Epistles From England Team-1981-England

pi0tlc from SnjIaniJ ...
report from ttam miniitriei

ckaiienîn^ a poit-C^kridtian nation wiik tke ciaimA of (^krUt
Vol. 8 No. 5 February, 1981
.r -
ERDINGTON REPORT
(Birmingham)
Roger Edrlngton
thinking and to try to find those who are looking for or are open to faith in Him. But even though we carry on with these two actions (and
more), the first goes largely unseen, and the latter is open to misunder
standings. Once a year at Christmas, we go outside to give a glimpse of what
BUILDING STABLES & IMAGES

The earliest church seemed to
God's Word is to all who will look.
instill in outsiders a two-pronged effect : fear of and high regard for the Christians (Acts 5 :11-13). They certainly saw that something was happening among the Christians
and were ambivalent about whether to
mm m
T
is our plea in hope that people will
see the real Jesus. Amid the famil
believe and join this group or to

stay on the safer side of fear.
God was doing His work among His people, and outsiders naturally saw
what God was doing. In our section of England's sec
iar wisemen and shepherd characters,

we hope that they will see that God is revealed to rich and ordinary workers alike. In Mary's openness to God's unorthodox way of bringing His Son to earth, we want people to see that they can be used by God
as well.
ond largest city, our image is not

so clear. Our identity is unknown to some; perhaps many never perceive the hand of God at worE Even if they do see churches doing something, "Churches are groups of people. If
God !_ at all, He is God.
And never
the twain shall meet," is the un conscious assumption of many. Our group of about 50 Christians attempts to make some impact on our community. We are working on build ing relationships together in Christ's love. A few of us go door-to-door calling to find out what people are
By having a live donkey (often erroneously thought to be the star of the show), we want them to know the nativity was an historical hap peningnot 20th century people dressed up in 1st century garb. But the tiniest character is, in fact, the point of it all. God can speak
on our human level. And He didl
(continued on back page)
HINCKLEY REPORT
Pete
AT CHRISTMAS TIME
when we try to present the Gospel
message to those who normally don't
Bowen Jan Bowen Janet

Baines
Christmas is always a time
hear it.
This year was no exception.
Tony
Calvert
The Church continued with its
usual events, such as the childrens
THROUGH UAU
The heating failed to come on
Christmas Party and Toy Service (when

toys and money are given to a Child ren's Home in the area). But the two highlights were the Carol Service ano the gospel distribution.
About 70 adults and children at
the night before, so it was cold enough to see your breath that Sunday morning. (Have you ever tried to read a hymn book through foggy puffs of breath?) In an effort to heat the church (and
tended the Carol Service, and both
children and adults took part, pre senting the birth of Christ with songs and readings. We were encouraged fay
several coirments from non-Christians
the water in the baptistry) we then proceeded to blow out a main

fuse. Prestono lightsl Then, as we came to the part of
the service when it was time to
on the program and its content.

Just before Christmas about 250
copies of Luke's Gospel were given

to people living in the area around
introduce the baptismal hymn, I turned and looked at the baptistryand it was now several inches lower
the church building.
People were
often surprised that a church was
than it had been at the beginning of the service. So we had several
offering a free gift, rather than asking for an offeringl There are some people to whom we hope to go
back and talk with further about Christ,
minutes of quiet meditation to the

sound of running water. By this
time I was ready for any disaster!
We thank God for these opportunities and ask that you remember us as we
minister here. JAN
But through it all, we did manage to baptize Marie Stokes, a young

housewife who came to our door
late one night asking if God could help her make some sense out
of her life.
I hope you'll talk to our Father

about Marie. She has a very dif ficult situation at home and has
some equally difficult personal problems to overcome. TONY
ST. ANN'S REPORT

(Nottingham)
Rita Ide
Linda
Nordhielm
Curt
Nordhielm
QaH Bums
Once every two weeks we go to the Long Hedge Old Folks Home to
hold a short service. One of our
regular days just happened to be Christmas Eve this year. Rita put together a special Christ
HEEEELLLLP!
When another church is struggling with a life or death, sink or swim
mas for the residents which included
situation, the family of God cannot

just sit by and wish them welles pecially if there are resources for help available. The Mansfield Church of Christ,
which is about 15 miles from where
we live in Nottingham (a 30 minute drive in England), is in just such a situation. They have only eleven
members in their church, most of whom are over 80 years old. But they do have a vision for the church growing. They want to work, but
favorite carols for everyone to sing, solos, scripture, and poems. To top off the service, we gave out Christmas stockings whicn held bath cubes for the ladies and a pen and hankie for the men. The Open Door Friendship Club made and stuffed the stockings while Rita made the candy canes and pinwheel cookies which were given out to everyone there. The residents of Long Hedge quite enjoyed the service and their gifts
especially the cookies.
{Homemade
cookiesbiscuits we call them
don't know where to begin. So. . . a gathering of people

from three sister churches in Not
are so usual here.) Because of age and problems, resi dents are confused and not always in touch with reality. But that did
not matter because there was at least
tinghamshire met with the people of

Mansfield to discuss what could be
one carol that touched the memory of each resident as they sang along.
That made it all worthwhile. GAIL
done. But it won't stop there. Mansfield and other Nottingham

shire-based Christians will reach
Christmas Gifts
out into the community side-by-side

to make new contacts. The Mansfield
To The Unexpecting
After nine months of
Church itself will also need teaching and strengthening to understand how
to receive new members of the church
waiting, Donnetta
was born on
Christine Nordhielm Cfecember
family. But there's not long to go with a church of this age. "Lord, please helpl" RITA
24. Both the baby and Linda are doing very well.
(Continued from front page)

Over 300 people from our area
braved the weather to attend our COMMJNITY CAROL FESTIVAL, held in
a discount store parking lot next to our church building.
It appears that we are beginning to gain the high regard of our neighborhood. Fear of God's work may take a little longerl But then, maybe more and more men and women
win believe in the Lord and be added to our number. It's been done before I ROGER
We sponsor the festival jointly with the very secular, local resi
dent's association. (They even put
the invitation leaflets out while
they collected their lottery moneyl)

But we "inside sinners" think that it
is good to rub shoulders with "out side sinners", so that they might get clearer image of what God's people
are like.
Yes. lotd.
The most important
words in the Christian's
vocubulary
EPISTLE FROM ENGLAND

Noithwesi ChitsOan Church
Non Profit Org.
1700 Anthony Dr. Champaign, IL 61S20

ERDINQTON TEAM 144 Gravellir Lns Birmingtiam B23 6LT England
HINCKLEYTEAM
8Trvo' Road
U.S. Postage
PAID
PemU No. 286
Champaign, 111.
ST. ANN'S TEAM
*3 Edginlon SirMt
Nollingham N03 3EV England
HInckley UE10 1JD
England
Horizons !.lissions Services Assoc

MNERICAN CORRESPONDENTS
Research Dept.
Box 177
Tim & Nancy
Keaptoriy IN
46049
iEptstk from Snglanii report ^rom team minidlriei

ckaiienîn^ a poil'dkrisUan nation wili ike citumA ofCkrUt
Vol. 8 No. 6
March, 1981
APR 1 01S81
But the situation where things are going wrongyour husband nags, you lose your job, your car breaks downis the precise place where
ERDINGTON REPORT
(Birmingham)
Roger Edrington
God can teach you patience. . . I_F

you allow Him to produce! As one of our young men said, "What is in you shows when you are squeezed." If love is in you when a tough situation arises, then love will pour out. If badness (any thing other than what God has
WHAT GOD PRODUCES

Believe it or not, God is about the business of producing perfection
in our lives. That is what He is
produced) is in you, then bad

ness will come out when you are squeezed. It can be no other way.
We also found that GOODNESS can often be con
moving each of us to beabsolutely like He intended in the beginning. In our weekly Share 'n Care meet ings, we are discovering together just what specifics God wants to pro duce. We are thinking all week about one of the aspects of the fruit of
the Spirit (Gal. 5:22) and coming

together each Wednesday to discuss and help one another to be in a place where God's Spirit can actually make
i t bloom in our hearts and lives.
fused with doing good things. But the kind of good ness which God pro duces has pure
motives and stems
For example, we have found that

God cannot produce PATIENCE in us when everything Is going right-your friends never let you down, your wife is always lovi ng , your roof never springs a leak, and the
Christians at
your church
never annoy you annoy you.
from a pure heart. It is not just doing the right thing for the wrong reason. He begins In our hearts and minds with the compelling motive of goodness. He makes us good before we can do what is good. Indeed as Paul wrote, "We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Oesus to do good works. . (Eph. 2:10). But when God is at work. He begins from the inside
and works out. We will refuse to
simply "do good works."
They are
HINCKLEY REPORT
Pete
unemployment rises, the message we have shared will help people come to the real security and life that is only in Jesus. PETE
Bowen
Jan Bowen
Janet
Points for
Baines
Tony
Calveri
TWO YEARS ON
It is now just over two years since the team came to work here in
To help you share in some of our greatest concerns at present, we ask you to please remember the following in prayer:
MARIE: A new Christian who is
seeking a deeper relationship

with the Lord and victory over
Hinckley. As we look back over the time, we see much to praise God for. The church has grown in number. With eight baptisms in the last
some serious personal problems.

PAM and JUDITH: We have men tioned these two ladies before.
1;wo years, we now have a membership

of 25. Among those who are new in
Christ, several have shown tremen dous signs of growth and desire to
serve God more deeply. At our midweek fellowship meal
We ask you to pray that they will stop hesitating about

their decision to follow Christ.
and Bible study, we now find 12 -
14 adults (plus about 8 children) meeting together and getting into

God's Word. Through this and our
worship meetings on Sunday, God

is binding us together into a more loving and caring community. He is teaching us and equipping us
to be more effective in His service. But there is still a long way
--BARBARA: A young Christian suf fering the pains of a broken marriage and seeking strength from Christ through the heart aches. The growth she has shown and the way she has coped
have amazed her welfare visitor
(and irritated her husband?).

