ATTACHMENTS - Morley Community Church...hymns during the underground service Morley Community Church...
Transcript of ATTACHMENTS - Morley Community Church...hymns during the underground service Morley Community Church...
1
Rev. Alan Best
February, 2013February, 2013February, 2013
CONTENTS
From the President 1
England 4
India 7
Philippines 10
Saipan and Guam 17
Bulgaria 22
WECF Meeting - 2013 25
Biography - David Livingstone 31
ATTACHMENTS
On-line Registration Form for WECF Meeting - 2013
Accommodation Price Options for 2013
Program for WECF Meeting - 2013
It was a privilege to visit churches of the National
Association of Congregational Churches (NACC) and its
social action arm, Caring Community Inc. (CCI), in the
Philippines during January, six years after my previous
visit. Despite such a gap, friendships were immediately
renewed as though no time had passed at all, helped of
course by the fact that Pastor Symphony and Mrs. Nina
Castillo had attended the 8th WECF Triennial Meeting in
England in 2007. OCW’s Editor, Kerrian Cartledge, also
participated in the trip and she was likewise delighted to
renew friendships with our hosts after six years.
Nina, Symphony, Nannie and Awit Castillo
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As we sat in the Friday evening Prayer
Meeting of the ‘Agape Bible Christian Church’
in Quezon City, pastored by Symphony
Castillo, and the participants prayed
passionately for each other, their church and
our WECF member fellowships, I was
reminded that this is what our Fellowship is
really all about.
This message was also reinforced during visits
to our Associate Member churches on Saipan
and Guam during the following fortnight.
Membership of the WECF is about genuine
fellowship in which we seek to support and
encourage each other, especially through
prayer. None of us can afford to regard WECF
membership with a view to ‘what can we
receive?’ but rather, our primary concern must
be ‘what can we offer each other?’ And that
spirit is exactly what I experienced during my
January trip.
While we could not visit the majority of NACC
Philippine’s churches and outreaches during
the week we were there, we were privileged to
revisit some with which we had become
acquainted during previous trips, as well as
new outreach ministries. See our report on
pages 10-16.
On Saipan and Guam, we were warmly
welcomed again, renewing fellowship after
twelve months, having been privileged to visit
the churches there each January for several
years. On these occasions we have been
graciously invited to present Bible Teaching
seminars and training in Children’s and Youth
Ministry, often with Rev. A. Barry Jones, the
Immediate-Past President of the WECF and a
great friend of these churches. (You may
remember reading reports about these visits in
previous February issues of OCW).
As 2013 is already one month old, I am very
conscious that our 10th Triennial Meeting will
be held in Australia in less than eight months’
time. While a lot can happen in eight months,
I’m sure we are all aware of just how quickly
this time will pass and we will finally be
gathered at Wollongong. If you are planning to
attend, I urge you to act immediately to secure
your accommodation as well as arrange your
travel.
Whether or not you find yourself able to attend
in September, will you please join us in prayer
for the Meeting? Pray for the planning so that
everything will be ready in time; pray for safe
travel for delegates and other attendees from
around the world; pray for your delegates as
they share how God has blessed His work in
your fellowship during the past three years;
pray that we all will be challenged and
encouraged as we hear these reports; and
pray that we will all be changed by God’s
Word as we gather around it each day.
As you read the articles in this issue, I urge
you to consider forwarding a donation to
support the work of these fellowships (see
page 34).
Yours in Christ,
Alan
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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS
OF
MEMBER COUNTRIES
EFCC United Kingdom – 10 to 11 May, 2013
4Cs Canada – 3 to 6 July, 2013
CCCC USA – 22 to 25 July, 2013
FCC Australia – 19 to 21 September, 2013
So we can prayerful ly support each other,
please forward your Annual Conference
dates to the Editor.
Participants in the Friday evening Prayer Meeting at Agape Bible Christian Church
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MINING DISASTER COMMEMORATION IN UK PROVIDES OUTREACH OPPORTUNITY FOR
MORLEY COMMUNITY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Many Congregational Churches in the United
Kingdom are only very small. They often work
in communities that are hard and apathetic to
the Gospel. They find it a struggle to gain a
listening ear to the Good News they wish to
share.
Morley Community Church is a small EFCC
congregation in West Yorkshire, UK. They
devised a novel evangelistic event which would
connect with the local community. They
organised a Gospel Commemorative Service
500 feet underground in a coal mine!
Fifty guests were invited by members of the
Morley Community Church to take part in a
unique evangelistic service to commemorate
the deaths of 34 local miners exactly 140 years
after they lost their lives. It was held at the
nearby Caphouse Colliery, now the North of
England Mining Museum. Members of the
church discovered there had never been any
memorial stone, plaque or event to publicly
record the disaster in the town when a gas
explosion ripped through the galleries at
Morley Main Colliery. They devised a special
service to reverse this silence of history and
create an outreach opportunity.
