.

,llE from fttgi

[
. , . Import from a Jua/ Itam ministry ckatfenqiny a poit-Ckriitian nation with ike ctaimi of Ckriil
Vol. 4 No. 5 February 1977

'

Otc 7^
From the beginning of our involvement in England in the summer of 1970, calling door to door has been the major source of our contacts for Christ. As we begin the work in Erdington, we see being on the doors important enough that we spend one to three hours, four days a week doing it. And we meet quite a variety of people . . . A fellow who says he's a practicing Roman Catholic and hasn't been to church in 18 years . . . A man
who admits that he is an atheist because his parents were - and Christians

are Christians because their parents were.

(How do you deal with a second

generation atheist?) . . . A fairly consistent existentialist atheist. He acknowledged that he was totally without hope and tried to live as consist ently with that as he could. He reminded me that everyone is somewhere be tween the pole of diversions and the pole of dilema. My major purpose was , to show him that he was not really open. Maybe later he will see that there is a possibility that Christianity might be true.

. . . And some people who are keen and want to know more.
o

Like AUDREY

6c JOHN HURDMAN (29-30) who were first met by a summer team in 1975.

They read the Bible daily now and are asking the right questions. . . .
Or like LUCY 6e STEVE SHAW (26-28), who were first contacted with our

serious questioning method by Bev and Penny.

In our new Investigation

CO Group, Lucy keeps saying, "But no one will sit down and tell us these H things. They seem embarrassed." When Penny remarked that if she had M been the only person on earth, Jesus would have still come to the earth and died for her, physics teacher Steve applied it to himself and ex
|i4

claimed in amazement, "That's a fantastic thought."

In all these people, maybe some will find, through our effort on their doors, that really Jesus is at the door knocking, hoping that someone will
hear His voice and open the door . .
"Knock' "Jesus." "Jesus Who?" Knocki"

"Who's there?"

That's where we begin.

Roger

In many different ways, our

little fellowship has reach

ed out to share our Christ

We have just celebrated our fourth Christmas in England. If you are a

veteran Epistle reader, you*ve read of previous team projects to evangel ize during the holidays: live nativi ty scenes, a Christmas street play, school assembly programs, and Christ ian window displays. All of these projects have been successful but have taken a great deal of time and effort - pushing us to our mental and physi cal limits. This year we decided to put our efforts into the church Christmas activities and not a big team project. Over 16 people were involved in personally handing out door to door nearly 1000 printed invitations to;
* THE FAMILY CAROL SERVICE. The

ian experience with believ

ers from other brotherhoods. Dave A. and Phil W. continue

to represent us on the Cov entry Council of Churches. One committee which Dave prompted is studying possible evangelism projects. They begin with prayer meetings for revival held in our building. Steve recently led a Communion Ser
vice in our normal Churches of Christ

way at a regular meeting for Christ ians of all backgrounds in the Chapel of Unity at the Coventry Cathedral. Our annual Carol Festival brought the community together. Local Bap tists, Methodists, and Anglicans joined us this year. We are planning to join those who are helping in a phone-in program called "Message", which provides a two minute Christian message followed by numbers to phone if further coun selling is desired.
Steve

number of visitors was small. "Many of the children didn't have any fam ily present to hear their songs pro claiming that Jesus grew into a man who lives today. Still, the program went well and our young people are growing in their love for the Lord.
*THE CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE.

* THE 3RD ANNUAL HILLFIELDS CAROL

Front-room groups mystify residents

RESIDENTS of Coventey sobnrb were mystified.
What was goliu on at 49, Hnntlnffdon Road, Earisdon.

FESTIVAL. About 100 people gathered outside the local play center on a cold, rainy night to sing carols, wit
ness a live nativity story, hear a brief message, and down baked potatoes, sausages, mince pies, and cups of tea. We celebrated as a Body a special home communion meeting. Jesus brought light to a dark and confused world. His light has been given to each of us. As we lit individual candles, we were reminded of our responsibility to share our lights with a dark Cov entry and world.
Debbie

bery: or was it. a seance or black magic rltaal? Now the mystery has
been solved, the ocon-

NIghc after i^ht they

in

pant,

Mr

Steve

Tate,

Is

saw mcps of men sitting,

ndnlster of the Chnroh of

seemingly motionless,
In the

silent the

and

front

room. Lights bomed and the curtams were open.

fidds, 'Coventry, and arranges separate evening and early morning bible

Christ in Qaeen Street, HHI-

moml^

the

study sessions fw workers.

meetings at 7 ajn.

tradesmen again saw nine men sitting as if they

liadn*t moved.