VERA: A middle-aged woman seek ing the truth and studying the
Word.
to go.
The majority of new Chris
tians have been women whose husbands are not believers. We need a break
through with their husbands as well

as other men. Our door-to-door
Pray that we will contact more MEN who are willing to consider
Christ. JANET
evangelistic work has led us to over 800 doors, giving us countless opportunities to share the message of Christ. Many people are unwil
"Devote yourselves to prayer,
ling to commit themselves to Christ, and the general response is still more apathy than anything else. We pray that as recession hits and
being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ."
--Paul in Colossians 4:2-3
ST. ANN'S REPORT

(Nottingham)
Rita Ide Linda Nordhielm
FINALLY, A TIME TO STUDY. For the first time in over a genera tion {and perhaps two) the Churches of
Christ in the Nottingham area were to gether for a time of Bible study. (Up until this time, the reasons we met were to discuss what we might do to keep a church alive or for a service-but never to study the Bible.) And study it we did. For two hours, we looked at some of the teachings of the Mormons and com pared and contrasted them with what God has said. The Mormons are a very strong cult in this area and often appear at the door of many of the members of the
churches.
Nordhielm Gall Burns
Embarrassment &
Encouragement
Social issues are often over
looked by the church, as they are difficult to deal with, and many think it's not the place of the
church to be involved in what takes
place outside the church building.

However, the St. Ann's Ministers
Fraternal does not want to take a
back pew when it comes to social issues, since we believe that God is Lord of all aspects of life. To stimulate Christian awareness, a
forum was arranged to which two
This event happened at the request of one lady who has a deep desire to witness to Mormons,
but lacked the necessary
local men (both Christians and in volved in public services) were in vited to answer questions dealing with the media, Christian obliga tions to help the down-and-outs,
and the church's involvement in social reform.
tools to accomplish it. Now, she and about thirty others have something they can use to
share their faith with Mormons.
One of the statistics that was given was that the Mormons are converting
some fifteen people an hour throughout the world. This caused one person (an ex-Mormon herself) to ask, "If we have the truth, why aren't we bringing fif teen to Christ every hour?" The only response is that we are not out sharing the true God with those whom
we know. The Mormons do not have the
to share what
The attendance was not the best, but the insight of the answers and observations given by these two men proved a real source of embar rassment and encouragement. Embar
rassment in that we realized how
much there is to do--but encourage

ment in that we know that we have a God who is involved and active
correct theology, but they certainly

have the desire and zeal
they believe.
We, who have the truth
in our world and who will give us

strength to undertake the most dif ficult task of involving ourselves
in the world Jesus came to redeem. GAIL
and are redeemed of the Lord should
say so.
Psalms 107:2
bud, a blossom, a small fruit, a green

fruit, and then a ripe one.
still one fruit.
But it is
BOWENS + 1
On February 7 the Bowen family gained a new member. God has

blessed Pete and Jan with Gareth
It is a little like an orange. It has sections inside which you can examine, pull apart, and eat one at a time. But it grows as one orange.
Michael Peter, who topped tRe

scales at 5 pounds and 9 ounces.
Mother and son are fine--father
is still trying to get his feet on the ground!
We are not yet sure, but we think
What God
Produces
that love is probably the ruling quality of this fruit, and all the others are the specifics of love.
CHANCES ARE even though you are a few thousand miles from us, the same Spirit of God is wanting to produce the same qualities in you.
(continued from front page) not good unless God is truly the
production source.
People have at times mistakenly called what God is producing, "the fruits of the Spirit." But it is singuTar--fruit of the Spirit. As our group examines the individual
aspects of the fruit, we are try ing not to forget that it is all grown as one fruit. It may be a
IjOVE!
ROGER
Non Profit Org.
^Tet there be

Nonhvues) Christian Church
1700 Anthony Dr. Champaign, tL 61620

ERDtNQTON TEAM 144 Gravslly Lane Birmingham B33 6LT England HINCKLEYTEAM
STievor Road
U.S. Postage
PAID Permit No. 286
Chanpaign, 111.
ST. ANN'S TEAM
43 Edginlon SirMI
Nolllngham N03 3EV England
Hlnckley LE10 1J0 England
Missions Services
AMERICAN CORRESPONDENTS
Box 177
Tim & Nancy Baiber

1808 Winchester EWve
Kempton, IN
46049
Champaign, III.
iE]it0tk from iEnglanii . . . j report ^rom team mtnUtrieS

ckaiienîn^ apoit-(^ltriitian nation with the ciaimS o^ C^LrUt
Vol. R N'o. 7
(Nottingham)
Rita Ide Linda
April , 1981
sr. ANN'S REPORT
Learning to Give Out of Love

The national Children's Home is a
Nordhielm Curt Nordhielm Gail

Burns
Christian organization for homeless children. They take care of children

from infancy through teenage. Since it is a charity, they must meet their financial obligations through the contributions of other Christians.
One of the ways they raise money is through an annual event called "The tival choose a queen, two attendants, and a purse bearer to attend the Fes tival and represent their church. The children collect money from family and friends, brinq it back to Sunday School where it is all put together and placed in a purse for the purse bearer to present to the National
Children's Home.
Festival of Oueens."
Each year Sunday Schools who participate in the Fes
Our queen and her attendants were the first in line to present themselves
to the Lord "ayor and Mayoress of Nottingham.
Sunday School and church members.
they walked across that large stage'. Of course, I'm slightly prejudiced. Later on, our purse bearer presented the $52 that had been collected by the is fun doing things ''or other people. . . that it is good to help other child
ren who do not have a home like theirs. . . and that it IS more blessed to
And were our kids cute as
The children enjoyed themselves, and it was good for them to see that it
GAIL
give than to receive.
Discouraged, But Not Knocked Down

going if it does start. Perhaps that says more about me than it does^those
I want to interest in studylngl I have often been told, "If they don t like you, they won't like your Jesus." The problem is that it appears
ing a Bible study with non-believers. Then, it also is a chore to keep it
It seems that one of the most difficult parts of our ministry is start
that the people do like me, as I am welcome in their home at any time. What
they do not like is the demands that Christ makes on their lives. For instance, one gentleman came to my house for two studies. We were looking at the Gospel of Mark and after discussing the calling of Jesus
doing. (continued on back page)
disciples,I have not seen this man again. He is an entertainer (imitates Flvis Presley) and has a desire to be successful. I told him that God may call him away from that desire, and he might have to give up what he enjoys
ERDINGTON REPORT
(Birmingham)
Roger
Edrington
so we asked, "What is important to you today?" Then we changed to, "Jesus cares about what is important to you today." And later, we added in a corner, "So do we!" When Britain
was covered with an unusual 6" of
An Intriguing Notice Board

Our church building is not what many would call attractive. It sits a good way back from the road, not
snow, I felt we should relate scripture: "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow." Probably not many understood it, but they did get the point of the one word, "HELLO"
the next week. One new Christian's
quite on the corner, and has the polymorphic (look that up in your Funk and Wagnalls!) architecture of
mother (not a Christian) remarked, "I really like what you're doing. It makes me feel really good to look at your
notice board."
many additions (and corrections).

But we do have two notice boards
But the best was when a young man came to our Sunday evening meeting
next to the sidewalk, which many people oass. One tells the usual times of services, where to contact
knowing no one in our church. "I was intrigued by your notice board," he
said. One of our Christians who only lives around the corner replied, "Why,
what's on it?"
someone, and gives a welcome--though not very personal, o-^ course. The other contained posters~-somet1mes printed, often hand scrawled, rarely stimulating, and often empty. After giving it a deep brown coat 0^ paint, I determined it should not be empty again. I wanted to have a
Winning them all is not possible!

ROGER
Evangelism in the Church

Most churches here have a weekday
conversation (regrettably one-way)

with the people who passed. So, I
dug out some flourescent green let

ters, which some ladies in our church had made for other purposes, and
Ladies Meeting attached to the church. It is composed mainly of elderly ladies who often consider the meeting their "church." Many have never become Christians, although they have a vague
connection to Christian truth.
spent some time determining what our

"voice" would say. I was trying to develop the inani mate board to reflect the personality of our group o^ believers. We are unashamed Christians, but not stuffy. We are ordinary, yet changed. We are
quite accepting, yet never satis fied. We are evangelistic, but hopePully balance with sensitivity. We wanted their thoughts first.
Our ladies meeting has grown quite a bit over the past three years. Al though some older ladies have become Christians and joined the meeting, the "regulars" don't seem to be making that step. For the past four weeks, I have been taking them through basic Christ ianity, at the risk of being too strong and insulting their awareness. "Do
HINCKLEY REPORT
Pete Bo wen Jan
Now That I'm a Christian

Julie Salter became a Christian
Bowen
Janet Baines
over a year ago.

it in a poem:
After her baptism
she felt she had to share her new
Tony
Calverl
experience of life; she chose to do

I can look you in the eye
now I'm a Christian.
SEVEN FOR JESUS This Religious Education teacher was different--he really believed
in Jesus. He was unusual in other
ways too.
He might jump up on the
table in the middle of a lesson and
I can share your troubles with a happy heart. Because I have been given hope by Jesus,
His love has
stand there teaching as if nothing had happened. He had an old, dirty handkerchief with which he wiped his nose, the balckboard, and the
floor. He used it as a discipli
given me a brand
new start,
I can't wait to shout i t out

and tell a stranger! I can't wait to share the truth with an old friend! I can't wait to tell the world that I ve found Jesus! His love for me and you will never end.
nary tool : "If you don't behave, I'll wipe your face with it!" He was nuts, and the kids loved it-and he made Jesus come to life for
his students. Mr. Marchant taught these 14-year-olds that Jesus was indeed Good News. And some of them haven't for-
I can look into my life now I've found Jesus;
gotten.
Heather Frith didn't--
I know he shares what's hidden

in my heart. He knows that I'm sometimes
she was baptized at our church last year. Shawn, Tim, Graham,
Dave, and Craig believe in Jesus too--and right now we are studying
the Bible to see what God has to
lost and lonely, That my good intentions often

fall apart,
say about baptism, the Church, and the Christian life. Hilary
and êbecca are also interested.
But when he comes again I will be ready!