Retired local miners and representatives of a
range of local organisations were in
attendance. These included the Mayor of
Morley and the local MP and Shadow Finance
Minister, Ed Balls. The local history society,
local schools, ex-miners, local political parties
and members of a local pensioners craft group
were in attendance. The craft group created a
Memorial Tapestry which was unveiled during
the ceremony. It displays the winding gear of
Morley Main Colliery around which all the
names and ages of the victims were carefully
stitched into the canvas. They had spent many
months in creating this stunning banner.
Full view of the memorial banner made by
Morley Elderly Action Craft Group
After sharing lunch together the participants
descended in the cage to the coal face where
they gathered for the Memorial Service at just
after 2.00 pm - the exact time of the explosion.
A retired local miner read the roll of the victims’
names. Also in attendance were descendants
of victims. One lady was there to remember
her great-great grandfather who was one of the
miners who perished in the disaster and left a
widow and two children.
Morley Mayor, Councillor Andy Dalton,
accompanied some of the pensioners, who
were in their 80s, to the coal face, along with
the other worshippers. During the service, he
recounted that the disaster killed 34 men and
11 pit ponies; 30 others were injured; one
quarter of the victims were teenagers; two
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Our Market Boys in Search of their livelihood
were brothers; two were fathers and sons; 13
women were widowed; 50 children were left
fatherless and 5 elderly dependents were left
unsupported.
Mayor and Mayoress Dalton getting ready
outside the cage to descend into the pit
Evangelist, Ian Dring, was able to sensitively
share the Gospel with those who attended.
Several hundred feet underground in one of the
galleries they listened with rapt attention as he
paid tribute to those who perished all those
years ago. In the darkness of the pit he was
able to commend the One who is the Light of
the World. He reminded everyone that the
death of Jesus was God’s great rescue plan for
those entombed in sin and darkness.
Rev. Captain Stephen Wright, who is the
minister of Morley Community Church, said
they had been amazed at the interest and
response to the event. He said that this special
service had created massive interest in the
town and the media. It had coverage on local
radio, regional television, local newspapers and
the national press.
He expressed his thanks to the staff at the
Mining Museum who had offered every
assistance in organising the Memorial Service.
Pastor Wright said, “This was an awful disaster
and the town has been able to come together
to pay respect to the memory of those who
perished. We have also reminded our town of
the great sacrifices made in previous
generations during the course of their daily
work. We have been able to bring the Good
News of the Gospel in a unique way to many in
our area who still have links with the mining
industry.”
The musician who accompanied the
hymns during the underground service
Morley Community Church is a mission
congregation of the Evangelical Fellowship of
Congregational Churches in the UK.
Pamela Senior and Kathleen Taffinder with the banner
made by Morley Elderly Action Craft Group
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Members of Morley Elderly Action Craft Group who made the memorial banner
Picture of one of the original modified safety lamps produced by Ackroyd and Best
(donated to the museum by Pamela Senior)
Group photo at Caphouse Pit with a number of those who attended including Neil Brittlebank (retired miner), Mrs
Hardy (91 years), Ed Balls MP, Mayor Andy Dalton, Clive McManus (History Society), Neil Wilkes (ex-Miner), and
Karen Ellis (far right - great grandaughter of George Bell who was one of the disaster victims)
Article and photographs kindly submitted by
Mayor, Councillor Andy Dalton
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GOD’S AMAZING WORK FOR THE POOR A Brief Report of our ministry in India
7th to 22nd December, 2012
Dear co-workers in Christ,
God’s love is Amazing! We had a wonderful time of ministry in India and here’s some news
which we would like to share with you.
Our Children – They shouted in joy ‘Henu leh Hepa ahung tai (Mom and Dad are here!)’ when
we arrived and they all started talking to us at the same time, making it a bit difficult for us to
respond individually. We were glad that they were all well and growing in all aspects.
Painful Experiences – A rapid increase in the number of orphans and widows due to armed
movements, deprivation of medical facilities for tribal people, and HIV/AIDS. In just a week, five
kids were brought to us, three of whom were victims of conflicts. During the same week, my
cousin, who was instrumental in my education, died of TB, a curable illness, leaving behind his
young pregnant wife, who is an orphan herself.
Bethesda Academy – We are preparing to start a school for tribal children from the New Year
2013, and during this visit we were able to make furniture, recruit teachers and invite local
church leaders for cooperation. We have 5 positions for mission workers’ children.
No light- only
Lantern and
Candles.
Very Cold – we say
‘children and winter
are friends.’
No parents – they
called us ‘Mom and
Dad.’
