YWAM England Advance 116 Oct-Dec 2012

ber 2012 No. 116 | october窶電ec em

What an Amazing Summer Stories and testimonies from our outreaches

02. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Editorial From our national leader Carl Tinnion

Editorial|carl tinnion

03. . . . . . . . . . Ways to get involved Be inspired by the difference you can make in the nations

2

W

hat a busy summer! I cannot believe what we have been involved in; the amazing Queen’s Jubilee weekend, European football championship, Olympics, Paralympics. I get tired just writing about it!

YWAM England has also hosted: • YWAM Western European Leadership consultation • YWAM DNA camp with Darlene Cunningham • 250 participants on the Circuit Riders prayer gathering • 700 Megacities Teams (YWAM Perth/Australia) working in London • 350 on a missional gathering for athletes and artists “Go4Glory” • 1000+ from the nations doing mission during the Olympics/Paralympics • 250 people from all over the world for our global leadership gathering.

What is God up to in England? This latest issue of Advance will update you on as many stories as possible from over the last three months. I love testimonies as they give us a window on how God is changing and impacting people’s lives today.

So what was all the fuss about with the Olympics?

I have come across a number of people who had decided not to engage with the Olympics at all.

Arguments abound: “what a huge amount of money to spend for just two weeks of sporting competition when people are starving around the world!” (I actually agree with this). “It’s just sport isn’t it? Men and women running around a field, hopping, skipping and throwing inanimate objects to show off their sporting prowess!”

Advance | Oct–Dec 2012

04. . . . . . . . . . . . . Olympic summer Dondi Carter reports on the events of Summer 2012 At the end of the day, whether you like massive sporting events or not, one important point needs to be made. Over a million people descended on the British Isles this summer from all over the world. And every tribe and nation was watching the events on their televisions at home.

International sporting events present us Christians with unique opportunities to be light to the gentiles, talk about how much we love God, model life in his Kingdom and invite people to join with our communities in getting to know Him better.

Personally, I’m pretty sure God is not cool with how much money gets spent on these events in light of how much poverty there is in the world, but I am also sure that He is very interested whenever multiple nations gather in one spot on the globe. His mission on the earth is that all should come to know Him and enjoy relationship with Him in His Kingdom. This, unequivocally, has to be our mission as well if we truly love Him with our whole lives.

Let us lay aside our carefully constructed arguments if in the end they pull us away from the most important things: to let our lamp shine brightly in the darkness, to be part of that city on a hill that points the way to life everlasting, to do whatever it takes to lovingly invite people to read the pages of our lives in order to know our loving Father God. “… for so the lord has commanded us, ‘I have placed you as a light for the gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the end of the earth.’” Acts 13:47

06. . . . . . . . Stories from the streets Testimonies from outreach participants 08. . . . . . . . . Forever photo gallery Pictures from the Olympic outreaches 10. . . 2013 outreach opportunities Join us next year!

11. . . . . . . . . . . Upcoming training Hear the call … get prepared … are you ready to Just Go? 12. . . Seeds of an organic church?

A tale of a British YWAMer working in Indonesia 14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Base news Announcing new leaders for Holmsted Manor, and an exciting new ministry at The King’s Lodge 15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Devotional Lynn Green shares his thoughts on evangelism

The Advance Team: Nic Barella, Natalie Edwards, Carl Tinnion.

Contributors: Becky Mehaffey, Jeremy Weightman, Dondi Carter, Lauren Nelson, Nice Bowers, Forever Media Team.

Advance is published by YWAM England. © Copyright exists on all material in Advance and nothing within it may be reproduced wholly or in part without written permission.

Youth With A Mission England & Wales is a registered charity number 264078.

Act | get involved

Contents|in this issue

Y

WAM England cannot do the work alone. We need you! There are lots of ways to get involved in YWAM England by going, giving or praying.

Go! — Take six months to dive in deep with God, knowing him intimately and making him known throughout the world with a Discipleship Training School! There are also opportunities to join us on short-term outreaches at Easter and during the summer months. For more information on DTS or any of these outreaches, visit our website at www.ywamengland.org.

