Tim and Tanya Davies - UK |
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Christ Church Central Prayer Letter Summer 2008
Dear Friends
The last year has been exciting and challenging and we are facing our biggest change since starting out nearly five years ago when we close what we currently do and start two new congregations in October – but more of that shortly.
Highlights of the year for which we praise God.
- Paul Robinson starting at Oak Hill in Sept 07 with funding in place and his wife Karen securing a medical job nearby despite chaos in the medical appointments.
- Pete and Claire Jackson returning from Oak Hill this summer ready to start ministry with us in Sept 08 and funding in place for his first year’s salary
- Purchase of a Bus! After much prayer we were able to buy a converted double-decker to use for the work amongst the homeless- currently being repaired with the aim of getting it on the road for use in the Autumn.
- Growing friendship with Rotherham Evangelical Church and minister Ian Jones. A well attended mission weekend there in May supported by Gamma teams from Central including women’s evening and youth event.
- Our first two Apprentices Oli Bugden and Jim Begg have completed their year offering great service and learning much along the way.
- Salvation Army Hostel offering us a space for the Youth to meet on Sundays
- Christianity Explored, a good number of people have completed the course during the year meeting at Tim and Tanya Davies’ house
- Student and International ministries continue to thrive. This summer will see a number of our ‘long term’ Internationals head home.
- We look forward to our first Wedding in Egerton Hall this August. Please pray for David and Sam.
- Tim Davies’ recent involvement (leading workshops in Evangelism and Church Planting) in the recent GAFCON conference in Jerusalem.
Challenges ahead for which we value prayer
- In October we multiply to two congregations on Sundays meeting at 4 and 6 pm during term time. This has huge implications for all our ministries especially Gamma teams (small groups) who serve on Sundays, Youth as we add a 14+ group and music as we seek to run two music teams. Please pray for grace and patience as we work out the practical implications – but above all for new life in Christ as we make room for more newcomers week by week to come and hear the Gospel.
- New leadership team as Pete Jackson returns to head up Students, Training and the Gamma Team net work and Matt Thompson moves across to lead Children, Youth and Families ministry.
- Chris Houghton, a Sheffield graduate who has been in the church for 3 years, will take up his post as this year’s Apprentice with special responsibilities in Youth, Students and Music.
- Bus Ministry – for the time and people to train people to drive it and to keep it on the road – and for a strong team to build a ministry amongst the vulnerable people in the city centre.
- Meeting place – we continue to meet at the Late Bar and multiplying to two meetings will ease congestion but we have no long term contract here and have no other alternatives now that we have entirely outgrown Egerton Hall.
- International Ministry will continue to thrive under the leadership of Bill and Sheila Fearnehough and that the new members of their team will add strength in numbers as they deal with many new contacts mostly from China and Taiwan.
Please pray for us all that we would continue to keep at the heart of everything we do the need to make Jesus known to all that we meet.
Yours in Jesus’ fellowship and service
Christ Church Central