Our next All Age Service will be held on Sunday 25th September, at 10.30am. Our theme this month will Harvest.
We will take the opportunity to remember the work of the Zimbabwe Partnership Trust, and in particular their ‘Seeds in Zimbabwe’ initiative. For more details about their work, have a look at their website: www.zpt.org.uk
Please join us, and stay for tea and coffee after the service.
We are holding our Summer All-Age Service on Sunday 26th June, starting at 10.30am. It is going to be a service for all the family, with something for everyone. And then, assuming the weather is kind (??), we will go to the park for a Picnic (please remember to bring your own packed lunch).
So make a date in your diary.
Sunday 26th June @ 10.30, followed by Picnic!
We look forward to welcoming you.
Download our leaflet here.
Its that time again…Holiday Club at Grace!
Our ‘Champions Challenge’ Holiday Bible Club runs this half term on Tuesday 31st May – 3rd June
Four mornings of free fun during spring half-term, for kids from reception through to year 6.
It’s happening at the Grace Centre on the corner of Market St and Princes Street.
Children from reception to yr 6 are invited to a fun packed morning of stories, games, and craft.
Through the week we’ll be finding out about Jesus through a sports theme – Jesus is our trainer, our physio, our substitute and our champion.
Come along and join us for our many Easter activities:
Morning Service, with hymns new and traditional, with Crèche and Sunday School.
An all-age service, to consider how the death of Jesus Christ is God’s loving way to rescue us.
Stabbed Whilst Teaching! Vincent Uzomah re-lives the day when a 14 year old boy stabbed him whilst teaching. He lived to tell the tale. Hear how his faith helped him to forgive.
10.30am: Easter Sunday Morning Service A service to remember and rejoice in Jesus, risen from the dead.
6.15pm: Easter Sunday Evening Service
8.15pm: Bhasker Rao prepared the poison intending to take his life, when God answered his prayer and met with him. Hear his remarkable story.
Jesus knew what it was like to have his words and works rejected by men. The people in the surrounding villages of Chorazin and Bethsaida had seen his miracles and heard his teaching, but did not repent.
However, the disappointment and rejection did not for a moment dampen or interrupt joyful communion with his Father. Of course we are not so perfectly wired to the Divine nature to be able to live in interrupted joy, but it does give us a window into how the Sovereignty of God in the human life of Jesus was so beautifully expressed.
I have never climbed Misti, the volcano that dominates the skyline here in Arequipa, but I do want to climb to a higher position of praise and joy through the calm assurance of the Sovereignty of God. If we can look and view life from that position, where Jesus was, then we shall know the peace of God which passes all understanding. Praise him in the storm!
Just recently we have had a couple of Baptisms. Firstly Ronny´s son Samuel, and then Clara the mother of Eddy (more about her later) who has been attending for some years. Eddy and Clara do all the cooking for the special services we hold. Pray also for her partner Herman who has requested baptismal classes.
Samuel, currently studying civil engineering, plays the guitar in church. At some point in the future he wishes to study Theology. A Christian couple, Jerry and Charo, who are new to the area, have recently joined us and seem keen to settle. It would appear that they have come from a church strongly influenced by the health and prosperity aberration. Encouragingly they are both increasingly convinced over the doctrines of Grace, and so our desire is that they will settle well and serve the Lord alongside us in the church. They have asked for more one to one Bible studies, which I hope to start soon on Saturday afternoons.
Another couple, Luis and Marianna have also requested both baptismal and marriage classes. Pray that we may wisely discern their current spiritual state, as we seek to explore their level of Bible knowledge and their experience of God’s grace in their lives. Transparency and openness are not so readily forthcoming in this culture.
Recently all the legal wrangling over the change of land use for the whole estate, in which the church building is located, was finally settled. This dispute has been going on for nearly ten years, but our lawyer is now in the process of finalizing the paperwork for the Title Deeds to the church. The biblical admonition to wait on the Lord must have been prophetic with Peruvian culture in mind!
A little while ago I was praying and fasting over a matter for a number of months, when suddenly while I was driving somewhere, I knew I had to cease from fasting. There is now no point; the prayer has been received and answered. It is in the post; wait for it, it’s on the way! That one experience blew away the storm and the dark clouds of unbelief. I’ve climbed a better mountain than Misti, and the view is much better and longer lasting!
We continue to sow the seed of God’s word from Lucresia’s home. From there we run a children’s club on Thursday afternoon, and a family breakfast on Saturday mornings. Lucresia gets up at 4.00 am to prepare the breakfast, and to rouse her neighbours! It also provides some income for her and her husband; they often struggle to put food on the table. Joachin, her husband, has recently been out of work, so the support she receives goes some way to alleviate those times of hardship.
