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
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Left to right: Geoff Bearham, Steven Wild, Libby Kelly and David Scouler
Praising God for our new CLC UK warehouse!
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3 EASY WAYS TO SUPPORT CLC Help us make a difference in your community and around the world!
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CLC News & Warehouse
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25 - 26 Getting Involved
My most Tylar’s 27important... 8-9 Testimony
In this issue:
30 CLC WORLD
A Wake up Call 29 with the Briscoes
REVIEWS
~ BOOKS WE RECOMMEND!
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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 praise points, illustrating how we are daily impacting thousands of lives in over 50 countries. We know Christian books CHANGE lives. It is our hope that as we share 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 also be encouraged to continue reading and spreading God’s Word. There have been a lot of changes, projects and exciting new CLC developments in 2015 and we hope you will continue to see the value in supporting our ministry ! - Amanda Lutes, CLC World Editor
Personnel Enquiries:
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financeuk@clcbookshops.com 51 The Dean, Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 9BJ Tel: 01962 733342
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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
What a great year of events! Thank you so much for your prayers. They were invaluable to our teams around the world who travelled to various locations with either mission booths or book tables.
CLC is registered as a charity in England & Wales (1015793) and in Scotland (SC037939)
CLC International (UK) 291 Abbeydale Rd, Sheffield, S7 1FJ Mission: clc.org.uk Online Shop: clcbookshops.com
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If you see this logo, then that CLC team is on Facebook.
The leaders of CLC North America, Latin America & the Caribbean, who attended the 2015 CLC Americas Conference.
CLC Americas/International Office:
Leadership changes ahead!
Our CLC Americas conference took place this year in early September, bringing leaders from across Latin America, the Caribbean and North America together. These times of fellowship and training are really priceless for our teams.
Left to right: Gerardo, David, Carlos and Neil
Next year, the Americas Regional Director, Gerardo Scalante, will be stepping down from his role and so it was decided to find his replacement during this year’s conference. As the region has grown too large to be overseen by just one person, we’ve now have two new Regional Directors (RD), for this area of the world. David Almack, the CLC USA Director will now be the RD for the Caribbean and North America and Carlos Marin will be the RD for Latin America. Please pray for both men as they learn about and adapt to their new roles.
Pray also for Gerardo Scalante and Neil Wardrope, our current International Director, as both are stepping down from their roles next year and seeking God’s will for what comes next.
Meeting the CLC team: Introducing Lina Pinkevich:
Twenty-two years ago, in 1993, CLC’s work began in Blagovest, Belarus and Lina Pinkevich was one of its first team members. Now the National Director for the work, Lina remains focused and excited about CLC’s ministry in her country. Although there is only one ‘official’ evangelical Christian bookshop in the entire country, this team has 14 different church shops, bookstalls, etc. set up throughout the country. Their biggest ‘heart’s desire’ is to continue making Russian Bibles and other Christian books easily available and affordable. In an effort to do so, in 2012 they raised enough funds to publish their first small print run of Russian Bibles. Now, three years later they have published around 9000 Bibles, and as well as reinvesting that money into reprinting, 4
they have begun translating and publishing more well-known and well-loved Christian authors. As a mission we believe strongly in high street ministry and outreach and this team is no different. Whenever they can they are setting set money aside in the hopes of one day opening a Christian bookshop in their capital city of Minsk. Please continue to pray for Lina and the rest of her team, as many of them still remember the days when the Bible was considered contraband. A big thank you to Lina’s husband, son and daughter who have always been an amazing support and encouragement for her work with CLC. Plus, to the many churches, volunteers and customers who continue to support CLC’s work in Belarus. God bless, and thank you!
CLC Sierra Leone
Even through the difficult days, we praise God! It’s always heartbreaking when something you’ve put so much love and hard work into is destroyed by others. Many of you will remember that the members of our CLC USA team visited Sierra Leone last summer and the one before that to help them renovate and update their shops. CLC UK even sent over some beautiful shop fittings! During the middle of August however, one of our shops was broken into.
CLC Publishing - France:
Here is what the National Director, Donald John had to say, ‘The shop was intact but we lost our plasma television, two Dell desktop computers containing our point of sales with bar code reader, one laptop and a UPS. As it is clearly stated in 2 Corinthians 4:8 “we are hard pressed on every side but not crushed, perplexed but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed”. The devil thought that sending his followers to disturb us would devastate us, but he is a liar. In fact we are stronger in Him, holding firm in His word with an undoubted belief that He is always in control.’ Please, we value your prayers at this point for His intervention so that those thieves will soon be caught.’
Update: Thankfully, at the time of the break in, our team in the USA was already preparing to send a container of second-hand books to Sierra Leone. They were able to also include some things that were far cheaper to buy in the USA than in Sierra Leone. Once again, God illustrates that in all things His timing is perfect.
Making an even bigger impact! Praise the Lord for the two new Bibles that our team in France have published this year. For two months this summer, the team donated one Euro from each of these Bibles sold to Wycliffe Bible Translators. Just one more way to help ensure that the Bible will be made available to people of all nations!
A growing CLC Family: Thanking God for His blessings
I’m pretty sure there is no greater joy than when a new child joins a family. As a mission family we have been blessed this August and September with two new children! In the UK, the Cotovan girls (photo left to right) Diana, Miruna and Amalia were thrilled to welcome their new baby sister, Emma Sophia. We were also blessed to welcome Baby Erwin Javed in Pakistan. Please pray that both of these children will grow up knowing God’s love for them and with a heart to serve Him as their parents have chosen to do.
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Left to right: Geoff Bearham, Steven Wild, Libby Kelly and David Scouler
Praising God for our new UK warehouse!
#CLCBigMove:
The massive challenge and blessing of moving our CLC Wholesale from Hampshire to Flintshire! September 8th Update: “We are in our first week of trading from Chester and we are where we'd hoped to be —with the new warehouse open and trading —but with still some way to go to be fully up to speed. All along, we planned to start the relocation process in August in order to ramp up for the start of the Christmas season going forward. Praise the Lord, we are on track. We chose a 'go-live' day when it rained so hard that a month of rain fell in 48hrs in the Wirral area! As a result, we arrived at the warehouse to find a few leaks in the roof and a substantial lake had formed in the car park now thankfully receded!
