shaped by suffering - The Faith Mission Website

COMMUNICATION
AMPLIFY YOUR MESSAGE
WITH STORY-TELLING
THE SUPERMARINE
SPITFIRE
WAS THE BATTLE OF
BRITAIN WON WITH A
SIMPLE METAL WASHER?
FORGIVENESS
I CAN’T FORGIVE MYSELF.
HOW CAN I KNOW THAT
GOD HAS FORGIVEN ME?
SHAPED BY SUFFERING
PERSONAL STORIES OF OVERCOMERS
01_FC_UK_mar-apr_2011.indd 1
28/01/2011 20:07:55
‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness’ (Matt.6:33).
FIRST! No. 1274 March/April 2011
EDITOR: Lin Pearson E-mail:¿UVW#IDLWKPLVVLRQRUJCONSULTING EDITORS: John Townend and Sandy Roger
THE FAITH MISSION
OUR VISION STATEMENT
To reach through passionate
evangelism the lost of all
age groups, particularly in
the villages and rural areas
of Great Britain and Ireland,
and by biblical teaching to
encourage holiness of heart
and life in Christian people.
COUNCIL MEMBERS
President - Rev. N. Darragh
General Director - J. Townend
Mission Administrator and
Treasurer - J. McNeilly,
J. Bennett, Rev. J. Brand,
Miss A. Brown, D. Chambers,
Rev. J. Currie, N. Liddle,
I. MacLeod, Rev. J. Magee,
J. Matthews, Miss A. Paul,
R. A. Potts, Rev. A. M. Roger,
J. Sandall, Rev. W. Smylie,
D. Stevenson,
Directors and Superintendents.
GENERAL HEADQUARTERS Govan House, 548 Gilmerton Road, Gilmerton,
Edinburgh EH17 7JD.
Tel: 0131-664-5814 Fax: 0131-664 2260
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.faithmission.org
General Director - John Townend
Mission Administrator & Treasurer - Joe McNeilly
(Email: [email protected])
2I¿FH$GPLQLVWUDWRU - Carole Townley
Warden (Gilmerton Complex) - Stephen Williams
Bible College Principal: Rev. John Brand
2 Drum Street, Gilmerton, Edinburgh EH17 8QG
(Tel. 0131-664-4336) (Fax 0131-672-1322)
Email: [email protected] Website: www.fmbc.ac
English Headquarters Director: A. Patterson
Red House Farm, Fen Lane, Earl Stonham, Stowmarket, Suffolk
IP14 5EG. (Tel. 01449-711877)
Email: [email protected]
Irish Headquarters Director: T. Matthews
62 Glenavy Rd, Lisburn, Co.Antrim,BT28 3UT (Tel. 028-9262-8286)
Email: [email protected]
Scottish Headquarters Director: J. McNeilly
548 Gilmerton Road, Edinburgh, EH17 7JD
(Tel. 0131-672-2149/1419)
Email: [email protected]
Faith Mission & Missionary Training Home (known as The Faith Mission)
is a charity registered in Scotland No SCO05119
LOCATION OF WORKERS
SCOTLAND
South Scottish District : Superintendent – JOHN & LINDA TOWNEND,
548 Gilmerton Road, Gilmerton, Edinburgh EH17 7JD. (Tel. 0131-664-5814)
Email: [email protected]
Japanese Outreach: Yuki Williams
East Scottish District :Superintendent – NOEL McCLINTOCK,
43 Great Southern Road, Aberdeen AB11 7XY. (Tel. 01224-587112)
Email: [email protected]
Kirkaldy: Kathy Wood
Peterhead: John & Liz Macdonald
Missions: John McCartney
Highland District : Superintendent – DONNIE & CATHERINE MACLEOD,
1 Lodge Park, Inverness IV2 4YR. (Tel. 01463-238160).
Email: [email protected]
Fort William: Justin & Carol Cummings
Anglo Scottish Border District : Superintendent – WILLIAM & CAROLYN
HARRISON, The Steadings, High Barbuchany, Newton Stewart,
Wigtownshire, DG8 6QF.(Tel. 01671-403632).
Email: [email protected]
West Cumbria: Gordon & Helen Bingham
Bookshops : General Manager – NORMAN & PEARL LIDDLE.
Email: [email protected]
EDINBURGH, 548 Gilmerton Road (Tel. 0131-672-2152)
DUNFERMLINE, 4 Canmore Street (Tel. 01383-720643)
PETERHEAD, 2 Erroll Street (Tel. 01779-471961)
STIRLING,36 Barnton Street (Tel. 01786-451152)
BERWICK-ON-TWEED, 31 Church Street (Tel. 01289-304505)
FRASERBURGH, 40 Cross Street (Tel. 01346-517088)
PERTH, 240 Old High Street (Tel. 01738 638142)
ENGLAND
East Anglian District : DIRECTOR – ALISTAIR & SHARON PATTERSON,
Red House Farm, Fen Lane, Earl Stonham, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 5EG.
(Tel. 01449-711877)
Email: [email protected]
Norfolk: Stephen & Cynthia Walker
Kent: Arabella Paul
North District : Superintendent – JOHNATHAN & JANET SLATER,
10 Millgates, York YO26 6AT. (Tel. 01904 798357).
Email: [email protected]
Preston: James & Lynda Bovenizer
Durham: Mark & Sheena Nelson
Central District : Superintendent – DANIEL & GRACE HOWSON,
Glebe Farm, Langar Lane, Harby, Melton Mowbray LE14 4BL.
(Tel. 01949-860313).
Email: [email protected]
Derbyshire: David & Donna Ohin
Associate Workers: Simon & Rebecca Walsh
South West District : In Charge – IAN & HAZEL GILKINSON,
8 Willow Tree Close, Okehampton, Devon EX20 1NL. (Tel. 01837-53922).
Email: [email protected]
Outreach: David Lewis
WALES
Regional Representative – PAUL & ELIZABETH CROWE, 5 Glandulas
Drive, Mochdre Lane, Newtown, Powys SY16 4JB. (Tel: 01686 628779).
Email: [email protected]
ŹŹ(Locations are continued on the inside back cover)
COVER PHOTO: Choosing a good book (see page 23). Photo—Jupiter Images
BLIFBXNBPDUDSUBLQGG
Bruised Hearts
Thoughts from the Editor
A
s the material for this issue of FIRST! was coming to hand recently,
I could see that several articles were on a similar theme. Sometimes it
happens that way; perhaps God means you and me to consider a particular
WRSLFPRUHWKRXJKWIXOO\WKDQEHIRUH,WZDVZKHQ,ZDVORRNLQJIRUDVPDOOÀOOHU
article, I came across this quote from an unknown author, hidden deep in a folder
on my computer:
“Just as torches burn most brightly when swung to and fro; just as the
MXQLSHU SODQW VPHOOV VZHHWHVW ZKHQ ÁXQJ LQWR WKH ÁDPHV VR WKH ULFKHVW
qualities of a Christian often come out under the north wind of adversity
and suffering. Bruised hearts often emit the fragrance God loves to smell.”
Many of you, I am sure, will have “gone through the mill” of hard circumstances.
We know that there is no pat answer to the question of why we suffer. But the
people highlighted in this edition have become, like burning juniper, fragrant
Christians.
There are African women worshipping joyfully, despite poverty and persecution
(page 11); a Chinese Christian is beaten to death for his faith, and remembered
by his brother (page 16); another article shows that patience and perseverance
can win the day, despite horrendous odds (pages 23).
They are all telling us that there is a way through the suffering and struggles; that
God wants to give us the grace to cope; that in it all, he will shape us, use us and
never stop loving us.
Why are these writers so sure of that? Read on and see! 03_bruise.indd 1
08/02/2011 15:11:19
SUNRISE
PEOPLE
By Sam Gordon
W
hat a fantastically upbeat
vision Paul has in Philippians
chapter 3 of the bright future
for the believer. What a breathtakingly
beautiful vista he gives us of the unfolding purpose of God. That explains
why he was living his life in the future
tense. It all makes sense.
Obligation
And that realization means the apostle
Paul is incredibly aware of his responsibilities in his present environment.
We are here because God has placed
us here. And until the Lord comes and
takes us out of this world we have an
overwhelming obligation resting on our
shoulders to reach those who are still
outside his international family.
4
Circulation
A story about Oliver Cromwell
illustrates what God wants us to do in
the time that is remaining to us prior
to the second coming of Jesus. At the
time, England was running out of silver
for making coins. So Cromwell sent
his men to the cathedrals to see if
WKH\FRXOGÀQGDQ\VLOYHUWKHUH7KH\
UHSRUWHG´7KHRQO\VLOYHUZHFRXOGÀQG
is in the statues of the saints standing
in the corners!” To which the crusty
statesman replied: “Good! We’ll melt
down the saints and put them into
circulation!”
Life-changing
In 2011, that’s where we all belong,
in circulation! We don’t belong in an
inconspicuous corner of some ancient
or modern church building, gathering
dust. Our natural habitat is out there
among people. We have a potentially
life-changing message that is well
worth sharing. We have a full-blown
mandate from heaven. We have a gloEDOPLVVLRQQRW\HWÀQLVKHG:HDUHWKH
men and women whom God is looking
to so that the great task of reaching
a world without Jesus might progress
with speed.
It seems to me there are some people
who look at the way things are and ask,
“Why?” There are other people who
look at the way things could be and
ask, “Why not? In the light of Paul’s
stirring challenge, the six million dollar
question facing each of us in these
early months of 2011 is, "Where do you
VHH\RXUVHOIÀWWLQJLQ"
I really believe in my heart that we
need to be a "sunrise" people—people
dreaming of the future, not a "sunset"
people drooling over the past! March/April 2011
04_sunrise_people.indd 1
28/01/2011 16:03:56
Why we believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ
By Kurt E. DeHaan
I
f Jesus did not rise from the dead, the Christian faith is a foolish fantasy.
However, if the resurrection of Christ did occur, it confirms his life, message,
and atoning work.
It is the basis of our hope of life beyond the grave. Christ is alive, and the
evidence is overwhelming.
Here are some of the reasons we can be so sure.
Jesus predicted His resurrection
(Matt 16:21; Mark 9:9-10; John 2:18-22).
The Old Testament prophesied it (Psalm 16:10; compare Acts 2:25-31; 13:33-37).
The tomb was empty and the grave clothes vacant. If those who opposed Christ
wished to silence his disciples, all they had to do was produce a body, but they
could not (John 20:3-9).
Many people saw the resurrected Christ. They looked on his face, touched him,
heard his voice, and saw him eat (Matt. 28:16-20; Luke 24:13-39; John 20:11-29;
John 21:1-9; Acts 1:6-11; 1 Cor. 15:3-8).
The lives of the disciples were revolutionized. Though they fled and even
denied Christ at the time of his arrest, they later feared no one in their
proclamation of the risen Christ (Matt 26:56, 69-75).
The resurrection was the central message of the early church. The church
grew with an unwavering conviction that Christ had risen and was the Lord of the
church (Acts 4:33; 5:30-32; Rom. 5:24).
