Victorious

 I n

 Christ

Youth Ministry News (Autumn 2004)!

www.vicswebsite.com

 

Forget the former things; do not dwell in the past. See I am doing a new thing…” (Isaiah 43:18/19)  The purpose of this newsletter is to inform all those who support the ministry God has graciously called me to lead, that of working with young people.  You will read this month of all the exciting new things God has done over the summer not only in my life but also in that of His churches and the precious young people we have been, called to work with.  In his letter to the church in Ephesus Paul writes to the Saints and warns them before putting on their armour to, “be strong in the Lord and in His MIGHTY power.” (6:10) I am strong in Christ because you pray for me, and all these precious young lives.  Paul continues, “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.” (v17).  I am aware that without the word I am powerless and hope to share with you over the coming months how the Lord has spoken to me through the word in order that you know I am fully accountable to His leading.  It is also my hope that as God speaks to me I can then pass on blessings to you. Each morning I begin the day by seeking the guidance of God through His word, and from the moment, I leave the house until I get home in the night he reveals His plan to me.  I believe He does this because I set aside the first hour or so of the day to be with Him.  Samuel provides a fine example of someone who after being, prompted by Eli is gifted with an ear that is ready to hear what God has to say.  He asks the Lord to “Speak for your servant is listening”. (1 Samuel 3:10)  “The Lord said to me through Samuel: “See I am about to do something in the ‘West of England’ that will make the ears of everyone who hears it tingle”.”  My prayer is that your ears are tingled by what God has to say and you too are, blessed. So often in my experience, it is in our interceding for others that we receive blessing, Jesus said, “Freely, freely you have received freely, freely give.”  Please accept my gift to you “And pray in the spirit on all occasions, with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind be alert and always keep on praying for all the Saints.” (6:18). Your, prayers are being answered, in ways we could not have imagined, as you will read in this newsletter.

 

Autumn is now here and we could ask the question where has summer gone?  Back in April, I faced an uncertain future having followed, the Lord’s leading and handing my notice in at Bath YFC.  However, I was motivated into doing this as I knew then God was calling me into something new and He has never let me down.  My job with the West of England Baptist Association had become top priority as I felt the more I could give to the churches and young people in our association the better my chances of receiving further funding from March 2005, for continuation of the work until 2008. The application is in fact being submitted on September 28th and for this I would value continuing prayer support.  I believe this work must continue beyond March 2005 when the present agreement expires. It is DfES (a government organisation) to whom we are making the application, and I pray they are impacted by the effectiveness of quality Christian youth provision. I am sure they will be. In filling out the application, I was overwhelmed with a feeling of excitement thinking how far the Lord has brought this ministry in just over a year (it is still relatively new). 

 

May I share with you the vision we have been given, for this work and are going to give to DfES: To improve and enhance through quality training the volunteer youth workers within the association, by continuing the work of the recently appointed Youth Development Officer. Mentor employed youth workers. Initiate youth work projects in conjunction with other agencies, specifically amongst marginalized young people. Plan programmes and activities that better meet the needs of young people; Better skilled youth workers, through quality training. Wider use of quality standards by voluntary youth organizations: More young people improving their personal and social skills; Increased opportunities for young people to make a positive contribution to their communities and wider society; Development of new approaches to meeting young people's needs that can be shared and replicated; Stronger voluntary youth sector networks and new partnerships within the sector and between sectors.

 

As you can see, the vision is very exciting and we have now laid a foundation to build on.  Please allow me to share what God has already done in the 14 months since I was, appointed. We’ve established small Drop-in centres in churches within the association that provide an environment where young people feel safe and secure. Places where they feel valued and can meet their peers on an informal basis. The provision of sport such as football for both sexes in order to promote a healthy lifestyle as well as encouraging team bonding and better group cohesion. The provision of mentoring and non-managerial support for employed youth workers as well as quality training for all our volunteers, through the church and other agencies. Actively encouraging small group youth work where young people feel free to express themselves and will know their opinions are valued. In a small group context we have been able to Identify and provide support and training for emerging leaders within the groups. Rewarding these young people with medals and certificates for achievements in order to enhance their CV's. Integrating the marginalised young people of our communities into the wider society. Developing through training those who can then train others.  Jesus said, “go out and train everyone you meet, far and near in the way of life…” (Matt 28:19 TM) Taking all the above models of quality youth work where established to other churches within the association. Forging good working links with other agencies and improving those already started.  All this in just 16 hours a week however, if funding is given, my hours will rise to 20/week next April. Praise the Lord.  

