London day 7

Dear Prayer Partners,

Wow, what a week. We have seen God do some amazing things in us and through us during our week in Camden. It has truly been a blessing to be here this week and make the name of Jesus famous.

We know though that we would not have had such a tremendous week with out your faithful prayers. Thank you for lifting up this team and for lifting up the Camden area of London.

We were able to accomplish much in our area. God led us to pray for many people, over many streets, and over many stumbling blocks that veil the truth of the gospel.

We were also able to engage many people. Through our engagements we were able to encourage a few believers, learn much about the community, and share the gospel to many people.

Each of us have many stories of God's graciousness in our prayers and engagements. We will try to update the blog with some of the stories when we return. Please ask us when you see us as we will be happy to report back to you all that God did through our work.

Thank you again for your prayers. Please continue to pray for our safe return and for Gods continued movement to the people of Camden. Here are a couple of pics from last night as we did our Westminster prayer walk, and today.










Starting out on our last walk.









Pub where Camden Town Church meets to build relationships.




Pub where many "goths" meet.




Arlington House, a homeless shelter where Camden Town Church meets and ministers.

Thanks for praying!




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

London day 6

Dear Prayer Partners,

Thanks for your prayers. We have had a great day today. Prior to the rain, we were led to several streets that had many strongholds. We felt that God led us to each of the establishments to pray that they would stop being used for veiling people from the truth. In these streets we saw a witchcraft society, a mosque, two mosque cultural centers and a school where teachers were wearing Islamic attire as well as a Hindu society. It was evident that the god of this world was using these buildings to keep people veiled from the knowledge of God through the truth of Jesus (2 Cor. 4:3-6). Please join us in praying that God will shine His light into this dark area.




Around lunch time it became very rainy. In fact, I have never heard thunder in London and I did today. But despite the rain we were still able to accomplish much praying and engaging. It was almost as if when we sought shelter from the periods of heavy rain that God led another person right to us to engage.

One example was Tom. Tom is a university student and was very interested in telling us about the differences between London and the cities outside of London, encouraging us to take time to get to know the UK outside of London. We were able to use that as a bridge to talk about Jesus, asking if the areas outside of London followed Jesus more so than those inside London. He then spoke to us at length about all of UK not being very
religious, and that most people don't think about Jesus. We asked him what his thoughts were and he said that Jesus was a basically good man who was a good leader / communicator but that his followers who wrote about him probably lied. We then shared how some people we knew think of Jesus as being a liar, Lord, or lunatic but if Jesus said what he said in the Bible all people must think in one of those terms. He said he had never thought of it in that manner, and said he would think on it. Please be in prayer for Tom,pray that he will read his Bible and think about who Jesus really is, our Lord, Savior, and Treasure.

Later we were able to make a connection with a new church plant pastor. Pete is the pastor of Camden Town Community Church. We learned about this new church plant earlier in the week and were able to set up a time to meet up with him today. In this meeting we were able to learn more about the church planting work than we have learned in 3 years. Camden Town Church is active in reaching many in this post christian community. Please be in prayer though for conversions. He specifically asked that we pray for Lucy and Jamie, that they will continue to develop a friendship with Pete and his family and come to know Christ.

Here is a picture of Pete (on left) with Marc.




We have one more day. Please pray for us to finish strong!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

London day 4 and 5

Dear prayer partners,

We appreciate your prayers. Please be in prayer for us, we have not been able to update the blog as often and do apologize for that. We have two days left please pray right now that God will continue to do a great work in our lives, that we will have energy for the last two days, and that we can be used for His glory and namesake in the areas we walk, pray, and engage.

Here is a brief account of what has taken place over the past two days.

On tuesday we again went out two by two. The area we walked was perhaps one of the darkest areas, according to Frank, that he has ever worked. It has a older non-religious secular population, mixed with growing influences of gangs and Islam. It seems as if the young people only have two choices, gangs or Islam.

One of the men we talked with today is Greg. He is a reggae singer and really needs prayer. Please pray that the veil that is covering his mind from the truth will be lifted. He has some working knowledge of God and Jesus, but does not believe that Jesus is the only way. Believes the Bible is Gods true revelation but that man has changed some of it. He does have a Bible, please pray that because of our conversation that he will read through it again, especially the book of John.

