CLC World 2015 Issue 3

Bringing glory to God by making evangelical Christian literature available to all nations so that people may come to faith and maturity in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Pg. 11 - 22

CLC W RLD clc.org.uk/clcworld

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3 EASY WAYS TO SUPPORT CLC Help us make a difference in your community and around the world!

PRAY WITH US SIMPLY GOOD NEWS FROM clc.org.uk/pray

clc.org.uk/shops

SERVE WITH US

clc.org.uk/vacancies

What exactly makes the Gospel ‘good news’?

Book

Excerpt

In this issue:

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CLC News & 4-10 Conferences

Dear Reader, Welcome to CLC World! This free mission magazine

enables us to share with you, our faithful supporters, current news, testimonies, as well as, prayer and 978 0 281 07303 0 praise • £9.99 points, illustrating how we are daily impacting thousands of lives in over 50 countries.

Find compelling answers from one of the world’s leading New Testament scholars.

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24 UK UPDATE

29 -30 CLC WORLD

Checklist

REVIEWS

~ BOOKS WE RECOMMEND!

CLC International (UK) 291 Abbeydale Rd, Sheffield, S7 1FJ Mission: clc.org.uk Online Shop: clcbookshops.com

Personnel Enquiries:

personnel@clcbookshops.com

Finance Office:

financeuk@clcbookshops.com 51 The Dean, Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 9BJ Tel: 01962 733342

For Overseas Opportunities:

office@clcinternational.org

For magazine feedback or to SUBSCRIBE to CLC World (Single or Bulk), contact Amanda Lutes, CLC World Editor at:

291 Abbeydale Rd. Sheffield S7 1FJ

clcworld@clcbookshops.com

We know Christian books CHANGE lives, as we witness it first-hand everyday in nearly 180 bookshops around the world! It is our hope that by sharing about our endeavour to make Christian literature available to people of all nations so they may come to faith and maturity in Christ, you will be encouraged to continue spreading God’s Word.

08/06/2015 12:39

Inside, you will also discover a selection of Christian resources that we believe have the potential to also help you mature in your faith by growing closer to God. So what are you waiting for? Dive in and enjoy!

- Amanda Lutes, CLC World Editor

HAVE YOU HEARD? We have a NEW CLC UK bookshop!

CLC is registered as a charity in England & Wales (1015793) and in Scotland (SC037939)

CLC ad - Simply Good News (08.06.15).indd 1

25 Getting involved

www.spckpublishing.co.uk

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SHOP WITH US

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CLC W RLD

NEWS! M

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GOD’s Provision: A CLC Testimony David Almack, CLC USA Director, shares:

As I read the email closely, I realized we had a problem.

The books in question were needed for a conference in the Philippines, and the customer had been working for quite a while raising the funds to buy 1000 copies. Unfortunately, If you see this logo, then that when I got the email, we had only four or five weeks before CLC team is on Facebook. the conference was to take place and not enough time to ship the books from the USA in any economical way.

It was time for an ‘only in CLC’ story to unfold.

I quickly contacted our CLC team in Manila and asked if there was any chance that they could get these books printed locally for me, and they said they would look into it. After some investigation, they found a printer who could work with us and, within a few short weeks, these books were printed and delivered to the customer in the Philippines. The pastors were able to get the books at the conference and never knew about the heroics behind the scenes that made it possible. This is one of the reason we’ve created the CLC Philippines Print-on9781619581807 £9.50 Demand Project. For more details about CLC Projects, visit clc.org.uk/projects

CLC Philadelphia, USA: We were thrilled to have fiction author, Beverly Lewis, visit for a booksigning at our CLC Moorestown Bookshop.

CLC Kanazawa, Japan: Something to make you smile!

Now it may just be the lighting or the camera, but I found this photo on Facebook and just had to share it! This is our CLC Bookshop in Kanazawa, Japan, and I don’t know about you... but it looks PINK to me! 

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CLC Nairobi, Kenya: An amazing answer to prayer!

CLC Kenya now have a Print-on-Demand machine in Nairobi! Join us as we praise God! This will be a huge benefit for the team and for any other mission organisations that have their HQs in Nairobi. With a publisher's approval, CLC will be able to print their Christian books 'in-house', thereby avoiding the high cost of shipping and customs’ charges.

Here are a few photos of its arrival and the team receiving their initial training.

‘What a great suprise!’: A CLC Testimony Author & Pastor, Matt Mitchell, shares:

I’ve discovered that one of the joys of being published by CLC is seeing my book show up all over the world. In April (2015), Resistiendo el Chisme (Resisting Gossip) was featured in an 18 minute segment on the morning show of Channel One television in Colombia. (See photo) I have very little Spanish, but from what I understand, they did a great job of covering the contents of the book.

The hosts interview a representative of CLC Colombia named Carlos David Galeano, who (without notes!) explains my definition of gossip and lists the five gossips of the rogue’s gallery in chapter 3.

Watch the Spanish interview video at http://bit.ly/1QC2qhD Or scan this QR code: Later that same day, Dave Almack, the CLC USA Director who took a risk on my book, sent me this picture from a CLC bookstore in Panama. Here is a photo of Dave (on the left) with a customer who is purchasing a copy of Resistiendo el Chisme (Resisting Gossip).

When I signed up with CLC, I didn’t realise that my book would one day be translated into Spanish (and soon French, Russian, and Korean, as well) and help people to win the war of the wagging tongue all over the world. What a great surprise!

9780990351405 £9.99

Żyli wiecznie i szczęśliwie

FRANCIS CHAN & LISA CHAN

CLC Poland’s Polish edition

KSIĄŻKA AUTORA BESTSELLERA SZALONA MIŁOŚĆ

CLC Publishing:

Amanda Lutes shares about Krakow: At the 2015 CLC European Conference, I was thrilled to discover just how much success our teams have had this past year by focusing more on publishing. We’ve been able to get the rights to translate and publish some really stellar authors, like Billy Graham and Francis Chan. Praise God that we already have the rights to translate and publish Francis and Lisa Chan’s book, You and Me Forever, in these countries: Belarus, Bulgaria, Colombia, France, Italy, Myanmar, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Poland, and Romania!

WHY NOT SERVE WITH US? clc.org.uk/vacancies If you are passionate about the Gospel message and have a desire to reach your community, why not join a ‘family’ that loves serving the Lord, their community, and making a life-transforming impact around the world? Whether you are looking for voluntary or paid work, or even something in between, among the many opportunities we currently have available, CLC needs reliable, diligent, and enthusiastic team members for our busy bookshops, offices, and warehouse.

For nearly 75 years, CLC teams have been impacting lives across the UK. If you enjoy working in a team environment and believe, like we do, that Christian books CHANGE lives, why not visit our website to discover more about the different opportunities available to serve with us?

Email your enquiries to

personnel@clcbookshops.com

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CLC UK Team & Friends!

Héritage:

French Canadian musicians rediscover the hymns!

We enjoyed an amazing evening of hymns with Sebastion Demrey and Jimmy Lahaie of Héritage. Their latest album is in English, and it is a musthave in my opinion for those who truly love the hymns.

Now available in our shops and online at

clcbookshops.com

Miracles abound: Prayers most welcome in our shop!

A loyal CLC Chatham customer who has been using a walker for about 10 years was just healed in our shop! He has had surgery twice for his knees and back, but to little avail, and was due for more surgery in August (2015).

He came in as normal using his walker; barely able to walk or stand unaided, when another of our customers felt moved to pray for him! After the prayer, he left with that same walker, but this time carrying it on his shoulder! There was definite amazement from us all, though we shouldn’t be surprised — it’s the Holy Spirit at work!

Our manager, If Anumonye, had this to say after the event: “I’m still shaking and a bit rattled in a good way.

No! In a GREAT way! God be praised.”

629048187728 £11.99

A special treat: Cream teas for all!

Testimony Shared:

New Members & Appointments:

We are pleased to welcome Jennie Monk (Leicester) and Isabel Bernardi (London) as new members of CLC, and David Scouler (formerly CLC Australia) to our UK team.

