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Dear Friends,

Some of you prayed for my recent visit to England and New Zealand — and I want you to know how seriously God answered your prayers and to thank you sincerely for making time to partner in the gospel.

First of all, the eighteen gospel proclamations were listened to with unusual quiet and conviction. There was a genuine sense of ‘God at work’ in all the contexts and it all seemed gripped by answered prayers.

Second, there were guests (or visitors or seekers) present at every talk because the Christians had worked hard in prayer and friendship and boldness. Of course some were disappointed when people said “no” (or pulled out just before the event) but at every speaking opportunity I was introduced to complete outsiders.

Third, there was much creativity in getting events going that outsiders would attend comfortably. Two churches put on ‘parenting’ evenings with a view to explaining how to be in God’s Family (Luke 11) not just raise your own. One church had a cabaret night where I spoke after 1½ hours of music, singing and mime — but of the 108 present 54 were outsiders who felt comfortable at such a night (and who listened, without moving, to a 30-minute talk on Luke 14).

Fourth, in the challenging situations God was very gracious in answering prayers. One dinner was on the theme of ‘suffering’ (Luke 13) and there were plenty of emotional questions about “what is God doing?”. At a stand up lunch for property dealers in Mayfair, I spoke to a large room full of people on ‘heaven and hell’ then took challenging questions!

Here are some observations on the “Passion for Life” outreach in the UK:

• The churches had been sent DVD material to stir them to prayer and action and were provided with gospels, tracts and DVDs for follow up — excellently packaged.
• I was impressed to meet people who had left well-paid careers to serve in local churches at a fraction of their former salaries. They had sensed the task was increasingly urgent and wanted to give all they had to helping the gospel get out.
• As in most Western countries the ‘appeal’ of the evangelist is partly getting people to follow Christ but largely getting people to investigate Christ. Most who come as guests know nothing.
• The UK decision to focus on Luke’s gospel was very wise indeed. It took people straight to the ‘eyewitnesses’ and saved them from some topical talk that gets lost in postmodern opinions.

We must continue to “advance the gospel” every year — knowing God is making sure it happens!

Again, thanks for praying,
Yours in partnership,
Simon Manchester

P.S. My two appointments to Parish Council for 2010 are Mark Fairfull and Kathryn Tam. My thanks for their willingness to serve in this way.

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