CHRISTMAS 2002 PRAYER LETTER

Our dear praying friend,

I've just been walking our dog Joker round the Memorial Park here in Coventry. Most of the trees there are planted in memory of someone who died in wartime. Today, as I write, is Remembrance Day, and yesterday the great and the good laid wreaths at the huge memorial at the centre of the park. Thousands were honoured. But, for me, the most poignant tribute was a bunch of poppies, tied to a tree some distance from the civic display. Attached to this little wreath was a card. 'To grandpa Ben, on this Remembrance Day: we are still proud of you'.

Hello! A typically unusual way for me to start this latest newsletter! Apart from giving away the secret that these letters are written some time before they reach you, so they can be typed, printed and enveloped, it makes an important point. However many hundreds we see trust Christ each year, every individual person is precious, to us and, most especially, to God. We have seen "many ... put their trust in the Lord", as Psalm 40 verse 3 says, this year. We praise God, and thank you for your prayers. But each one matters infinitely to our Lord Jesus Christ.

A STORY AT HARVEST
I went to preach at a guest service for harvest. A lady was interviewed about how she had come to faith. She told how, after Sunday-school as a child, she had gone away from church until her own children needed to learn about God and she brought them to Sunday school. She attended occasional services, knowing she should respond to the message, but never doing so. One Sunday, she switched on the morning worship on TV. It was an Anglican service, which was not to her liking, so she went to make a cup of tea.
Something she heard drew her back from the kitchen, and the preacher's words rang true. "I felt he was speaking just to me", she told the congregation that harvest Sunday. "He asked us to pray and give our lives to Jesus. I knelt down in front of the television. The tears were running down my face. I knew Jesus had come into my life. I didn't tell anyone for six weeks: but I came back to this church and I've been growing as a Christian ever since". Her interviewer asked how long ago that had been. "Back in 1985". "And who was the preacher?" She smiled. "It was Ian Knox!"

I knew nothing of her story till that moment. Nearly two thousand had written in after the programme, I remember - but not this lady. How precious to hear of one more.A WORK OF FAITH
Many years ago (you can say that when you get older!), I contributed 'Youth' articles for 'The Life of Faith', a Christian newspaper. Its title is an excellent description of the year 2002, for our work has been a 'life of faith'. We have walked by faith, trusting in Jesus and in the promise of God in Isaiah chapter 55 that God's Word will not return empty, but will do what He wills and prosper. So much of our work these days does not see the whole result. But we do hear of blessings, which encourage us. Here are some for you, to see the value of your prayers: God bless you for all your support.

God's written word
2002 has been the year of the books. Three books published in one year is rather enthusiastic: typical 'Knoxy', some would say ... This Autumn saw the much-awaited 'Older People and the Church'. The reaction to it is exciting, as people say they are being 'challenged' by what it says, and how they will be acting on its recommendations. Why not treat yourself and your minister to a copy for Christmas? Darren has put together a leaflet which is enclosed. A lot of Christmas presents could be solved if you act on his 'special offers'. I hear of many being helped through the '50' and '100' books, too.

Thank-you for praying for the re-writing of 'Bereaved'. It is now with Kingsway and should be published in the middle of 2003. We will let you know of a likely date in the next letter. I felt inspired as I wrote.

God's broadcast word
It is remarkable that my programmes for Trans World Radio are now broadcast fourteen times in the UK, twice across Europe, three times in Slovakia and twice in Swaziland - every week! We get some lovely feedback from listeners. A man in Slovakia wrote: "Thank you for your programme. It was wonderful, you spoke to my heart." Another: "I'm your regular listener. Please send me a copy of the tape or script 'Coming soon, Jesus!'" A third: "Thank you that you spread the gospel to the whole world. If it is possible, could you send me your tape 'Ian Knox - Silver Threads'. It would be a gift for my sister. She is 70 years old".

We hear similar stories from Swaziland, with people calling at the studios for copies of the programmes. Letters are received there of lives changed and Christians given new hope and courage to go on with Jesus. Only Heaven knows all, but we are rejoicing at how our 'life of faith' in the broadcast word is being blessed. Our Trustees have taken a major step of faith on your behalf. A fantastic opening has come in Slovakia. Over thirty secular FM radio stations have allowed my programmes to be broadcast each Sunday at prime time, at a cost of £100 each week. The 40:3 Trust has, therefore, sponsored, one year of these programmes, (just over £5000) reaching into nearly every Slovak home. If the Lord provides, we aim to do the same next year, too. Pray for great blessings in that former Communist country.

I have just recorded a further 52 'short programmes' for the UK, with a further 52 half hour programmes still to do. I do need your prayers for the next few months as these are written, typed and then presented. Michael Pfundner at TWR in Bath produces my English programmes. The Slovak team is Lubomir Vyhnanek (director), Igor Conka (translator) and Ondrej Betko (my 'voice'). The Swaziland programmes are in English and siSwati, the team headed up by Nelson Vilakati and Nomcebo Nxumalo. Pray for us all!

God's spoken word
We do a few meetings as well! David, Di and I had a wonderful time in Aberystwyth, West Wales, with many trusting Christ. One meeting was half in Welsh, harps and all - just like Heaven! All of us had the joy of leading people to Christ.

Di has also led a weekend for our former co-worker Geoff Ardern and his church, with God speaking into needy lives. The diary entries for Sylvia are a reminder of the less 'up front' work we all do. David continues with his double-bill youth night every Friday in Redhill. The wider influence of God's word being proclaimed was demonstrated when I preached both in Preston and Coventry this Autumn, as several university students from mainland China responded.

The Diary (see "Diary" page) is dominated by the visit John and I make to Burkina Faso, with a big conference on evangelism in Ouagadougou, the capital, plus evangelistic visits elsewhere. The Danehill Mission looks exciting, too.

FAMILY NEWS
The wedding was brilliant with Andy and Kat now happily together. Sadly, less than a year after my father's death, Ruth's dad also died after a very long illness. We'd value prayer for my mother-in-law Joyce. Many will remember Cyril as a team member on many Missions. We are delighted with Mark Brown's very recent news that he is to be Canon Missioner in Southwell Diocese in the Midlands. Thank you for praying for his future; we are all invited to his big day on January 25 (please go - I'm in Burkina!).

Sue and Julie continue to hold the office together, while Darren drives all over the country setting up Missions and meetings. The associates do the preaching! Our families also value your prayers. And me? I'm around if you need me: what about putting on a special evening at your church for a teach-in on 'Faith-sharing' or 'Older People'?

HAPPY CHRISTMAS
We all (Trustees, Staff and Team) send you our love, thanks and prayers as we rejoice with you at God's grace to us all. It is constantly amazing that Jesus, so rich, should become so poor, so that we, through his poverty, might become rich.

God bless you and fill you with the joy of his presence, both this Christmas time and throughout 2003.

On behalf of us all, I greet you in the lovely name of Jesus,