Embracing the New Year Well

As we all welcome in a new year, there can be a natural anticipation and excitement around what might lie ahead. As we start to see the days begin to lengthen, I feel myself getting energised by even just the prospect of what might be possible in the extending evenings ahead!

I am also aware that many of us may be carrying significant challenges or sadness with us going into 2025 and this may be overshadowing our usual joy and enthusiasm. It is at these times when our identity in God’s family should give us all both comfort but also a call to action… “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2). Let’s be on the lookout for those we can perhaps be helping to carry a burden for, as well as also offering others the opportunity to support us.

With this in mind can I invite us all to remember the family, friends and colleagues of Dr Peter Rowan (former Co-director of OMF UK and Trustee of Global Connections) who sadly passed away before Christmas.

There is a lovely tribute to Peter on the OMF website and another from Andy Law below. We all build on the foundations and investments of those who have gone before us and Peter’s legacy in Christ will endure for generations.

As we step into the year ahead, I believe there are many wonderful and exciting things in store, some of these are highlighted below, but let us not lose sight of who is behind them all!

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10).

In His Name,

Ben Stansfield

A Tribute to Peter Rowan

Peter joined the Global Connections Board in 2017, and served until the start of 2024. During his seven years as a trustee, Peter was consistently the gentle voice of wisdom, discernment and reason. Among his many gifts was the ability to offer challenge in a way that was clear and direct, but without making people feel attacked or undermined. Despite his obvious intellect, Peter was always willing to listen and learn, and was happy to give others the time and space to share their own thoughts and feelings. On an individual level, an interaction with Peter always left me feeling valued, cared for and encouraged.

Even after stepping away from the Board, Peter’s contribution to Global Connections continued with his involvement at our Passion for Mission in Oxford earlier this year. Although clearly impacted by his illness at the time, Peter’s commitment to the mission community and his desire to encourage us all to consider an alternative model for mission in the future, shone bright.

Peter was a special and wonderful brother in Christ, and I will miss him greatly.

Andy Law, COO - Global Connections