irom

.. . Report tram a team ministry challenging

a post-Chrlstlan nation with the claims of Christ
Janet Baines, Debbie Davis
Jan Killebrew, Bev Muliins
202 Kingfield Rd.
Coventry CV6 5PL
Steve & Lee Tate
1 Marlborough Rd.
Coventry CV2 4EM
Roger Edrington
59 Cambridge St.
Coventry CVl SHU
American Correspondents:
Mr. & Mrs. C. L. Davis
1010 N. Monroe
Lincoln. IL 62656 U.S.A.
The preparing of this Epistle finds us in the middle of a very busy summer. Many
things change at summer around here, but we are still striving to maintain our min
istry to both believers and unbelievers. We report one new Christian and one "King
dom rearrangement" in this edition. We also have well over twenty brand new contacts
who are at various levels of interest in Christ.
We hope you enjoy our team in pictures of a May three and one half day holiday to
the Southwest of England. (But don't just look at the pictures, please!)
The team and seven Coventry Christians are now preparing to spend a week of spirit
ual renewal at the famed^Ke.swick Convention. Besides deepening our own fellowship, we
hope to grow from such speakers as John Stott, Alan Redpath, and Billy Graham.
CONTRASTS
It was a Sunday afternoon in July. The
weather was perfect for a walk through love
ly Lady Herbert's Garden. The bright sun
shine was bringing out the full beauty and
complexity of the flowers and foliage.
As a friend and I walked along the garden
paths we talked about God's creation and how
good it was to be able to share such beauty.
We followed the path and a touch of pity and
sadness clouded our good feelings when it
led us by a drunk who was asleep clutching
his bottle. Trying to ignore him and our
feelings, we carried on only to run into
open sexual perversion. We left the garden
and talked little of the whole experience.
Because of the ugliness, the beauty previ
ously enjoyed was forgotten.
Having thought about the experience later,
ijl've concluded that I must not let sin keep
I/me from enjoying the beauty of life; and I
f/must never allow the beauty to prevent me
/ from realizing the needs of a sinful world.
I I think that has something to do with being
realistic!
Debbie
BEATING THE BUSHES
Surrounding the church building and
flats, there is a vast residential section.
We as a team ministry have decided to
spend Tuesday afternoons calling and visit
ing in this area. The Lord is blessing us
each time we go out.
We have made several contacts for an
investigation group (hopefully starting --
in August), Two new .types of groups will
be formed as a result of the calling.
One is a comparative study group on relig
ions, trying to show Christ as the only
Way. There are many Asians living in this
area; many are confused about what to be
lieve and want this type of study. Hope
fully, a simplified study investigating
Christianity will start as well.
Please remember this effort in your
prayers, as new contacts are made and new
study groups begin.
Jan
ROGER, DEBBIE, JANET (J.B.), STEVE, LEE, JAN, (SEATED) BEV
EPISTLE FROM ENGLAND
Lincoln Christian Church
204 N. McLean Street
Lincoln, IL 62656
Non Profit
Bulk Rate
U.S. Postage Paid
Lincoln, IL 62656
Permit #76
Mission Services
Box 177
Kempton, Ind. 46049
S
'r''aa.Ea'"
'
PICTURES:
s-'lm
f ^
Top left; Steve and Lee find that
marriage has its ups & downs.
Top right: "J.B. by the sea."
Bottom left: "The only other mammals we
saw on our day far away."
Bottom right: We lunched on a cliff in
the famous Cheddar Gorge
(home of the cheese).
PRAYERS AND THANKS
We give thanks for:
*The progress of new Christians.
*The teaching on I Corinthians by
Professor Harold Merritt.
*Jan's parents attending her wedding,
*The summer offering so many avenues
of outreach and witness.
We ask in Prayer:
*Deb 6t Lee request prayers for the
Ladies Wednesday evening Bible Study.
*For the wedding plans and the marriage
of Jan and Peter Bowen.
*Bev asks you to pray for her new
children's group of one boyi But that
one is sharp as a whip.
*For the up and coming mini-school with
Professor Strauss in late July.
*For the Children's Camp in August.
