Exchange. Autumn/Winter 2015

Transcription

1 Autumn/Winter 2015 Dear Friends of the Mission I trust you have had a relaxing summer and have been rejuvenated for the new winter s work that lies ahead of us as we continue to serve the Lord in our churches and Mission Halls. We really would value your prayers at the Throne of Grace as the Mission is facing diffi cult days ahead both spiritually and fi nancially. Our Christian faith is facing opposition on every hand in this secular age in which we fi nd ourselves. Our land is in a sad state of affairs, spiritually, morally with more thought on pleasure and leisure, lust and greed. For as scripture reminds us that in these last days that men indeed would be lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God : (2 Tim 3:4) Pray that our staff and all of our workers with dependency on Almighty God be revived and revitalised for the task that lies ahead of us being fully aware that we have been chosen to serve Christ. For such a time as this Bobi Brown Executive Secretary Belfast City Mission Glengall 3 Glengall Street Belfast BT12 5AB

2 Absent from the Body, Present with the Lord It was with deep sadness that we heard of the passing of our esteemed President, Mr David Kennedy M.B.E. on Friday 21st August Mr Kennedy became President following the death of Mr Desmond Shaw back in 2005 and fulfi lled his role with humility, tact and wisdom. He was a Godly man who was very well known in many circles including Education (he was Headmaster of Glenwood Primary School, Shankill Road), a great Boys Brigade supporter, Clerk of Session in Mountpottinger Presbyterian Church and had many other interests besides. A Thanksgiving Service was held in his home Church on Tuesday 25th August 2015 in celebration of the long, full and abundant life he lived. Fitting tributes were paid to him by his son and grandson and also by his good friend and Minister, Rev. Johnston Lambe. Pray that his wife Rene and the family circle might know the touch of the God of all comfort and consolation in these days. Annual Rally 2016 God willing our Annual Rally for 2016 will be held in Ballygomartin Presbyterian Church (kindly lent) on Thursday evening 28th April 2016 at 7.30pm. Our guest speaker will be Rev. Sam Castles, Minister of Lisnabreen Presbyterian Church (Bangor) who have been keen supporters of the Mission for many, many years. Our items of praise will be in the hands of The Bridge International Singers (Kimberley Street Hall). I warmly invite you to come along to this evening of praise and worship as we thank God for the continuing work of our Mission in urban evangelism

3 Christmas Appeal 2015 As you are probably aware the month of December is the busiest month in the Belfast City Mission s Calendar. On the fi rst Sunday of December it is City Mission Gift Day at our evening services when the Missionaries are sent to different halls to report on their own particular work in their own areas of the City. The Missionaries are asked on the fi rst two Sunday mornings in December to take part in Toy Services across the province where they report to those Congregations of our Annual Christmas Appeal and how we are enabled to help needy families in our City over this stressful time for many with gifts and food hampers. As usual Glencairn Hall will be the nerve centre of this outreach sorting toys out from Monday 7th to 9th December and then the following week from 14th to 16th December..thank you in anticipation for your donations. Deputation Meetings Are you aware of what the Belfast City Mission is all about? When it all started? How the Lord has used it as a soul saving agency for 188 years? What are we doing in this present Godless age? Then why not hear it from the horse s mouth for an up to date report/ visual presentation of our work in these days? Contact us on or us info@belfastcitymission.org. uk to book a meeting for a Church Service, P.W. Service, Men s Fellowship, Missionary Group etc. Words of Wisdom Wisdom, the wisdom of God, is not something that is acquired by man but something that is bestowed by God upon His elect. It is a divine endowment and not a human acquisition Spiros Zodhiates Autumn/Winter

4 Prayer Requests Ballybeen (DavidBisset) FouryounggirlssavedatG.B. Camp NewWintersWorktobe blessedbygod Prayfor Ballyduff (AlanMartin) G.B. Ladies fellowship, Friday night good news club, youthfellowship. Doortodooroutreachintothe community. PraiseforHolidayBibleClubin July. Person coming to faith in JesusinAugust. Pra Ball (An Praise forfu Asitwasag 70+kidsandfa Awoman Backslide Prayfor GtNorthernStreet (IvanPatterson) Praisefornewfamilies thathavemovedintothedistrict Opportunitiestotakeservicesin ResidentialandNursingHomes PrayforwisdomandIbeginmy 10thyearatGNS Children sworkandyouthleaders IslandStreet (BillyMcCullagh) Prayforongoingactivitiesas thenewseason sworkstarts. Formyeyesight Praiseforcommitmentof workerswithinthehalland thosewillingtohelp Prayfor MayoStreet (PaulMcCaw) SundaySchool,KidsClub, Mumsandyoungones. Praisefortheopportunitiesto sharethegospelinhomes. Mountcollyer (WalterSimms) PraiseGodforthe AdviceCentreandLadiesCraft Class Forthecontactsmadethrough hospitalsandgeneralvisits Praythatmorepeoplefrom theareawouldcomein. TheBridge(KimberleyStreet) (WillieCowan&StanleyKyle) PraiseGodforthosewhothis yearhavecometosavingfaithin JesusChrist. Prayfortheongoingwork includingtheworkamongmany foreignnationals. (Arthur "Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence t we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleas Y Do - 4 -

