Christmas 2018 Update

CC York

Hello friends!  England is getting chilly, wet and dark so Christmas must be on the way.  York is lit up and festive, which balances out the gloominess this time of year.  It’s a great blessing to be a part of Calvary in York where there are so many people from different backgrounds but united in the love of Christ.  We have ministries that reach out to every age group, from moms with tots to care home residents.  Last Sunday we sang Christmas carols in a local care home.

Bible College

Yet another Bible College semester is wrapping up quickly.  Graduation is this Friday.  It’s been a great semester with a very sincere group of students representing England, Ireland, USA, Canada, Israel and Germany.  I’ve been blessed with the privilege of teaching through the gospel of John and it’s been a wonderful journey.  Next semester Lord willing I will be teaching through Acts and the gospel of Mark.

Prison Ministry

We are still doing our monthly service in HMP Humber prison.  Tomorrow (12/9) we will be having our Christmas service and I will be leading Christmas carols for the prisoners.  With staff and chaplaincy changes in the prison, we are praying about what the future holds and also looking into some opportunities to minister in other prisons (all in Yorkshire).  Please pray for the Lord’s will regarding this.

Hull Outreach/Bible Study

We have consistently been doing street worship and evangelism in Hull on Friday evenings.  One of the remarkable things is that we have never gotten rained out, which is purely God’s grace given how much it usually rains in the north of England.  Many times it has been raining in the car on the way over but by the time we get to the city center it stops and then sometimes it starts again just as we are finishing.

Hull City Center Fountains

     We’ve had some really great conversations with atheists, agnostics, Muslims, nominal Christians and a few strong Christians as well.  Hull is a bit of an immigrant destination with people from all over the European Union as well as Africa and the Middle East.  Sometimes the enemy would have us believe that no one is interested in hearing about the gospel but we have learned that many are open to at least listen.  We sow the seed and entrust the results to the Lord.

Busking Sign

The “No Money” sign pictured to the right is part of the gear I take with me when doing street worship.  Busking (playing music on the streets for money) is a common and accepted practice in the UK and throughout Europe.  The sign helps to clarify our motives and facilitates our presenting the simple gospel with no strings attached.  The sign has also turned out to be a great conversation starter.  Every week people come up and ask why we are not collecting money, and it turns into a great opportunity to share the message of the Gospel.

     In other news, over the past few months I have been getting together to pray with a group of ministers in Hull who recognize the spiritual needs of the city and want to see new churches planted in various parts of the city.  This group has been welcoming and encouraging for which I am thankful.

Prayer Requests

Please pray regarding my involvement with a pro-life group in York (abortion became legal in England in 1967).  Back in the fall some of us from various churches went into the York city center and manned a display the purpose of which was to present the realities of what abortion is.  We engaged people in a Spirit led loving way as best as we were able (speaking the truth in love).  It was an emotionally intense experience but some of us feel a strong leading of the Spirit that He wants us to be involved concerning this issue in an ongoing way but we are waiting and praying for the specifics and timing.

Please pray for the ongoing uncertainties surrounding Brexit.  Parliament is set to vote on December 11 regarding Theresa May’s recently negotiated agreement with the EU.  Uncertain times are ahead; please pray that the Lord would use this to touch many lost souls and that the Holy Spirit would be poured out in the UK.   

I will be in New Jersey from Dec. 15-Jan 8 and hope to connect as the Lord leads.  Many thanks and may the Lord bless you!