UK and Ireland LinkUP Reaching children: Serving churches Issue 2 2018 HERE is a stunning reminder of the glory of God as the sun sets on the beautiful Argyllshire coast. Such scenes were enjoyed in June by around 30 mainly teenage campers at BCM Scotland's annual weekend under canvas at Port Ban. Everyone went home blessed to have been in the presence of God manifested in His creation. We pray that all men and women, boys and girls reached through the ministry of Bible Clubs and other BCM ministries will come to know the God Who has revealed His glory through His creation and His love through His Son. Let us pray also that From the rising of the sun until it sets the Name of the Lord is to be praised people everywhere will echo the Psalmist's declaration that the Name of the Lord is to be praised 24/7. And we thank God for His marvellous sunsets...
Northern Ireland Northern Ireland 15 decide to follow Jesus Here in BCMNI, we are so thankful to God for a super summer of ministry. Here is an overview of what went on WHAT a great summer 2018 was! When was the last time we had summer weather like that? But I m not really talking about the weather, wonderful as it was. What is so much more exciting is the way we witnessed God at work in the lives of young people and children. Having just turned 40, the campsite at Mullartown House was in full swing this summer. We had eight full weeks of camp which included four children s weeks, family camp, pre-teens week, junior teens and senior teens week. More than 550 campers and hundreds of volunteer workers descended on Mullartown House. While having a week-load of fun is part of camp, our main objective is to share Jesus. God blessed our teams with more than 15 first time decisions for Jesus! Dozens of others were strengthened in their faith. We were very thankful to God for all the staff, the many opportunities to share Jesus and for a safe summer. By Scott Widman, BCMNI director Many of our 550 campers were strengthened in faith lwe had two outreach teams again this summer that we call Hello Life. These teams go into communities to do service projects, Bible clubs and evangelistic outreach. This year the teams reached into Newry, Banbridge and Lisburn. Meanwhile over in England... lover the course of the summer our BCM workers have been involved in Holiday Bible clubs reaching hundreds of children with the gospel. Many of the clubs used material called Things Hidden, which used the parables of Jesus to share the truth of salvation.... Mad Hatters and the Egyptian look. See over page
England l Our English summer camps, JaM (8-11 year olds) and Get Real! (12-15 year olds) run at the same time in the same venue with some shared afternoon activities. This year we had 50 campers across the two age groups with a wonderfully supportive team of volunteer leaders from England, Wales, Scotland and America. We had an Alice in Wonderland theme with white rabbits and mad hats everywhere! In our Bible times we explored the life of Joseph. ESTHER BULL, director of JaM Camp and CHRIS KENNY, co-director of Get Real! share their highlights from the week G ET Real 2018 was an incredible week. We had 24 energetic teenagers, a large and diverse group, but the sense of family was undeniable. The teens were brilliant in encouraging each other; when it came to activities they worked as a team, making sure each member felt involved, and encouraging each other whenever it got difficult. The team of leaders came with servant hearts, ready for any job working as a team and were a positive example for the teenagers. Testimonies from staff were particularly powerful, teaching some campers that God is with us in each of our situations today. Campers and leaders were challenged and encouraged throughout the week as we looked into the life of Joseph and saw l God again proved His goodness at JaM camp 2018 by providing us with a talented team of enthusiastic volunteers and creating an atmosphere of mutual support and fun. Campers thoroughly enjoyed the swimming pool and tuckshop as usual, as well as the week s Bible studies into the life of Joseph. It was really special to see young people opening their hearts to the Lord and moving forward in their walk with Him. One said: I can t really pick one favourite thing but the highlights were: having fun with my friends, hiking up the hill (pictured), learning more about God and joining in the dorm competitions. We were delighted to welcome back several older teenagers as young leaders after their graduation from Get Real! Camp last year. One told us: It was a fun week and I m looking forward to coming back next year. how God was in control in each situation. It was a topic that resonated with a lot of the teens in their own situations and opened opportunity to talk and pray with them. Our teenagers loved talking in discussions. Peter, our Bible teacher, led discus- sions which got the teens talking and thinking. The hard part some days was stopping them! The teens were comfortable in asking hard questions and it was brilliant being able to sit down and talk to them. It was emotional for some as they graduate from Get Real! and move on but they are very keen to continue as young leaders. The week was full of special moments for campers and staff. There was an emotional moment for one of our leaders when one of the teenagers surprised and encouraged him, passing a note with a message and Bible verse, urging him to keep serving God enthusiastically. Having a group of teens who are comfortable in asking questions and creating conversations was special, as well as having an excellent group of staff who put the needs of the teenagers before their own. We had a fully-packed week with activities, challenges, Bible times and worship and are very thankful to God for moving in everything we did. We are super excited for next year! A camper passed a leader a verse, urging him to keep serving God with enthusiasm
