Greetings from Kev in Kathmandu - Newsletter 1

Hello,

Well, I’ve been in Nepal for just over a week now and so much has happened – a lot to take in, to learn and to prepare for - a lot to give thanks for too!

After a relatively problem free journey, I received a great welcome and had my first experience of the sights and sounds of Kathmandu.  This was sadly marred when I realized that evening that I had lost my passport after arrival.  Being the sort of guy who likes to double check all the details, I was shocked that this could happen – but somehow I’d managed it!  Thank you to everyone who prayed about this – shortly after your meeting, I learnt that the passport had been found by a local man, who had notified the British Embassy!

The first task I have been asked to take on is the leading of the children’s devotionals.  These are held each evening for the orphanage children - I will give a bible talk and also pray with them for anything which is on their minds.  They do a brilliant job of leading the worship themselves.  Most are born again believers, and meeting the group for the first time, I was struck by the depth of faith in these young people - it was a moving experience.  This does necessitate, though, that the bible talks include meaning and application, rather than simply reading a children’s story.  The group know me as “Kevin Uncle” – it’s phrased that way in Nepal.  These particular children understand English, so no interpreter is needed.  They study English at school, so my giving the talks in English will help them in this area also.

Most churches meet on Saturdays, as Sunday is a working day in Nepal. The services are wonderful - even though I can’t understand what is being said.  My first preach will probably be on Saturday 31^st, when Pastor Min Raj will do the interpreting.

Next up, in February, is an outreach in the west of the country – about 500 miles from Kathmandu.  A similar one last year, in South Nepal, saw 1,000 people coming to faith and greater fruit is hoped for this year.  The details and the follow up are handled by the churches in the area, since strengthening the local church is seen as the key way forward in Nepal.  I will be involved – but don’t yet know how, yet!.  Please pray for protection over these plans.  The main danger is that a bund could be called.  A bund is a sort of general strike and although peaceful, it does mean that roads are closed, which would make it impossible for people to travel to the events.

In March, bible school reconvenes after it’s break.  The school takes students who have been recommended by churches from across Nepal.  Age range is 18-60, although the majority are at the younger end of the band.  I will be teaching in the bible school – a tremendous privilege which I am looking forward to.  I have to admit to feeling under-qualified for the responsibility this carries, so please pray that students will gain much benefit and for the Holy Spirit’s guidance to ensure that I teach biblical truth.

There will also be some practical work – in the tradition of Soapbox projects.  The ministry occupies two buildings which include church, orphanage, bible school and pastor’s accommodation.  These are in need of some maintenance and re-painting and thanks to generous support, it will be possible to at least start this work soon.  On the painting side, my role will be to help and support the professionals.  It is also hoped to build a prayer room on the roof of the bible school for local people to use on a 24hr basis.

Many, many thanks to everyone who has supported this work in different ways – your support means so much and has made a huge difference.

Please pray for God’s continued protection over the great working relationships which have already been established.  Not only are they a joy – they are also vital to my work here.

    

With best wishes from a clear, bright Kathmandu!

Kev Whitby

Operation Mustard Seed 2014

During the summer at SBC we run a campaign entitled ‘Operation Mustard Seed’, with the purpose of attempting to engage everyone in missions, both locally and globally. We aim to do this in three ways; giving, going and growing. We believe that everyone can be involved in some way in the mission of the people of God and the work of reaching our world with the Gospel. Whether that is giving your time, energy and resources to support the amazing work already taking place, or going out into the community to support those in need, or simply by growing in your understanding of the issues and challenges our current world faces, everyone can do something. We encourage and promote these opportunities in various different ways, but in order to help us focus and unite on a particular issue we have a different theme for each year.

In 2014 that theme is ‘Sowing in Prayer … Reaping a Harvest’.

Imagine the impact that could be had if everyone connected with SBC focused on praying together this summer? Prayer is not an ‘easy way out’ when it comes to the work of mission; it has a vital and significant role to play.

At various times during our Sunday Morning Celebrations through the summer we will have an opportunity to pray for the fantastic work going on across our world, but our particular focus this summer is going to be praying for our very own communities.

We have divided the Scunthorpe and North Lincolnshire area into 8 key zones and are committing to prayer walks in each of them. These will be an opportunity for us to gather together and sow significant faith-filled prayers into our neighbourhoods, believing that we serve a God who can transform lives.

Each zone may approach the prayer walks different, and they will likely all have unique elements and focuses, but we are really hoping that God will break our hearts again for the places in which we live, and that as a result of our obedience and our faith we will begin to see a harvest for His kingdom right here in Scunthorpe & North Lincolnshire.

