September
Sunday 18th September 2011
Hi All
September is here and things are starting to start up again. The Church hall is open again after the flood damage has been repaired and we held the first drop in on the 16th. We are hoping the drop in become a place where people can meet and talk thing through. Now that the Hall is open expect other things to start very soon. The new front entrance will start this month even though we would have preferred for it to start in the summer. Why not think about volunteering, whether that’s in one of our mission projects or in the building work which we will mostly be doing ourselves.
The Leadership is continuing its journey with Dave Connolly and will meet with him twice before Christmas. We are also continuing to benefit from the wisdom of Rob & Marion White and will begin a new friendship with Daniel Singleton from Lifeline who will help us to utilise our skills to effectively bless the community where we are located. Pray for the leadership with all this input that we remain focused and united, not get pulled in different directions but able to take all this advice and help to make Emmanuel the Church we believe God wants us to have.
On a personal level my college studies have entered the final stages of perpetration for ministry. Academically I will be slowing things down a bit by splitting the final year of my BA over two years. I will still leave college next June but will finish off the degree in my probation studies. All newly accredited Baptist ministers have to complete three years of probation studies so it makes sense for me to finish the degree during this time.
Having reflected on my trip to India with BMS I have begun to realise something that God has probably been speaking to me for a while now. We are to do Kingdom and God will add to the Church those that are being saved. In India the Churches are involved in many projects that are meeting the needs of their communities in their particular contexts. This involves; Schooling in various models and businesses that are targeting poverty alleviation in innovative ways. The challenge for us is to ask the question; how can we do this in Netherton? My plan is to start some small community interest companies that will employ local people, paying them a fair wage and putting profits generated back into the community. I would also like to start a leadership academy that will release the potential within young people to develop them into leaders in; life, business and community.
Continue to pray for Me and my family for God’s continued Grace on us. We want to bless God that Rachael has secured the £10,000 loan necessary for her LPC but is still without a Training Contract. Pray for her that her career in Law with be successful but will display the kingdom values she wishes to follow. My wife Joyce, her job is under review and may result in a down grade in her pay. This will be an opportunity for her to reassess her employment and consider if God is moving her on. We ask for wisdom. Our Becky continues her career in the Beauty industry. She enjoys this and works very hard, pray that she becomes the best she can and fulfils her desire of one day running her own beauty business. Dad has to build her a room!
Be Blessed
Allan