Give! — We need your help to keep moving forward to make an impact in the nations. Even if you could support us just £10 a month it makes a huge difference. You can give to YWAM online at www.ywamengland.org/donate where a Gift Aid form can also be downloaded, or send a cheque to the address below.

Pray! — Use our brief prayer points to lead you to pray for YWAM England. Cut out and have in Bible to remind you to pray regularly.

Want to stay connected with ways to pray for YWAM England? Send us your contact details via the contact methods below to be added to the mailing list.

Contacts|stay in touch Write YWAM, Highfield Oval, Harpenden Herts, AL5 4BX, UK Tel 01582 463216 E-mail enquiries@ywamengland.org Web www.ywamengland.org Facebook facebook.com/ywamengland Twitter twitter.com/ywamengland

3

W

hat a summer! Amazing sport, the “best games ever”, and an incredible YWAM outreach during the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The closing ceremonies are over, the camera crews have moved on, the athletes have headed home, the Olympic Park has been cleared out, and the rubbish bins have been emptied. Many people are left with memories, others will search for the legacy of the London 2012 Games. Time will tell the true impact, but Forever (the team coordinating YWAM’s outreach at the Games) can reflect on helping to organise one of the biggestever Christian outreaches of its kind. The team can also reflect on the eternal significance of these Games for the UK — through outreach with and in the churches and communities across the land — and the world — through outreach to visitors to the Games.

“The world descended on London and the UK during the 2012 Games.”

Numbers game Around 1,200 YWAMers from over 40 countries were involved in the outreaches during the Olympics and Paralympics. Most worked in London, but teams were also sent to other Olympic host cities — Coventry, Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle, and Weymouth and Portland. Although each outreach varied and target audiences differed, the same heart and passion flowed through all involved: to see God made known throughout the earth. The world descended on London and the UK during the 2012 Games, and though specific numbers are difficult to gauge, people and communities encountered the love of Jesus.

participating in casual cricket and rugby games.

Many were connected with local churches, helping to run cafes or events with live streaming of the Olympics, or reaching out to the local community through Family Fun Days, kids’ games, youth clubs, and parent-and-toddler groups.

A large group of YWAM volunteers came to share their God-given talents and creativity. Over 240 “Many salvation stories have come from people on outreach just listening to the Holy Spirit and obeying.” artists — musicians, dancers, street performers, painters and sculptors — used their abilities to share the love of Jesus in a way that connected to people no matter their race or language. They performed or created in front of large crowds on the lawn of Westminster Green, on pavements on high streets, or in pubs and cafes around town.

Free prayer and hugs were offered around London, with many healed of physical, emotional and mental pain. Many used the available prayer resources and covered London and the UK with prayers through prayer walking or 24/7 prayer houses. Some teams simply prayed about whom God wanted to touch during the day, and then set off in street evangelism to chat with the local and international visitors. Many salvation stories have

come from people on outreach just listening to the Holy Spirit and obeying.

One known side-effect of hosting the Olympics is an increase in human trafficking. Some outreach teams worked alongside Stop The Traffik and Esther’s House (YWAM’s team plant in Stratford, East London) to raise public awareness about trafficking issues. Stop The Traffik having a stand outside Westminster Abbey was particularly powerful as thousands of tourists got the message.

Never-ending story As they head for home, each of the 1,200 YWAMers has their God story to tell, as do many of the international visitors. The torch has passed to Rio and the Olympic Park is turning into an urban park, but the churches remain. Over 6,000 churches countrywide participated in some sort of Olympic outreach. Thousands of outreach participants worked alongside local church communities.

Christians working together and lives being changed eternally through the process: that’s what “legacy” is really all about.

info

|summer of olympic

proportions

Dondi Carter reports

Contact The Forever Team Write YWAM Harpenden, Highfield Oval, Harpenden, AL5 4BX Tel 01582 463322 E-mail info@forever2012.com Web www.forever2012.com

Across the spectrum This Olympic outreach saw a spectrum of outreaches. Some teams were involved in sports outreaches, coaching football, playing volleyball and netball with local young people, or