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Mentoring younger leaders – I had the privilege to meet with the three young men who we
supported for their theological training so they can form the next line of leadership in our church
organisation. Hemkhomang (MTh) has just completed his commentary on Matthew in a local
language to be used by more than thirty thousand members of our church both in India and
Burma. Lhunkholet (BD) is pioneering a church planting ministry, leading many to Christ.
Paokholun (BD) works among the youth and he has been very effective through music and song.
We discussed the needs of our society and our responses. Currently, we are supporting two
more young pastors in the same institution for an MTh and a BD respectively with a view to
having a bigger leadership team who are theologically trained.
Ballikinrain School Singing at a Wedding
Gifts from Alison Gray in Glasgow
Buying used warm clothes for the children Media Interview at Bethesda
Staff Meeting
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Cooking chicken curry for church leaders
Children playing a game
A hotel in our town
Playing in the shade—a daily routine
Story of the boy pictured above
His father died; his sickly mother (pictured above left)
brought him to us after one full day of travel from the
Burma border. Many have died in landmine explosions
planted by militants. Comforting his mother (his mother
told me) the boy said, “Mom, don’t die, I will study and
become an officer one day and then I will take you to the
hospital for treatment.” We took the boy, trusting that
God will provide his needs.
Story of the old man pictured above (left)
This man (80?) came pleading that his grand -
children be helped by Bethesda. His sons were
killed recently and their wives have left their
families. We are praying for support.
We thank all our friends who support us and
donate gifts to Bethesda.
May God continue to bless you all!
Lamboi and Boinu Haokip
Bethesda Khankho Foundation
www.bethesda.org.in
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JANUARY VISIT, 2013
Throughout our visit, our friend, Pastor
Symphony John Castillo acted as our driver,
guide, translator and facilitator. Not only did he
take us to schools and churches, but he was
able to exercise his pastoral ministry as the
Executive Director of NACC when speaking to
teachers and pastors.
On one occasion, we were also accompanied
by Rev. Ernanie (‘Nannie’), President and
Founder of NACC, and Mrs. Awit Castillo,
Executive Director and Founder of CCI. We
were delighted to visit the land that has been
purchased for a Campsite and Bible School at
Alfonso, in the popular tourist region of
Tagaytay, south of Manila. (You may recall the
article in the August, 2011 issue of OCW when
Joan Gillard and Jenny Best visited the site
and delivered funds for its purchase from FCC
churches in Australia. Joan and Jenny were
instrumental in leading the fund-raising efforts
of the FCC).
The excellent purchase price, far below that of
similar sites in the area, was surely a miracle
and confirmed God’s hand on this project.
However, that is just half of the story, with the
rest yet to be written. As you can see, the (20
metre frontage and 150 metre deep) site is
home to countless fruit trees, without a building
in sight.
This is a great opportunity for our WECF family
to practically express its fellowship by donating
towards the construction costs of the campsite.
NACC Philippines does not have the financial
reserves or income stream to undertake this
work by itself, but as a Fellowship we can do
our part to help develop this site. When
completed, it promises to play an important
role for NACC by providing regular income for
future ministry as well as a facility for its
churches to conduct family camps and the
already popular combined youth camps; it will
also provide facilities for Bible School training
for future pastors.
The next day, we were privileged to visit the
‘Promise Land Christian School,’ situated in
the shanty-town that surrounds the Smokey
Mountain garbage dump in Payatas, Metro-
Manila.
Symphony showing us the land
Bountiful fruit from the land
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The height of the mountain of garbage is
clearly shown in the photograph above. It
towers over the people’s makeshift homes,
providing a source of income for many as
recyclable materials are scavenged from the
piles of newly delivered garbage (people must
apply and pay for a licence to do so). As well,
the health of most is adversely affected.
Several years ago, a section of the ‘mountain’
collapsed after heavy monsoon rains, officially
burying 200 people, but locals estimate this to
be closer to 1,000.
Having visited the school on several
occasions, it was good to see it thriving and we
were able to bring a short Bible message to
three of the morning session classes (there are
two sessions each day); 250 students are
currently enrolled in the school. The bright
eyes and happy faces that met us and the joy
with which they sang Christian choruses and
recited Bible memory verses were testimony to
the importance of the ministry of the school in
an area where too many children still do not
attend school at all, despite the attempts of the
government to ensure they do.
It was challenging but encouraging to observe
the quality of education that is being offered,
despite less than ideal conditions and a lack of
basic resources. The Department of Education
has requirements (such as a library and
playing area) that the school must address in
the future and some of these will require a
serious injection of funds.
The wonderfully committed teachers who work
long hours certainly treat this as ministry
because they could earn much higher salaries
teaching in the public school system. NACC
and the school would love to be in the position
to increase their pay.
12
The church that worships there on Sundays
has also continued to grow and now meets in a
newly constructed building, of more substantial
material than the previous sanctuary that was
largely destroyed by termites; the church was
originally established by Korean missionaries
and financial assistance for the new building
was received from Korean sources.