"I have been arranging

for

The nelghbonrs started asking qnestions: were the men planning a bank rob

alsa have
groops.

mature Christians who come before going to work. I

evening

stndy

Coventry Evehttiff TtHeoraph* ThursdaVt December 2,1979

0^ t6c
R D N I P R

The Church of Christ in Goosemoor Lane appeared somewhat impress ive when we first arrived. There were 42 present on our first

Sunday compared to five or six on the first Sunday that a team arrived in Coventry. But only 22 of those people attend with

some regularity.

The average age of those is 62. Many of them

have retired from almost everything except Sunday Mornings.

They have worked hard to keep the building in very good con dition. They have a weekly women's meeting and twice a week, the

youth club (which is not Church sponsored) meets. The building is also
Bible stories and teach choruses..

used once a week as a play center for 20-25 children of preschool age. We have been invited to help, and we see this as a good opportunity to tell

Some people are eager to grow and want to be evangelistic althoughAthat

sometimes seems to mean bringing people to the building for services rath er than to Jesus for life. They are anxious for new people, but some ad
mit it is a little frightening to think of growing because it means a
PRAISE THE LORD FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO IS AT WORKl
Penny

change in their own personal lives. They know that they must grow and
take on the responsibilities of witnessing and teaching and do it soon.

"Jet
This was our first Christmas in

"
Sunday night, . . . after the

Erdington and we wanted to spotlight

the historicity of Christ's birth for those in our community who have

carols . . . all the lights are out

. . . A largely non-Christian audi ence wait . . . and 20 children, in a speaking/acting chorus, recapture that triumphant moment at the begin ning of Creation when God spoke, "Let there be light." . . - then the history of man's sin . . . there is
a different darkness . . . then God

only ever seen the season as one of giving and getting, with perhaps a frosting of religious sentimentality.
Our Jam (Jesus And Me) children seem ed amazed that we presented the Good News as an unquestionable fact, which

happened just as did the Norman Con quest or the Queen's Coronation. One of my seven year olds, with

speaks again. This time the triumphant moment is in the pain and poverty of a com
mon stable. JESUS IS BORN . . and

typical English caution, wanted proof 1

Proof that the manger was not a myth, proof that God created the universe,

He is the true Light who gives life and light to every man who receives
Christmas celebration closed

proof that Jesus makes any difference, him Our We say He makes the difference that

light makes to darkness. Between mad cap moments of rehersal, we tried to

make this truth come alive to the

children - that we need light in the

darkness.

by preaching the Good News as an un questionable fact. We hope and pray that the parents were amazed by Jesus. Will you hope and pray with us?
Michelle

Some of our young Coventry Christ

ians have moved away. Graham is serv ing a one year world tour with the Christian ship, Logos* This floating
evangelistic and literature program is sponsored by Operation Mobilization.
LOAN FOR THE LARGE HOUSE where the

whole team would be able to live. The house is s t i l l available. Bev

and Penny are considering renting a two bedroom house. Please pray for

Annette, our young horse-women is moving to a Christian riding school

in the east of England. She hopefully

^Michelle and Roger plan to be mar

ried on April 16 in Birmingham.
EACH other::

God's will.

To

will complete her study as an assist

ant riding instructor. We would have wished that we could

have had Christian groups that we know to send them to, but the Churches of
Christ are neither that large nor that strong. We are thankful that these
two will have some kind of Christian

Dave Arrowsmith, who works at a Massey-Fergusson plant, has been asked by the staff trade union, to become

Deputy Convenor. This is the second highest position in the union of this
large Coventry factory and would in volve him in negotiating between man agement and the workers. He sees it
as a GREAT WITNESS OPPORTUNITY and

fellowship.
Some others have moved but have

not kept contact.

them to the Lord.

We can only trust

Steve

asks for our prayers.

ERDINGTON TEAM

290 Gravelly Lane Birmingham B23 5SB

ENGLAND

COVENTRY TEAM

49 Huntington Rd. Coventry CV5 6PT

ENGLAND

AMERICAN CORRESPONDENT
M/M G. L. Davis 1010 N. Monroe St.

Lincoln. III. 62656

U.S.A.

I^Ofer 'CJfiitflon WJhns

P.nn^

WicUf.

Non-Profit Bulk Rate

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Lincoln, III. 62656

Permit #76

EPISTLE FROM ENGLAND Lincoln Christian Church 204 N. McLean Street

Lincoln. III. 62656

. . , ^poi4 from a Juaf leant minislr^ clia/f*ngln^ a poil'CliriiUan nation mlk lite tfaimi of CJtrisI
Vol. 4 No. 5 March 1977

have passed away; behold, new things have come." (2 Cor. 5:17)

"^P^Tterefore If any man Is in Christ he is a new creation; the c^d things

Indeed we all tingled with excitement and witnessed in awe the birth of a

new Presence and Power in our lives on the occasion of each of our baptisms. We were utterly and profoundly conscious that God had recreated us. Then we believed affirmatively that our old lives were banished forever and only a

wonderful, eternal life of bliss awaited us. Not so? Perhaps then we rea lized that our old lives might once in a while return to haunt the habita tions from which they were banished. Nevertheless we, in all confidence of that 'knightly' Presence within, envisioned the resounding defeat and re treat of the 'innocuous * past life-eternal peace once again restored to its
throne at the center of our lives . . .