The new IT system is in and working. Steven Wild of Wild Software in New Zealand returned home last weekend having done an exceptional job. The calm and efficient manner in which he and his NZ team have worked was a masterclass for any well-run software company to follow. Our own team now have a big learning curve with the new software, but so far we like what we see. Any IT implementation always carries an element of risk with it! We expect that it will take a good part of September to ensure that stock levels are where we’d want them to be. Our goal is to make sure that we provide a good service in the critical months of October to December, leading up to Christmas. Praise God for the new Sandycroft warehouse, and thank God for the years of ministry from the old Alresford warehouse. I cannot speak
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highly enough of the teams in Alresford and Chester - everyone has gone way beyond the call of duty! Bear in mind that much of this activity has been conducted against the backdrop of many of the team moving house at the same time. Some have still to unpack their personal possessions, having given the warehouse move priority over their own relocation. The Alresford warehouse remains a base for a small CLC team.
prayer support from around the world. Thank you for your patience - and thank you also for your business. Eddie Olliffe, CLC UK Interim General Manager
Photo of the last shipment of books leaving our Alresford warehouse. Thanks to so many for your prayers and messages of support. The move has been made with a palpable and extraordinary sense of God’s goodness, and of so much
Left to right: Eddie Olliffe (CLC UK Interim General Manager), Gary Chamberlin (CLC European Director) and Gareth Mulholland (Managing Director of Eden.co.uk)
Tylar’s Testimony: USA university student, Tylar Gooden, shares about her summer internship with CLC UK, and the ‘lessons in trusting God’ that she discovered along the way.
I knew I was going to be required to have a summer internship, but I never imagined that I would have found one this good. But. really, I didn’t find this internship—God placed it right in my path. When I first learned about this opportunity with CLC International, my first thought was that there was no way I would be able to get an internship that great and, even if I did, how on earth could I afford it? I knew I couldn’t afford to buy a plane ticket, and then I’d need living expenses once I got here. The business student side of me said there was no way it was going to work. I kept looking at the amount of money I had (which was none), and just thinking that there was no way I could do this. That’s when God really started teaching me a lesson that He has already tried to teach me many times before to TRUST HIM. My biggest wake-up call happened when I went to the training for this internship. As I learned more about the history and mission of this organization, there was one thing that stuck out to me the most. One of the core values of CLC is faith. When they are faced with big decisions, rather than checking to see if they have the money for it, they look to God for complete guidance about what they should do. If God moves them to act, then they proceed, even if they don’t have the financial resources to do it. This example of such big faith challenged me to examine my own life. When I actually started to look, God showed me in multiple ways that He 8
is already the one who is providing for me. He provides for me even when I am not trusting Him to provide. And not only is He providing, He is providing abundantly! It seems silly that this lesson of trust is such a hard one for me to learn, but it is. I am so thankful that the Lord is patient with me and willing to teach me the same things over and over again! ‘But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.’ Jeremiah 17:7-8 I ended up spending my summer doing an internship at the CLC bookshop in Sheffield, England. This wonderful team is devoted to what they do, and it was so great to work alongside people who are so joyfully serving the Lord! They work really hard at the business side of running the bookshop, but it is so evident that they do so because they want to share the Gospel and they want people to grow in their faith in Jesus.
My duties included some basic straightening of the shop, like dusting the shelves and rearranging the books, plus stock checks and displaying new items as they came in. But surprisingly (really, really, surprisingly), my favourite thing about working in the bookshop was interacting with the customers. (Some of the people that know me may have just had a heart attack over what they’ve just read.) I was expecting to do lots of customer service (because that’s really what it’s all about—building relationships with the customers), but I just didn’t expect to love it so much. Many of the people that come into the shop are Christians, and I feel like they are the ones blessing me, even though I am trying to be a blessing to them. There have been so many occasions where customers have inspired me or encouraged me.
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
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I also loved when the customers would open up about things that are going on in their lives. One example is of a woman who came in and was looking for several different books. When I asked who they were for, she told me they were for her teenage grandson who wasn’t yet a Christian, but that she had been praying for him. She started smiling when she told me that he had recently become interested in her faith and asking questions. She was clearly so excited about her grandson’s sudden interest in Jesus, and I was so happy to be able to help her find books she could give him that would help to guide him to Jesus. It was great being able to share that excitement with her, and I’ve been praying that one day her prayers will be answered and her grandson will begin a relationship with Jesus. As previously mentioned, I really enjoyed interacting with and talking to the customers every day, but it’s not something I’m naturally good at. Anyone who knows me knows that I’m not the most outgoing and talkative person. I’m an introverted person and being around people constantly tends to drain my energy. So it can really only be by God’s grace that I was able to do this every day and truly enjoy it so much! ‘But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.’ 2 Corinthians 12:9
To read more about Tylar’s time in the UK visit her blog, www.strivingtobeless.wordpress.com 9
IN AV SE AIL PT AB EM LE BE R
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Christmas Gifts for children aged 4–11
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)
Topz Activity Bible by Alexa Tewkesbury
September 28th - October 4th
Week 40: Papua New Guinea, Thailand and Korea
Together with the Topz Gang, discover 27 key Bible stories. Explore your favourite stories and discover some lesserknown ones. All stories include two Topz activities. ISBN: 9781782594192
RRP: £8.99
Monday (28th) - Papua New Guinea (PNG): l year Maraga Babona arranged a CLC stall at the XV Pacific Games held in Port Moresby. Praise Earlier Ideathis Christmasiest Bible Stories God for good comments from, Christian athletes from various Pacific Island nations who es contacts with, and50 g a r fo by Andy Robb bought11Bibles and books from CLC. The stalls, mainly of local arts and crafts, were run by the organisation 7– ‘Women in Business’ and were available at theinend the games for 5,000 participating athletes. Brand new theofbestselling andaround award-winning 50s series! Using colourful cartoons and his own fun style
Tuesday (29th) - NationalofBook Week (PNG): storytelling, Andy Robb brings fifty more Bible
Over recent years CLC in PNG has held special events during the PNG National Book Week. Once again this stories to life – and it’s all about Christmas! year CLC held a bookstall at a Salvation Army primary school for the duration of the week. A particular point ISBN: 9781782594185 for thanksgiving is that a shipment of children’s books, from Scandinavia Publishing House, arrived just in time RRP: £5.99 for this event.
Wednesday (30th) - Opportunities for Sales The Very First(Thailand): Christmas Day Mini Book
Jan Godfrey and Andrew Please pray for CLC Thailand asby they have been going through Everitt-Stewart financial difficulties since last year, with a drop in sales but continued costs – including mortgage payments on the shop property. The shop is very Ideal for ages 3–6 well located near a major international bus terminal and it would be wonderful to serve more customers With rich, colourful and lyrical storytelling, passing through Chiang Mai too. It would also be anillustrations encouragement to the team to see increased sales this children’s retelling of the nativity brings the 2,000-yearduring the Christmas season. old story to new life on the page. ISBN: 9781782593058
CLC Chiang Mai (shop & team)
RRP: £1.99
It’s a Boy! (Book)
by Alexa Tewkesbury and Steve Legg A wonderfully illustrated story introducing children to the true
Thursday (1st) - Opportunities forof Growth (Thailand): meaning Christmas and who Jesus really is. Travel with three quails One area where CLC Thailand could expand the English titlesand section of the bookshop. Praise the as grow they and embark on isain daring mission meet Mary and baby Jesus. Lord for His provision of help andISBN: support in this area once again. The stock of English books was replenished 9781782594543 recently and a couple from the USA, Don and Betsy Veldboom, are preparing to move to Chiang Mai early RRP: £4.99 next year to support this part of the ministry; they both have plenty of experience in cross cultural ministry and in book selling.
