coming back in the negative. The problem of unanswered prayer in relation to guidance is very common. There are several reasons why our prayers may go unanswered. When we are seeking guidance we can use them as a checklist to determine whether there are any areas in our lives hindering us from seeing God s will. BARRIERS ALONG THE WAY Leaving aside the complex theological and philosophical mysteries regarding answered prayer, there are certain clear-cut guidelines provided in the Bible that can go a long way to explaining why so much of our praying for guidance seems to be hindered or left unanswered. Jesus not only gave advice about how to pray, but he also provided pointers on how to make our praying more effective. Other people s ears If we pray so that other people, rather than just God, will hear us, then there is very little chance of our prayer being heard in heaven (Matthew 6:5, 6). Prayer that gets results should be for God s ears only. He is the only one who can come up with the right answers because he alone has a grasp of the big picture. Empty words Jesus gave a strong warning about using words in our praying. He gave an example of those who thought that merely a lot of words and a set number of times and stock phrases would get the desired result. However, having faith and knowing that the One to whom we pray is already aware of our needs, eliminates empty, meaningless, parrot-fashion prayer. Of course, this does not necessarily rule out persevering prayer (Luke 11:5-13; 18:1-8), constant prayer (Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17) and repeated prayers (Matthew 26:44; 2 Corinthians 12:8). Wrong attitude A heart and mind that is clean, free of grudges, resentments and judgemental attitudes is a must for appearing in God s presence. This is how we claim forgiveness for ourselves, and all of us need to ask for pardon before asking other favours and requests on behalf of others. Yet this is a major sin in many Christians lives. We will either have to give up sinning or give up praying. The two are incompatible. God is holy and repentance and forgiveness must precede fellowship with him. Many talk to God but, because of a wrong attitude in their hearts, fail 14 March/April 2013

15 to have any real fellowship and deep communion with him (Psalm 66:18). Such sin constitutes a barrier (Habakkuk 1:13; Isaiah 59:1,2; 1 John 1:5-7). It is only when we are in that intimate relationship that he can make known his will to us. Selfish motivation God often tolerates much from his newborn children, as any parent would. But as we grow older and more mature in the Christian life, selfishness can become a real hindrance. If we are not careful we can think we are asking God to reveal his will to us, when all the time we are really just asking him to bless what we already want to do. Your motive for seeking guidance in prayer is much more important than your method (James 4:2,3). Wrong relationships Jesus reminded us to make matters right with others before giving our offering (Matthew 5:23-26). Unforgiveness on our part will keep God from forgiving us. It will close down his presence toward us and make us incapable of receiving the light of divine guidance. Such a hindrance is particularly pernicious in the husband-wife relationship (1 Peter 3:7). Sometimes a couple cannot reach a consensus on a certain course of action because their starting point is all wrong. They are out of sorts with one another. Disobedience If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us (1 John 5:14). But a disregard of his will destroys the effectiveness of prayer. We then find ourselves caught up in a vicious circle which we cannot break. It is his will to accomplish his purpose with his power. But it is only in his will that that purpose can be achieved. Continued overleaf First! 15

16 A HANDY CHECKLIST My advice to you when seeking God s guidance is to keep this list handy, particularly if you have been praying for some time to know his guidance and it has not yet been forthcoming. Any one of these hindrances or, more likely, a combination of them can be acting as a barrier to hearing from God and recognizing his will. Once we are satisfied that all these hindrances have been cleared away then it is our duty and discipline to continue praying. Pray till you are conscious of being heard and till you receive an answer. But be prepared for that answer to be a straightforward No! WHEN GOD STILL SAYS, NO! One of the marks of spiritual maturity and deepening trust that God knows best is the realization that he sometimes denies our requests. A good New Testament example is Paul praying three times for his thorn in the flesh to be removed (2 Corinthians 12:8, 9). He seems to have suffered from this problem all his life and, although he does not tell us about it in detail, he does show how God dealt with him in the situation. Very often we feel that we would make more spiritual progress if certain things were instantaneously removed, or if only a change of circumstances could come about. But we discover in making it a matter of prayer that God has a better alternative. This is one of the essential principles of biblical guidance. What we might construe as an unanswered prayer and a lack of guidance is actually God creating a situation where there can be a greater display of his long term plan. Beware when seeking guidance of going to God with an ultimatum. Our unwise demands are often made from a position of not knowing all the facts and are often summarily rejected. Behind God s No! there is usually something bigger and more beneficial to us in the long run. God s denials usually turn out to be strong affirmations of his love. ST AUGUSTINE S TESTIMONY Monica, the mother of St Augustine, prayed fervently that her wayward son would not leave home in Carthage for the big city of Rome. He was already leading a life of great sinfulness, and she knew things would get worse if he moved to the heart of the Empire. She tearfully pleaded with God that he would prevent her son from sailing; but one morning she woke up and he was gone. Had God let her down? Had she got her guidance wrong? Had her prayers gone unanswered? The answer lay on the other side of the Mediterranean. In Rome Augustine fell under the spell of Ambrose s powerful preaching and eventually came to Christ in a most miraculous way. He expressed it like this in his famous Confessions. What she was praying for, O my God, was that You should not allow me to sail. But you saw deeper, and answered the essential of her prayer. You did not do at that moment what she was asking, because You intended to do the thing she was always asking. This series has been adapted from talks given by the Rev Dr Sandy Roger when he was Principal at the Faith Mission Bible College, Edinburgh. 16 March/April 2013

