Christmas 2004

Our dear praying friend,

A single minute encapsulated everything we exist for in the 40:3 Trust.   I had spoken at a morning meeting for the over-55s in Shrewsbury this October.   I invited those who had prayed with me to trust Jesus Christ to come and tell me.   Two ladies were ready to take names.   A lady (late 70s, early 80s) came to tell me she had responded:   I introduced her to one of the ladies.   Within a minute, an elderly man came to respond.   I introduced him to the other lady.   The man and woman were husband and wife.   What a joy - united for years in marriage and now united in Christ!

I am so glad to be able to update you on all the good things God is doing, as this story has been multiplied many times since I last wrote.   Hello again!   God is good.   He is at work in His world and we are honoured to share in that work.   May He bless you greatly as you join with us by your prayers and gifts.

VARIETY - AND VICTORY

This autumn has had a remarkably diverse programme, with wonderful things happening for the King and His Kingdom.   Mark Greenwood and I shared a happy weekend at Lea , near Malmsbury, where we saw a church much encouraged by some adventurous outreach.   On the Saturday evening, over 10% of the area turned up for a progressive supper to hear the Good News of Jesus.   Several men had trusted Christ that morning at breakfast in the local pub.   The Ipsley services came to a good end with more people responding at the bereavement service in September and at harvest in October.

Our Associate Evangelists have been busy.   John Price's involvement with the work of Barnabus (the organisation which helps the homeless and prostitutes in central Manchester ) continues.   It is hard graft and there is real opposition - do pray for strength and safety for John and his co-workers.   David Lopez is taking a well-earned break, valuing your prayers for his work and family.   Di Newhouse saw many blessings on her Mission with the Bishop of Barking (she moves in exalted circles!) in Essex in October.   She saw response to the message at an older people's club where they usually play Bingo(!) and at all sorts of other meetings.   Sylvia Johnson's exciting news comes later in this letter, while Mark Brown is very busy in his vital rôle as Diocesan Missioner in the Southwell Diocese.

Of course, all our work keeps the "home team" at full stretch.   Darren travels many miles to arrange and co-ordinate our meetings, working with Sue and Julie in the office to make sure the rest of us can be out there preaching and teaching.   Balancing the books, writing the letters, sorting out churches, ordering and dispatching our publications:   there is a lot to do.   Don't forget them and their families in your prayers, please.

The variety of our work is shown by the increasing use made of our website.   Our friend and co-worker David Crout (Professor) and his daughter Cecily have transformed the site - visit us at http://www.fortythreetrust.com - so we are now receiving 'hits' from people in as diverse places as China, Canada, Cyprus, France, Holland, Pakistan, the USA, Spain, Slovakia and Switzerland, as well as around the U.K.   The genius of the Crouts means that we are easily found:   for example, on the Google search engine, "Forty Three Trust" comes as the first 'hit' out of 638,000!   There are evangelistic messages in English and French:   pray that this new means of communication may reach many for Christ.

Even my getting older is adding to the variety of my own ministry.   Simply by doing things for a long time one becomes a sort of 'expert'.   I am increasingly called on to teach as well as preach:   my seminars on faith-sharing, both individually and by churches, my talks on bereavement, and older people, are well received.   There have been good opportunities this Autumn to do this at Lichfield , my own church in Coventry , two churches in Birmingham (four sessions which came after the last letter came to you) and at Ellel Ministries near Eastbourne .   Ephesians 4 reminds us that part of the rôle of an evangelist is the building up of the body of Christ.

Which brings me to the variety of going to Africa - and the victories there.   In August, my nephew Phil and I went to my beloved Kenya .   In Nakuru , a crowd of over 2000 heard us present God's Good News.   After a call to respond at one crusade meeting, a number came forward and we prayed with them. At the end of the meeting, as I came to a final call, the whole public address system failed.   I called to the people, "Come to the platform to hear".   They crowded round, as my interpreter and I shouted out how Jesus would give new life.   They listened with great care, and many dozens raised their hands to show that they, too, were receiving Jesus Christ as he welcomed them.

At the Nakuru Conference, Pastors from across the whole country came for four days of teaching.   When challenged to a full commitment to Christ, whatever the cost, over a hundred came forward to dedicate their lives and ministries to God.   The singing was amazing!   A further conference for the men of the Kitale and Bungoma Dioceses was, again, full of blessing.   It was wonderful to be with good friends, encouraging them to continue in the faith.   They may be poor in earthly possessions, but they are rich in their spiritual lives.

Open-air preaching is always a feature of these visits:   in one market place people were listening as they served or shopped, responding from over 100 metres away.   My interpreter that day was the Rural Dean!

Does the work bear 'fruit which lasts'?   You may recall the spear in the rock being found after a meeting four years ago.   We went back this August.   From no Christians at all, twenty four had responded at that first meeting.   Now they have built a church, with a primary school for over 70 children.   Three of the men who came forward then have now married three of the ladies - all converted on that memorable day.   We were able to pray for God's continuing blessing.   I hope to preach to the whole church in December 2005.

Phil summed up his first-ever visit to Africa I this way:   "Africa was a new but incredible experience.   Seeing God transform many lives and encountering His awesome creation made the hard work and long trip worthwhile.   It was brilliant working with Ian and the opportunities I had to preach and teach will really benefit my ministry".   Echoes of Paul and Timothy?!

There is a very exciting Diary for your ongoing prayers.   Sylvia has an amazing opportunity to minister to several thousand women in Northern Uganda in January.   Travelling alone, she needs our prayers for safety in an area which continues to see much bloodshed and suffering.   John and I go back to Niger to preach and teach.   Primarily we will be there to open two newly-built churches, for which the 40:3 Trust has raised nearly £40,000 - praise God.

There are key Missions and meetings across England, led by different members of our team.   We are thrilled that Mark Greenwood has been asked to follow up our successful Mission in Malvern with a special time for young people in March.   Mark and Di share a Mission in Gelding in March, while others of us go to Bury.

Please pray that we may have Holy Spirit vigour for all this.   And please pray for good and God-given invitations for the future.   We continually need God's vision for where He would have us go.   Should we come and help you where you are?   We do come back - if invited!   But don't panic - I have a break planned for this Summer!

My family would particularly value your prayers at this time.   My brother Martin suddenly and unexpectedly died on 30 October at the age of 48.   Please pray for his wife Janet and their three children (Phil - my Africa companion, Debbie and Stephen), that God would help and sustain them in these very difficult days and that they would know the peace of God in their hearts.

As I wish you God's blessings this Christmastide, can I ask you to remember us?   We really do need your prayers so very much.   And, if God leads you, we need your financial help, too.   We are often called to situations, here and abroad, where our costs are great and the income small (if any).   It is through your practical and spiritual support we are able to go:   thank you for keeping us going.

At this season of "good tidings of great joy", may the grace which brought Jesus to this needy world fill your heart and life.   With love from all at the 40:3 Trust ,