4

Advance | Oct–Dec 2012

5

|stories from the streets

“

“We were giving out free tea in Bow just outside of All Hallows Church to bless the community when a man on a bicycle suddenly stopped right after having passed us by. He said that he did not want tea but he did need someone to talk to. For the next 30 minutes we said nothing as he opened up and told us about himself and all of the hurt and pain in his life. Jamie recognised that a lot of what he was dealing with — anger, depression, loneliness, feelings of betrayal, and isolation — had to do with the fact that he had not forgiven a family member who had sexually abused him as a child. We prayed for him and Jamie led him in a prayer of forgiveness towards his family and encouraged him to give all of his hurt and pain to Jesus. I watched as he fought back the tears and hesitated to leave us even though he was already running late.” Paul McKinney “I came to the London Olympic outreach wanting to see youth involved in evangelism and reaching out to people of the UK with the love of Jesus. In the time I’ve been here, God has radically altered the plans for my life. After the Olympic outreach I was going to head off to university. Now I feel I should become a full-time missionary.” Kerry Clancy (England) “I’ve enjoyed meeting people and talking to them about God. It’s been the best time of my life so far.

I’ve grown so much; I see things differently now.

6

Advance | Oct–Dec 2012

T

here are so many varied stories to tell from the YWAM outreach at the 2012 Olympic Games. Here is a small selection.

To read some of the full stories from the 2012 Olympic outreach, visit Forever’s website, www.forever2012.com.

God encounters me and talks to me, and I’ve made some great friends.” Abigail “YWAM Barbados has helped run and organise clubs, coached football, volleyball, and netball as well and did sports with the local young people.

They’ve also been running the cafe we’ve been having in the evenings as well as hosting a parents and toddlers group during the weekday mornings.

It has been amazing to have them here supporting the long-term goals we have for this area.”

Nat Way (XLP youthwork charity and St Mark’s Church, Becton) “My church is made up of an electoral role of 54 people. More than half of those are on old age pension. The YWAM team has been amazing, the work has been very important because it’s given us the opportunity as a church of punching massively above our weight in terms of being able to build relationships to provide activities and services for children.” Tom Haley (Vicar, All Souls Church Clapton, Hackney) “The YWAM teams have come into my local church, and encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone to chat and offer prayer to people in my area, which is the first time for me to do evangelism. It has been absolutely brilliant.” Laura Lewis-Carter “I was walking around the local estate with another member on outreach named Bronwyn. We were

praying who God wanted us to talk to, and were led to a man named Danny who was outside working in his garden. After a long conversation talking about life and Jesus, he was ready to become a Christian. After we prayed a prayer of repentance, he exclaimed, ‘Wow, I feel like a new man!’ He said he was going to come and join in at All Hallows Bow Church, so it’s cool that they will follow up on his new journey.” Josiah Jewell “My teammate Andy and I have been prayerwalking our neighbourhood in Newcastle since September last year. Over this season we have seen “There is a passion that surrounds sport and an equal respect that people share for the love of the game. This has opened up many doors to conversation and building trust.”

Ann Hefflinger 15 people come to faith in Jesus. One visitor to our local prayer room said that over the span of one hour he saw five people walk in off the street and make a decision to follow Jesus.” Bjarte Buene (Norway, and member of YWAM Newcastle) “I’ve been working as a Games Pastor, where we have been working with a team of people stationed around the city to meet the physical and spiritual needs of travellers and Games-goers. We’ve had some great conversations with people that have a real spiritual root, and we’ve been able to ask a couple of people about their beliefs and share ours.” James Stewart

unable to do in my country because of terrorist threats and heavy persecution. I have heard about England being very shut off to the gospel, but I have just seen people be so receptive and intent on listening to the Good News.” Zephaniah Isah (Nigeria) “We were able to work beside Bow Baptist Church and handed out over 2,500 bottles of water in just two days. It was crazy, we were riding the buses around the area, talking to people and handing out free water. It was cool to see the atmosphere and excitement when people realise that it is actually free, no strings attached.” Susan Kweon (YWAM Belize) “This is a remarkably multicultural area. Our goal is to get the different people and different cultures to connect with one another, and through these Games our dream has become reality.” Osoba Otaigbe (Tooting Junction Baptist Church) “You may have seen only a drop in the bucket as to the impact that has been made over this time.