Geoff Bearham (Wholesale) was reappointed and Kate Hayes (Stockport) was newly appointed to our Leadership Team.

Esther Dowey (CLC Inverness) has now been appointed as a CLC UK Trustee.

Photo: (From left to right) Jennie, Isabel, David, Geoff, Kate & Esther

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CLC UK Conference: Highlights of our time together!

What an amazing time we had at our conference this year! We were so glad that so many of our retirees were able to join us this year too. It is such a pleasure to share and learn from one another about how CLC has grown and changed throughout the years, yet remains focused on its mission to help people come to faith and maturity in the Lord Jesus Christ through the provision of Christian literature.

We were blessed to have Tom Read from The Vine Church (Hong Kong) lead us in such incredible times of worship. A big thank you to Tom and to Paul Owen (Integrity) for making the arrangements. Tom’s voice brings with it some unique experiences and perspectives. His songs, including co-writes with Tim Hughes, Ben Cantelon, and Marc James, are as honest as they are inspiring. Be sure to check out his album, Compass!

Another big thank you to William MacKenzie from Christian Focus Publications, who arranged for us to have authors/pastors Tope Koleoso (Hope Reborn) and Richard Bewes (The Lamb Wins and Equipped to Serve). Both had really encouraging and vital words from the Lord to share with us, and we hope to interview Tope for the next edition of CLC World and learn more about his heart for discipleship and training for those in Africa. (Photo (left to right): Tom, Tope & Wiliam)

5019282332025 £12.99

9781781914304 £4.99

The Lamb Wins!

Richard Bewes shared with us from his latest book, The Lamb Wins! (A guided tour through the book of Revelation) focusing primarily on Revelation 10.

‘So I went to the angel and told him to give me the small scroll. “Yes, take it and eat it,” he said. “It will be sweet as honey in your mouth, but it will turn sour in your stomach!”

10 So I took the small scroll from the hand of the angel, and I ate it! It was sweet in my mouth, but when I swallowed it, it turned sour in my stomach.’

(Rev 10: 9-10, NLT)

Have hope! Remember today that whatever trials you are facing, The Lamb Wins!, and allow these challenges to draw you closer to God. Realise that He is always with you and moulding you more into His likeness.

£7.99

I highly recommend getting a copy of The Lamb Wins! as it is a really fascinating look into the book of Revelation. Richard has a real way of making what you read in this book of the Bible truly ‘applicable’ to your life today — not just looking forward to what is to come. Amanda Lutes, CLC World Editor

9781857925975

Richard shared with us about how when we are first ‘commissioned’ to follow Jesus, there is such joy and we are unreserved doing what He requires of us. However, when John wrote the above verse, he was in exile and imprisoned. Richard explained that being ‘recommissioned’ later in life to do something to further God’s Kingdom is quite often a ‘private’ thing and at at time when we are quite often battle weary and worn down. We know the reality and cost of trusting and obeying Jesus as we follow Him. Although there is such great joy in doing His will (sweet as honey), the journey to fulfill His will also brings pain and sorrow (sour in your stomach). The reality is that through all the trials and challenges we face, Jesus is able to mould us so we become more like Him. As our goal is to become more like Him every day, the fact that we face difficulties makes sense when we remember that Jesus’ life led to Calvary. Although Calvary was devastating, it is also the source of our redemption and where our Lord and Saviour won the greatest battle, all for us!

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CLC Testimony: More than just a bookshop!

Tracy Simpson, CLC Birmingham (Stephenson Street) Manager, reminded us at this year’s UK Conference why it is important we continue to have a presence on the High Streets of cities around the world.

The homeless man who came into our store was called Mark, and he was found sitting in the corner of our shop on the floor crying one day last week. He had once believed he told us, but was finished with God because of everything that had happened to him. His mother had died 10 months earlier, and they had been very close. Then, eight weeks later, his only brother, who he described as his 'rock', had died of cancer. Five months ago, he came home from work to find that his beloved wife had committed suicide. The knock on effect of this was that he lost his job because he was just broken and unable to work which, in turn, meant he had been evicted because he couldn't pay his rent.

Mark decided to take his own life, he told us, as he could see no point in going on, and no one would care anyway. I explained to him that we in the shop would care very much indeed but, more to the point, Jesus would be heartbroken if he carried out his threat. I explained to him that Jesus could put his life back together, and that it is when we are lost and broken and at the end of our tether that Jesus works best. We talked for a long time, and I shared the gospel with him, telling him what Jesus had done in my own life. He couldn't believe that we were prepared to just listen to him and, as we gave him a hot drink, he asked through his tears, 'How much do I owe you for the tea?' He cried a lot and we put our arms around him and cried with him.

We prayed with him as a team and explained that nothing was too hard for our God and that he is the God of miracles. We gave him a meal and enough money for the bus ride down to the hostel. As we made many phone calls trying to get him a bed for the night — all unsuccessful — we telephoned one of our customers who works for the Salvation Army who suggested he went down to their hostel for the night.

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As he left the shop that night, we felt that we had done so little. As I went home on the train, I poured out my heart to God for him and asked, pleading, that Jesus would make himself so real to Mark. I prayed that he would still be alive by the next day and that God would restrain his hand from harming himself, and that our Saviour would put him back together again. I asked God to forgive me that I had not been able to do more.

This story has a very happy ending. As he lay in the bus station that night, Mark took out the Bible we had given him and started to read. As he read Mark sensed that someone was beside him and he no longer felt alone or afraid. Later that evening, Mark encountered Jesus again in such a way that there was no doubt that it was Him. Within the next few days, Mark was given a permanent place to stay in a hostel, due to the contacts we have here in the shop. He has given his life to Christ and decided that life is definitely worth living, and that Jesus has a plan for his life. He says he feels like a new person with strength to go on like never before. In the hostel, he was visited by a very nice support worker who offered to help him apply for the benefits he is entitled to to help him get his life back together until he is strong enough to work. People from a local church also came to see Mark and invited him along to their services. This church has Christian bereavement counselling to help people like Mark deal with their loss.

As I gave God all the glory and thanked Him for using us even in a small way, I realised that we don't need to have all the solutions to problems because Jesus has the answers.

He can do anything and everything. We are to simply be His hands, feet, eyes and ears. We just need to LOVE people and to CARE and to POINT people to JESUS! 9

SIMPLY GOOD NEWS FROM What exactly makes the Gospel ‘good news’?

Find compelling answers from one of the world’s leading New Testament scholars.

978 0 281 07303 0 • £9.99 Facebook “f ” Logo

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www.spckpublishing.co.uk CLCYou ad - Simply Good News (08.06.15).indd 1 are sitting quietly in a café with a couple of friends when suddenly the door bursts open and in08/06/2015 rushes 12:39

a stranger with a wild, excited look on his face. ‘Good news!’ he shouts. ‘You’ll never guess! The greatest news you can imagine!’

What on earth can he be talking about? What could his good news be, and why does he think it justifies barging into a café and telling strangers about it? (page 1)

The Christian faith in its earliest forms is presented as good news. That is the original meaning of the Old English word gospel. I am arguing that the idea of seeing the Christian faith as news that is good is itself, ironically, news to man people today. Even those who know in theory that this is what gospel means often fail to appreciate the significance of the fact. We need, I suggest, to ask afresh: what is the good news that Jesus himself announced and told his followers to announce as well?

Most people – including many Christians- never ask themselves this question. We assume we understand the gospel because it seems so familiar and so entrenched. So we skip over the significance of why Christianity comes to us in the form of an announcement of the best possible news. (Page 2) What good news regularly does, then is to put a new event into an old story, point to a wonderful future hitherto out of reach, and so introduce a new period in which, instead of living a hopeless life, people are now waiting with excitement for what they know is on the way.

The Christian good news is supposed to be this kind of thing. The gospel of Jesus Christ comes as news within a larger story. It points to a wonderful new future. And it introduces a anew period of waiting that changes our expectations. I am writing this book because I think many people, inside the church as well as outside have seldom heard the gospel story told in this fashion. (Page 4) Join Tom Wright to further discover why the gospel is news and what makes it good.