 

I am so grateful to my line manager Revd Roger Short (Mission Development Leader within the Association) whose passion for work with young people is infectious.  It is Roger who is made the trip to Didcot (Baptist Union of GB HQ) September 28th on my behalf to state our case along with Nick Lear and for this I am eternily grateful.  I am also thankful for the way I have received 100% support from Roger and everyone else connected to the Association.  It was never our intention, but my relationship with Roger is almost that of a mentoring one.  His wisdom, which he has graciously passed on to me, has been an incredible source of blessing.  Each time we meet I sense the Lord is with us guiding us each step of the way and I know what I learn from Roger will be passed on to the next generation of leaders.

 

 

                                                           

Roger and Vic @ my home in Shoscombe - Sharing the Vision

And seeking God’s will about possibility of buying this home

 

 

Hanham Baptist Church on the South side of Bristol is one of the churches in the association.  I first met their youth worker Sam Hearle on my induction to Oxford Brookes University during September 2001.  Sam describes our meeting as being a ‘significant moment’.  Our meeting was not the only significant moment in our lives, it was a  significant time in history for the whole world.  Only a few days earlier we witnessed the events of 9/11 and my lasting memory from my time there besides meeting Sam were the masses of students in the refectory gathered around the TV each day trying to catch snippits of news about the events unfolding before us.  It must have been like this during the 2nd World War. Neighbours gathered in each others homes huddled together around radio’s (or what was then called the wireless) trying to catch the latest news.  Where is the next attack coming from?  9/11 brought home to us, who hadn’t lived through the wars of the 20th century the reality of conflict.  Where was the next attack coming from, was it imminent, we gathered together because the threat was real.

 

The threat is very real to any Christian who is called into leadership, where is the next attack coming from?  For Jesus it cost Him His life He was the building the evil oppressors of this world try to destroy by beating Him to the point of death then nailing him to a cross.  Praise the Lord for the film the ‘Passion of the Christ’ just last night a young person (non-Christian) shared with us on our bus outreach how she cried during the film and believes Jesus is real and wants to know what motivates us.  If Mel Gibson ever makes a sequel the world will witness how our master overcame death and rose again to walk the earth, and that it’s only through persuing our own agendas we are kept from recognising Him as the two disciples were on the road to Emmaus Luke Chapter 24 beginning at verse 13.  Jesus said, “ I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail.” (Matthew 16:18)  Not even death could overcome the agenda of our master.  No matter where the attacks come from, (and we will face many in ministry) whoever tries to destroy us, like Jesus we must rise from the ashes.  After all “In all these things we are more then conquerors through Him that loved us.”  (Romans 8:37)

 

Sam and I had an amazing time at Bristol Baptist College together.  We became great friends and through my job with WEBA I began a mentoring relationship with him.  His church had been without a pastor for nearly 5 years before the appointment of Peter Cook a year a go and Sam was very instrumental in leading the church to this point.  Sam allowed me to have an active role in the life of the young people in the church and I had the awesome privilege of spending quality time with the senior youth group of the church over the course of the summer.

 

 

 

 

Some of the young people of Hanham

 

 

Then suddenly without warning it became apparent that God was leading Sam to a new ministry.  His 17 years with Hanham would be drawing to a close if he was to remain obedient to God’s calling.  Sam wrestled with God but knew his time was up and after handing in his notice and on Monday June 21st he arranged a meeting with myself and the leadership team of Hanham to meet and discuss the way forward.  On June 24th (my youngest sister Mellanie’s birthday) Sam, Peter (Pastor), Terry (Treasurer), Rob (Secretary) and myself met at the YMCA in Bath in the boardroom where else (God always provides the best for His people).  The agenda was the way forward and I thought my role would be to help cover the work at Hanham through my work with WEBA until a suitable replacement was found. A week later we met again (things can happen quickly in the church ptl) and it soon became clear that the church wanted to employ me.  Time out was the order of the day and I managed to have 6 days in Cyprus and have a  belated birthday party with Mellanie (my sister) who now lives there along with my older brother, isn’t God good. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was flattered by the offer but this could not be the sole reason for taking the job.  I was also motivated by the fact that there were so many Christian young people in the church.  I’ve never had the chance to work intensely with a group of committed young Christians.  My role had always been bringing young people through to an understanding of a loving relationship with Jesus but struggling to take them to the next level.  Now here were a bunch of ready made disciples. It all seemed too good to be true but I still had other questions to consider. Spending time in Cyprus answered one of these questions (I always get ‘homesick’ when I go back there).  A kind invitiation from my former Pastor, Robin Brookes, to join him for a late lunch in Famagusta (birth place of my mum) was gladly accepted.  Travelling over the boarder and sensing God’s will for my life were at the forefront of my mind.  We had a stunning day/evening together with a fish supper close to the beach (what else).  I miss the sunshine, the wonderful people, beautiful scenery, the crystal clear waters and my friends and family who always make me feel so welcome when I return.  However travelling back and arriving at my brothers, to a surprise leaving BBQ planned for me, made the day complete, as that day I’d been given the answer that Gods plan for my life was not Cyprus (yet) but in the West of England. And to confirm this He even gave me a suprise leaving party where my friends and family could celebrate. 