17 Cover Comment What are you looking at? Why do tragedies happen? How should those who follow Christ respond? In a personal anecdote in his book A Touch of His Peace, the Rev. Dr. Charles Stanley answers these questions. Several years ago an elderly member of our congregation asked me to visit her. We chatted for a while before she drew my attention to the painting of Daniel on her apartment wall. She knew I was enduring some particularly stressful circumstances at the time, and she gave some godly counsel I will never forget. Not got the message Tell me what you see in the painting, she quizzed. I responded in a matter-of-fact manner. Well, I see some lions, a few shafts of light, and Daniel. There is something else I think you should notice, she continued, obviously aware I had not got the message. Take a closer look at Daniel and you will see that his eyes are not on the lions but on God. Daniel s Answer to the King painted in 1890 by Briton Rivière ( ). Image Public domain Fix our gaze The Holy Spirit instantly gripped me with a spiritual principle that has sustained me in many adversities: when I choose to put my eyes on the Lord, not my situation, God will take me through the problem. Hebrews 12:2-3: Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Are you so overwhelmed that you have lost sight of Jesus? Daniel kept his eyes on heaven, and his troubles on earth were dealt with by the mighty power of God. Fix your gaze on the certainty of God s supernatural help and love, and problems will be put into perspective. The lion s roar will be stilled! First! 17

18 POLARISATION: By Stanley Banks Perhaps the biggest danger we face today is that of polarisation; everybody wants to classify you in some way today. Doctrinal I was asked recently whether I was a Calvinist or an Arminian. In reply I said I am a Christian. I went on to say that I refuse to be a Corinthian; that was the danger in the Corinthian church. They divided into factions Paul, Peter, Apollos, etc. They were personality-centred and not Christcentred. All we have done today is to change the names. People want to put us into neatly defined theological categories. The Bible is a judgement on our theologies and it keeps us from polarising. It holds the balance between the sovereignty of God and human responsibility, recognising both. Experiential Then there are what might be called experiential polarisations. The danger here is to judge other people s experience by our own. How often do we listen to a testimony, and if it does not conform to a certain pattern in the terms employed or the route taken, then we treat it with suspicion? God is a God of infinite variety and has no stereo-typed methods of dealing with people. We tend to work by little formulae and when people s experiences do not conform, we say they are not in blessing. There is something unique 18 March/April 2013

19 about God s dealings with every one of us. He has an objective in view. He wants us to be entirely his, cleansed and possessed by his Spirit, but the route he takes to get us there may not always be the same, depending largely on our response to his Spirit, and he does not always do this by a set routine of grace. Intellect v. Emotion A further danger is that of the polarisation between intellect and emotion. Some people are all head and others are all heart. Some people are scared of emotion and so we have a kind of legalistic, hard-as-nails holiness which is cool and calculating, decorous and dead. Emotion is part of life. Depth of feeling is essential to strength of action. You act strongly only as you feel deeply. Some folks are so scared of the emotionalism of the charismatics and pentecostals that they tend to despise or dampen every expression of emotion; it is just as dangerous of course to try and live by emotion. Christianity is a rational religion as well as an emotional one. God does not by-pass our minds; He works through them. There must be a balance between the two. Biblical v. Cultural We must also distinguish between what is Biblical and what is simply cultural. Many Christians are mistakenly fighting to main tain standards and practices which are cultural rather than Biblical. We must be sure that what we are fighting for are Biblical principles and not just cultural practices. Conservative v. Radical Most organisations contain conservatives and the radicals. The conservatives never want to see anything changed, and tend to look upon changes of any kind as compromise. They are the custodians of the traditions received from the founders and these must never he changed. This leads to an attitude of suspicion of anyone who proposes change, and so an atmosphere of distrust is created in the movement. On the other hand you have the radicals who want to change everything. They tend to ignore the past and often do not have any real appreciation of it. Their concern is the present and the future. Somehow they must recognise that there are principles from the past which cannot be jettisoned, but which must be used as the foundation upon which all future development is to be built. And conservatives must recognise that if a movement is still to fulfil its function in a changing world it will need to adapt to the changing circumstances and new challenges. If John Wesley were here today he would not still be riding around on a horse or presenting his message in the language of eighteenth century England. Neither would he have long hair and he wearing buckle shoes and knee breeches! There are some things which must change. The message never changes. but the methods we use must be adapted to a changing world. Extracted from a talk STANLEY BANKS gave in 1980 to the workers of the Africa Evangelistic Band. The AEB is regarded as a sister-mission of The Faith Mission. First printed in Life Indeed Nov/Dec First! 19