Rest assured, what has happened will leave a mark.” Peter Prescott

”

“Being from Nigeria, we received the gospel from Europe so many years ago. They gave us the gospel and — after hearing the statistics of how many have fallen away, and the percentage of atheists — I knew that I had to come back. It’s time to bring that light back to the place it once belonged. I have been able to stand up in the streets and preach the gospel on the streets of London, it has been a really beautiful thing. Something I am

7

photo gallery

Photo by Chris

ty McKew

A picture tells a thousand words ‌ snapshots from the Forever Olympic outreach that give a flavour of the variety and range of outreaches during the 2012 Games.

Photo by Caleb McAlpine

dy Watson

o Photo by C

8

Advance | Oct–Dec 2012

Photo by Lidian y Ortega

is

Photo by Sharon Ell

risty McKew

h Photo by C

9

Pray

2 3

For the new leaders at Holmsted Manor, Steve and Jo Bishop, and their daughters Naomi, Esther and Abigail, as they settle and find their feet in the base and local community.

For the money to come in for building projects at Harpenden and The Kings Lodge. Planning applictions have been submitted for the redevlopment of a building at Highfield Oval, Harpenden, and the new extension at The King’s Lodge is ready to be fitted and furnished when money is available.

Cost: £350 approx tbc (plus flight, insurance etc). Family reductions available on request.

Wildfire is a ministry of King’s Kids England (KKi england)

4 5 6 7

For new YWAM teams starting up in London, for provision and doors to open; Crouch End, Brick Lane, Wimbledon and Stratford. Also for the new teams in Newcastle, Taunton and Manchester.

For England as a nation that hearts would turn to Jesus and for Church witness on the streets to increase.

For more Brits to be trained up and equipped into long term missions overseas.

For Andy and the Indonesian believers who are bringing restoration to their community. Ask the Lord for others who can give expert advice, or support the projects through prayer and finances. May His name be glorified throughout the islands!

To apply and for more info visit www.kkiengland.com or email Andy Kennedy at andykcircus@mac.com

Athens Krakow Prague Pristina Sarajevo

In partnership with

For more info go to:

www.justgoywam.com 10

Advance | Oct–Dec 2012

Upcoming|training courses

1

For the many hundreds of people that gave their lives to the Lord this summer.

Pray that seeds sown will be watered and new Christians will find good fellowship with others in the Churches to which they have been linked.

Carlisle — www.ywamcarlisle.com

Discipleship Training School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan and Sept 2013 (9 months) Basic Leadership School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan and Sept 2013 (18 months)

Derby — www.ywamderby.org

Urban Discipleship Training School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sept 2013 (9 months)

Harpenden — www.ywamharpenden.org

Discipleship Training School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan, July and Sept 2013 (6 months) School of Reconciliation and Justice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan 2013 (3 months) Sports Discipleship Training School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 2013 (6 months) School of Design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 2013 (3 months) Teaching English as a Second Language. . . . . . . . . . . April 2013 (6 weeks) Documentary Filmmaking School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . July 2013 (3 months) School of Web Design and Communication. . . . . . . . July 2013 (3 months) Humanities and International Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . Sept 2013 (3 months) Foundations in Community Development. . . . . . . . . Sept 2013 (3 months)

Holmsted Manor — www.ywamholmsted.org

Discipleship Training School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan, March and Sept 2013 (6 months) Sailing Discipleship Training School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Spring 2013 Year for God. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Feb and Aug 2013 (12 months)

The King’s Lodge — www.thekingslodge.com

Discipleship Training School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan, April and Sept 2013 (6 months) School of Biblical Studies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sept 2013 (9 months) Directed Reading in Biblical Studies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . January, April, Sept 2013 (3 months) Principles in Child and Youth Ministries. . . . . . . . . . . January 2013 (5 months) Bible Teaching and Preaching School. . . . . . . . . . . . . January 2013 (6 months) Introduction to Primary Health Care. . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 2013 (5 months)

Leeds — www.ywamleeds.com

Arts and Justice Discipleship Training School. . . . . . . Sept 2013 (12 months)

London — www.ywamlondon.com

Discipleship Training School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . October 2012, April and July 2013 (6 months) Basic Leadership School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 2013 (6 months)

s/y Next Wave — www.ywamnextwave.org

Discipleship Training School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September 2013 (6 months)

Wales — www.ywamwales.org

Discipleship Training School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September 2013 (10 months)

York — www.ywamyork.com

Photography Discipleship Training School. . . . . . . . . April 2013 (6 months)

Things change all the time in YWAM so this list might not be complete. Check out the individual Websites for more information, or www.ywamengland.org and www.ywam.org

11

Indonesia|seeds of an organic church?

thus far. Their members come together to share knowledge and learning. Records of all practices are kept in order to find out what is working best.