The Saturday morning breakfasts mean we are reaching more people, and they are certainly more attentive to the preaching at that time of the morning. We have different folk coming each week, the only thing lacking is the spiritual harvest! We expectantly wait on the Lord that soon we will see conversions, so please keep praying.
Often we are called upon to support families practically. Recently two of our ladies gave birth in the same week, so we were able to buy some clothes for both of the new babies!
Pray for Dina, a lady who has been abandoned by her husband. She has three young children, and has often to leave her home in order to find work. Her children come to the meetings dishevelled as they are often left alone. Pray the Lord will be merciful and gracious to many such families in the area. There is no debate here about welfare cuts; those words aren’t even in the dictionary here!
Ronny and Rocio continue with the children’s club on a Saturday afternoon and the Bible Study on Thursday afternoon.
We have recently agreed to support Eddy, a qualified teacher and worker with the children, to start reading and writing classes with some of the elderly.. Many of the older folk have never received an education, so the purpose of such classes is to enable them, as far as they can go, to read God’s word for themselves.
Tomasa, our eldest member and one of the first converts in the area, is a stand out student! Roxy became concerned that we were not doing anything for those members who cannot read. Pray that this new initiative will be blessed by the Lord and that He will grant them the ability to remember and learn more of God’s word.
We have had a few visitors this year. First we had Daryl and Julia Jones from Grace Baptist Mission, and then a young couple, Michael and Stacey Sutton from our home church in Southport.
The one thing we have here is clear skies almost all the year round, allowing one to observe the course of the moon every day. Recently, whilst out walking the dog, we had the marvellous sight of a blood red moon.
It really was a most glorious sight, causing us to contemplate our most Glorious Lord. The changing light and hue made for a spectacular sight, bringing many outside with their cameras! Our young visitors certainly had an interesting first day with us! I am sure that there in the UK you had the usual spectacular sight of clouds!
Recently Melissa had a school outing to Columbia, the first time she had been away from us for more than two days; so ten days seemed like a loooong time! Next year will be her last year at school, and then on to University. Her desire at the moment is to be a veterinary surgeon. I wanted to her to be a chef, but she sussed me out on that one, and quickly declined the suggestion!
We hope soon to renew fellowship with many of you soon, as we plan to be in the UK for two months, beginning late December. Thank you all again for your continued prayers and fellowship in the Gospel.
Its that time again…Holiday Club at Grace!
This year, we’re going Pyramid Rock, so pack your rucksack, splash on your sun cream, and come along to join our adventure.
Four mornings of free fun during spring half-term, for kids from reception through to year 6.
May Half Term – this year Tuesday 26th – Friday 29th May 2013: 9.45am – 12.15pm
Holiday Bible Club is free and takes place every year during the May half term holiday and is run by church members.
Holiday Club is for all children of primary school age. We begin together each day for a quiz and some singing, then split into 3 age groups. The children move round 3 rooms through the course of the morning, participating in games, crafts, Bible stories, drama, singing and quizzes. The club is brought to a conclusion on Friday evening with a Parent’s Night – an opportunity for family members to come along and see what the children have been up to during the week.
Holiday Bible Club takes place in the Grace Centre.
Its free!
For more information, call our office on 01704-531751.
Do you dare to join us?
We are living in a secularised, globalised, multicultural world, with many believing in no “truth” except what seems right to themselves. Others doubt the relevance of any religious faith, and often question the rights of those who do believe the Christian gospel to impose their views on anyone else. Belief in Jesus is often seen as one option among many.
If you are struggling to share your faith, you are not alone. At a time when neighbours and colleagues know less and less about the good news of Jesus Christ we feel less able to communicate with them. We are “not clever enough”, or we are embarrassed or we fear being re- jected (even litigation)! Maybe it is best to stay silent!
You are invited to join like minded men to explore some of the ways in which we might engage with friends, in a way that connects with them where they are at.
The Lounge, Southport Football Club, Haig Avenue, Southport
Start with coffee at 10.00
Session One: Listening Carefully – Making Connections, Handling Questions
More coffee!
Session Two: Engaging Confidently – Using Strategies, Communicating Consequences Question time
Conclusion
Attendance is free!
The coffee is free!
You will be free to ask questions.
Anyone can come.
See you there!
For more details, call Pastor Stuart Harding, or use the contact page here.
Grace Baptist Church, Southport
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1809-1894)
(Genesis 18:14)
After years of waiting, by Abraham and Sarah for the promised son the Lord spoke into a situation of barrenness and fading hope, God, in His own appointed time determined when Isaac would be born. The appointed time in Hebrew is: “the time of life”. Sarah’s womb and Abraham’s body were considered as dead. The birth of Isaac was of the Lord’s visitation, “the time of life”. The church often seems to be in a condition of barrenness and sterility, but could this year be the “time of life”, the year of the Lord’s visitation, the time when the church will blossom and sprout, and fill its community with fruit? As we wait the Lord’s time may we be enabled to sail, and not drift, or lie at anchor! May our waiting be with patience and trust!