The visit to the school was followed by visits to
two of eight outreaches founded by Pastor
Lindo – he has a vision to plant twenty
outreaches that will eventually become
churches in their own right. It was amazing to
walk through the communities with him and
witness the respect and affection with which he
is regarded by children and adults alike.
The first outreach is not far from the Promise
Land Church and had up to 50 people meeting
for weekly Bible Study in a partially completed
shelter until a ‘twister’ removed most of the
roofing last September. The roof was
deposited on the next door property and at
present, only a small area of roofing remains to
provide shelter for the group that attends –
sadly, the reduced shelter has also led to a
reduction in attendance to about 30.
Some of the children in the
Kindergarten 2 Class
The damaged roofing that now rests
against the neighbour’s house
Pastor Lindo standing under the small area of
roofing that remains – note the suspended
lengths of timber that provide seating for the
Bible Study participants
Rev. Erlindo (Lindo) Ganiban, (middle)
Pastor of the Promise Land Church and
Mrs. Esther Ganiban, (left) the School
Principal, with Symphony John Castillo (right)
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The second outreach was at Bagong Silangan
(‘Place of New Birth’), a resettlement area for
squatters from the nearby district of Diliman.
Although only 3-4 kilometres away from the
Promise Land Church (in a direct line) on the
other side of Smokey Mountain, travel there
each Sunday afternoon is a time-consuming
and relatively expensive exercise for Pastor
Lindo and his team as it involves two jeepney
rides and one tricycle ride.
The believers meet in a community multi-
purpose room, with at least 120 people,
including children, from approximately 80
families attending regularly (30-40 children
meet for Sunday School before the service for
adults). Their meeting place was inundated
when the nearby river rose due to heavy
monsoon rains last August. The whole
community suffered greatly as it was engulfed
by flood waters that were many metres deep –
not once, but twice, in less than 24 hours! (See
October, 2012 OCW)
That evening, we joined members from the
‘Agape Bible Christian Church’ for its weekly
Prayer Meeting (see page 2). It was very
encouraging to share with people of all ages,
including some young children who joined older
members of the congregation in praying for
each other, such as Patrick, age 11, who sat
alongside Nannie Castillo in the men’s group.
11 year-old Patrick with Nannie Castillo Some of the believers with Symphony
and Pastor Lindo (extreme left)
outside the meeting room
Part of the meeting room
14
On the Sunday during our visit, we attended
‘God’s Loving Care Christian
Fellowship’ (GLCCF) in Angono, which is led
by Pastor Jasper Jornales. The congregation
celebrated its 18th Anniversary on Sunday, 27
January. The meeting was marked by
enthusiastic singing and passionate prayer in
small groups, and Alan was privileged to bring
the message.
One of the blessings of being able to share at
GLCCF was spending time both before and
after the service with the enthusiastic and
entertaining children. There were plenty of
questions about Australia and much for them to
share about life in the Philippines. During the
service the children participated in their own
Sunday School program, but joined the adults
for a few minutes to recite their weekly Bible
memory passage.
That afternoon, we joined Pastor Jasper and a
team of faithful workers for a 45 minute drive
(longer by jeepney) to Barangay Evangelista
(township) in Baras Rizal, where GLCCF
established an outreach ministry in November,
2011. The service is conducted in the
Community Centre and it was very
encouraging for the visiting team to have the
Barangay Captain and his wife in attendance.
At least 40 local people were present, including
about 10 high school students. Once again,
enthusiastic singing and prayer for each other
were highlights of the service, and the ‘Aussie’
visitors brought a short message.
Pastor Jasper leading some of the singing
Alan preaching at GLCCF
Bright and well-trained students
Numbers are growing at the
Outreach Service
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On our last full day in Manila, we visited the
‘Agape Kiddie Learning Center,’ which is a
ministry of the ‘Agape Bible Christian Church’
at Bagong Silang, a poor re-settlement
community. The church is the daughter church
of the ‘Agape Bible Christian Church’ in
Quezon City. It is led by Pastor Chris
Padegdeg, a young man whose call to ministry
was reported in OCW in June, 2011. He
commenced as pastor three years ago
following completion of his theological training.
He is seen in the following picture outside the
church property, which is also home to the
Learning Center and Chris’s residence; there is
no car or truck access to the property or to
most of the homes in the community.
The Learning Center has a total of 18 students
in two Kindergarten classes that operate for
two hours each, one after the other on
weekdays. The head teacher and her two
assistants provide quality education despite
limited resources and the difficulty faced by
some families in paying the modest fees. The
Center’s witness and respect in the community
was clearly demonstrated by the number of
parents and younger siblings who also slipped
into the building to participate in the morning’s
program. On the day of our visit, the classes
were combined and the children presented
musical items to their visitors before Kerrian
presented a Bible lesson with the assistance of
an Australian wombat puppet.