It’s a Boy! (DVD)
Alexa Tewkesbury and Steve Legg Friday (2nd) - Study Booksby(Korea):
CLC in Korea is known for publishing academic and study books, and this is appreciated especially by The DVD version of the It’s a Boy! book took three years to complete. pastors and seminary students. Recently they have been working on multi-volume sets such as the Anchor The film was distributed free to 26,000 primary schools in the UK in Bible Commentaries and the John Frame series. Their prayer is that these volumes will be used to help and 2005. 10 years on, a special 10th Anniversary edition has been created encourage the spiritual growth of many Christians in Korea. to tell the story to a new generation of children.
EAN: 5027957001619 The Weekend (3rd/4th) - Other Books… (Korea):
RRP: £9.99 There is significant interest in overseas mission in Korea, and CLC has recently published two titles written by Korean missionaries, one working in India (Understanding Mission in India) and the other in Africa (Little Paradise in Africa). By the end of the year they hope to publish a seasonal book as well – Messages for Christmas. 11
October 5th - 11th
Week 41: CLC Concerns Monday (5th) - Multiple Issues:
As with any mission, there are always issues to be addressed: staff changes, our spiritual effectiveness, our ability to change with the times. CLC has an extra dimension in that we are also a business, and that brings a whole different set of challenges: economic recession, unstable political conditions, changing exchange rates, technology affecting the book industry, to mention a few. During the rest of the week some specific examples will be mentioned, but please pray particularly for leaders grappling with multiple issues.
Tuesday (6th) - Latin America:
For many years the work of CLC has grown strongly in Latin America, and in some countries it continues to do so. However, there have been some external factors that have slowed that growth. In recent times the strong US dollar has made the importation of books from the US far more expensive than before. Local book prices in Latin America cannot be increased by the same amount or they would be unaffordable. Please pray for our teams as they look for ways to overcome this.
Wednesday (7th) - Hungary:
The ministry in Hungary is at a crossroads. The work has grown under Heiner Rindisbacher and then Zsolt Karpati and now has three bookshops in the country. However, Zsolt now feels it is time for someone else to take the work on and he will be stepping down at the end of the year. Please pray for just the right person to take over as CLC Hungary seeks to move into publishing and develop the online work.
Thursday (8th) - Spain:
Our Spanish team is working hard to stabilise the work, fighting against the financial crisis that is still holding the country back, with more than 25% unemployment. Many changes have taken place in the last 4 years, most recently with the retirement of former leader, Antonio Vargas. Some of the changes are now bearing fruit but we still need to see a generalised improvement that is sustainable. Pray for Darwin Vergel as he leads this team. (Photo of Darwin with a customer on the left)
Friday (9th) - Japan:
In the last ten years the work of the team has been focused on managing decline. Both the church and the economy have been stagnant, and buying habits have changed. These changes are affecting all of the Christian book trade and our team has looked for ways of working with others for mutual benefit. Obviously it is not easy to work under these conditions so please pray for encouragement and blessing for this hard-working team.
The Weekend (10th/11th) - Austria:
Please continue to pray for the future of the CLC bookshop in Graz. It has been a Christian bookshop for more than 50 years! Edeltraud Heumann cannot continue to run the shop on her own. Together with local people, we are urgently seeking alternatives. After closing the present shop in November, the intention is to re-open at a new location hopefully within a few months. October 12th - 18th
Week 42: Kenya and Mozambique
Information from Liz Patten, CLC Regional Director for Africa
Monday (12th) - New Person (Kenya) :
When our National Director resigned unexpectedly and left CLC at the end of April, we prayed for a suitable successor. After an interim leadership period, we have been delighted to appoint Patrick Omukhango, who 12
had previously worked in CLC, to this post. It appears that the Lord has brought him back “for such a time as this�, as it is a time of major changes in the ministry.
Tuesday (13th) - New Premises (Kenya):
Earlier this year, we were informed by our landlord in Nairobi that we would have to vacate the current premises. This is the second time in 8 years that we have had to move our warehouse! At the time of writing, it seems that a suitable new place may have been found. By the time you read this, the move will have taken place. Please pray that with this move, we will be able to retain our former customer base, and at the same time build a new one.
Wednesday (14th) - New Project (Kenya):
At the end of April, we were very pleased to install equipment for a new Print on Demand (POD) facility, as an additional feature of our ministry in Nairobi. This was a significant answer to prayer, a dream finally becoming reality. Please pray for the person we will appoint as manager for the project, that he or she will be able to develop the project well in all aspects and help to supply the need for good but low cost materials in Kenya.
Thursday (15th) - Refurbishment (Mozambique):
Following the destruction, by termites, of most of our bookshelves in the CLC shop in Maputo, a large quantity of second hand fixtures and fittings were donated by CLC UK and funds raised to ship these in a container to Mozambique. Praise the Lord, the container finally arrived in July and remodelling has begun in the Maputo shop. We hope to get some of the shelving transported on to Beira, where we have our other CLC shop, by the end of the year.
Friday (16th) - Sales, Growth & Mission (Mozambique):
We praise the Lord for increased sales and general growth this year for CLC Maputo. We are also grateful for the opportunities that come our way to support those working in mission in Mozambique by supplying Bibles. Please pray for Gary Bolton and his team, as they come from Ireland on 23rd October for a 10-day mission in Beira. They have requested a supply of more than 750 Bibles and New Testaments 13
in Portuguese and two local languages (Sena and Shona), and, at the time of writing we are working to obtain these in good time.
The Weekend (17th/18th) - CLC Beira (Mozambique):
One of our primary goals over the next months is to see CLC Beira become financially autonomous. Please pray that we will have wisdom in our financial management and in our ordering, as these are two key elements in reaching that goal. We are already thinking about where to open our third CLC shop in Mozambique, but Maputo and Beira must first be standing firm! We are still very challenged by the whole process of ordering Bibles and books from Brazil as it is generally a lengthy and very expensive exercise. October 19th - 25th
Week 43: UK Developments Monday (19th) - Going Live :
Give thanks for the completion of the work on the new warehouse and for “going live” early in September. Pray that it will be a blessing to the whole of the UK Christian Book Trade and enhance CLC’s mission and ministry. A section of our new warehouse
Tuesday (20th) - Team Work:
Pray for the new warehouse staff team. Some have moved to Chester from Alresford and others have joined us locally. Pray that they will work well together and blend into an efficient team. Pray too that the CLC team and the Eden team can also work well together as Eden (a Christian internet retailer) are leasing a portion of the warehouse for their operation.