20 Joy in a prison cell By Émile Kremer As a child of unbelieving parents, with just an outward show of piety, I was unable to see Jesus because of the lives of people who claimed to be Christians. I did not want to know anything about him. For me, going to church was no good, because it seemed to make no difference to those who went. They seemed no different from others. Craving satisfaction I wanted life and happiness and turned to those things in which I thought I would find satisfaction. After I had tried to find it in learning, in music, in the arts and in the pleasures of the world, I was still dissatisfied. During the war I was an officer in the army, where I saw something of life, but still I was unable to find the satisfaction I craved. 20 JMarch/April 2013

21 Was God Real? Then one day God put it into my heart to read the Bible to see whether the Book was true. I noticed in the Old Testament many prophecies which had already been fulfilled. Then in the New Testament I saw that the God and Saviour who was revealed there was different from the one whom the Christians I had met claimed to possess. If there really was an all-powerful and almighty God, I wanted to know him. Were the Christians, who appeared to have a dead God, real? Or was the Bible, which showed a living and glorified Saviour, real and true? I began to pray, Oh, God, if you exist, and if Jesus Christ is such as is depicted in the Bible, then I receive him as my Saviour, and You as my God; but if he is like the One in whom the Christians around me believe, then I do not want him. It was a prayer of two or three minutes, and God answered and revealed himself to me. Through God s marvellous grace I was no longer the same person. I had turned from the world to Jesus Christ, to know him and the power of his resurrection. change and consecration My wife quickly noticed the change; my parents noticed it also, as well as my wife s parents. God graciously began to work immediately. He brought my wife to the cross. Other members of my family my mother, my sister, my wife s parents were all brought into the family of God, but my father resisted for a long time, and was still unbelieving. In the Bible I saw that Abraham s life was a picture of believing faith. I believed, therefore, that if I took God at his word he would make me a blessing to those around me. When my children came into the world I had already consecrated them to God, and I believed he would bless them and make them a blessing, which he has done. As God led me on further he showed me that I must allow myself to be broken, so as to be more filled with him, in order to allow him to manifest himself to others. It may be necessary to pass through successive breakings in order to be fashioned in his hand as a vessel to be used for others. Paul experienced this when he was able to say that he was the least of all saints (Eph. 3. 8), and the least of the apostles (1 Cor ), and also at the end of his life when he declared that he was the chief of sinners (1 Tim ). Thus God led me in a marvellous way, as he also did my children, when I put them on the altar. prison During the last war my elder son Jean- Paul was taken to prison, and from prison to the Buchenwald Concentration Camp. But even there the glory of God was manifested. People told me that I would lose my son. I knew that there was every possibility of that, but God had given me the promise that my children would be made a blessing, and I knew he would be brought through safely. God kept him marvellously for more than two years in Buchenwald, and at the end of the war he came home again. One day I was also led into prison. God had shown me that I would be given over to the Gestapo, and in his time it First! 21

22 Photo courtesy German Federal Archives and used under Creative Commons License Buchenwald concentration camp where Emile s son Jean-Paul was imprisoned, an experience he miraculously survived. came to pass. I had not been well and was unable to eat, and it was a strange experience for me when the iron door of the prison clanged behind me. I was alone in my cell, when God said to me, Rejoice, for your reward shall be great! He told me to jump for joy and gave me the grace to do it! That night I slept like a child, which I had been unable to do for years. The bed was very hard just a straw mattress, but I was enabled despite this to sleep well during the whole of my internment. god s power and glory Next day I could eat food which I had hitherto been unable to digest. After two or three months most of the prisoners became ill and were no longer able to eat because of the poor quality of the food that was given us. Once again God showed his power. I ate the food with which we were provided and was not conscious of any bad aftereffects! I thanked the warders when they brought me food, at which they were greatly astonished, because at every other door curses, murmuring and discontent were the order of the day. The warders themselves wanted to know about this Jesus who was helping me. I was no longer able to preach in public, but alone in my cell I sang praises to God. Doors opened; the warders came into the cell to hear the gospel. They let the other prisoners join, and I was able to counsel souls in the cell. My heart was filled with joy. All this God did and he alone. He wants to show his power and his glory to all who will come to him, leaving behind the past with its failures, and allowing their hearts to come under the judgement of the Word of God, the Bible, to enable him to show all that he is able to do through us. After his retirement from forestry work, Emile Kremer founded the Mission- Foi-Evangile, which has always been regarded as a sister mission to The Faith Mission. He lived in Colmar, but preached in several European countries. He died in *Jean-Paul served as a worker in the Mission-Foi-Evangile and led the work until His brother Etienne and sister Lydia also served for many years in the ranks of the M-F-E. All studied in the Faith Mission Training Home at Ravelston in Edinburgh, where for a time Jean-Paul was assistant to the Principal. 22 March/April 2013

