It’s Time
Over 11 years ago, when Autumn and I got married, we knew that God was calling us to the UK as missionaries. For 11 years, God has been preparing us in various ways (usually, unbeknownst to us) to plant a church in Scotland. Now, finally, on October 6th, we will have our first church service!
Much has happened since our last letter, and God has answered many of your prayers. Over the last month or two, we contacted local schools, community centres, and even restaurants to see if anyone would be willing to rent their space to us on Sundays. Unfortunately, we were turned away everywhere we went. We finally had a lead on a hall that was owned by a karate club that was willing to rent it to us for a few hours on Sundays. Just a few hours before meeting with them to work out a plan, we received a message from a local business centre that rents out offices to businesses. We had reached out to them to see if they would have an office space for us to use during the week to do administrative work and meet people for counselling, etc. We decided to view the office, but when we arrived, they told us they had already rented out the one they were going to show us, but that their largest space had just become available. They showed us the space, and it is perfect for our church to meet in! The best part is that it will be ours to use 24/7. We will be able to leave it set up, use it for midweek ministries, and have more permanent place in the community. The only downside was the cost. It isn’t too expensive for what it is, but it's not something we thought we could afford until the church was seeing regular tithing being given. However, God removed that hurdle and provided for an entire year of the rent to be paid!
Between now and our first service, there are a lot of things that still need to be done. We will get access to the room on Monday the 23rd and will need to set up the space with chairs, dividers for a classroom, folding tables, A/V equipment, and other things. Here, we'd ask you to pray that God would provide not only the right things we need, but also the funds to afford them. Between the 50 stacking chairs we need, a sound system, screen, room dividers, and tables, we're looking at about $4000 for these things, plus the other things we need to purchase. God has already provided some of these funds, but we are praying and trusting God will provide the rest. Over the past few months, we have had a few churches reach out to us and ask if we had any particular big projects or needs. At the time we didn't, however, if your church is one that has reached out to us before, or if your church is in a position that you are looking to help with a project like this, I'd ask you to pray if God would have you contribute to this need.
Next Sunday, the 29th, we are inviting everyone who plans on coming to our church to the building for an afternoon lunch, and to pray and sing together. Right now, we have about 20 people who are planning on coming. We have made invitations, and several people have said they have friends and family they would like to invite to our first service as well. We truly need your prayers for these early days at the church. It’s hard to put into words how excited we are about finally getting things started. Please pray that things go well the first Sunday, that God brings along those He wants to be there, that there is a sweet atmosphere and that God will work.
God has really encouraged us recently though those coming to our Friday Bible study. Many of them have shared how encouraging this time is and how much God has used this time in their life to really change the way they live. It’s amazing to see the truths of God’s Word really reaching into people’s lives and making an impact in a way they perhaps have never had an opportunity to experience before. Thank you all for your continued prayers and support!