Wednesday (21st) - Change of Ministry:
Pray for Chris and Lynne Magee who have worked for many years with CLC UK initially in a bookshop and more recently in the warehouse. They are now moving on from CLC and are planning and working The Magees towards joining Operation Mobilisation. Pray that everything falls into place for this change of ministry. Pray too for others who will be moving on to new jobs and ministries.
Thursday (22nd) - All Things New:
A new warehouse and new computer software! Please pray for the smooth running of the new warehouse system and software. Pray for the team as they learn how it operates. Give thanks that in David Scouler and Geoff & Miriam Bearham, CLC has three people who have already used the Chreos system in CLC Australia and know it well; they will be able to train and oversee others.
Friday (23rd) - Shop Software:
Pray for the 19 UK bookshops that will also change to the new Chreos software. At the start of February 2016 a programme to put the shops on Chreos will begin and the first shops are likely to be London, Sheffield, Stockport, Leicester and Tolworth. CLC Wolverhampton may go on this autumn as a trial shop. Please pray that the shop staff quickly master the new system and that there are no major problems. Pray too that the more efficient links to the warehouse will improve both warehouse and shop efficiency.
The Weekend (24th/25th) - Choosing Titles to Stock:
With many new English language books being published each month, wisdom is needed as to which titles to stock - both in the warehouse and the shops. Pray for guidance for the warehouse buyer as both UK and USA publishers are keen for us to hold their titles. Pray that the Bibles and books CLC supplies will be ones which bring people to faith and build them up in that faith. 14
October 26th - November 1st
Week 44: Answered Prayer Monday (26th) - Belarus:
We praise God for the opportunity to arrange CLC bookstalls at some major conferences earlier this year. It was a concern, and a matter for prayer, that we were unable to attend these events the previous year. One of the bookstalls was at a youth conference in Kobrin and although we do not have a CLC centre in this city now, it is where CLC Belarus started!
Tuesday (27th) - Swaziland:
Liz Patten (Africa Regional Director), Petra Nemansky (CLC IO) and Carol, a visiting friend and previous CLC colleague, were in Swaziland on CLC business earlier this year. They had to go back to Mozambique with extra luggage and shop stock. Travelling by public transport is arduous and uncomfortable and Carol prayed fervently for a better solution for the return journey. Praise the Lord they were offered a lift with a pastor they knew. It was a comfortable journey in a spacious car and, as an added bonus, the pastor had a diplomatic passport so there was no waiting or inspection at the border!
Wednesday (28th) - UK:
If Anumonye, the manager of CLC Chatham, wrote the following earlier this year: “Hallelujah! We have witnessed a miracle! A regular customer who has been using a walking aid for about ten years just got healed in the shop when another customer was moved to pray for him! He has had surgery twice for his knees and back, but to little avail, and was due for more surgery. He came in using his walker, barely able to walk or stand unaided, and has just left with that same walker, this time carrying it on his shoulder. Amazement from us all....as if we should be surprised! It’s the Holy Spirit at work. God be praised!”
Thursday (29th) - USA:
Recently in one of the bookstores, where there is a regular prayer time for staff and customers, a young lady shared her serious problem of a force that repeated commands over and over in her mind, filling it with negative thoughts. Prayer had previously given temporary relief but any peace was short lived. The shop manager, another lady and the concerned customer prayed together and the customer left with a book by John Eckhard – Prayers that Rout Demons. Praise the Lord this lady got in touch some weeks later to say the voices had stopped.
Friday (30th) - France:
Praise the Lord that after months of prayer and searching we have found a new location for the Paris bookshop. It is not far from the current bookshop and the rent is cheaper. After some long and complex negotiations, this move should now take place, although at the time of writing a contract had still not been completed.
The Weekend (31st/1st) - Ecuador:
CLC Ecuador was hoping to purchase a property in Quito for the HQ and warehouse. After a long time in negotiations, the property was taken off the market. The decision was taken to look for suitable premises in Guayaquil instead, as it is the largest city in Ecuador and the port where our supplies enter the country. A property was found close to our main bookshop in this city and at a price we could afford to buy it outright! In addition, there is enough available space for a good warehouse, offices and to relocate the main bookshop!
Guayaquil, Ecuador
15
November 2nd - 8th
Week 45: Christmas Activities Monday (2nd) - Christmas in the Shops :
CLC Indonesia
Pray for all the bookshops as they think of ways to draw customers’ attention to the bookshops over the Christmas season. We want our shops to look festive and inviting, but also to point people to the wonder and significance of Christ’s birth. In Papua New Guinea, for example, the team are planning a Nativity theme to run throughout the bookshop..
Tuesday (3rd) - USA:
“Christmas is our busiest time of the year as it is for nearly all CLC stores around the world. As a result we have more challenges with theft and our team members have less time for doing direct ministry with customers. We could use prayer for diligence in observing potential theft, energy and stamina for daily interactions, and wisdom to balance customer service with the ministry opportunities that God will bring our way.” Dave Almack, Director
CLC USA
Wednesday (4th) - Russia:
“We hope to participate in at least one book table this Christmas and we are praying that the Lord would allow us to have a children’s Christmas event in the coffee shop area on the ground floor of the CLC bookshop. We would appreciate prayer for good sales at this time too, of course. Sales have been a little uncertain recently, but God has been faithful.” Nikita Sapunov, Director
Thursday (5th) - Portugal:
This year, CLC Portugal launched a new initiative to hold ‘mini-concerts’ in the bookshop every three months. At the time of writing, a third concert of the year is planned as a special Christmas event. Pray for shop manager Carlos Cunha as he prepares these special events.
