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‘I WILL BUILD

MY CHURCH

WAITING FOR JESUS TO RETURN

‘W I T H C O N T R I B U T I O N S F R O M Rico TiceHazel Maunsell Chris and Ros HowlesMark and Jane Oden Ben Green

I N T H I S I S S U E

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Published byCrosslinks 251 Lewisham Way, London SE4 1XF

Tel 020 8691 6111Fax 020 8694 8023Prayerline 020 8692 5321www.crosslinks.org

Mission DirectorAndy Lines alines@crosslinks.orgOperations DirectorGiles Rawlinson grawlinson@crosslinks.orgGB & overseas circulationmtm@crosslinks.orgIreland circulationbelfast@crosslinks.org

Crosslinks works with over a thousand churches in Britain and Ireland. Founded in 1922 as BCMS (TheBible Churchmen’s Missionary Society), Crosslinks isan evangelical mission agency facilitating partnerships largely within the Anglican Communion. In fellowship with churches in Africa, Asia, Europe, South America, Canada and Australia, it provides personnel, sponsorship for theological students and support for local mission wherever it happens.

Crosslinks policy is to use all funds received for the purpose to which they are designated. Crosslinks retains the right to use any surplus funds at the end of deployment or at the end of a project, at its discretion for gospel purposes.

Registered Charity number 24 99 86.

I’m not terribly good with waiting. Who is? And in the case of waiting for the Lord to return, who hasn’t had a bad day and at the end of it mumbled Revelation 22:20: ‘Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!’?

This redesigned issue of the Crosslinks magazine continues the theme of God building his Church: in this edition we look at how we spend our waiting time. Apart from the cosmetic changes there are a few new ‘regular’ articles to help you engage with God’s mission (‘Diary of a...’ page 12; ‘How to...’ page 13) and the first of a series in which we invite a well-known Christian writer to offer their thoughts on the theme. We are delighted that evangelist Rico Tice has been the first to take up the gauntlet (page 10).

So as we continue to wait there is no excuse for inactivity. And thank you for sharing your waiting time with Crosslinks!

Mark Gillespie Communications Manager

COMMENT

I will build my church: Waiting for Jesus to return Alan Purser

Why long-term relationships in mission are importantHazel Maunsell & Brian Tombs

Into Italy Mark and Jane OdenBringing home the profit

I just want to preach Chris & Ros HowlesA certain future hope Ben Green

Evangelism with 4 G’s Rico TiceDiary of a camp leader Richard Balmer & Ross Mungavin

How to hold a fundraising eventA great cloud of witnesses Janet Horsman

The last word Andy LinesCrosslinks diary

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It’s the middle of 2013, Jesus still hasn’t returned and the world goes on as it has for ages! Having brought our thanks to God for the 90 years of BCMS Crosslinks, now is the time to sit at Jesus’ feet and to listen to his words affirming that he will come again, warning that his return will be delayed and highlighting the importance of making the most of the opportunities that delay allows.

The fifth and final teaching discourse in Matthew’s Gospel gives us the opportunity to do just that. In 24:1-26:1 Jesus responds to the disciples’ questions about the end time - ‘When would it be?’ and ‘What will happen?’ - by speaking first about the terrible prospect of the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem and then about the still more terrible prospect of the final Day of Judge-ment. Indeed when the first of these comes to pass (unlikely as it may have seemed), it should be taken as a sign of the certainty that the second will happen as well - but, of course, it is now a long time since AD70 when the Temple was desecrated at the hands of the Roman General Titus, and inevitably the questions arise, ‘Why such a long delay?’ , ‘When will it end?’ and ‘What should we do in the meantime?’.

Jesus’ declaration in 24:36 ought to be clear enough: ‘But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only’. To dispel any remaining doubt or confusion Jesus then teaches his disciples in parables three vital parcels of truth about his return and the final judgment (see 25:1-13, 25:14-30 and 25:31-46).

A parable is not the same thing as an allegory. It is designed to convey vital truth to those with ‘eyes to see and ears to hear’, whilst it is intended to be neither comprehensive nor systematic. To grasp the meaning of a parable the hearer has to allow themselves to be drawn into the story, resisting any impatience to know what the various elements represent, and to feel its bite or kick - because a parable is designed to leave a mark on its hearer. Each of these three parables has a distinctive parcel of truth to teach, and all three are needed in order for the full picture that Jesus is teaching to be embraced.