I'll be on front line
Most of these teen-agers want to and leader of the queue! be baptized into Christ, and I On that glorious day don't think it is far away for we all will be together; them. (Talk to God about them, I want to follow Jesus, then look for news in coming why don't you? issues of the Epistle!) ********************************** It is unusual to find so many 15-year-olds who want to follow Jesus-but it has reminded me that those who have ears to hear can hear! TONY
nSCQURAGEP, But (continued from St. Ann's) We also have contact with two middle-age couples who really enjoy our friendship, but to get them involved in a Bible study is out of the ques
tion. Vie can sit and talk all we want, but to talk of Christ is taboo.
However, we press on. About six months ago, a man visited one of our services. I went to see him shortly afterwards and asked if he would be interested in a Bible study . "Not at the moment," was the response. He continued to come to our services, so I payed another visit. This time he wanted to start a study. We have met once and another is planned. Time will tell if he, too, will reject the Christ or if he, like the first dis ciples, will leave his nets and boats behind to follow Jesus. CURT
EVANGELISM {continued from Erdington)

good people go to heaven?" I asked. Answer; "No! Only bad people. All
have sinned." Whether their life is
INFLATION OR UNEMPLOYMENT?
Britain's: Conservative governirvent
is continuing 'its hard-line fight\

against inflation even though unem
considered good by those around them

or not, they do not measure up to the standard of God. They must rely
on Him alone for true Life and sal
vation .
ployment is about 10%.
The annual
Some of the Christian ladies told
what Christ had done for them, and

there was much discussion. into Christ before. V/e've
and even some Conservatives voted
March; budget was ^considered by;:tlie opposition Labor party as "a catastrophy of the first order." The Liberals called: It "aj-misery budget"
had people in their 70's baptized

Whether the
against part of it, : j In :part, the budget-put up gaso
Spirit of God will get through is an open question. Please pray.

ROGER
line to-$2,92 per! U.S. gallon (up 37.overnight). Car licensing tax was up; 17% to;;$165 per year. Ciga rettes ;wi 1T cost an -average;6f;$2^05 per:pack and .booze also is increased,
The|;Chancellor of the Exchequer low ered, the mi nimum lending rate to 12% and mortgages come down to 13%.
EP1S11E FROM ENGLAND

Northwesi ChrtsOan Church
Non Profit Org.
1700 AnihoRy Dr. Champaign. IL 61820

EROINOTON TEAM
U.S. Postage
PAID Permit No. 286
Champaign, 111.
144 Gravelly Lane
Birmlnghtm B23 8LT

England
HCNCKLEYTEAM
B Trevor Road
ST. ANN'S TEAM
43 Edglnton Slreel
Nolllngnam NQ3 3EV
HlncKley LE10 1JD England
^gland
Horizons Missions Services Assoc

AMERICAN CORRESPONDEmS
Editorial Dept.
BOX 177
Tim & Nancy Barber

1808 Wr^chester Drive
Champaign. 111.
Keapton, IN
46049
iEftlstU from iEngknii rfiori from /cam mintilrui

ckaiienîn^ a post-C^ltÛlian nation witk ike ciaints o,,fCkrUt
Vol. 8 No. 8
HINCKLEY REPORT
Pete Bovten Jan
May. 1981
<dUN 2
The Choice of Choices
Bovten
Jane! Baines
Since last September we have been studying the Gospel of Luke in a weekly ladies meeting. Pam Barnbrook, a Sunday School teacher in our church for eight years, has been a faithful
member of these studies. Each week
Tony
Calven
the emphasis has been on the choices made by the people mentioned in the Bible passage.
While talking with Jan one Wednesday, Pam told her she believed that
Jesus was the Christ and that she knew she should be baptized. with her the importance of acting from her belief. yet!! Praise God! Jan shared
Later that night, Pam surprized us all and made her choice! On Sunday, /\pril 5, Pam was baptized into Christ. The smile of Joy hasn't left her
JANET
HEARING IS OBEYING
"It is unusual to ''ind so many 15
Three more (Andy, Hilary, & Rebecca)

would appreciate your prayers as they study their Bibles in preparation for baptism. I've decided this is fun! I hope you're en.ioying it too! TONY
year-olds who want to follow Jesus-but i t has reminded me that those who have ears to hear can hear!" Those
words may sound familiar to you. If they do, it's because I wrote them in the Fpistle last month.
Four of the seven teen-agers I
mentioned last month have heard
New Moves
Even though
there is still
and listened well. So well, in fact, that they were baptized into Christ on March ?.9. After believing in Christ for some months, and after
great need, there

are many exciting things happening
in the churches
serious thinking about the cost of following Jesus, SHAWN, GRAHAM,

DAVID, and TIM decided that true hearing means obeying. By the time you read this, two
here in Britain.
Among these is the formation of a new
congregation in West Bromwich (a part of Birmingham). By taking a few

Christians from another Birmingham church to ôrm the new core, a situa
more young people (Craig and Dean)

will have been baptized into Christ.
tion of great potential has been opened
ST. ANN'S REPORT

(Nottingham)
WOULD YOU PASS?

Jesus the Baby, the Boy, the Man and the Leader. These were the topics for Linda this year's Scripture Exam. The exam Nordhielm is a nationwide scheme sponsored by the National Sunday School Union in Nordhielm which both children and adults parti cipate. Those taking the test prepare by studying the pre-set passages in Sunday School and at homewe even had the
Gail Burns
children working on it during their midweek club.

The children's exam was mostly fill-in-the blank and multiple choice, but
for those of us who fall into the adult category, we had to slave over essay questions. Actually, I enjoyed taking the exam--first time I've ever said thatl
The results haven't come back yet, so we don't know how we did; but whatever
the results, the children learned quite a bit about Jesus and most probably will retain much of what was taught--and that, to my mind, makes the exam a
winner,
GAIL
A DESTROYING DRINK
"Brian is back." His wife continued, "He was really bad last night and
it scared him. He says he wants to stay off the drink." The words struck me hard and caused mixed emotions. I really wanted to
help Brian, and yet I had severe doubts that he would ever overcome his
addiction to alcohol. Six months earlier I had taken his confession of
faith, and we were making plans for his baptism when he started to drink again,
He had gone three months without drinking, and after many Bible studies (practically one a day), he was a different man. He was looking for a job, involved in different church activities and slowly the family was becoming a
unit. Then, the drinking started again.
K'hat caused the drinking binge is unknown. During the six months he would make the occasional appearance at our house (once he even brought us Christ mas gifts) and tell us that he could not stay off the stuff. He blamed only
himself, realizing that both his family and God had given him every chance to change. Brian has now returned to drinking. This last dry patch lasted about two
weeks. Once again, his family is torn apart. His stepson who prays for Brian every day, is starting to doubt God. A stepdaughter shows her heartache
by long crying spells.
Brian's daughter, too young to voice her feelings,
nonetheless knows something is wrong when daddy is home only part of the time. And his wife? She too wonders what God is going to do with a broken family.
It seems superfluous to ask you to pray for Brian and his family as we know
that you care for the ministry. But, if we could ask you to make a special effort there might be a whole Christian family in the inner-city.
CURT
ERDINGTON REPORT
(Birmingham)
Roger Edrington
like the path, and others choked by thorny cares. And this is true.
Some have commitment anxiety and hence, no depth in their commitment. Some expect magic curesand God rarely works that way. Some have not faced up to the new Reality which Jesus is wanting to build in them.
The Fish That Get Away

Not all of the stories that are
Some of the people who fall away

have been to a number of churches before
first written up as success for the Lord remain that way. Some people, keen to follow Christ at first, give up latersome after only months, some even after years. And of course, there are those who stay in the church but never grow and perhaps have also really given up.
V!e also have our share. A woman
they arrive here; one was self-termed "a spiritual gypsy." But something
we've observed about those we lose
is that they don't go to another church.

They drop out.
I wasn't quite sure how to take

that news when I first discovered it.
who had trouble relating to a few others in the church gave up. A young father came to our fellowship
Now (I think) it's probably a positive point. When people come here, we think that they see who they are in
the face of who God is. There are no
pretenses before God.
God offers Life,
only two or three times after his de cision to give his whole life to Jesus. After a ''ew years as a Christian, a college student says he clearly sees the cost of commitment and is no longer willing to pay the price. A college co-ed attracted by a friend said the words, but perhaps didn't really under stand the message of grace and truth. Why does it happen? We pour over it long hours sometimes. Is it our
fault? We are reluctant to accept this, but there are times when we have not given God's type of care to new Christians. Sometimes, we just didn't know how; other times, we
but there must be death of the old self
to get there.
Baptism is surely only

There is
the first death as certainly as it is
only the first taste of Life.
much that must die within us if we are to come near to what God has for us.
When some people see this, they

draw back. They would rather not face their own understandable fears, inade
quacies, and sin.
They were looking

But now that
for a different answer.
they have seen the answer, there is no need to look further. They must either follow the path of discipleship that
Jesus has both walked in and calls them
didn't have God's quality of love. The person had too much need; we had not expected to have been required to grow so much ourselves so that
they might grow.
to or they must drift off into the shadows, spending their effort avoiding
the substance.
We would rather quote the parable

of the Sower and the different types
Truly no one can snatch us out of the Father's hand, but Hebrews reminds us that all of us are potential fish that get awayunless we are allowing the Father to 'grow us up' into bigger
fish. ROGER
of soil.
Some people are rocky, some
On Mormons, the Koran, and Jesus

God gives us many interesting opportunities to witness of His grace. On one occasion, I was asked by an ex-Mormon to talk to a Mormon friend of hers. Upon arriving at the house, I found that her Mormon friend had invited three more friends, one of whom was "bishop" of the Mormon church in the Nottingham area. Hopefully, a seed of doubt in Mormonism was planted, but to my know ledge, none have become true followers of our Lord. More recently, I was sitting next to an Iranian student who told me that he had come to the West to study because his own country's education was in ferior to Britain's. After telling him I was an American minister, he began
saying that it was the West and Christians who were causing world problems.
He also assured me that the Koran told him all there was to know about
Christ and that it perfectly agreed with the Bible. I asked him if he had ever read the New Testament as I was equally sure that there were a number of very important differences between the Koran and the Bible. He had not read the Mew Testament and found it surprizing that the Bible was completed
long before the Koran,
I encouraged him to read the New Testament to find
the differences for himself.
I will probably never see any of these people again. As Paul says, some plant, some water, and God will grant the increase. Hopefully, God will bring these people into contact with other Christians who will water. CURT
NEW MOVES (continued from Hinckley) up in this multi-racial urban area.