In all honesty cannot we sympathize with new Christians who find themselves tapped ill this fairy tale version of the Christian life? And cannot we
Understand th^^ feelings of inadequacy when reality appears for a time

ppose the very idea that their lives have been re-created in Christ. The
old ways torment and plague and threaten to overrule this new vitality.
deeper, clearer sense of the way in which God works out His purposes in their new persons. They are recognizing the constant war being waged with"?seeing the daily commitment required to purge the unholy so that the holy may become a permanent living reality for them. I praise God for His victories being won in the new lives of Richard, Pam, Briget, and Marion.
in them as the new life struggles to bind and eradicate the old one. They are

I rejoice that many of the new Christians in Coventry have grown into a

are waging battles which they are desperately losing because either they

But i truly despair for another group of Christians in Coventry whose lives

fail to continue believing in their new births, or they still await the 'Knight of Light' to swoop down and miraculously untangle their twisted lives from the encroaching and irresistable chains of the past. tJhen no change occurs a deeply saddening idea surfaces; perhaps they have no real desire to be rescued. Pieaise join with Christ's Body here as we pray for Carole, John, Maureen, Anna, Janet, and Kim. We earnestly want them to choose their re-creation so they can, with Christ's help, put away the Old things and re
ceive their new lives in all fullness.
Lee Tate

XT IS

on Friday nights - teaching, praising, sharing . . the three subjects have been 'Knowing God', 'Victory in Holiness', and 'Maturity' . . . young ad ults from Coventry and Birmingham Churches of Christ have gained much and look for ward to making it a monthly event.
(Teach-in)
ARE , , .

y ^ Conversion varies in time and

method. For some it happens

quickly. Mark was baptized after just two weeks from his initial con
tact with the Church. Others query

everything - study, struggle and con template. Rob and Jean were regular
attenders for eight months before totally surrendering their lives. For JANE TUNSTALL, God used individ uals, circumstances, and the whole Body as His instruments of conversion.
Instrument #1 was Jane's nine

four weeks into a six week calling

program in part of Coventry near Jan

and Pete's house . . . already in contact with five or six good possi bilities for a new Investigation

year-old daughter, Dawn, who attends our Sunday School and brought her 'Mum' to a special Parent's Night Program back in October, 1975. In
strument #2 was J.B. who befriended

Group.
THEY ARE

(Church Calling Teams)

. . .

Jane and encouraged her to services. Instrument #3 was the Body. Jane

eagerfor- more knowledge- and train ing . . . four women studying with Jan for 'Ordinary Level' Religious Know ledge exams . . . two men studying
with Steve for 'Advanced Level' Relig

has a small family and the unity and love we shar-e--i-mpr-es-sed her greatly.
Instrument #4 was a circumstance.

Because of a divorce seven years ago,

Jane felt unworthy and stopped com

ious Knowledge exams . . . one other preparing an 'Ordinary Level' exam in the English language, which he needs for possible Bible College

ing to our meetings. Satan nearly won - but after a special study on
divorce with another divorcee (now

a Christian) and myself, Jane reallized that Jesus wanted to meet her

training in the future.

Christians)
HE HAS . . .

(Maturing

where she was and the past could be

wiped

away by His blood.

Instru

been elected Deputy Convenor from

the Massey Fergusson plant . . . . taken over responsibility as the as sistant union representative for ne gotiations . . . asked for prayers

ment #5 was a message in which Dave Arrowsmith shared about being either for or against God - there is no middle of the road position. What a blessing for us all to
witness and be used in the convers

ion of our new sister, Jane.

Her

that he may follow Christ in this u-

nique but difficult situation. (Dave

Arrowsmith)
WHO WROTE

baptismal service was powerful as we shared testimonies and praised

God together.
Debbie

this?

(Steve)

 ple who do come se m to be

^^^day evening Bible Study is
still slight.
growing.

Attendance at the Sun-

f{

plinirecs

But the peo-

We Christians are often very good at limiting the ways God can work.
I'm afraid we here in Erdington

Weather is very change

able here. Bev thinks

have sometimes been guilty of that, Wednesday afternoon used to be dread

that spring has come as

ed by us girls because it meant the

toddler's club - screaming, fighting children and smoking, gossiping mothers. How could God really be happy about this happening in our

days have been rather sunny, and some birds are singing. We are praying
for you in the bitter US winter.

draper
It is moving closely to makeyour-mind-up-time for two couples who have been investigating the
claims Christ has to their lives.

building? Breaking into our sched ule taking precious time, we could be using it in otherwise more useful
ways.