23 Mending the broken Photo Jupiter Images/Polka Dot In the Anglican church, each service begins with a greeting. The officiating clergyman says, "The Lord be with you." The congregation used to respond, "And with thy spirit." But since the modernising of the liturgy, the wording is now, "The Lord be with you." And everyone responds, "And also with you." There is the story of the visiting bishop who went to a church where the sound system was old and unreliable. He went to the microphone and tapped it several times and finally said, "There's something wrong with this!" and the whole congregation answered, "And also with you"! This humorous story reminds us that there is, indeed, something wrong with all of us. Common to every human being is a broken relationship with God and a tendency to think, say and do wrong. Jesus came into this world to restore our relationship with God, by taking the penalty for sin. He offers us forgiveness, restoration, and escape from the punishment we all deserve. This is the free gift of salvation. The Bible tells us how we can receive this gift of salvation. Own up to your sin "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God s glorious standard (Romans 3:23). But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness" (1 John 1:9). Turn away from sin "Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away" (Acts 3:19). Put your trust in Jesus "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). Welcome Jesus into your life "But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12) First! 23

24 Mistake or SIN? By Katherine Walden Is it a mistake or is it a sin? Call a spade a spade! A mistake is when you add baking powder instead of baking soda to a recipe, work out a maths problem to arrive at the wrong answer, miss a typo in an , drop your mobile phone in the washing machine, hit the accelerator pedal instead of the brake pedal. A sin is when you chose to do wrong, and sin begins with a selfish decision. "I deserve to have my perceived need met and will make sure that perceived need is met even at the detriment of others or myself, therefore I can eat that box of cookies, I can lust after my neighbour, I can cheat on my taxes, I can quietly manipulate my husband, I can lie about a mistake I made so I don't get in trouble " "I am not getting the attention I feel I have the right to receive, therefore I can be rude to the teller at the bank, I can cut off that guy in traffic, I can yell at my kids when I'm actually angry with my boss. I can resent that person who gets more limelight than I do." "I don't want to take responsibility for the consequences of my actions, therefore I can lie, misdirect, lay the blame on someone else and expect someone else to clean up my mess." Don't allow yourself to be a poor example to those around you by pulling out the mistake card when you know your actions stemmed from a deliberate self-driven sinful motivation. Call sin a sin. Jesus died for our sins, there is forgiveness at the Cross, there is nothing we can admit to and repent from that cannot be covered by his blood. Katherine Walden. Used by permission. Katherine hails from Alberta, Canada from where she heads up I Lift My Eyes Ministries ( 24 March/April 2013

25 100 not out! Congratulations to Jim McCullough, Roughfort PU member Jim was born on 24 October 1912 to a farm labourer Robert, and his wife Mary, at Doagh, near Ballyclare, Co Antrim. After leaving school at fourteen, Jim worked for a few years in the local spinning mill before changing to the preferred task of farm labourer. Encouraged by his mother to accompany her to the local Prayer Union, Jim continued to attend even after her tragic early death at age 48. Coming out of the P U one evening, Jim asked himself the question, Are you a Christian? If you are, when did you become one? He had no answer, so said, I am going to be a Christian from now on and the Lord saved him there and then, standing in the middle of the road! He was eighteen years old. After some years, Jim was left to run the farm as other member of the family moved away. In 1958, he married Cis Tweedie and together they attended Ballyrobert Mission Hall, where they received much spiritual help, as well as being a source of blessing and inspiration to others. Jim was often known to spontaneously shout Hallelujah when overcome with the joy of the Lord in the meeting, and for this reason, became known as Hallelujah Jim. The same expression of praise was often on his lips even out working in the field, something which was noted by his neighbours There s a man not ashamed of his religion! In the 1970s Jim, along with Alan McBride, began witnessing to folk in public houses, locally and further afield. Jim had a distinctive gift in personal work and together he and Alan witnessed for the Lord in many situations, seeing folk converted and God answering prayer. On 24 October 2012 a service was held in Ballyrobert Mission Hall, as a celebration of Jim s 100th birthday, when a number of representatives from missionary societies took part and Faith Mission Director Trevor Matthews brought a message on the faithfulness of God. All of us in the Mission thank God for the faithful witness of men such as Jim, and for the support we receive from all our Prayer Union members, far and wide. First! 25