25:1-13 tells a moving story of 10 young women, half of whom are caught out because they hadn’t reckoned with the delay of the bridegroom. Their desperate pleas for help are refused, and they find themselves shut out. The lesson is clear in 25:13 ‘Watch therefore for you know neither the day nor the hour.’

25:14-30 imagines a master who goes away on a long journey, and whilst he is away his servants are busy about their business, making the most of the opportunities that his absence allows. On his return each servant is required to give an account of themselves. Where they are found to have been faithful in using the resources with which they were entrusted they are rewarded accordingly. >>

‘I WILL BUILD

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However the kick in the tale comes with one servant who has been slothful, and whose idleness is now found out and rebuked - he loses even what he believes he had held on to and is thrown out. The lesson is spelled out in 25:29.

25:31-46 draws a picture of the final Judgment Day, when all nations (v32) are called to account, and an eternal separation is made between the ‘sheep’ and the ‘goats’. Undermining any notion that in the end everyone will be found to be on the same side, this dramatic parable proclaims that the delay will not last forever, and that the Son of Man will return to judge.

It is in his second parable that Jesus most clearly addresses the question of what to do in the meantime, during the time of the delay, in the Master’s absence. The two servants who are commended are given the same reward - what counts in the eyes of their Master is not a matter of quantity as much as quality - it is faithfulness that he values and rewards. Faithfulness in using the ‘talents’ that were entrusted to them. In our English language this can be a misleading term, for it does not mean gifts or abilities (as in a Talent Contest) but rather refers to money.

Substantial resources were handed over to the servants and they were asked to put them to good use until he returned; this then is not about how gifted we are, but about the gift of the gospel of Christ. Some may turn out to be highly effective evangelists and win hundreds of people for the kingdom, others will win one here and another there. The important thing is to make the most of the opportunity, rather than do nothing out of fear or laziness.

The great missionary pioneer and teacher, William Carey, once put it like this: ‘Attempt great things for God; expect great things from God.’ His life’s story was a demonstration of the principle in practice. In 2013, and until Christ shall return, let’s pray that we might do likewise.

Alan Purser is Crosslinks Church and Members’ Team Leader

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PARTNERSHIPWHY LONG-TERM MISSIONRELATIONSHIPS ARE

IMPORTANTThis year Hazel Maunsell marks 40 years as a Crosslinks Mission Partner.

Throughout that time she has been in partnership with St Pauls’ Church, Howell Hill. Here, both she and Brian Tombs (a member of St Paul’s and Vice-President of Crosslinks)

reflect on their working relationship.

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From its beginning in 1962 St Paul’s has made mission a priority. In 1973, 21-year old church member Hazel Maunsell (née Collins) went to Ethiopia with Crosslinks (then BCMS), and we have had the privilege of praying for her and giving financially since. Hazel is very much a member of the church family.

As a church we have followed her movements: her marriage to Colin Maunsell in 1981, their time in Portugal between 1981-1991; and back to Ethiopia in 1991, where Hazel is still serving today. She has been faithful in sending us prayer letters, with news of ‘what the Lord has been doing’ and always giving the glory back to God. Through these letters some of her co-workers have become familiar friends, and we can pray more effectively. We pray for Hazel regularly when her requests are read out, and three of our Life Groups have specifically adopted her as ’their’ Mission Partner. When Hazel comes home she stays with us in the Parish for a few days to rest and plan future support. She also meets up with her Life Groups, some of whom have known Hazel since1962!

One of our ministers and his wife visited Hazel and Colin in 2002 to see the work for themselves. My wife and I took Hazel and Colin to Gatwick airport in 2005 when Colin was very unwell, but as he said ‘I wish to finish the race and go Home to the Lord from Ethiopia’. Colin died on 8 September 2005 and we held a Memorial Service for him here. Hazel returned to Ethiopia to continue the Amharic Christian literature work she and Colin began together and at St Pauls’ she remains our longest-serving Mission Partner.

HAZEL MAUNSELL MISSION PARTNER IN ETHIOPIA

BRIAN TOMBS ST PAUL’S HOWELL HILL

A S W E W A I T . . .