God is very good at revealing how

distorted our vision is. This club

One couple regularly attends our

morning communion service. Pray that the Spirit will convict power fully. Michelle and Roger are in the process of buying a house. Pray

has been indirectly, if not directly,

helpful in establishing the two study

groups presently in session. The latest group has been three
mothers (one not in the toddler's

that legal problems, money, or the

loan will work in God's way. The group of ladies who invest

club) who meet on Thursday mornings

to consider the claims of Jesus, the

igate Christ together on Thursday

mornings.
Norman & June Parsons who have

greatly befriended us and are amaz ed by the Christian lifestyle, need to accept Jesus. Norman remains an atheist but may be moving slowly.
THANK GOD FOR:

Bible, God, the Church. Needless to say, we view the toddler's club dif ferently now. It too, is a body of people who need to know God's love and redemption.
Penny

We have just discovered that

one of our J.A.M, kids, whose

Penny & Bev will move into a rent

reading age is low and whose

interest in education is mini-

ed furnished house just 15 minutes walk from the church building, and are quite excited. Jehovah jirahil (God will provide.)
Our J.A.M. kids who show growing interest every Sunday. Many read chapters ahead for their Gospel of
Luke lessonl

^
^
Q

mal, reads his Good News New

Testament every night before
bed. (His mother must wait for

good-night kisses,)

He has also

avidly ploughed through the

Bev, Michelle, Roger

^ ^

order to keep abreast of the TV "Moses." Who says the Bible

isn't readable? Michelle

first 14 chapters of Exodus in

EUROPE
Please remember two

HOME AGAIN, HOME AGAIN . .

groups of Lincoln Christian College & Seminary people, one who is making plans to work in Belgium, the other seeking God about England.
ME REMAIN GRATEFUL FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND FINANCIAL AND MORAL SUPPORT!

I'm back! and slipping into the swing of things. It was good to be
home and see family and friends, wish to take this opportunity to I

thank you all again for everything from the thirty pairs of furry foot-

ies (that's right 30) to the four

quarts of Baskin Robbins ice cream

(assorted flavours naturally), to

the meals, fellowship, and minister ing you did to me. God bless you!
Janet

Riddle: What is 30 years old, round, quite hard, lives with Roger, and hibernates (in the outside toilet, of course)? No, it is not his land

MOVING 7 ? ? S4*^Ut o'

Ir

lady!

(Answer next month)

Bev

A now postal regulation requires that we py 25c for each Epiatle returned be

cause o1~*B wrong address, so please send

your new address to the American Corropond'ints ttiddres5 on bnck) before you

move. Help ua to be good slewacdsi

ERDINBTON TEAM 290 Gravelly Lane

Birmingham B23 5SB

ENGLAND

COVENTRY TEAM

49 Huntington Rd. Coventry GV5 6PT

ENGLAND

AMERICAN CORRESPONOEKT
M/M C. L. Davis 1010 N. Monroe St.

Lincoin, III. 62656

U.S.A.
ouien ainti

WuU/e

14Jt^wafl

Non-Profit Bulk Rate

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Lincoln, III. 62656 Permit #76

EPISTLE FROM ENGLAND Lincoln Christian Church 204 N. McLean Street Lincoln, ill. 62656

Missions Services Box 177

Kempton, IM 46049

CO

cltafitngin^ a poii-diriiUan nation willi ifir tfaimi 0/ CItrisI

Vol. 4 No. 6

April 1977

to let other people tell the story than to tell fresh approach and allows for things to be said So, with some exceptions, here are articles and people - from more experienced Christians to an unbeliever. None of these articles were written for this paper, but we thought you might like to listen to words from , ,

SOMETIMES it is better it ourselves. It gives a that we could never say. letters from a variety of

A Factory Worker
Recently, I heard a message on pseudo-discipleship, based on Hosea

ATelephone Office Worker

"The world of Christian faith is

5:15-66.

It was an exciting, chal

not a fairy tale make believe world, question free and problem proof, but
a world where doubt is never far

lenging, and accurate message which showed many truths which I would like to share with you. Some people's love for God is boring, dull, routine, and shallow. How deep is your love for God? God wants a love which is not simply
emotional. Our love has to be a

from faith's shoulder."

These are

the words of Augustine, a Christian in the early Church. The words may have been spoken long ago, but we still need to take note of them today.
DOUBT is being in two minds or being uncertain. We must not fall into the trap of thinking that unbe

hungry love, not based on feelings. The sin of Evangelical Christians of this generation is a faith based on emotion, whereas the sin of the previous generation was a faith
based on intellect. Because our faith is often based

lief and doubt mean the same thing they do not. If we took the oppos ite of belief, it would be unbelief
and doubt would fit in somewhere in
the middle.

Doubt has to go one way or the

other. If our faith does not resolve

on emotion, we wonder what's gone wrong when we don't 'feel good.'