 

Returning to England July 11th I was straight back into it with an evening service at Hanham.  Then the next day I met the volunteers and children who make up J-Zone 5-10’s.  I’m not sure how many people are aware of this but I am qualified to work with this age group having completed a Diploma in Early Childhood Studies (0-8’s) with the University of North London.  I am grateful to Val and Robin Brookes who were the inspiration to me completing this qualification.  My career in education did in fact begin with pre-school.  After meeting J-Zone I was interviewed by all the deacons and church leadership.  Not sure how many people were in the room that evening but up until then the biggest interview group I had ever faced was 8 this was at least double and the Lord carried me through in only the way He can.  I learnt the next day from Peter that the deacons wanted to employ me by a huge majority and it just had to go to the members for approval.  So often in the church we look for reasons not to do things Hanham is a church made of cans, ‘we can’.  Then on Wednesday I met the volunteers and young people who make up Active 8!  Another stunning evening, this is where my heart is, church reaching out to those young people who do not yet know Jesus.  After the church meeting a formal offer was made but I still felt I needed to discern God’s will.  There were massive decisions to be made concerning Hay Hill and my future there, whether I would have to uproot and leave Shoscombe, the place I truly call home, then of course my work with WEBA.  I’m so grateful to all at Hanham for the time and space they gave me to ponder this through.

 

Hanham Baptist Church

Leadership Team

 

Meanwhile the outreach work close to my home in Radstock and Welton began producing fruit.  There’s the story of our local ‘nutter’, his words not mine, (Is this our Saul of Tarsus?) a guy called Scooby aged 18 and built like Martin Johnson (Former England Rugby captain).  I first met him on the bus outreach hosted by Welton Baptist Church on the High St of Midsommer Norton each Monday evening.  It’s an amazing project run faitfhully by a dedicated bunch of volunteers from the church such as Dave, Pete, Paul, Clifford and Ali who makes the best hot chocolate in the world. This outreach project where Christians take the church to the people (that is the Great Commission after all ‘To Go’) attracts a cross range of young people.  It’s a no holds barred ministry and the volunteers are all very upfront about who Jesus is and why we believe in Him. 

 

This ministry has had a profound affect on my life, and what has impacted me more than anything is a guy called Tony who spends all evening in the drivers seat of the bus reading his bible and shouting out verses to us every so often.  No wonder young people are coming to faith in Jesus Christ.  “For the word of God living and active. Sharper then any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) I’ve also had a chance to extend contact with Scooby and the others through the Drop-in that Radstock Baptist Church and others in the area operate on a Tuesday night in a disused warehouse.  It was in this setting where Scooby and two others asked if they could stay behind with us for prayer one night.  This was amazing for the staff who faithfully serve each week, Stuart, Ralph, Anne and many others.  I was also able to provide these three young people with the the teenage version of the ‘Word for You Today’.  Lets pray the Lord continues to minster to them.

 

 

 

 

The bus outreach and Radstock Drop-in was where God gave us the vision of using football as the next stage of the journey of these lads to faith in Jesus.  A number of them were about to be excluded from the projects.  One night in June during Euro 2004 I suggested that we didn’t take the bus out.  England were playing Croatia and it was obvious the young people would be in the pub opposite and they were.  Myself and and one of the volunteers had a priceless evening in the pub not only did England win but we, or should I say the young people, recruited many young players into our new football team. Praise the Lord.  See what happens when you “Go” (Luke 10:3) in His name.  When Jesus sent out the seventy two, we know from Luke’s account that they came back and now knew that everything the Lord had taught them would be fulfilled if they were obedient to Him.  The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “lord even the demons submit to us in your name.” (Luke 10:17) That night was true for us, sure enough God was with us, Jesus said “He who listens to you listens to me” (Luke 10:16). One lad named Jayson aged 19 listenned to what we had to say, he is surely our Peter, and around ‘this rock’ we will build our team. Jayson has already emerged as one of our leaders and regularly takes coaching sessions, it’s incredible how God is using him.  I’ve assured Jayson of God’s love for him and I know he is totally blown away by what’s happening in his life, lets continue to pray for him.    