Friday (6th) - France:
“Every year, we send 175 boxes of books and other articles on sale-or-return to 175 churches before Christmas to allow some French regions, where there is no CLC bookshop, to access and buy our materials. Our selection is made up entirely of new titles, DVD’s, CD’s, cards and calendars etc. This generates sales and introduces people to new things we have on offer.” Herve Lessous, Director
The Weekend (7th/8th) - Cyprus:
“We would value prayer for our Christmas Book Fairs in November. At the time of writing the planned dates are: Paphos (7th), Nicosia (11th), Limassol (14th) and Larnaca (21st). We thank the Lord for all the assistance we usually get at these events and we hope that it will be the same this year. Of course we hope for good contacts and sales too; these book fairs are essential for the upkeep of the bookshop.” Sotos and Eva Photiades November 9th - 15th
Week 46: CLC International Office Monday (9th) - CLC 75th Anniversary:
In 2016 CLC will celebrate 75 years of work and ministry. In the years since Norman Grubb of WEC encouraged Ken and Bessie Adams to initiate a ministry focused on Christian literature, CLC has worked in over 75 countries! While bookshops are still the focus of the ministry, many other activities use the tools God has given us to reach people with the Gospel. Please pray for the preparations for the 75th anniversary celebration which will be centred around the International Council meetings in June. 16
Tuesday (10th) - International Training Platform:
During this year, an online training platform has been introduced to enable us to give training more effectively. In time, we trust that this will be available in multiple languages. The set-up work was carried out by Lloyd Hodkinson but, following his retirement in September, we need someone to continue and develop this work. Please pray that we will be able to identify this person.
Wednesday (11th) - Paraguay:
This is not the first time we have asked you to pray for Paraguay. Please continue to persevere in prayer for this project which has been hindered by significant legal hurdles. At every step we need to refer back to a retired missionary in New Zealand, and then have everything translated and verified by Paraguayan Consulates. Pray, too, for Gerardo Scalante as he coordinates this together with the local Board.
Thursday (12th) - Publishing:
Please pray for Gary Chamberlin as he works with numerous countries seeking to double our publishing output. Around this time some of the translations of the Francis Chan book You and Me Forever should be going to print. We would like to be able to work with publishers in such a way that we can translate books into multiple languages quickly and efficiently. CLC is uniquely placed to be able to do this.
Friday (13th) - CLC eReader App :
The Apple App was released in July making it possible for CLC to offer its own eBook platform for the very first time. There are now three significant areas in which we need to progress: a) the addition of more eBooks from publishers in multiple languages; b) the ability of CLC websites around the world to be able to sell the eBooks and connect to the App; and c) the development of the Android version of the App, which is already underway. Please pray for this significant project and those involved.
The Weekend (14th/15th) - ‘Yes’ Evangelistic Booklets:
At the time of writing we are preparing for the translation of six evangelistic booklets in a number of languages. Please pray that these booklets will achieve their purpose of drawing people to Christ. November 16th - 22nd
Week 47: Romania & Russia Information from Ronela Micula, CLC Romania Director
Monday (16th) - Publishing (Romania):
We praise God for His help concerning our publishing activity. Although we started out hesitant, and not very confident in our own expertise and understanding in this area, God helped us to develop the abilities required for this specific activity. All the books chosen for our 2015 publishing plan are already translated and, at the time of writing, are waiting for printing. In addition, we have already started to translate books that are in next year’s plan!
Tuesday (17th) - Provision (Romania):
We praise God for His provision concerning the finances for publishing, from different sources: CLC resources, a special project with OM, special projects with OMF and our own savings. We praise God for all the opportunities that He miraculously opens up for us.
Wednesday (18th) - Personnel (Romania) :
We praise God for His provision of new staff after an 18 month personnel crisis. Andreea recently joined the team and we thank God for her ability to learn quickly and adapt to many different tasks: serving customers, preparing internet orders for dispatch, maintaining the new products on the website etc. This is particularly vital as Tabita, another staff member, has recently married and will leave CLC Romania before the end of the year. 17
Information from Nikita Sapunov, CLC Director for Russia
Thursday (19th) - Growth (Russia):
We are calculating the cost, and ramifications, of expanding the second floor of the shop. We are in need of more space, especially considering the new publishing activity we will be involved in. Please pray for wisdom in planning, and in dealing with the inevitable rules and regulations for this new venture.
CLC Moscow Team
Friday (20th) - Events for Children (Russia):
During a CLC conference in Poland, we established connections with the Russian branch of Child Evangelism Fellowship. Besides arranging to have their materials in the shop, we are praying and planning to start events for children in the coffee shop on the first floor of our shop. Please pray for this project.
The Weekend (21st/22nd) - New Systems (Russia):
Our new automatic ordering system for the shop’s new POS (point of sales) software is fine-tuned now. Please pray for wisdom and creativity for the programmer involved in this, that the system would work effectively, we would be getting best prices and that customers would be served well and quickly. November 23rd - 29th
Week 48: UK Centres Monday (23rd) - Christmas Bookstalls :
During December many churches ask our shops to provide bookstalls. Some are run by CLC staff while others are run by the churches themselves. Pray that shops will have sufficient stock to meet the needs without being overstocked. Pray also for wisdom to know what Bibles, books and gifts to supply to each stall and give thanks that these bookstalls take our ministry to a wider customer base.
Tuesday (24th) - Welling:
Praise the Lord for the new workers we have in Welling. This now enables Luke, a staff member, to spend more time communicating with churches and Christian organisations and running bookstalls. Pray that these contacts will be fruitful especially in the build-up towards Christmas.
Wednesday (25th) - Inverness:
CLC Highland Mobile Ministry
Thursday (26th) - Newcastle:
October and November have been an important two months for the mobile work of the Inverness shop. Leslie and Esther Dowey have been visiting some of the more remote towns and villages of the Highland region of Scotland with the CLC van, setting up pre-Christmas bookstalls. Praise the Lord for these opportunities and pray that the materials sold during this time will be a blessing to many people. Pray for strength and stamina for the whole team at this busy period - remembering Pam, the shop manager, and the volunteers who have been staffing the shop during Les and Esther’s absence.
In September, CLC Newcastle underwent a partial refit. This involved some new shelf units and island display stands, a new counter, new carpet and some electrical work. Due to the CLC UK warehouse move, it was not possible to do this work in August as originally planned. Pray that the two-week closure so near to a key time of the year did not cause too many problems and that customers will use and appreciate the “new look” shop. 18
Friday (27th) - Strength for the Season:
Pray for the spiritual and physical health of the UK staff. Having moved the warehouse, adapted to new systems, run event bookstalls, many face the busy Christmas period already tired and in some cases in less than perfect health. Pray against spiritual attack in whatever form it may take, and that God is glorified by all CLC does, says and sells as we approach Christmas.
The Weekend (28th/29th) - Coventry:
CLC Coventry has developed their upstairs floor as a bargain book centre. Pray for them as they source cheap end of lines, remainders etc. to sell there and that they can effectively publicise this section. Pray that this development will help the shop’s viability, bring in new customers and enhance the shop’s ministry as they come to terms with this situation. November 30th - December 6th
Week 49: Venezuela and Mexico Monday (30th) - Personnel Needed (Mexico):
The distribution work is growing and there is a need for more personnel on our team in Mexico City. Please help us by praying for more nationals with the desire to serve the Lord and with a vision for this type of ministry. Mexico is a big country and the opportunities we have are enormous.
