Equip4good: The expectation of what God is doing continues to Grow

Pablo Casals was considered the greatest cellist to ever live. When he was 95 years old he was asked why he continued to practice 6 hours a day. He answered, “Because I think I’m making progress.”

And let us consider

how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

Hebrews 10:24

Over the last few months it has been difficult to describe the progress being made in gospel growth through our mission partnerships. Those who have endured and been disciplined have seen tremendous growth. During this season of confinement, for many of us our world has shrunk, maybe we've lost sight of the big picture. Maybe when we keep on saying the same thing like a sticking record, great news can fall dead on some ears, but let this sink in... many are coming to Jesus Christ across our gospel partnerships and owning the badge of discipleship as they live "sold out" to him. The ripples are stronger and wider than ever before. On many fronts God is gloriously at work, progress is increasingly being made.

We support gospel work to the poorest, most unreached, through the planting and building up of the local church. Sometimes progress seems harder and slower... but at the heart of our current great thankfulness to God is how He is blessing these partnerships through many. many, local churches. Those previously unreached are now clearly transformed by Christ, but there is still huge opportunity. Many of you will now that one of these gospel hubs is now in Kremenets, Ternopil region, Ukraine. Over the next few months several gospel enterprises will continue to accelerate in development from this base as it blesses the region and the world.

1) The training of gospel workers and commencement of a mission school, serving both Ukraine, the region and the world in the Global mission of God.

2) The encouragement of church planting both local and to unreached, both rural and urban.

3) The loving encouragement of many children and young people in need of a future, and those who have found their hope in Christ.

It is one thing for me to tell you about it - it is another to see it for yourself.

OPPORTUNITY FOR SHORT TERM MISSION TRIPS:

Kremenets 23rd-31st October - (UK Half term holiday)

With the relaxation of restrictions today, we are now able to restart the program of encouragement we planned over 18 months ago. During covid the need has grown - not only due to the pandemic but much more so the dynamic of what God is doing, and the need to provide a good support base for ongoing growth.

Our desire is to complete a second transition house at Kremenets for young people. This provides a facility for the church to care for those 16-19 years old leaving state residential care. This ministry has proved exceptionally fruitful for the gospel. Transformed lives speak for themselves, but they also tell with amazing clarity, the love, grace and power of Christ to the region and beyond. This is gospel impact at its most dynamic as young lives say "come see a man..." (John 4:29)

THE PLAN:
The opportunity is to come and see this growing work of God, to encourage the church to "not grow weary in doing good". We will work together on the lower floor of the house God enabled us to purchase by his provision back in 2019. The upper floor is inhabited by the lads who will help us with the work. This is a great opportunity for life on life encouragement. All the work will be familiar to those who have been on a trip before, low skill levels are fine, a heart to serve is essential. Extra help is particularly needed as we reconfigure the entrance and retaining wall, with some excavation and redistribution of hard standing etc. This will provide us with a more appropriate public entrance for gospel ministry and to use the building as a public centre for gospel ministry.

Many have requested we plan trips in UK school holidays to allow teachers and young people to join us. This is not always possible, here is an opportunity provided by God. For those able to spend more than one week, we are also making provision for that. For those pastors, leaders and mission workers able to explore the many gospel partnerships we have in this region and further afield there is also some opportunity to explore first-hand what God is doing and how we can continue to be a supporting partner in these exciting times of fruitfulness. If you are not able to come would you prayerfully consider supporting us in prayer pertnership and if appropriate finance to help us complete this as early as possible ?

What you need to do:

1) Get in touch

2) If you are considering coming... Work with us to buy tickets and insurance. Where possible we ask that you find funds to do this, if there is a genuine issue, please don't hesitate in sharing. God has provided before and he will again. We will help you through the process.

3) Pray for the preparations. We have some funds for materials, but if more join the team, the more materials we will need, and more progress we can make. Prayerfully consider if you or others (work colleagues/ sponsorship/ home group/ church) could help.

4) Pray that God will make you an encouragement, knowing for certain that he will equip you with everything good to do His work.

5) Fill in the forms and forward the safeguarding process asap.

6) Come prepared to serve, learn (we will start each day as a team in the bible and prayer), and give yourself wholeheartedly to the purposes of God.

7) Come prepared to be encouraged and be a vehicle of God's goodness as it overspills through you to others .

This weekend, yet more were baptised and 13 of our friends publicly came into membership of the church family we are privileged to call our family. A new church home for younger children is being purcahsed and progressed by God's goodness. This work is reaching out and impacting many - beyond our expectations. Why not sign up to being a part of this grace driven, gospel growth dynamic? God is making glorious progress, and he is calling you and me to practice our faith, to be disciplined as we encourage each other in works of service.