Andy says “It is good for everyone — the farmers who need more income, and also the consumers who can eat much healthier food. We are at the beginnings of an awakening to the need for organic food in this community. And farming groups are the basis of future groups of believers.”

Becky Mehaffey reports

T

he people of Indonesia have a rich and ancient cultural heritage — ­ Hinduism, Islam and the West have all left their mark.

They also live precariously on the “Ring of Fire” which led to a volcanic eruption late in 2010. In the months that followed, half a million people were displaced. Floods of ash devastated forests, rivers, and villages.

“… even small gifts could make a big difference in helping these farmers learn new methods.”

A British YWAMer, Andy*, has lived in the region for years, and built relationships in a largely Muslim area. There was 100% crop failure within a radius of over 20 kilometres of the eruption, and months later many still lived in camps. Andy and his friends delivered aid to several villages, one being about five kilometres from the mountain’s peak. The displaced families were unable to cook, so many church and volunteer groups brought staples such as rice, tahu and tempe.

Several months later these farmers wished to return to plant their crops. But they found waterways clogged, pipes broken, forests and roads destroyed, and homes devastated. Andy raised funds for seven kilometres of pipes to restore water to a village to which God had led him. And he and his friends asked God what to do next.

Soon they discovered that a number of farmers were willing to form a cooperative plan in order to use resources best. The government had been encouraging a shift to organic farming, and local and international donors recognised that even small gifts could make a big difference in helping these farmers learn new methods. Next, a Filipino brother in Christ came to train about organic methods, including “good bacteria” which is the foundation of natural fertilizer.

Two farming groups have been started

These farming groups themselves are “organic” — natural local bodies that involve families. They are holistic in their activities — instruction on farming could be combined with help in education, health, family relationships etc. One donation paid for drawing books for the children, who were then able to draw pictures depicting their feelings and fears after the eruption. Scripture can be used in teaching all of these principles. It is a natural context for sharing hope. In time the farming groups may become fellowships of believers.

Where much of the area’s water supply was contaminated by falling ash, a new spring of fresh water has been found. Perhaps that heralds new “springs of living water” which the Lord has in store for the Indonesian people. *Name has been changed

Seeds of change In other parts of the island different organisations are seeing spiritual fruit as not seen in the past. Some who were extremely resistant to the gospel have now seen visions and experienced God’s supernatural power. One cluster alone has seen a small but passionate group of over 150 believers emerging across nine different villages.

info

One man was pronounced dead, but returned to life again.

After this happened to him a second time, an evangelist showed him a print of an image of Jesus. “That was the man who told me to go back!” the twice-resurrected man declared.

12

Advance | Oct–Dec 2012

If you would like to help this project be sustained by local believers, write to: E-mail europe@ywamfm.com

13

e are pleased to announce Steve and Jo Bishop as the new leaders for Holmsted Manor. Steve and Jo are English and have been in YWAM for 12 years. They have 3 teenage girls, Naomi, Esther and Abigail.

he last commandment of Jesus is well known — “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” Mark 16:15.

Verse 16 goes on to say “Anyone who believes and is baptised will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.”

W

The Bishops started their missionary journey studying at All Nations Christian College in Hertfordshire, England. After a DTS at Ituzaingo, Argentina, and studying Spanish, they worked there for 8 years, focusing on leading bilingual DTS as well as broader leadership responsibilities. In 2007 they moved to YWAM Harpenden, England, leading the DTS centre and involved with base leadership. Steve and Jo built an amazing team in

Holmsted has a long history of running DTS as well as starting new ministries around the world. We believe Steve and Jo will flourish there in training and sending many missionaries into the nations.