For information please check out this podcast from the Launch at SBC: http://tinyurl.com/m2pj6dr

If you have any questions and want to know more please contact Tom MacDonald (tom@scunthorpebaptist.co.uk)

Let’s get sowing!

Finding the Person of Peace

Jesus has many names, titles and characteristics attributed to His name; a name which stirs up many images and thoughts. However, one thing you are perhaps less likely to recall to mind when pondering Jesus is His strategic nature. It might not be His most striking attribute but it is nevertheless a very important part of His personality.

Jesus is extremely strategic. It was no accident that He called the men He called, took the routes he travelled, ate in the company he entertained, told the parable He communicated, met the people He encountered, lived the way He lived, and ultimately died the way He did. Jesus was intentional, planned, calculated and strategic in so many things; including evangelism.

In Luke 9 & 10 we see Jesus sending out His disciples with power and authority to proclaim the Good News and the message of the Kingdom of God, and in doing so He gives them a plan of action.

⁴ Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. ⁵ “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ ⁶ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. ⁷ Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.

⁸ “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. ⁹ Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ ¹⁰ But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, ¹¹ ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’ 

Jesus doesn't tell them to gather a large crowd and run a conference, or find the believers in the towns and villages and start a church; instead he charges them with the task of finding the Person of Peace. The strategy is plain and simple; find the Person of Peace and stay with them, eat with them and live with them. Jesus knows that better than scattering seed everywhere is to find the good soil first and plant there. If the disciples can find the Person of Peace in every home and every village they have a chance of sharing the Good News effectively.

So what are the attributes of a Person of Peace? Well they are someone who;

SHALOM

Let me give you some examples.

When I was younger we would regularly have a BBQ for friends and neighbours. Most of the time people would turn up on time or late with all kinds of stuff, but there was always one woman who came early to help setup, prepare food, greet guests, make drinks, and generally SERVE. This might not seem particularly spiritual but it showed willingness and warmth towards us. This could make her a Person of Peace to my family.

Also, I recently met an alcoholic man in my street. His life had fallen to near ruin and he was really struggling, so we began to meet together and after sometime it developed into praying together. It seemed every time I walked into the shop at the end of our road he was in there, often in a bad way, buying more drink. A few months passed and suddenly my friend moved out of town. The next week after he left I found myself in the shop talking to the shopkeeper and the conversation turned to my friend and his whereabouts. The assistant asked me “why do you care so much for this man?” and I was able to explain that I had been praying with him and believing that there was still hope in his life beyond the bottom of a bottle. The shopkeeper was a little shocked, but his reaction was not of disgust that we prayed together, but of interest that someone could care for another human being enough to go out of their way for them. The shopkeeper was very ATTRACTED by my lifestyle and OPEN to the story I had to tell.

And sometimes in life there are people who just LIKE you. You have a connection, chemistry, a special bond. That is what makes them your Person of Peace, and it is a unique relationship that only you can have.

In the New Testament we see many People of Peace. We have the Ethiopian Eunuch hearing the Gospel, Cornelius welcoming Peter into his home and then mobilising his family, Lydia whose heart was opened to the message by the river, or the jailer who witnessed Paul and Silas in prison. These are all people who in some way pass the SHALOM test and prove themselves to be a Person of Peace.

So who are the People of Peace in your world?

How are you going to be more strategic in finding out?

(Written by Tom MacDonald on behalf of SBC)

Reveal Week 7 - Keys to Freedom

"The whole planet is waiting for Christian believers to rise up as the adopted sons and daughters of Abba, Father." - Mark Stibbe

As Lent was drawing to an end for another year we found ourselves at the last Reveal session at SBC. Over the weeks the journey has been fun, uniting, a blessing, and a real challenge. We have seen the vast contrast in our state as orphans and heirs, and we have discovered so much about our Father in heaven, as well as what he says and feels about us. Reveal cannot go on forever, but our need to continually pursue the heart of God must never end.

As people arrived for the final time we had very much wanted to strip back the evening and make sure the real focus of the night was on seeking God. After weeks of different tools and strategies for conveying truths and ideas, we want the true legacy of Reveal to be a church even more passionate and equipped to seek after God and enjoy being in His presence. As people rested, prayed and read the word in the presence of God together, it was so exciting and obvious to see just how much easier as a group we now found this discipline, and how much more comfortable we all were at just being left to spend time with God on our own and in our own way. Learning to enjoy the opportunities we get to be with God is a fantastic outcome of Reveal.

I honestly believe we could have allowed people to stay in that spiritual place for another hour and everything would have been great, but the time came to draw people together and begin to do a few different things.