26 God's Provision Faith Mission workers used to be called Pilgrims. This name was chosen by the founder and early workers. It described the principle by which they lived, holding lightly to temporal things and trusting God to meet all their needs. In this article from 1929, one worker shares the practical ways that God took care of the needs of her team. Apart from faith in God being the principle of the Mission, it is necessary that it should also be an individual matter. Faith grows by testings and proves, moreover, the faithfulness and unforgetfulness of our Heavenly Father. Each Pilgrim knows the kind care and thought for the workers that exists at Headquarters. Constant enquiries for our well-being are made, accompanied with the assurance that we are a family, and that therefore any provision, either of finance or kind, that is received at Headquarters, is available for us to share. So it is made very easy for us to apply for help without losing individual faith. However, often God has led us to trust Himself alone, and has invited us to tests of faith that would not be possible were we to write to Headquarters for assistance. And, because He is all He says He is, these times of leaning on Him alone for temporal supplies have been very rich indeed with spiritual blessing. We would not exchange these experiences for a millionaire's bankbook. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you is a mine of wealth covering our every possible need, tried and proved. Hallelujah! Two Pilgrims were holding a mission in a village where the people were unable to give substantial donations, but day by day sufficient means had come in to keep all needs well met. At the end of the mission they found themselves left with only eighteen pence. Said the one to the other, We 26 March/April2013

27 shall need to write to Headquarters for some money to take us to our next mission. I suppose we shall, said the other, and yet, why can't we trust the Lord to send in the money to us here as well as to send it to Headquarters? Has He not said, My God shall supply all your needs? We will just tell Him that we are going to look to Him to fulfil His promise. With the eighteen pence they got enough food, with what they had in, to last them over the week-end. But what about the morrow? Pilgrims usually have a week s rest between missions, and a lady some distance away had invited them to take their rest with her. How to get there was the problem, as they had no money. But a bread van was going to within three miles, and the baker gave a ready consent to take them as far as he was going. As they got out of the bread van, to their joy there came along their hostess's pony-trap, which took them to their destination. They had a very happy visit and found their hostess most kind. As this friend had on previous occasions contributed to the work, there was a lurking hope in the Pilgrims' hearts that it might be God's plan for her to give a donation at this time, though no mention whatever was made of the need. The day for departure came, the goodbyes were said, but there was no donation forthcoming; only a kind offer to drive them to their former lodgings, where they were to spend one more night before proceeding to their next destination. As they got out of the conveyance the driver handed them a small donation, saying he would like to help in the good work, but it was not enough to meet even the immediate needs of travelling. What were they to do? They were cast entirely upon the Lord, and they looked to Him to fulfil His promise. Did He fail? The case was urgent. Awaiting them in the lodgings were letters one of them in a strange handwriting. Opening it, they found it contained a greeting, and the exact amount needed to take them on to the next village, where a meeting had been arranged, as they were passing through. There was also enough to fulfil all obligations for lodgings. Their next stop was for one meeting only; and at this village they were met First! 27

28 by an old friend and greeted on the spot with a cordial offer of hospitality for the night. Of course, no one knew of their circumstances. The meeting was held and after it was over the leader said the Pilgrims might as well have the collection and this, they found, would just take them to their next destination. How they praised God for this answer to prayer! At that next place which they went to mission, they had a wonderful time, and at the end of the mission had a balance of between 20 and 30. One of these workers has gone far afield to work for Christ. She wrote once, in telling her experiences in the foreign field, that she wouldn't for anything have been without that test of faith in that little mission in Scotland. That experience so strengthened her faith then, and was such a blessing, that it has again and again enabled her to prove God in the foreign field as One who does indeed supply their need. A HAPPY PILGRIM. From Bright Words, March 1929 Though this report was written long ago, we still experience God s provision as a mission, and as individual workers. We thank God for every donor, and marvel at the wonderful way he has enabled our work for him to continue and develop August 2013 at the FAITH MISSION BIBLE COLLEGE COST 120 ( 180 including travel from Ireland) Spend a weekend in Edinburgh the most beautiful city in Britain and enjoy the fellowship of other Christians in their twenties and thirties with the highlight of experiencing the world famous Edinburgh Military Tatoo PHOTO Jim Kilpatrick 2010 For further details fmtattooweekend@gmail.com

29 EDINBURGH CONVENTION TWENTY THIRTEEN TUESDAY 2 - SUNDAY 7 JULY JOHN SHEARER ROBERT MURDOCK PAUL MALLARD BRIAN EDWARDS The Convention aims to provide a programme of accessible Bible teaching for people of all ages with a view to helping equip for daily Christian living Morning Bible Readings Evening Word and Worship Youth Track Seminars Workshops Other speakers include: Peter Grainger. Stephen Nowak Andy Prime. Linda Townend For more details of the programme and accommodation contact: The Convention Administrator, The Faith Mission 548 Gilmerton Road, Edinburgh EH17 7JD Tel: admin@faithmission.org Book online: Faith Mission & Missionary Training Home (known as The Faith Mission) is a charity registered in Scotland No SCO05119 First! 29