Our interest in this work is es
our work there.
pecially strong because Jan and I

have been asked to minister with the West Bromwich church. We are now in
the process of selling our house here in Hinckley and purchasing one
in West Bromwich. After a visit to
The way God has led in this move has been very clear. The recent growth in the church here is further confirmation that this move is right We earnestly seek your prayers for the advancement of God's kingdom in West Bromwich and for our ministry
there.
PETE
the States in May/June, we will begin

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Vol. 8 No. 9
June, 1981
2 9198)
Churches of Christ have been here for
ERDINGTON REPORT
(Birmingham)
years, often looking for what God has been saying to them in Britain. We American helpers must also be
willing to look at God through the

eyes of another culture. Surely we
McDonalds & Mission

As McDonalds arch their hamburger
empire around the globe, it is inter
would not be right to organize our churches here in the same way as the U.S.A. Contrary to popular opinion, the U.S.A. way Is not the only way.
God wants people to follow Him in
esting to look at their missionary principle. It appears to be, "If it's good for the U.S.A., it's good for the world." We transplanted Am
ericans, of course, welcome a little
the specific place in which they arejust like the disciples in Galilee
must follow God with their own feet
on that particular soil.
McDonald's missionary principles

are way out of line, but we shall
reminder of home and when they re cently opened up in Birmingham, many of us made excuses to get there
quickly.
probably be hypocritical enough to munch the occasional Big Mac and

drink root beer. ROGER
But in a country where they've never heard of root beer, it seems odd that it's blatantly offered in two sizes. "Ketchup" displayed on those hygenic, lighted boards must
confuse many an Englishman who has
MEN
Many men today are running from
their responsibilities. We often
want the privileges and status of manhood without the responsibilities.

In the family, we want to see our
for years known the same item simply

as "tomato sauce", but has always
young learn, so we relegate to wives,

school teachers, and Sunday School teachers the responsibilities God has largely given to us. In England, men escape family re sponsibilities by going to the pub, playing sport, watching the 'telly', or even more respectably, by working too mucha very few, by going to too many Christian meetings. Divorce
often becomes the ultimate exit.
used vinegar on his chips (french fries) anyway.

But what of American Christians
who export their Christianity in the same way? It would be easy to bring our revival meetings, church build ings, and songs, but never hit at the heart of how the gospel relates
to English culturealll In the name
In our church, we are gaining an
of "preaching the pure gospel."
HINCKLEY REPORT
But in spite of all these problems, the impact of the Gospel is spreading among a group of young people here in Hinckley. Last month we reported on the baptism
of four teenage boys. Soon after
this, Craig Axtel and Dean Derby
irS SPREADING!
It's not easy for young people to follow Christ in England. It's not easy anywhere, I suppose but
I'm sure its harder for teenagers
decided to follow the lead of
in England than it was for me as a teenager in the U.S.A. Here,
young people face constant social pressure from a culture with deeply ingrained hostility toward
biblical Christianity. Parents
their friends. Nearly 60 people attended their baptismal service, and their step of faith has led to inquiries about baptism from five more young people. Hope you aren't tired of hear ing about young people--I sure enjoy writing about them! TONY
either oppose their children's involvement entirely, or do their best to keep them from "getting
too involved".
AMOVING EXPERIENCE
When Pete and Jan made plans to move to West Bromwich, I began to
peer pressure is no small force in a society where "nobody believes

that rubbish anymore". Religious pluralism has spawned an atmos
phere of such extreme tolerance

that firmly held convictions, even remotely similar to those of New Testament Christianity, are viewed
as intolerance. Add to this the
look for a place to live. After about 2 months I found a lovely apartment near the town center. Now that I'm finally settled in, I'm finding real joy in making it an "open house". Since I have al ways lived with other team members, inviting people into my home, of
fering them a cup of tea, and sit

ting down to talk is a new exper ience. . . and so is keeping things clean on my own! I find myself watching to see how this new area of my life is going to develop as a ministry. I want to share my home.
You don't need to be a minister
pitiful irrelevance of many

churches across the land, then
stir violently with the stress and

strain of Britain's economic and
social demise, and you have instant difficulty for teenagers who want
to follow Jesus.
to develop a "ministry" or share the gospel. You can take friends

into your kitchen, coffee, do alot of and share the love you for them. You
of Jesus. JB
have a cup of listening, of God He gives can tell them
sr. ANN'S REPORT

(Nottingham)
f dhiem
final time, the Nottinghamshire District Churches of Christ worshipped together. Even though the congregations are planning different paths for the future, we will always be able to share in
the communion and death.
God ori Maundy Thursday'when ^ for tê

RITA
Then on Good Friday, there was an open air witness in the local shopping precinct where four of the St. Ann's churches blended in order to share the gospel through pantomime and a devotional thought. In the evening the same churches came together again for a time of worship through singing and pro
clamation .
Finally, on Resurrection morning, after the morning service at the Church of Christ, a good number of the members distributed daffodils to the people
around the church building as an expression of our love.
The Challenge of Thinking in a Christian Way

The more I become involved in the religious life of British Christians, the more I realize just how little the Bible means to themeven to those among evangelical churches. They do not deny the major doctrines that we of the Restoration Movement hold dear, e.g. deity of Christ, physical resurrection, etc. But it shows simply in a lack of understanding that
Christ wants t0''take every thought captive' to^His throne (II Cor. 10:5).
Instead, most Christians/believe simply because their parents or friends
believe, and they do not ask any questions.
Recently, I was asked to lead a Bible study at an Anglican church on the

beautiful humility passage in Philip|i)ians 2, What I said was not new or creative, but it struck a chord with the people. They said they never heard the incarnation of Christ put that way and for the first time, they saw why Christ put on flesh. I found it surprising that some of these
people had been Christians for over 20 years.
What has happened is that even Christians no longer think in a Christian way. Perhaps you might think in a Christian way on Sunday, but you think differently when you go out into the 'real world,' When we realize there
is no need to think in two different ways, the Bible all of a sudden becomes very relevant to everyday life. One Christian woman said to me after one
of these studies that she now sees the need to study her Bible more.
It just might be that as churches get further away from the true meaning of Scripture, the Restoration Movement and its plea for Biblical Christianity
will fill the vacuum of a Wordless world. CURT
MEN
(continued from Erdington)
awareness that God is wanting to raise us up into a new breed of men. Indeed, we're not broad enough to shoulder the responsibility we will one day have. But we want to grow up to it, not diminish the size of the responsibility or run from it. A few of us are beginning to
IN PROCESS . HINCKLEY
A CAMP--Janet has the dubious honor
of directing the Children's Camp for 1981. The camp dates clash with the date of the Royal Wedding. Regrettably, Janet will be unable
to attend. Sorry Charles!
share and pray together on an early weekday morning before work. From this encouragement, over a cup of tea, toast, and puffy eyes, we are opening up to becoming more and
more the kind of men that God wants
A BABYTony and Angie are expecting their second child in July. Justin (2%) has decided he wants a brother
named Trevor.
to produce.
ROGER
Another Move
After several months of prayer and discussion, the team in St. Ann's has decided to accept an invitation from the Church of Christ in Tunbridge
Wells to minister with them.
A MAGAZINE--Janet is increasingly in volved in the photography and lay out of Christian Fellowship, England's
equivalent of Christian Standard.
A DEGREETony has been working parttime on a post-graduate degree at the University of Birmingham for
16 months now. At least 12 more
We hope to arrive in this small town south of London in the early autumn. We are looking for new types of team ministry in this situation, which is quite different from our present location. Meanwhile, we work just as hard here, knowing that God can still bring men to Him. CURT
months to go!
AN ABOUT FACE--For the first time in
many, many years, four new Churches (

of Christ have been born in England. Churches of Christ are growing again slowly, but {we pray) surely!

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Vol. 8 No. 10
July, 1981
MUli
ERDINGTON REPORT
(Birmingham)
Roger Edrington
Weakness in Church? - Never!

Would it be our weaknesses?
Wales think not.
too much to say that Those of us young

When we come to God
the only place God can meet us is in

adults who spent a weekend away in
with all our abilities and strengths,
how can He meet us? Where can His
A Big Crippler
His life is full of fear. His father used to beat his mother--
grace touch us?
We have it all.
It is not our weaknesses which
regularly.
too.
Sometimes, he got it
To get his father's respect,
prevent us from meeting God's power, but our strengths (or at least sup posed strengths). The 18 of us ex
amined together the nature of our
own weaknesses--or at least we made a
he felt that he needed to learn to
enjoy his mother being beaten. He lived in fear of any young boy
who might pick on him. So, he built up walls of toughness and was willing to fight anyone-~even though inside he was extremely soft. But he could
never let this weakness out. He
start. We looked at the things which in reality prevent us from living in our weakness and consequently meeting
the strength of God (I Cor. 12:9). My weakness will lead to something. It appears that it can only resolve
itself in one of two ways: it can
lead me into sin as I refuse to admit
lived in fear of anyone knowing. As an alcoholic sleeping in dere lict buildings and parks, he walked the streets always afraid of people. Now, Terry is a Christian, but like millions of Christians, he's still
in fearand afraid even to admit It.
it, and as I allow sin's power to cap
Roosevelt was right, "There is no thing to fear but fear itself." But
fear of fear is still a crippler. Terry is just beginning to learn the truth that God's deep acceptance
italize on my weakness (Romans 7:19-25) Or I can agree with God that I have tHe weakness (and stop denying it), which gives God the opportunity to meet my weakness with His strength. That is
sufficient grace for me.
sin
(instead of beatings) will meet his

fear. In reality! And in this case, God's love will most likely be medi My weakness
<:
God's power
ated through Christians who have
previously learned (usually the long

way) that perfect love casts out
fear. ROGER
ST. ANN'S REPORT

(Nottingham)
Riia Ide
Gail Burns
Linda Nordhieim
people are comfortable rather than trying to draw them to the church building where we are most comfortable.
GAIL
Nordhielm
Our God Is So Big