Tuesday (1st) - Vehicle Needed (Mexico):
We have started to visit some cities outside the capital and have found that there are pastors and bookstores with a real need for Christian books and Bibles. The main Christian distributors are located in Mexico City and, as a general rule, people have to travel to the capital to buy what they need. The few trips we made were successful and people are asking us to come back. We would like to buy a vehicle that could allow us to make more frequent visits with a wider range of material.
Wednesday (2nd) - Gran Feria Cristiana (Mexico):
CLC recently took part in the ‘Gran Feria Cristiana’ (a major Christian fair) in Mexico. On the first day, under the heading ‘Pastoral Update’, CLC contributed to the seminars with two authors from the publishers we represent. There were teaching sessions for around 1,000 pastors! CLC also had a number of booths at the fair representing, and selling, our own material and also products from other publishers including Harper Collins, LifeWay and Tyndale. Praise God for this opportunity. (Photo of the event on the left)
Thursday (3rd) - Money for Stock (Venezuela):
For a number of years now it has been difficult to obtain currency (US dollars) in Venezuela, which is vital for the ministry in order to pay debts and order new stock. Please pray about this and also for the basic materials we need in Venezuela; if we could buy paper we could print books locally rather than depend on imports.
Friday (4th) - Elections (Venezuela):
Please pray for the political, economic and social situation in Venezuela. Elections are about to be held (planned for December 6th at time of writing) for the National Assembly, and we trust God that things will be under control and that the whole process can be accomplished in a peaceful way.
The Weekend (5th/6th) - Giving Thanks (Venezuela):
We give thanks to God for His goodness in the midst of difficult times and that one of our key staff members, Fabiola, has been able to return to work following an extended time off work earlier this year due to ill health. 19
December 7th - 13th
Week 50: CLC and the Bible Monday (7th) - Belarus:
In 2012, the CLC team in Brest, Belarus took on a very exciting project to publish Bibles in Russian using a local Belarusian company that has printed Bibles in many different languages. Since then, almost 9,000 Bibles have been printed in different sizes and cover colours. Some of the profit from the sales will go towards CLC’s project to open a bookshop in the capital city of Minsk.
Tuesday (8th) - UK:
CLC is very thankful to Tyndale House Publishers for helping us make available a low cost outreach edition of The New Living Translation Bible. This will be given away to customers purchasing books featured in the autumn promotional magazine Take Note. Copies will also be available for shop staff to give away to enquirers or customers who can use them evangelistically. Larger quantities can be purchased at ÂŁ1.99 each. Please pray that the Bibles are given away wisely and that many people are brought to faith through them. They are available in the UK shops now and for the foreseeable future.
Wednesday (9th) - Mexico:
CLC will start to work closely with the Thompson Bible Seminars in Mexico. The plan is to have a CLC book table at every seminar held in the country. The Thompson Bible Seminars in Mexico are represented by another ministry but thanks to the good relationship we have with them in other countries, where CLC arranges the seminars, they are more than happy to allow CLC to partner with them in Mexico. This work will require more people to travel to different cities in the country and set up the book tables for two days.
Thursday (10th) - Netherlands:
We recently had an order from a school for 60 Bibles for the school children studying there. Praise God for this order and for such schools!
Friday (11th) - France:
From March to August this year, we had a new partnership with Wycliffe. This partnership consisted of donating one euro to Wycliffe for each French Bible sold; these French Bibles have a green sticker and are published by the CLC Publishing House. This promotion supports the translation of the Bible into different languages.
The Weekend (12th/13th) - Ecuador: The CLC team in Ecuador praise God for the recent opportunity to donate 300 Bibles to people serving time in a prison in the city of Tacunga. This was a follow-up to a project started a while ago which was put on hold because of building work at the prison. Now the ministry can continue with a member of the team who preaches and gives out Bibles in the prison. The aim of the project is to take the message of hope and salvation to those in prison, and provide Bibles for all those who become Christians. 20
CLC Ecuador Poster
December 14th - 20th
Information from David Pabón, CLC National Director
Week 51: Colombia
Monday (14th) - Bookshops in Bogota:
Praise the Lord for the opportunity to expand the network of bookshops in Bogota this year. In June, a fourth shop in the capital was opened, ‘Calle (street) 84’ and, at the time of writing, plans are underway to open another bookshop, this time in the south of the city.
Tuesday (15th) - New Shop Managers:
Please pray for the newest bookshop managers on the CLC Colombia team. Olga Médina is managing the new shop in Bogota and Johan Flores has taken over as the manager of the bookshop in Tunja.
Wednesday (16th) - FSCLC (CLC Colombia’s Social Foundation): As an established business, CLC Colombia is required by law to use some of the profits for the benefit of the country, but it is also an opportunity to show love in action – and often an outlet for giving away some of our material as well. One of their recent projects was the distribution of ‘school kits’ with essentials for children in three rural areas of the country where resources are scarce.
Thursday (17th) - CLC Colombia in Miami:
CLC Colombia has a distribution warehouse and an Photo of children receiving ‘school kits’. adjoining bookshop in Miami. This is almost exclusively for Spanish material. Please pray for this newly established work that now needs to grow and expand. Jennifer Scalante, a second generation CLCer, and her mother Silvia run the bookshop and Ruben Reyes is the manager of the wholesale department.
Friday (18th) - CLC Events:
CLC Colombia arranges varied events around the country, in bookshops, local churches and other venues. One recent event was held in Bogota for the CLC staff themselves when Coalo Zamorano, wellknown throughout Latin America as a musician and worship leader, visited the Headquarters and presented his new book No Estás Solo (You are not alone). Not only did the staff learn more about the author and the book they would be selling, but CLC was highlighted on Coalo’s Facebook post that day. Praise God for the opportunities we have to promote and distribute good books, and for fellowship and co-operation with other ministries.
CLC Event with Coalo Zamorano presenting his new book.
The Weekend (19th/20th) - CLC Publications:
CLC Colombia has a major publishing ministry in Latin America. One of the publications, for which we thank God, is Ven y Sigueme (Come, Follow Me) by Christopher White. This book talks about discipleship and it has had a huge impact on the church in general, motivating people to become true disciples. We have also used the book in workshops for pastors and Christian leaders in Bogota. Praise God too for a book that is soon to be published in Spanish by CLC – You and Me Forever by Francis Chan. 21
December 21st - 27th
Week 52: Belarus, CA2, CA1 and Christmas Monday (21st) - Publishing in 2015 (Belarus):
Like many other CLC countries, CLC Belarus is pushing ahead with a publishing programme. For a small team, we have quite ambitious plans for 2015 with at least four books to be published by the end of the year: Resisting Gossip by Matt Mitchell, You and Me Forever by Francis Chan, and two books for children. Please pray the books would be ready in time, and distributed around the Russian-speaking world quickly.