Excerpt Copyright: Simply Good News, SPCK Publishing 2015

Katowice Team

Sharing & Training

CLC European Leaders

Praying Together

Fellowship & Fun

CLC European Leaders Conference: A time of fellowship, sharing, and training

The last week of May (2015), CLC’s European leaders met together in Krakow, Poland, to enjoy hearing and learning from one another. David Almack’s devotionals were really ‘spot on’ about hope and how essential it is for leaders. Whether you are leading through change, seeing a revival of a dream, or facing a disaster, you need to remember that God has chosen you to lead His people. He will not just be WITH you, but IN you, so have HOPE! Our times of prayer and worship have truly been times spent in fellowship with one another and with the Lord. It is amazing to be surrounded by the prayers of so many languages (17 countries represented!).

Here are a few photos from the meetings. Be on the look out for the next issue of CLC World which will have testimonies from those who gathered at this event.

Now: £8.99 RRP: £9.99 ISBN: 9781782592990

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Available at your local CLC Bookshop or online at www.clcbookshops.com

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Enjoy Jeff’s trademark down-toearth realism as he turns his unique focus to Barnabas. Discover that in the midst of the ordinary, we can in fact all live extraordinary lives with God by our side.

Quito, Ecuador

Join us in this work. Lend us a hand through prayer so that many will give thanks for the gift that comes to us when God answers the prayers of so many.

2 Corinthians 1:11 (VOICE)

June 29th - July 5th

Week 27: Ecuador & Panama Monday (29th) - Quito (Ecuador):

We continue to pray that the Lord will allow us, according to His perfect will, to buy a property in Quito. We have already made a formal offer to the Christian ministry that owns the building and we are waiting for their decision about whether or not our offer is acceptable. It would be a great blessing for us if this purchase could go through.

Tuesday (30th) - Maintaining Sales (Ecuador):

Please pray with us that we will be able to maintain sales in our 5 CLC bookshops in Ecuador, a country where the economic situation is changing. In the first quarter of this year we have seen a significant drop in sales.

Wednesday (1st) - Guayaquil (Ecuador):

David, the manager of the main bookshop in the city of Guayaquil, has been under some emotional pressure this year as his wife has recently had a gall bladder operation and is also expecting a baby.

Please pray for good health and peace of mind for this couple, and for the safe arrival of their baby.

CLC Ecuador information provided by Carlos Marín

Thursday (2nd) - Needs (Panama) :

Please pray for CLC Panama regarding the following needs the team have. We need two more salespeople on the team, specifically for the mobile work – one for Panama City and another for the city of David. We are also praying that we will be able to buy our own property for the warehouse, offices and wholesale departments. A year ago we moved into rented premises, but we see this as temporary.

Friday (3rd) - Special Event (Panama):

Jim and Elizabeth George, international speakers and authors of many books, will be participating in three special events (for women, pastors and couples) organised by CLC and some Christian publishers in Panama this month. Please pray that this time will be an encouragement and blessing for everyone involved.

The Weekend (4th/5th) - A New Project (Panama): CLC Panama recently instigated a new project, Círculo de Lectores Kenesis, which is a reading club held once every two weeks in CLC Albrook.

This bookshop is situated in a large modern shopping mall and, as it is open late, it is an ideal location for evening events. A voluntary helper arranges the programme and authors or other guests are invited to read and talk about passages from different books. At the time of writing, around 12 people regularly attend this – but that number could grow as people hear about the project.

CLC Panama information provided by Milton Cheng

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July 6th - July 12th

Week 28: Switzerland, Cyprus & Germany Monday (6th) - New Website (Switzerland) :

Last November, we launched our new website. In the first three months of this year, website sales had already doubled compared with the same period last year. However, total sales in the bookshop were down. While we are pleased that people are ordering from us on the Internet, we still want customers to visit us in person.

Tuesday (7th) - Shop Improvements (Switzerland):

As the bookshop in Lugano-Agno now has some extra volunteer help, there are plans to make some changes to freshen up the appearance of the bookshop and improve the signs for the different sections.

Pray that the results will make shopping for books easier for customers, and that the shop will be more inviting for everyone who enters.

CLC Switzerland information provided by Carlos Ciafani CLC Cyprus Camps

Wednesday (8th) - Books at Camps (Cyprus):

Once again we plan to hold book tables at Christian camps. At the time of writing, a book table at a children’s camp is already planned for July 8th and a family camp in August. There may be more arranged nearer the time.

Please pray that the books and other items chosen will benefit those who will purchase them and help to meet people’s needs at each event.

Thursday (9th) - Co-operation in Limassol (Cyprus):

An English speaking fellowship in Limassol has turned one of the rooms where they hold their Bible studies into a bookshop! They recently obtained some Greek Bibles from us for the bookshop. Please pray that this co-operation will increase, and expand to supplies of our books and other items as well.

CLC Cyprus information provided by Sotos & Eva Photiades

Friday (10th) - An Answer before Praying! (Germany):

A gifted and much appreciated work colleague, who has worked for CLC Hamburg for the past 10 years, had to leave us recently. We will miss this lady who was warm-hearted in her service to customers and was often called on to give counsel and advice. Before we found out about this move we had already found another lady, also a mature Christian with a lot of experience, who was willing to work with us. Sometimes a solution arrives before we pray!

The Weekend (11th/12th) - Challenges in the Market (Germany):

As the Director of CLC Germany, I am involved in a number of working groups of Christian booksellers and publishers. I am very aware of the huge challenges that we all face in this market these days, and we value your prayer support. However, it is God himself that is building His Kingdom. As long as it is necessary, we have great joy in being in His service through the Christian bookshop ministry.

CLC Germany information provided by Valentin Schweigler

July 13th - July 19th

Week 29: India & Indonesia Monday (13th) - The Sales Situation (India) :

Pray for good sales in all the ELS centres. On the whole, there has been a drop in sales since the beginning of 2014 and the trend seems to be continuing this year too. By God’s grace, the 2 new bookshops opened last year, in Ranipet and Bangalore, are doing well. The bookshops in Delhi and Guwahati are struggling the most financially and the teams there would appreciate your prayers for increased sales.

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Tuesday (14th) - ‘The Heat is On’ (India):

Pray for good health and stamina for all the staff as the hot summer season has already started. Our bookshops in Delhi and Ludhiana reach the hottest temperatures - that can rise up to 44ºC.

CLC India Special Sale

Wednesday (15th) - A Special Sale (India):

A ‘Special Sale’ was held in the CLC Headquarters bookshop, in Chennai, for four days in April. Praise God for the good response.

Praise God too that during this time several people from other religious backgrounds walked into the shop and bought books and Bibles. Pray that God would minister to them by His Spirit and that they would be saved.

CLC India information provided by Justin Chellapan

Thursday (16th) - Praying for a Re-Opening (Indonesia):

If it is God’s will, we are considering re-opening a CLC centre in Manado, North Sulawesi. There are many Christians in this city and we recognise the need for a supply of Bibles, books and other Christian materials. Please pray for guidance in this matter.

Friday (17th) - CLC Publishing (Indonesia):

CLC Publishing in Indonesia has about 50 titles in print. At the time of writing, we have a book by Watchman Nee, Love Not the World, being prepared for printing and a book by Warren Wiersbe is going through the translation process. Praise God for the opportunity to publish Christian books in this country and pray that the books will bless many people.

The Weekend (18th/19th) - Promotion Programme (Indonesia):

Please pray for our promotion programme. We send letters and leaflets to many theological schools and trust God for a good response. Our goal is that students will buy, and appreciate, the books we have to offer.

In particular we want to make contact with new schools.

CLC Indonesia information provided by Donny Kairupan

July 20th - July 26th

Week 30: Volunteers “The world is hugged by the faithful arms of volunteers”, Everett Mámor

Monday (20th) - CLC Volunteers around the World:

Praise the Lord for all the volunteers (currently we have over 200 regular volunteers) who help CLC around the world. CLC would not be what it is, or do what it does, without them! Please pray for them - some will be mentioned in the following prayer points but God knows all of them by name.