Firstly, we were all given a card. The card asked us to consider what we had learnt about God, what we had discovered about ourselves, and also asked us to consider what might need to happen in our lives in order to cement and affirm the things that God has done in our lives. We encouraged people to share this with someone, and together make a commitment to not just move on and forget, but instead try and make a moment and a covenant like agreement with God and a friend. After we had all filled in our cards and shared with a friend, we prayed that God would seal these things on our hearts, and that we would never go backwards, but from this day forward live in light of what he has revealed to us. 

It seemed only right to gather everyone together and to close the night, and the Reveal sessions, by praying for one another. Karen Hodgson came forward to be prayed for, but believed that she was standing for more than just herself but on behalf of family, friends and the church. After a short time of sharing and considering what God might be saying we began to pray, and as various people continued to lift up words of praise, adoration and petition to God, there was a real sense of Him moving and speaking to us collectively. On several occasions words were given, often with the theme of farming, including such things as seeds, sowing and reaping. The unified sense was that God (with us) had been planting seeds, and although it might have looked like a famine so far, the only way to break the cycle is to keep sowing and know that it will end and one day a crop will come. That time is coming.

Reveal has been a journey. A discovery of the highs and lows of our lives with and without God. We have been challenged to consider just exactly who we are in Christ, what our response to our Fathers love should be, and how comfortable are we in His presence. Thankfully, together as a family we have taken a step forward and I believe it is a significant step towards God releasing a new harvest in our lives, our church, our community and beyond. 

Thank You Father that You do reveal more of Yourself to us. We commit that we will continue to seek after You, knowing that You desire to be found, and You want a deeper relationship with us all. You have taught us so much, you have opened our eyes to the truth of our spiritual adoption, and You have given us as fresh desire to know You more. Now we simply ask that You would fan the flames!


Tom & Debbie  

Reveal Week 6 - The Cycle of Grace

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;your works are wonderful, I know that full well." - Psalm 139

Over the Reveal weeks we have covered, considered and challenged a huge range of topics and issues. As we came to consider the cycle of grace (see Mark Stibbe, From Orphans to Heirs) we recognised that throughout the sessions we have, in different ways, already well covered the elements of the cycle relating to 'Acceptance' and 'Sustenance'. However, that is only half of the story. We realised that now it was time for us to move forward through the cycle and take on the challenge of 'Significance'. In other words, we had spent many weeks considering our journey from slavery to sonship, from orphan to heir, and we had spent a lot of time seeking God and asking Him to reveal to us more of what he has done for us in adopting us as children. Now was the right time to think about what significance looks like as children of God. 

We started the night by gathering people in the hall in seated groups of 7, with refreshments of course. After explaining the cycle of grace for a few moments we asked the groups to move one chair in to the middle of the circle and take in turns to sit on the seat. As they were in the middle the other people in the group would pray for them, prophesy over them, encourage them with words and testimonies, and hopefully help them to understand that they are significant and loved. We intentionally gave no other guidance in terms of time limits or orders, and once the groups got started they spent a significant amount of time with each person, tailoring the time for each different person. 

It was fantastic to see peoples reactions. At first some were shy, sceptical or uncertain. However, as the groups moved through everyone individually you could sense a lift in the room, as people began to hear just how significant and special they are in God. You could hear people sharing stories about how someone's actions or conduct had inspired them. Testimonies of times people had been there when they needed a friend, or had shared a word in the past that had made a difference. Prophesies, pictures, encouragement and words of knowledge were all being freely released and proclaimed over 40 people from Scunthorpe Baptist Church and you could see the impact it made.

It became clear very quickly that this was a significant time for many people and so we decided to dedicate almost the entire evening to people receiving affirmation and blessings. However, significance is not the last section of the cycle of grace. There is also the need to move forward again to achievement. With this in mind we asked everyone to gather in a circle, and proclaimed that as children of God we have access and rights to more of His kingdom than is currently being realised, and so we need to pray again for healing, release and revelation. As everyone gathered around one by one people began to move in to the middle and ask for prayer. Each time someone would pray on behalf of the group, and together we stood believing that now as significant children of God we would begin to see or 'achieve' great things for God. The sense of unity, love and faith in those moments was both tangible and in many ways overwhelming.

It is impossible to know all of the words, prayers and prophesies given to everyone who was at Reveal that night, but I am certain that as people left for home they all had a fresh sense of just how precious and significant they are to God, but also to each other as a family at SBC.

Reveal Week 5 - Slavery to Sonship

“Discipline in the spiritual life is the concentrated effort to create the space and time where God can become our master and where we can respond freely to God’s guidance.” – Henri Nouwen

Throughout Reveal we have tried to create a variety of opportunities and ‘events’ that evoke all sorts of emotions, thoughts and questions. Many of these have been designed specifically to help everyone go on a journey through the specific concept and idea we want to explore. In almost all of these cases we have made sure that we have given a strong indication of what we want people to consider, and hinted at how we might want them to do it. This structure has allowed people to have direction in their pursuit of God, but at the same time allowed them to explore God in new ways with freedom. However, this week we very much stripped back the structure of the evening. Reveal is a fantastic evening for people to come and be taken on a journey towards an increased or new revelation of the Father, but we cannot always rely on using planned events to seek after God. We want people to face the challenge of just giving God free time and space in their lives.