5 & Thanksgiving yfor ysillan dywilliamson) ndayinaugust reatsuccess. milymembers savedanda rrestored. Prayfor BloomfieldDrive (TomMarshall) TomandHilary shealth RecommencementofWin ter swork. CantonStreet (MichaelWaddell) HarvestServices Sunday JohnWeir&Ruth Johnston Monday GospelHarmony Youthofthearea CEForganisedabibleclubandit waswellattended JerseyStreet (TomGamble) PrayfortheDistrictvisitation andcontactsmadeonthe doors. Prayforthehouseboundand hospitalised. Prayfor KilburnStreet (LloydWatson) PrayforSpecialHarvest& ChristmasServices. Districtapathy,thattheLord wouldmoveinamightyway Rathcoole (DavidBell) BB,GB,YouthClub&Kidz R Parents&Toddlers Givepraisefortheyoungman whoputhistrustinthelord duringtheboysbrigadeactivity Weekend. Prayfor SandyRow (WillieLogan) PraiseforPCISummer Teamworkingintheareawith youngpeople Newfoodbankbeginningsoon Strongrelationshipwithmen s hostelinutilityst. CommunityFunddaysuccessat ShoreRoad McClelland&Jordan Neill) outhclub,c.e. ortodoorwork PastoralVisits Glencairn GeorgeLunn&GaryBingham G.B.BoysforChristClub, GospelMissionattheendof SeptemberthattheLordwould savesouls. oward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because ing in His sight." - 1 John 3:21-22 Autumn/Winter

6 New Members of Staff We are so grateful to God for the provision these three new members of staff who all commenced their service on 1st July 2015 Mr Jordan Neill is the product of Rathcoole City Mission, like some Missionaries before him. Jordan has just completed his degree at Belfast Bible College and graduated recently. Jordan is married to Elaine and they have just had their fi rst child in June past, a little girl called Willow Rose. Jordan has been placed alongside Arthur McClelland (Shore Road) to gain experience. Mr Paul McCaw Paul has just fi nished working with Coaching for Christ (Ahoghill) and has taken up the post in Mayo Street Hall which has been vacant for one and a half years. Paul and his wife Lorraine have a keen interest in children s work as well as evangelism and are already making inroads in making many new contacts in the Shankill area. Paul and Lorraine are members of Trinity Ahoghill Presbyterian and their Minister is Rev Brian Smyth, a former City Missionary himself. Paul and Lorraine have two young boys Caleb (6) and Cameron (11). Andy Williamson Last but not least, Mr Andy Williamson has been appointed to the Bilston Road Hall (Ballysillan). Andy is married to Iris and they have a grown up family (Pamela and Philip). They are members of Churchtown Presbyterian Church (Tamlaght O Crilly). Andy has been recently involved in night outreach (Clubreach) in Ballymena witnessing to those heading home after a night s socialising. Do pray that these three men settle in quickly and that they may be fruitful in the Lord s Service where He has placed them. Called Home Mr Jim Charters, who was a member of our Superintendent s Board and Superintendent of Mountcollyer Street Hall, was called home on Friday 4th September 2015 aged 93. His funeral service was held at his home church, Sinclair Seaman s Presbyterian on Monday 7th September and was taken by Missionary and long-time friend Mr Arthur McClelland (Shore Road Hall). Please remember in prayer his wife Lily and the family circle

7 Hall in View - Ballysillan Staff Member Transfer Mr Gary Bingham has been transferred from Rathcoole Hall to Glencairn to work alongside George Lunn. Gary commenced service with the Mission fi ve years ago and has made a great impact in the Rathcoole area. Pray that, as Gary settles into the Hall that the gifts God has bestowed upon him will now benefi t the folk of Glencairn Hall and the residents of Glencairn Estate. Autumn/Winter

8 Bullet Prayer and Praise For the 3 new members of Staff as they settle in: Jordan Neill (Shore Road) Paul McCaw (Mayo Street) Andy Williamson (Ballysillan) For our God (Jehovah Jireh) to move His people to support our work fi nancially in these austere times. Praise God for the folk who have been saved that they might grow in grace and fl ourish and bear fruit for Christ. Our Missionary Widows who served the Lord alongside their husbands faithfully for many years: Mrs Janet Smith, Mrs Ellen Cooke, Mrs Elizabeth Montgomery and Mrs Jean Anderson. Missionary s families as they stand alongside the Missionary. For health and strength to work effectively for the Lord. For all of our workers in our halls who give of their time sacrifi cially year on year. Door to door evangelism, open air witness, visitation of hospitals, nursing homes, prisons etc. New Superintendents required for three of our Halls. Mountcollyer, Ballysillan and Kimberley Street For the Superintendents Board and the Governing Body of the Mission as they seek God s will for future days. For our Annual Christmas Appeal/Outreach as we approach the Festive Season Gospel Mission to be taken by Bobi Brown in 1st Broughshane Presbyterian Church from Sunday 27th September to 7th October. Pray that many souls will be saved. For our two Secretaries in our Mission Offi ce (Glengall ) Mrs Angela Magill and Mrs Elizabeth McCullagh. Tel: info@belfastcitymission.org.uk Web: Twitter account: belfastcitymission@glengallinfo Charity number XN