J. B.
.i>. -4J ^ ?i'
LAUNDRY LADY
WASHED WHITE AS SNOW
IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW THAT A SIMPLE, GRADUAL
DECISION CONCERNING WHERE WE FOUR GIRLS WOULD DO
OUR LAUNDRY SHOULD LEAD TO ANOTHER PERSON ACCEPT-
ING CHRISTI
Lil Brown worked at the laundromat inHillfields
and when we began to do our laundry there, meeting
her was natural.
About three months ago Lil became sick and en
tered the hospital. I decided to visit her, hop
ing for a good opportunity to witness. It was a
good visit, but Jesus didn't seem to be relevant
to her at that time. I thought nothing more of it,
and saw her every week at the laundromat; always
hoping she'd consider Christianity as a solution
to her problems.
When she came to our evening services a few
months ago, I was surprised! She sent her daughter
to Deb's weekday girls group. She attended our
Tuesday evening Bible study where I began to get
to know her,
What brought her? It was the hospital visit!
Because I cared enough to visit her she explained
that she found the courage to attend church and
finally to accept Jesus as her savior. Shehec^e.
ar-Ghiils_t_ian,;On^ July 3rd.
But, she's alonely figure. Her husband has A"]
been unfaithful consistently for 12 years and she j /
is in poor health. These two basic problems have '/
created for her emotional problems that are to be j'
conquered only by the power of Jesus in her life. '
She needs your prayers.
WjMM
ONE OF THOSE RARE OLD LADIES
After 87 years of life and a short illness,
Maggie has died. With about 60 people present
from church and community at her funeral, we
praised God for her life.
Maggie lived right across the street from
our church building and so had been the "keep
er of the key" for many years. Even though
she lived on a small pension and in a very
modest apartment, one of her regular phrases
was, "I never want for anything." When anyone
would go to see her, she would always send e-
nough candy for anyone in the church building.
One of my favorite examples of her generosity
was when Mr. Withnall gave her about 10 apples.
She immediately took two each to several of the
older ladies who live in nearby flats; and she
ends up with two herself.
Although she was very hard of hearing and
when her batteries were dead couldn't hear any
thing, she attended Thursday evening Ladies
Meeting and Sunday evening services without
fail until toward the end of her life. And
then there was the evening Debbie helped her
home after church and Maggie replied, "Thank
you Mr. Rogers."
But Maggie was some lady and everyone loved
heri Toward the end, she prayed for God to
take her. Although her theology was probably
not very accurate at that point, we are confi
dent that even though it was the end for us-,
for her "...it was the beginning of life."
Roger
;7
XAl
'i^UWet
-7
PICTURES:
Top Left: "Steve, why doesn't my ship
come in?"
Top Right: "The Girls,"
Bottom Left: "The Beauty and Bev."
Bottom Right: "Not exactly the
littlest mermaid."
MEET BOBBY
Steve and I had not the faintest
notion that the little pensioner with
the sunbeam face who knocked on our
door one spring day selling pens would
ever accept our invitation to visit an
evening church service. He did in
fact. And only last week he publicly
announced his intention to become a
permanent member of our little congre
gation. We are pleased to introuduce
Christian brother Bobjby Gibson (69 .
years old)^ to you as another vital
working part of the Lord's body here.
^The addition of a telephone at Roger's house now COMPLETES THE CIRCUIT around
the group. His number is Coventry (0203) 58713.
2
"JESUS ought to be in the Guiness Book of World Records," said Tony, an eight
year-old Sunday School student, "because He's the only one to die, be buried, and
raise from the dead."
3
Bev and Roger recently EXCHANGED with Tony and Angie Calvert of the traveling
summer group of Bible College students. Bev and Roger spent the week working with
the Bournville and Erdington congregations in Birmingham, while Tony and Angie ex
perienced what it was like to work in a more permanent team ministry. Members from
both of the Birmingham churches have recently visited our Christians in Coventry.
4
J.B., Lee, and Steve brought their dramatic presentation of Christian truth
to a GARDEN PARTY attended by about 150 from the Birmingham District Churches of
Christ. Puppets Charlotte and Obadiah were present in full dress for one session,
while a theme of celebration was expressed later.
^The SUNDAY EVENINGS IN MAY took a special outreach emphasis. The theme, "Life
in Christ Today" was considered in four parts: Liberation, Adventure, Togetherness,
and Cost. The last evening included 42 in attendance; many were non-Christians.
6
During May, Steve and Lee spent a week plus in Switzerland as HOLIDAY-MAKERS.