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One of the blessings of serving as a long-term Mission Partner has been the opportunity to build lasting partnerships with churches. As I look back over 40 years, three things stand out as great benefits of my partnership with St Paul’s, Howell Hill:

A genuine sense of ‘belonging’ as a member of this church family. Homes opened in warm hospitality, ‘Life-groups’ supporting me daily, generous gifts from individuals, phone-calls, personal visits from church members - these have been expressions of true fellowship. Most touching of all was the way in which friends from St. Paul’s rallied round during Colin’s final illness, supplying care and a base from which to make our last journey together back to Ethiopia.

A valuable prayer fellowship as the church has remembered us and our ministry. Similarly, on Wednesday mornings, St. Paul’s is remembered here before the Lord.

An enabling through generous gifts. Not only has St. Paul’s supported our ministry in a general way through Crosslinks, but has also provided an annual gift for extra projects. It has always been a joy to share with their mission support team how last year’s gift has been allocated. So I have much for which to thank God in this long-term partnership and I look forward to my next visit to Howell Hill!

ItaliaI N T O I TA LY

In Italia

At the end of July, Mark and Jane Oden, with their children Sofia, Inez, Luisa and Archie, will be leaving their home in Kent and moving to Naples in Southern Italy. Here, they tell us why:

When we tell people we’re moving to southern Italy, their eyes glaze over and they become lost in visions of a sun-drenched Mediterranean land where Pinot Grigio flows freely, the people are relaxed and welcoming, and la vita è bella. Naples isn’t entirely like that! But it is Italy’s third largest city with a population of 4.5 million and around 100,000 students.

As well as being famed for its beautiful bay and Roman remains, it’s also known for startling social and physical poverty. Its infrastructure barely works; the rubbish men collect the refuse only when they’re not on a three-month strike. Driving in Naples could be classified as an extreme sport. It’s a “paradise inhabited by devils” who tend to have links with the Camorra, the local mafia.

In Naples people worship football, fashion and food and for too many finding a job is the main preoccupation. Italy has 36% youth unemployment, which involves at least a 50% figure in the south. As more and more people struggle to find work and make ends meet, as the nation’s political system falls apart and a solution to the current economic situation seems further and further away, hope is in short supply.

It’s into this context that a number of small evangelical (often with Brethren roots) and Pentecostal churches are seeking to bring a message of hope to the people of Naples. When we arrive there we will work with one of these churches (around 100 adults and children) for two years. We hope to earn the trust of local believers and church leaders, so that in two years time when, God-willing, we will seek to plant a church into the city centre, we can do so with the support and prayers of the local churches.

You can read more about new Mission Partners Mark and Jane Oden at www.crosslinks.org/mission-partners/mark-and-jane-oden

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Jesus has told us to bring him profit. Many in Eastern Europe call themselves Christians, but the true servant of King Jesus lives to bring his Lord profit.

Seen in the light of Jesus’ commission, the church in Eastern Europe is largely in a sorry state. There are many Protestant churches but most of these are just about managing to hand the gospel on to their children. Few are growing beyond the boundaries of their nuclear families.

Some pastors blame external problems for the lack of growth: state persecution; the opposition of the Orthodox Church; and the influence of ‘the West’ on people’s values. However these kinds of obstacles are nothing new to the church. In the first century Caesar, the Pharisees and the deceptive wealth of the Roman Empire, were just as powerful enemies. But the word of God increased daily and pre-vailed over these obstacles.

The truth is, the biggest hindrance to our profitability in Eastern Europe is that so-called bible-believing churches do not know, are not reforming their own lives by, and are not explaining to outsiders, the word of God.

In some baptist churches (the denomination I know best) man-made religion is in danger of replacing God’s word. There are many churches that have a long list of man-made rules about clothing and food and drink and music and leisure time and money. These conservative baptist churches seem more keen to foist their rules on others than to preach the gospel to them.

However, jettisoning rules does not solve the problem. The real problem is never just that they teach man-made religion, but that they do this at the expense of teaching the word of God! In the case of the new generation of churches this new set of teaching might be useful: personnel-management; time-management; money-management. These are commendable but will not solve the original problem - a poor understanding of the living word of God. The baptist old guard are not good handlers of God’s word, but the younger generation may yet prove to be equally guilty of blunting the sword of the Spirit.

There is an urgent need to train ministers in faithful bible understanding and clear bible teaching, so that the word of God might prevail in the lives of Christians to bring them to maturity and save them, and in the lives of outsiders to bring them into the Kingdom and save them!