Tuesday (21st) - Switzerland:

“In Switzerland it is hard to find volunteers - people need well paid jobs due to the high cost of living here. I want to thank God for a new volunteer in our bookshop. Her name is Gina, and she has come from Peru with her husband and two children to live in Switzerland. She only works a few hours each week, but she is very capable and willing and it is good to have a lady’s contribution to the aesthetics of the shop!” Carlo Ciafani, bookshop Manager

Wednesday (22nd) - Dominica:

“Tajya is a volunteer worker for CLC in Roseau. She is married with four children and would love to start up her own business from home but at the moment she does not have the finances for this. Meanwhile, we thank God for her dedication and contribution to CLC. Tajya is one of the main speakers on our newly established radio programme ‘CLC and the Open Book’.” Davis Laudat, bookshop Manager 13

Thursday (23rd) - United Kingdom:

“We are so thankful to have a new volunteer currently with us in CLC London, UK, for about three months. Becky is a nineteen-year-old who has just completed YWAM Discipleship training in Australia. She plans to return to Australia in September to serve for another 2 years with YWAM. We are grateful that this young lady is willing to serve with us at a time when we really needed help.” Shelley Webb, bookshop Manager

Friday (24th) - Philippines:

“CLC recently started to publish a children’s Sunday school curriculum “Sa Puso at Diwa”. As more orders are now coming in for the curriculum, CLC has secured the services of volunteer workers to do the revisions of the curriculum and add the final touches. Thank the Lord for these young people who are available and happy to help us.” Don Tan, CLC Philippines

The Weekend (25th/26th) - Portugal:

“We praise God for the work of João Silva, a key volunteer in CLC Portugal’s publishing department that started just last year. João is involved in the publicity, the cover design and the editing and he also has great ideas to develop the work in the future.” Carlos Cunha, National Director Carlos Cunha and João Silva

July 27th - August 2nd

Week 31: UK Changes Monday (27th) - New Warehouse:

Give thanks for the purchase, at the end of March, of a new warehouse just outside Chester. Pray that the renovations and fitting out are finished on time and that the warehouse is ready for use on the projected start date of early September. Pray for Mick Goodman as he oversees the work of preparing the premises.

New CLC Warehouse, near Chester

Tuesday (28th) - Project Management:

Pray for David Scouler, the project manager for the warehouse move. As well as supervising the actual move, David is managing the setting up and configuration of the new integrated computer software for the warehouse and shops. Give thanks that we have been able to identify a system that suits our needs and pray for warehouse and shop staff as they are trained in, and get used to, the new software.

Wednesday (29th) - From Alresford to Chester:

Pray for the actual move and transfer of the supply operation from Alresford to Chester. The stock will need to go north as well as other equipment. Pray that books and Bibles will continue to be sent out to the UK book trade with no problems and interruptions. The last two weeks in August and the first week of September is the crucial period.

Thursday (30th) - Staff Relocation:

As well as the stock, the Scoulers and some other staff members will also be moving north. Pray for those considering whether to relocate to Chester. For all involved it will be a new and unsettling period. Pray for the whole UK team as it goes through these changes.

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Friday (31st) - Opening and Closing Shops:

Give thanks for the recent acquisition of the Re:Fresh Christian Bookshop in Tolworth, Greater London. Pray for Graham Lapthorn, the manager, who has transferred from CLC Guildford to Tolworth, and for the staff who have joined us from Re:Fresh. The trustees reluctantly made the decision to close our shops in Canterbury and Guildford at the end of the leases in May.

The Weekend (1st/2nd) - Future Plans:

The UK Leadership Team would like to be able to open new shops in cities where there is no Christian bookshop.

The economic problems of the past few years saw many Christian bookshops close. Please pray that if this vision is from God, we will be able to find the right premises in the right location and at an affordable rent.

August 3rd - August 9th

Week 32: USA Monday (3rd) - Missionaries for CLC Thailand:

Don and Betsy Veldboom are currently serving as short-term missionaries with CLC, in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Dave Almack will be visiting them there in August to help with a major English language book table and to facilitate discussions about their possible longer-term service with CLC in Thailand in 2016.

Tuesday (4th) - Interns:

Three young women, all university students, are serving as interns with CLC around the world this month or in the near future. Tylar Gooden will be with CLC in the UK, Nicole Doornink will be in France and Tabitha DeHart will be serving in the Editorial Department with the CLC USA team in Fort Washington. Please pray for them.

Wednesday (5th) - Publishing:

From left to right: Nicole, Tabitha & Tylar

CLC USA will be publishing 7 new books in the second half of 2015. One of these books is the muchloved Prison Letters by Corrie ten Boom that has been out of print for many years. This book is the only known compilation of letters from Corrie while she was in prison. There will also be a new book by Stuart and Jill Briscoe, entitled Improving with Age. Stuart and Jill firmly believe that the senior years can be some of the best years of a person’s spiritual life and that senior saints have an important role to play in the life of the church.

Thursday (6th) - Mission Mobilizers:

Jim Pitman will have a new role in CLC USA as he takes on responsibility for mobilizing the next generation of CLC missionaries. He retains his role as Director of the Retail Stores, but will be handing over the day-today store management of the Cedarbrook store. Please pray for Jim in this new role, and for Bill and Marge Almack as they step down as the current mission mobilizers for CLC USA.

Friday (7th) - Websites:

CLC USA is re-launching two of their three websites this year in order to make them more effective and userfriendly. The first website to be redone is the www.clcpublications.com and this new website will allow CLC Publications to have a much more robust and “author-centric” web presence. The main mission website, www. clcusa.org will also be re-designed and will focus on our goal of attracting the next generation of CLC missionaries as well as new donors and partners for the ministry around the world.

15

The Weekend (8th/9th) - A Facelift:

Work is ongoing to give a complete facelift and remodeling of the Philadelphia Center City store. Much work has already been done to replace all of the overhead lighting fixtures. The additional work will involve painting, replacing the flooring and adding some new shelves. This project has taken far longer than expected and we would value prayer that it can be finished soon and without too much disruption.

CLC USA information provided by David Almack

August 10th - August 16th

Week 33: Portugal & Spain Monday (10th) - Growth in a Small Space (Portugal):

Thank God the bookshop has been blessed by growth in sales and we believe that it is a consequence of the many activities taking place in the bookshop. Some of these activities do not directly involve sales, but we are happy that our space is used as a centre of encounter and meetings. Our biggest challenge is that our shop is small and that limits the sort of initiatives we can take up, but our service to others is a priority.

Tuesday (11th) - Publishing (Portugal):

Currently we have two books, from CLC USA Publishing, that are under revision for publishing in Portuguese

by CLC Portugal. We trust that both books will be launched by the time you read this, or very soon after!

Please pray that these books, Changed into His Likeness by Watchman Nee and Holiness without the Halo

by Stuart and Jill Briscoe, will be a blessing to many.

CLC Portugal ‘Mini Concert’

Wednesday (12th) - Mini Concerts (Portugal):

This year we have started a new project to hold ‘Mini Concerts’ in the Coimbra bookshop. The first one was held in May, during lunch time, with Tiago Cavaco who is a well known pastor and musician in the evangelical churches of Portugal – he is also known in the secular music market too. We hope to hold similar events once every three months.

CLC Portugal information provided by Carlos Cunha

Thursday (13th) - Seville (Spain):

CLC Seville

The Seville manager, Manolo, has been actively promoting a number of events in the bookshop. This is bringing in a wide variety of people to the shop and sales have improved as a result. Pray for creativity and energy to arrange these events, and that they would connect with new people.

Friday (14th) - Valencia (Spain):

There are increasing numbers of Muslims in the area around the bookshop and they visit a market that is nearby. The CLC manager, Antonio, would like to have respectful communication with them. Please pray for opportunities to engage in conversation.

