Prayer Focus Dear Praying Friends October-November 2012 Greetings to you in the Name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Thank you for your continued prayer support for us; we greatly appreciate this and are also constantly aware of our need for prayer. Over recent weeks, as I have been thinking of our work of Evangelism, the text from Zech 4:6 'Not by might nor by power, but by My spirit, says the Lord' has been pressed upon me as to how this task of evangelism will be done. This also became apparent at a recent meeting of The Faith Mission workers in England when, as we assessed what were some areas to highlight for prayer, one of the main burdens was the work of the Holy Spirit in and through us. As you read the following reports, I therefore ask you to please join us in praying that each worker and student would know the continual filling of the Holy Spirit and that in each effort for the gospel planned, there would be clear evidence of the Holy Spirit at work. In His Service, Alistair Patterson Director for England England... SOUTH EAST DISTRICT: David and Donna Ohin, Norfolk: We have resumed the Saxlingham children s club and it was very encouraging seeing how open the children are; especially considering they all come from a non-christian background. It s a privilege to be involved in reaching them with the gospel. Please pray for the various meetings we will take for the first time and the new contacts we try to make and for developing new relationships. 1
Arabella Paul Kent: It has been a real joy and a privilege to begin teaching the New Testament Bible Explorer series. I still have a lot of preparation to do for the current series, and value prayer for inspiration and wisdom especially as I prepare lesson three on the crucifixion. I teach both the Old and New Testament in Leybourne on Mondays; Bodiam and then Etchingham on Wednesdays, and the Old Testament in Burham, twice on Thursdays, until 25 October. I also speak at an evangelistic lunch in Sandhurst on Thursday 11 October, on the Character of Daniel in Tonbridge on Sunday 14 October and take the Family Service in Sandhurst on Sunday 21 October. I am about to make my first visit around the Prayer Unions and look forward to getting to know those who back us up in prayer as well as a few preaching engagements around local churches. Rallies Tacolneston Monday 22 October Oulton Broad Wednesday 14 November Lawshall Thursday 15 November Walsham le Willows Friday 16 November Saxlingham Saturday 17 November SOUTH WEST DISTRICT Stephen Walker David Lewis writes: Thank you for your prayers. We have been very encouraged with the open air work we have been engaged in at Exeter and Barnstaple. At Exeter recently we had many good contacts, particularly with students and young people, who took Gospels of John and tracts. Please pray for these, and especially for three friends, a Muslim girl, a person with a Jewish background, and the other has a Christian home. Likewise at Barnstaple Fair, I was glad to join the Open Air Mission team, and again many young people were interested and took tracts and gospels. Please pray for future open airs. We are also encouraged with SMILE Club, and visiting with the Good News paper. Please continue to pray for openings into local schools, and especially the one here at Lovacott. At a recent church service we were thrilled to hear that a teenager who attended our Teens Camp for the first time this year has since trusted in the Lord. She was very clearly spoken to at camp, but it was her youth leaders who had the joy of leading her to the Lord a week later. We are also very encouraged to be asked to take a school assembly at Dolton Church of England Primary School this month with the prospect of doing so on a monthly basis along with Exbourne and Clinton (Merton) Primary Schools. We are 2
also thankful for the opportunities to preach in many different churches, chapels and halls in the District, where we have been able to share the gospel and make known the work of The Faith Mission. This month we begin our Christmas bookstalls, these visits not only provide the opportunity to sell Christian literature, but also to further share the gospel. We have recently acquired a 30 by 40 foot aluminium framed tent which Hazel and I hope to conduct gospel missions in next year. We would ask prayer for guidance and direction as to where the Lord would have us go! CENTRAL DISTRICT: Ian Gilkinson We are really pleased to have Timmy Currie join us to work on the Earlesfield Estate in Grantham. He is now renting a house just round the corner from the Beeden Park area of the estate. This is the area targeted during one of the American team visits and we have many contacts there. We would love to start a regular children s club and we need wisdom as regards venue and times to meet. Timmy will be visiting the schools to see what possibilities there are for some regular input. We also plan a three day holiday club at half term (31 October-2 November). The work on the Earlesfield is very exciting as we sense God at work in many lives and situations. Our connected youth Bible study continues each Friday evening in our home at Harby and it is encouraging to see real signs of spiritual growth in some of the participants. Grace and I also have continuing