Last year we introduced some changes to the structure of our meetings. We started our Saturday mornings at 6.30am and with breakfast. We found that the folks were more alert and attentive to the ministry of the word after a warm breakfast, and at this early part of the day, before they go off to work. We will review things as the year progresses, but we seek to be effective in our outreach, as the Lord leads.
We had a number of new families come to camp this year, so we continue to have growing and meaningful contacts in the community. May there be a “time of life” for some this year. We did have the joy of seeing one of the children make a meaningful and definite step to seek the Lord. A young girl called Soledad, stayed behind after all the other children had left the children’s club and shared her desire to receive Christ as her Saviour. As we talked and prayed with her it was notable to see the joy on her face after I prayed. Please pray that she will grow in faith, and that her parents will not oppose or hinder the work of God.
Many of the children are not allowed to come to the children’s club after they have received confirmation in the Catholic church. However “He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” and He, the Good Shepherd, will care for His own. Pray that the Lord will grant us wisdom this year regarding all aspects of ministry in this needy township.
Ronny and Rocio lead the children’s meeting here, but last year was particularly frustrating for them as the community centre is now used frequently for various functions, where drinking to excess is the norm. The atmosphere in the place has become unfavourable, so they need to find a place they can rent, where they can have meetings without interruption. Pray that the Lord will provide such a place and soon.
Maybe the time has come for us to bring together the believers who live here, so that they can meet regularly at the weekend, within their own community. We have bussed them into Simon Bolivar on Sundays for years; perhaps this is the appointed time to consider having a more permanent ministry, with their own input and support. Pray for wisdom as we work through this proposition, and for the Lord’s clear leading.
The normal activities and ministry in the church in Simon Bolivar have continued throughout the year. We had our camp this year at another site. It belongs to the Lutheran Mission and is closer to Arequipa. We had over 70 campers, with some new faces among the regulars! Pray for a man called Enrique who attends the church periodically and has enquired about baptism. We had a long conversation on spiritual matters; pray that spiritual fruit may be increasingly evident in his life. Please also pray for one particular couple who attended the evangelistic meal; Jeanna & John. John commented afterwards, that he must go home and give serious consideration to the message he had heard. I gave him a booklet to read, but we need to water the word with prayer. Pray for the unconverted among us, that soon a “time of life”, real conversions by the regenerating power of the Spirit, may become more evident in the church.
There is a real threat of drought here in the city of Arequipa. We have had no rain for two years and there will be rationing if there is no rain soon. There is a daily growing concern among the population, particularly with the agricultural sector. But how many are concerned about the spiritual drought in the church?! The answer is, not many. The living epitaph can be written over all humanity, “there is no-one who understands, there is no-one who seeks God”. Rom 3.11. Pray that the Lord would pour out on his church the spirit of grace and supplication, the precursor for an increase of new and joy in his church.
Please pray for the Holiday Bible Club in February, that the Lord will bless the hard work of all the helpers.
Last year was like sailing against the wind, the wind of adversity in many ways. Roxy was ill almost the whole year, first with constant dizziness, a barrage of tests, and then two surgical interventions to remove a bladder stone. The good news is that now she is so much better, so we are trusting the Lord for a more active and fruitful 2015!
We had a large gathering of family and missionaries at our home for Christmas. Yours truly cooked a chicken curry for over 20 people! I am not a traditionalist, it beats turkey any day! There must be a reason why nobody eats turkeys during the rest of the year!
Melissa is off school until the beginning of March, but we are keeping her busy with various activities, classes, swimming, music, dance, etc.
For me, I have been pummelled relentlessly in the fight, but although at various times I’ve been on the canvass, by the grace of God I kept getting up to go the distance, never to be counted out! But my enemy and his cohorts will not go the distance, rather they will receive the eternal knockout, at the APPOINTED TIME!
Thank you all for your support and prayers for us as a family and for team here, in the work in Arequipa. May the Lord grant you a most blessed and spiritually prosperous 2015!
On Saturday 14th June, we are holding our Summer Fun Day at Grace. From 4.00pm – 6.00pm, we will have a Bouncy Castle, Candy Floss, Drinks and a BBQ. The Grace Art Group will also host a display of their work.
As our guest for the weekend, we will also be joined by Matt Gamston, recently returned from working for the past 10 years as a Missionary in the Philippines. Matt will be telling us about his life and work, as well as updating us on life in the Philippines after Typhoon Yolanda.
So join us if you can, from 4.00pm until 6.00pm, on Saturday 14th June.
For more details, call us on 01704-531751.