Men and women today testify that the power of the risen Christ has transformed their lives. We know that Jesus is alive not only because of the historical
and biblical evidence but also because he has miraculously touched our lives. 
Title design by Tonya Christner
05_believe_jesus_rose2.indd 1
First!
5
07/02/2011 19:00:41
As I see it
By John Townend
5HÁHFWLRQVDQGQHZV
IURPRXU*HQHUDO'LUHFWRU
A
s you read this issue of FIRST!
and note the challenge or
encouragement which the
articles bring, you may be left
ZRQGHULQJ´:KRLVVXIÀFLHQWIRU
these things?” Perhaps this is because
we are prone to try to meet the
challenge in our own strength. Past
experience reminds us that our
attempts will at best be futile and
unproductive. Yet we still press on,
]HDORXVO\DWÀUVWDQGWKHQRXWRID
sense of duty as our natural drive
begin to wane. All too many of us end
up as casualties—emotionally drained,
barren in soul and bankrupt in spirit.
$%81'$175(6285&(6
Recently, I was greatly blessed by a
comment I read in Ruth Paxson’s study
of the book of Ephesians, The Wealth,
Walk and Warfare of the Christian.
Referring to the words “Blessed be
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who has blessed us with all
(every) spiritual blessing in heavenly
places in Christ” (Eph.1:3), she highlights the resources God has made
available to each of his children and
states: “Nothing that love can give has
been withheld from his children…there
is not one of the thousands of promises
that he has made that he has not the
SRZHUWRIXOÀOµ
6
$9$,/$%/(5(6285&(6
Paul is not speaking of the blessing,
sometimes referred to as “Common
Grace”, which every living person
enjoys, as God gives us air to breathe,
day and night, health and strength
and much more. Rather, he is speaking
about the blessings which are available exclusively to those who are “in
Christ”, having trusted him as their
Lord and Saviour from sin. He has made
available everything that we need to
live for him.
These resources are not laid aside to
await our reception into heaven. “He
has blessed us” means that all the
blessings of the Holy Spirit’s ministry
are already available right now to those
who are resting in him—every resource
needed for:
‡ Past, present and future
‡ 6DOYDWLRQVDQFWLÀFDWLRQ
sustenance and service
‡ Triumph in trial and temptation
These are already deposited in Christ
and available to be drawn upon. Sadly,
we often fail to recognize the abundant
provision with which God has blessed us.
$335235,$7('5(6285&(6
What a tragedy to have available to us
all the resources of heaven and yet to
live as spiritual paupers, trusting only
March/April 2011
06_07_as_I_see_it_edit2.indd 1
07/02/2011 19:46:12
in our own meagre reserves! It inspires
confidence and courage when we realize that God does not want us to rely
on our own strength, but to draw from
the unlimited supply which he has
already made available to us. We may
face the responsibility of living a holy
life in an unholy world, of sharing Jesus
with those who do not want to know
him, of bringing up our children to
live for eternal not material values, of
facing the trials of persecution or the
pressures of everyday life. But whatever your responsibility is, remember God
has placed at our disposal everything
we need to live faithful, fruitful and
flourishing lives for his glory.
May he help us to take from him all
that he is waiting to shower upon us, as
we pour out our lives in full surrender
and willing service for him. 
Mission News
We value prayer for our on-going
endeavours to obtain validation
of the academic standard of our
Bible College Course. We have
just submitted an application to
Middlesex University for degree
course accreditation. .
Our annual staff meetings take
place in Edinburgh and Portadown
during the week beginning Sunday
17 April. Following this, the Easter
Convention at Bangor, Northern
Ireland, will take place. We value
prayer that these important spiritual
highlights in our Mission calendar
will be blessed by the fresh wind of
God blowing upon them.
Naomi Fox withdrew from the
Mission at the end of January to
pursue the opportunity of working
alongside another organisation
doing Children’s and Youth ministry
06_07_as_I_see_it_edit2.indd 2
in Northern Ireland. We wish her
much blessing in her new sphere of
service.
Scripture encourages us to rejoice
with those who rejoice and weep
with those who weep. It is with this
mixed sense of emotions that we
report the safe birth of a daughter,
Shannon Naomi, to Johnathan and
Janet Slater on 13 December 2010.
However, we were greatly saddened
on February 4 to learn of the tragic
death in childbirth of Margaret,
wife of Derick Mackenzie, one of
the Bible College students. At the
time of writing the new born baby
boy is critically ill following delivery
by caesarean section. Please uphold
Derek and his other children Jane
(11), Mark (9), Sarah (8) and Paul (6)
in prayer. 
First! 7
First!
9
07/02/2011 19:45:51
KATHERINE WALDEN tells of an email she received from someone who
had asked God’s forgiveness, but who could not forgive himself.
I was once asked:
“I am in a mainline denomination and
I’ve asked forgiveness for my sins many
times, but I don’t feel that I can forgive
myself, or that God has forgiven me.
How do I know I am forgiven?”
I responded:
You ask a good question. How do we
know we are forgiven? Do we have to
prove to God how sorry we are before
we are forgiven? You don’t have to
prove yourself to God; you only have to
confess to him.
Confession
If we confess* our sins, he is faithful
and just to forgive us our sins, and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness”
(1 John 1:9 KJV.)
8
*Confess: To take complete ownership
of specific thoughts, actions, words
and behaviours; to admit to God and
perhaps admit to others as need be
that these specific actions, thoughts,
behaviours and patterns have harmed
ourselves and others and have offended
God.
Repentance
If my people, which are called by my
name, shall humble themselves, and
pray, and seek my face, and turn from
their wicked ways; then will I hear
from heaven, and will forgive their sin,
and will heal their land (2 Chronicles
7:14).
As we repent by resolving to abandon our
sins through a conscious choice to turn
March/April 2011
08_09_10_forgiveness.indd 1
08/02/2011 15:20:31
behaviours and actions, we can embrace
deep and lasting freedom through God’s
forgiveness and empowering grace in our
lives.
Forgiveness without limit
The good news is God’s forgiveness is
instant! Through Jesus’ death on the
cross and through his resurrection, he
earned forgiveness for us. Our slate is
wiped clean. When God looks over our
“criminal record” there is no mention
of the sins we previously confessed.
If we stumble and fall back into that
specific sin, God’s offer of forgiveness
is still valid, we only need to return to
him once again. There is no limitation
on God’s offer.
Realization
Before we can experience forgiveness,
we first need to come to a realization
of just what we need forgiveness
from. Many people generalize
their confessions to God, painting
themselves with the harsh broad stroke
of condemnation. “I am a terrible,
terrible person. You must hate me
God.” When we come to God with such
a blanket statement of self-loathing,
it is difficult for us to feel God’s
forgiveness. God, in his mercy and
wisdom, convicts us of specific sins. He
is a masterful surgeon, using his sharp
two-edged sword (his Word, the Bible)
to go right to the meat of the matter.
(Hebrews 4:12). In modern terms,
God’s conviction is more accurate and
exact than the most advanced surgical
laser. He pinpoints very specific sins
in our lives with the longing that we
will come to him for forgiveness and
walk with him into freedom from
the bondage of those specific sins.
08_09_10_forgiveness.indd 2
Consequences
Unfortunately, while God completely
frees us from any eternal consequence
of our sin upon our confession to
him, we are often left with the
earthly consequences of our sin. For
example, those who have made poor
food choices, those who have smoked
heavily or have drunk to excess for
decades may have health difficulties as
a result of these abuses to their bodies.
The good news is that God can and
does heal today. With his help and our
determination to submit ourselves to
the help he provides, whether that be
through medical, spiritual or emotional
counsel and peer support, we can walk
in freedom.
Restitution
We sometimes find those who we have
sinned against choose not to forgive
us, even though we have taken full
responsibility for our actions against
them. At that point, all we can do is
go as far as we can in restitution, by
making right what wrongs we have
done as much as that individual feels
comfortable to allow. Restitution could
require paying for the damage we have
caused others. It could mean legal
ramifications in the court system.
It is important to note that such consequences have nothing to do with the
fact we are forgiven by God. These
earthly consequences and costs are
not a sign of God’s long-term judgment
and punishment over us. Jesus paid
our debt and in the eyes of God, there
is nothing between us and his loving
arms. At the very instant of our confession, we are given the opportunity to
walk in the complete freedom provided
First!
9
28/01/2011 17:13:32
Self-forgiveness
For you have no delight in sacrifice;
if I were to give a burnt offering, you
would not be pleased. The sacrifice
acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a
broken and contrite heart, O God, you
will not despise (Psalm 51:16-17—NRSV)
When we don’t forgive ourselves, we
hold ourselves in chains that keep dragging us down, back into the very sin we
want to avoid. As we embrace God’s
forgiveness, however, and as we forgive
ourselves, we give God the permission
to snap those heavy chains, releasing
us from the overbearing weight of guilt
and self-loathing.
Forgiveness is not feelings
Forgiveness is not an emotion, it is a
legal transaction. God knows you are
guilty of your sin, and he knows the
only way for you to find forgiveness of
sin is through the death of his Son.
Jesus stands with you in the court of
Law (1 John 2:1-2, Hebrews 7:24), and
J
says, “I have taken the punishment for
this sin on the cross and I rose from
the dead so this one can be set free.”
Jesus took our punishment. We do not
need to wait for a warm, fuzzy feeling
to know we are forgiven. We have only
to look to the Cross, a stark reminder
of the price God paid in order than he
could pronounce forgiveness over his
beloved children. Jesus paid the price;
he took our place, and took our punishment.
My final comment to the writer was:
It is said in your tradition, “Behold
the Lamb of God, who takes away the
sins of the world.” You are part of
that world, and as a result you have
been given an invitation to live in that
forgiveness. You have full access to that
forgiveness, every day, every hour. 
©2010 Katherine Walden. Used by kind
permission. Katherine lives in Canada and
heads up I Lift My Eyes web ministries
(www.psalm121.ca).
TITLE IMAGE by Michael Hickman
Death by Probing
ames Garfield, president of the United States (1881), was shot in the back after
only six months in office. At the hospital, the doctor probed the wound with a
metal probe to find the bullet. Unsuccessful, he tried with his little finger, but
without success.
Over the coming weeks sixteen doctors tried, and failed, to find the bullet, probing
the wound again and again. Garfield was growing very weak. In desperation they
asked scientist Alexander Graham Bell if he could locate the bullet with his specially
devised metal detector. He, too, failed.
The president hung on for a further six weeks and finally died—not from the
wound, but from infection introduced by unsterile fingers. The repeated probing,
which the doctors thought would help, eventually, killed him.
This account of the sad and avoidable death reminds us of the danger of digging
and probing into parts of our lives where God has forgiven and made us clean.
When God has done the work, leave it be! Accept his forgiveness and live in the
light of it. 
10
March/April 2011
08_09_10_forgiveness.indd 3
08/02/2011 15:20:03
Amazing
Women!
