The title above is one of our guiding principles in all we do for King Jesus here in Birmingham, England. Both by our teaching and our example, we want Christians to gain the desire and confidence to share the Good News with the many tens of thousands of Muslims in this great city. Our church outreach is geared that way, whether it is English lessons, fitness classes, or special community events. Please continue to pray that God would be at work in the hearts of “Karen’s ladies” and that there would be opportunities to share spiritually with them, as well as with the men who come to George’s men’s conversation class.
Some in our congregation have caught the vision for reaching out and even volunteer to organize outreach activities. Praise God for willing workers! Please pray for our upcoming community activities on the occasion of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. These include a sewing bee to make bunting (festive flags) and cupcake decorating (May 25th and June 1st respectively). These are times when we get to make new friends from the neighbourhood. May God permit us to influence them for the Kingdom of Christ. Finally, on Sunday June 3rd the church will host a traditional English Garden Party, inviting the local community to come with their food and join in the Jubilee celebrations. Promotion is being done through the local primary school and other neighbourhood organizations. Please pray that many come on the day, and that a lasting impact be made.
George has been spending significant time and energy strengthening links with churches in this part of the city. Pastors and church leaders from five area congregations gather each week in our home. Only one of the churches is self-sufficient enough to pay a pastor a full-time wage. Two others have been perilously close to disbanding. At the same time, the local Muslim community grows in strength and numbers. The mosque around the corner from our church purchased a second nearby property to expand its work, and another more conservative mosque and training school for Muslim evangelists has just moved into the neighbourhood despite objections from local residents. In such an environment, it is difficult to get churches excited about reaching out to Muslims. They do well to not become disheartened about the advances made by Islam while churches struggle to survive.
Thank you for praying and giving to this ministry. By your encouragement, God strengthens our hands to continue.
George and Karen
May 2012