30 Called Home Mrs Anne Watson (née Farquhar) was a Pilgrim for a number of years and knew great blessing, particularly in the Irish Midlands. She and her late husband worked for many years in the Belfast City Mission, but maintained a deep interest in The Faith Mission. She has gone to her reward. Pearl White, a former Faith Mission worker in Canada, was called home in December. Her greatest burden was for Northern Ontario where she had a very fruitful ministry. Some of the converts from those days are serving in full-time ministry. She served with the Mission for forty years. Willie Campbell was converted in a Pilgrims mission over fifty years ago. He was a faithful member of Bohard PU until it closed and was very much a pillar of the Christian community in that area. Willie Graham was a faithful member of Castlederg PU, until his sudden homecall. Having been in business in the area, he was a well-known man who had a real heart to see others won for the Master. John Dunlop was a good support to Curglassan Faith Mission Hall. His quiet, faithful witness reflected his love for the Master. James Marcus was an enthusiastic supporter of all Christian work and was a most faithful member of Craigyhill PU. His greatest joy was to hear of genuine conversions. He will be greatly missed around the Larne area. Mrs Margaret McConnell faithfully attended Bingian PU. Her quiet Christian witness was a real blessing and she will be greatly missed. John Mackin was leader of the Ballymacbrennan PU and was a great man of prayer. In the 1960s there was great blessing in his area through the ministry of the Pilgrims, with many conversions. His deep spirituality was maintained right up to his recent homecall. Mrs Amy Lavery had a keen interest in the work of God. Since her conversion many years ago, both she and her late husband Bill prayerfully and practically supported The Faith Mission. Although in recent years she was confined due to ill-health, her interest and love never wavered. Mrs Ethel Smyth, a spiritual mother to many, had a real desire to see people brought into a living relationship with her Saviour. A faithful member of Blackhill Coleraine PU from when she was young, she supported the Faith Mission workers, often playing the organ and singing solos. Called home in her 91st year she never lost her keen interest in her church and The Faith Mission. Her prayerful interest in many people will be greatly missed. A faithful member of Tullygarley PU, William Millar, was a quiet, unassuming man with a lovely Christian nature. He was always ready to help when required and is sadly missed at the PU and in the wider community. Mrs Matilda Clarke began attending Woodgreen PU in 1962, with her husband and daughter, and continued until she was unable to do so, due to failing health. She remained a faithful supporter until she was called home in December Francis (Frank) Wolfe from Ballydehob was saved many years ago through the Faith Mission in Lissacaha, West Cork and has always had a keen interest in the work. His quiet witness for the Lord will be greatly missed. A Faith Mission event for your diary! GALLOWAY BIBLE WEEK June, 2013 at the Faith Mission Centre, Newton Stewart Further details from: William Harrison January/February 2013