contact with a number of the parents from this group. I have opportunity to speak at Carlton Hill Gospel Hall, Foxhill Evangelical Church, both in Nottingham and Davenport Road Evangelical Church, Derby. I also have a number of bookings to speak of the work in Grantham. NORTH DISTRICT: Daniel Howson Mark and Sheena Nelson, Sunderland: 'Thank you for praying for us. Mark continues to preach on a regular basis. He runs a youth group in Bethany Christian Fellowship called 'Cornerstone' on Mondays. We have started a student home group in our home on Thursdays. We continue to do children's work regularly and have the first 'Castlesiders' family event starting back on Friday 5 October. Mark will be going into Frankland Prison in October to help run a Christian Course. James and Lynda Bovenizer, Preston. Lynda looks forward to having more input into Lea School in her role as RE link governor, she continues her weekly RE lessons. 3
The new school term has given good opportunity for clear presentation of the gospel, questions like, When did you become a Christian? How do you become a Christian? How can we get to heaven? are a few examples we have had. We continue with school assemblies and Sunday services. Please pray with us that all these activities will be marked with the sense of God. Paul Curwen North Lancashire The start to my work with The Faith Mission is going well. I will be starting to run a children s club at Capernwray Evangelical Church as of 2 October. Please pray we will get plenty of children to share the gospel with and the club will run smoothly, I will also be involved with a monthly youth discussion group in Over Kellet. I continue to help with Connect kids club and Fusion Youth Club at Garstang Free Methodist Church, on Friday nights. I also have quite a few preaching appointments in various churches over the next few weeks. I look forward to being at North Preston Evangelical Church for their harvest weekend, 13-14 October. We have the annual Clapham Rally on Saturday 10 November when we look forward to having Danny Chambers with us as the speaker; Danny also speaks at both Sunday services in Bethel Chapel, Clapham, on 11 November. On Sunday 4 November Mark Nelson speaks at Leyburn Mission Hall. Alistair Patterson Wales.. I have had a most profitable time in recent days in visitation. Elizabeth and I continue to value the opportunity to work with Newtown Evangelical Church. The work is most fulfilling and gives us both opportunities to reach out to a number of people with the gospel including our neighbours. This is done through such activities as the mother and toddler group, the children's club, the ladies meeting and a care and share group within the church. Recently I have been circulating a book 'Hit by friendly Fire'. A number have spoken appreciatively of this book. This has resulted in spending a considerable time in visitation. The regular preaching opportunities throughout Wales have been worthwhile. It has been encouraging to have had a number of bookings for next year. From 26 October to 5 November I plan to be in Wick, Caithness, at the Harbour Mission. I would very much value your prayerful interest. Paul Crowe 4
Scotland.. ANGLO SCOTTISH BORDER DISTRICT: Our annual Stranraer Convention 14-16 September was a deeply enriching time. Attendances were good with people in who had never been to Faith Mission meetings before. The Lord blessed the anointed preaching of the Word to hearts with a number speaking of the timeliness of the ministry. I appreciated a recent opportunity to share the gospel through personal testimony and also to speak of the work of the Mission on Revival FM, a two hour radio broadcast. We trust that this means of outreach will have far reaching impact for God. The District programme of Prayer Union visitation and weekend ministry in various churches has commenced for this quarter. At the beginning of November we look forward to the annual Christmas Bookfayre and Rally in Largs. Please be much in prayer that this event will touch lives throughout the period and be a means of outreach to the searching and needy. October Christmas Booknight (Russelgate)nr Longtown Monday 1 Christmas Booknight & outreach (Carlisle) Tuesday 2 Coleraine Independent Methodist Church harvest services Sunday 14 November Largs Bookfayre Thursday 1- Saturday 3 Largs Rally Saturday 3 Annual Largs Christmas Bookfayre & Rally Held in the Church Of The Nazarene LARGS Thursday 1-Saturday 3 November Christmas Bookfayre Saturday 3 November FM Annual Rally Speaker: Pastor Daniel Mihet (Bethany Hall Dumfries) William Harrison 5
