So What Now?

So I'm back, safe and sound, in Chicago. To welcome me home is a pile of homework, and as I write this I am in a coffee shop trying to make some headway into a book and some writing. The lengthy to-do list lets me know that I am back, but not for long.

Exactly 8 weeks from today, Josiah, Lauren and I will arrive in the Manchester airport ready to start our internships and serve Formby Baptist Church in a greater capacity at a greater length. It's going to be an incredible summer, and I am looking forward to it with great anticipation.

But the question becomes: so, what now?

These next eight weeks are going to be spent in a lot of prayerful preparation for service this summer. I have to plan sermons and Bible studies, organize Holiday Club information, plan youth ministry programming and direction, and so much more. In short, these next eight weeks will not find me idle in preparing for this trip.

I said earlier that the next eight weeks will be spent in prayerful preparation. Over these last two weeks I realized how my prayer life can and does affect ministry in a profound way, and so I want to spend a lot of time in focused prayer for direction and instruction.

I don't want to cross the pond again and see it go awry because I was not attuned to the Spirit's leading, and so prayer is the key objective for the next eight weeks. So, what now? Prayer, and lots of it.

Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored...

---2 Thessalonians 3:1

So Long, For Now

Well, our time here is done.

It's been two incredible weeks of ministry. We've seen God move, and I think it's safe to say that Jesus was glorified by what we did over these two weeks.

Over the course of sermons, teaching times, Bible studies, events, and simple conversations, we lived out the Gospel. We encouraged one another, spurred one another on toward good works, and served one another zealously.

There have been times in my life when doing ministry hurt--and not in a good way. But there have also been times when doing ministry was sheer joy and downright fun. And I think these two weeks were filled with both joy and fun.

Plans have been set into motion for this summer's internship, and there is plenty to accomplish between now and May 17, but before I know it, I will be back. That is the only thing making it easy to leave right now, the knowledge I will be back in only 2 months.

Leaving this summer will be hard--and it isn't all that easy now, but I will be back, Lord willing. After seeing God work here in these two brief weeks, I am eagerly anticipating what the 8 weeks this summer hold.

So I do not say "Goodbye," but "See you later." Because it won't be long, Formby, until I'm back.

Family. Yes, Even Here.

I've always thought that if the family of God is really the family of God, I should be able to go anywhere, and have family.

Today, I discovered this was, indeed, true.

This summer, I will be completing a required internship for my degree; one of the many requirements for this internship is that I have a mentor to discuss various ministry topics and happenings with.

Through a friend, I was introduced to Stuart, a pastor from Southport, a town only about 20 minutes away from Formby. Stuart was my friend's pastor, with whom she's quite close, so she matched us up and after a series of emails, we planned to meet today.

So there I was, standing in the Southport train station under the M&S sign, where Stuart said he'd meet me. An hour later, I've just shared life with someone who was previously only a few characters on my computer screen.

Stuart and I grabbed a cup of coffee at a shop near the train station; we talked about my experience at Moody, my family, my time here in Formby, about his life and his ministry and his family. He took me for a quick tour of the church he pastors, as well as introduced me to his co-pastor Adam; a huge blessing is that they offered me their libraries over the summer, which saves me a lot of work (and luggage space) from carting books over this summer.

Our time together was quite brief-we were together for just about an hour. It was, however, one of the most encouraging hours I've ever experienced, and I looking forward with great anticipation to this summer.

So, today, I met a brother from across the pond. We talk often of six-degrees of separation; but I am beginning to think that in the Kingdom, there is truly only One, Christ Himself. Without Christ, Stuart and I would never have had an opportunity to meet--which would be truly sad.

So I am thankful for today, for the simple blessing of meeting another one of God's people in another one of God's places. I am thankful for the blessing that even here, across the pond, I have family.

"Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers..."

---Hebrews 13:1-2a

Using His Strength to Do His Work

Thanks for your continued prayers and support. As some of you know, I was slightly under the weather this weekend--I ended up skipping the men's breakfast to sleep in so I could be up to snuff for the Gala on Saturday night and preaching Sunday morning.

God was good, and Sunday morning I woke up feeling great. That was an additional blessing to the success we saw during the Gala on Sunday night. It was the largest crowd to ever come out for the Gala, and the Gospel was presented clearly and God was glorified by what we accomplished with His power.

This Sunday's sermon was probably my most favorite message I've given--I was so excited to preach it on Sunday morning, and a handful of people came to me and told me that the Spirit really used it. It was probably the most evangelistic sermon I've ever preached: I verbally and explicit called for those present to repent and turn to the Lord if they had not already.

Sunday led into a busy couple of days. Here's a brief recap:

Monday: We put on a Gospel-centered assembly at a Church of England primary school two towns away from Formby. After singing and doing skits and giving a talk (all to share the Gospel), 5th year students gave us a tour of the school. Ethan and Andrew (my tour guides) spent a lot of their time explaining the playground outside than they did the school building--so we know what's important to them! Then we came back, and the three returning interns had a meeting with Janice, a deacon's wife and ministry powerhouse, to plan the internship. Then it was off to the Senior's Tea and Chat, where the team led a devotional on mentoring, and then we ended the day at John and Nancy's house for dinner.

Tuesday: Free day in the Lake District, which I am convinced is God's country. It's the most beautiful place I've ever been. We spent the day there, did some hiking, and ended the day with some Fish and Chips.