We need to see that even after be

our doubt, there is the danger that

the doubt will dissolve our faith.

coming a Christian, there is an

alienation from God because of our

Doubting cannot stay as doubt forever

and there is a narrow line between

sin which happens when our love is shallow and pseudo. Is your love for God solid and steadfast? Or is it pseudo? One reason why we are alienated from
God is because of unconfessed sin.

doubt and unbelief - sometimes only

God can tell the difference.

In this modern age we become so used to taking things for granted.

Everything is automatic and instant.

But God cannot be taken for granted,

-- Phil, 23, a Christian for 2k yrs.

(Continued on back page)

Showers of Blessing

"When it rains it pours," so the old saying goes. And so, with the moving of the Spirit, This month's report gives evidence to that moving here. Husband and wife, a young student nurse, and a

9h year old Sunday School girl were all recently born again into
God's family. Read and give thanksi JANICE witnessed the baptism of her friend, Pam, several months ago.
Pam shared her faith with Janice and

I t was two years ago when Oil a young woman and her daughter came to an open field to watch our closing camp program. Interested, the young girl,a blue-eyed blonde named DAWN, has faithfully attended Sunday School and mid week group ever since. In the past several months Dawn be gan to express a desire to become a
Christian. Noted for her difficult

out of the blue' questions, she has shown a good understanding of commit

ment to Christ for her 9h years.

One month ago, Dawn saw her mother baptized and was given a stronger
conviction that this was r-ight for her too. So Dawn joined us as a 'New lit tle Sister.' We 'big' brothers and sisters now share the responsibility, with her mother, of seeing Dawn loved, disciplined, and encouraged in Christ.
Janet

her husband, LEON. Steve and Jan started further studies with them, discussing the evidences of Christ ianity. Because of past experiences with the Spiritualist church and the occult, Leon was a bit doubtful about the claims of Christianity. However, when Pete preached a sermon on the occult one Sunday evening, Leon was convicted that Christianity
was the truth. Both decided to ac

cept Jesus into their lives and be baptized. As Chriatians^they now see the necessity of having Jesus
in the center of their lives.
Jan

GLENDA felt she became a Christian

while in Drama College about a year ago. But a popular analogy aptly de
scribes her situation: Glenda was trying to be a back-seat driver rath

Twelve years of marriage and six children later, Leon and Janice have a deep desire to raise a committed Christian family. They want all the help they can get to do this. So last Sunday evening, we took
time in our service to read some of

the Word about Christian marriage.

Then Leon and Janice (joined by the

other married ones) renewed their

er than sitting back and allowing God to control her life. After attending a few services with us, she recognized
her lack of submission and commitment.

vows, thanking God for his power that holds families together. Twelve years ago they were mar
ried in the courthouse. This week

Glenda expressed her desire to change her life by 'putting the Lord first' and after several study and prayer
sessions, made a public confession and
was baptized.
Debbie

they have made Christ the center of their lives - including their mar riage. Praise Him because 'a three fold cord is not quickly broken.'
Ecclesiastes 4:12
Steve

A Religious Knowledge Teacher

Where am 1 now? From the

An Unbeliever
(upon returning the New Testament that we had given to him)
Thank you for your books. The

beginning, I welcomed the coming of the team ministry

as in the best interest of

the church, but I had very real doubts about my future here. I expected to clash with our friends
over matters of Christian belief and

Bible is as you would expect - a mix ture of truth and untruth, deliberate and undeliberate. For instance, Noah's Flooding of the World. The fact is that knowledge of what con stituted the 'world' was very limited.
Again, there is the virgin birth
of Christ. In actual fact he was

practice, perhaps where working to gether would be impossible. It has not worked out that way though. No one has tried to pressure me into a more conservative stance, as I had thought all four might. No one has made any additional demands on my already heavily committed time. And yet their Christian presence has in fact been a challenge to both my
thinking and doing. FIRST, I am looking again at bas
ic beliefs about the Bible and Jesus.

the illegitimate son of Mary and a Roman soldier, Josephus, which did not please the Jews. No doctor or sensible person would accept other wise. In regard to the 'raising' of

Christ, his body was probably re moved by friends. Nothing else. I accept much of Christ's social revolutionary work and people like the Salvation Army have done so. To
me, it has no connection whatever with the god business which has ex isted for thousands of years from the days when our ancestors worship ped the god of the Sun and Rain, etc.
To me i t is sheer rubbish.
continued for two reasons.

In particular, Josh McDowell's book

Evidence That Demands a Verdict is

leading me to re-examine my liberal

ideas.

I t has
Princi

SECOND, I am reconsidering what

serious Christian commitment is all
about.

THIRD, I am praying for an out

pouring of the Holy Spirit so that our spiritual life may be revitaliz ed and become a powerful witness to
the Truth.

pally because it has given power to our rulers over all the years. Marx says 'Religion is a drug for the peo ple. '
In the last few centuries i t has

I am not finding this an easy time.