Another sample of people we talked with was a goth couple who were getting married. They committed that they celebrate life by celebrating death. This allowed for one in our group to share the gospel, unfortunately, like most, they accept that many people can have different beliefs.

Here are some pics from Tuesday and today, our free day.













President heard we were in town, so he decided to drive past our group.








Thanks for your prayers. Please pray for our two remaining days!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

London day 3

Today was a very good day. We were able to pray and engage people in a large area in central Camden. We are going out two by two for the rest of the week praying, engaging, and Lear if about the area. Each team was able to engage several individuals today and share the gospel.

Here are some of the people, please keep them in your prayers.

Jessica, works in the area, not religious but just in case feels secure in being christened.

Richard, pastor of Kentish Town Congregational Church. Church had 1500 around WWII but dwindled to 8 three years ago, but has grown to 20. He was every excited and encouraged by our prayer walking. P,ease pray for this laborer as he works to reach this community. He is often spit upon by the growing Muslim population in the immediate area around the church.

Joan, thinks that if she ends up life being more good than bad then she will end up alright.

All in all, we had several conversations, learned a lot, prayed a lot, and was able to make Jesus' name famous. It was disheartening though that almost every conversation was with someone who had no real understanding of the gospel and did not think that they needed Gods grace through the gospel.

During the evening, we went on a prayer walk through the City borough. During the walk a beautiful rainbow crossed over the Thames river. It was a great reminder of God, his beauty, his promises, and that we have this ministry by his mercy so we will not be discouraged.

Thank you for your prayers!!

Here are a few pics of the day...

















- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:London

London day 2: "If you are hungry you will eat anything"

Today was a great day of worshipping with friends from Kings Cross as well as High Gate Chapel. Both congregations have such sweet people and have a heart for reaching out. Please keep these two churches in your prayers.

Last night we heard a presentation from a former Imam sharing about his conversation and then discussing how we as Christians can share the Gospel with Muslims. It was very interesting, but one thing that captured us was his statement, "if you are hungry you will eat anything". He said this in reference to people converting to Islam because the churches dying and people are hungry for something.

We have found this very true today. The church, for the most part, in and round this city is dying, leaving people to eat on what is available. We saw people today eating on Islam, Secularism, drugs and alcohol, evolution, and religious tradition. It is as this picture states, anything and everything that is sacred has been turned upside down.



There are three types of churches here. The most prevalent is the one who has lost confidence in the authority and truth of scripture and instead focuses on the social good as the gospel. The other is believers who want to make a defensive stand against society, build up a wall of protection around themselves and wait for the rapture. Lastly, we see small pockets of believers such as Kings Cross and High Gate Chapel. Members of the body who believe in the truth of scripture and who are trying to speak the Gospel into their communities.

Please pray for them and for those like them, in fact "pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest field" (Luke 10:2).

Here are some pics of our day, prayer walking and engaging...


















George, looking for a song to get published so he can get started in life. Not religious. Please pray for George, pray that we can find him again this week and be able to share more truth of the Gospel. prY that Gods grace would shine upon him. Pray that God will move in his life and show George that there is a God who exists, loves him, and has a way to forgive him and redeem him.




Here is Jody and Stephen (right side on side walk) getting into a conversation and having opportunity to share the gospel. Please pray for the couple they are talking within the picture that they would come to understand the truth that was shared to them. As of now, per their words, they slightly believe in evolution.

Please continue to pray for our safety in walking from traffic and injury. Please pray for eyes of insight, to not get distracted, and for meaningful engagements where we can speak the truth of the Gospel.

Cheers
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:London

Day 1

Team all arrived safely! We had a very long day and very tiring day. After landing we went to explore areas we would be walking and even got to engage a couple of people for the first time.

One of our biggest prayer request was for Matt to arrive after making his tight connections of planes. As he landed in Atlanta he knew there was no way he would make it on the Boston plane because they were already late. He tried to rebook on the atlanta flight but there was no seats. So he went to Boston thinking he will miss the plane to London. However the Boston plane was held up, it was waiting on a part to arrive, a part, that was on Matt's plane! Thankfully, God allowed a part to allow a delay that enabled Matt to not miss the plane and therefore miss out on two days with the team.

