27 January 2011

10 instructors trained in Hungarian course



It was a privilege for David Crutchley and I to spend 8 days with 8 people from Hungary, 1 from Romania (Transylvania), and 1 from N. Ireland at the Hungarian National Office near Budapest. We had come together for a CEF Junior Youth Challenge Instructor Course. The course participants were all full-time CEF workers who have a strong desire to develop the Youth Challenge work in the areas where they work. They studied with enthusiasm, taking down lots of notes and tips for how they could use what they had learned to train others. During the practicals they were able to demonstrate a JYC and a Bible Study for this age group and receive evaluation in a helpful and constructive way.
It was especially thrilling to see them sit around in a circle last Saturday to plan when and where they will launch the first JYC training seminars. God willing these will be held in the autumn in Budapest and in the NE of Hungary.
Special thanks to our translator who did a fantastic job and who was also able to share some of her amazing knowledge of history as we spent an afternoon visiting the tourist sites of the city!

Last Sunday I preached in Pécel Reformed Church, you can listen here to the sermon. Yes I do have my coat on! The Pastor and the congregation kept there's on, so I took the liberty to do the same.

14 January 2011

Wondering if it's time to leave ???

No I'm not talking about the ministry, I'm talking about facebook. It's great for keeping in touch, but it's just getting TOO BIG and it seems for a lot people it is also becoming an addiction!

If 48% of 18-30 year olds are checking facebook as soon as they get up in the morning and if 48% of Christians (young adults) are doing the same - how many of them are still making time for God before the day begins? So, am I brave enough to delete my account? I'm not there yet but I'm closer than I ever was before.

11 January 2011

Largest mission sending nations

At the last mission-net congress in Germany, one of the speakers from S. Korea shared the following statistic with us about how many evangelical missionaries there are throughout the world and what countries they are sent from. No surprise to see USA and South Korea up there in first and second places respectively. I presume UK also includes Northern Ireland helping it to take third place.
Not sure about the source of the data but it can't be far wrong.
I'm looking forward to the next mission-net congress (December 2011 in Erfurt, Germany) and also to getting my hands on the new Operation World book which should be full of lots of statistics and concrete prayer requests concerning world evangelism.

10 January 2011

Join CEF back in 1968

 
Recently a colleague at Kilchzimmer brought a number of old CEF USA magazines to coffee break. Some of the advertisements amused us greatly, such as the "5 day home trail" for accordions. We wondered if back then playing the accordion was essential to leading a Good News Club. :)
However the inside back cover ad entitled "help wanted" really caught my attention. Here's the text: MISSIONARIES NEEDED: ANYONE WILLING TO GIVE HIS LIFE FOR CHRIST IN FULL-TIME SERVICE - CALL OR WRITE CEF.
STATE, CITY, COUNTRY DIRECTORS AND HOME OFFICE WORKERS NEEDED: SEEK PERSONS WITH BURDEN FOR WINNING CHILDREN TO CHRIST - CALL OR WRITE CEF
Want a career with unlimited opportunities, personal satisfaction, and a lot of money? How about a career with unlimited opportunities, personal satisfaction and less money? You have a choice in the matter: your own. Or, what the Lord would have you do.
Have you ever stopped to think that God needs you? He does. He needs all of us to work out His plan.
There are many ways to be of service but preparation should come first: 3 months of CEF Institute will give you practical know-how in helping you to reach boys and girls for Christ. 27 courses are offered with sessions beginning in March, June and September.
Why not consider making the Lord's business your career? He gave His life for you.

Do you notice anything different in that advert for missionaries from 40 years ago compared to those you read today? No offer here of short-term service! No attempt to make the work sound appealing! And yet because many responded, we in Europe and across the world have heard the Gospel as children. If you too would like to respond, we would love to hear from you. The first step would be to apply to the Children's Ministry Leadership Course at Kilchzimmer.

04 January 2011

7 Billion Reasons

I wouldn't normally be endorsing National Geographic but this short video offers up lots of interesting facts about the world’s population which is projected to soon hit 7 billion. I would just like to change the last bit to: "7 billion reasons to be active in evangelism and world missions"

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
(Matthew 28:18-20 ESV)