The Weekend (15th/16th) - Madrid (Spain):

Pray for the National Director, Darwin, as he manages a lot of responsibilities. In September new material will 16

be arriving from the United States. Pray for skill in placing these important orders, and for new wholesale opportunities. Bookshops continue to close across Spain due to the effects of the financial crisis.

CLC Spain information provided by Neil Wardrope on behalf of CLC Spain

August 17th - August 23rd

Week 34: United Kingdom Monday (17th) - Birmingham:

CLC has two shops in the centre of Birmingham, Stephenson Street and Carrs Lane. Pray for them as they work together to increase the sales of Bibles, literature and resources. Pray for Sue Allen, the new manager of Carrs Lane, as she learns the job and forms links with customers and churches.

Tuesday (18th) - London:

The London shop urgently needs a deputy manager. Please pray that the right person is found and also that the shop can find some more volunteers to help with the heavy work load.

Wednesday (19th) - Events:

Over the holiday weekend at the end of August, CLC will be providing the bookstalls at two large Christian events. As this weekend is also a crucial time in the warehouse move, this may make obtaining the stock for these events more difficult. Pray that the necessary resources will be available for the teams running the bookstalls. Pray too that CLC’s presence at these and other events will be a blessing and encouragement both to the organisers and those attending.

ONE Event 2014

Thursday (20th) - Staff Training:

Richard Morris, one of the UK Retail Managers, is retiring. He has agreed to continue with CLC two days a week to devise and implement training for the shop staff around the country. Pray for him as works out training priorities and the best way of providing it. Pray for his co-operation with Lloyd Hodkinson in the International Office who has been working on on-line training modules for CLC in various countries.

Friday (21st) - Finance Team:

Pray for John Auger and the finance team who, for the moment, will continue to be based in the Alresford warehouse. Pray for them as they handle the day to day business generated by shops and wholesale. Pray for them too as they provide financial information and projections to help the Leadership Team and Trustees in their planning.

The Weekend (22nd/23rd) - Scotland:

Pray for the three shops in Scotland - Inverness, Aberdeen, and Dundee. Give thanks for the enthusiastic teams in all three shops and the way they are developing contacts with local churches and organisations in each city.

Pray too that they will be able to reach out to the smaller towns and villages in their areas, working with others to promote the Good News.

August 24th - August 30th

Monday (24th) - Russia :

Week 35: Leadership Matters

Nikita Sapunov, who became the National Director for CLC Russia earlier this year, has had a busy few months. He writes: “In April, and after more than 8 months of preliminary work, we finally switched to a new Point-of-Sale and bookkeeping software system. Despite all the work so far, there are still adjustments to be made but our prayer is that the Lord will bless this change-over, not just as a fulfillment 17

of legal requirements, but also as another step to more efficient work and better service for our customers.”

Please pray for Nikita in his new role.

Tuesday (25th) - Canada:

CLC Canada has undergone some major changes in the past two or three years, including expansion, and some subsequent downsizing again, several new projects and more changes in the leadership than expected. Pray for Antoine Roberge who has served with CLC Canada for several years and is now the National Director. Pray for God’s guidance and blessing for Antoine and the team. .

Wednesday (26th) - India:

Justin and his daughter

Justin Chellapan became the Director for CLC India earlier this year. Within a few weeks of taking on this role, sadly, Justin’s wife died unexpectedly after a few months of health problems. Please pray for Justin as he leads one of CLC’s largest and busiest ministries while still coming to terms with the loss of his wife. Pray too for his daughter who is currently studying at university.

Thursday (27th) - United Kingdom:

This year, CLC UK has an interim leader, Eddie Olliffe, who is seeing through some major changes that are outlined in Week 31 of Prayer Focus. Pray for Eddie and also for God’s choice of National Director for CLC UK in the future.

Friday (28th) - Kenya:

CLC Kenya’s Director resigned recently. At the time of writing, Patrick Omukhango, a previous member of CLC Kenya, has agreed to return and serve as the interim general manager for a few weeks. This has been a huge blessing as he has been able to oversee the installation of a Print-on-Demand system that CLC Kenya has been praying and waiting for. We trust that by August we will have a new Director for the ministry in Kenya.

The Weekend (29th/30th) - The Caribbean:

Marlene Ramroop, the Director for CLC in Trinidad, Antigua and Dominica, became quite seriously ill earlier this year and following hospital treatment she spent several weeks at home resting and recuperating. Sadly, and despite some signs of improvement, she passed away at the end of May. We know Marlene is safe and well in the presence of her Lord but please do pray for her husband Duncan, who has serious long term health issues himself, and their son. This is a huge loss to the CLC teams as well and they would value your prayers as they come to terms with this situation.

In loving memory of MARLENE RAMROOP Marlene Ramroop served with CLC on her home island of Trinidad for almost 40 years and was much loved and appreciated. She first worked in the Arima bookshop, becoming the manager, and then as the manager of the main bookshop in Port of Spain. In 2000, Marlene became the National Director for CLC in the East Caribbean. Marlene fulfilled this role with remarkable dedication and commitment until her ‘promotion to glory’ on May 30th, 2015 after a brief but serious illness.

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August 31st - September 6th

Week 36: Sierra Leone & Liberia Monday (31st) - Audits (Sierra Leone):

We have engaged the services of an auditing firm to audit our books for the past three years, 2012-2104.

This will not be an easy task, so pray with us that the process will be handled professionally and will go smoothly. There were some discrepancies with regards to the reports, stock records, valuations of property etc. but we are doing our best to deal with these issues.

New Makeni Bookshop

Tuesday (1st) - Makeni (Sierra Leone):

Last year, CLC opened a fourth bookshop in Sierra Leone, in the northern town of Makeni. Almost from the outset, there were difficulties in operating the shop particularly due to the serious outbreak of the Ebola virus in the country. Earlier this year it also became necessary to move location, and that was accomplished in March. Pray for Alie Kamara, the young manager of this little bookshop, as he makes contacts and looks for ways to make the shop known to local people and the surrounding churches.

Wednesday (2nd) - Bo (Sierra Leone):

We are trusting God for His provision for our most desired project. We have been longing to acquire some land in Bo where we can build our own bookshop. The current bookshop belongs to a devout Muslim who has been increasing his rent because of the nature of our operations selling Christian materials. He has also been under pressure to evict us. If the Bo shop was owned by CLC, it would save us from all these uncertainties.

Thursday (3rd) - Staff Housing (Liberia):

CLC Sierra Leone information provided by Donald John

Isaac Dweh serves in the Monrovia bookshop. We have been praying about his housing situation, as his home was often flooded due to the temporary structure and the position of the land it was built on. Praise the Lord that through the generosity of members of the international CLC family, Isaacs’s long-held desire to build a home out of bricks has become a reality. Hopefully it will be finished by the time you read this.

Friday (4th) - The Ebola Crisis (Liberia) :

House under construction The Ebola crisis has made a huge impact on the lives of everyone in Liberia.

Praise the Lord that, on May 9th, the country was officially declared free of the virus. Pray for this country, and CLC’s ministry, as life starts to return to normality. The outbreak won’t be forgotten, and people will still be looking for hope and security in life.

The Weekend (5th/6th) - Mobile Plans (Liberia):

Within the next 2 years, CLC Liberia is hoping to establish a mobile bookshop to meet the tremendous need for Christian literature in the country. This mobile bookshop will make some of the Bibles and Christian literature currently sold at our Monrovia store available to other parts of Montserrado county and six other accessible counties in Liberia. We have identified areas where there are churches, Christian institutions and people who are in great need of the resources we offer, but currently have to travel long distances to make their purchases.

CLC Liberia information provided by James Cooper

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September 7th - September 13th

Week 37: Partnerships Monday (7th) - CLC Portugal with GLS:

“We are blessed to continue our partnership with Willow Creek Church through the Global Leadership Summit events each year. By working with leaders from John Maxwell’s ministry, as well as partnerships with other organisations, we take CLC book tables all over the country, serving the church and communities.”

Carlos Cunha, CLC Portugal

Tuesday (8th) - CLC UK with Eden:

For almost a year now, Eden.co.uk – a Christian Internet retailer - has been hosting and operating the CLC UK Retail website. Give thanks that this has gone well.