As people arrived at Reveal this week they were asked to consider the ways in which they had become ‘slaves to law’. In other words, what rituals, processes, structures or disciplines had they placed in their lifestyle that were not birthed from a genuine desire for the Father, but more an attempt to please and earn the love of God. Having pondered these aspects of their faith life, they were encouraged to write them down. Following on from this they were encouraged to take the piece of paper outside and lay it down on the fire pit that was burning away. As they returned indoors from laying down these things before God, everyone was encouraged into the Sanctuary where a space had been created for them to be with God.

In the Sanctuary there were a few stations designed to give people a creative outlet in prayer, and some people immediately took the opportunity to spend some time painting, drawing, sculpting and writing. However, many others just rested in God’s presence, listening to the gentle worship music, or reading through some scriptures.

For many people the chance to give so much time to God is not normal or even easy. It is a great challenge to us all to become more comfortable with spending time with God, and not only when it is a well-planned and structured event. After a significant and lengthy time of unstructured prayer the evening began to draw to a close. Tom shared with the room a word that God had given him during the week, expressing just how beautiful God says we all are. He then led a time of prayer for the group, as well as gathering everyone around a few individuals to seek God specifically for healing. At this time Phillipa Snelling shared what she had used done during the time of reflection, believing it was a significant word for a wider audience than just herself. 

She had drawn a picture of a rope that had soon developed into a noose. Following this Phillipa drew a candle, believing the significance was that it was burning away the noose and setting us all free from the things we had placed in our lives than we could consider ‘slavery to law’, and now we would be free to serve and love the Father as true sons and daughters.

A great image and a fantastic way to end the evening.

Reveal Week 4 - The Loving Spirit of Adoption

“God lives in the place of praise. If we want to be where He is, we need to go to His address.” - Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Having spent the last few weeks in reflective contemplation during Reveal, many people have done a lot of 'business' with God. We have been told on numerous occasions that the opportunity to be still and speak with God has meant that certain issues which had been put off for years had come to the surface and been dealt with. We also found ourself in a position where people were saying that they had met with God in completely new ways, had discovered things about him that they had never known before, been challenged and moulded and shaped by creating space in which he was able to manoeuvre. We had even had testimony of healing. We came to the conclusion that there was only one way we, as a body of people could react to this: Worship.

The beginning of the evening gave the congregation an opportunity to think; what has God done in my life in the last few weeks? What have I learned and gained from considering my father in this way? How am I able to process that? We allowed several groups about 20 minutes to consider and discuss this. After speaking with a lot of people I was massively encouraged by the response. it seemed like every person had in some way experienced something new of God. But we still realised there was so much more. We still knew that we could draw closer to God and deepen our relationships once more.

As we all left the hall and made our way to the sanctuary, a band struck up and began to play 'Great is your faithfulness'. Those in attendance seemed surprised and delighted by the presence of the band, which they were previously completely unaware of. Immediately I saw people with their hands in the air, on their knees, reflecting, praising, singing, worshiping and abandoning themselves to God. As the quote says, at the beginning of the evening we decided this is where we were going; Gods address. We wanted to meet with God in praise because we know that he is enthroned on the praise of his people (Psalm 22:3). I personally meet with God in worship more so than at any other time. This was not only a response to what God had been doing, but also a way to meet with him afresh and discover his heart for our congregation.

The band led us through a time of amazing praise and then into a time which allowed more reflection. As the evening went on God began to speak. One of the members of New Life church had been passing the building and saw all the cars so decided to come in and join our Reveal evening. She shared with me something she had felt God wanted to remind us of:Psalm 84. This person had no idea that we had gone through this psalm during our spring conference earlier in the year. We began to speak out the psalm and be reminded of the promises contained within it. Richard then began sharing with us some amazing news which he had heard regarding two of the members of our congregation who are battling cancer. He spoke about how their test results had shown dramatic positive changes in recent weeks. We had been reminded not only of the promises God has made, but the ways in which he is fulfilling them.

As the evening drew to a close I was personally struck by the way in which we had entered into the presence of God that night. We had postured ourselves not only to hear from him, but to pour back praise for what he had already been doing. His faithfulness to meet with us during these times has been unparalleled. We have been overwhelmed, and continue to be so every week. I am excited to see what he is going to do in the next couple of weeks.

Debbie.