Tuesday (22nd) - Publishing in 2016 (Belarus):
Five children’s books that were published in previous years are now out of stock and have to be reprinted at the beginning of 2016. We are also pleased that local Christian authors have started to submit their manuscripts for publishing. At the time of writing we have three proposals.
Wednesday (23rd) - For Praise (CA2):
Praise God for a huge order through a government office to set up a library. Although it was for secular books, this money will help us get much closer to covering costs. Praise God for permission for another order of Russian Christian books – we got this permission faster than any other we can remember!
Thursday (24th) - For Prayer (CA2):
Pray for continued wisdom for the bookshop Director and her husband to know how to equip the local staff to run things more on their own as she is home much more with their new baby.
Friday (25th) - Christmas Day: Praise the Lord that the Good News is still being announced around the world. May that continue – and increase – in the year ahead!
The Weekend (26th/27th) - Part of the Family (CA1):
This work in Central Asia is one of the most isolated of our CLC teams, but praise the Lord they still feel very much part of the CLC family. In August they received a visit from three CLC staff members to help with the reorganisation of the work. Pray as a new committee is appointed to oversee our activity here. 22
THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT AT CF4K THE CHRISTMAS STORY The Bible Version Carine MacKenzie In the corner of a stable where the animals usually eat, there is a baby in a blanket lying in a box. This baby is the Son of God who has been sent to save. In this book you will find out who needs saving and how it is that this special Child will do it. 9781781914335 £6.99 365 GREAT BIBLE STORIES The Good News of Jesus Christ from Genesis to Revelation Carine MacKenzie In ‘365 Great Bible Stories’, this book teaches you about the truth of God’s Word and the good news of Jesus Christ and salvation. 9781845505400 £12.99
THE PLAN How God got the World ready for Jesus Sinclair B. Ferguson Before the dawn of time God made a plan… a plan to love, save and rescue. The world was made ready for Jesus Christ to save his people from their sins. 9781845504519 £6.99
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Pleased to Dwell is an energetic biblical introduction to Christmas. It is an invitation to ponder the Incarnation, and a God who was pleased to dwell with us. “What a really useful resource! As I read through it, I found that ideas for carol service talks just kept leaping off its pages.” RICO TICE, Author, Christianity Explored & Associate Minister at All Souls Church, Langham Place, London “In this book we see the profound truths of the incarnation presented in a way that makes the Bible and its truth come alive. And, best of all, it is presented in an engaging style that makes it accessible to ordinary laypersons.” AJITH FERNANDO, Teaching Director, Youth for Christ, Sri Lanka 9781781914267 £7.99
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blog.christianfocus.com
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“It may have been my most important book table — ever.” David Almack, CLC USA Director
I don’t normally travel over 8000 miles and 28 hours in the air to help with a book table, however this was no ordinary book table. I found myself in Thailand, this summer, helping to staff a mega book table for an extraordinary organisation. This organisation is so unusual that I cannot even share the name, but suffice to say that the people I met this week are some of God’s special people. The verses in Hebrews 11 came to mind several times where it says, Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment…(v. 35 -36), of whom the world was not worthy…(v. 38). There are only a few times in my life when I have been in the presence of people that I consider to be true ‘saints’ and this week I met hundreds of them. They would not want to be identified in this way, but there was no other way for me to view them. These people willingly left lives of comfort and security to move to the hardest places on earth to love and minister to the least reached. That may sound like a cliché or even hard to believe, but it was the truth for nearly everyone that I met who was working ‘on the field’. Before I came, I thought I had a good grasp on geography. This week, however, I learned the names and places of countries like Dagestan and Tajikistan and others that I could hardly pronounce. Because of the security concerns surrounding this kind of ministry, most of these people will never be known for the work they have done. Most have creative access platforms that allow them to be in these closed countries and do some really innovative jobs. Despite this, they are a part of God’s most important work in our generation to draw people from all tongues, tribes, and peoples to Himself. I was astounded to discover the variety of methods that these humble servants are utilising to accomplish this task. Day after day as I met new people, I hardly found two that were doing the same thing. Interestingly, many are business people and professionals who are completely sold out for God and taking incredible risks to see Jesus ‘high and lifted up’ in every nation. As we served daily, I was so humbled to be able to help people make book selections that would
impact their ministry, their personal spiritual growth, and their family life for years to come. Person after person thanked us for bringing such an extensive and highly curated selection of books. One man mentioned that a book he purchased two years ago at the book table that CLC sponsored for the same organisation in Germany ‘revolutionised’ his ministry. I can only hope that something I recommended might have a similar impact. Parents were choosing books for family devotions with their kids who were growing up as TCKs (third culture kids), and these might be the only books they would have access to for the next two years. What a responsibility! Couples whose marriages are under tremendous pressure in these challenging places had access to a large range of encouraging titles, and offers, including the best-selling 5 Love Languages. I may never see these people again. It is possible that I will not be able to be at the future book tables that CLC will host in this part of the world and even more likely that some of these people will not be at future events. One of the most startling things I experienced was the matter of fact way that these folks celebrated the reality of martyrdom in their midst. This was not just a theoretical possibility, but a practical reality that all knew might be a part of their future. Already, in the few short decades that they been in existence, this group honours colleagues who have made the ultimate sacrifice for God’s kingdom expansion. As I reflected on Hebrews 11, I realised that it was I who was not worthy to be in this place, but I was greatly privileged to see my ministry make a small difference in the lives of people that are doing such gratifying work. It may have been my most important book table – ever. 27 27
Christmas Gifts for children aged 4–11 Topz Activity Bible by Alexa Tewkesbury
Together with the Topz Gang, discover 27 key Bible stories. Explore your favourite stories and discover some lesserknown ones. All stories include two Topz activities. ISBN: 9781782594192
RRP: £8.99
Ideal for ages 7–11
50 Christmasiest Bible Stories by Andy Robb
Brand new in the bestselling and award-winning 50s series! Using colourful cartoons and his own fun style of storytelling, Andy Robb brings fifty more Bible stories to life – and it’s all about Christmas! ISBN: 9781782594185
RRP: £5.99
The Very First Christmas Day Mini Book by Jan Godfrey and Andrew Everitt-Stewart Ideal for ages 3–6 With rich, colourful illustrations and lyrical storytelling, this children’s retelling of the nativity brings the 2,000-yearold story to new life on the page. ISBN: 9781782593058
RRP: £1.99
It’s a Boy! (Book)