The faithful team travel to serve each
Sunday afternoon
Symphony’s interpreting skills were
appreciated by all
Pastor Chris with the school’s teaching staff
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Maybe you would like to consider making a
donation to the development of the Campsite
and Bible School, the schools’ ministries or the
outreaches in the Philippines. Please do so
through our WECF Treasurer, specifying where
you would like your funds to be directed (see
page 34).
If you would like to become a Child Sponsor
(US$300 per year for school students; US$600
per year for college students) or offer a
Scholarship to a Pre-School Child (US$120 per
year) through CCI Philippines, please contact
Mrs. Awit Castillo or the Editor of OCW.
17
JANUARY VISIT, 2013
After our week in the Philippines, we spent
another eleven days on Saipan and Guam with
two Pohnpein Churches that are Associate
Members of WECF. It was wonderful to meet
with these friends again.
On Saipan, we were graciously invited to
conduct leadership training seminars on five
evenings, and during the Sunday morning
worship service, Kerrian presented the
Children’s/Youth Message and Alan preached.
The training seminars included a series of Bible
teaching messages from 1 Corinthians and
Youth Ministry Training by Alan, and Children’s
Ministry Training by Kerrian (‘Using Effective
Object Lessons to Teach Bible Truths’).
A highlight of the seminars was the high quality
of the object lessons presented by the
participants, some of which are shown on the
next page.
Wonparon (Pastor) James Ramon
presenting an illustrated Bible talk during
one of the training seminars
Enthusiastic participation
18
Games were a useful teaching tool
Careful
preparation
by each
participant was
clearly evident
in their
thoughtful
presentations
19
Pictures above:
Saipan
Pictures above:
Guam
20
The final phase of our trip was in Guam where
we were delighted to renew friendships at the
‘South Church.’ Seminars on Children’s and
Youth Ministry were presented on Friday and
Saturday evenings and Alan was again
privileged to preach on Sunday morning.
The church’s congregation includes good
numbers of children and youth and the
highlight of the Saturday seminar was the
presence of a lively group of young people who
participated enthusiastically in all of the
activities.
The church is undertaking work on its building
with new Sunday School rooms nearing
completion and a kitchen is planned for the
future.
Senior Wonparon (Pastor), Jerry Jim,
and his wife, Sirinha
Alan at a seminar evening and preaching on our final Sunday
Jerry addressing a church meeting
following the service
21
The numbers of children and youth who
attend means the additional rooms will be
well-used when they are completed.
SHARE YOUR NEWS
AND BE AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE
WECF FAMILY.
EMAIL YOUR NEWS, PRAYER AND
PRAISE POINTS TO:
22
SLIVEN REPORT - SEPTEMBER TO JANUARY
At the beginning of September, I celebrated
my 44th birthday at a small family celebration.
There were further celebrations in September
when Fanny and Mitko, members from our
church, were married in a wonderful setting at
Sozopol on September 15.
Every month, my family attends a meeting of
the pastoral families in Sliven, where we share
our life in ministry together and pray for each
other.
On September 22, a forum was held in the city
of Stara Zagora, titled ‘Pure Church,’ where
Pastor Kulichev and Pastor Mladen Mladenov
were guest speakers. They shared the time of
struggle, perseverance and persecution of
believers during Communist times in Bulgaria.
They witnessed to God’s grace and protection
during these turbulent times.
My wife, Zhani Slavcheva, and Anna Byankova
were invited to attend a one-day national
seminar in Sliven organised and run by
American missionaries in Bulgaria. The
sessions were led by Ivan Nikolov. The topic
was ‘Develop our Skills to Communicate
Effectively’ by careful listening without rushing
to give advice.
On October 13, Zhani was a guest speaker on
‘Share the Gospel with your Neighbour’ and
she was also a participant in the worship of a
national women's conference in the town of
Asenovgrad.
During October, we were blessed to have
Pastor Emmanuel Tinev as a guest in ECC -
Sliven.
October 1 to 4, Pastor Christo Kulichev and his
wife came to Sliven to hold public meetings to
familiarise attendees on the role of
Protestantism in the development of Bulgaria
during the Communist era. He presented his
books ‘On Freedom in Prison,’ ‘Process,’
‘Messengers of Truth,’ and ‘The Merits of
Protestantism in Bulgaria.’ A press conference
had been called and journalists promised they
would attend, but none came. In Bulgaria, after
20 years of democracy, media censorship still
exists.
In early November, we commenced the final
repairs and upgrading of the Sunday School of
ECC - Sliven. There has been great progress
on both the inside and the outside of the
building. We have insulated the roof, plastered
all the walls, placed lights in the ceiling,
completed all the plumbing and tiling in the
bathroom and bought a shower cabin for the
bathroom. Soon, we will start tiling the rooms
and the stairs.