For an alarming number of Christians in Britain, Christianity has become a ritualistic Sunday morning only affair. For Christ to have any impact upon any other part of their lives is very un
usual .
A Failed Mission
With prayer, planning, leafletting and advertising, we held a three-day
mission (evangelistic meeting) in the

middle of May. The speakers were
drawn from the district Churches of
Christ and were all very good. Many who attended the mission thought it
worthwhile and of benefit to them
selves and a success.
But, it was
Recently, I was asked to speak to a ladies group in a Church of England. Most ladies groups have the image of being the strong
hold of contentless
not a success. Not really. For the mission did not accomplish its ob jective: drawing in non-Christians to hear the Gospel. The people of St. Ann's, like most low income people, are not concerned about church. They certainly do not go out of their way to go to church on a week nightnot when there is entertainment on the television, at the bingo hall or down at the pub.
The time when missions drew crowds is
Christianity where often the most impor tant topic is how to get three cups of tea from a tea bag instead of two. But, this group was much dif ferent and a joy to share with. The group, consisting mostly of young mothers, wanted me to talk about
the Mormon view of Jesus with a brief discussion on Jesus as Lord over the
now long past. They were good when people responded to them, but now that they do not, we need to explore
other avenues and make sure our out
whole world. Even though we could only scratch the surface, it was an exciting opportunity for me to share about see
ing the world from God's perspective.
reach is truly out reach to draw people to our Lord and God and not to a building they associate with pious church-goers. It can be the proverbial bitter pill to swallow; but now that the ex perience of the mission is under our
I prepared a lengthy hand-out paper on

how the Christian world view had been
eroded since the Bible was no longer the final authority. The ladies could not read it fast enough. For some it was the first time they had realized
that sin was the cause of most of the
belts, we (church and team) know even

better the fact that we must go to
the homes and share Christ where the
problems in the world. One woman was quite delighted when she learned that greed was a major contributing factor (continued on back page)
HINCKLEY REPORT
Pete 60 wen
Jan
Bowen Janel Baines
PAST MASTER ? f
Tony
Calvert
Just a few minutes ago I bought a book about Jesus which is part of
"Splash This Face!"

The chance to soak Tony's face with a well-watered sponge was here! And so was a chance to buy second-hand books, home-made cakes,
to find the buried treasure and to
have a cup of coffee. All this and more took place at a fund-raising effort sponsored by our youth clubs,
in aid of the Church of Christ in
a series on leading intellectual fig ures of the past. The title of the book (Jesus) and the series (Past Masters) intrigued me, for the combination is so typical of the way many Britons think about Jesus. A good man, of course; a wise teacher, very proba bly; certainly a master among menbut equally certainly a past master.
But not everyone
thinks of Jesus as
Buckie, Scotland,
(In a freak
a good--but deadman. For an increas
snowstorm the roof collapsed on the Buckie Sunday School room and
insurance didn't cover the cost of
ing number of people

he is a very present
Master. Five more
replacement.) We had good fun, raised a good sum of money, and had a great laugh at Justin Calvert (2% years). He grabbed a very drippy sponge, ran around to the
back of his unaware daddy, and
teenagers in Hinckley
now know Jesus as
got him good on the backside!!
their contemporary, for on June 7th, they were baptized into Christ. These young people have looked at the evi dence, and they believe that Jesus is
alive and well--and that as the Son of God He deserves to be their Master.
HOSPITALITY
"Practice hospitality ungrudg
ANDY ROBINSON, WAYNE SHARDLOW, and

NIGEL SMITH had been to Bible studies
ingly to one another."
(I Peter
4;9) Since our move to Chessher Street (only one block from the church building), this Scripture
has taken on new meaning for me.
Because we now live so much closer
at the church for almost a year; HILARY LEEDING had wanted to be bap tized some time ago, but her parents
took some convincing;
IAN MOORE had
to the church and its members, the
only been coming to youth meetings for a few months , but he too was con vinced that he needed to give his
life to Christ. Is Jesus a Past Master? Not to
number of people we see each day
(expected and unexpected) has in

creased tremendously. I spend alot of time making cups of tea
their way of thinking! These kids will tell you they are disciples of
a very Present Master! TONY
Weakness (continued from Erdington)

Amid much nitty-gritty sharing and heart-to-heart encouragement in Wales, the Spirit of God definitely chal lenged our pretenses and fence-sitting tactics. Worship was in the atmos phere and laughter abounded as we at tempted progressive meals from trailer
to trailer, raced on and off the soccer field as the rain dictated, rushed one lad to the hospital with a dislocated thumb after only two volleys of volleyball, and composed impromptu serenades. God was th^re and He was lovely to us.
ROGER & MICHELLE EDRINGTON
Hospitality and setting aside my planned routine to share with those who pass through
our door.
I must admit that at times my feel ings toward our visitors are not what the Scripture asks of me. Often times, I resent the interruptions on our pri vacy and family life. When this hap pens, I have to admit my sin and ask God to help me learn to minister as Jesus did--selflessly. Because I am not Jesus, it is often hard to prac tice hospitality ungrudgingly. But praise God that His business is changing lives, and that He is not
finished with me yet.
It's great
Big God
(continued from St. Ann's)
that He uses us as we are and still

moves us on.
to inflation and that Christ could even be Lord of that. It was a thrill to watch these
ANGIE CALVERT
ladies realize that God was bigger than just Sunday morning. That is the paradox of God: the more we un derstand about Him, the bigger He
becomes.
I passed one of these ladies on the street recently, and she said that my 'sermon' had been an impor tant step for her. She was now see ing life through the Lordship of Christ and not just her own eyes.
CURT
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Roger
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(^kriit
No. n
August, 1981 attempt, she got nearly to the build ing, and had a nosebleed. DRAT! But finally, she was reading the
New Testament and Christian books and
ERDINGTON REPORT
even coming to the evening service. Angela, Gloria's hairdresser and a budding evangelist, kept sharing the message of Jesus and helping her break
GLORIA TO GOD
"It's taken you three or four
the barriers.
She liked what she saw
years to get to this," I said to GLORIA on the day of her baptism.

"Three or four? It's taken me 38
in AngelaGod. And Angela was honest about the hard times she was having, which seemed to be many since she began letting
Jesus delve into her life. Gloria
years to get to this point," she said, correcting my view of how God works in the whole of people's lives It rarely begins when we knock on the door or begin a conversation
with someone about Jesus. God is
wanted to accept Jesus, but was afraid. Then she wanted to be baptized, but wanted it private. In the end, over 50 people watched her accept Jesus.
When she told her husband she was
working in the entirety of history, not just those moments when He is directly mentioned.
Gloria's interest in God was in
going to accept Jesus in baptism, he didn't speak to her for a week. She was already experiencing some of the cost of following Jesus as her Lord.
But follow Him she would. ROGER
stilled in her by her mother's own

Interest; the desire for God inten
sified when her mother died. Her
THE SPREADING R(l)OT

As rioting, burning, and looting by Britain's youth spread up and down the country, many have been trying
to analyze the causes and look for solutions. What has shocked police, politicians, and ordinary people is the youthfulness of many of the rioters. One among the juveniles arrested 1n London was a girl only ten years old. "What in the name of goodness are children this age doing out in the streets at this time of night?" asked Home Secretary, William Whitelaw.
three children began coming to our Sunday School about four years ago and sometimes came home telling her
what they had learned. Her interest
in God was rekindled. Michelle and I called on the fam
ily. "The first 'vicar' I've seen who comes to visit the people," she
christened me. She wanted to come
to our meetings, but her biggest barrier was actually getting there.
She said she had no reason to be a-
fraid, but she was.
On her first
sr. ANN'S REPORT

(Nottingham)
Rita Ida Gail Burns Unda Nordhielm
COD OR god?
Rita Dowding was having her kitchen refitted by a man who was a Jehovah Wit ness (OW). The whole process of doing the kitchen took a couple of weeks and Rita took many opportunities to talk to
John about her belief in God.
Nordhielm
One Saturday afternoon, the four dis trict Churches of Christ in Nottinghamshire gathered to do a study on the JW's. Rita took in as much as she could by listening and taking notes and with new information went back home to challenge John's JW belief where
it clashed with Christianity. One Tuesday when I went to her home for a Bible study, Rita said that John said the reason JW's translated John 1:1 . . and the Word was a god," and
not "the Word was God" was due to the Greek word for God in that sentence had
a different letter at the end. Thus, there was a small "g" for God and not a capital onecomplete baloneyl We spent the rest of the study and part of the next discussing Greek noun endings, parts of sentences and comparing words
in the Greek New Testament.
Rita, bless her active little heart, isn't afraid to use new knowledge and challenge those she knows to be off base as far as God is concerned. She
knows the cults lead people away from a true relationship with God (she was
a Mormon) and so desires to give the truth of the Gospel to those who are still caught. John didn't make any change from his JW stance that we know of, but Rita
is trusting God (with a capital "6") to work in his life and to use their
discussions to get John to re-examine his beliefs. GAIL
THIS IS FUM?
Two nights of giggling, hard floors, sleeping bags, hardly any sleep and snoring girls. . . two-and-a-half days of stories, walks, crafts, outings,
lessons, meals, chattering, singing, bruises, scrapes and lumpy bumps. . . one hour of showing off new songs, handicrafts and friends to Mum and Dad. . added to the twenty minutes it takes to carry packed bags out to the cars and clear off to home and you have Little Kids Camp which the Nottinghamshire Churches of Christ jumped into the first weekend in July, It was successful, fun, and worthwhile, but I was sure glad to get back to my soft bed and to a
roormiate who doesn't snore 1
I want to say thank you to all who gave me encouragement while I was recently in the States. I am sorry that I was not able to share with all of you. God keep you safe 'til we can fellowship together. RITA
HINCKLEY REPORT
Pete Bowen Jan
0 Reasons for Rejoicing $ 0

see peopl It is always exciting to see people come to know and obey the Lord. Over
Bowen Janet
Baine$
Tony
Calverl
the past months we have seen several young people baptized, and it gives
one a thrill to see their desire to
GLENN LLOYD is no exception, He has come with the other lads to youth club. services, and Bible studies. Now he has taken the step of obedience
grow,
and given himself to the Lord in baptism.
The night we witnessed Glenn's baptism we also rejoiced at the baptism of EDDIE PAYNE. Eddy is the husband of Jane, one of our members, and has been attending services frequently. Jan and Pete had occasionally met with the Paynes, but recently Tony had been having a weekly study with Eddy. One even ing Eddy told Tony he had made up his mind to take Jesus as his Saviour and be baptized. This gives us another complete family in the church--an answer
to much prayer!
By the time this goes to print, PAUL BAYLESS will also have been baptized. Paul is one of the many lads that have recently become Christians. It is
truly an amazing phenomenon to see all these lads try to sit in a pew designed for eight people! Actually, they have recently had to acknowledge the expan
sion of their number, so they now claim two pews!
We are rejoicing with and praying for these new brothers.
Please be praying
JANET
for their growth as they face the struggles and joys of the Christian life.
Walking Round the Town

