February 2017 update
Friday 24th February, 2017Greetings from Peter and Maureen. We are sorry that we have taken so long to send you our latest news. As you may remember, we shared in our last update that our CFM Trustees had suggested that due to the stress of the previous twelve months, we could take a six month sabbatical break. We decided to follow their advice and during that time Peter worked on his PhD thesis, which is going well. At the same time we also told you about some other pressures, which we believe are ‘Spiritual attacks’ on us and our work. On the advice of a Christian Solicitor friend, we are unable to share the details with any of our prayer partners until matters are resolved, this is unlikely to happen until next April. With this in view we would dearly value your continuing prayer until we see God bring us through the difficulties we face. We have had so many encouraging Words from The Lord and answers to prayer, and great support from our Church family .
With reference to the further biopsy on my head for another suspected Squamous Cell Carcinoma, the results were good! It was not cancerous and the hospital said they do not want to see me for another six months!
We also included a further matter for your prayers in relation to our grandson, Peter, who was due to fly to Uganda with a group from his church, led by their vicar. We asked you to pray for safety, and success in the Mission. Peter was going to give two talks as part of the week which would be the first ministry opportunities he ever experienced. He did really well, and the Lord gave him just the right message for the occasion. He is now training as a Surveyor, doing really well and travelling around the world surveying airports! Our three other grandchildren all have jobs, Katrina is a Midwife, Jack a car mechanic for Audi, and Joe is a trainee youth worker just completing his degree. Anita and Rob and Lyn and Paul have responsible jobs and all have the pressure of too much work and not enough time!
During this time of Sabbatical, I have come to realise that I do not have the stamina that I once had, and I believe that God has been speaking about a change in the direction of my ministry in the coming days. I am excited at what the Lord has been saying, and share my conclusions: Should our Lord delay in His return then the ministry of evangelism and the spread of the Gospel must continue at the same or a greater rate! My task, therefore, is to share with as many others as possible, everything the Lord has taught me. If you are interested in learning any of the following methods and techniques please let me know:
The various methods of evangelism; communicating Truth in the Digital Age. How to make and use Visual Aids (including Illusions); Share the Gospel with children, both in the open air and in schools; Reaching people in Night Clubs; Factories; Building Sites etc; How to prepare talks, and the use of illustration; The right way to prepare and share your Testimony; Counselling Adult and Child enquirers.
All this and much more, which I did start to teach some years ago in the ‘TIME SEMINAR’ but which I laid to one side deciding that it was more important to ‘carry’ rather than ‘pass on’ the baton at that time! Your continuing prayers and support will be a wonderful encouragement in this continuation of our ministry. We trialled the first session: ‘Successfully Sharing your Saviour’ here in Birmingham last weekend with very favourable results and very positive comments from people wanting to be involved in further sessions in the coming days.
Here are some upcoming dates for your prayers:
March 10th. Evangelism at St James Church, Bentley Heath, Solihull
March 12th. Providence Mission
March 19th. St John’s, Walmley – Our Christian Heritage
March 24th. St John’s, Walmley – Speaking to Messianic Jewish Group
April 5th. George Rd. Baptist Church – Passover demonstration Meal
April 8th. Perry Beeches Baptist Church – Passover demonstration Meal
April 13-16th. Easter Weekend with Appleton Independent Methodist Church, Appleton.
Thank you for your faithful support and prayers
Peter & Maureen