There are encouraging signs. There are churches where the gospel is preached and men and women are brought under Jesus’ loving rule. These churches are still baptising new people every year, have maturing leaders, and are on the way to financial independence. These churches are not often large, but they are alive and growing because of the work of faith-ful servants that understand their charge from Christ to invest in his Kingdom.

The Lord has entrusted us with all we need in the scriptures; he does not send us out to do his business without equipping us. He has given us his word. But we, for our part, must study it more closely to become better, more competent workers.

BRINGING HOME

THE PROFIT

Rob has been working in Eastern Europe for the last three years, serving on the staff team of a city-centre church. Here he reflects on the needs of the Church there as they wait for the Lord’s return.

7image Cains Photogrpahy /Nigel Swales

Anyone even a little familiar with East African Christianity will be aware that this sort of desire is not always the case. Not even in a Bible College like here at Uganda Martyrs Seminary, Namugongo. It’s a very hot morning, and as my second-year student Moses says this to me as we drink some juice together, I wake slightly from my sweaty sleepiness and eagerly ask him to continue.

“Well, my parents paid for my primary education but then ran out of money. A kind family friend then paid for my secondary education, but then they ran out of money too before I could get to college. Someone else offered me a bursary to study business management at a Kampala university, but as I was writing the application, I felt God’s call on me to do something more important than make money. I felt like God had been providing others to help me, a poor young

man, and therefore I must use these gifts to provide for others. And the best thing I can do for others is preach the word of God to them. That’s all I want to do. That’s why I came here.”

Moses next year will return to his home diocese, which is so poor, where he will likely minister for many years in real poverty, in extremely low-quality housing, without access to decent medical care, transport, or any opportunity to save money. But he knows that grace has kept him safe thus far, and he knows that grace will bring him home. And to quite a home. And therefore he doesn’t chase after anything other than opportunities to proclaim Christ.

I sometimes wonder who is the teacher here, and who is the learner?

Chris and Ros Howles are working full-time at Uganda Martyr’s Seminary, Kampala, an Anglican theological training institution training men and women for gospel ministry in the Anglican Church of Uganda. Chris is teaching systematic theology, New Testament, mission and practical theology courses; Ros is involved in pastoral care of female students and is full-time mum to two young sons – Josh and Daniel.

You can read more about them at www.crosslinks.org/mission-partners/chris-and-ros-howles

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I was fortunate enough to spend four months in Gambia this year with 13 others between January and May. We worked in primary and secondary schools teaching different subjects, helping with remedial work and running bible studies with Christian students and non-believers. We were also fortunate to have a weekly slot at two of the schools where we could run our own services. On top of this we were able to work alongside some Crosslinks Mission Partners in a poor district of the community.

We all learnt a huge amount and were challenged in lots of ways with our class teaching at the schools, how we tell others about Jesus in a different culture, and in our personal faith. Something we all came to understand is how powerful God’s word is. We witnessed Muslims

hopeA C E RTA I n F U T U R E

Ben Green was part of this year’s Gambia SMILE team (for people aged between 18-30). We asked him to reflect on what this experience has taught them and how it will benefit the team members in years to come.

coming to understand their need for a personal saviour as they read the Bible. In our own bible studies it was amazing to see how God is faithful to all his promises and that Jesus is going to come back for us.

What now? These have been incredibly encouraging things to have learnt and they will help us all to live for Christ and tell others about him at university. Knowing that there is a certain future hope I’m sure that we will be far more proactive in our evangelism. In Gambia our passion to tell others grew immensely and our prayer is that this would have encouraged other Christians there. We pray too that we would continue to obey Jesus’ command to us all to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).

Read about Crosslinks Gap Teams at www.crosslinks.org/smile

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“Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.” (2 Cor 4:1).A Christian is only a Christian because God has had mercy on him. The fact that I can see who Jesus is and recognise Jesus as my master is because God sent his Holy Spirit to open my blind eyes and transform my heart. And it means my heart should always be overwhelmed with thanksgiving for God’s mercy at the privilege of being Christian (2 Cor 4:5) and that I should always be preaching Christ to others.