 

 

 

Jayson in centre foreground

God has moved very quickly in building His football team in the Radstock area.  It is a partnership project between Welton and Radstock Baptist Churches along with my employer WEBA.  The team is, known as Welstock FC and you can follow our progress at www.welstockfc.com

 

 

 

 

The lads and cheerleaders meet for training each Wednesday, this has now extended to Monday’s with Jayson, and Jon heading up the sessions (Damien and I have trained the trainers as instructed by Jesus to do so Matt 28:19).  The commitment of the lads and cheerleaders has me in no doubt. They all faithfully turn up each Saturday at 8.30am (90mins) before kick-off, as they are aware there is much preparation to do before each game and this team is an every person ministry`.  “Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God…” (Hebrews 5:1)

 

It was an amazing sight to see the lads with their heads all bowed in prayer before our first game and each match since.  This is a pre-requisite of each game played in the Bristol Churches league.  Primarily we want to see young men come to faith in Jesus through the witness of the beautiful game of football.  God has provided us with a kit, another coach (Damien who I work with at the college), a pitch and a club-house where we can all meet after the match and share more with the young people about Jesus. In their determination to succeed there have been the inevitable disputes.  I let the lads have their say then stood in front of them as a team quoting Matthew 12:12 “Jesus knows our thoughts… a house divided against itself, will not stand.” A team divided will not stand amazingly the lads accepted these words, the words of Jesus. That night I meditated on that passage and the Lord led me to the last part of the chapter.  I love it when the Lord gives me a direct quote, He did, and it sums up how I feel about these lads, and how they have become like a family to me. In reference to His mother and brothers, Jesus stretched out His hand towards His disciples.  “Look closely. These are my mother and brothers.  Obedience is thicker then blood.  The person who obeys my heavenly Father’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12:49) Because of the dynamics of our relationships and the fact that they are very much Christ centred, miracles are happening on a daily basis.  We just need to have patience and see the job through, Paul writing to the Thessalonians, “We were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.” (1Thess 2:8) I told Ross how proud I am of him during a training session. This text demonstrates Christ’s power in a young man society has written off; “Thanks for saying that Vic, I’ve quit drinking now cause it started to get really bad all I got to do now is stop smoking and I should be back on form soon.” 

 

 

 

 

Lads praying before match

September 2004 will always be a memorable month for me after a tough summer. Work has been challenging and demanding and there were some tough decisions to be made.  Lack of sunshine did not help but the Lord knows our needs and the sunshine eventually came at the beginning of September and we had a late summer, which was wonderful.  My big meeting was, planned for the 2nd September with the leadership of Hanham. Peter wrote to me the night before the most beautiful email and during the meeting it became so clear it was God’s will for me to be Youth Specialist/Children’s Worker at Hanham Baptist Church.  By not accepting, I would have been disobedient to the Lord’s calling and this goes against being a true disciple of Jesus.  I signed the contract and I felt like I was walking on water when I left the YMCA that day.  It had been five years after I since I first began to pray diligently to be a church youth leader and now God in His time had answered.

 