An Easter conference
in Nigeria
JEAN GARLAND is a nurse from Belfast who has worked with Mission Africa
(formerly Qua Iboe Fellowship) in Nigeria for twenty-three years.
*RGÀUVWFKDOOHQJHG-HDQDERXWPLVVLRQVZKHQIURPWKHDJHRIWKLUWHHQVKH
attended a Faith Mission Prayer Union at Ballyhill, Northern Ireland. God used
the missionary meetings at the Faith Mission Bangor Easter Conventions to
challenge her about being open to God sending her overseas.
For the last sixteen years Jean has worked in the area of HIV and AIDS
education and caring for those affected and infected by HIV. Many of these
dear people have trusted Christ as Saviour. Jean writes:
“SOME OF OUR WOMEN AMAZED US!”
That was the verdict of two men who,
despite being told of an empty tomb
and a vision of angels, did not believe
Jesus was alive (Luke 24:22,23).
These men were surprised that the
ÀUVWSHRSOHWRZKRP-HVXVUHYHDOHG
himself after his resurrection were
women. Jesus is still revealing himself
to millions of amazing Nigerian women
who worship and serve him, and
proclaim that Jesus is alive.
CAMPING NIGERIA STYLE
These women own a campsite. It is just
DELJXQHYHQÀHOG2QFHD\HDU
amazing Christian women travel, often
hundreds of miles on dangerous roads,
with highway robbers and rickety transport, for a weekend of Christian fellowship. They cook, eat, perform other
indispensable bodily functions and
VOHHSRXWGRRUVLQWKHÀHOG2QHVPDOO
luxury is that water is made accessible
for cooking and bathing.
Coming from many backgrounds and
hundreds of different tribes, each area
has its own colour of uniform. But all
have a wrapper (long skirt), blouse and
head-tie with a printed verse of Scripture in various languages saying “It is
the Lord Christ we are serving.” It is a
remarkable sight and a dramatic symbol
of their unity.
Ź [More overleaf]
FIRST!
11_12_13_amazing_women.indd 1
11
08/02/2011 16:26:38
The programme contains teaching,
preaching and enthusiastic singing and
dancing. There is a carnival atmosphere
at times, and at other times there is serious discussion and teaching. Judging
by the noise level and merriment it is
obvious that the women are immensely
delighted to be at the conference.
Often I see women running to embrace,
greeting at length and then sitting on
the grass, basking in the joy of being
together this year again.
There is also teaching from the platform about how to avoid HIV infection,
and our HIV and AIDS ministry team
offer free HIV testing and counselling.
Some of our team are themselves HIV
positive. They testify to Christ’s help in
the face of stigma and discrimination.
Under a make-shift canopy, we test and
counsel more than 1,000 women each
GD\6DGO\VRPHÀQGRXWIRUWKHÀUVW
time that they are HIV positive. We
offer spiritual counsel and a follow up
appointment, leading to treatment and
care. I hold many hands that day as I
take their blood samples.
HANDS TELL A STORY
In another part of the Easter story
Thomas doubted Jesus’ resurrection.
Jesus graciously appeared to him and
said: “Look at my hands and my feet.
It is I myself! Touch me and see” (Luke
24:39). Our Lord’s mangled hands bore
the marks of the crude nails that had
pinned him to the cross and tell us that
Jesus loves us.
I feel privileged to hold the hands of
these dear sisters and as I draw their
blood for testing, each hand imparts its
own story.
Most hands need energetic cleaning
to produce a patch where blood can
12
be taken safely. Many are so calloused
and tough it is tricky to get the lancet
through the skin. These hands work
KDUGLQWKHÀHOGVGLJJLQJSODQWLQJDQG
weeding. They raise heavy loads of
ÀUHZRRGDQGZDWHUWRWKHLURZQHUV·
heads. When I look into the faces of
these ladies I see that they are very
dark, wrinkled and weather-beaten,
the result of manual labour out in the
tropical sun.
Some hands are pale and it is challenging to get red blood from them. Many
have had multiple pregnancies on a
very poor diet. Meat is a luxury eaten
only at Christmas.
Some hands are healthy looking and
it is easy to get blood. These women
probably know what it is to eat meat,
green vegetables and a balanced diet.
A few hands, belonging to women from
the north, are painted with elaborate
henna decorations, bringing a certain
delicacy to them. Some tell me of
their recent conversion to Christ and
how glad they are to be with other
Christians. Ź [More overleaf]
PHOTOS: Opposite— Jean with a grandmother who is raising her two grandsons,
orphaned when their parents died from
AIDS. Below—Conducting an HIV test.
March/April 2011
11_12_13_amazing_women.indd 2
08/02/2011 16:24:09
A very few hands
are manicured
and smooth with
colourful painted
nails. These women
do not do much
manual work in
the farm or in the
market. They are
the hands of the
privileged. These
wealthier ladies
have someone else
bending their backs
and providing the
food for them. But
these ladies also
play their part in
this diverse body of Christ, generously
contributing to meet travel and feeding
costs so that others can attend the
conference. Some hands, like those of
Jesus, have scars that tell their own
stories.Farm accidents, knife accidents
and other mishaps have left their mark.
2QHODG\LVPLVVLQJSDUWRIDÀQJHUDQG
it is still a festering sore. She is advised
to see a doctor.
As we test and counsel these amazing
women, and pray with those found to
be HIV positive, we have joy in pointing them to Jesus, the one whose scars
bring healing to sinners like us.
SURVIVING TOGETHER
1LJHULDQZRPHQÀQGVXVWHQDQFHLQ
times of grief from other women in the
fellowship. They endure and survive
together. Some have faced persecution
when they have had their family members killed, their homes and churches
burned. Some pastors’ wives have had
their husbands killed by those of a different faith. With their sisters they are
Above:RPHQDWWKHFRQIHUHQFHTXHXLQJ
IRUDQ+,9WHVW
comforted and encouraged. These dear
women are the backbone of the church
LQ1LJHULD7KH\UHÁHFWDELJSDUWRI
what is good, vibrant and infectious
about Nigerian Christianity.
2QWKHÀUVW(DVWHU6XQGD\ZRPHQ
amazed the disciples with their report
of seeing the resurrected Lord Jesus
&KULVW2QWKLV(DVWHU6XQGD\LQ1LJHULD
20,000 of us sing, in various languages,
to this same Lord Jesus. No one there
could question our joy in knowing the
living Jesus. We clap our hands, sway,
dance and do it all with full hearts as
we acclaim our Saviour with the scars
in his hands. Jean has written AIDS is Real and It’s in
our Church, a book which has sold more
than 50,000 copies in Africa and is available
LQ¿YHODQJXDJHV-HDQLVPDUULHGWR6LG
DQGWKH\KDYHWKUHHDGXOWFKLOGUHQDQGWZR
SUHFLRXVJUDQGVRQV
FIRST!
11_12_13_amazing_women.indd 3
13
08/02/2011 16:24:26
Training the Tongue
By Bill Winning
W
HO WE ARE DEEP DOWN COMES
out through our mouth, in what
we say and how we react.Even
if I put on a façade, but the essential
"me" will always show itself.1
But if we are in Christ, and Christ has
made us overcoming, new creatures
in himself, then we have come to a
point of redemption; we are being
changed by the glory of God. If we are
not only hearing the word of God, but
doing what it says, then God's Word is
working in us. What is inside us will be
truth and that is what will come out.
Our tongue is there to exalt the living
God.2 When we get to heaven we
won't be talking about our mansions
or the golden street, we'll be talking
about the Lord. Christ will captivate
our minds and he will be the essence
of what comes out of us. We will
glorify and worship him. And right
now, here on earth, our tongues can
be instruments of worship, healing and
building up others.
As a teacher I have seen the
destruction in some young lives,
caused by the negative things they have
been told, at home and elsewhere.
We should be giving out words of
encouragement, not destructive
comments. When a child gives the
wrong answer to a question, rather
than belittling him or suggesting he is
stupid, we can encourage—"That's an
interesting idea, Sam. You're not quite
there yet, but well done for trying."
14
Mind you, it isn't enough just to
say it. Kids can see through glib
words. You have to mean it.
It is easier to guard our tongues
in some situations than in
others. Think of someone you
admire. Would you say negative
or thoughtless things to them?
No? Then train yourself not to say
it to others. Don’t tell yourself,
"It doesn't matter, they are only
my family, they know me." It
does matter. We serve Christ. He
is the Living Word and he lives
in us. So, that Living Word, the
Truth in me, should be evident in
what I say.
Take control! James asks, "Who can
control our tongue?"3 We can—in Christ.
The Bible principles that we absorb
must be seen in who we are. They must
come out in our daily living. Among
our own families and workmates, we
need to watch what we say.4 Then we
can walk under the covering of Christ,
carrying an atmosphere of Jesus, so
that when people walk into our homes
or work areas they sense the peace of
God.
At home we should not give way to
bickering and petty point-scoring.
Before I am a husband, I am a
Christian, so I have to behave like a
Christian. I can't let myself off, just
because it's my family I am berating.
Perhaps, for you, work is a hard
situation. How should you react? Go
March/April 2011
14_15_tongue.indd 1
08/02/2011 15:26:59
come easily, but we need to master our
tongues.
At school I control myself, because to
give way to frustration, irritation and
anger is wrong and unprofessional, and
would get me into trouble. We all know
the situations when we must control
our tongue. But we can control it even
more when we come under his control
at all times, by making our tongues
available to him.
Regarding swearing, once I started
following Christ, I realized I shouldn't
use expletives. So I trained myself
not to use them when they came to
mind. But now, these words don't
even enter my head. It's down to the
training! When you want to speak as
Christ would, and trust him to continue
his purifying work deep within you,
eventually such language is not part of
who you are any longer.
to Christ. You are Christian, so you
need to be Christ-like. It isn't easy, but
by the grace and power of God, and
with determination, we can all train
ourselves to be Christ-like with our
tongue.
In my youth, my sister and I hated
each other. When I became a Christian,
I realized I shouldn't swear at her and
be nasty. I wasn't perfect, but I tried
my best. I wanted what was inside
to be the same as what came out. I
wanted to be real. I was learning that
if we allow the purity of Christ to come
into our hearts, then our words will be
truth, because the truth is living in us.
What we think and what we say will be
the same, and it will be Christ-like.
Would you like that? Then tell Christ,
"Lord, I give my tongue to you, as I
give you my whole life." This doesn't
When you feel upset (perhaps
MXVWLÀDEO\GRKDUVKZRUGVFRPHWR
mind? Think—would Jesus speak like
that? How would he react? That brings
a sense of purity; it establishes the
truth inwardly. It allows God's glory to
touch us more deeply. As we speak the
truth in Christ-like love, it will not only
EHQHÀWWKRVHWRZKRPZHVSHDNLWLV
also good for us.5
Trust God to help you think, speak and
act as a Christian. It is simple teaching,
but it brings holiness into our lives.Ż
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Luke 6:45
Psalm 118:28
James 3:7-8
Matthew 12:33-37
Proverbs 15:23; Proverbs 25:13
Bill is a primary school teacher in East Lothian,
Scotland, where he pastors a small church.