‘Gehenna’ was the name of the fiery rubbish dump outside Jerusalem that Jesus famously used as an illustration of Hell. If we do not warn people about Hell, then we are nothing like Jesus Christ, who warns people again and again in the starkest terms: “But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into Hell.” (Luke 12:4-5) It is striking that in the light of the awful reality of Gehenna (Hell), Bishop Frank Retief asked his clergy to organise their diaries around the Mission Statement: “People without Christ go to Hell.”

The glory of something is its intrinsic worth, value or splendour. The glory of a sunset is its beauty, of a craftsman his skill and of a lion its strength; and the glory of God lies in his character of holiness and love, wisdom and power. There should be a right jealousy for God’s name and a deep desire that men and women treat God as God.

Godliness is obviously all about being like God, and at the heart of being like God is having a concern for the lost. I love the way we see God’s heart laid bare in Luke 15. In all three parables something of great value goes missing and an all-out search is made for the lost item. The shepherd

‘The Devil prowls around like a roaring lion.’ 1 Peter 5:8; he doesn’t want you giving yourself to the ‘ministry of

reconciliation’ 2 Cor 5:18, nor does he want you to be an ambassador for Christ. Evangelism - spreading the good news

that Jesus Christ is Lord - is therefore inherently difficult and always a spiritual battle. To help keep your motivation high for

witness, let me put before you four ‘G’s’....

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W I T H 4 G ’ Sgoes after the sheep until he finds it; the woman searches the house until she finds the coin; the father’s eyes scan the horizon for his son. We matter so much to God that he sent his Son to search us out and do whatever it takes to bring us back to the Father, even dying on a cross.

That’s WHY witness, the next question is HOW? The mnemonic TRUST contains five keys to building authentic ‘witnessing’ relationships:

TIMEBefore ordination I worked in a busy commercial office and remember the change in a relationship with a colleague when we played golf together at the weekend. He knew that I really wanted to know him because I had given up my own time, not office time, to be with him. Spending time shows we care.

REALITYThe apostle Paul lamented his own life in Romans 7:19: “For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing.” The non-Christian often looks at the Christian and thinks, “This isn’t possible, I could never be a Christian”. So they need to see our struggles, our battles and our dependence on God’s grace.

UNDERSTANDING The key to understanding people is asking questions. What is life like for this person? What are their struggles? And the question I love to ask is, “If they died tonight and God said, ‘Why should I let you into heaven?’ what would be their reply?”

SACRIFICEWe show our friends we love them by making sacrifices for them. This may mean helping a work colleague with a project without taking the credit. It may have real implications in the home. Ask yourself “Where is this person really needing some help now and how can I give it in a way that is unselfconscious and just part of being a friend?”

TELLPray for courage and opportunities to explain what lies at the very heart of your life. A great way to frame your story is to work out when you understood the identity, mission and call of Jesus. These three themes will keep your testimony absolutely Christ-focussed. Then we just have to do our bit, which is to preach Christ and pray that God will do the miracle and open blind eyes to Jesus (2 Cor 4:5-6).

Rico Tice was born in Chile in 1966. He is an Anglican minister, writer, and co-author of Christianity Explored. He is currently Associate Minister at All Souls Church, Langham Place, London, and is well known in the UK as a speaker at evangelical Christian conferences and an evangelist of national standing.

This article is taken from Men of God The Good Book Company ISBN 9781907377747

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Richard Balmer and Ross Mungavin are gearing up for this year’s Crosslinks holiday camps in Ireland (27 July – 3 August). We took a sneaky look at their diary...

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P L E A S E B E G I N P R A Y I N G N O W ! You can find out more about this year’s camps at

www.crosslinks.org/camps

After our last church visit before camp begins, we found a sudden surge in bookings for camp. Will there be enough beds for all the kids? If not, is there a comfortable field nearby? Please pray that plenty of campers will come to hear God’s word.

S U N D A Y

Phoned round the leaders to check they had prepared their bible studies for the quiet-times. Alarmed to find that the leaders couldn’t answer the study ques-tions – let’s hope the kids can show them how it’s done! Please pray that the leaders will find time to get to grips with the bible-study material beforehand and so be prepared to teach the young people.

M O N D A Y

Have been receiving lots of calls from worried parents – will there be enough wall sockets in bedrooms for all the night lights? And why does everyone need their own individual night light? Please pray that the children will settle into camp and not feel homesick.

T U E S D A Y

An e-mail arrived from the speaker to check which day they were due to lead a session. I gently reminded them that we wanted a talk and bible-study EVERY day! Please pray for the speaker in their preparations, that they will be able to faithfully teach God’s word.