In addition, Eden will be sharing part of the new CLC warehouse. Pray for Gareth Mulholland, Eden’s Managing Director, and his warehouse team as they too settle into new premises. Pray that the two organisations, though different, can work smoothly together to increase the supply of Christian materials in the UK.

Wednesday (9th) - CLC USA with the College of Prayer:

CLC USA has already hosted two of three College of Prayer modules at their HQ or at the neighbouring WEC HQ. They will host a third module in November in Philadelphia. These events take place over a weekend and around 100 attendees have the opportunity to get a university/seminary-level training experience on the topic of prayer over a three-year period. CLC author, Fred Hartley, is the President of the College of Prayer International.

Thursday (10th) - CLC & Author Francis Chan:

KSIĄŻKA AUTORA BESTSELLERA SZALONA MIŁOŚĆ

FRANCIS CHAN & LISA CHAN

CLC’s Polish edition

Żyli wiecznie i szczęśliwie

Crazy Love by Francis Chan is an international bestseller. Little did CLC imagine that we would be able to secure the rights for his new title on marriage, You and Me Forever, written together with his wife Lisa. We feel thankful and blessed that CLC has been given the rights to publish this new Chan title in languages across the globe, including Spanish, Russian, Italian, Polish, Dutch, Burmese and Romanian! CLC Philippines was also given the rights to the English version for their country.

Friday (11th) - Central Asia 2 and Fair Trade:

We rent out a quarter of our shop space to a local fair-trade gift shop. The Fair Trade team are believers, but most of their customers are not. Please pray for God to protect our relationship with them. The income and draw of new people to the store, that wouldn’t have come otherwise, have been a big benefit to us. We need wisdom to know how to serve them well and reach out to customers together.

The Weekend (12th/13th) - CLC Korea and Dr Lim:

Dr Lim, a pastor and author, has published a series of booklets explaining the Gospel. We have been able to translate and publish them in Chinese to distribute for free, and recently we translated his first volume into English. Dr. Lim is eager to distribute these booklets, or the text for translation, to any country, especially in Asia, and he will cover the expenses. Please pray for him and his ministry, and for any interested country that may contact CLC Korea as we partner with Dr. Lim in this venture.

20

September 14th - September 20th

Week 38: Answered Prayer Monday (14th) - Central Asia 2:

We often pray that God would bring people in to the store with whom we can share the good news.

Recently three women visited us and our manager was able to introduce them to Jesus. He will share with men and women alike, but is always looking for women he can ask to connect with these seekers, to encourage them to grow closer to the Lord. God, in His perfect timing, had a missionary lady, known to the manager, enter the store at just the right moment and the manager introduced these three ladies to her.

Tuesday (15th) - Venezuela:

We want to thank the Lord that he answered our prayers and enabled us to legally register the names of the current CLC Venezuela Board. This may seem a simple task, but here in Venezuela it is very complicated and we have been trying since July 2014. The officials at the department made it very difficult and required many changes to our recorded minutes. Finally, the official that was such an impediment was replaced, and we were able to complete the process. We give glory to God.

Wednesday (16th) - Dominica:

For about two years now we have wanted to host a short programme on the Christian Radio station ‘The Voice of Life’. We are very pleased to report that, starting in March this year, we now have a regular five-minute radio programme that we have called ‘CLC and the Open Book’. We use this opportunity to emphasise our mission statement and to encourage people from the Word of God. We also use the different themes to highlight the books we have available.

Thursday (17th) - Korea:

We have been praying for a capable person to join CLC Korea as a team leader for the Design Department. We are very happy with our answer to prayer – we have recently employed a lady, Paek Seol-hee, who is doing very well in the job.

Friday (18th) - Central Asia 1:

Praise the Lord that another Christian organisation, that distributes books free of charge in the country, has agreed to work with our store to make us one of the points of distribution. Right now they only want the books to be distributed freely but we CLC Korea Design Team with Paek Seol-hee in the middle pray that they would see the value of the shop, and the legitimate expenses involved in upkeep and salaries, and allow us to sell the books for a small price soon.

The Weekend (19th/20th) - Philippines:

Importation of books has had to take a lower priority for CLC Philippines over the past year due to changing government regulations. Previously we only needed one permit from the Bureau of Customs but now we have had to apply for a number of other permits. Added to this there has been severe congestion in the ports that has affected the delivery of goods. Praise the Lord, we are now in a position to resume importing and, at the time of writing, orders have been sent and the final paperwork requirements are well underway.

21

September 21st - September 27th

Week 39: Connecting with Colleges Monday (21st) - Mozambique:

“We are grateful to our landlords, the Theological Bible Seminary (OMS) in Maputo, and the AIM Seminary in Beira, for providing room in their installations for our bookshops. In the Beira Seminary we moved into a larger space last year, and in Maputo we have a new person, Abel Chau, running the bookshop. Abel is encouraging the students to take advantage of the resources and the student discount we offer.”

Liz Patten, CLC Regional Director

Tuesday (22nd) - Europe:

“Together with WEC representatives from various western European countries, I serve as a member of the board of the Cornerstone Missionary Training College in the Netherlands. I enjoy attending the board meetings because it not only allows me to be directly involved in the development of the college, but it also gives me opportunities to speak with students about their future involvement in mission. This raises the awareness of CLC and, hopefully, encourages them to establish links with the CLC ministry as they serve abroad.” Gary Chamberlin, CLC Regional Director

Wednesday (23rd) - Canada:

Jepthe and Antoine

“We have initiated a scholarship project that is named after Ken and Bessie Adams, the founders of CLC. This is a scholarship offered to Bible College students to help them with their studies and we also give them training in book selling. Our first recipient, Jepthe, is a 20 year old student who is already very enthusiastic about CLC and everyone is benefitting from the arrangement.”

Antoine Roberge, CLC Canada Director

Thursday (24th) - Philippines:

“For more than 35 years CLC has had a bookshop inside the Febias College of Bible. This bookshop caters almost exclusively to the needs of the college faculty and students - not just with literature but with other items such as toiletries etc. Whenever the college holds events that are open to the public, we also have the opportunity to be present with a book table. Pray that CLC will be able to minister to these future pastors and Christian workers through the literature and other products that the CLC bookshop provides.” Don Tan, CLC Philippines

Bill and Marge Almack

Friday (25th) - USA:

“We have the role of ‘Mission Mobilizers’ for CLC and we love this work! It is always encouraging to meet with young people and encourage them in their desire to serve the Lord through service in CLC - using their interest in business. We have established relationships with several professors who teach business classes in the Christian Universities where we share about CLC. They give us a whole class session to share about ‘Business as Mission’ and how CLC does this.” Bill and Marge Almack, CLC USA

The Weekend (26th/27th) - United Kingdom:

“Last year we began partnering with FORMISSION College (formerly Springdale) by providing ‘goody bags’ for the national events that they attend and for events they arrange for church/mission leaders. As a mission-focused Bible college, they have been sharing information about our ministry with their students and encouraging them to support us through praying, shopping or serving with us. May this relationship continue to strengthen and bear much fruit in the coming years.” Amanda Lutes 22

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‘I did not want it to finish. For the first time in my life, I looked forward to doing my devotional. I am a mum of three young kids. I managed to do my devotional and catch up if I missed anything, as it was not time consuming. I am looking forward to the next book. ‘

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23

Psalm 96:3 (NLT)

‘PUBLISH His glorious deeds among the nations, TELL EVERYONE about the amazing things He does’.

A CLC International (UK) Update:

by Eddie Olliffe, CLC UK’s Interim General Manager

I’m just back from the whirl of two CLC Conferences in May. The first, with almost 100 of the UK team and retirees, held at High Leigh; and the second, with the European Leaders in Poland representing the ministry in over 17 countries. What a privilege! We, in CLC UK, are blessed with resources and people that others can only dream about. I saw first-hand the drive and determination of those in Europe to reach their country for Christ. We too are steadily regrouping to bless our own nation, especially at a time of increasing secularism.