7
While TRAVELING recently by a slower method, Bev's horse bucked and she fell
^off-. .,. In Jthe_words_of_their-,ri.ding_superv-isor,_l!Jan then fell off of her-horse in ^
sympathy with Bev." Buck up girlsi
Transportation news would be incomplete without<jS^^^IDENT REPoS^^After
speeding down a hill on he^j^bi^cle, Debbie miscalculatea'--a^^^rveII^dHTt''" a telephone
pole and skidded on the si^walk. A"neighbor thought she was dead, (it's not funny -
juit laughingl). She has now mostly recovered from a cracked elbow and plenty of
scratches and abrasions. (You can laugh now - she doesi) Although Debbie's wreck is
unprecedented in degree, J.B. has been known to drop her bicycle a few times, too.
LEE now has a new bicycle as well. Just be thankful that you're an ocean away.
<'C!R<ag^ has traded his PRIZE WINNING BANGER for a, 1968 llOOcc Ford Escort Estate
C,-(jjnajLl^JLati^n. wagon). The brake fluid was completely gone from the old carbon the
very day he was to pick-up the newer car. We are thankful that he discovered it be
fore being on the road.
^^Professor Harold Merritt of Lincoln Christitan,jCollege has just finished a five
night MINI-SCHOOL on I Corinthians. Aiiuffl^^gaS^^y>bined in the study each evening
and found it a very good experience to go deeper^into the important issues of the Word
of God.
11
EAMXLY^JREUNION^ Ja^j^s. thrilled to find out that her parents will be journey-
^^-ing to this country foiTli^r approaching wedding. They will arrive the same day that
Steve's parents plan to land. Lee's brother will also spend a few days here.
.. . Report from a team ministry challenging
^ a post-Chrlstlan nation with the claims of Christ
Janet Baines
Debbie Davis
Bev Mullins
202 Kingfield Rd.
Coventry CV6 5PL
Steve & Lee Tate
1 Marlborough Rd.
Coventry CV2 4EM
Roger Edrington
59 Cambridge St.
Coventry CVl 5HU
September 1975
Jan (Klllebrew) Bowen
Top Flat
8 Norfolk St.
Spon End
Coventry CVl 3BX
American Correspondents:
Mr. & Mrs. C. L. Davis
1010 N. Monroe St.
Lincoln, II. 62656 U.S.A.
JAM + PETE
On Aug. 2, 1975 nearly 100 people witnessed
a true Christian marriage ceremony. Many weeks
before the 2nd, our Church began to pray for
Pete and Jan to be led by God in their plans
and that we all might be used in a witnessing
effort. We prayed for Roger to have the right
message and for people to be receptive.
The day went something like this It's
8;30 a.m. and things are stirring at "the
Girls'" house. The weather is perfect and ex
citement is mounting. Jan is getting m^ried
today!i Dresses are being pressed, hair curl
ers are everywhere, fingernails are being pol
ished, and somewhere in between, cups of tea
are being drunk,
j It's now 11:35 a.m. and a radiant Jan is
jl coming down the aisle on her father's arm to
I meet Pete. Traditional? Yes, but only to this
I point. The real message proclaimed that day
// was not only that Pete and Jan love each other,
// but that Pete loves God, and Jan loves God.
// Through the ir cqmmitmen^t to Godjthey met and
11 grew to love each other in a very special way.
'1 What a message and opportunity to share it!i
The service consisted of two congregational
hymns, one proclaiming the Lordship of Jesus,
and the other speaking of God's wondrous love.
Roger's message was powerful in answer to our
request of God, Pete and Jan exchanged rings
and pledged their love and commitment to each
other "in the name of Christ Jesusi" Before
signing the official register, the couple
listened to "Door of Unity," a song that Robin
and Jean Hastings composed for them. Again
the message was to remember and praise Jesus
throughout their lives.
Pete and Jan have been a witness in their
^..-^ourtship and wedding. .just think of their
combined efforts for a lifetimel Praise God.
Debbie
CHURCHES OF CHRIST,
WHERE ARE YOU GOING ?
Along with 200 others from across the
nation, several from Coventry attended i
the Annual Conference of the.,^h\^ches of
..Christ. It was a first time "experience
for ail of us.