Here is the pic of all the team reunited at the airport.





Thank you for your prayers of safe arrival. Please keep praying for safety, eyes of insight, wisdom, and engaging opportunities.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:London

Pre trip day 3

Today was a great day of renewing friendships, discussing the work God is doing and praying with friends for Gods grace to be showered onto London.

We first met up with friends from Southside Baptist who are from Huntsville and are working in a neighboring borough. It was good to hear southern accents again. They are doing a great work and it was neat to see how God, according to the pastor, was actually using London to change perspectives and vision for their own outreach back home. It is true, you are able to see the world in London and it will change your heart for the nations!

Next, we met up with our friend Pastor Andrew. We had a nice lunch with him right off a street named Hunter Street. It is exciting to hear about his vision for Kings Cross Baptist. Please be in prayer for Andrew and for the leadership at the church as they are seeking Gods wisdom on some major decisions that will impact their current and future ministry.

Next, we had dinner with our friend Andrew Hill, and his family. He is the pastor of Highgate Chapel and is working hard to equip and mobilize the 30 believers at Highgate to reach out in their neighborhood. The church is located within a short walk for over 10,000 students, which according to Andrew, 98 to 99% have no real access and knowledge of the true gospel message. Please join us in praying for possibilities to join Andrews church in reaching out to this great need.

Lastly we walked up to Parliment Hill and looked out over the city. What a massive city of the world's population. May God grant us opportunity to participate and be found faithful workers for His namesake!

Here are a few pics from the day...




The old Clink courthouse, mentioned by Charles Dickens in Oliver Twist.





Pastor Andrew and Frank at Kings Cross








Local park where small groups of community hang out. Please pray for relationships to be started so that he gospel can be shared to groups of people such as these.





Pastor Andrew Hill's daughter, Sarah, and her very delicious dessert (or pudding) as they call dessert, of baked meringue with fresh fruit.








Frank outside of George Orwells home in Camden.

Short video of London skyline from Parliament Hill. Please pray for the welfare of this city as well as for our upcoming week of work.

Until next time, Cheerio!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:London

Pre trip day 2

Today was a great day of meetings. We were able to spend time with the IMB leaders as well as our own Jane Trimm and Pastor Barry at Illford Baptist church.

Tomorrow will be another day of meetings as we will meet with two other local pastors as well as another group that is here doing work from the states.

Here a couple of pictures from today.





You may recognize Illford Baptist as the place we did a VBS last summer. This church is doing a great job in reaching out to it's community. Please continue to pray for Illford and for it's pastor, Barry.








Here is Pastor Barry showing us a new building that is being constructed for their "Welcome Center". It will be used to help feed and house homeless persons and others who have just left drug rehabilitation centers.




Here is the preschool program, for those who went on the VBS team last year this is the room where we took in the kids and had the walls all decorated in cowboy and cowgirl posters.




Here is our own Jane Trimm (with Frank) outside of Illford highroad. Please keep Jane in your prayers as she will be transitioning to work with the Olympics coming in 2012.




Speaking of Olympics, here is the Olympic stadium, it is only a few train stops away from Illford.

Lastly, I will leave you with a pic of a favorite treat, a dark chocolate magnum bar! A very good treat, and for those select few who would be interested, no, Frank did not eat one!




Cheerio, and thanks for your continued prayers!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:London

Back to work!

We are back in the city, and looking forward to seeing what God is going to do in and through out team. Two of us came up early for some meetings and the rest will join us in a couple of days.

It started to rain on us today, and it reminded me to pray for God to clear this city of it's idols. To bring a washing and out pouring of His power to the streets and to penetrate the harden hearts of a post modern secular culture. The task is great, but our God is greater.

We need your prayers! Please pray for safe travels for the guys coming over to join us, pray for energy, pray for us to have spiritual insight, pray that we won't get distracted.

We can't do this with out your prayers, thank you.

Here are some pics from today.












And finally, Nandos Food!








Cheerio and thank you for your prayers!

Location:London