This letter is our attempt to explain what CLC in the UK is seeking to do over the next six months or so. The planning for the move from Alresford to Sandycroft, near Chester is well under way. At our conference, I laid out our 3-year vision for the CLC ministry here. We are delighted to have worked with Eden now for almost 9 months in the provision of a credible Internet shopping experience for CLC customers. 2015 is all about capacity building and future-proofing with our new warehouse location in Flintshire.

CLC remains committed to wholesaling to the independent trade and to our own shops. At this stage, it is unlikely that we would move into a wider distribution role. This is because in 2016, we are keen to work hard at ensuring that our retail shops do an even better job. We also aspire to open new stores (God willing) in some of our major cities and metropolitan areas. Retail is in CLC’s DNA and will remain pivotal to the ministry going forwards. Do pray with us for these plans.

I want to lay out here the likely sequence of events leading up to and beyond the planned warehouse move. Before I do that, I’d like to pay tribute to Chris and Lynne Magee, who have decided not to move to Chester as they follow the Lord’s clear calling to work in Turkey. This is a brave move and I, for one, will miss them greatly. It’s been pretty amazing sharing an office with Chris for the past three years. He’s a oneoff and I’ve learnt much from Chris in that time. My life has been made richer as a result. They will both be much missed.

24

Mick Goodman (ex. STL/TMD) and David Scouler (ex. CLC Australia) will respectively head up the warehouse relocation and the introduction of an integrated computer system (Chreos) for use in wholesale and retail. Our contractors are now on site until early July, racking installation will take place in July and we hope to take occupation early in August.

From mid-August, stock will begin to be ordered and delivered into Sandycroft. David Scouler will move to Chester mid-July, with Geoff Bearham following in August. Other staff will begin to make their way northwards soon afterwards. I should add that, as we are not vacating our Alresford site immediately, some functions and team members will continue to work from Hampshire, including Chris and Lynne.

The Dean will shortly be put on the market, but we are in no huge hurry to sell it. Eden are taking a lease of part of the Sandycroft site at the end of August for their own warehousing needs.

CLC Wholesale will shortly begin to recruit new members of the team from the Chester area. We will need a number of ‘pick, pack, ship’ staff, an Operations Supervisor and a Bibliographer. Do put the word around if you are able. As CLC ramps up our warehouse operation, we are prayerful that we will attract people who share a sense of mission and who love Christian resources.

We are especially looking forward to interacting more regularly with the Eden team in Chester. CLC does not underestimate the scale of the challenge ahead, and through this letter we want to appeal for your support and your prayers. It is our firm desire that God should be honoured in all that takes place over these next few months, and indeed beyond.

Soli Deo Gloria.

My own commitment to CLC was originally for one year, but I have recently agreed with the CLC Board of Trustees that I will serve for another year to the end of 2016. CLC celebrates its 75th year of ministry in the UK in June 2016. All of us in this ministry believe that there is still much to do and ‘yet more land to possess’.

THE BIG MOVE is happening this summer!

I want to suppor t the ministry of NAME ADDRESS

POSTCODE PHONE EMAIL

That’s right, this summer we are moving our CLC UK Warehouse from Hampshire to Flintshire, in North Wales.

Why move?

PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY

Please send me: This magazine regularly CLC’s monthly mission newsletter CLC’s online shop newsletters * To sign up for your nearest CLC Bookshops newsletter, simply visit your nearest shop or go to clc.org.uk/shops

There are many reasons, but the greatest issue at this time is that we’ve out-grown our current warehouse. We are committed to further developing and ‘future-proofing’ our ministry here in the UK.

Single gift payment - Enclosed is my gift of:

Ways you can you help: PRAY: This is a very exciting yet scary

I’ve enclosed a cheque made payable to CLC Internatioinal (UK) Alternatively, I authorise you to debit my (please tick) Visa Maestro Mastercard for the above amount.

step that we are taking and we would greatly value your prayers! Please go to page 14 (Week 31 in the Prayer Focus) to learn how you can pray specifically for us during this transition.

Some of our staff and members will not be making the move so please do pray that they will find ‘what’s next’ for them.

We have been blessed to have had such an amazing team in Alresford - thank you, team!

£15 £30 £50 Other: Please use where most needed Please use towards this CLC Project (reference code):

CARD NUMBER:

MAESTRO ISSUE NUMBER: ISSUE DATE SIGNATURE

/

SECURITY CODE: EXPIRY DATE

/ DATE

Declaration Form: Make every £1 gift(s) go 25p further!

To be eligible to sign up for Gift Aid you must be a UK taxpayer with the amount of income tax and/or capital gains tax paid on your income, savings, pension plan or investments (VAT and Council Tax do not qualify) being at least equal to the tax that all charities and Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) will reclaim from your donations.

I confirm that I am a UK tax payer and want CLC International (UK) to treat any donations I have made in the past 4 years and any future donations that I make from the date of this declaration as Gift Aid donations.

SIGNATURE: DATE: ____________________________________________________________

Post to: CLC Finance, 51 The Dean, Alresford Hants SO24 9BJ 25

For regular giving: for use where most needed towards the work of this CLC Project (ref. code):

Please note: If this CLC Project is no longer available CLC will use your donation where it is most needed. Thank you!

BANK NAME

DONATE: For those moving, there

will be the big challenge (and costs) of moving and finding new housing, schools, churches, etc. Some of those moving are CLC ‘missionary-supported’ members, so if you are interested in supporting a ‘UK’ missionary we hope that you will consider them.

To learn how go to

clc.org.uk/projects

ACCOUNT HOLDER

SERVE: We are now looking for new

ACCOUNT NUMBER

members to join our team in North Wales, so if that’s you or someone you know, please contact us by email at

SORT CODE BANK ADDRESS

personnel@clcbookshops.com

Alternatively, you can keep an eye open for opportunities to serve with us at

clc.org.uk/vacancies

POSTCODE

Thank you for your continued support!

PLEASE DEDUCT (amount in words):

FROM MY ACCOUNT ON (date): AND THEN EACH (circle one): UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

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MONTH / QUARTER / YEAR

This standing order REPLACES / DOES NOT REPLACE (circle one) an existing standing order to CLC International (UK) PAY THIS SUM TO: CLC INTERNATIONAL (UK) A/C 71184539 SORT CODE 40‐05‐03 SIGNATURE:

It is that support, whether through prayer, shopping with us or serving with us that has allowed us to be a mission that is making a difference around the world for over 70 years.

If you are interested in learning more about the global projects listed below visit clc.org.uk/projects

DATE:

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FOR BANK USE ONLY: Paying bank please ensure that all backdated payments are made and the following reference number is quoted with all payments:

- Translating and publishing the firstever Burmese Study Bible for Myanmar.

- A Print-on-Demand system is needed for CLC Philippines.

- CLC UK Missionaries Support Fund

Or give online quickly and securely through the Stewardship website:

my.give.net/clcuksupport Thank you for your gift!

CLC is registered as a charity in England & Wales (1015793) and in Scotland (SC037939)

- The Portuguese Bible for Africa Project - Supporting a specific CLC country, team or project not already listed.

- The Belarus Russian Bible & Bookshop for Minsk, Belarus Project - Supporting CLC UK’s General Fund

A Helpful Checklist:

Let’s keep gossip out of our prayer ministries!

Article by CLC Author, Matt Mitchell

“How do we keep gossip out of our prayer ministries?” is the most frequently asked question I have received since I began teaching on resisting gossip.

It’s complicated. We want to encourage much intercessory prayer, so we create and maintain phone chains and email prayer lists and we take requests for others at small groups and prayer meetings. However, prayer requests come from sinners, are about sinners, and are passed on to other sinners, so there are plenty of opportunities for sinful gossip to make an entrance in the process (Proverbs 10:19).

Here is a mental checklist that I have developed for managing prayer requests in a careful, godly manner. Before you pass on that request, make sure to check your facts, your role, your audience, and your heart.

□□

Check Your Facts

Prayer requests can be famous for being fuzzy.