England Scotland rat the end of August Angeline White stepped down as a BCM missionary as God has led her to new opportunities in ministry in her local church. This means that we now have no full-time workers in England and Wales. This certainly does not mean the end of children s ministry in Weston-super-Mare however as many local churches are actively involved in outreach and discipleship of children. With regards to BCM, the work in England continues through faithful volunteers keeping our excellent camp ministry going. In Step with the Master Teacher children s ministry training courses will also still be available as Angeline remains a UK lead trainer. Please pray for our 2019 camp directors - Liz, Chris, Esther, Pete and Suzanne as they meet with our camp committee to plan for next year s summer camps. Pray also for the BCM leadership as they think through BCM s future role in England and Wales. I would like to help BCM reach more children with God s word and support its missionaries in their valuable work. Please find enclosed a cheque for:... payable to BCM UK. I am a UK taxpayer and wish BCM to reclaim tax pon this and my future gifts. I confirm that I pay at least as much income or capital gains tax as will be reclaimed by all charities on my donations in each tax year, including community amateur sports clubs. (Please note that other taxes such as council tax and VAT do not qualify). Please send me a standing order form to set up pregular giving from my bank or building society to BCM UK. I have arranged to leave BCM UK a legacy. p Please send me details of how I can leave BCM puk a legacy. KATE MACNAB writes: Paul often added greetings to his co-workers at the end of his letters. He wrote about the woman who worked hard in the Lord. We thank the Lord for the way Angeline has worked hard among us in BCM for 12 years. My first memory of Angeline is when she came to our camp at Minehead as a teenager. I noticed the way she would cheerfully go alongside other teens who needed encouragement, and supported them after camp. Working alongside Angeline I have seen her develop this gift of encouragement and her ability to teach and train others in their faith and help them to exercise their gifts. Many went on to help in clubs and camp and in their local churches. Passing on the baton was one of Angeline s themes and she enabled others to take on the ministry. In spite of health issues Angeline can still smile and never complains. We pray this faithful trustworthy servant will be blessed in her new ministry and be a blessing to others. Name... Address............ Telephone... Email... Please return to BCM UK, PO Box 668, Westonsuper-Mare, North Somerset, BS23 9PP OUR camp changed its name to Breakout Holidays BCM Scotland a few years ago, mainly because families thought that we were going under canvas! We are in fact in a former hotel, now a Christian conference and camp centre on the north east coast town of Arbroath. We encouraged our kids to be Game Changers - this year s camp theme - with Jesus in their lives. Our Bible teaching was from the life of Daniel, who was a real game changer. Each evening children in small groups reflected on our daily theme using God s word, IT S a long time since Scotland was known by the title The Land of the Book. As we continue to teach the Word in our weekly clubs in schools, community centres and churches will you pray for our young people to become in this academic year People of the Book. Arbroath camp is a Game Changer prayer and a meditation verse before bedtime. We had a very happy, accident-free week. Some children told us their highlight was West Links, a local playpark. On the first day we have sole use of the local swimming pool where an inflatable is a big hit. The centre has a great garden for outdoor play and a new fire pit for sitting round and toasting marshmallows! Highlights are party, camp fire, sports day, beachcombing, visits to places of interest, shopping for souvenirs, or a visit to town for ice cream or a hot chocolate. As a staff we met first thing each morning, to hear from God s word, and pray. We aim to have a week where children and staff alike experience the love of God and challenges from His word for our lives. Many of the children have never been away on their own before and most can t wait to come back. The memories stay with them. Thank you for your valuable prayer support. Please continue to pray for the children, asking God that they would remain Game Changers at home. Next year s Breakout Holidays are our April 1-4 mini-break and in summer from July 6-12. FIONA BLYTH FANCY a weekend at one of our BCM ladies conferences? Spend the weekend of February 22-24 or March 8-10 in Perth, being challenged, encouraged and refreshed. You ll enjoy delicious food, great company and two great speakers, our BCM Ireland missionaries Brenda Duffield and Debbie Dancey. Any ladies interested in learning more are invited to call Irene on 01236 827613 or send an email to irene.paget@bcm.org.uk for more information and a brochure.
The last word...kati Rose Beebe BCM Northern Ireland has welcomed a new intern to Mullartown House. Her name is Kati Rose Beebe and here she chats with Scott Widman. Scott: Tell us a little about yourself. Kati: Well, originally I m from Pennsylvania but currently live with my family in New Jersey. I come from a large family. I have eight brothers and sisters! An interesting fact about us is that we all have been homeschooled. Scott: Kati, how did you come to hear of BCM and more specifically, Mullartown House? Kati: I heard about BCM and Mullartown House from my older brother Lee. He came to Northern Ireland with a church summer mission team around 2009. God used his experience to plant a seed in my life to want to come here. Scott: So, what was the process that eventually led you here? Kati: Around February of 2017 I felt God nudging me towards missions. The problem was I had no idea where He wanted me to go. Then God reminded me about my brother s trip to Mullartown House. From there it was a series of emails to Jason and Gemma Hill which led to sending my formal application in around May of 2018. With much prayer and support raising, I arrived in Northern Ireland on September 6. Scott: What are looking forward to getting involved with while you are here? Kati: I m looking forward to getting involved with Bubbles the girls discipleship group, school assemblies, camp, the Bridge outreach team and anything else Jason and Gemma feel that I can be a help with. Scott: Kati, do have a favourite verse? Kati: I like John 16:32-33. Jesus is saying that a time would come when everyone would leave Him and He would be alone. But then Jesus says He would not be alone for His Father would always be with Him. There will be times over the next year when I feel alone, away from my culture, family and friends. But the truth is I will never be alone for God will always be with me! Scott: Are there things we can be praying about? Kati: Please pray that I would settle into life here in Northern Ireland. That I wouldn t feel too lonely without my family. Please pray that the rest of my needed support would come in and that God would use me and stretch my faith. Scott: Thank you Kati. We wish you all the best over the coming year. www.bcm.org.uk www.bcmireland.ie BCM is a faith mission. The work is financed through freewill offerings from faithful people whose hearts are touched by God. Any gifts can be sent to BCM International UK (Anchor) Trust, PO Box 668, Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, BS23 9PP Tel 07845 174853 Email: office@bcm.org.uk Follow BCM UK on Facebook. Visit www.bcm.org.uk and click on the top right of the home page. BCM is a registered charity (England No 1044539 - Scotland No SCO41111