In December, we received Christmas boxes
with gifts for the poor and three guests from
Scotland arrived in Sliven, helped distribute the
boxes and taped our Christmas ministry in the
region. For weeks we visited churches and
families and brought joy to many people in
need. We spent unforgettable days in which
the carol ‘O, Holy Night’ sounded out.
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After intense rehearsals, our worship group
prepared four new songs for Christmas and a
Jewish song about baby Jesus became a hit.
The choir presented a wonderful Christmas
program for the church which was enjoyed by
the regular congregation and visitors alike.
I was able to visit Shiroka laka, Vidin, Sofia,
Burgas, Veliko Tarnovo, Stara Zagora and
Kazanlak in severe winter conditions to give
presents to needy widows and children.
During 2012, God blessed our Church family
with beautiful babies in five families. All were
dedicated and surrounded with a prayer of
blessing and for God’s protection on their lives.
SUNDAY SCHOOL REPORT
On December 22, we all came together -
drivers, teachers and church children to invite
unbelieving friends to a Christmas party. They
listened to the Christmas story, participated in
games, songs and finally, a delicious
Christmas cake.
Children were given Christmas boxes. We
thank those who sacrificed their money and
time for our children! Thank you, dear friends
for your generous hearts.
In December, we found a house for a village
church in Seliminovo, because the daughter
church has met in a bus stop for 4 years.
YOUTH ACTIVITIES
Prayer meetings are regularly held every
Thursday and they are attended by a
permanent group of 20 people. In these
meetings the emphasis is put on the reading of
the Word of God and prayer. We celebrate
birthdays, which unites the young people. The
encouragement of the prayer meetings is that
all of the participants have started to realise
the need for devotion in their prayer life, which
has led to the creation of additional initiatives.
1. A group of young people gather every
morning at the church where they actively
intercede for our church and our city;
2. Another group of young people go to a
prayer mountain several times a week, where
they pray for the church and the city;
SATURDAY YOUTH MEETINGS
A permanent group of around 30-35 people
gather every week. During this quarter,
different guest preachers and brothers from
the youth group were invited to share the
Gospel. The encouragement from these
Saturday gatherings is the constancy of the
praise and the group work.
The topics studied were related to personal
sanctification, consecration to God and
dedication to service. It is encouraging that
young people respond to the call and really
change as they seek God.
In November, the young people organised
hand-made lunches to distribute with love to
the church members after one of the Sunday
services. The positive response of the whole
church encouraged them for future initiatives
that we hope to repeat again soon.
On the night of Christmas, a group of 17
people visited the homes of some of our
Church members. They sang Christmas songs
24
and prayed for them. Food packages,
purchased with the personal funds of the
youth, were given to needy families.
FAMILY NEWS
We travelled a great deal in December and in
early January in very cold weather. I entered
hospital with acute pyelonephritis along with a
very high temperature. I had kidney tests with
poor results, so the doctors started me on two
antibiotics fed directly into my veins. After a
week in hospital I felt better, but I’m still at
home and am taking my third round of
antibiotics. I'll have further blood tests to check
my condition in the next few weeks.
Tsveti, our daughter, has applied to five
universities in the UK and Scotland, not for
Medicine, because they don't accept Bulgarian
and Romanian students, but she has decided
on Marketing, Advertising, PR and an extra
language (Italian). The universities are:
University of Greenwich, London
Kingston University, London
University of Glasgow, Scotland
University of Worcester, Worcester
University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield
On January 12, Tsveti sat the IELTS exam at
the American University in Sofia and the British
Council in Bulgaria. The results were ready by
January 25. She earned 8.00 from a maximum
of 9.00, which gives her the opportunity to
enter the universities for which she applied.
PRAISE THE LORD. Her application has
already been confirmed by all of the those
mentioned above, with the exception of the
University of Glasgow, Scotland. The final
deadline is for Tsveti to confirm one of the
conditional offers by May 8, 2013.
Please pray for wisdom and God’s leading for
her and our family as this momentous decision
is made.
Till next time, God Bless you,
Pastor Stoyan Slavchev
IT’S TIME
FOR A DECISION!
Are you going to be at the
10th Triennial WECF Meeting,
23 to 27 September, 2013?
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A
U
S
T
R
A
L
I
A
W E C F 10th Triennial Meeting
23 – 27 September, 2013
Wonderful Bible Teaching
Hear what is happening
around the world
Rich Fellowship
FELLOWSHIP OF
CONGREGATIONAL
CHURCHES, AUSTRALIA
Families are encouraged
to participate in this
WECF event.