Please pray for them over this next season.

The King’s Lodge

to organise. There are things that need to be coordinated here in England and in Albania.”

he King’s Lodge is teaming up with s/y Next Wave for a medical outreach in Albania during Spring 2013, and they are looking for people who are interested in bringing care and love to Eastern Europe.

Albania has good primary healthcare, said Blok, but more specialized care, such as dentistry and ophthalmology, are private making access difficult for the poor.

T

“Our desire is to fill a need for medical care in Eastern Europe,” said Marlene Blok. “The Next Wave was in Albania in 2008.

This is a wonderful opportunity to build further relationships.”

The trip, which is broken into three two-week sessions from 27 April to 21 June, will focus on primary health care, dentistry and ophthalmology. Doctors, nurses and dentists are needed, but there is also room for DTS teams and others who want to volunteer. Everyone is welcome to join.

In addition to healthcare workers, we are looking for a logistics manager to organise the trip.

Blok said “We really need someone who loves

14

Harpenden and have a heart for mentoring and discipling younger leaders.

Advance | Oct–Dec 2012

“Our main focus in Albania is to reach the underprivileged and those who live in remote areas of the country,” she said. “People in that situation may go to the dentist to get a tooth extraction, but they don’t know about basic care.

The idea is not to go in and replace government health care, but to come alongside local mission workers and support what they are doing.”

YWAM in Western Europe has pledged to help their neighbours to see more YWAM initiatives planted in Eastern Europe, and this trip is one of the first steps. The King’s Lodge has a vision to develop medical clinics in other Eastern European countries similar to the ones they have developed in the Pacific islands over the last 20 years.

For more information, write to: E-mail medicaleurope@marinereach.com or phone The King’s Lodge at : Tel +44 (0)24 7634 8128.

Devotional

Sharing our faith

info

Base|news

Holmsted Manor

T

Over the summer, many hundreds of Christian young people arrived in England for YWAM outreaches running alongside the Olympics. They will have helped as translators, hosts and general helpers, but their primary goal will have been to tell people about Jesus and the life we find in him.

How do you react to that news? Does it delight you, or are you a bit uneasy about young people out on the streets talking and even preaching about Jesus?

I think the attitude of many Christians has gradually changed over the past three or four decades. This is illustrated by the well known fact that Christian organisations that feed the hungry or provide medical care for the poor are much better supported by Christian giving than those who are primarily evangelistic. I have also noted that, whereas summer outreach activities for young people used to be primarily about evangelism, they are now more often about community service.

If I am right to think that our attitudes have changed, then I ask “why?” One of the reasons is a steady stream of disapproval from the society in which we live. For example, the most recent article I read on the subject was very critical of military chaplains for “praying for young soldiers when they are under immense pressure or fear for their lives.”

That is the response of the journalist to evangelistic chaplains. Many magazine and newspaper articles similarly condemn evangelism.

The secular response to this is pressure on Christians to stop talking. A day-long briefing for religious workers during the Olympic period could be summarised as: “Be kind and welcoming. Help people in need. Shut up about your faith!”

Article 18 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a founding document of the United Nations, states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his [or her] religion or belief, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”

That’s quite clear isn’t it? Anyone who seeks to gag the preaching of the gospel, or the freedom “I joyfully remember the day the gospel was preached to me in a way that I could understand.” of others to practice and promote their faith, is violating one of the most fundamental human freedoms, one acknowledged by the nations of the world.

However, we do not preach or talk about Jesus because of human rights; even if there was no basis in law, Jesus commands it — not as some sort of legal demand but because “in Him there is life forevermore”. I joyfully remember the day the gospel was preached to me in a way that I could understand and I responded to declare Jesus as Lord of my life. Like millions of others, I would say that on that day, real life began for me.

Why would we, or how could we, withhold that gift from anyone?

So, rejoice with us at the thought of several thousand people sharing their faith with residents and visitors in this Olympic summer! Pray that seeds sown and decisions made will be watered and nurtured, and that we will all take steps to communicate our faith in Jesus — The Lamb of God Who Takes Away the Sin of the World.

Lynn Green Founder, YWAM England

15

www.ywamengland.org/training