..J'he Report showed 4,028 members across j
the nation with an average of just over 1
2,000 in attendance at a given Sunday's
Communion Service. The 81 churches re
ported 63 baptisms (12 from Coventry) and ,
82 other gains, but 91 losses by death, 1
and 128 other losses. Hardly a growing /
groupI
The great obsession is still regarding
union with the United Reformed Church,
which I personally consider to be an un-
biblical union. The union scheme proposes
that the United Church accept both baptism
of infants and baptism of believers as
valid acts of initiation. The ministry
would also be rigid and very clergy. (I
warn other "nonclergy" movements of fall
ing into a nonstructured clergy role.)
But some veterans of the Conference saw
signs of hope. Although evangelism was
not very prominent on the agenda and Bi
bles were nearly non-existent, people prow
posed from the floor that we get down to
doing more evangelism and that next year's
conference have decidedly more biblical
emphasis. This year also showed an in
crease (l/107o) in communion attendance.
Opposition to present trends was higher
than ever, some say. They predict union
will never come about!
Roger
ROGER, DEBBIE, JANET (J.B.). STEVE, LEE, JAN, (SEATED) BEV EPISTLE FROM ENGLAND
Lincoln Christian Church
204 N. McLean Street
Lincoln, IL 62656
Non Prom
Bulk Rate
U.S. Postage Paid
Lincoln, IL 62656
Permit #76
Mission Services
Box 177
Kempton, Ind. 46049 ^
LESSONS IN GOD'S INFANTRY WHAT KIND OF GREATNESS?
It has been one of the hottest slimmers in
British history. Brain cells tend to mal
function as the concrete city reflects the
heat. Very impressive to a notoriously'cool'
climate. But the heat Wave is not all that
will be remembered from this summer, at least
not for this simple foot soldier in the Lord's
Army,
This summer we have been priviledged to hear
and meet some of the real "Generals" of the
faith. At Keswick we met John Stott and Billy
Graham; Stott, one of the leading biblical ex
positors of our day; and Graham, certainly the
man who has spoken to more people about Christ
than any other evangelist in history. And last
week in Oxford, Prof, Max Randall introduced
us to J. Edv^ Jhrr, surely the t widely re-_
se^cIfeS'^chorar iiTthe liistory of revival.
Let me share just a few of the thoughts that
have come down from THE CCMIANDER through
these Generals,
Stott spoke ill\]minating further the Keswick
'concept': scriptural, personal, practical
holiness. He joined with Keswick speakers of
the last hundred years to declare that the da
ily Christian walk is to be one of victory not
defeat. Based firmly on the Bible as God's
word to us and the continued filling of the
Holy Spirit to en^ower us, this walk normally
should lead to greater holiness, FromEphes-
ians Stott clearly exposed the new life, stand
ards, and relationships of God's New Society,
This society is made up of those living a life
worthy of their calling and fitting to their
walk in Christ Jesus,
Graham, who feels Western society will rad
ically change within the next five years, urg
ed us to make ready our Churches for what is *
to-come ^Ther-characteri-stics of the-most "rap
idly growing churches observed all over the t-
world are the ones we should strive to emulate.
These churches, he believes, are praying, prais
ing, and preaching churches. And because of ^
their firm stance in a deteriorating society, ^
they are persecuted. ^
Orr believes that Revival comes only in God's^
providence. It can not be reproduced or pro
gramed, But Revival, when it comes, finds
people who are praying for God to revive His
church, people who put themselves under the
preaching of the Word, and people who are will
ing to undergo true repentance and confession
of their sins and failure,
CERTAINLY WE DON'T AGREE WITH THESE MEN ON
ALL POINTS, BUT WE HAVE MUCH TO LEARN FROM
THEIR INSIGHTS AND EXPERIENCE.
Steve
****-k-k*'k-k-k-k-k'ki(ici:-k*-k'kie-k-ie-it
The opportunities we had at the past
convention at Keswick caused me to do some
thinking,
I suppose the biggest event was meeting
and talking with Billy and Ruth Graham at
a tea for overseas visitors.
Imagine the scene: We are in a large
circus type tent, people from 73 countries
are standing around drinking tea and chat
ting, In a small huddle are the outgoing
"Americans" from Coventry, England and just
three feet away are,,,.the Grahams,
"Go ongo up and shake hands with 'em!"
"O.K.!!no you go first!" "What can we ask
them, let's think of something to say first."