Later that night I was to give my testimony at Shepton Mallet Baptist Church.  This is one of my favourite churches in the association. It is quite small but it is amazing how God will use a small bunch of disciples fully dedicated to Him (just look at Gideon’s army in Judges 7). During the first week of September the church did a series of events to reach out to the community (remember it was Jesus who said, “Go”). When I arrived at the church, three lads aged approx 15, their baseball caps turned sideways, they looked like they had no church connection, and surprise, surprise I was right.  I had a quick chat with them and asked if they would join us later, then one of the lads offered me some crisps.  There was young choir that night and later we sat patiently in the pews waiting for them to begin.  As they started, the three lads walked in and sat close to the front.  I got out of my pew and sat next to them, as it was obvious they were not there for the choir.  They messed around and people tutted I must confess even I had a tut so I can empathise with those who don’t like their services being interupted.  I spoke the odd word of encouragement, prayed, and smiled at the choir at the same time urging them to keep going (it must have been so off putting as these guys, munched on their crisps, burping and ….  During the third song, a small miracle began to happen and God began ministering to the lads.  What a picture it would have made, the four of us sitting back in our pews with our arms folded as the Lord ministered to us through song.  I asked the lads to stay a little while longer to hear my story and they did.  I had to change the content of what I was going to say, as I believe God had sent the choir and me to that place to give these lads a message.  From the front of the church I explained how they had fed me when I arrived at the church and thanked them personally saying this is exactly what Jesus would have done. Then I explained how brave it was for them to come into the church on this particular evening and asked them to stand up (after all they were seeking attention).  I asked them to give us there names and after introducing themselves, the whole church gave our guests a round of applause.  Sometimes young people just want to be, acknowledged for who they are.  Dad is often out working long hours and is tired when he gets home; mum has to work to help pay the bills.  So they come into the church, do we do ignore them as well? Of course, not, remember Paul says we are to be as mother is, caring for her children (2 Thess 2).  The next day the lads came back for a BBQ and have even been to Sunday morning services.  Pastor Graham has contacted me to say the church see these three young boys as a top priority.  Therefore, we could have the birth of a new ministry because we have followed the Lord’s leading.

 

So what else has been happening in September?  The football ministry continues to go from strength to strength and the lads played their first competitive match on the first Saturday of the month.  Then on the following Monday we had our first league managers meeting where I reminded all the men present that Christ dies for us and we are to die to ourselves. To keep an eye on the big picture that through football we could see young men saved.  I showed them the first squad picture of the Hay Hill lads taken in September 2001. At the time out of 14 in the picture, just two of us were followers of Jesus.  Within two years of that photo, being taken, “the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47) and seven others from the squad had been added to His kingdom.  Let us pray for the lads who make up Welstock FC that they will here the sound of God’s voice calling them over the forthcoming season and the seeds we plant now will see a harvest. The City of Bath College work continues to flourish particularly now we have managed to build up some significant relationships.  The Christian Union is up and running and we already have three new members.  One of these girls Anna, she is doing a gap year with Bath YFC, and it is such an awesome privilege to not only have her in the group but also to maintain the link with my former employers.  We are going to see Delirious in concert at Bristol Colton hall on 12th October and this will be a great opportunity for the students to mix with and get to know the Hanham youth group. Our chairperson Ceri has been a source of blessing to the work God has called us to do and you will often find her in the SU office trying to persuade other students to join the CU as we meet each Friday.  At our final meeting of the month we were challenged to answer a text question I had received from Michelle in Hanham; “In the Bible it says God is perfect yea… but it also says that He is a jealous God and His terrible anger will come upon u if u sin.  How can He be perfect if He is jealous and angry sometimes?”  This made for an interesting time in the scriptures over lunch and we still found time to pray for you and each other.  If you come up with an answer, write to us on a postcard or by email please.

 

 

On the 12th at Sam’s last service at Hanham we had the awesome privilege of witnessing two lads being baptised.  Tom and Shaun, both 18, took the plunge and committed their lives to following Jesus.  In their testimonies, it soon became clear that Tom had evangelistic skills and Shaun was a teacher.  Paul reminds us that we all have different gifts, “some to be apostles/prophets/evangelists/pastors or teachers”. (Eph 4:11) I believe leaders should pray for diligence in order to identify these gifts and “prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” (v 12)  Why do His work alone when God has placed so much potential in our churches?  Afterwards there was a little party for the lads and we had a great time of sharing.  Towards the end of the evening, Sam handed the keys over to the new youth worker in the church and set off for his new life in Broadstairs, Kent. Would just like to say Sam, “Peace be with you” (Luke 24:36).

 

 

Sam handing over keys to Hanham

 

J-Zone and Active 8 too have been a real source of blessing.  We have a dedicated group of volunteers who make my job a real joy.    Both groups are open to prayer and teaching and already we are seeing barriers come down.  At the last J-zone of the month we were sitting in a small group context and I asked if any of the children wanted to pray for their friends out loud and a number responded to the call.  We have also been looking at the story of the lost son in Luke 15 and have discussed forgiveness.  Please pray as we turn this amazing story into a small sketch where the children we get a chance to act out the parts. The last Active 8 of the month (11-14’s) was also a special time of blessing.  We discussed doubts and looked at Proverbs 3. In our struggles, we should trust the Lord with all our hearts.  During closing prayer, two of the group prayed aloud, which filled Fiona’s and my heart with joy.