Some of the decisions I have to make

become a money racket. The Church of England subsists on money derived from armaments. In a certain street, you will see on Sundays the drunken
ness of the Catholics whose brains

are difficult and have long-term im plications, Where are you now? Jenny, a 26 year old and a member of the Erdington church for about 14 years.

are intentionally drowned and pre vented from thinking. So dispense with superstition. Get on with the
social work. We need i t . _
? ?

U dCiC

CAN YOU ANSWER THIS LETTER?

PERSONAL PRAYER

Swanwick?

Beautiful] The
STEVE AND LEE intend to be f i r s t

Churches of Christ Christian Women's

Convention? A bunch of noisy "nat ter", a lot of talk about uniting with the United Reformed Churches, some opportunity for ministering, but mostly an ache in my heart for these Church of Christ people, I almost came to the point of
tears as I sat there and watched the

time parents in late August. Please pray for them during the pregnancy.
OD ROGER AND MICHELLE would value

your prayers as they begin their married life on April 16.

(continued from front page)

We must examine ourselves daily and challenge each other out of becoming complacent, helping each other to re member God's goodness even in times when things do not seem to go well.

women so sweetly let someone tell

them that we can a l l hold different

views of

'how one comes into the common

Kingdom', i.e., being born again,

and s t i l l be united in a

mission fully led by the Spirit and approved by God.

I didn't know that God said there

Jean, 21, a Christian for 2% yrs.

ANSWER TO LAST MONTH'S RIDDLE:

were different ways of coming into the Kingdom.

Penny

"A tortoise" of coise.

And he is

now waking to meet the spring.

ERDIN6T0N TEAM

290 Gravelly Lane Birmingham B23 5SB

ENGLAND

COVENTRY

49 Huntington Rd. Coventry CV5 6PT

ENGLAND

TEAM

AMERICAN CORRESPONDENT M/M C. L. Davis

1010 N. Monroe St.

Lincoln, ill. 62656

U.S.A.
owen

atneA

nuiin.

P,nn^ (^rease^

WicUie l^t^warl

Non-ProfIt Bulk Rate

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Lincoln, III. 62656

Permit #76

EPISTLE FROM ENGLAND Lincoln Christian Church 204 N. McLean Street

Missions siarvices Box 177

Lincoln, III. 62656

Kempton, IM 46049

iliaf/en^ing a poit'Otrislian nation wilk llir tfaimi of a rhl

Vol 4 No. 7 May 1977

'

Beieettiiii If
The Bible and Jesus are usually avoided topics in British TV and norm al conversation. Recently, however, both have had prominence in television,
which has made the words flow on people's lips more readily.

The state owned BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) have just pro

duced a thirteen part series, "BC: The Archaeology of Bible Lands". The narrator and writer is Magnus Magnusson, long time respected for being the
M.C. of Britain's top intellectual quiz, "Mastermind". In the programs, Magnusson is totally destructive toward Biblical history.

The King James Bible is quoted in a very religious voice while unbeliev able medieval drawings of the events are shown on the screen. Then Magnus

son speaks (supposedly respecting the Bible) showing how impossible it was

for the events to have happened.

He gives "evidence" that Abraham ("if he

ever existed") was much later than the Bible indicates.

He stresses a "folk tale emphasis" through Genesis, calls the story of Joseph a "marvellous yarn", and brands the story of Moses "an age-old folk
tale motif". He indicates that the bondage in and exodus from Egypt never

happened and questions the Bibical statments about almost every Biblical city that he mentioned. Only one time in the entire series is someone who supports Biblical history through archaeology allowed to share his position -- a very unfair representation of Biblical scholars. THESE PROGRAMS NEED
REDEEMING.

On the other hand, Britain's ITV (independent Television) presented a

six part series on Moses, which I understand, was mainly Biblical if slight ly romanticized. And just finished, as in the USA, was Zephirelli's "Jesus of Nazareth". Miles away from Magnusson's folklore and myth, "Jesus of Nazareth" was presented as a historical character with real miracles, cruc
ifixion, and resurrection.

Thirty million of Britain's 55 million people were said to be watching

this brilliantly cast and characterized film.
witness. Michelle and I

We had good opportunities to

watched i t with one of Britain's licensed book

makers, his family, and a punter (a man who makes his living by gambling),
Bev spent the evening with a Hindu family, immigrants from India, while Penny helped an interested older couple look up the relevant Bible passages.
As Britain watched the redeeming moment in history when Jesus Christ

died, perhaps His redemption stirred millions maybe even television

could be redeemed.

Roger

I Plant, mer, Hanrest f

Statistics must be used

only with careful evalu

ation. Take these for what

had saved him (a little water on those seeds). Christo told his friend Ade (a

they're worth.