"Go on. You're going to miss your chance;
it'8 getting crowded." _
We stood ^efe so lon^that the~Grah^s
had worked their way to us, Mrs, Graham was
first to talk with us and you'd have thought
she was talking to old friends. She shared
her shock of Paul E, Little's death. She
mentioned that she had a cold and chatted
about the surge of young people in the
church.
Then we met BillyBill to his friends.
He, too, was very down to earth.
After having met them I was, and even
now am, warmed at the thought of how very
much alive Christ is in their lives, I
was really seeing what it meant to see
Christ and not Tom, Dick, or Harry, The
in^ortant thing in their lives was the Truth
Christ and not their 'public', their great
ness, or whatever.
If these people are 'just like us,' then
we too can humble ourselves and surrender
btfr lives to Christnot for greatness or
fsme (though: for~SDme that Tna;^ cbfBigj7 ^ut^
for the world to see Christ in us , , .
What do people remember most about you?
*ici('kie-k*ie'ic*-kic'k-k
J,B,
* * * *
NEWS BRIEFS
* * *
^ * A NEW INVESTIGATION GROUP is scheduled to begin
on Aug. 18. The group is quite varied in attitude
toward Christianity. Our hope is that Christ will
be clearly shown. .
* Jan & Pete Bowen are now living together as hus-
band and wife in a rented self-renovated flat.
Please address all JAN'S M^IL to the new address on
the letterhead. Congratulations and encouragement
in the marriage would be very appropriate. -Editor.
* Steve and Lee joined his parents and sister of
Fisher and Chicago, 111. in a TWO WEEK TOUR of
Scotland and England.
*Mr. & Mrs. Fantley Killebrew (Jan's parents) of
Muskogee, Oklahoma enjoyed their travels in Scot
land and England as well. JAN SPLIT HER THREE WEEKS
vacation between her honeymoon and her parents.
* Coventry Christians continue to call on behalf of
Christ in~our church building area every week, as
well as witness to their normal work and social
contacts..
* About 30 PEOPLE are involved in Tuesday night group Bible Studies. We are just beginning the books of Acts
and Hebrews, as well as continuing the Gospel of John.
* We seem to have had our share of ACCIDENTS lately. While lighting the oven, J. B. let too much gas escape
and it blew up. She had minor burns on her face and hand and alot of singed hair. Her new layer of skin is
replacing the damage.
* We were pleased to have Dr. James D. Strauss of Lincoln Christian Seminary with us during late July. He
gave a series of lectures on Christianity vs. Cults in this MINI-SCHOOL. Over 25 were involved each evening.
Steve and Roger joined a Research Seminar in EVAIKJELICAL AWAKENINGS for two days. Led by Fuller Theological
Seminary's Dr. J. Edwin Orr and including such men as F. F. Bruce, Dr. Stanford Reid, and LCC's Max Ward
Randall, the small conference was attenqpting to show trends by looking at the history of true revival. Dr. Orr
was not optimistic about revival in England, although he noted pockets of hope.
* Due to time conflicts in the participants, the LADIES BIBLE STUDY stopped in mid-July and will not restune
again until early Septesber.
* 13 young Christians journeyed the 200 miles from Coventry to Keswick to join in the 100th Anniversary of the
Keswick Convention. Seven true Coventrians and six of our teain (Jan stayed home to meet her parents) were
joined in our five tents by five American students working in various British Churches of Christ this summer.
* BEV SHOULD BE IN THE USA FROM THE TIME YOU RECEIVE THIS UNTIL SEPTEMBER 22. CONTACT HER AT R.F.D.. INGRAHAM
ILLINOIS, TELEPHONE (618) 752-2460.
ixnm ^tt
3k
. . . Report from a team ministry challenging
a post-Chrlstlan nation with the claims of Christ
Janet Balnea
Debbie Davis
Bev Mullina
202 Kingfield Rd.
Coventry CV6 5PL
Vol. 3 No. 2
Steve & Lee Tate
1 Marlborough Rd,
Coventry CV2 4EM
Roger Edrlngton
59 Cambridge St,
Coventry CVl 5HU
The Director Looks Back At CAMP 1975
"It's just a box with a hole in iti"
"Your're crazy if you think I'm going to sit
on the ground with all that sheep stuff every
where,"
Camping became a reality for sixteen Sunday
schoolers and Theophilus troopers for three
days during the second week in August. Their
comments referred to the splintered wooden
non-flush toilets and the sheep inhabited
meadows of a local farm.