26
PROGRAM SAT 21/SUN 22 Overseas delegates arrive
MON 23 SEP Afternoon – Registration of Participants
Evening – Triennial Meeting commences. Theme: ‘No Other’
TUE 24 SEP Meeting continues
Optional afternoon outing (Symbio Zoo/Stanwell Tops/Sea Cliff
Bridge)
WED 25 SEP Meeting continues
THU 26 SEP Meeting continues
Optional afternoon outing (Wollongong/Kiama area)
FRI 27 SEP Meeting concludes (after lunch)
SAT 28 SEP Day Outing for Overseas Visitors – Sydney (Harbour Bridge, Opera
House, Manly Ferry Trip)
SUN 29 SEP Visits by overseas visitors to FCC Churches; preaching where
appropriate
MON 30 SEP Possible trip to Canberra for overseas visitors, travelling through
the Southern Highlands and farming country to the Nation’s
Capital (determined by demand)
TUE 1 OCT Canberra trip continues, including Floriade floral festival
WED 2 OCT Canberra trip continues – afternoon return to Sydney
THU 3 OCT Overseas delegates depart for home countries, OR
Further local sightseeing, OR
Depart for other Australian destinations.
COMPLETE PROGRAM IS ATTACHED TO EMAIL
BIBLE HOUR SPEAKER
Rev. Mike Raiter
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2
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2001 - CANADA
Triennial Meeting
20
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Mid
-Term
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2010 - BRAZIL
Triennial Meeting
2011 - PORTUGAL
Mid-Term Meeting
1998 - SOUTH ARICA
Triennial Meeting 19
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- A
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Where will you be in Where will you be in
September 2013?September 2013?
Plan on joining us in Plan on joining us in
AustraliaAustralia
where you will be where you will be
blessed and be a blessed and be a
blessing to others!blessing to others!
28
Initial requests for accommodation for those who have already
sent an ‘Expression of Interest’ were made in early September,
2012.
Please prayerfully consider attending this conference and
confirm this by emailing your Registration Form to:
REGISTRATION
A Registration Form is attached to this email, along with the 2013
Accommodation options and price list.
For those who have already sent an ‘Expression of Interest’ to
attend, please see the revised 2013 Accommodation options and
price list and confirm your choice on the attached Registration
Form.
DEPOSIT
Please secure your accommodation and registration with a
$AU50 deposit.
Payment Methods:
1. Cheques made payable to Fellowship of Congregational
Churches. Post to:
PO Box 47s,
Bexley South,
NSW 2207,
AUSTRALIA
2. Direct Deposit to:
BSB No: 062 253
Account No: 0090 1607
Title: Fellowship of Congregational Churches
Identify the transaction with ‘WECF Deposit’ and your name.
3. PayPal
Send to: [email protected]
29
VISA
Overseas visitors will need to organise their visa prior to
travelling to Australia. You can do this through your travel agent
or online by visiting the following:
http://australia.gov.au/people/tourists/visas
REGISTRATION FEE
A Registration Fee of $AU40 per adult to help cover the Meeting
expenses, is payable at the Registration Desk on Monday 23
September, 2013.
THEME: NO OTHER . . . (Evening Sessions)
Monday - No Other Gospel
Rev. Alan Best - WECF President
Tuesday - No Other King
Rev. Dr. Stephen Gammon
WECF Vice-President
Wednesday - No Other Power
Rev. Mike Plant - WECF Secretary
Thursday - No Other Life
Rev. Matthew Murray
Engadine Congregational Church, Australia
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31
1813 - 1873
by Arthur Fraser Evangelical Fellowship of Congregational Churches (EFCC), UK
Dr David Livingstone has had bad press of
late. He has been accused of hypocrisy, self-
righteousness and ruthlessness in pursuing his
own aims; in short, a man with whom it was
almost impossible to work. Are these charges
justified? And did he, as some claim, abandon
true missionary work to become an explorer?
It must be conceded that Livingstone had
difficult, even turbulent, relationships with
fellow missionaries, not least his in-laws, Dr
Robert and Mrs Mary Moffat. In one strongly-
worded letter to her son-in-law, Mary signed
off “in great perturbation.” When his sending
body, the London Missionary Society, would
not support his plan to pioneer a new route
across Africa, he resigned from it “without a
pang.” On his own admission, Livingstone was
fiercely independent. Perhaps this trait owed
something to his native Highland stock, for
although he was reared in the Scottish
Lowlands, the family’s ancestral home was the
small island of Ulva just off Mull. Whatever the
explanation, his independence, coupled with a
strong visionary spirit, made him the
exceptional man he was.
FINNEY’S INFLUENCE
Blantyre, his birthplace, was where he worked
from the age of 10 in the local textile factory.