Image used with thanks to Justin Stagge.
FIRST!
14_15_tongue.indd 2
15
08/02/2011 15:28:07
Do We Over
Protect Our
Children?
By Wanda Parker
J
UST AFTER MY THIRD CHILD in a
little over three years was born,
I felt so overwhelmed I couldn’t
think straight. It was then that I begged
Jesus to teach me how to raise my
children so that they would walk with
KLPIRUHYHU,ZDVWHUULÀHGWKDWRQH
day they would walk away from him.
The Lord took my husband and me on
quite a journey as he taught us. I’d like
to tell you about one experience that
became an important plumb line as I
raised my children.
CHINESE RED GUARDS
My husband Joe was on the staff of
Open Doors with Brother Andrew when
our children were in early primary
school. Joe and I were on a team sent
to take Bibles into China. While in Hong
Kong, we met a family who had only
recently escaped from China.
The mother told us the story of her
family, while her eldest surviving son
translated for her. She said that in
the mid-1960s, during the Cultural
Revolution, Red Guards had come to
their home and wrenched away their
four children. The soldiers had set up
a bench in front of their home and
made the four children, aged eleven,
ten, six and three, sit on it. Then the
soldiers went from child to child asking
16
each one if he loved
Jesus. When the
child responded,
“Yes, I love Jesus,”
the soldier would
hit him, knocking
him to the ground.
The soldiers went to
each child several
times, but the
oldest, Stephen,
got beaten over and
over because he
refused to renounce
Jesus.
Finally the soldiers
turned from the
children to attack
the parents.
Stephen crawled
into their home
and lay down on
his mat. Daniel,
the ten-year-old
followed him in and knelt beside
him. “Don’t tell mama, but I’m dying
Daniel, I’m dying,” the eleven–year-old
declared.
Just then Mama came and knelt beside
her son. Her head had been shaved.
“Mama, mama, I’m dying. Mama, you
have to forgive them.” Then, lifting his
hand toward heaven, he cried out, “I
see Jesus, Mama. I see Jesus.” And he
was gone.
THREE THINGS TO REMEMBER
This woman, who had just told me how
she had seen her eleven-year-old son
beaten to death, had peace on her
face. “Mama, how do you raise a child
so that at the age of eleven, he will not
renounce Jesus, when being beaten to
death?” I quietly asked.
March/April 2011
16_17_overproteced.indd 1
03/02/2011 18:23:04
She looked me in the
eye and she said,
“There are three
things you must do.
Firstly, from the time
your child is born,
you must teach him
that he must never
renounce Jesus or
another Christian.
Your life might be
dependent on that
other believer.”
Secondly, you must
SUD\VDFULÀFLDOO\IRU
your children. That
means you are praying so much for your
children that you
are giving up things
you want to do for
yourself because you
are praying for your
children.”
I will never forget the little chuckle she
gave before she continued, “Thirdly,
and this is hardest for you in the West,
you must let your children suffer. They
will never grow strong if they don’t
suffer. If there is nothing natural that
causes suffering in their life, then
create a reason for them to suffer a
little.”
AN “AH-HA” MOMENT
I was so excited when I got home. I
could hardly wait to share these principles with my friends. I spoke to a close
friend and she wept as I shared Mama’s
VWRU\:KHQ,ZDVÀQLVKHGP\IULHQG
looked at me and said, “But Wanda,
if my children suffer, then I will suffer
and I don’t want to suffer.”
It was one of those “ah-ha” moments of
life. How much of our parenting, how
much of our nurturing of children is
about what makes me feel good rather
than what the child really needs? We
must constantly look at what each
child’s real need is. This would play in
the back of my head as I disciplined, or
set boundaries for my own children.
MY SON LEARNS A LESSON
One day, when our son Joseph was
about eleven, he was upset because he
didn’t have a bike and all his friends
did (we didn’t have the money to
buy a bike). The oldest living son in
the story I have just told, Mama’s son
Daniel, happened to be at our home.
When he heard our son complaining,
he asked Joseph to come and sit with
him. He then told Joseph about his
own childhood and how he not only
didn’t have a bike but he didn’t have
any friends. “Who would want to be
the friend of a Christian?” he asked.
Through his suffering Daniel has learned
endurance and developed the wisdom
to know and appreciate what was really
important in life.
BUILDING RESILIENCE
Those of us who are blessed to have
an input into the lives of children must
take care not to do what makes us feel
good, or what makes the children feel
good today, but might be harmful for
their future. We need to nurture them
with an eye to building resilience, so
that when problems and even persecution come, our children will determinedly persevere for God. Wanda is the Founder/Director of Kid
Trek(www.kidtrek.org). This organization
trains and empowers caring adults in local
churches to minister God’s love and support
to at-risk children.
FIRST!
16_17_overproteced.indd 2
17
28/01/2011 18:51:04
Things
we know
for sure
By Alan Smith
Some years ago a newspaper
editor was instructing a new
reporter in some of the important
details of his job.
"Never state as a fact anything you
are not absolutely sure about," said
the editor. "To avoid putting the paper
in the position of stating something
which it may not be able to prove, you
should always use the words 'alleged,'
'claimed,' 'reputed,' 'rumoured,' and
so on, unless you know positively that
everything is true as stated."
The reporter was sent out to get
society items, and soon the following
paragraph appeared in the society
column:
"It is rumoured that a bridge party
was given yesterday by a number
of reputed ladies. Mrs. Smith, it is
said, was hostess. The guests, it is
alleged, with the exception of Mrs.
Brown, who says that she comes
from Illinois, were all local people.
Mrs. Smith claims to be the
wife of Alexander Smith,
who is rumoured to be doing
a thriving business in town."
We smile, but it is important to
know those things of which we
are absolutely sure. That's one of
the reasons why the first letter
of John was written. John
had some things to say
to those Christians who
referred to themselves as
"gnostics".
March/April 2011
18_19_know_sure.indd 1
Photo Comstock
18
The Greek word gnosis
means "knowledge"
and these Christians
thought they had
more knowledge
than "normal"
Christians. John
writes this letter to
say two main things:
28/01/2011 18:53:41
(1) The Gnostics didn't know nearly as
much as they thought they knew; and
2) All Christians know those things
which are of greatest importance ("I
have not written to you because you do
not know the truth, but because you
know it." (1 John 2:21)
Among the things which we can
"know":
We know that we have come to know
him if we obey his commands. (1John
2:3).
“…we know that when he appears, we
shall be like him, for we shall see him
as he is” (1 John 3:2).
“But you know that he appeared so that
he might take away our sins. And in him
is no sin” (1John 3:5).
“This is how we know what love is:
Jesus Christ laid down his life for us”
(1John 3:16).
“We know that we live in him and he
in us, because he has given us of his
Spirit” (1John 4:13).
“I write these things to you who believe
in the name of the Son of God so that
you may know that you have eternal
life” (1John 5:13).
“We know that we are children of God,
and that the whole world is under the
control of the evil one” (1John 5:19).
“We know also that the Son of God has
come and has given us understanding,
so that we may know him who is true.
And we are in him who is true—even in
his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God
and eternal life” (1John 5:20) .
The Sufferings
of Christ
H. A. IRONSIDE expressed his
EHOLHIFRQFHUQLQJWKHVLJQL¿FDQFH
RIWKHVSLULWXDOVXIIHULQJVRI&KULVW
LQDVHUPRQHQWLWOHGThe Sinless
One Made Sin.
“It was not simply the physical
sufferings, which our Lord
endured upon the cross that made
the expiation for our iniquity. It
was what he suffered in his holy,
spotless soul, in his sinless being,
when the judgement that your sins
deserved fell on him…
Then it was that he was made to be
VLQIRUXV,QVRPHZD\RXU¿QLWH
minds can not now understand,
the pent-up wrath of the centuries
fell upon him, and he sank in deep
mire where there was no standing,
as he endured in his inmost being
what you and I would have had to
endure through all eternity, had it
QRWEHHQIRUKLVPLJKW\VDFUL¿FH´
7DNHFRQÀGHQFHLQWKRVHWKLQJVZKLFK
you know to be true! Alan blogs at www.tftd-online.com
Gordon’s Calvary from HolyLandPhotos.com
FIRST!