31 Advertisements Co. Donegal Christian farmhouse, self-catering accommodation available. 10 minutes drive to Rathmullen beach. For further details Tel: (UK: ). Cornwall nr. Callington. B&B. Comfortable en-suite accommodation. Convenient for moors, towns, coast or stopover. Tel Corwall B&B nr Saltash, Tamar Valley, en-suite rooms. Ideal for coast, moors & National Trust properties. Tel Dumfries and Galloway Static caravans for holiday lets (half an hour from Irish ferry) Further details DVDs for children presenting the Gospel clearly with teaching for Christians. Suitable for children s meetings or home use. Free of charge. List available. Mail: Immanuel studios, 10 Meadow Drive, Ballyclare, Northern Ireland, BT39 9XF; Telephone: ; barfoot@ talktalk.net Revival in the West 1 Million Irish hearts for King Jesus, Fermanagh Lakes for your holiday, Ballinamallard Christian Holiness meetings (Killadeas Camp) Dr Noel Scott, Missouri, USA, July 14-21, Archdale Hall, Lord s Day 3.30 pm & 8.15pm, weekdays ex Sat 7.45pm. Ring for details , Hylands Mitchell, Ballinamallard, Co Fermanagh, NI, BT94 2LY. 61 years interdenominational. Yorkshire Dales Static holiday caravan on farm. Also B&B in bungalow in Settle, ideal to see the Dales or a stopover. Details: Mrs Irene Fawcett fawcettirene@gmail.com Self-Catering Florida, 6 Bedroom villa, heated pool, lake views, Disney 20mins, year round warm climate, evangelical fellowship/friends nearby. Spain, Coastal apartments near beach/town, year-round sunshine, special rates autumn/ winter, large families, no charges additional children, pickups available, car not necessary. N.Ireland, apartment, sea views (Antrim coast), town minutes walk. Contact: Gerald Adverts Space for advertisements is limited and unfortunately we cannot guarantee inclusion. All communications should be sent to FM Publishing Dept.,Govan House, 548 Gilmerton Road, Edinburgh EH17 7JD, a minimum of 7 weeks preceding the month of issue. The charge for advertising is 20p per word + VAT minimum Enclose SAE for receipt if required. Locations IRELAND Headquarters and Central District Director: TREVOR & SANDRA MATTHEWS, 62 Glenavy Road, Lisburn, Co. Antrim BT28 3UT. (Tel ) hq.ireland@faithmission.org Auxiliary workers: Trevor & Yvonne Bennett West District: Superintendent GEORGE & ANDREA CONN, 15 Derry Road, Omagh, Co. Tyrone BT78 5DY. (Tel ). west.irish@faithmission.org Assistant (part-time): Anne Brown Outreach: Jenny Kilpatrick Fermanagh: Heather Wilson North-West District: In Charge Garry & Alison Tutty, Sheephill House, 74 Tully Road, Limavady, Co.Londonderry BT49 9HW. (Tel ). northwest.irish@faithmission.org North District: Superintendent LESLIE & MABEL BRUSH, 3 Grange Avenue, Ballymena, Co. Antrim BT42 2DX. (Tel ). north.irish@faithmission.org Assistant: Ian Booth Outreach: Ruth Martin Border District: In Charge Andrew McCullough, 131 Mahon Road, Portadown, BT62 3SF, (Tel ) border@faithmission.org Co Cavan: Ronnie & Carey Killops South District - Superintendent DAVID & MARJORIE BENNETT, Bethany, Oakvale, Stradbally, Co. Laois, Eire. Tel hq.roi@faithmission.org Midlands: Mervyn & Rachel Tomb Cork: Johnathan & Janet Slater Bookshops: Gen. Manager- JOHN MATTHEWS ( ) Accounts - Linda Collins ( ) Purchasing - Trevor Wilson ( ) BELFAST (Queen St): Mark Conroy ( ) Armagh: Craig Beattie ( ) Ballymena: William White ( ) Banbridge: Stephen Dundas ( ) Bangor: Stephen Dundas ( ) Belfast (C reagh Rd): Jackie Smith ( ) Coleraine ( ) Cookstown: Iris Farrell ( ); Kilkeel: Elsie Baird ( ) Lisburn: Tracy Brown ( ) Londonderry: Brian Kerr ( ) Lurgan: Liz Lavery ( ) Omagh: Dean Mallison ( ) Portadown: Jim McKee ( ) P DOWN Clearance Shop:Glenn Yeman ( ) THE BIBLE COLLEGE College Director: John Townend Interim Principal: Rev. John Shearer Vice-Principal: Adrian Holdsworth Staff Lecturer: Heather Holdsworth Chef: John Frame Administrator: Alistar Frater Librarian: Valerie Robertson Finance Assistant: Patti Worth Property Maintenance: Scott Worth

32 The Faith Mission Bangor Convention March-2 April Bible Teaching Worship & Fellowship Challenge & Encouragement Renewed Spiritual Vision Ministry To All Ages Jonathan Currie Magherafelt, N Ireland Raymond Moore Lisburn, N Ireland Andrew Mullan Kilkeel, N Ireland Jacques Nadeau Ontario, Canada John Shearer Edinburgh, Scotland For more information, contact: The Faith Mission Office 62 Glenavy Road, Lisburn, BT28 3UT hq.ireland@faithmission.org Tel: (028)

33 The Magazine of The Faith Mission mar/apr 2013 Price $16 per year stop and listen finding spiritual quietness in the digital age prayer meetings the key to changing communities sympathy cards how to write them so that they are a ministry news and reports faith mission work in canada, uk & ireland

34 Partnership in God What God has done through The Faith Mission and a Quebec church By Russell Fisher Our fellowship, Onward Gospel Church, Verdun, first came to know of the Faith Mission in Canada through the ministry of John Bennett, the Canadian Director, at one of our annual Mission conferences. Meanwhile, Faith Mission worker Jennifer Moldovan was concerned to reach English speaking youth and children of Quebec who had never heard the gospel. She inquired about the possibility of doing children s outreach with a church in the province. With John Bennett s recommendation and prayerful encouragement, Jennifer contacted the leadership of Onward Gospel with her idea, and the assembly s approval and prayer support was established. The setting Onward Gospel Church is in Verdun, located in the southwestern part of the Island of Montreal s urban community. While historically a part of the social landscape, the congregation and ministry of the church did not reflect the composition of the immediate community. Prior to Jennifer approaching us, our prayer had been that the Lord would raise up people from around the church building, who would become believers and disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. Though predominately a francophone area, with an ever-increasing immigrant population there is a significant number of anglophone homes. Many of these are not identified with any church tradition. How would we reach them? Beginnings The Faith Mission sent Jennifer and an associate, and beginning with a summer VBS, we targeted children beyond the few that attended our meetings. One of our members worked at a secular social resource for low-income families, and had a personal love for and involvement with the mothers and young children. With her supportive influence a weekly program began. It was hosted by Jennifer and her colleague Debra Hewitt. This initial outreach was to elementary age children, and was held after school in the early evening. Continued on page 31 Russell (left) with some of the children and adults.