Since the

black girl born in Nigeria).

Then

team ministry began in Cov

both came to see what Christians were

entry, the Church here has witnessed 45 baptisms and three trans fers of membership. Of that number, roughly one third have either moved away or lost their original commitment. A process that can not be evaluated by statistics is the continual work of the Holy Spirit in convicting men of
sin and their need of God's grace

through Jesus. The Spirit does this work. We, as Christ's ambassadors, may co-operate with His work at sev eral different stages in their con version process. Or as Paul would say -itsome plant, some water, others reap the harvest, but God gives the growth. We have recently learned the truth of this process anew, through the
conversion of CHRISTO and ADE last

like when they were all together. They heard the gospel in sermon,song, and testimony. Those watered seeds were ready for the harvest of faith. So after knowing these two for only a few days, we honored their request to give themselves completely to the Lord in baptism. We remember the Ethiopian who knew Philip only a short time before he was ready to give himself in bap tismwe praise God that we were
able to see a harvest in Christo and Ade where he had used others to sow

the seed and give it nurture. We also give thanks because our

little fellowship can give such wit ness to the power of Jesus that brings down our barriers--Kenyans,
Nigerians, Asians, Guyanians, Amer

month. With many of our new Christ ians, the Church has been involved at each step of their conversion growing, feeding, harvesting. But
with Christo and Ade i t was different.

icans, Welsh, English, young & old.

Steve

ELSA, a middle aged woman from Guyana felt a need for fellowship
and visited our Church about a year

Christo, an Asian born in Kenya but raised in Coventry, had grown up as a Kikh (an Indian religion related
to Hinduism and Islam). The seeds of

the gospel were planted in his heart

when his old friend witnessed to him about how his new life in Christ had

ago. Encouraged by people who care, she began to attend regularly. Though she had always considered herself a Christian, Elsa soon rea
lized that true Christianity means commitment to Jesus' way of life. Rob and Jean, who live near Elsa,
have been used to 'nurture the seed.'

changed him from a gang leader to a

mission recruit preparing to go to India. Then Chris looked up our own
Asian ChristianNimbo--another old
old friend who told him how Jesus

Elsa, who feels 'like a second mum to Jean', was baptized a few weeks
Debbie

MThat question was aimed at the parents of our J.A.M. (Jesus and
Me) time children at our Easter Service. In a variety of ways,

Did Jesus Rise From Tlie Oeail ?

we left no doubt as to what our position was and just what that knowledge requires of all of us. Should you have been here, I think that "The Case of the Empty Tomb," a play presented by 1114 year olds, would have greatly impressed you. The children put real feeling and life into the people they played. What's more, it seemed as if they meant what they saidi Even though our question was aimed at the parents, upon reflection the most powerful thing that has happened has come within the lives of the J. A.M. children. One little boy, who sometimes believes in God and sometimes dosen't, suddenly began to talk about Jesus* resurrection as a fact! And Kelvin, a young rebel boy, has been responding to our love. This was extremely evident in the way he responded to his part in the program. Believe me, he wouldn't have memorized his lines if he didn't think we cared. We anxiously await more changes in our children and their parents.
Bev

e^HMeniB'Sdtalm
When we came to the Last Supper in the course of teaching the gos pel of Luke, we decided to make a special invitation to our children and their non-Christian parents to show them the real significance of
Communion.

death.

To the Christian, it is the

special moment when He has invited us to meet Him; it is a symbol of the lifelong commitment we have made to Jesus; it is a veritable feast
of renewal.
salvation!

It is a celebration of

At least three parents want more contact with us because of the power
behind that salvation.

A celebration of salvationi
ial lamb was for.

That

is what the Old Testament sacrific

I t was Israel re

membering their liberation from slav ery; it was a reminder of their mir aculous delivery from Egypt and their call to be a separate people for
Yahweh (God). Like its Passover antecedents,

SHilesttrSKMes
I've gone to a lot of trouble
sometimes to make sure that the

Gospel is presented realistically.

One of these recent experiences was when we secured a live donkey to

the Lord's Supper also remembers a lambthis time the perfect Lamb sacrificed to rescue the whole man, body, spirit and mind, from another kind of slavery. We tried to im press upon 55 onlooking children and parents that communion embodies much
more than a reminder of Christ's

help to teach Jesus' Triumphal En try to our J.A.M. children. Early Sunday morning, a deacon and I went to a stable to pick up the donkey
in a van. But when we arrived, we found out that the donkey did not have room to turn around and go out

(donkeys have no reverse!) So I

(Cont'd from Page 3)

decided i t would be worth i t to walk

EASTER AT COVENTRY .

started off

with a Passover Feast complete with,

the donkey the Ih miles to our church

building. Our donkey, "Frankenstein" played the part typically. As I hurried to
get there before J.A.M. finished,

not footwashing, but hand washing! Our

aim was to have a better understanding of the relationship between the Pass over and Last Supper. It gave us a clearer meaning to much of what Jesus said to His disciples. On Easter morning, 14 of our brav est trouped out to a little wooded
area for a Sunrise service at 6:30 a.m.