For some strange reason, July 4th is not held in particular reverence
here in Britain. No one seems to be
Partners in Mission
I hope you will join in our ministry and become partners in our mission by
praying for people who are considering

committing their lives to Christ:
Clare Axtell is the mother of one
very interested in celebrating Ameri

ca's declaration of independence from
18th century British rule. But this year July 4th did have some special significance for many of the churches
in Hinckley. This year July 4th was the date of the Sunday School WalkRound, a procession with bands,
of the teenage boys who was baptized

in March. Mrs. Axtell lost her husband
Yet she under
three years ago and wants to be sure

of God's love for her.
floats, and groups of Sunday School

children which has been traditional
stands the importance of commitment, and is considering her decision to be baptized very carefully.
David Cawdron has been coming to the Church of Christ since he was born,
in Hinckley for over 100 years,
RIOTOUS LIVING
WALKING ROUND
(continued from Hinckley} The procession winds for over a mile through the main streets of the town, with hundreds lining the sidewalks to
have a look.
(continued from front)
Underground sources tipped off po lice that Birmingham was scheduled for a riot that evening. Christians found out and gathered to pray. The riots took off, but Christians noted that they seemed to be restrained unlike in Liverpool where police were
The whole event is billed as "A

Procession of Christian Witness."
losing the battle for several nights

until tear gas was used for the first time ever in English civil disorders. Young people are on the rampage-white skinheads against Asians and West Indians, just about everybody
This year we made the strongest wit ness for some time through our float's theme: "He is not here, He is risen!" 1,000 leaflets, challenging people to
faith in the resurrected Jesus, were
handed out along the route.

life. TONY
Perhaps
this walk round the town will lead
someone down the path that leads to
against the police, the most visible sign of an authority they deeply
distrust. Some perhaps have a cause-no hope of employment for youth, for examplebut many just join in the looting out of sheer greed or boredom. Many adults followed suit with shop ping carts full of items. Perhaps the most basic analysis, from our perspective came from the BBC's religious affairs correspondent,
who said that the church had failed
PARTNERS
(continued from Hinckley)

He knows
but even after more than 30 years has
not given his life to Christ.

difficult.
he should, but he finds all decisions
Taking the step of baptism
is very hard for him. Beverly Waitman is a young woman
to give people--especially the young any purpose in life. The materialism of the older generation has failed to provide them with any meaning and the
church has not filled that void. Please ask the Lord of the Church
recovering from recent heart pacemaker surgery. She believes and was on the verge of being baptized when this oper ation became necessary. She will need your prayers to help maintain her faith
during her recovery.
to make us strong in knowing and pro claiming in an understandable way the true meaning of life. CURT & ROGER
During the past SJj months, we have had the privilege of baptizing 15 people
here. We know that many of you have
been our prayer partners in this mission, so we praise God and thank you for your concern. Keep up the good work I TONY
^NEWLY ARRIVED
Gillian (pronounced "Jillian") Michelle was born to Angie and Tony
on July 3rd. Baby and mother are both healthy, and big brother Justin (almost 3) has decided that he likes "our new baby" very much.

Nonhuett ChrfsOan Church
Non Profit Org.

ERDINOTON TEAM 144 Qfavelly Ln Birmingham B23 6LT ST. ANN'S TEAM
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 286
Champaign, 111.
43 EdQlnlon StrMI
Nolllngttam NQ3 3EV

Ertgland
England
HINCKLEY TEAM 1 Chess^ler Street
HINCKIEY, Leics. LEIO OAH
England
Horizons Missions .-Jervices Assoc Editorial Dept.

BOx 177
Kempton, IN
46049
Tim & Nancy Baiter

1808 Wnchester Drive
Champaign, lil.
iEpistk from iEn0lanti . . . report ^rom team minUtrUi

ckaiienîn^ a podt-^kriitian nation with the ciainti o^ ^krist ~ Vol
. 9 No. 1
September, 1981
OCT
71981
ERDINGTON REPORT
(Birmingham)
Roger
Whether our ministries have become
Edrington
more 'establishment', I'm not sure. They are certainly more permanent. But perhaps we have not been radical enough in some areas.
"A church with a minister" sounds
a complete set in British Church of Christ ears, where so many churches

have not had a minister and still do WE NEVER SAY THE SAME
Things are always changing in our ministries across the countryfirst a large team ministry; then a smaller team;then two; then four team minis tries. Later, teams dissolve and leave a single ministerand some stay on to live with the church but not be employed by them. Another team picks up, taking its successes and failures to another part of the country to begin afresh. A ministry family begin a new church.
At least we're not the same as we
not. But having a minister is far from arrival. If they're people like me, they're very fallible and some times like a cork in the bottle, ac tually stopping growth. We want no arrival mentality in British churches, From Abraham (the father of faith)
onwards, we have been called to be a pilgrim people. But since then, we have often made security our goal. "When we get there, then. . ." And we stay. But security like that doesn't exist. True security is only as pilgrims progress. We are called to move on--not necessarily in local ity but in Lordship. Totally new ranges of God must be uncovered as
He takes us on. And where He wanted
were when we began eight years ago. We're not exclusively team ministries anymore, so even our logo at the top must change. And there are other min istries of American, English, Scot tish, Australian, and West Indian heritage here--expanding quite rapidly by English standards.
None of the new ministries has
taken up the team ministry model with its advantages and disadvantages
It could be ami stakesome ministries
may burn out as in other missions. Or perhaps God is moving to something new. What He blesses at one point, He might destroy at another. Look at the temple in Jerusalem!
you yesterday may not be where He wants you today. Our recent church fathers, the Campbells, were dubbed leaders of the Restoration Movement because they moved! They didn't establish the restoration. They just followed God. Where is our movement moving? God didn't teach us those things about baptism and church government, etc. for us to stop there. Those are basics, not maturity. The Jesus who never changes is calling us to change constantly! ROGER
sr. ANN'S REPORT

(Nottingham)
Gail
Burns
Linda
Do You Have Cancer?

His chosen profession was to imitate Elvis Presley in concerts throughout Britain. He sang, dressed, and even
looked like Elvis. Unfortunately, the imitation went too far when Roy Howell
committed suicide.
Nordhielm
Nordhielm
Roy (G. B. Stirling in the professional world) had an appointment book which was full; he had been interviewed on television a couple of times, and appeared to be very happy. But underneath the veneer was a man plagued by an emptiness which the stage could not fill. Roy was searching, and we had had a couple of Bible studies (see April 1981 Epistle). But after discussing
discipleship, I did not see Roy againever. Certain members of Roy's very large family (10 children) are convinced that
his death was caused by a broken love affair.

woman in the broken love affair was dead. help make that situation possible.
His oldest brother told me that

He continued
he would not be satisfied until there was 'an eye for an eye.'
by saying that his anger was like a cancer which would not go away until the
Roy's father agreed and offered to
I am convinced that those remarks were made in the emotion of the minute.
But they do point out what an unforqiving spirit might do. Not being able to (or should I say being unwilling) to forgive is a cancer (at least Roy's brother had that right) which will slowly eat away at you. Jesus said, 'the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.' We need to forgive those who hurt us or sin against us, just as our Father has forgiven us. God will
never die of cancer. Will we? CURT
A TRIP NORTH
where a week-long Christian convention took place.
Erdington), were able to spend some time in Keswick (northwest England)^
Gail and I, along with Janet Baines (Hinckley) and Penny Creasey (formerly
From many denominations
all over the country {and even a few from abroad) people came to listen to
and share in the Bible studies, singing, and preaching.
The town, bursting at the seams with people, is used to the arrival of
the convention. It has been an established event since 1875. Even though
it is a popular holiday town, many of the hotels, campsites, and tents were
reserved for Christians coming to the convention.
We enjoyed the trip even though we were in a tent and it rained much of the time. We were able to encourage one another, to be stirred into think
ing, and to join in praise with thousands of people.
RITA
HINCKLEY REPORT
Pete
Bo wen
SUPERCAMP!
This was the seventh year for our children's camp--and the first for
me as directorl Since I'm not a
Jan
Bowen
Janet Baines
great fan of camping in tents, I re Calverl joiced at finding a scout campground with a hall equipped to house sixty, hot and cold water, central heating, bunks, toilet facilities, woods with an outdoor pool, and so onmy idea of roughing it!!
Tony
I could easily describe many of the problems which arise in using a hall which has only been open for two weeks, but I won'tthough it was rather a mess cleaning up the water from one of the fire extinguishers set off in
the girl's dorm.
Our theme was, "See How Much God Cares For You." We tried to show the
campers (aged 7-11) what God has done to help us become what we were created
to be. Outside of the lessons, we emphasized the point in chapel and campfire times. As a special point of interest, Santa Claus came to our first,
and only, and rather smouldering campfire to share God's most precious gift-Jesus.
During our first meal , there was a fluster of excitement as, following a
burst of music from his latest movie, Superman rushed by the hall. He was
sited many times during the camp, most notably with feet protruding up out of a bush because he slipped in some mud. When he burst through the door
for our final chapel service, he showed how all our superheroes are just pretend. Only Jesus has the power to do any of those great deeds AND Jesus
is real!
Amidst shaving cream pies, flying water balloons, monster sketches and Bible drama, camp seemed to be enjoyed. I trust lives were enriched by learning of the fun and joy God wants for each of us. JANET
49 Clarendon Road, Hinckley Leicestershire, ENGLAND
Dear Friends
August ends my eighth year as a team minister. As of September 1 , I shall be changing my ministry and working on publications for the Churches
of Christ here. I will remain in Hinckley and will share as a member of
the church though my work will center in Leicester about ten miles away. I hardly expected such a change in my ministry, but I believe I am
following the Lord's leading. I am looking forward to my new job. I want to thank my home church for their trust and continued support
in
this new venture.
In Him,
JANET
A NEW WORK: WESTBROMWICH

