Mid Week Mission

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It’s been a full two days here in North Yorkshire since my last post. On Tuesday, June 3, our team began by serving at Sunnyfield House for coffee morning and food stop. Here people from the community come and enjoy tea and biscuits, and a time of fellowship. If they are in need of any food items, then they are provided with those as well.

After a quick lunch at the church we were off to Galley Hill School to lead years 5 & 6 in afternoon class. This time the team performed three parable skits, and then split into two groups rotating with each class.

Later in the day we went to an after school club at Sleights Court on the other side of Guisborough. Here we entertained around twenty five underprivileged children with a skit, games, crafts and a dance competition.

In the evening we joined the community at Costa on high street for Cafe Church. This has been a great way to go outside the walls of the church and bring The Gospel into the community. Costa is like our Starbucks only bigger, and they welcome people once a month for a time of worship and message. Nate Russell played guitar and sang with another gap year worker while Nate Gentry provided percussion on the bongo drums. After we introduced our team, Nate Russell gave his powerful testimony demonstrating to the people of Guisborough the many ways God has walked with him through life.

On Wednesday, June 4, all of the guys went to the Kemplah assisted living home and served the elderly of the community, while the girls worked on decorations for the upcoming Methodist church Summer Holiday (VBS). Our guys loved getting to know the senior adults and participated in chair exercises, dominoes and, of course, tea and biscuits. They set tables, served lunch, and were the hands and feet of Christ to some very special people.

After lunch we were off to Galley Hill school for a repeat of the previous day’s agenda with Years 3 & 4. Year 4 students were particularly attentive, and had many critical thinkers. We were bombarded by this class with many different, difficult theological questions. One student was Muslim and asked a couple of questions. Some were bold in telling us their beliefs. Another boy said he could never support religion because of science and the way religious people fight all the time. One girl believes in reincarnation. Another girl said that her mother told her we would die and come back as an animal. Many questions and many opinions showed us how far apart we all are in our thought processes. Everyone was very respectful, with the experience leaving an indelible impression on our youth.

After school a drop in for games was held back at the Methodist church. Then, after dinner Amy, Cody, gap year worker Lindsey and myself went to the town of Loftus to work with some local kids, while the rest of the group stayed at the Methodist church and led the Iron Men and Girls Wednesday night groups.

Loftus is an experience I have enjoyed during my time here. We have made so many connections over the last three years, and the kids look forward to “the Americans” coming. Loftus is an area that has suffered economically over the years with an extremely high governmental assistance population. Dai and Cath Bickham have been instrumental in developing this once a week fun evening for the kids. It gives them a chance to relax, have fun and learn something about God’s Word.

After games, snacks and a trivia match between the UK kids and USA, we returned to Guisborough. I closed the evening attending a house group meeting at the home of Dave and June Mattches.

As I reflect on the last couple of days, I am reminded of how difficult it is to share your faith in a world with so many beliefs. At home in the South, we take our Christian walk so much for granted because so many people believe like we do. Over here we are reminded that many do not share our views, and are continually moving further away from God’s truth. Everyone is on a journey, searching for meaning in their life. We believe that in Christ you fine that meaning, The Way. Some will find it. Many will not. That’s why the great commission should stir all of us into action. Too many lives are hanging in the balance. Go make!

Peace

Guisborough Connection

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Monday, June 2

We began the day traveling to the town of Skelton speaking to Year 6 students at Skelton Primary School. British schools differ from American schools in that Years 1-6 are considered Primary. Years 7-11 are listed as Secondary schools. Years 12 and 13 are called College, and after that University. Year 1 is the same as our Kindergarten, so we were talking to the equivalent of our 5th grade students.

Our team performed a skit based on the Parable of the House Built Upon the Sand/Rock. Then we split into two groups and had discussion with each section of the class. Half of the team led discussion on American culture while the other half led talks on the parable. I participated in the Bible discussion with Nate Gentry, Amy and Kade, while Nate R., Sarah P, Shelby, Will and Cody wowed them with American pop culture.