T H U R S D A Y

Received lots of last minute calls from parents who need lifts for their children. I phoned Tim to see if he could take any more in his car. He told me that his boot doesn’t hold more than four! Please pray for all the travel arrangements and that thecampers will arrive safely.

F R I D A Y

Phoned the centre to confirm final numbers and dietary requirements etc. It seems the centre mixed up their dates and thought we were coming a week later! Gulp! Please pray that all the practical arrangements will work well.

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This year many people have been running events to raise money for the 90th Anniversary Thanksgiving Fund – and some of the imaginative ideas are amazing. If you would like to hold a fundraising event of your own, here are a few steps to help you...

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CHOOSE AN ACTIVITYCheck the list for some suggestions or get together with some friends to brainstorm ideas. Think about the scale of the event and who it’s intended for. Do you want to invite your church family, or is it an event for friends? Where will you hold it – at school, church, work, college or somewhere else?

CREATE A TEAMDelegation is the key. Getting people involved right from the planning stage helps others to feel ownership. Make a ‘to do’ list and try to match each job to the person who will be best (and most enjoy) doing it.

HAVE A PLAN Work backwards from the day of your event and set deadlines for each task. Make sure you have a plan B where needed – for example, if your event is meant to be outdoors, what will you do if it rains?

SPREAD THE WORD Send out invites or ask people to take part. Personal invitations go a long way!

WATCH THE PENNIES How can you raise the most money while keeping costs down? You can get a lot of things free if you ask – people’s time, a venue, publicity, printing, sponsorship and prizes.

EXPLAIN THE CAUSE We want people to be clear about what they are giving to and get more involved in the work of gospel mission all over the world. Find an opportunity to explain the work of Crosslinks. Contact your local Crosslinks office for more resources.

SAY THANK YOUAfter the event, thank everyone involved and let them know how much you raised. And don’t forget to get their feedback for next time.

• Get sponsored – the possibilities are endless: shave your head, run a marathon, be silent for a day • Sell your junk on eBay • Hold a three-legged race • Arrange a sponsored walk, run,

bike-ride, or 24-hour sing-athon • Have a dinner party • Invite people to a curry night, garden party or coffee morning • Hold an art

competition and charge a fee to view the displayed work• Organise a music festival and ask friends to perform

• Host a world food night • Organize a car boot sale• Hold a black-tie dinner or a ceilidh

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A G R E AT C L O U D O FWI TNES S ES

Eileen Buss applied to BCMS in 1943 but it was not until she had been released by the wartime Ministry of Labour that she was free to study at the Women’s College in Dalton House, Bristol. At the beginning of 1948 she left for India but within a short time her mother had died. Later she would spend two years back in the UK caring for her father until his death.

Her early deployment had been to village evangelistic work, and after language study she worked first in the Central Provinces and then in the United Provinces at Gopiganj and at Jaunpur. She then became involved in educational work. Based at Kanpur, she visited schools in the diocese

Eileen Buss

in order to help improve the teaching of children who were slow-learners and needed special care.

The challenge came to move from the usual rote method of learning by repetition to one of building a child’s knowledge from something they know to something they don’t know. Eileen became involved in the establishment of the new Teachers and Conference Centre in Allahabad. From the start it was under Indian leadership with Alfred Singh as Director of the Centre and his wife, Kanchan, headmistress of the pre-school and special education classes in the Centre. From the start, they saw the project as God’s work and part of his plan for their lives. The Centre was a major step in this neglected area of training.

Eileen retuned to the UK in 1978 and was working amongst immigrants from Asia in Nottingham, through educational and women’s work, until her retirement to Folkestone 15 years later. Her mission heart remained in the creation of better community relations and a sensitive Christian witness.

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Janet Horsman is a former Crosslinks staff member and served as a Mission Partner in Tanzania.

C Did you know Eileen Buss? Did you work with her in India? We are trying to build an online archive of former Mission Partners and would be delighted to hear your stories of Eileen and see any photos you may have of her. Contact mgillespie@crosslinks.org if you think you can help.