The newly established West Bromwich Church is in the West Midlands
I remember when Pete was approached

to come to West Bromwich, we were
area in the centre of England. Both the Erdington and Coventry churches are in this metropolitan area, which has a population of over Zh million.
both excited.
Some months before,
Pete had made the comment that he
would like to get back into ministry in the city some time.
Last autumn we took a drive around
"YOU REMEMBER..
West Bromwich to look at the place. It was cold, dark, and rainy. I thought surely this isn't where God
would want us to be. But as the
BEV MULLINS (former team member
in Coventry and Erdington) was mar

ried in Erdington to ROB TAYLOR on August 1. Bev and Rob are both ac tively involved in the life of the Erdington fellowship where Rob is one of the preachers. Bev works as secretary to a Christian businessman while Rob is completing his job as manager of the Jesus Center, and then moves to manage a Christian day center
for ex-offenders of the law.
We should have mentioned earlier
weeks passed, it was evident that West Bromwich was exactly where He
wanted us.
We are now living in West Bromwich, and I must admit it is hard adjusting
after living In the much smaller, quieter town of Hinckley. This is a dirty, industrial city attached to
Birmingham, yet with 160,000 people who need Christ. That is why we are here. We are looking to God to en able us to proclaim His message.
We are starting out with a small
that DEBBIE (DAVIS) HARRIS (former team member in Coventry) and husband
RICHARD have rejoiced--and a few other thingswith twins since Feb ruary. MATTHEW and AMY were heavy weights for mother at nearly eight and seven pounds respectively at birth
group of Christians and are at pre sent having to use a building owned by another church. Yet despite the problems we face, we know our God has brought us here and is all suf
ficient for us. grow. His church will JAN BOWEN

Northwest Christian Church
1700 Anthony Dr.

Champaign. IL 61820
EfiDINQTON TEAM
ST. ANN'S TEAM
Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID
Permit No. 286

144 Gravelly Lana Birmingham B23 SLT England
HiNCKLEYTEAM 1 Chessher Street HINCKIEY, Leics. LE10 OAH
43 EOglnton Street Nottingham NQ3 3EV England
Champaign, 111.
{ngland
"oriao.Ts :.!i33ior.
Editorial Dept.
BOx 177 i-'Onipto.n, LW
-srvLc'^s Asaoc
Tim & Nancy Barber
Champaign. III.
603 Casfleton
)00
THE MONEY YOU GAVE

Fiscal Year -- September 1980 to August 1981
RECEIPTS
lEpiatk frnm iEnglanii report ^rom team minutfiei

cltai^nîn^ a poii-^firiitlan nation witk the ciaimi o,.fCUt
Vol
No. 2
October, 1981
Erdington
West Bromwich
MATTERS OF MAMMON
The Eighth Annual Financial Report
Roger & Michelle Edrington $13,479 + Special Gift $1,191

Hinckley
Pete & Jan Bowen $12,800 + Special Gifts 1,000

St. Ann's
NOV
4 JS8/
Janet Baines
$ 5,395
Tony & Angie Calvert $12,440 + Field Expenses $1,730
Gail Burns Rita Ide
$ 5,655 $ 3,215
Our stated policy is that we only talk about money once a year. We think that this is a fair approach to keep you safe from the bar rage of organizations and individuals who vie for your dollars. Even now, we won't ask you for money. And as long as we are sure that this
is what the Lord wants for u^,
we never will.
+ Furlough $400
Curt & Linda Nordhielm
But we think that it is right for us to tell you the facts of our
$13,961 +Car
U,K. TEAM FUNDS
$2,400
+Furlough
Balance Sept. 1, 1980 Receipts $202,27 Expenses $239.08 Balance August 31, 1981 $ 159.44
$510
finance. They speak for themselves on the back page. They tell us first of God's care for us through you. We are very grateful for that. Our thanks go out to you and overflow even more to God. THANK YOU! God has been teaching each of us different lessons about finance at different points in our lives. Some of us have had to learn the lessons of pulling our belts in, re-evaluating our spending habits,
U.S.A. TEAM FUNDS (Epistle) Balance Sept. 1, 1980 $ 143.99
and even doing without some things we thought important.

could never show.
Rita and Gail
have shared in a communal purse without which they could not have both survived. There are lessons in that kind of living that the figures Others of us have had more respectable salaries and were able to
122.63
Receipts $ 1,826,26 Expenses $ 1,133.18 Balance Aug. 31,1981 $ 837.07
experience the celebration of plenty and able to see that God was giving
us a washing machine or a more reliable car or . . .
Financially, it's been a year of good and bad for us in England. Inflation in Britain averaged about ^V^. But late in our financial year, your dollars began buying us more pounds which has made us feel like we were getting a raise--and just about keeping up with inflation. Mortgage rates have fluxuated like a well-waxed yo-yo, and gasoline
prices have been raised five times in five months making it nearly $3
per American gallon even with the change in the exchange rate. Most of us are supported by one to four churches and perhaps a few individuals. The degree of care by supporting congregations varies widely. Some churches constantly review their salaries to us "as they
Non Profit Org.
EPISTl FROM ENGLAND

Nonhwen Chrlttian Church

EROINQTON TEAM 144 Gravelly Lane ST. ANN'S TEAM 43 Edglnlon Street Notlingham NG3 3EV Eriolir^d
U.S. Postage
PAID
would wish their salaries reviewed."
Others still have the view of
Permit No. 286
Champaign, 111,
just giving their bit to missions. It's not our place to teach, but there are some congregations which could teach others something about
caring for their missionaries. We think you'll agree after examining our figures that none of
Birmingham B23 6LT

EflQland HiNCKLEY TEAM
1 Cheisher Street HINCKLEY, LeiCJ. LE10 OAH
England Pete & Jan Bowen
us are going to get rich in this missionespecially on a field with a much higher cost (but not standard) of living. But we wouldn't ex change all the riches in the world for the wealth of lessons that God
is teaching us by being in the position He wants us. We're going to go on doing what we learned from God in the begin
25 Oxford Road
ning of this missiontalking to Him about our daily bread.

Missions Box 177
bervices
If you're
West Bromwich, West Midlands B70 8PE

"nm & Nancy Baiber

son Costleton
also in touch with Him, we'll be able to follow Jesus' words about lack of anxiety for what we need. THANK YOU SINCERELY for what you have given to make sure that the
Word of God increases here in Britain. ROGER EDRINGTON ^
I .S.
Champaisn. III.
Kempton, IN
46049
OF IMPORTANCE SPECIAL CAMP REPORT

WEEK
players, it was good to see a model
being displayed by teenagers. Even
the models have much to learn about
ON TO MATURITY Someone wiser than us said, "A little leaven leavens the whole loaf."
GOD AT WORK
Christianity, but their attitude
Fifty-three young people (aged 11-16) and 14 adult staff members came together from churches around the country for Youth Camp 1981.
We had a full week in tents on the coast of Wales, at a place called
helped set a pace for all others to

follow. CURT NORDHIELM
Although leaven is usually a negative

idea in Scripture, we found that a little of God in young people could
LASTING RESULTS
One is never sure at camp how
much the emotion of the moment
Towyn.
(A five-cent prize for the first correct pronunciation!)
On the practical side, God's provision and blessing was evident in the excellent facilities. We had a large field to ourselves, but
still had access to the toilets and showers on the adjoining campsite Our tents and cooking facilities were good. The weather was warm and sunny for most of the week.
help the whole camp to rise to its

potential.
Since most of the 'lads and lasses'
from the Hinckley group were Christians, \

we found that their influence on the
From a spiritual perspective, God's presence and working among those present was even more evident and worthy of praise. The love and unity that existed among us was a joy. On the whole, the young people responded
well to the lessons and discussion times. This was espe
rest of the campers far exceeded their

number.
plays in a camper's decision to be baptized. Since baptism is an im portant decision not to be done
hastily while overwhelmed by an emotional flood, we were particu larly careful to speak to each
One example: dishes! All the campers were divided into families
with each family responsible for
cially true of the older campers who set a good example for the rest. Most of these older campers were already
Christians, and some of them are now considering seriously a call to full-time ministry. All those in Christ were
doing the dishes at particular times.

A good number of Hinckley campers were in one family. Instead of arguing as to who washed the pans and who washed the glasses, there was a desire to serve
and do the harder tasks. One Hinckley
camper who indicated an interest in baptism about the cost of com

mitment and the Lordship of Christ. Campers weren't baptized at camp
but rather at their home churches
certainly moved and challenged to a deeper walk with the Lord. Among those yet to come to Christ there was some real movement; two young men confessed their faith in Christ on the last night. One has subsequently been baptized, and the other will probably follow soon. The recreation times were enjoyable. Being close to the sea, we were able to spend several afternoons swimming and relaxing on the
where family, friends, and church could share in their new beginnings
g1rl volunteered
after each meal.
to wipe off the tables
Although already having training in

Jesus' truth, five campers were
This type of maturity had an effect on the rest of the campers. It spread
to the even more important aspects of classes, quiet times, and worship. Because of their example, other campers
baptized because camp was the cata lyst to help them take stock of
their lives and realize how much they needed Jesus.
There are others who went to
beach. One afternoon we took a trip on a narrow gauge railway (with an old steam engine pulling the train) to a beautiful spot called Dolgach Falls. God's beautiful creation was a joy to experience at this place with the waterfalls cascading down the mountainside. The final exciting thing about this year's camp was the witness
we were able to make to some people from the public campsite. On several evenings, some teenagers and a couple of adults came to share
who might have been there just for fun (or to cause trouble) took the teaching, and hopefully Christ, a bit more seriously
than they might have otherwise. In a country where the heroes are
camp who haven't yet made a commit

ment to Jesus, but we know an im
pression was made on them.
As the
in our campfire time.
Several of the teenagers (who were from a

PETE BOWEN
children's home) were deeply moved by God's Word.
either punk rockers or greedy soccer
seed was planted and watered, our God will bring the increase when the time is ripe. GAIL BURNS
Epistle from England

