Missions Conference Austria August 13-22

Pastors and missionaries fellowship on the dock like it was a contact sport

Joanie and I had not been to the conference in four years. It seemed necessary to go this year and plug back in to the fellowship of missionaries. For me the conference was life and death. The messages were speaking to me about my discouragement and the direction of my ministry. I had been considering a change from London. I was also feeling like a failure in the ministry.

The Lord gave me assurance that I was not a failure, and that I was to stay where I was. The most encouraging word is that He is with me. Every day I come back to this most amazing promise and take in more nourishment and strength. I have also been challenged to pray more and seek the Lord.

About three-quarters of the way through I realized I had on me the completed booklet Maintaining The Missionary Lifeline in pdf format. I offered it to the missionaries and about 10 or 15 gave me their email addresses so I could send it to them. If anyone reading this wants a copy, go to the email form on calvarychapeltwickenham.com and request it. I'll be happy to send you one.

Creation Fest August 7-12

Scott Cunningham leads worship in the Main Shed

This year the free concert / teaching festival was expanded from a weekend to a week. Elliot Wilsher and I roomed together for the time I was there (five days - I had to fly to Austria after that). The Fest was greater than before in every way.

The Bible teaching was more central to the event. The bands enhanced the teaching rather than compete with it for dominance. The Royal Cornwall Showground is exactly what we had envisioned building in the field at Woolacombe had we the finances.

Everything about the Fest is poised for huge greatness. We are working and praying for the Lord to bless the next one in 2010.

Universal Royalty Outreach July 24-26

Brother Dave Toro gives his testimony on the pedestrian zone of Hounslow

The band Universal Royalty (hereafter known as UR) and me got to know one another at Creation Fest, and we kept saying we ought to work together. July 24-26 we finally got to do outreach. The great thing about UR is their willingness to serve Jesus. Their first day was traveling five hours to reach us. They arrived just as it started raining hard, thus stalling outdoor playing. When the weather cleared we decided to not risk a PA system with more rain. The guys went out on the pedestrian zone in Kingston with just an acoustic guitar and their voices. They've done it many times before. It led to a couple of good conversations and a lot of invitations given out.

Saturday we were in Hounslow and the guys continued to persevere with gear problems and no drummer (brother Dan couldn't make this tour).

Sunday at church they led worship, played their music, and shared their testimony. I think they're a great group to do outreach with and look forward to doing it again.