Eight courageous camp-counselors pitched
rust colored tents on the hillside and con
ducted a semblance of nature, craft, and Bible
classes, group games, and a variety of conven
tional and unconventional camp entertainment.
Our original vision of holding camp in love
ly furnished chalets on the south coast of
Wales quickly reshaped itself into good old-
fashioned, rugged tent camping in the grazing
field of Farmer Faulkenbridge eight miles
west of Coventry.
Sympathizing folk including those inside
and outside our fellowship donated the
needed camping equipment. Calling forth all
creative improvisation, we turned plastic
trash buckets into bathing basins and scaf
folding-boards- into-a cooking table. A-4;orn-
parachute strung and attached to the base of
the branches of a tree made a handsome craft
shelter.
Morning's silence broke at 7:15. I revel
ed in watching the first humorous signs of
life coming from within the tents as my bi
cycle horn sounded in short, repetitive, dis
sonant blasts. (JB insists that she counted
46 times one morningi) Prior to breakfast,
campers shared a "Time with God" when each were
assigned scriptures and then encouraged to
disperse into the field to read and meditate.
Classes filled the morning. Kids heartily a-
gree that Steve Barthorpe's nature walks into
nearby woods highlighted morning activity.
Afternoons brought together the "Houndcats",
the "Super-Seven", and the MWinners" for 0-
lympic games, a scavenger hunt, and "It's a
Knockout" (a European game of obstacle courses,
etc.) Campers created their own group names
and enthusiastically cheered one another on to
victory.
ROGER, DEBBIE, JANET (J.B.), STEVE, LEE, JAN, (SEATED) BEV
October 1975
OCl' s
Jan (Killebrew) Bowen
Top Flat
8 Norfolk St.
Spon End
Coventry CVl 3BX
American Correspondents:
Mr. & Mrs. C. L. Davis
1010 N. Monroe St.
Lincoln, II. 62656 U.S.A.
Evenings included such diverse activities as
group singing, story-telling, dramatics, and
an unrehearsed adventure with Headless Harold
- a child bully who turned soft when the kids
voluntarily showed him kindness and accept
ance as their friend.
Misting rain greeted a host of parents
(every child except one had a parent there)
and church members who converged on the camp
site the final evening. Despite moist cloth
ing, all were favorably impressed with the
program of Bible skits by the campers and a
closing devotional.
Not without mixed feelings of relief and
sadness did we pull up stakes and wave good
bye to the sheep on Allspath Hall Farm.
Camp was soon to become an event of the past,
but the memories of good times and new re
lationships with others will continue to be
a part of the ever expanding present and
future.
Lee
ALL IN THE FAMILY
Sfeveral months have passed since Alan Bowen
started attending our services-; A-ian, is a '
quiet lad and a person who doesn't express
himself and his thinking freely. When Pete
would ask if he understood what was being
said, his answer was always simply, "Yes."
This made it difficult to know exactly what
he was thinking,
Alan continued to study and read the Bible.
As he read, the Spirit convicted his heart and
Alan started believing vjhat he was reading and
hearing at the services. He was believing the
Truth. A few Sundays ago, Pete once again
asked Alan if he had any questions. Alan
broke out in tears of joy and wanted to be
baptized. This quiet lad had come to a point
in his life where he knew he needed a Savior
and wanted to accept Jesus.
On Sunday, September 7th, Pete baptized his
fourteen year old brother. What had been two
brothers by physical birth, were now two bro
thers by rebirth in Christ. Alan now belongs
to a larger family, the family of Godi ^
Jan
EPISTLE FROM ENGLAND
Lincoln Christian Church
204 N. McLean Street
Lincoln, IL 62656
Mission Services
Box 177
Kempton Ind. 46049
0C1-
Non Profit
Bulk Rate
U.S. Postage Paid
Lincoln, IL 62656
Permit #76
I
V
ONCE A YEAR
Finances "an important part of any ministry or mission, but we just talk to you about
4:^ once_a yeaty God knows our need and He's in contact with both you and us, so we don't
need tojkeep" talking about it to you. But we take this point in time to THANK HIM and THANK
YOU, "For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints,
b^t is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God," -II Cor. 9:12
That dreaded word4^1ation hit Britain at the nate ..p,f_.27% last year. And at just over
$25,000 for a year's salary, we think seven full-time evangelist-ministers is a pretty good
>argain. All who have visited us would describe our life-styles as no more than simple, I'm
sure. We've made some advancements this year: a couple of telephone installments at over
$100 each and the first car in the group. The church is beginning to pay most of the book
and printing expenses now, so we're on our way.
