Confidently Sharing Christ's Impact

Confidently Sharing Christ’s Impact

I hope you have been able to enjoy the summer, in it’s various forms, over the last few weeks. I know not everyone will have been able to take a break at this point in the year, but I am very grateful for the week we were able to have away visiting friends with my family. They are precious times!

Earlier in August, I also had the wonderful privilege of joining other brothers and sisters from across SE Asia and Oceania at a workshop. It was organised by the INCREASE network, for ministries making use of the discipleship courses within the Theological Education by Extension (or Theological Education for Everyone, as defined by a sister from Myanmar) movement. It was humbling on so many levels to hear testimonies and learn from the outworking of their faith in some extremely challenging contexts. One brother from Vietnam shared of his 10-year imprisonment for seeking to support the church and develop its leaders.

The dynamism and dedication to Christ, that ran deep through the lives of those I met, encouraged me to reflect on the recent examples we have seen of top athletes and sports people openly proclaiming their faith in Jesus, after winning medals at the Olympics. The contrast between this and the perceived negative portrayal in the opening ceremony and the persecution experienced in parts of SE Asia is notable. I wonder if these times of seemingly growing challenge, might motivate and encourage us to more confidently share the impact Jesus has had on us? I know I want it to in me.

September is often a very busy month for many, and this year seems no exception! There is so much coming up over the next few weeks, including the next Lausanne Congress in South Korea (read more below), a new course from CMS and the opportunity to celebrate the life of Rev Stanley Davies. It would be wonderful to be committing these and each other’s plans to prayer. If there are particular prayer requests you would like to submit for the Network to pray over, you can do this through the prayers section of your member account.

Please do make a note of the opportunities and events listed below, and I pray they can be a support and blessing to you and your ministry