Recently, one of our supporting churches in the United States sent me a list of questions aimed at understanding our ministry in Wales more fully. After reflecting on my answers, I thought that others might be interested to read some of them and so I plan to post those here (slightly edited for a more general audience) over the next couple of weeks. This is the second installment of the series: click here to read Part 1.
Can you describe your primary strategies in fulfilling your role?
I will summarize my responsibilities at “church development worker” for Temple Baptist Church in the following way: (1) advising and working alongside the elders and wider leadership team in the local church, (2) intentional discipleship through teaching, preaching, & training believers, both formally and informally, (3) developing, implementing & overseeing a ministry internship program (two interns at the moment), (4) building a missional strategy that will enable and empower local believers to reach Read more
Recently, one of our supporting churches in the United States sent me a list of questions aimed at understanding our ministry in Wales more fully. After reflecting on my answers, I thought that others might be interested to read some of them and so I plan to post those here (slightly edited for a more general audience) over the next couple of weeks.
What do you see as your primary role (in Wales)?
My wife and I view our role as missionaries to Wales, no different than any couple sent by a denominational mission board, except that we are self-funded—partly through our employment in local ministries and partly through the support of churches via Grace Church Planting Ministries (GCPM). When a church becomes one of our partners through GCPM, they are supporting a missionary family and not just one person. My wife is the full-time manager of a local Christian bookshop, Harvest Books & Crafts, and this has opened tremendous doors of ministry for me, both within local churches and Read more
One of the highlights of this past week’s mission team was getting to meet John Waller and his band. We tossed some burgers and hot dogs on the Weber, hoping to provide a little American hospitality to these new friends who gave up their fourth of July to put on a free concert for the young people of our Welsh community.
We were really thankful to God that a contemporary Christian band would interrupt their concert tour to go on a mission trip to Wales. These guys and their tech crew traveled all over the valleys putting on mini-concerts in Welsh schools during the day and full-blown gigs every night, all for the glory of God and the extension of the Gospel message here.
Obviously I’m taking this photo, but not until I polished off a piece of strawberry gateau and half a cup of coffee! From left to right are: Jen (my youngest daughter), Sheri (my wife), Chris, John Waller, David, Jordan, and Dan (Jen’s fiancé). On a side note, Jen, and Dan are getting married this Saturday in Cardiff!
Here’s one of my favorite John Waller songs, entitled “Still Calls Me Son.”
[See previous article, "Short-term missions in a post-modern culture" in this series on missions.]
Apart from short-term mission teams (STMT) parachuting into a foreign mission field for seven to ten days, what are the alternatives for Christians who want to explore other cultures and employ their gifts in service to our King? Shouldn’t we demystify “missionary service” and invite people of every age to do their part in fulfilling the Great Commission outside their own Jerusalem? Some churches are still quite strong in educating children and youth about the work of missionaries around the world—Southern Baptists have been particularly strong (at least historically)—but there are many Christians who have never been challenged to “make disciples of all nations” or, if they have, who wouldn’t know where to begin the process of crossing cultural boundaries to make Christ known. Below, I offer a couple of thoughts to consider along these lines. Read more
In spite of the weaknesses of evangelical Christianity in the United States, it does appear much more healthy and robust when placed alongside the average congregation in Wales, the only principality in the United Kingdom where this author has gained sufficient experience to make any credible observations. The average congregation in the valleys of South Wales consists of twenty-five adults: 75% of them would be over 60 years of age and the remaining attendees would be younger couples with infants and/or young children. Two generations are virtually missing from most congregations—teens and adults who are old enough to be parents of teens. Read more
Many of my regular readers will be surprised and delighted to know that not all things are as gloomy as I sometimes portray them. I’m one of those “glass is half empty” types, but it’s amazing how God brings certain people into my life—to speak a word of wisdom or direction or encouragement—just when I need it most. Funny thing is, a lot of this comes from fellow Christians who live on the other side of the planet through this strange phenomenon we have come to know as “blogging.”
One of my new friends contacted me a couple of days ago via email in response to the news I shared about my recent diagnosis of a heart condition. Next thing you know, my phone’s ringing on Friday night from a brother I’ve never met who lives in another country, just because he wanted to be a tangible expression of the love of Christ in the midst of my weakness and discouragement. Thanks, friend! I know you’ll be reading this and I wanted to say how much I appreciate hearing your voice and getting to know you by phone. Love that accent, too! Several other friends left various comments assuring me of their commitment to pray and directing my attention to Father’s promises. Read more