Books placed on the spinning-jenny were read
through for no longer than a minute at a time,
a feat of patience and perseverance which
foreshadowed his exploits in later life. Soon
after his conversion to Christ at the age of 20,
his father Neil, in protest against the patronage
system, led the whole family out of the Church
of Scotland to join the independent
Congregational Chapel at Hamilton. The move
was a mixed blessing for Livingstone. Several
of the educated members of the chapel, who
were in touch with theologians in America,
introduced him to the writings of Charles G
Finney whose Arminian views coloured his
own reformed outlook. In a letter, he once
urged a minister friend to read Finney’s works,
adding that “ministers . . . must adapt . . . to
save souls, and if sinners are not saved the
blame is theirs.” It is salutary to note that he
himself could claim only one conversion in the
whole of his time in Africa.
ACHIEVEMENTS
What then of his achievements? Was he the
failure that some have made him out to be? It
seems appropriate in this bicentenary year (at
the time of writing) of the abolition of the trans
-Atlantic slave trade to focus first on his crucial
32
role in ending the African slave trade. Nearly
50 years before Livingstone went to Africa (in
1841), William Wilberforce recognised that
legitimate commerce would be the most
effective way of stamping out slavery in Africa.
Thomas Buxton, Wilberforce’s successor,
sharpened this conviction in a speech made in
London at a meeting which Livingstone himself
attended prior to his departure for Africa. The
much criticised and misunderstood remark he
made in a speech at Cambridge University,
that he was returning to Africa “to make an
open path for commerce and Christianity,” has
to be read in that light. From his standpoint, it
was emphatically not a reversal of his priorities.
He was simply stating the accepted thinking of
the time. An immediate effect of his
explorations was to expose to the world the full
horrors of African slavery, especially as
practised by the Arab traders. In one terrible
massacre at Nyangwe, some 400 people,
mostly women and children, were slaughtered.
This dreadful event gave him “the impression
of being in hell.” His firsthand accounts made a
profound impact on opinion back home, and
soon led to the stamping out of this hideous
trade on the African continent.
AFRICA OPENED TO THE GOSPEL
But his achievements go very much further.
Through his pioneering travels, he truly opened
up Africa to the Gospel. Within a decade of his
death, mission stations were established in
present-day Malawi at Livingstonia and
Blantyre. The opening up of Christian work in
Uganda, Congo and elsewhere, plus the
planting of medical missions, can all be traced
directly to his inspiration and influence. On
reading the words, “Other sheep I have which
are not of this fold . . . ” engraved on his tomb,
Peter Scott was profoundly moved, an
experience which proved to be the seed of the
African Inland Mission.
Livingstone died a lonely death in an attitude of
prayer at his bedside in the heart of the
continent he came to love. Figuratively, the
seed fell into the ground and died, but it
produced much fruit in accordance with the
words of Christ. Whatever the failings of this
great man – and, yes, he had many – this is
how he is to be ultimately judged. When the
servant follows his Master, a harvest is sure.
A NOBLE WORK
This truth was beautifully expressed in a
message to Livingstone’s daughter by Lord
Polwarth: “His memory will never perish . . . his
prayers will be had in everlasting
remembrance, and unspeakable blessings will
yet flow to that vast continent he opened up at
the expense of his life. God called and qualified
him for a noble work, which, by grace, he nobly
fulfilled, and we can love the honoured servant,
and adore the gracious Master.”
This brief biography is taken from the
WECF website
www.wecf-cong.org
Follow the Link:
We Stand on the Shoulders of Giants
It was first published in the series,
‘Congregational Worthies’
in ‘Congregational Concern,’
Magazine of the EFCC
33
MEMBER COUNTRIES
OFFICERS
ASSOCIATE MEMBER COUNTRIES
34
Our Congregational World is a publication of the World Evangelical Congregational
Fellowship. Its purpose is to provide articles to challenge and encourage both our corporate
and individual Christian witness, share news and keep member countries informed of WECF
happenings:
www.wecf-cong.org
The views expressed in Our Congregational World are those of the contributors and are not
necessarily those of the Editor or the Executive Committee of the WECF.
All rights are reserved to edit any article submitted for publication.
Please forward articles, news items or prayer requests for the next issue of Our
Congregational World to the Editor, Kerrian Cartledge, by Friday, 19 April 2013.
If email access is unavailable, please forward to:
Kerrian Cartledge
23/78 Hotham Road
Gymea NSW 2227
AUSTRALIA
WHAT CAN I DO?
PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER WAYS
TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF WECF
If you feel led to help any of our member fellowships, or provide scholarships to assist delegates to attend
the next Triennial Meeting, please forward funds designated for these purposes to the WECF Treasurer.
You can send your donation to:
Bill Brandon
WECF Treasurer
2354 Kimberly Court
Carlsbad, CA, 92008, USA THANK YOU FOR YOUR GRACIOUS CONSIDERATION