18_19_know_sure.indd 2
19
03/02/2011 18:27:48
Holiness
By John Brand
There are four great themes in Leviticus - holiness,
VDFULÀFHFRYHQDQWDQGWKHSUHVHQFHRI*RG$OORIWKHVH
DUHLQWULQVLFDOO\LPSRUWDQWWRWKHERRNEXWWKHPRVW
LPSRUWDQWLVKROLQHVVVR,ZLOOORRNDWWKDWÀUVW
7KHPRVWFRPPRQZRUGVLQ/HYLWLFXVDUH¶KRO\·¶FOHDQ·
¶XQFOHDQ·RURWKHUIRUPVRIWKRVHZRUGV$QGRQHRIWKH
PRVWIUHTXHQWO\UHSHDWHGVWDWHPHQWVLQRQHIRUPRU
DQRWKHULVWKHDIÀUPDWLRQIURP*RG´)RU,DPWKH/25'
\RXU*RG&RQVHFUDWH\RXUVHOYHVWKHUHIRUHDQGEHKRO\
IRU,DPKRO\µ/RRNDW
Holiness is about POSITION
2QO\WKDWZKLFKLVKRO\DQGWKHUHIRUHHVVHQWLDOO\OLNH
*RGFDQH[LVWLQKLVQHDUHUSUHVHQFH,Q/HYLWLFXVWKLVLV
LOOXVWUDWHGE\VRPHWKLQJYHU\SUDFWLFDO³WKHOD\RXWRIWKH
ZLOGHUQHVVHQFDPSPHQWRIWKHWULEHV
7KHWULEHVZHUHHQFDPSHGLQthe wilderness, the home
RIZLOGDQGWKHUHIRUHXQFOHDQDQLPDOVDQGWKRXJKW
WREHWKHSODFHZKHUHHYLOVSLULWVOLYHG7REHLQWKH
ZLOGHUQHVVZDVWREHIDUIURP*RG
,WZDVoutside the campWKDWWKRVHZLWKULWXDOXQFOHDQQHVVDQGGLVHDVHVZHUHVHQWEHFDXVHWKHLUDIÁLFWLRQ
EURNHWKHVWULFWUXOHVRQSXULW\DQGFOHDQOLQHVVDQGWKHUHIRUHVHSDUDWHGWKHPIURP*RGDWOHDVWULWXDOO\
3HRSOHZHUHWDNHQWKHUHIRUMXGJHPHQWRUEXULDO
The campLWVHOIZDVZKHUHWKHSHRSOHOLYHGERWKWKH
FRYHQDQWSHRSOHRI*RGDQGWKRVHIURPRWKHUUDFHVZKR
KDGFKRVHQWROLYHZLWKDQGEHLGHQWLÀHGZLWKWKHP
$WWKHYHU\FHQWUHRIWKHFDPSZDVWKH6DQFWXDU\ZLWK
LWVYDVWVXUURXQGLQJFRXUW\DUG“the court of the
tabernacle of the congregationµZKHUHWKHSHRSOH
ZRXOGJDWKHUIRUZRUVKLS
-XVWRXWVLGHWKH+RO\3ODFHZDVthe altar of burnt
offeringDWZKLFKRQO\WKH/HYLWHVZHUHDOORZHGWR
VHUYHEHFDXVHWKH\KDGEHHQVHWDSDUWIURPWKHUHVWRI
WKHSHRSOHIRUWKHLUVSHFLÀFPLQLVWULHVZKLFKEURXJKW
WKHPFORVHUWR*RGKLPVHOI
0DUFK$SULO
20_21_22_leviticus.indd 1
04/02/2011 13:32:43
7KHÀUVWSDUWRIWKHLQWHULRURIWKH
‡the Tabernacle and TempleZHUH
VDQFWXDU\ZDVWKH Holy PlaceDQGRQO\ KRO\EHFDXVHWKH\ZHUHH[FOXVLYHO\WR
SULHVWVZHUHDOORZHGWRHQWHUWKLVDUHD EHXVHGIRUWKHZRUVKLSRI*RG
DQGWKHQRQO\ZKHQLWZDVWKHLUWXUQWR ‡the peopleZHUHKRO\EHFDXVHWKH\
VHUYHDQGPLQLVWHU
KDGEHHQFDOOHGRXWDQGVHWDSDUWIRU
$WWKHYHU\KHDUWRIWKH6DQFWXDU\DQG *RG
WKHUHIRUHRIWKHFDPS
LWVHOI ZDV WKH Holy
*RGSURPLVHVWRKLVFKLOGUHQWKDWDOOWKH
of Holies RU WKH 0RVW
UHVRXUFHVZHQHHGDUHWREHIRXQGLQKLP
+RO\ 3ODFH 7KLV ZDV
ZKHUH*RGSUHVHQFHG HPSRZHULQJXVWROLYHKRO\*RGOLNHOLYHV
KLPVHOI DPRQJ WKH
SHRSOH2QO\WKH+LJK
6RDSODFHRUDSHUVRQRUDWKLQJZDV
3ULHVW DQG KH RQO\ RQ RQH GD\ RI WKH KRO\ERWKEHFDXVHRISRVLWLRQLWZDV
\HDUWKH'D\RI$WRQHPHQWFRXOGHQWHU LQ*RG·VSUHVHQFHDQGDOVREHFDXVHRI
WKDWKROLHVWRISODFHV,IDQ\RQHHOVHDW SXUSRVHLWKDGEHHQGHGLFDWHGWRKLP
DQ\WLPHRUKHRQDQ\RWKHURFFDVLRQ
Holiness is about PURITY
GDUHG WR HQWHU WKH\ ZRXOG KDYH EHHQ
VWUXFNGRZQLQMXGJHPHQW
/HYLWLFXVGRHVSUHVHQWDORQJDQG
FRPSOLFDWHGOLVWRIUXOHVDQGUHJXOD:HDUHEHLQJFOHDUO\WDXJKWWKDWWKH
WLRQVDERXWFOHDQQHVVDQGXQFOHDQQHVV
QHDUHUVRPHWKLQJRUVRPHRQHLVWR
SXULW\DQGLPSXULW\FRQWDPLQDWLRQDQG
*RGWKHPRUHKRO\WKH\DUH+ROLQHVV
SXULÀFDWLRQ,QQRUPDOGDLO\OLIHLWZDV
LQYROYHVSRVLWLRQDQGWKHUHIRUHVHSDUDWLRQ,QRUGHUWRFRPHFORVHUWR*RG DOPRVWLPSRVVLEOHWRUHPDLQULWXDOO\
WKHSHRSOHKDGWRVHSDUDWHWKHPVHOYHV FOHDQ<RXFRXOGEHFRPHXQFOHDQE\
IURPWKHVXUURXQGLQJQDWLRQVDQGHVSH- DFFLGHQWHYHQLQLJQRUDQFHLI\RX
WRXFKHGDQREMHFWWKDWLWVHOIKDGEHHQ
FLDOO\IURPWKHLUSUHYDOHQWLGRODWURXV
PDGHXQFOHDQE\FRQWDFWZLWKVRPHDQGLPPRUDOSUDFWLFHV:KDWHYHULV
WKLQJHOVHWKDWZDVXQFOHDQ&HUWDLQ
KRO\KDVWREHUHPRYHGIURPLWVXVXDO
SHUIHFWO\QDWXUDOERGLO\SURFHVVHVPDGH
FRQWH[WDQGVHWDSDUWH[FOXVLYHO\IRU
\RXXQFOHDQ
*RGVDQFWLÀFDWLRQ
7KHUHZDVQRVRFLDOVWLJPDLQEHFRPLQJ
Holiness is about PURPOSE
WHPSRUDULO\XQFOHDQLQWKHVHZD\V
6DGO\KROLQHVVWRRRIWHQLVJLYHQ
LWZDVSDUWDQGSDUFHORIHYHU\GD\
QHJDWLYHFRQQRWDWLRQVWXUQHGLQWRD
OLIH7KHLPSDFWZDVRQ\RXUDELOLW\
WKRXVKDOWQRWOLVW%XWKROLQHVVKDVWKH WRDWWHQGWKHSODFHRIZRUVKLS%XW
SRVLWLYHDVSHFWRISXUSRVH:HDUHWR
WKHZKROHSRLQWRIWKHVHUHJXODWLRQV
EHKRO\EHFDXVHRIZKRZHDUHDQGWKH ZDVWRLQFXOFDWHLQWKHSHRSOHRI*RG
SXUSRVHWRZKLFKZHKDYHEHHQFDOOHG
LQWKHZD\WKH\LQVWLQFWLYHO\WKRXJKW
DQGEHKDYHGWKDWWKHUHZDVWKLVDOO
,QWKH2OG7HVWDPHQW
‡the SabbathZDVKRO\EHFDXVHLWZDV SHUYDVLYHSRODULW\LQOLIHEHWZHHQWKDW
ZKLFKZDVKRO\DQGDFFHSWDEOHWR*RG
VHWDSDUWIRUWKHH[FOXVLYHZRUVKLSRI
DQGWKDWZKLFKZDVQRWŹ
*RG
),567
BBBOHYLWLFXVLQGG
21
The call to become holy like God affects
every dimension of life. Some activities
will accelerate the process while some
will take us in the opposite direction.
While the demands of holy living may
seem daunting, God promises to his
children that all the resources we need
are to be found in him, empowering us
to live holy, God-like lives.
Holiness is about PROCESS
Some see holiness as being achieved by
conforming to a set of rules, while for
others it’s all down to God and there
is nothing on our part to be done. The
truth lies between these two extremes.
Leviticus teaches that holiness or
VDQFWLÀFDWLRQLVDUHFLSURFDOSURFHVV
involving both God and the believer.
Both aspects are seen in Leviticus:
´,DPWKH/25'ZKRVDQFWLÀHV\RXµ
(20:8; 21:8,15,23; 22:9,16,32).
You could translate this as "I am
Jehovah M’Kaddesh", that is who I am;
that is what I do. I make you holy.
´&RQVHFUDWH\RXUVHOYHVWKHUHIRUHDQG
EHKRO\µ
The call to holiness that comes to all
true believers is a call to develop in
ourselves characteristics similar to
God himself (“Be holy, for I am holy”),
to live to please God, to worship
and serve him and to trust that the
sanctifying power of God himself is
unleashed in our lives.Ż
John Brand is Principal of the Faith Mission
Bible College.
Graphic designed by Jason Gaines.
A New House
By C. S. Lewis
I think that many of us, when Christ has
enabled us to overcome one or two sins that
were an obvious nuisance, are inclined to
feel (though we do not put it into words)
that we are now good enough. He has done
all we wanted him to do, and we should be obliged if he would
leave us alone. But the question is not what we intended ourselves to be, but what
he intended us to be when he made us...
,PDJLQH\RXUVHOIDVDOLYLQJKRXVH*RGFRPHVLQWRUHEXLOGWKDWKRXVH$WÀUVW
perhaps, you can understand what he is doing. He is getting the drains right and
stopping the leaks in the roof and so on. You knew that those jobs needed doing
and so you are not surprised.
But presently he starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably
and does not seem to make sense. What on earth is he up to? The explanation is that
he is building quite a different house from the one you thought of -- throwing out a
QHZZLQJKHUHSXWWLQJRQDQH[WUDÁRRUWKHUHUXQQLQJXSWRZHUVPDNLQJFRXUWyards.
You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage, but he is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it himself. 22
March/April 2011
20_21_22_leviticus.indd 3
04/02/2011 13:34:19
Featured anniversary
It Can be
Done!
By Lin Pearson
A
s the daughter of a Royal Air
)RUFHÁLJKWHQJLQHHU,ZDVLQWHUHVWHGWROHDUQWKDWthis year
PDUNVWKHVHYHQW\ÀIWKDQQLYHUVDU\RQ
WKHWK0DUFKRIWKH6SLWÀUH·VÀUVWWHVW
ÁLJKWIURP(DVWOHLJK6RXWKDPSWRQ,W
DOVRLQWULJXHGPHWROHDUQVRPHWKLQJ
DERXWLWVGHVLJQDQGGHYHORSPHQW
7KH6SLWÀUHZDVDQDLUFUDIWGHVLJQHG
WRFOLPEYHU\UDSLGO\DQGPDLQWDLQ
VSHHGDWKLJKOHYHOV7RJHWKHUZLWKWKH
+XUULFDQHÀJKWHUWKH6SLWÀUHVHFXUHG
YLFWRU\LQ7KH%DWWOHRI%ULWDLQLQ
ADAPTING TO IMPROVE
%XWQRWHYHU\WKLQJZHQWDFFRUGLQJWR
SODQ$QHDUO\SUREOHPZLWKWKHHQJLQHV
ZDVWKDWXQOLNHWKH0HVVHUVFKPLWW
%I(WKH6SLWÀUH·V0HUOLQHQJLQHKDG
QRGLUHFWIXHOLQMHFWLRQ
)XHOVWDUYDWLRQ
,WVFDUEXUHWWRUZRXOGEHFRPHVWDUYHG
RIIXHOGXULQJFHUWDLQPDQRHXYUHV6R
SLORWVOHDUQHGWRDGDSWE\KDOIUROOLQJ
WKHDLUFUDIWEHIRUHJRLQJLQWRDVWHHS
GLYHZKLFKZRXOGRWKHUZLVHKDYHHPSWLHGWKHFDUEXUHWWRU
Flooded carburretor
$QRWKHUVHULRXVSUREOHPZDVWKHIXHO
SXPSVÁRRGLQJWKHFDUEXUHWWRUGXHWR
´QHJDWLYHJµGXULQJFHUWDLQDHULDOORRSV
7KDQNVWRWKHLQJHQXLW\RIHQJLQHHU
0LVV7LOO\6KLOOLQJDVLPSOHGHYLFHZDV
PDQXIDFWXUHGWRFXUHWKLVSUREOHP$
PHWDOGLVFZLWKDKROHLQLWZDVÀWWHG
LQWKHIXHOOLQHUHVWULFWLQJIXHOÁRZ
WRWKHPD[LPXPWKHHQJLQHFRXOGXVH
7KHGHYLFHZDVLQVWDOOHGWKURXJKRXW
)LJKWHU&RPPDQGDVDVWRSJDSXQWLO
WKHLQWURGXFWLRQLQRILPSURYHG
FDUEXUHWWRUVZKLFKDOORZHGIXHOWR
ÁRZGXULQJDOOÁLJKWSRVLWLRQV
$UPDPHQWSUREOHP
7KHUHZHUHDOVRGLIÀFXOWLHVZLWKWKH
RQERDUG JXQVIUHH]LQJDWDOWLWXGH7R
FRPEDWWKLVGXFWVIURPWKHUHDURIWKH
ZLQJPRXQWHGUDGLDWRUVGLUHFWHGKRWDLU
WRWKHJXQVDQGEXONKHDGVZHUHEXLOW
DURXQGWKHJXQED\VWRWUDSWKHKRWDLU
)DEULFSDWFKHVZHUHÀWWHGRYHUWKHJXQ
SRUWVWRSURWHFWWKHJXQVIURPFROG
GLUWDQGPRLVWXUHXQWLOWKH\ZHUHÀUHG
3LORWVHQJLQHHUVDQGPDQXIDFWXUHUV
FIRST!