Wednesday: Breakfast with the men of team and some of the youth, then a team meeting to set up for King's Kids tomorrow. Tonight I will be leading the all-church Bible study.

As you can imagine, it has been a busy few days, but we have seen God move through significant conversations. With the Gala over with, and with no sermon to prepare, I've had a lot more time for good conversations and times of encouraging folks. It's been a blast--there is nothing better than seeing God work in a person's life.

Thanks for your prayers. For the next couple days, please pray for endurance, because I want to finish strong. Prayers for strength would be helpful, too, because on Tuesday morning, it's back to the classroom grind.

Time flies when you're having fun!

Progress

It seems hard to believe that Week 1 is almost complete. We certainly hit the ground running this weekend, and after our short break on Monday, we have continued to work hard in preparation for the Gala this Saturday (more on that below) and I have been hard at work on preparing my sermon for this Sunday morning.

Here's the last few days (and the next few) in review:

Tuesday: Up early at Cafe Nero, working on my sermon. After lunch, we had a team meeting practicing skits for the Gala and a puppet skit for King's Kids. Tuesday night we had an informal hang out with the men of the church, during which the Americans beat the British at "Articulate!" a a British trivia game.

Wednesday: Up early at Cafe Nero once more. This time, coffee with Andy a 3rd-year college student (that's like a Senior in High School in the States) who had a day off from classes. That was a great time of catching up and getting a pulse on each other's lives again. Continued working on my sermon after Andy left. Team meeting at the church: lunch together, then more Gala practice (we got the whole thing done that day). Finished the sermon after the meeting, went home for tea (or dinner as we say in the States) and then back to church for the all-church Bible study. When we got home, Robert and Mary and I chatted a bit before heading to bed (our evening ritual, really).

Thursday: Had a bit of a lie-in, then off to King George V College's Christian Union. I taught a lesson on the community as means for evangelism from 1 John 4:12. My basic point: Christian community exists to prove God to a world which needs Him desperately. Afterwards, two team members and I chatted and planned out some visitation with older members of the church and meetings for the summer internship. Then we set up for King's Kids, during which we ate dinner, played games, sang songs, taught a lesson and did a craft. The team and some youth came back to the Smitton's for a game of Buzz (another trivia game) and then off to bed after another chat with Robert and Mary.

Friday: Up early for sermon prep and line memorization, Gala practice, youth group in the evening.

Saturday: Men's Breakfast then the Gala in the evening. The Gala is an outreach event where we rent out a hall, eat dinner, and we put on a variety show. It's a ton of work, but a lot of fun. Lots of people not connected to the church or in a relationship with Jesus will be there. Pray for our team to get our stuff down, but also that the Gospel message would go well.

Sunday: Preach in the morning, on Luke 15:1-7. The Parable of the Lost Sheep teaches us that we pursue the lost because heaven won't be satisfied until every sheep is found. We'll be reflecting on this incredible passage together this Sunday, so perhaps I will put up a little bit of my manuscript sometime soon.

All that to say, my time Across the Pond goes well, but I am ready for some sleep before hitting the ground again tomorrow. I am thankful for your prayers and your watchful eye on this little journal and thought-collector. Please pray for endurance, especially this Saturday, as we will be working hard for the Gala, and for a good night's rest on Saturday night, so I can be ready to bring the Word on Sunday.

Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

---Colossians 1:28-29

A Day Out

Today, Monday, was our first of two days off during our stay. Before diving into an intense 6 days of ministry, we went to Castleton for some caving, a hike, and some great sightseeing. The photo below was taken from a ridge I climbed with another team member, which stood about a mile out from Castleton.

Thank you for your prayers yesterday. The Spirit came and did some work on my sermon, which made it a lot better than I thought it would be. The church was encouraged and it was a powerful kick-off for the next two weeks. I'll be preaching again this Sunday, and will be spending a few hours tomorrow morning writing it--prayers appreciated!

Many Meetings

And so I have arrived. Yesterday at 7 a.m. local time (about 1 a.m. central) I was re-united with Paul and Janice Lister, a lovely couple who really do a lot to help oversee and organize our time here, in the Manchester Airport.

That was the first of many happy moments of greetings, many happy meetings. From the minute I walked into my host family's door they have commenced with spoiling me, and it has been a true joy to be back together with them.

Last night (for many readers, yesterday afternoon) we had a sort of meet and greet at the church, where key families (mostly the host families and a few others) came for tea (a.k.a dinner) and for us to catch up. I discovered two very important factors:

First, potluck dinners in England are at least three times better than those I've had in the states. Curry? Yes please.

Second, that in the family of God, even when we are separated by an ocean and hundreds of miles, it is easy to pick up right where we left off.

It's currently about 5:30 a.m. local time; I woke up about 4 and haven't been able to return to sleep so I have decided to be productive and let everyone know that I am alive and well and very, very happy.

In just a few hours, I'll be preaching my first of two sermons, and I am quite looking forward to another opportunity to open the Word before God's people. Plans for tomorrow include going out for luncheon at a local restaurant to celebrate my host-mum's (Mary's) and host-sister's (Hannah's) birthdays which were just last week.

So, I am safely and happily across the pond, and ready to see what these two weeks have in store. Thanks for you prayers, which have gotten me this far, and I'd ask that you keep them coming.