35 Continued from page 2 It was later supplemented during the summer with a week at a local Bible camp. Setback After one of the summer breaks, the program was restarted in the fall, only to have dismal attendance. Much prayer, and consultation with the families revealed that the program, while enjoyed by the children (and parents), was too demanding on the children s school responsibilities. So it was proposed to begin at 5pm with a simple supper meal, followed by the ministry to the children. Both parents and elders approved. This format change meant extra work for the Mission workers to prepare the meals, and so the people of Onward Gospel were presented with the need for volunteers. A schedule of was made some volunteers would prepare meals in advance and others who would serve those meals. The response continues to be very positive and it is exciting to see how God raised up workers to assist Jen and Debra in their ministry. Further change Since Jen s marriage and departure from the Mission to support her husband in his calling, Debra has continued to demonstrate her faith and commitment to serving Christ with unswerving devotion, in spite of the greater demands of being alone. As a servant of the Lord, I rejoice to see God s provision of prayer partners, along with practical and financial supporters of her gifting, each living out the love of Christ as his disciples. How awesome a God is he! Russell Fisher is an elder at Onward Gospel Church Debra Hewitt serving a faithful God. Debra now writes: As a Faith Mission worker I am aware of the privilege of serving the Lord Jesus Christ in teaching his Word to children and teenagers. Teaching the children in Verdun has been both especially challenging and an enormous blessing. With children s ministry in particular the heart s cry is, How do we reach the unbelieving parents of these children? The answer is only in God s intervention. In Verdun, what started as children s Bible club became so much more, and not through any human effort. While children were being taught God s Word parents would stay and listen, as they had no place else to go. It has been amazing to see how God has raised up individuals through the years to lead a Bible time for these parents. Now both children and parents are being taught God s Word at the same time. In many ways the work has been slow, yet God has been faithful and I have seen God softening once hardened hearts to be open to his truth. God s Word will never return void! (Isaiah 55:10-11).

36 Open yourself up for growth at Faith Mission events 2013 ONTARIO LADIES RETREATS May & May 31-JUNE 2 Speaker: Lynda Bovenizer thirsting for god Conference June Speaker: Dr. Robert Murdock, BC For details of Ontario events contact (905) fmcampbellville@aol.com B.C. Men of Honour Men s Retreat April Speaker: Mr. John Bennett The Haven 55 plus Retreat June Speaker: Brian Spence Details from Brian & Julieanne Spence (250) fminterior@telus.net Photo Thinkstock/iStockphotos Staff locations Hamilton: Timothy & Emma Condy 133 June Street, Hamilton, ON L9A 2S1 Tel: (905) Napanee: Jennifer Armitage and Laura-Anne Drake 395 Ginger Street, Napanee, ON K7R 3X8 Tel: (613) Campbellville Centre: 10463, 2nd Line, Campbellville, ON L0P 1B0 Tel: (905) and (905) Mount forest: Andrew & Melissa Porter 340 Church St. S. Mount Forest, ON N0G 2L2. Tel: (519) king kirkland: Mark & April Hardwick 286 Broadway Avenue, Box K8, King Kirkland, ON POK 1K0. Tel: (705) Montreal: Debra Hewitt , Boulevard Perrot, L Ile Perrot, QC J7V 3H4 Tel: (514) Coldstream: Brian & Julieanne Spence 326 Inverness Drive, Coldstream, BC V1B 3W1 Tel: (250) Falkland Centre: Kevin & Janice Evans 4690 Hoath Road, Falkland, BC V0E 1W1 Tel: (250) MELFORT: Jeff and Jani Goudy Box 4109, Melfort, SK S0E 1A0 Tel: (306) The FAITH MISSION (in Canada) - Incorporated General Director: John Bennett Secretary: Isabel Bennett Head Office: PO Box 376, Campbellville, Ontario L0P 1B0 Tel: (905) Fax: (905) fmcampbellville@aol.com Website: COUNCIL OF REFERENCE: Revs. Wm. Clayton, James Reese, Drs. Grover Crosby, Gerald B. Griffiths, A.P. Lee, John Moore, Ted Rendall, Ian Rennie and J. Weatherall. BOARD MEMBERS:J. Bell, H. Bock, W.R. Hatch, M. Hoover, D. Hysert, E. Hoey, M. Hoover, M. Quigley, W. Robb, R. Thompson. ABOUT US: Information about our Aims and Principles, Prayer Newsletter, coming events, etc. may be obtained from any Area Office (see address box above for your nearest).