 

At our first seniors meeting after Sam’s departure, we looked at the relationship of Jesus and His disciples.  For over three years, they were in ministry together and suddenly He was gone.  The day now called Good Friday was anything good for them. Their master, their Sheppard, their brother, their friend, their comforter, and their protector was now gone…. Scary.  The young people of Hanham’s comforter, protector and friend has now gone and it is important that we go through a time of grieving, share our sorrow and allow the Lord time to heal us in order to move on.  We shared our feelings with each other and identified some of our needs and concerns for the future. I paid tribute to Sam by focusing on Jesus’ account of John the Baptist in Matthew 11. In reference to John, Jesus said he is, “probably the best prophet you’ll ever hear”. Quoting Malachi who wrote, “I’m sending my prophet ahead of you, to make the road smooth for you.”  (TM)  Jesus goes on to say later in the passage; “Let me tell you what’s going on here: No one in history surpasses John the Baptizer.   Sam has been my John the Baptist; the Lord had used him to prepare the way for me to work at Hanham. There is no one greater then Sam in my eyes and for what he has done for me I will always be eternally grateful.  Later on, we focussed on the Luke’s account of the Road to Emmaus.  The two disciples’ were downcast as they walked along the road together.  Despite the fact that Jesus was still with them they were kept from recognising Him.  I explained to the group that there would be times that we could be kept from recognising Him and we may look to others instead of looking at Jesus.  I assured the group that Jesus said he “will never leave us or forsake us” and that my task would always be to remind them of Christ’s words and I would do all I could to point them to Him.   Finally, we discussed our vision and our purpose for our future together and came up with a purpose statement:  “A disciplined fighting army of Christ like spiritual warriors who are prepared to win lost people of Hanham for His kingdom.”

 

 

My final thoughts as I write this letter to you are what Jesus has really done in my life since June 2003. Unknown to, many I was on the point of giving up ever working for a church in youth ministry. I had almost given up hope and sensed it may be time to move on.  My contract with Bath YFC was ending because of lack of funds and at that point, WEBA had not made a decision concerning my appointment.  I was living in temporary accommodation after losing my home earlier in the year and I was feeling incredibly low.  God had called me to work with young people in a Christian context and for five years, I had faithfully done this mainly in a voluntary capacity.  My hearts desire was to work in partnership with a church, I allowed the enemy into deceiving me that it was not going to happen, and I began to experience negative feelings about myself particularly concerning the past and my life before I was a Christian.  Then at an YFC training seminar in the company of Alan, Anne and Flossy Crowne (National YFC) at a country retreat south of Birmingham, the Lord led me to a passage where Paul boasts of His sufferings.  On hearing this, I was reminded that if we want to be true disciples of Jesus Christ we would endure many hardships in fulfilling our calling. In his second letter to the church in Corinth (2 Corinthians 11: 16-33) we begin to understand something of true discipleship; “I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day on the open sea, and I have been constantly on the move.” At this point, the tears were streaming down my face, and though I did not know what it was like to of been flogged or stranded at sea I could certainly empathise with Paul and his lack of security in terms of having a place to call home.  The passage goes on to say; “I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen (in my own experience nothing is more painful then this), in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; (was the Lord asking me to move on?) In addition, in danger from false brothers.  I have laboured, toiled, and gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.  Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.”

 

As I left this conference I made a pledge with the Lord that if my life was to be constantly on the move (in a foreign land if necessary) I was willing to do it. I went off to the USA where we work in partnership with Youth Pastor Dave Keehn and his church in South Shores, Southern California. Dave and his youth team had a plan to come to England during August; this would be their fourth visit to us.  During my time with Dave, I got to preach at three different services on one occasion there were 350 people present.  I had never preached before so I am grateful to Dave and his church for allowing me the opportunity.  It became clear after the final service that God had a plan for me in England, many of his saints in the USA encouraged me to keep going and that God would not let me down.  True to His word when I returned home on 1st July, my first message was from Roger to say my application to be the Youth Development Officer for the West of England Baptist Association had been unanimously accepted. God had not wanted me to be a youth worker at one church only.  No His plan was to make me a youth worker for one hundred and twenty three churches within WEBA. Now how is that for divine intervention? “See if I will not throw open, the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have enough room for it.”  (Malachi 3:10)