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An evangelist's encouragements?I'm often asked if I see any encouragement in my travelling and preaching throughout the country. There are many heartening things happening, despite the difficulties we often face. Christmas events already seem part of the dim and distant past, but my itinerary throughout December illustrates some of the things from the evangelical scene that do my heart good. * It is thrilling to see groups of 18-21 year-olds organising major evangelistic events which hundreds of their friends attend. This is what university carol services are. Bath Abbey, Coventry Cathedral, a derelict Anglican church in Plymouth, Great Halls in Reading, Cardiff and Aston were packed with students hearing the gospel. * Sunbridge Road Mission in Bradford has had a remarkable witness over many years. Now the 'red light' area of Bradford has spread to their locality. A year ago the church began providing a weekly meal for the girls of the street and people with drug addiction. Each week there is a Christian message. Over 50 of them quietly listened when I shared the gospel. * Hertford Town Church is a new church started a year ago. 30 gather each week, and they have just purchased a very central building. Over 70 came to Carols by Candlelight held in the 14th-century 'Old Vicarage', home of the founder of the church. * A weekend with Holywell Evangelical Church, Loughborough, introduced me to a number of mainland Chinese students who have trusted Christ as Lord and Saviour whilst being over here, as well as a local lady converted through the witness of her daughter earlier this year. * Summerbridge is a Yorkshire Dales village next to Pateley Bridge. For years a couple of farmers have been faithful witnesses to Christ in Nidderdale. Now, very elderly and infirm, they have moved house, but still manage to fill their lounge with guests for evangelistic meetings and Bible studies. It is hot speaking in front of a roaring open fire, but it warms the heart to see faithfulness over many decades. * Whitby Evangelical Church has a new pastor, David Magowan, who has an evangelistic heart. 110 people came for a first Christmas dinner. Half of these were unconverted, but a great quietness came as we went on the path from Bethlehem to Calvary and beyond. * For 70 years there has been caring concern for vagrants and others through the work of St. George's Crypt in Leeds. For 12 years I have had the privilege of sharing with the men of 'Faith Lodge' on Christmas Eve. Unsung heroes work to reach and help these people so loved by the Lord. * And what a joy to have in our church people who in the last year have come to faith, some through personal work, others through the evangelism of the church. They are medicine to the heart. * There is a steady flow of people to whom a tract I have published has been given and the recipient has written for more information about becoming a Christian. Throughout the country there are people witnessing to their friends, seeking to communicate anew of the One, whom though we have not seen, we love. Encouragements? There are plenty of them! The Lord is building his church. His arm has not become too short to save. Oh, I long and pray for so much more, but where the gospel is proclaimed either one-to-one, or one-to-a-crowd, God will be at work, and people will be coming to faith. What appears to us as ordinary is actually quite extraordinary. Roger Carswell© Evangelicals Now - February 2003 |