As had been the case in the past, very few kids knew anything about the Bible. I was encouraged by the second group we were involved in. There were four kids that knew something about Jesus, and could tell you why we celebrate Christmas and Easter, but the rest were clueless. All of the kids were attentive, and we led them through not only the meaning of the skit parable, but talked about the Gospel as well.

During their lunch period we hung out with them on the playground. As usual, they love to be around our youth, and everyone had five or six British kids surrounding them asking all kinds of questions.

We served the afternoon back in Guisborough at Westgate Park with the football (soccer) cage and Spikeball being the two main attractions. During this time kids walk through the park after school, and stop by for a quick two on two game and to hang out with our youth. It’s a great way to connect with them on a personal level.

The day ended with our Getwell guys and several local guys congregating at one of the host homes and playing the game of Risk. Sarah P, Amy and I participated in a house group which was studying Acts 2. We had a fantastic time of discussion and prayer in which we were reminded of Christ great love and sacrifice for us.

And as I reflect on the day, I see so many of the kids faces we came in contact with. They are so amazing, with so many gifts and talents. But 99% of them have no clue as to our human condition. They understand right and wrong, but haven’t grasped the concept of our sinful state. And since they don’t understand sin, they don’t even begin to understand the need for a savior. That’s why we are here. I pray that through us they begin to come to that understanding. I pray for them, and I ask you to do the same.

Peace

Welcome to North Yorkshire

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Friday, May 30

Our team had a long but uneventful flight “cross the pond” to begin our journey in Teeside. We landed on Friday, were greeted by our British friends and taken to Guisborough Methodist Church for lunch where our kids got to meet their hosts for the week. After introductions everyone went to their homes to adjust to the new time, and rest for a youth group social later that evening.

For the Getwell guys, there was No rest to be found. That’s because Hunter Brooks (Née Glen Coco) was too excited to see everyone, and convinced us to walk up Highcliff. To us flatland Mississippians, Highcliff is a small mountain. To the Brits, it’s a hill. But, with little sleep, we managed to make it to the top. And once up there, the climb is so worth the effort. Spectacular beauty and scenery in every direction overwhelms you.

The parallels between our hike and life are startling. Life is filled with tough rough spots, only to level off when you think you can’t keep going. And as I kept repeating Philippians 4:13 over and over in my head, I thought of how difficult life’s climb is for all, but particularly for those who don’t have Christ along their journey. Some never grab onto Him to finish “the climb”, and in the end miss out on what I’m sure is the most overwhelming spectacular beauty of Heaven.

Saturday, May 31

Saturday morning our guys ventured to the Laurence Jackson School for a time of football (soccer) with the locals, while our girls participated in Coffee Morning at the Methodist church. This event was open to the public and raised money for cancer research.

Meanwhile On the soccer field our youth pastor, Nate Russell, forgot that he was playing British football when his head collided with a local guy’s nose while going for the ball. We forgot to remind Nate that the Revolutionary War ended years ago, and that we are now very close allies!  After much blood was spilled and apologies made, they were back out on the field, the British guys staying far away from Nate.

That afternoon our hosts drove us to York where we soaked in the local flavor. York is a very ancient city that was once ruled by the Roman Empire. It was where Constantine was headquartered when he learned he had become emperor. We ended with a beautiful Evensong service in the magnificent York Minster, and ventured back to Guisborough.

Around 10:30 pm, Nate R., Sarah P, Shelby, Cody and I joined a team called “Night Light”. You had to be 18 to participate, so the rest of our youth stayed with their hosts for the evening and enjoyed some much needed sleep!

Night Light is a local ministry whose sole purpose is to assist people on High Street in Guisborough. There are four local pubs in a one block radius, and weekends become extremely rowdy. At home we would call the atmosphere a scaled down “Beale Street”. Many people struggle with drinking here and bar hop until 3:00am. Fights break out on the street, and some simply pass out. Volunteers for Night Light assist in any way possible. They pass out water, bandages, flip flops (for those ladies who have broken heels or barefoot), take people to hospitals,help people get home, call taxi, and assist police when needed.