But we're pleased that God has provided for us and that National Insurance (at no cost to
us) pays our medical bills, (With all our recent accidents, we need it,) There's no evi
dence to suppose we'll ever be rich -- except in our inheritance from our real FATHER.
We have two funds that do group work. The U.S.A. account (through Mrs, Davis) is respons
ible for the "Epistle" you're reading (which we hope is a ministry) and administration. The
United Kingdom account (mainly through funds given to Roger) is used for phone bills, books,
Mimeographing and miscellaneous expenses. So here it is, our 2ND ANNUAL REPORT OF FINANCES:
Fiscal Year; September 1974 - August 1975
RECEIPTS:
Janet Baines $2,965.55
Debbie Davis $3,000,00
(Bal. in Deb's fund held by
Lincoln Christian Church $ 1,623.15)
Roger Edrington $4,300.00
Jan (Killebrew) Bowen $4,871.29
Bev Mullins $3,488.00
Steve 6t Lee Tate $6,664.90
(Remaining balance of Steve & Lee's support
fund contained in Fisher Church of Christ
is $2,984.93.)
WITNESS AT SCHOOL & WORK
Roger has spoken to the One Way Group at a local
"high school" during two lunch hour meetings. Sev
eral non-Christians were present, but it reamins to
be seen what kind of an impact this small band of
Christians will have on the school. 16 year old
Kim from our Church is a part of this group. Henen
(19) is also a part of her school's Christian Union.
Dave, leader of Massey-Fergusson's Worker's
Christian Fellowship (WCF)' planned a special meet
ing to reach some of Massey's 4,500 non-Christian
workers. Roger was invited to speak on "Reasons
for Faith." Four people came all Christiansi
But the WCF is determined to strengthen their Fel
lowship first by reaching their Christians at Mas-
sey by the city newspaper and letters to the chur
ches. Mark, brought to Christ by Dave, is also
a part of this WCF.
Meanwhile, Phil, at Triumph's Motorcycle factory
is looking for God's guidance as to whether a WCF
could begin there. He knows no other Christians
yet, but is determined to "make" some.
NEW GROUPS INVESTIGATE
Five to seven young working people and students
are in their fourth week of investigation on Mon
day nights. Seven to nine old-age pensioners are in
their second week on Wednesday afternoons.
The first group seems to be seeing the reason
able basis for Christian faith for the first time.
The second group of elderly people (and one middle-
aged mother) have always nominally accepted Christ
ianity but have not before experienced living faith
in a personal God. Our prayer for both groups is
that after catching a glimpse of true Christian
hope, they might have the conviction and courage to
act upon what they believe.
U. K. ACCOUNT
Balance 1 Sept. 74.,.,... $573.87
Receipts $800,00
Expenses $910.81
Balance 31 Aug. 75 $463,06
U.S.A. ACCOUNT
Balance 1 Sept, 74 $227,19
Received $555,05
Expenses $739,29
Balance 31 Aug. 75 $ 42,95
PREP
To aid us in our follow-up witness, the
Church is studying Know Why You Believe by
Paul E. Little. This interruption in our
regular calling is to sharpen our axes --
producing a more quality approach.
The team ministry have just completed an
initiation on Roger's Investigation Session
material. This will allow us also to lead
these groups, as well as make us more aware
of the questions to which people want answers,
POLISH VISITOR
It must seem strange indeed for Steve B's
visiting Polish friend. Strange to see Irish,
Indian, Scottish, young and old, and the A-
mericans too, eagerly sharing in our little
Christian church. We hope that strangeness
communicates something to our visitor from
Poland. He is thinking about real faith in
Christ for the first time.
TO GOD
We ask for His plans to come to our minds
concerning Christmas outreach.
We pray for those Investigating the claims
of Christianity, asking for honesty and truth
to prevail.
The Coffee Bar Staff is frustrated and
seeking God's will for new approaches.
Looking to Harvest Thanksgiving, we are
reminded of His goodness to us. We thank you
for sharing in our ministry by your gifts;
and leave it to (3od to reward you.