Ministry Report | Poured Out

European Leadership Forum 2018

Peter — May 13, 2018

This Friday I will be flying over to Poland for the European Leadership Forum. I have attended every year since 2009, with one exception, and this will be my sixth year leading a network. What does that mean?

The Forum is really a collection of networks, which are subject specific training events for the appropriate people. So there are networks for church planters, or apologists, or evangelists, etc. The networks I have been working with are for Bible Teachers and Preachers. There is a foundational (i.e. first time) network, and an advanced for people returning to the network. There will be close to 800 people from all over Europe, just over 50 of which will be in the Bible Teachers & Preachers Networks.

Every day begins with a plenary Bible teaching session, then we get two sessions in our networks. After lunch there are workshops and the evening session is typically a standalone plenary session. Also, on the first day I have concluding sessions with last year’s Year Round Mentoring group (about 10 preachers that I have worked with since last year’s Forum), and introductory sessions with next year’s Year Round Mentoring group.

In previous years I have worked with my good friend Huw Williams, from Turin International Church, Italy. This year we have four more friends joining us to help facilitate the two networks. For me personally I will be teaching in 15 sessions during the days in Poland. It is always quite a busy few days, but also always good to reconnect with good friends and past members of the Year Round Mentoring groups (this year will be my fifth group).

Ever since we were sent into missions in 2004, it has been a real passion to equip others for communicating God’s word. The ELF involvement is a strategic opportunity to invest in preachers from all over Europe.

Prayer requests:

For emotional and physical energy for the demanding schedule at the Forum
For the Year Round groups and the two networks to work really well and make a genuine difference in their ministry and church lives
For the team of facilitators working together for the first time this year: Peter, Huw, Mike, Ovi, Fraser and Steve.
For good health for all involved and safe travel!

Thank you!

In Ministry Report, Prayer Request

April – Albania

Melanie — April 28, 2018

Last week, Peter had the privilege of going to a country he’d never been to before – Albania. He spent a day doing preaching training with a small group of men. Peter was invited by a British missionary that he met at the European Leadership Forum (ELF) where he teaches every year. Peter thoroughly enjoyed his time in Albania and is looking forward to mentoring these men throughout the coming year via webinars. He’ll go back to Albania this time next year to conclude the training. Speaking of ELF, Peter will be back teaching again at this strategic conference in less than a month. We’ll post more about that trip as it approaches. For now, here are some photos from his time Albania:

There is a historic castle up on this hill.

Peter has also been continuing to preach at Trinity Chippenham (listen here to our recent “Heart of our Faith” series) and we continue to be delighted as we watch God transform lives. Please pray for those precious people in our church who are hurting or who need God to help them grow in particular areas. And for those who don’t yet know Jesus. Our enemy is always on the prowl, looking to take our eyes away from Jesus. Please pray for protection for Peter and I, our family and our brothers and sisters at Trinity Chippenham. For me, the attacks come in the form of discouragement, health issues or just plain exhaustion and being overwhelmed at all there is to do. We are in a marathon, not a sprint – pray that we’ll run with endurance by faith, not by stress!

The children and I have been hard at work trying to tie a bow on our school year. We have nine official school days left! The reason we planned to finish so early is due to our planned trip to the USA where we’ll be meeting with prayer partners and supporting churches. There is LOTS to do to get ready for our trip, so please pray we can be productive and also filled with God’s peace (not stress!) as we prepare. Peter will be doing a significant amount of teaching so please pray for him as he prepares. If you would like an itinerary with prayer points for our USA trip, please email us and we’ll send it to you when it’s finalised.

Hannah will be taking the SAT a week from today (5th May) so please pray she can do her very best. She has been working hard now for the last few months to get herself ready. She has also been preparing to take a CLEP exam when we get to Oregon at the end of May.

Thanks so much for your prayers. Here are a few photos of the little girls . . . such a joy to us every day!

Spring has sprung and Kaylah found a worm!

We love playing outdoors on scooters and on the trampoline. The weather has been very unpredictable. But when the sun comes out, we soak it up!

In Family News, Ministry Report, Pictures, Prayer Request

Easter Baptisms

Peter — April 6, 2018

The month of March disappeared in a flash! It started with snow, then two weeks later we had another snowfall that meant we cancelled church. Two weeks later was Easter Sunday and again there were forecasts for snow. Thankfully Easter Sunday was a beautiful sunny day and so we had no problems holding church on that day. It was extra special because we were able to see four of our friends at church baptised. What a great day to be baptised! We are so thankful for all God is doing in the church community here. As a church we have settled into our new venue now and are loving it. If you are ever passing Chippenham on a Sunday afternoon, we would love to welcome you to Trinity Chippenham! Here are a few pictures: