Spring Update part 2
Wet fish handshake anyone ?
I'll never forget the words of a mate who came into church for the first time. I'd invited him for a "guest" service. After what I thought was a reasonably clear, accurate exposition (if somewhat understated, monochrome and slightly dull presentation considering he was pointing to the cross of Jesus), I turned to my friend and asked him if he was ok and what he made of it all. He said he was “Ok”, but “can I ask you a question...?" Naively and enthusiastically, I said "course"... He said with a smile... "why does the guy who spoke, remind me of Julian Clary?"
I tried to laugh it off of course, but the wound has stayed with me for years. For the uninitiated or those tuning in around the world, ... Julian Clary is a camp, effeminate, “eye-lined” British TV personality, who has generated a trade for himself by talking in soft whimpers, whilst delivering lines intended to shock.
I learned a valuable lesson that day. Pointing people to Christ demands more than just a few gently and neatly packaged words, delivered with all the emotion of a downing street PowerPoint press conference and the passion of filling out an online census. Sharing Christ needs to be backed up by authenticity, character, a life “fully lived” like Christ (John 10:10). Jesus is THE radical reality who demands a radical response. The frustrating thing was… the image my mate went away with was not the real Jesus Christ (the true, ultimate man of men), but an insipid derivative.
I wish instead my friend could've been with us on a building trip or met those rebuilding after war and fire… met the pastors who lead by example with a shovel in the rubble. If only he could come with us in the battered transit over landmine roads, see those who run the firing frontline to keep people alive with food, and minister to those with covid when still recovering energy after being hit hard themselves. Rescuing those who have no other help, loving the unlovely, ministering to the spewing drunk or addicted thief, protecting the kid who calls the water tower, city alley or building site their home, sorting out the broken mess caused by satanic evil…
This is true, robust, selfless, non-sanitised, unvarnished coalface Christianity which commends Christ.
WHEN GOOD COMES OUT OF DISASTER:
For those living in Donbass region Ukraine, recent history has been a triple whammy, where middle class "safe" Christianity has not been an option. First the devastation of war, then the destruction of intentional fires started, and then this winter… covid. Talking to many at this time, I was shocked by how unphased they were as coronavirus took hold. It wasn’t that they didn’t understand the danger, or that they had anything prepared ready to help (medical or heating supplies included), it was simply that shock suffering has become a routine way of life in some parts of our world, and all sorrow is relative. If you or a member of your family hasn’t died then it is (relatively) not yet as bad as living in a warzone.
Genesis 50 recounts a dramatic conclusion following a split family tragedy. Amidst famine, prejudice, hunger and hatred, God worked out his plan of grace. In fact, he even used the worst of unravelling moments to weave together a fresh tapestry of rescue in His provision.
What looked bad has turned out for Good. (Gen 50:20 “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”)
A young man called Jo was displaced, through rejection and ill-treatment.
By God’s grace he became a leader of men, and from this position God continued
to outwork through him, his plans of salvation. This story is mirrored many
times in Donbass, and across many countries where we have friends. The worst of
tragedies can be the foundation of the best of men under God. We are thankful
for many true men, who minister to this generation in this situation.
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| Christmas Aid leads to many hearing of hope in Christ for the first time. |
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| Thank God for the team and their communication of the greatest story ever told, and the greatest gift ever given to humankind. Pray that this will continue to impact many. |
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| Kirill - A man of many talents (musician, builder, camerman and smiling slimline Santa.) |
HERE ARE 5 THINGS TO PRAY FOR:
1) EXPANDING CHURCHES NEED EXPANDING BUILDINGS.
Several new church plants situations have emerged as a result of humanitarian aid evangelism and community outreach in Donbass. Add to them the churches planted in the last 12-18months (who have quickly outgrown their premises) and existing hub/ sending churches who are overfull due to those who have recently come into the family of grace. There is a real need for new buildings to go up, and for pastors and teams to be supported to work in them. Thank God for people like Sasha, but this is the beginning – not the end of the story, we need to see many younger men coming into gospel work. Are you able to help us in this pivotal time of financial sponsorship or help us with building (either materially or coming with us to “give a lift” to those rebuilding)?
2) CASH IS SCARCE, SO THE CHURCH IS BEING IMAGINITVE
When this “full orbed” Christianity is in full flow, a church premises becomes more than a place to keep hymnbooks. Humanitarian aid, potatoes, coal and fuel, basic food supplies, spare shoes, jumpers, coats and helpful publications, all need storage, and sadly so do many displaced peoples. Where would you and your children sleep as a displaced family, if the church you called your temporary home was burned down? Add to this the growing number of rehabilitation ministries, all with their own needs to help those maimed, addicted, emotionally scarred, traumatised. Then there are the many, many children and young people who have lost family, parents and their “childlike innocence” because of what they have witnessed. Is it possible for the church to minister to all these needs? Yes they are doing so as they “multi-steward” what God is providing. Churches have become surgeries in every sense…where eyes, teeth and other physical issues can be addressed. Churches have become counselling centres where the careful and trained processing of trauma can start to be addressed.
- Pray that new churches built will be multifunctional and fit for purpose in reaching out to many and in the fullness of the gospel (both in truth and care).
- Pray for our role in helping these initiatives, along with our networking / sending / supporting of worldwide practitioners and business aid development.
One of the things greatly used of God in the initial phase was the bakery, supplying food to many supporting church planting, gospel workers and work. Sadly, covid has ripped through what little employment was available. Whilst the Bakery has done what it can to provide employment, the dynamics are not as favourable as they once were. Not many can afford bread, costs have remained the same as some street prices have plummeted. We are thrilled to hear how many have come to Christ through working with Christians in these business ventures, as they’ve daily rubbed shoulders with those transformed by Christ and seen radical selfless love in action. Pray for our precious friends in their early days of faith and integration into the local churches.
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| Some good friends receive lemons and oranges to help in recovery after covid. |
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| A typically full church for another gosepl presentation. |
All this has put extra urgency on us getting the farm up and running as soon as possible. We would love to increase the possibility of egg production to support gospel workers and work. Pray for this and that funds will come in for us to help with this.
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| God's wonderful provision of potatoes are neatly stacked ready for distribution to the frontline needy the following day. Praise God for these and precious servants of God who dispense with love. |
3) DISPLACED PEOPLES ARE NETWORKING TOGETHER
Once upon a time, when Donetsk airport first became a wasteland, many lost their homes and relocated to other parts of Ukraine and sometimes other countries.
RETURNING WITH HOPE: Now with lives somewhat rebuilt in other regions, many of these precious folks have become our friends across the country, and a growing number of people are regularly returning short term to Donbass, sharing their story of hope in Christ, love, and humanitarian aid. Some bring fuel or food, some minister to specific people groups like the Roma people. Some have good reputations in the area they came from and now return to explore church expansion or planting. We are grateful to God for this kind of strategic move, whereby these displaced friends now with employment and physical security are more able to help and overflow with generosity. Thank God for this growing network of fruitfulness, that we belong to.
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| Roma community friends gather to hear the proclamtion of Christ. |
SCATTERED WITH THE GOSPEL: Some who left the region, went to other countries. Was this a disaster or God’s way of sending the gospel elsewhere? It is more emerging that the second is true.
4) WHEN TIMES ARE HARD, NEW LEADERS EMERGE. PRAY FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF CHURCH LEADERS.
When the going gets tough… the tough get going. We are praying Hard for an army of young men who own Christ and model Him in this tough environment. We want to do all we can to encourage, support and train these men as the church grows, offering any PLD which may be helpful. Pray for our help in this, the diversity of needs, and our ongoing encouragement and bringing together of others in the network of Urban, Rural and Hub church plants. There is a greater need than ever for new gospel workers to be released into ministry, and so we are including this in our long-term plans of training, resource, PLD and mentoring.
5) WE ARE COMITTED TO THIS LONG TERM.
Praise God the Donbass church is far from shrinking away. It is thriving, growing, developing, and increasingly purposeful and strategic. We remain committed to this situation and by God’s grace will do so, all the more.
At this pivotal moment (exiting this phase of covid), the crucial need remains to get the farm and business ventures up and running whilst the good weather emerges. This will be huge for those in need. We might not be able to go and help practically as planned yet, but maybe you would kindly help folks at this strategic time to know we are with them in spirit. Pray hard whatever, please give if you can.
FOLLOW UP STEPS
If you have mates who need to see real MANSIZED Christianity in action – or simply want to remind yourself what it looks like - You’re very welcome to join us at any time. As soon as we are permitted, we’ll be there again… building and rebuilding, encouraging humanitarian aid, helping those who help addicts, sharing Christ with those who have literally nothing. Some trips are especially geared for bringing unchurched mates. Don’t miss that opportunity.
If you want to take an easier (“whimpier” 😉 ) step first, why not invite us over to your Men Only Meet (breakfast or BBQ we don’t mind - we’re up for any red meat) and we’ll give you a window on what’s going on. We’re taking provisional bookings now.
If you want to think more about who the real Jesus Christ is.., we thoroughly recommend these two books…
https://www.keithjones.co.uk/REAL-LIFE-JESUS-9781844742189/?cat=
https://www.keithjones.co.uk/the-man-christ-jesus-9781433513053/?cat=95