23_24_it_can_be_done.indd 1
23
08/02/2011 15:32:54
collaborated towards a constant stream
of improvements. As a result, the
VDIHW\DQGHIÀFLHQF\RIWKH6SLWÀUH
continued to improve.
A WINNING ATTITUDE
In this electronic, digital era, it is
inspiring to see what was accomplished
through the relative simplicity of Mrs
6KLOOLQJV´ZDVKHUµVPDOOIDEULFSDWFKHV
DQGDEDWWOH´RSVURRPµVHHSKRWR
below) that seems to have operated
with little more than a radio, blackboard
and chalk and little wooden tokens!
And, with God’s help, despite the
chronic problems and lack of resources,
the battle—and the war—was won.
Let’s not get despondent or grumble
when our spiritual progress suffer a
setback, or allow bitterness to make
a temporary failure a permanent one.
Let’s trust God, and follow the encouraging advice of Edgar Albert Guest, who
wrote these practical and inspiring lines
during the Great War:
24
There are thousands to tell you
it cannot be done;
there are thousands
to prophesy failure.
There are thousands
to point out to you one by one,
the dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle it in
with a bit of a grin,
just take off your coat and go to it.
Just start to sing
as you tackle the thing
that “couldn’t be done,”
and you’ll do it.
With a trusting, praiseful attitude, we
will press through the setbacks and be
overcomers. *Mrs Beatrice “Tilly” Shilling OBE, PhD,
MSc, CEng raced motorcycles around the
Brooklands circuit in the 1930s and was
awarded the Gold Star for lapping the track at
over 100 mph on her Manx Norton 500!
PHOTOS: Opposite page: 6XSHUPDULQH6SLW¿UH
XVI at Duxford, September 2006, photo by
C. Howells
Below: The Battle of Britain operations room in
Duxford, by Jon Bennett.
March/April 2011
23_24_it_can_be_done.indd 2
08/02/2011 15:32:13
Convention
Tuesday 28 June to Sunday 3 July
Speakers include:
Alistair
Begg
Rupert
Bentley-Taylor
John
Brand
Jeremy
McQuoid
Programme:
Morning Bible Readings . Seminars
Evening Word and Worship
Youth Track
For more details of the programme and accommodation contact:
The Convention Secretary, The Faith Mission, 548 Gilmerton Road,
Edinburgh EH17 7JD Tel: 0131 672 2149 Email: [email protected]
Book online at: www.edinburghconvention.faithmission.org
Faith Mission & Missionary Training Home (known as The Faith Mission) is a charity registered in Scotland No SCO05119
25_edinburgh_convention.indd 1
28/01/2011 19:25:40
Image by Mark Taylor from photo by Matt Gruber
Faith Mission Events
NORTH ULSTER
Bible Weekend
in the Marquee, Carnlea,
BALLYMENA
GALLOWAY
Bible Week
in the Marquee, High Barbuchany,
NEWTON STEWART
™Programme 13 - 15 May
™Programme 7 - 12 June
Fri 13 May......8 pm
Sat 14 May......4.30 pm, 7.30 pm
(sandwich tea between meetings)
9 pm (“The Anchor”)
Sun 15 May.... 3.15pm (World
focus)
and 8 pm
Main meetings Tue–Fri.....7.30pm
™Speakers
Dr William Smylie
Rev Henry Montgomery
™Also Special singing
Come along and enjoy teaching
from God’s Word in a relaxed
atmosphere.
™For further details
Contact: The Faith Mission,
3 Grange Avenue, Ballymena
Tel. (028) 2565 6494
Email [email protected]
26
All Age Rally Sat 11.........3pm
(Kids’ club for primary school children)
Praise Rally Sun 13.........3pm
™Speaker
Rev Eric Lewis
™And also...
‡6HPLQDU
‡/DGLHV¶FRIIHHPRUQLQJ
‡%DUEHFXH
™For further details
of accommodation and of
Day Trip from Ireland (Sat 11)
Contact: William Harrison,
High Barbuchany, Newton Stewart,
Wigtownshire, DG8 6QF
Tel. 01671-403632
Email [email protected]
March/April 2011
26_bible_ads.indd 1
08/02/2011 16:53:10
The Christian Reader
PAUL CROWE is the regional
representative of The Faith
Mission in Wales. He is a keen
reader, and chatted to the editor
about his reading habits and
preferences.
If you select a biography for example,
prefer those where the author gives as
full a picture as possible of the life of
the person he is writing about. That
way you will learn how they responded
in many different situations and be able
to learn from their experience.
Paul, in this hi-tech world, when
we can download audio books and
sermons, watch videos and DVDs,
is there still a place for the printed
book?
Certainly! A printed book will never
have a mechanical break down. You can
lend a book to someone. The printed
book also makes a great gift. It may
well be the tool used by God to minister to an individual in their particular
situation. And what a real blessing and
wonderful encouragement it is for a
missionary to receive the gift of a book
from someone who has been praying for
them.
Are there any types of books (even
Christian books) that might be better
to avoid?
I would say, avoid the writings of any
authors who repeatedly belittle others
who hold different opinions from
them. The purpose of a good book
is to educate, build up and even to
challenge us in our walk with the Lord,
not to pull down others.
Sadly, there are also Christian authors
who write without passion, or without
stimulating in the reader any sense
of awe or wonder at God. Avoid such
books; they would leave you feeling
cold and empty or indifferent to the
things of God.
What criteria should we use to choose
the books we read?
In choosing a book either for yourself,
or as a gift for someone else, choose
one which will be edifying. The best
ones will stimulate our faith and
challenge us in our walk with the Lord.
How should we read? What should our
attitude and aim be as we read?
We should read slowly, with a desire
WRJOHDQDVPXFKEHQHÀWVSLULWXDOO\DV
possible.
We should also seek to read widely.
FIRST!
27_28_29_reader_and_30.indd 1
27
01/02/2011 15:15:58
Don’t worry if you don’t agree with
everything the writer says. Eat the
meat and spit out the bones!
We should read continually, particularly if we are in a leadership position.
We should read prayerfully, asking
the Lord to apply to our heart and life
what we read.
How can we prevent our reading from
being a mere exercise? Are there any
SUDFWLFDOZD\VZHFDQEHQHÀWPRUH
from our books?
Take time to meditate on what you
read.
Share with others what you have
IRXQGWREHDEHQHÀWLQWKHERRN\RX
are reading.
Recommend the book to others.
Take notes. This helps when you want
to recall what you have read and where
you have read it.
What is your view on writing in the
margins of your books?
This is an excellent idea. When you reYLVLWWKHERRN\RXZLOOÀQGLWKHOSIXOWR
recall the sentences which have blessed
or challenged. But only write on the
margins if the book belongs to you!
:KDWÀYH&KULVWLDQERRNVZRXOG\RX
suggest for someone who wants to
start reading seriously.
These are the ones I’d recommend:
28
Practical Religion by J. C. Ryle.
The Pursuit of God by A. W. Tozer.
The Making of a man of God by
Alan Redpath.
Power through Prayer by E. M. Bounds.
Gleanings of Highland Harvest by
Murdoch Campbell.
Are there any others that you would
never be without?
If I was on a desert island and could
take books with me, in addition to
the Bible I would add these to the list
above:
The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes.
The Fellowship of a Burning Heart by
A. W. Tozer.
What are you currently reading?
,XVXDOO\KDYHÀYHERRNVRQWKHJR-XVW
now they are:
The Art of Divine Contentment by
Thomas Watson.
Sermons on Romans chapter 8 by
Dr Martin Lloyd-Jones
7KHELRJUDSK\RI*HRUJH:KLWHÀHOG by
Arnold Dallimore (2 Volumes).
Christian Leaders of the18th Century
by J.C. Ryle.
The Most Holy Place (sermons on the
Song of Solomon) by C.H. Spurgeon.
Paul, thanks for taking the time to
give us a peek into your library! March/April 2011
27_28_29_reader_and_30.indd 2
01/02/2011 15:16:36
Top of my reading list
Suggestions from
NORMAN LIDDLE, Scottish FM Bookshop manager.
5 books for a Christian who wants to start reading
seriously:
The reason for God by Timothy Keller
The pursuit of holiness by Jerry Bridges
The purpose driven life by Rick Warren
The good and beautiful life by James Bryan Smith
The grace awakening by Charles Swindoll
What am I currently reading:
The unshakeable truth by Josh and Sean McDowell
The church awakening by Charles Swindoll
2 books every home should have:
A Study Bible—I would strongly recomment the ESV study Bible. Though it
is not my favourite translation, especially for public reading, it is equipped
with outstanding study notes.
Operation World (2010 Edition)7KLVLVWKHGHÀQLWLYHSUD\HUJXLGHWRHYHU\
nation and it is hard to beat for information leading to intelligent praying.
All Norman’s suggested books can be be ordered from any FM Bookshop (see list on
inside covers) and online at fmbookshops.com
Called Home
Mrs Sheena Urquhart (nee Craig) was
converted as a child through the ministry
of The Faith Mission; she entered the Bible
College for training in 1953, serving in the
Mission until 1964. Over the years her love and
loyalty to the work never waned.
Tom Dunn, Superintendent of Barnard’s Court
Mission, Greenock, and with his wife Moira
joint-leader of our Greenock PU, will be greatly
missed for his interest in and commitment to
mission at home and abroad.
Miss Catherine (Katie) Cordiner had a long
association with the Mission, her late twin Mary
having worked with the FM. Their home was
open for the Lord’s servants. The Leven PU met
in Katie’s home until failing health necessitated
her moving into a nursing home.