SOUTH DISTRICT: I have been glad of the opportunity recently to visit a number of supporters who have been seriously ill and greatly enjoyed the fellowship with them. It is good to be back to the programme of Prayer Union visits and Bible rallies following the holiday break. June and I continue to seek further openings for ministry. We look forward to the following rallies: October Cambusbarron Tuesday 16 Speaker: Pastor Mark Fleming Chirnside Saturday 20 Speaker: Joe McNeilly Barrhead Friday 26 Speaker: Rev Gordon Thomson November Edinburgh Saturday 3 Speaker: Rev John Shearer EAST DISTRICT: Danny Chambers John and Liz Macdonald: We have had some very encouraging, well attended Titanic evenings. At one of these most of the people who were present were new to the Mission. On October 1 we have Peterhead PU and on Thursday 4 Allandale House, Peterhead on Tuesday 9 we are in Bethesda Evangelical Church Fraserburgh for a ladies meeting, Tuesday 16 we speak at Macduff PU, Wednesday 17 St Andrews Church of Scotland Guild (Peterhead) Then from 23 October we prepare for our move to the Edinburgh area, but remember, we re nae awa tae bide awa. During this month we will be visiting around Peterhead and Gardenstown. Kathy Wood: The St Combs mission went well, a lovely group of children came regularly and listened well, including a girl in for the first time. The family service was also good with a number of family members present. Since coming back I had the opportunity to take assemblies at Valley Primary School, Kirkcaldy. Please continue to pray for this new opening. As well as my regular meetings this month I have Holyrood Abbey, Edinburgh ladies outreach Thursday 11, Rosyth Baptist Church ladies meeting Tuesday 16, Temple Hall friendly hour and Buckhaven Baptist Church ladies meeting Thursday 18 and Hope Hall Broxburn prayer meeting Monday 29. Thank you for your continued prayer support. The two Bible weeks at the beginning of September in St Combs and Aberdeen were encouraging with a lovely spirit in the meetings and an appreciation for the Bible teaching. I will be in Shetland for two weeks until 12 6
October with a full programme of meetings around the Islands. This will include the 80 th anniversary of Garthspool Evangelical Church. Please pray that there will be a rich time of blessing among God s people and evidence of salvation of the unconverted. On return District meetings continue with Prayer Union visits, midweek meetings and Sunday services. HIGHLAND DISTRICT: Noel McClintock We are very happy with the group now coming along to SU at the High School. Around seven to nine are there and all but two are new to the group. Please pray for them as we try and make God s Word come alive for them. We regularly have Spean Bridge Bible Club and assemblies at most of the local schools and enjoy the opportunity to speak with both the children and the teachers. Pray God would really use these openings for His glory. This month, in The Faith Mission Hall, Fort William, we have our Prayer Union lunch Thursday 4 October, our Youth Meeting Sunday 7 October. We also have two school assemblies, Road to Recovery meetings in two churches and other speaking engagements; then our rally on Saturday 27 October, in the Fort William Hall, with Neil Johnston (second year FMBC student) as our speaker. Justin also speaks at Oban Baptist Church Sunday 28 October. We give God thanks for an excellent Tent Mission in Rogart. There was a sense that God was working in lives and many spoke of being encouraged. Local Christians supported the mission well and a good number of unsaved attended. The children s activities proved very enjoyable for all concerned and it was a privilege to be part of this good work that is on-going in the area. The tent is proving to be a great asset for evangelism in the District and we value prayer for God s wisdom in planning Tent Missions for next year. The Wick Tent Mission was cancelled until a time that is right and more convenient for all concerned. We did however have the Convention Weekend in Wick Baptist Church when many were blessed and challenged through the ministry brought by John Matthews. Island trips coming up: Isle of Tiree 26 30 October. Orkney and Westray 6 9 November. Donnie Macleod 7
Bible College. The new College year has commenced well with new and returning students settling in well. Please pray for: John Shearer who has joined the staff as our Principal for this year. He has settled well and is contributing valuably to the life and ministry of the College Community. The new students as they continue to settle in to Bible College life and adjust to the demand of a busy programme of study and outreach activities. The second years who resume their studies and commence placements with local churches to gain outreach and ministry experience. The third years (Ministry Apprentices) who will be undertaking 10 week fulltime ministry placements which commence early next month. We are also delighted to have Paul James Griffith of the Edinburgh City Mission joining us as a part-time staff member. He will lead a module on evangelism involving two hours in the lecture room each Thursday morning followed by three hours of practical evangelism in the afternoons. He will value prayer as he prepares to lead this course which commences towards the end of October. John Townend Bookshops Please pray for all our shops as we start the Christmas Season so early. Pray people will be purchasing gifts for Christmas that will make an impact on lives for Jesus. Please pray for all staff as they begin to get very busy after the quiet of the summer period. Pray for our shop in Dunfermline which had a difficult year with outside work on the building affecting sales. Norman Liddle General Headquarters, Govan House, 548 Gilmerton Road, Edinburgh EH17 7JD 0131 664 5814 hq@faithmission.org www.faithmission.org Faith Mission & Missionary Training Home (known as The Faith Mission) is a charity registered in Scotland No SCO05119 8