Doing everything I can to save some! An old Chinese proverb says “ a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” We can take such small steps by setting aside some traditions and trying new things to reach people with the Gospel. We may not see immediate results, but by the Grace of God such initiatives may be the first step on a journey that will lead some to salvation in Christ. We need to adapt and consider new ways in which to meet and relate to people in the community. “Cold evangelism”, which is word based only, lacks the relational, often not connecting or relating well with others. Building meaningful personal contacts affords a better platform for the gospel to be heard.
Recently we tried something different for an extended period: eight sewing classes with a number of women from the community. I am not a “crafty” person myself, but it was an opportunity to create the conditions and atmosphere for people to meet and get to know each other, building warm contacts in the community.
Last month we had the GBM Envision team with us for four weeks. We worked hard at using their talents and experience to create gospel opportunities here in Arequipa. We had four young girls with us, one of whom was Fiona, a seamstress for a small business that designs and produces costumes for dancers across Europe. Recognizing her considerable talents gave us the idea to organize sewing classes in Villa Magisterial.
We were able to gather a group of ladies from the community and during our times together they made dresses and trousers, and some clothing for children. Each meeting concluded with testimonies and a short evangelistic message. These classes provided the opportunity for the ladies to spend many hours working together. They would cut cloth and also learn how to use a sewing machine, and over the period we observed how much they appreciated attending, learning, and enjoying the final results of their handiwork! Lucresia was very encouraged when some of the ladies asked how they could go on to know the Lord.
It’s early days yet, but we pray that this contact will bear fruit and be the first step to some of these ladies coming to a true faith in Christ. This evangelistic outreach also provided a real impetus for restarting the adult meeting on a Sunday afternoon.
Pray with us that these times of communal fellowship will encourage the ladies to regularly attend the meetings. One of the ladies came with her husband, José, on the first Sunday after the classes; pray with us that we will see real sustainable growth as we meet regularly during this year. May this first step be a journey that leads some to Christ; the desired end for all activities here in Arequipa.
Pray also for Sonia, her sister had an accident and died during this period of outreach. Pray that the testimonies and messages she heard will cause her to give serious consideration to the brevity of life and judgment to come.
The girls also helped with the worship in the church at Simon Bolivar. Megumi has been a choir and orchestra leader at Queen Mary University, London, so the folk here appreciated the sweet harmony as she played her violin alongside myself on the guitar! They also baked cakes for the women’s meeting, helped in the various children’s clubs, and took part in the service at Villa Magisterial on their last Sunday. In addition of course, they also enjoyed the constant sunshine of Arequipa, as well as its culinary delights!
It was a joy for us to have this team; they had an evident desire to serve the Lord in various ways. They were even asked by a lady in the church to sing at a relatives wedding! That was not on the schedule; but typically Peruvian; last minute and improvise! They spent time with the children in all areas, and also with both Ronny & Rocio, culminating with a nice barbecue to round off their stay.
Alfredo’s wife, Suzanna recently underwent surgery. Whilst in hospital we visited her a number of times and exhorted her to seek the Lord during this period of difficulty. Pray that this recent providence will awaken her to a deeper walk with the Lord.
A young lady called Katty, who used to attend the Sunday school as a child, was also in hospital with an infection. In her case there seems to be a most evident change. She has openly repented of her sin and was at church the Sunday following her release from hospital. She has expressed her desire to serve the Lord in the church. Please pray that these initial signs of grace will deepen and that she will be given sure evidence of her salvation by the inward testimony of the Spirit. This is what we long to see, a real work of grace in people’s lives, where they will be able to say, without prompting, “the Lord has saved me”!
Pray for the evangelism in all areas, and the follow up visits in Villa Magisterial. Each Sunday we have a number who come but remain hardened and unresponsive to the Gospel. This comes as no surprise; for we know from the Scriptures how hard hearts are towards the gospel, yet we are confident that “salvation belongs to the Lord”. Even the Lord himself had to face that stark reality in his own ministry, yet He could say, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants.” (Matthew 11: 25)
Pray for couples that attend the fellowship, that we shall see in them a greater desire to serve the Lord in the church. Truly the workers are few! Pray that the Lord will raise up workers and diminish the shirkers!
We need above all else the power of the Spirit upon the ministry of the word, so blind eyes will be opened to see the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. It is said that, while Charles Spurgeon preached to huge crowds in the Metropolitan Tabernacle, the basement prayer room beneath the pulpit, was filled with some 200 praying people, and he affectionately referred to this room as ‘the fire room’. What we need is Holy Spirit FIRE. If you forget all the other points, don’t miss that one, and put it at the top of the list!
Pray for our health and strength as a family. We desire to show as much hospitality as we are able, and use our home to encourage others in their faith. May all these little steps we are able to make on our short journey here, lead to the salvation of many and all to the Glory of God. We thank you for your interest and continued support for the work here in Arequipa, as we all seek to do everything we can with the intent of saving some, and may the some be an increasing sum in the coming months!