by Alexa Tewkesbury and Steve Legg A wonderfully illustrated story introducing children to the true meaning of Christmas and who Jesus really is. Travel with three quails as they embark on a daring mission and meet Mary and baby Jesus. ISBN: 9781782594543
RRP: £4.99
It’s a Boy! (DVD)
by Alexa Tewkesbury and Steve Legg The DVD version of the It’s a Boy! book took three years to complete. The film was distributed free to 26,000 primary schools in the UK in 2005. 10 years on, a special 10th Anniversary edition has been created to tell the story to a new generation of children. EAN: 5027957001619
RRP: £9.99
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A Wake-Up Call with The Briscoe’s By David Almack, CLC USA Director
Stuart and Jill Briscoe have been ministering to God’s people all over the world for many years and they are still going strong with more energy than I have on many days. Recently, I had the privilege of speaking with them via a Skype call despite Jill’s arm being in a sling. She had just fallen the previous weekend and injured her elbow with surgery planned for the next day, but still she wanted to chat. She was so fun and vivacious on the call, you would hardly have known that she was in any pain at all. We were planning the release of their next book, Improving with Age, and, as we talked I could see why God had these precious senior saints write this important new title. It is a message desperately needed by many older Christians who feel useless and in some cases abandoned by the church. This got me thinking about how God chooses to use us and why. Just today, I heard a sermon from Psalm 84, reminding me that ‘better is one day on God’s courts than a thousand elsewhere’. My grandmother used to say that we will only find true fulfilment and joy in the centre of God’s will no matter where that might be in the world. She also used to caution that the most dangerous place we could be was anywhere outside of His will and desire for our lives. Jonah certainly found that out the hard way as he headed in the opposite direction from God’s will and ended up in the belly of a fish. Interestingly, even when he did follow God’s will, he did so grudgingly and was not happy when God spared the Ninevites. There are times when I get discouraged in the work that I do. Making evangelical Christian literature available to people all over the world has been getting harder. Bookshops that used to be thriving hubs of activity are closing left and right in the Western world. Major Christian publishers have been purchased by secular publishing houses, and the number of high quality Christian books seems to be on the decline. At the very same time, young people are consuming content in entirely new and different ways. There are days when it seems like
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the encroaching tide of sin and evil in our world makes my work almost pointless, and yet…God is still at work! People are hungry for answers to life’s most pressing problems, and the truth of the gospel is the only answer that will make any lasting difference. As I wake-up from my lethargy and fog of self-pity, I am reminded that I am part of a much bigger plan. Yes, the world is a dark place and evil is often on the ascendancy, but this is just a skirmish in a battle that has already been won. Every day, God is using His written Word to draw people to Himself. Bible study resources are helping people all over the globe to understand what they are reading ‘for the first time’ just like the Ethiopian eunuch. Daily devotionals are helping to inspire and encourage personal time in God’s very presence. Deeper life books, like the ones that we publish, are challenging believers not to settle for milk but to desire meat as they grow in their walk with God. As I toil in the vineyard, I need to be reminded of this reality on a regular basis. God used my Skype call with Stuart and Jill to wake me up once again. While they have spoken in hundreds of places around the world over the years, their books have touched thousands of lives,—many of whom they have never met. My job is to keep my hand to the plough, regardless of how hard or challenging the task may seem. The great news is that I can leave the results up to Him too. May I not be like Jonah who took every opportunity to complain but, instead, be like Joseph who so wisely said, ‘You mean it for evil, but God meant it for good’. 29
CLC World Reviews: Our Recommended Titles Pray for the World by The Operation World Team
ISBN: 9780830836864 Review by Amanda Lutes, CLC World Editor Price: £10.99, 300pp “This prayer resource has revolutionised my prayer life and some of our CLC team prayer meetings! Pray for the Word is an updated and condensed version of Operation World. It continues to give readers important facts and encouraging testimonies, without overwhelming them with excessive data. Hopefully you will find yourself spending hours learning about different countries, and how best to pray for them. I highly recommend picking up a copy for yourself, your church, and your house group!”
The Plausibility Problem: by Ed Shaw Review by Melanie Gardiner, CLC Aberdeen
ISBN: 9781783592067 Price: £8.99, 176pp
“This book addresses such a modern day point of attack on the Christian faith — how the church responds to same-sex attraction. Shaw writes on this controversial topic as a same-sex attracted Christian who has opted for a celibate lifestyle in order to live in a biblical and God-honouring way. He writes in a very personal way on an issue so obviously close to his heart and encourages all Christians to draw alongside those who experience same-sex attraction and support them in a right way and reflect the love of the Lord Jesus as we should. He places such a high importance on the Word of God throughout and doesn’t manipulate scripture to suit. He is a shining example of taking up our cross and living for Christ. Shaw brings a fresh insight into a much debated topic, and I feel it is an absolutely essential read for everyone.”
The Shed That Fed a Million Children by Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow Review by Lynne Gauton, CLC Dundee ISBN:9780008127640 Price: £12.99, 320pp
“This is a book which had my attention even by the title. It’s a well written book, but it goes beyond even just being a true story. It had me captivated because it’s an example of how a small dream can be transformed into something way beyond what we could imagine; letting us see how something we take for granted can mean so much in the life of the world’s neediest children. I feel humbled after reading this book, and challenged that every little bit we do does count, even though at times we think that what we do isn’t enough! In a world where we hear a lot of negatives, it’s great to read that there is still a lot of good in this world. It’s well worth a read, and I’m about to read it again!
Beloved by Rachel Gardner
Review by Esther Bryan, CLC Leicester Volunteer
ISBN: 9781783593583 Price: £7.99, 176pp
“I really enjoyed this book and found it very helpful. The author honestly addresses issues like sexuality, self-image, and how to treat others in a friendly, easy to understand style. She backs up what she says with the Bible so it seems reliable, and each chapter includes relevant questions that are very helpful in getting you to start applying what you have just read and sort stuff out. I was left feeling very affirmed in my identity, purpose, and worth as a woman of God so I would recommend it for other teen girls – as long as the leaders heading up the study weren’t afraid to address potentially uncomfortable (but necessary) topics.” 30
The Books Everyone is Talking About!
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Larger Print Compact Bibles from Hodder Faith
NIV Larger Print Compact Single Column Reference Bible RRP: £18.99 / 9781473603431
NIV Larger Print Compact Single Column Reference Bible RRP: £23.99 / 9781473603417
NIV Larger Print Compact Single Column Reference Bible RRP: £32.99 / 9781473603424
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