That’s no big deal if the situation isn’t something potentially shameful. If it gets reported that “Cheryl is having her tonsils out,” when Cheryl is really going to have her wisdom teeth removed, it’s embarrassing to the one with the incorrect facts, but not embarrassing to Cheryl. But if we report that “Cheryl got cut from the team” or “Cheryl lost her job” or “Cheryl broke up with Jeremy,” then it could be very damaging.

□□

Check your source

Is this info straight from the horse’s mouth?

Verify the facts. Is there another way of interpreting the facts you have (Proverbs 18:17)? Don’t transmit hearsay or rumour. Make sure what you are passing on is true.

And remember–you don't have to share all of the juicy details with others (even their names).

God knows all about it.

□□

Check Your Role

Are you the right person to pass on this request?

Do the people being talked about want this request to be made known? Would they want it repeated if they knew about it? Is the prayer request confidential? (If so, keep it that way!) Is

9781619580763 £8.99

this your place? Should you shoulder this prayer burden alone, not shrug it off onto others?

Many of us never ask ourselves these key questions. The answers are not always obvious.

Sometimes we still need to pray for people who wouldn’t want it–unbelievers who don’t believe in prayer, for example. But, often, simply applying Jesus’ Golden Rule of Thumb answers a lot of difficult questions (Matthew 7:12).

□□

Check Your Audience

Some people shouldn’t be trusted with certain prayer requests. Think about the person you are talking with. Are they tempted to be a gossip?

Do they seem over-eager to hear bad news? Do they have a reputation for being safe or unsafe with confidences (Proverbs 11:13)?

Be discerning. There may be nothing wrong with passing on this request to one person but everything wrong with passing it on to another.

□□

Check Your Heart

Sinful gossip is bearing bad news behind someone’s back out of a bad heart. What is your motivation for sharing this prayer request? Is it loving? Is it for the glory of God? Be honest. Do you actually want to be seen as someone “in the know” with an inside scoop?

Do you want to impress your friend? Do you get a surreptitious thrill from sharing the juicy secret? Are you passing it on for entertainment purposes? Are you asking for prayer about a situation so that you can stealthily complain?

Would you say it differently if the person you’re talking about was present?

A good prayer request comes from the good stored up in a good heart, and one day, we’ll all have to give an account for the prayer requests we passed on (cf. Matthew 12:35-36). May we be found faithful.

27

STAYING FAITHFUL – REACHING OUT GAMECHANGERS Key Figures of the Christian Church Robert Letham Weaving together biography and theology, Robert Letham delves into the life and influence of twelve key figures who have helped shape the church.

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FAR ABOVE RUBIES The Life of Bethan Lloyd-Jones Lynette G. Clark Lynette G. Clark brings the portrait of Bethan Lloyd-Jones into view, capturing the wit, wisdom and faith of the godly wife of Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones.

9781781915837 £8.99

AND THEN HE KNEW HER A biblical view of sex Adrian and Celia Reynolds Adrian and Celia Reynolds explore what the Bible teaches about sex, helping to ensure that your view of sex is no more and no less than God intends.

9781781915844 £4.99

FACING A TASK UNFINISHED Cultivating personal evangelism week by week Roger Carswell In this carefully crafted devotional journal of 52 readings, Roger Carswell has brought together a selection of Bible passages, prayers and hymns designed to help us all cultivate a soul winner’s passion.

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HOW CHURCH CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE Answers to the 10 Most Common Questions about Church Josh Moody Why should I go to church at all? Filled with practical advice, this book will help you answer questions you maybe should have known the answer to and other questions you never knew to ask!

9781781916117 £4.99

FAMILY TIME 82 Devotional Life Lessons and Simple Prayers Andrew Brannigan Family time is a starting point with simple and easy to prepare ways for you to guide and encourage your children in the faith and hopefully have fun while you are it.

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www.christianfocus.com 01862 871011

BOOK REVIEWS: CLC World Recommendations

Scan this QR code to listen to Tim Chester talk about his book.

Or go to http://bit.ly/1IvW3J1

BOOK REVIEW

The one to read this summer!

(formerly Springdale)

Mission Matters: Love Says So by Tim Chester Review by Martin Robinson, FORMISSION COLLEGE

ISBN: 9781783592807 Price: £8.99, 176pp

“We need good books on mission and this is one of the books we need. Tim Chester writes clearly and just as importantly grounds his reflections in a sound biblical knowledge and strong theological framework. However, he doesn’t stop there; Tim is also able to give an historical overview of the missions task and an account of the contemporary issues that we face.

Mission matters has a strong eye on overseas mission but most of the insights can be applied just as well to the mission on our doorstep. There are essentially four main sections - the theological/ biblical framework, historical overview, the purpose or goal of mission, and finally the challenges, especially in relation to the cultural barriers and boundaries that we face.

Tim is able to draw on some of the major thinkers in the world of missions, people like Paul Hiebert and Donald McGavran. His use of their insights is both accurate and helpful. One of those who commend the book says that it is ‘Easy-to-read, clear, practical and challenging’. That sums up my response to Mission Matters. Its a book you could give to any Christian to give them an encouraging overview of the issues that flow from the missionary task.”

Prayer by Timothy Keller Review by Bonnie Brooks

Hardback ISBN: 9781444750157 Price: £16.99, 336pp

“Timothy Keller freely admits that he has known what it is to struggle with prayer.

In his book, he shares what he has learned in his search to encounter God and pray with more depth and effectiveness. He also brings together the wisdom and experience of those who, over the centuries, have contributed to our understanding of prayer, and gives many examples from their writings. The importance of scriptural grounding and guidance is explained. As the book draws to a close, the author provides several practical ways of including prayer in the rhythm of each day. For the reader, there is a wealth of information and ideas available here, seasoned with sound advice and teaching.

29

MORE BOOK REVIEWS: CLC World Recommendations

Against the Flow: by John C. Lennox Review by Melanie Gardiner, CLC Aberdeen

ISBN: 9780857216212 Price: £12.99, 448pp

“Lennox will take you deep into the heart of the book of Daniel in his brand new publication Against The Flow. His amazing insight into the experiences of Daniel will challenge you and spur you on to study this phenomenal book of the Bible for yourself. Lennox has a remarkable way of drawing out biblical truths and invites us to apply them to our lives today. A brilliant read!”

When Faith Gets Shaken by Patrick Regan

Review by Lewis Codington, CLC International Office

ISBN: 9780857216465 Price: £7.99, 176pp

“Patrick Regan writes in a very relaxed, easy style, almost as if he is sitting across the table having a conversation with me. This is not a theological or academic book in any way, and yet it grapples with and contains some profound theological issues. In its flavor, it reminds me a lot of the Psalms - not theological per se and yet wrestling with daily practical realities and problems that we all encounter and live through. Regan is very transparent as he shares his family’s walk through a series of trying physical setbacks, not holding back on sharing about his frustration, anger, impatience, questions, crushed self esteem, and depression, much of it directed toward the God he so publicly serves. Ultimately, though there is no magic solution or quick fix to his situation, Patrick slowly comes to recognize that God is with him through the trials and that the crippling circumstances are actually the tools God is using to turn Patrick toward Him. God is not necessarily in the business of righting all our frustrations and disappointments; rather, these are in fact the very experiences He uses to loosen our grip on our own self reliance and our hold on things that are temporal.

An engaging and important book.”

The Third Target by Joel C. Rosenberg

ISBN: 9781496405319 Review by Eddie Olliffe, CLC UK Interim General Manager Price: £10.99, 448pp “Written by a New York Times best-selling author, and in the style of Spooks and Homeland, this novel pushes all the buttons for a gripping read. Highly topical: ISIS, Al Qaeda, Israel, America and Syria are all in the story. There is not that much fiction on our shelves that appeals to men, but this is one such novel that can be recommended with confidence.”

30

the boys

are back in town

Pocketful Of Faith TIM HUGHES

Unbroken Praise MATT REDMAN

Back to the Start MARTIN SMITH

COMING SOON!

31

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