Mike Campbell was a founder member of the
Lossiemouth PU which latterly met in his home.
He had a kind gentle way, consistently asking after the workers and showing a genuine,
prayerful interest in the work. Mike was bright
to the end and always enjoyed the uplifting
times when the PU met.
Mrs Cissie O’Driscoll held the Dunmanway
PU in her home for many years. Her daughter
Susan is a former FM worker and her grandson James Bovenizer is an FM worker. Cissie’s
faithful prayers and interest in the work will be
much missed.
Mary Monk died at the age of forty-seven.
She was devoted to helping in the Fort William
Hall, happy just to be in the background. Mary
was a woman of prayer, kind and caring. Many
lives have been touched through her faithful
witness and love for the Lord. Ź [Continued overleaf]
FIRST!
27_28_29_reader_and_30.indd 3
29
08/02/2011 15:39:45
Called Home (continued)
George Main was a long standing member
of Hopeman and Burghead PU and was fully
committed to the Lord’s work. He was a
capable preacher and had a strong interest in
the work of the Mission. His fervent praying will
be greatly missed.
Katie Campbell was a long standing member
of the Harris PU. Her life radiated Christ and
visiting her home was always an enriching experience. Katie was a bright witness and godly
example in the community
Mrs Jessie McArthur of Ahoghill was a very
hospitable lady with a sweet spirit. She was a
great support to her husband, Willie, a former
Pilgrim who managed the old FM bookshop in
Edinburgh.
Arthur Sykes was a true prayer warrior and
supported the work of The Faith Mission for
many years. The work in Co Wexford and
throughout the South of Ireland will miss his
presence and prayerful interest.
It was a shock to learn of the homecall of
Robert and Jean Reid, within a week of each
other. Both were converted in their youth.
They joined Cullyvenny PU in 1969, where they
faithfully remained. Their influence and example will be greatly missed.
Mrs Rita Kennedy was saved during a mission in Cullyvenny Hall, conducted by FM workers in 1939. She is now with the Lord whom
she loved and served.
The Roe Valley area has lost a respected Christian witness, in the homecall of Mrs Lily Fleming. She was saved at a young age, and was
a faithful member of Largy PU for fifty years,
which in latter years met in her home.
Mrs Kathleen Chambers was a faithful
member of Edentrillick PU. Her godly life and
quiet witness were a real blessing to many. For
quite a number of years, she and her husband
Harold were missionaries in Africa.
Tommy Ferguson was a faithful prayer
warrior, having served for 50 years as Representative of Brookhill PU. In recent years, poor
health prevented him attending any meetings,
but his loyal support for the Mission will be
greatly missed.
Willie Thompson was a deeply spiritual man,
a good preacher and a wise man of integrity.
Converted in 1953, he joined Beragh PU and
later Tullyrush PU, where he was a faithful
member right up until his recent illness.
30
Alex Johnston was a real man of prayer. He
attended conferences and conventions all over
Ireland and was a member of Rawe PU, Co
Fermanagh. He was killed in a traffic accident
and will be greatly missed.
Bert Duncan had a concern for his area in
Trillick, Co Tyrone. He recently arranged a
mission two of our workers conducted in Lakemount. He was a local businessman and will
be a great loss to the community.
Pam McFarland trusted the Lord implicitly,
not only in health, but also in the short illness
before her homecall. She gave loyal support to
Christian work in the Omagh/Newtonstewart
area, and will be remembered as a person who
lived for God.
Tom Agnew was a very faithful member of
Ballee PU since his conversion to Christ over
thirty years ago. He had a great passion for
souls and although in his nineties still had a
clear interest in the work of The Faith Mission.
He will be greatly missed.
Miss Mary Barkley was a member of Craigs
PU for over eighty years. Latterly she was unable to attend due to ill-health. She loved to
pray and supported many missionaries.
Miss Agnes Hutchinson was a member of
Corby PU for over sixty years, latterly as PU
Rep. She attended many FM meetings and was
also a member of Broughshane PU. Despite
age she loved visiting people and distributed
forty-five copies of First!
Mrs Ruth Evans was a faithful member of
Castledawson PU until four years ago when ill
health prevented her attending. She is greatly
missed.
Lowry Stewart was a founder member of
Glenavy PU from 1988 and attended faithfully
until ill-health prevented him.
Mrs Sadie Hall was a member of Gorey PU
and attended faithfully while able. She invited
many to hear the gospel in the mission hall
there and lived consistently for the Lord.
Mrs Nan Brown attended the PU and regular
meetings in Ballynakelly Mission Hall, Co Tyrone. She lived for the Lord and supported the
work of God faithfully.
Gilbert McClelland was a faithful member of
the Tandragee PU until ill health prevented. He
went home to be with the Lord in January.
Norman Best took a keen interest in the work
of the FM and hosted the Donaghadee PU
for many years after his retirement. 
March/April 2011
27_28_29_reader_and_30.indd 4
01/02/2011 15:08:19
Advertisements
Children’s Ministry Free Resources – PowerPoint Bible
teaching and review games. Printable visuals. By former FM
children’s workers Catherine Slight and Lin Pearson.
Download free from www.EffectiveChildrensMinistry.org.
Co. Donegal – Christian farmhouse, self catering accommodation available. 10 minutes drive to Rathmullen beach.
For further details Tel: 074-9158334
(from UK: 00-35374-9158334).
Cornwall – nr. Callington. B&B. Comfortable en-suite
accommodation. Convenient for moors, towns, coast or
stopover. www.keadeen.co.uk Tel 01579-384197.
Email [email protected]
Christian Breaks and Times of Fellowship at the Killyhevlin
Hotel in Enniskillen, If interested contact for brochure at
15 East Street Court Newtownards Co. Down N.I. Mobile
07977637282.
Properties to let: Florida – Orlando, Private villa to rent.
Lake views, private heated pool – select neighbourhood,
20mins from Disney etc. Warm year-round climate – ideal for
arthritic conditions winter/summer. Short/long term rentals.
Couples special rates. Evangelical church nearby.
Northern Ireland – Luxury self-catering apartment – Antrim
Coast, panoramic views – quiet location, minutes walk to
town, 20 minutes Giant’s Causeway.
Spain – Enjoy quiet peaceful ideally located coastal apartment complex (minutes to beach/restaurants). Year round
sunny climate perfect for long/short term rentals. Special
monthly rates for couples in winter and large families in summer. Public transport available, Christian fellowship nearby,
car hire/pickups from airport can be arranged.
Contact: Gerald 028-42738559
www.christiancoastalapartments.com
Yorkshire Dales – Holiday Caravan on farm, also B&B in
bungalow. Settle area, for details Tel: Mrs Irene Fawcett on
01729-823949
Adverts
Space for advertisements is limited and unfortunately we cannot
guarantee inclusion. All communications should be sent to FM
Publishing Dept., Govan House, 548 Gilmerton Road, Edinburgh
EH17 7JD, a minimum of 7 weeks preceding the month of issue. The
charge for advertising is 20p per word + VAT minimum £4.70. Enclose
SAE for receipt if required.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
First! is published bi-monthly and costs 75p per copy,
plus postage. The annual subscription is: UK £6.30 ;
EUROPE (incl. EIRE) £11.22 OTHER OVERSEAS £10.44.
All postal payments should be made to The Faith Mission
Publishing Department, Edinburgh, to which changes of
address or alterations in the number of copies should be
QRWL¿HGE\WKHWKRIWKHPRQWKSUHFHGLQJWKHPRQWK
of issue.
31_IBC_UK_mar11.indd 1
Locations
IRELAND
Headquarters and Central District
Director - TREVOR & SANDRA MATTHEWS, 62 Glenavy
Road, Lisburn, Co. Antrim BT28 3UT. (Tel. 028 9262 8286)
E-Mail: [email protected]
Mission: Andrew McCullough and Tim Condy
Auxiliary workers: Trevor & Yvonne Bennett
West District - Superintendent - GEORGE & ANDREA
CONN, 15 Derry Road, Omagh, Co. Tyrone BT78 5DY.
(Tel. 028 8224 2286).
E-Mail: [email protected]
Assistant (part-time): Anne Brown
North-West District - In Charge - GARRY & ALISON TUTTY,
Sheephill House, 74 Tully Road, Limavady,
Co.Londonderry BT49 9HW. (Tel. 028 7776 8871).
E-Mail: [email protected]
Donegal: Gary McKitterick
North District - Superintendent - LESLIE & MABEL BRUSH,
3 Grange Avenue, Ballymena, Co. Antrim BT42 2DX.
(Tel. 028 2565 6494).
E-Mail: [email protected]
Assistant: Ian Booth
Border District - Superintendent - PAUL & SHARON
ACHESON, ‘Cherith’, 131 Mahon Road, Portadown,
Craigavon BT62 3SF. (Tel. and Fax 028-3833 2806).
E-Mail: [email protected]
Co Cavan: Ronnie & Carey Killops
South District - Superintendent - DAVID & MARJORIE
BENNETT, ‘Bethany’, Oakvale, Stradbally, Co. Laois, Eire.
Tel. 00 353 5786 25288.
E-Mail:[email protected]
Co Cork: Ben & Heather Mason
Midlands: Mervyn & Rachel Tomb
Bookshops-General Manager- JOHN MATTHEWS
(028 9060 2102)
Accounts - Linda Collins (028 9062 4438)
Purchasing - Trevor Wilson (028 9060 2102)
BELFAST (Queen Street): Mark Conroy (028 90 233733);
ARMAGH: Craig Beattie (028 37 527927);
BALLYMENA: William White (028 25 649443);
BANBRIDGE: Stephen Dundas (028 40 626761);
BANGOR: Stephen Dundas (028 91 453222);
BELFAST (C’reagh Rd): Jackie Smith (028 90 731779)
COOKSTOWN: Iris Farrell (028 86 766569);
KILKEEL: Elsie Baird (028 41 764934);
LISBURN: Tracy Brown (028 92 665888);
LONDONDERRY: Brian Kerr (028 71 345137)
LURGAN: Liz Lavery (028 38 325304);
MONAGHAN: Elsie Moynan (From UK- 00 353 47 82728,
From IR- 047 82728);
OMAGH: Dean Mallison (028 82 241334);
PORTADOWN: Jim McKee (028 38 334123)
PORTADOWN – Clearance Shop: Glenn Yeman
THE BIBLE COLLEGE
Principal:
Vice-Principal:
Bursar:
Staff Lecturer/Counsellor:
Staff Lecturer:
Ladies’ Supervisor &
Outreach Coordinator:
Chef:
Secretary:
Property Maintenance:
Librarian:
John Brand
Adrian Holdsworth
Daniel Chambers
June Chambers
Heather Holdsworth
Jenny Kilpatrick
John Frame
Alistar Frater
Scott Worth
Valerie Robertson
07/02/2011 18:38:13
Friday 22 - Tuesday 26 April
A weekend of:
t Bible Teaching
t8PSTIJQGFMMPXTIJQ
t$IBMMFOHFFODPVSBHFNFOU
t3FOFXFETQJSJUVBMWJTJPO
t.JOJTUSZUPBMMBHFT
Dr Patrick McElligott
Dr Robert Murdock
England
Canada
Dr Harold Peasley
Rev Jonathan Currie
South Africa
N. Ireland
For further details contact:The Faith Mission Office,
62 Glenavy Road, LISBURN, BT28 3UT
[email protected] or (028) 9262 8286
*UDSKLFE\-XVWLQ6RGHUEHUJ
Plan to join us
for our Events!
