At the end of September I was speaking at the annual conference of Josiah Venture. I was asked to speak about the Christian life as a response to God. The theme of the conference was “The Great Commandment: Renewing the Heart of Youth Ministry.” If you want to listen to this session here are the links:
For the audio click here
To watch the session click here (the message begins at about 20 minutes into the video)
Since the last update on here we have had several weeks of ministry including a very encouraging mini-Intensive with Cor Deo. Right now I am in Barcelona where I have spent two days with this year’s group of preachers on the Year Round Mentoring program through European Leadership Forum. It has been such a good time with a group from Poland, England, Slovakia, Jamaica (not European, I know), Albania, and Hungary. We spent time thinking about effective delivery, about how to preach for changed lives, about how our theology shapes our preaching ministry, and they all preached a sermon and received feedback. Plus we enjoyed meals together, long conversations over food, etc. It has been a genuinely worthwhile and enjoyable time. I fly home tomorrow.
On Saturday we have our church’s big event of the winter – The First Christmas, an immersive nativity drama experience. Lots of work has gone in to this from the creative and hardworking people of Trinity Chippenham. The costumes are ready, lines are learned, refreshments are being prepared, the farm is clean (as much as a farm can be), and all the tickets are gone! There will be three performances for about 100 people each time. I will be a village elder leading the persecution of Mary, played by Aliyah. Mariah and Joel are also involved in the Herod’s palace scene, and Melanie will be bringing neighbours to a couple of the performances. Saturday will be a huge day, but we know that apart from God we can do nothing. Please pray for the weather, for the cast, for the logistics of the event, and most of all, for the guests to really hear the gospel clearly presented and feel drawn toward Christ as a result.
Once we get past Saturday the rest of the month looks fairly calm. Normal Sunday preaching on the 8th and 22nd, a little bit of marking for my Union School of Theology preaching class, but otherwise fairly quiet. Actually, it is good because Hannah will be coming home on the 15th and we all want to spend lots of time with her over Christmas!
Thank you for praying for us.
Today the sun is blazing here in Chippenham, which may be short-lived, but is much appreciated. It has been a while since we posted as we were away for several weeks after Easter on a family holiday/vacation. Melanie has the pictures lined up and will post soon with some highlights for you to enjoy.
Since we got back from our road trip there has been a lot going on. Here are some highlights:
European Leadership Forum – I was in Poland for a week at the end of May. I spoke multiple times and both networks of Bible teachers and preachers went really well. It was a full week, but a really good one. Next year I have a different teaching responsibilty at the ELF, so I have already started working on that. Right after returning it was time for:
Trinity Chippenham Church Weekend Away – We had a beautiful weekend away as a church, filling our venue and enjoying great fellowship together. The theme of heaven really stirred all our hearts and we are thankful for how God worked in us during those days.
Mark Drama
– This past weekend we had the Mark Drama (we did this before in 2015 and 2016). It felt like a real spiritual battle in the lead up with lots of challenges, but in the end we were blessed to see lots of guests present at both performances this past weekend. Everyone involved was drained but thankful for the privilege of experiencing the whole Gospel of Mark in dramatic form. Hannah and Aliyah enjoyed being James, and Andrew, I got to be Pharisee and chief antagonist again. Even in a “negative” role it is still amazing to watch Jesus in action responding to both the proud and the needy.
Salvation Army – Earlier this week I was teaching a preaching course for the Salvation Army. This is the fourth time I have done this course and it was a joy to spend time with ministers I would normally have no connection with. It is a joy to get around God’s Word with God’s people!
Thank you for praying for us as we head into July.
Ben, Aliyah, David, Hannah … the four disciples John, Andrew, Peter & James!