. . . A report from ministries challenging a post- Christian nation with the claims of Christ.
Vol.9
ERDINGTON REPORT
mmm
(Birmingham)
us," they revealed later. 1expressed my concern for them, but they left saying little. On Wednesday, he came early to talk with me and share what had happened. "I don't see any need in waiting around," he said in a style remi
niscent of a famous Ethiopian. When the rest of our Share 'N Care group gathered, he shared it with them. "Fine thing!'' one of our young men
Roger & Michille Edrington
piped up, "Staying home from church and get

ting converted instead!"
REALIZATION ALWAYS NEEDED
Phil was baptised into Jesus on Sunday night before a glowing group of believers and some
wondering unbelievers.
He walked into our church building one
Roger
Sunday evening. No one invited him, but God the Spirit had been convicting him through a
series of events for nearly ten years.
PHIL RIGBY had been strongly influenced by the music and thought of Bob Dylan over the years. When Dylan became a Christian, Phil began to consider more carefully vi/hat Jesus was saying. He went to a number of churches and stayed for a good while in one of Britain's
black-led churches. Phil was often the only white man there, which didn't bother him, but
neither did he find the answers to some of the
questions he was asking. In our own fellowship, he quickly expressed that he felt like it was home. He sensed an open
ness that some of us were on that same road to
truth and life which he was travelling. One Sunday morning, he didn't come to
church. He had been in such a foul mood as he had never been before. REALIZATION! He
had absolutely no love in him at all. He was awful; he needed God; he needed saving. '1 don't see any need in waiting around'
"Every judgment that I make of a man, even if I am careful to say nothing to him, even if I hide
it deep in my heart, and even if I am almost or
entirely unaware of it myself, makes between him and me an unbridgeable gulf and hope lessly prevents my giving him any effective assistance. By my judgement, I drive him more
deeply into his faults rather than free him from
them."
On Sunday night, Phil and his wife, Jenny came to our meeting. They were noticably in deep thought and emotionally moved in the ser vice. "The sermon had seemed to be just for
Paul Tournier in Guilt and Grace
"Judge not, lest you be judged."

Jesus in Matthew
HINCKLEY REPORT
(Leicestershire)
Tony & Angela Calvert

Justin & Gillian
Judith Carter has had nightmares lately, because she feels the tension of occupying an impossible position. She knows she should say "yes" to Jesus, ar>d can't bring herself to say "no". But her fiance is an angry unbeliever; she can't say "no" to him, either. So right now she
says "maybe" to Jesus. Tony
Yes, Na-And Maybe Two more people in Hinckley have said "yes" to Jesus Christ. On the last Sunday in August, Beverly Weightman and Richard Parkins were baptized into Christ. Beverley is a young
married woman who mistook one of our mem bers for a Jehovah's Witness she had been
So You Think You Speak English?

After a few years in England I have come to realize that I lived for more than 20 years under a fundamental misconception. I once believed that I spoke the English language; but I now know that was not true. American, yes, but not necessarily EngiishI It was not just the different words which
studying with. We promptly put her in touch

with John and June Bevins, some members who were once Witnesses themselves. After some
months of study and patient care, Beverley said "yes" to Jesus. Richard Parkins is a teenager who expressed his desire to follow Jesus after seeing so many of his friends do the same. After some serious thinking about the cost of follow ing Christ, Richard also decided to say "yes". But part of life in a broken world is tragedy in the midst of triumph. When Lynne Whitfield's father died of cancer with curses on his lips, she could not bear to think of God as his Judge. She
now describes herself as an atheist. She finds unbelief easier to live with now. It hurts when I
helped me to see the light. Saying "motorway"

instead of "inter-state", "nappy" instead of "diaper", and "mince" instead of "hamburger" does not constitute total transmogrification. But
when I mastered some of the local dialect
(Hinckleyese?), I realized that it could only be considered English, never American. Try your translating ability on these:
"Gizzitma." (Give it to me.)
think that Lynne was the first person baptized under our ministry, back in September, 1979.
"Geeityer." (Give It to you.) "Jeerat." (Did you hear that?)
"Mammy
Dally."
Ex-heavywieght
boxing
champion who floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee.)

'Sh wi tek uz sarnies down cut?" (Shall we eat our sandwiches on the canal bank?) "Ooyarl" (Oh dearl)
So you thought you spoke EngI ish I
NOW, A MEMBER OF CHRIST
TUNBRIDGE WELLS REPORT (Kent)
George has been a committed church-goer for most of his life. He has always thought it impor tant to be Involved in the life of a community by supporting a local church. Unfortunately his
committment did not extend to Christ. For
ilL<ft (a nghtl
Rita Ide
Linda Nordhielm
Curt Nordhielm Donetta Nordhielm Gail Burns
George, Jesus was just a 'superman', a person who was just a bit better than the average man on the street, but not the Messiah.
When he started attending our services, I approached him about a Bible study, but he did not think it was necessary. Two months later I asked him again and this time he agreed. For the last ten months or so we have had a weekly study on the person and work of Christ. At the beginning of September, George was baptised into Christ and as a result he became a member of our church. That was a new step for him and one which will take much support from other Christians. It will be very easy for him to slip back into church-going and for Jesus to be
demoted to just a great teacher. The baptism had an impact upon George's family who were able to witness it. Rose, his daughter, has been very faithful in her attendance at most of the church's activities. Ann, his
wife, though she does not come to church very often, listens while appearing busy in the kitchen as George and I continue our study in the privacy of his home. Since the team will be leaving in the very near future (Rita and Gail have already left), both support for George and a continuing challenge to both Ann and Rose must come from the church. Would you please ask the Father to raise someone up to continue pointing this family to Christ. If all of them were to accept Christ, it would be one complete family of Christians living very near
the church building.
Curt
A MOVE SOUTH
It was mentioned in the June Epistle that we (the whole team) would be moving to Tunbridge
Wells. This is a small village {26,000 population) 35 miles south of London. As it has worked out, Gail and I moved south on October 15. (Our temporary address is on the back page.) We will be starting some children's groups and hope to do some preliminary work for the future ministry. Curt and Linda will arrive just as soon as the legal formalities on the sale of their house in Nottingham and the purchase of one in Tunbridge Wells can be completed. This has been known to take a long time. We desire your prayers for this new work. Next month our report will come from both St. Ann's and Tunbridge Wells.
Rita
WEST BROMWICH REPORT
(West Midlands)
The church here in West Bromwich has had
Pete & Jan Bowen and Gareth
contact with a number of teenagers, mostly girls, who are typical of the sort t have described. They are not what would be called "pure and innocent young ladies". Some of these girls have slept around, often been drunk, and sniffed glue. A gouple of them have faces so hardened that if looks could kill, you would be
dead.
. M
Despite this, when confronted with the love
TEENS NEED LEAD
and truth of Jesus Christ, there is a recognition that life is in Him. They know what they are
doing is wrong, they want to stop, they want to be right with God. Bob and Ann Sievwright, who led this church in its forming stage, have gained the trust of some of these teenagers and have made progress in leading them towards that step of
One of the problems in a society that has largely rejected God and his ways is the vast number of young people who have no clear direction in life. Many teenagers, especially in the larger cities, grow up with bitterness, hatred, and cynicism as an everyday part of their lives. They drift from one thing to another looking for kicks. They are easily led into things that are not helpful and in extreme cases, are stirred up into the kind of destruction and vio
lence we saw on British streets last summer.
faith of giving their lives to Christ. We hope that

we will be able to continue that work and see
their young lives find real direction and purpose in a relationship with their Creator.
Pete
From my own past experience, I know that

much of the outward hardness and rebellion
against society comes up out of inner emptiness. If there is happiness at all, it is very shallow. So many are crying out for a lead-crying out for someone to show them the way to find real life.
A NEW FACE
With this edition, we receive a long overdue facelift. We are still striving to give you a sense
of real contact with our ministries here.
Our pictures now include families, facing up to the fact that even though not officially Involved, families are vitally involved in our
ministry. Do let us hear from you!
EPISTLE FROM ENGLAND Northwest Christian Church 1700 Anthony Drive Champaign, IL 61820
U.S.A.
TUNBRIDGE WELLS MINISTRY c/oCardtn Collage, "

Stone Sireet
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PAID
Tunbridge Wella, Kent
Pm1t No. 286
TNI 2QT England

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pi0tlc from SnjIaniJ ...

report from ttam miniitriei

BUILDING STABLES & IMAGES

God's Word is to all who will look.

believe and join this group or to

iar wisemen and shepherd characters,

ond largest city, our image is not

God !_ at all, He is God.

(continued on back page)

Bowen Jan Bowen Janet

Christmas is always a time

This year was no exception.

The Church continued with its

usual events, such as the childrens

Christmas Party and Toy Service (when

tended the Carol Service, and both

the water in the baptistry) we then proceeded to blow out a main

on the program and its content.

copies of Luke's Gospel were given

the church building.

often surprised that a church was

than it had been at the beginning of the service. So we had several

minutes of quiet meditation to the

time I was ready for any disaster!

But through it all, we did manage to baptize Marie Stokes, a young

I hope you'll talk to our Father

some equally difficult personal problems to overcome. TONY

ST. ANN'S REPORT

mas for the residents which included

situation, the family of God cannot

especially the cookies.

cookiesbiscuits we call them

don't know where to begin. So. . . a gathering of people

tinghamshire met with the people of

done. But it won't stop there. Mansfield and other Nottingham

out into the community side-by-side

Christine Nordhielm Cfecember

(Continued from front page)

a discount store parking lot next to our church building.

the invitation leaflets out while

they collected their lottery moneyl)

EPISTLE FROM ENGLAND

Non Profit Org.

1700 Anthony Dr. Champaign, IL 61S20

PemU No. 286

ST. ANN'S TEAM

HInckley UE10 1JD

Horizons !.lissions Services Assoc

Tim & Nancy

iEptstk from Snglanii report ^rom team minidlriei

God can teach you patience. . . I_F

WHAT GOD PRODUCES

produced) is in you, then bad

the Spirit (Gal. 5:22) and coming

For example, we have found that

simply "do good works."

(continued on back page)

seeking a deeper relationship

some serious personal problems.

1;wo years, we now have a membership

We ask you to pray that they will stop hesitating about

and Bible study, we now find 12 -

14 adults (plus about 8 children) meeting together and getting into

worship meetings on Sunday, God