ONTARIO
/$',(6¶5(75($76
May 27-29 Speaker:0DUWKD'RGGV
-XQHSpeaker:7H[7LSSLW
B.C.
635,1*%$148(76
0D\.DPORRSV0D\6FRWFK&UHHN
0D\6LFDPRXV0D\9HUQRQ
6(1,25¶65(75($7
-XQ
7+,567,1*)25*2'
&RQIHUHQFH
June 24-26
Speaker: Dr. Gregory Frizzell
)RUGHWDLOVFRQWDFW
(PDLOIPFDPSEHOOYLOOH#DROFRP
)RUGHWDLOVFRQWDFW
(PDLO)P)DONODQG#WHOXVQHW
STAFF LOCATIONS
HAMILTON - Brenda Thiessen
133 June Street, Hamilton, ON L9A 2S1
Tel: (905) 575 5975
MOUNT FOREST - Glenn & Robin Deane
340 Church Street, Mount Forest, ON N0G 2L2
Tel: (519) 323 9400
MONTREAL - Jen Moldovan and Debra Hewitt
202 - 481, Boulevard Perrot, L’Ile Perrot, QC J7V 3H4
Tel: (514) 425 0740
KIRKLAND LAKE - Andrew & Melissa Porter
21 Broadway Avenue, Box K8, King Kirkland,
ON P0K 1K0 Tel: (705) 567 2956
COLDSTREAM - Brian & Julieanne Spence
326 Inverness Drive, Coldstream, BC V1B 3W1
Tel: (250) 558 1805
NAPANEE - Jennifer Armitage and Emma Martin
395 Ginger Street, Napanee, ON K7R 3X8
Tel: (613) 354 9882
FALKLAND CENTRE - Stewart and Jill Megaw
RR1 C25, Cedar Hill, Falkland, BC V0E 1W0
Tel: (250) 379 2422
ST.THOMAS - Cheryl Mitchell
24 Sifton Drive, St. Thomas, ON. N5R 6C7
Tel: (519) 631 8774
KAMLOOPS: Kevin & Janice Evans
219 Wade Place, Kamloops, BC, V2C 5T2
Tel: (250) 573 4434
CAMPBELLVILLE CENTRE - Bill and Heather Bott
10463, 2nd Line, Campbellville, ON L0P 1B0 Tel:
(905) 854 - 6455
MELFORT: Jeff and Jani Goudy
Box 4109, Melfort, SK S0E 1A0
Tel: (306) 752 3103
The FAITH MISSION (in Canada) - Incorporated
General Director: John Bennett Secretary: Isabel Bennett
+HDG2IÀFH: PO Box 376, Campbellville, Ontario L0P 1B0
Tel: (905) 854 3284 Fax: (905) 854 3827 Email: [email protected]
Website: www.faithmissioncanada.org
COUNCIL OF REFERENCE5HYV:P&OD\WRQ-DPHV5HHVH'UV*URYHU&URVE\*HUDOG%*ULI¿WKV$3/HH-RKQ
0RRUH7HG5HQGDOO,DQ5HQQLHDQG-:HDWKHUDOO
%2$5'0(0%(563$OL-%HOO+%RFN:5+DWFK(+RH\-,OOPDQ'6FRWW04XLJOH\:5REE'5REVRQ
57KRPSVRQ
$%28786,QIRUPDWLRQDERXWRXU$LPVDQG3ULQFLSOHV3UD\HU1HZVOHWWHUFRPLQJHYHQWVHWFPD\EHREWDLQHGIURP
DQ\$UHD2I¿FHVHHDGGUHVVER[RQWKLVSDJHIRU\RXUQHDUHVW
canada_04_mar-apr_2011.indd 1
01/02/2011 19:22:39
COMMUNICATION
AMPLIFY YOUR MESSAGE
WITH STORY-TELLING
THE SUPERMARINE
SPITFIRE
WAS THE BATTLE OF
BRITAIN WON WITH A
SIMPLE METAL WASHER?
FORGIVENESS
I CAN’T FORGIVE MYSELF.
HOW CAN I KNOW THAT
GOD HAS FORGIVEN ME?
SHAPED BY SUFFERING
PERSONAL STORIES OF OVERCOMERS
01_FC_UK_mar-apr_2011_2.indd 1
01/02/2011 20:29:47
Canadian farmer plowing—Getty Images/Thinkstock.com
Some plant, others water…
Christ who died on the cross for our
VLQVZKLWHVLJQLÀHGWKDWZHFDQEH
clean from our sin,through the forAST SEPTEMBER, I had the rare
JLYHQHVVRIWKH/RUG-HVXVDQGJUHHQ
opportunity of working alongside
encourages Christian growth.
the Christian community of Elgin
All day greeters stood outside the tent
County at the International Plowing
0DWFK7KLVLVKHOGIRUÀYHFRQVHFXWLYH LQYLWLQJSHRSOHWRFRPHLQWRKHDUWKH
"story of the beads”. So many people
days each year at a different location.
wanted to come into the tent that
As well as horse and tractor plowing
sometimes they had to wait in line for
competitions there are many exhibits
WKHLUWXUQ7ZHOYHWKRXVDQGSHRSOH
dealing with machinery and farm life.
heard the gospel message. In exchange
OUR PURPOSE
for a hand-made bracelet or a walking
2XUJRDODQGWKDWRIWKHYROXQVWLFNZHDVNHGIRUVHYHUDOPLQXWHV
teers, was to present the gospel to
of their time to sit and listen to the
thousands of people. I worked under
story, which was presented in a nonthe auspices of the Fellowship of
confrontational way. The people were
Christian Farmers International. This
DEOHWRGHFLGHIRUWKHPVHOYHVKRZIDU
group is made up of dedicated farmers
ZKRKDYHDEXUGHQWRUHDFKWKHORVWLQ they wanted to go.
RESPONSES
the farming community. In their tent
Some found us amusing and a small
at the Match, trained presenters told
QXPEHUZHUHYHU\XSVHWDQGOHIW7KH
WKHJRVSHOVWRU\E\XVLQJÀYHFRORXUHG
EHDGV7KHJROGVWRRGIRUKHDYHQEODFN PDMRULW\RISHRSOHZHUHYHU\FRXUWHRXV
Ź Continued on inside back cover
for sin, red represented the blood of
By Cheryl Mitchell, S.W. Ontario
L
canada02_03_march11.indd 1
01/02/2011 17:17:44
[Continued from page 2]
ZHUHGHÀQLWHO\QRW&KULVWLDQV$WWKH
HQGKHXQDVKDPHGO\SUD\HGULJKW
LQIURQWRIWKHPHQWRDVN&KULVWWR
forgive and save him.
:KHQ,ÀQLVKHGWDONLQJDERXWWKHUHG
EHDGWRDFRXSOHWKHZLIHFXUWO\VDLG
“We know this story. We go to the
FKXUFKHYHU\ZHHNµ,UHSOLHG´%XW
do you know the rest of the story?”
The husband never said a word but
continued to listen. At the end he chose
WRSUD\WKHSUD\HURIIDLWKPXFKWRKLV
ZLIH·VFKDJULQ
WAS IT TOO EASY?
,KDGP\FRQFHUQVDWWLPHVUHJDUGLQJ
´HDV\EHOLHYHLVPµEXWWKH/RUG
reminded me that someone may have
SODQWHGWKHVHHGSHUKDSV\HDUVDJRLQ
D6XQGD\6FKRROFODVVDQGRWKHUVKDG
watered the seed from time to time.
1RZLWZDV*RG·VWLPHIRUUHDSLQJWKH
PEOPLE HELPED
KDUYHVW:HGRQ·WNQRZZKDWWKHÀQDO
I found several anxious about their
UHVXOWVDUHDQGZHOHDYHLWLQ*RG·V
spiritual condition.
hands. It is like the farmer who scatters
Two separate senior gentlemen asked
the seed and hopes and prays it falls on
me questions about eternity. One said
good ground.
WRPH´,SUD\DQGJRWRFKXUFKHYHU\
$WWLPHV,VWRSSHGDQGZDWFKHGWKH
ZHHNEXW,DPQRWVXUHµ,WZDVFOHDU
crowds and thought to myself that
he was involved in church rituals and
WKH\DUHVXFK´QLFHSHRSOHµEXWWKH
yet had no personal relationship with
majority of them are on their way
&KULVW$WWKHHQGKHSUD\HGWRUHFHLYH
to a lost eternity. They would never
&KULVWDQGVRGLGWKHRWKHUPDQ
JRWRDFKXUFKEXW*RGJDYHXVWKH
$PLGGOHDJHGZRPDQSUD\HGWR
RSSRUWXQLW\WROHDYHRXUFRPIRUW]RQHV
receive the Saviour. She told me her
to tell them the Good News right where
IDWKHUKDGEHHQDGHGLFDWHG&KULVWLDQ
they are. EXWKHKDGUHFHQWO\GLHG6KHVDLG´,
know if I were to die I would never see
The Lord continues to help CHERYL in her
my father again." She had walked away
pioneering efforts and has provided open
doors to bring the gospel into the rural
IURPKHUIDWKHU·VIDLWKPDQ\\HDUVDJR
communities in South-Western Ontario.
and I am sure he had prayed much for
The Fellowship of Christian Farmers
her.
International have part of their website
,ZDVDOVRDPD]HGDWWKHFRXUDJHRI
devoted to their work in Canada among the
VRPH$VHYHQWHHQ\HDUROGER\VDW
agricultural community. You can visit it at
ZZZIF¿RUJFDQDGD
EHWZHHQKLVIDWKHUDQGXQFOHZKR
and listened intently. At the end of
the presentation we would ask. “If
you were to die tonight are you 100%
sure you would go to heaven?” True
believers immediately answered in the
DIÀUPDWLYHEXWQRQ&KULVWLDQVJDYH
WKHXVXDODQVZHUVVXFKDV´1RSH
0D\EH,KRSHVR'RQ·WNQRZ
DQG,·PVXUHEXWQRRQHFDQ
completely certain.”
Many were facing this question for
WKHÀUVWWLPHDQG,DSSUHFLDWHGWKHLU
honesty. Most knew a little about
*RGVLQDQG-HVXV
ELUWKGHDWKDQG
UHVXUUHFWLRQ0DQ\WKRXJKGLGQRW
know “the rest of the story”—that they
QHHGHGWRDVNWKH/RUG-HVXVWRIRUJLYH
WKHPUHFRJQL]LQJWKDWKHKDGSDLGWKH
penalty for their sins.
canada02_03_march11.indd 2
08/02/2011 15:42:07