Volunteers are spotted easily by their yellow reflective vests. Many people came up and talked, thanking some of the team for their help in the past. We witnessed one fight, but it was broken up quickly. The danger is limited since no one has a gun here in Britain. I was very skeptical at first, asking myself what we had gotten into, but what I witnessed was people truly being the hands and feet of Christ.  People volunteer not to judge, but to serve.  It is a special ministry they have developed!

Sunday, June 1

Sunday was a full day. Our team split up, half working at Guisborough Christian Fellowship, and half at Guisborough Methodist Church. Our youth led the kids in their versions of Sunday School. I spoke at the GCF and Nate R. and Shelby were interviewed in the Methodist service.

After lunch we hosted Guiz Kids at the Methodist Church with our youth working with local kids on crafts, and performing a skit of the house built upon the sand. Will Bradford and Nate Gentry led the kids in discussion.

A quick turnaround and the youth night was led by Hunter and Nate Russell. Getwell’s youth night was literally brought to Guisborough with games, worship and a fantastic Gospel message delivered by Nate R.

The experience has been so rich so far. I pray that God will continue to work mightily through us as we share the Good News with the wonderful people of North Yorkshire!

Peace

 

 

Faith That Sticks

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Orange Conference 2014 week has arrived! Our Getwell Road family ministry team has been in the process of organizing, planning and strategizing our upcoming Orange Experience. ReThink pulls out all of the stops to make this conference an amazing experience for all church attendees. Our goal is to recharge, vision, rethink and fill up with all that is offered in the various ministry areas, so we can bring ideas back to further our partnership with parents and families.

I asked myself, “What would our children’s lives look like if that kind of strategizing, planning and attention was given to their spiritual development?” Would it make such an impact that as they grew and matured, they would be able to withstand the pressure of culture and the world? Would it help provide them with a faith that sticks?

From birth until high school graduation we have approximately 936 weeks with our children. For the parents with an infant, this might seem like a long time. From a parent of a sixth grader, it is not so long. In fact we have only 315 weeks until our daughter graduates and heads off to college. Sounds crazy to count doesn’t it? But as Reggie Joiner says, “When you see how much time you have left, you tend to do more with the time you have now.” So whether we are at week 935 or week 1, what are we as parents going to do to make sure our kids know Jesus, know the truth of Scripture, and develop a faith so strong that they can withstand everything the world throws at them when they leave for college? We need a sticky faith strategy!

You see, statistics show that only 50 percent of our kids who graduate high school and have attended church or youth group will have a faith that sticks with them through college. That’s one half people! And the only way we are going to reverse this trend is for parents to analyze, strategize and implement a plan to help their child(ren) have the kind of faith that sticks with them. It is a fight folks that will impact the future of the next generation of your family!

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 supports this idea of sticky faith. Because if we want our children to follow Jesus and have a faith that sticks, then we must make Jesus a part of our everyday experiences. We must teach them to see Him in all aspects of life. Not only do we do this by living out our faith with our kids, but we must give them the knowledge and place people in their lives that will assist us in carrying out our sticky faith plans. Your children will seek another voice to speak into their lives when they get older. What better plan than for you as parents to have influence as to the other voice that will speak into their lives! Seek out that older youth, young adult and senior adult to pour into your child. And when your kids start to doubt and question their faith (and they will), they have built a relationship with others who have spoken truth into them, guiding them through those doubting moments or difficult times.

Getwell Road our kids need a faith that sticks. They need to know that they are part of a bigger story, God’s story. They need truth. They need to know that they are loved not only by God, but by our church family as well. They need to know that no matter what life throws at them or what mistakes they make, they are forgiven. They need this sticky faith to pass on to their kids and grandkids so that future generations will share in the love of Christ. No matter what stage your child, children or grandchildren are in, develop a plan. Let’s reverse this 50 percent trend and be the church that develops sticky faith in our kids. See you after Orange!!