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WE MUST NOT FORGET THE ‘LOST’-THOSE WHO FACE AN ETERNITY WITHOUT CHRIST UNLESS THEY RESPOND

TO THE GOSPEL PROCLAIMED

While in the army I was part of a patrol tasked with a precise practice mission; to an outside observer we achieved a stunning success until that observer is told that we had ‘hit’ the wrong target (an unsuspecting group of Greek Cypriot shepherds) and that our real target had escaped unharmed into the next valley! If you do not know what the mission is it is likely you will not achieve it.

I have found DeYoung and Gilbert’s book What is the Mission of the Church?1 very helpful in teasing that subject out, and recently attended The Gospel Coalition’s Annual conferences in the US2 focussing on that theme. Whilst there is much to criticise about North American Christianity (as there is about Christianity in Britain and Ireland) this conference was notable for the overt passion ‘that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations’ 3, both nationally and internationally. I was struck by the preparedness of some to move home within the US to an underprivileged and unattractive area, so that the gospel might be proclaimed there, and of others to go to the ends of the earth to do the same. Global mission was seen as central rather than an add-on. This vision and passion is certainly not universally seen in the UK, as once it was, and we are missing out. As Carson says, commenting on Paul’s mission zeal, ‘everyone ought to be a world Christian’ 4.

Crosslinks will, under God, seek to continue serving in mission around the world, and as part of that we must not forget the ‘lost’, those who face an eternity without Christ unless they respond to the gospel proclaimed. The need is even greater now than it was in 1922, not least in Europe, our ‘back yard’, to which we have privileged access, and not forgetting the needs of Britain and Ireland.

Andy Lines is Crosslinks Mission Director

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LASTWORDA N D Y L I N E S

1 DeYoung & Gilbert (Crossway)2 http://thegospelcoalition.org/3 Luke 24:47 (ESV)4 Commenting on 1 Corinthians 9:23 ‘I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings’from The Cross and Christian Ministry DA Carson (IVP)

As Crosslinks purports to ‘serve churches and individual Christians in their engagement in God’s mission of proclaiming salvation to the ends of the earth’ it is incumbent upon us to be really clear about what the mission of the church actually involves, as we look forward to the next period of such service and at the same time await the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

If you do not know what the mission is it is likely you will not achieve it

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M E E T I N G SP R A Y E R

BOURNEMOUTHSecond Tuesday of each month at 10.30am St Paul’s Church, Throop, Bournemouth. Contact Douglas Newport on 01202 397342.

CHORLEYSt Paul’s Church, Bury Lane, Withnell PR6 8SDContact Sue Farnsworth atsfarnsworth@crosslinks.org or 020 8691 6111.

DUBLINSecond Monday of each month at 8pm. Contact 01 872 9508 for details.

FRINTON-ON-SEAFirst Thursday of each month at 3pm 6 Holmbrook Way, Frinton-on-Sea.Contact Mr C Clift on 01255 674937.

OXFORDSt Ebbe’s Church, OxfordContact Sue Farnsworth atsfarnsworth@crosslinks.org or 020 8691 6111.

RIPONFirst Saturday of each month at 1.30pm 2 All Saints Square, Ripon.Contact William and Ruth Deeth on 01765 690366.

WEYMOUTHSecond Monday of each month 7.30-9pm.Contact Derek Saunders on 01305 779510

ARCTIC FELLOWSHIP – OADBYContact John Tonkin on 0116 281 2517.

If you can start a prayer meeting in your region, contact Sue at sfarnsworth@crosslinks.org

27 JULY – 3 AUGUSTCrosslinks Summer CampsCamps for 8-11 and 12-17 year-olds in Ireland.See www.crosslinks.org/camps

26-30 AUGUSTRESETA conference for students aged 18-30See www.crosslinks.org/camps/reset

17-23 NOVEMBERCrosslinks Prayer Conferencewww.crosslinks.org/events/crosslinks-prayer-conference

23 NOVEMBERCrosslinks Mission Day

31 JANUARY – 1 FEBRUARY 2014‘Exclusive: The Uniqueness of Christ and His Mission.’ A weekend conference with Dr. Don Carson.Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The conference will explore our conviction that Jesus Christ is the only means of salvation in the context of a religiously pluralistic society and will renew our confidence in Christ as the only Saviour and Lord.Our hope is that this conference will rekindle a passion to proclaim the good news about Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth.

Contact Val Ellis, 028 9079 6028 vellis@crosslinks.org www.crosslinks.org/events/exclusive

E V E N T S

C R O S S L I N K S