"Frank" stopped in the middle of the street we were crossing. I cajoled, then tugged in the expected posture, but he would not budge as about 15

cars waited (and the people laughed).

Perhaps my rebuke was not as dra matic as Balaam's and seeing no ang els, we finished our journey. But
whether a five minute drama of Jesus

Devil's Den, as the place is called,

became a scene of celebration as we re

membered Christ's victory over deathl The message of the Family Service

(Sunday p.m.) dealt with the suffering

of Christ and the darkness following His death--not forgetting that we would not be together if Jesus' life had ended
at His death. Praise God we have the Janet

entering Jerusalem is worth walking with a donkey for five miles, only
the lives of the children who meet
Him will t e l l .

Roger

hope of resurrection!
^

ERDIN6T0N TEAM

290 Gravelly Lane Birmingham B23 5SB

ENGLAND

COVENTRY TEAM

49 Huntington Rd. Coventry CV5 6PT

ENGLAND

AMERICAN CORRESPONDENT
M/M C. L. Davis 1010 N. Monroe St.

Lincoin, III. 62656

U.S.A.
rtastu

WuUfe

liJt^warl

Ncn-Profit Bulk Rate

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Lincoln, III. 62656 Permit #76

EPISTLE FROM ENGLAND Lincoln Christian Church 204 N. McLean Street

Missions Services Box 177

KemptoiLy IM 46049

Lincoln, III. 62656

^ Xtle (torn fug!

C

cliaf/tnfing a poil-C^iriilian naUon wilfi lite

Vol. 4 No. 8

...

fron, aJuJ Uar.

of a tist

/Y

June 1977

The a:30aw w 12-lOim SunSfom

Our new neighbors think that we work hard. Their proof? We're up and out fairly early in the mornings and not back un til quite late at night. And, they're right. We are busy people I It's rare that we go to bed the same day we wake upi Often I've thanked God for a full and busy life. But, I have a problem and I suspect some other Christian people have the same one. Often I am too busy -- too busy to read God's word

and listen to His direction. George Duncan (a Keswick Con vention speaker) says: "After twenty years in the ministry,
still the most difficult book for me to pick up is the Bible, I can read any other theological book with great relish, and go all day without touching HIS word." If this is true of you as it often is of me, it's no wonder we sometimes feel empty. Yet, for me the most frightening thing is that this sin could last a whole ministry, yea, a lifetime. Mr. Dun can obviously is winning his battle, but the fact that it is still a battle for him says a lot for Satan's power and cruelty. Surely our communication with God is the crux of
our life in Him,

I write these words, because I have found that George Duncan was right when he said: "One of the most subtle dang ers of a committed Christian's life is the 'sheer busyness of
life' that we create i f we're worth our salt and care for oth

er people with the caring, compassionate love of God in

Christ."

key.

Please, let's not fall into the trap. David knew the "Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin

against theei"

(Psalm 119:11)
Bev

Pnii JUH Hbteft

N R

For me the highest bless ing of this ministry is observing the maturing process in so many new
brothers and sisters.

We have a remarkable opportunity in our ministry to see God's answers to your prayers. We ask your prayers for the following people who face turning points in their lives:

Helen Cranfield (18) has been a Christian for almost three years now. To say she's grown by leaps and
bounds seems t r i t e but i t is so

Gary - the nephew of Janice and Leon. He was challenged by our East er Family Program and is seeking ans
wers.

very true. This August, Helen plans to enter Lincoln Christian College, Lincoln, Illinois for a year of Christian training. She then hopes to enter college in England to earn

Mrs, Lane - has been attending morning service regularly for some
time and needs to make a
to the Lord.

commitment

a degree in speech therapy.

Helen

is open to ministering where the Lord wills. Please hold her up in prayer as she continues to grow in her faith and knowledge of God. Youth Night is a new program geared to help our growing number of inter ested young people to identify with each other through the Church, We meet together for two hours once a month with plans to meet more often in the future. Only seven to ten young people come, but they are a fine start for a young and growing
church.

Lynn - once attended Tuesday Bible Study but has stopped because she was offended by someone. Please pray
that the Lord will work toward heal

ing relationships.
Pete Ivers is dissatisfied with

the Catholic Church.

Pete has been

attending Bible Studies regularly for over a year and has begun coming to Sunday morning services.
Gaye - once had a commitment to
Christ but lost i t . Now she is seek

ing Christian Fellowship and help to

recommit herself to the Lord.

Brigette - our student orthopist Training and guiding future lead ers is a tremendous responsibility. Most of our adult youth workers are 'babes in faith' - so the training is double! We covet your prayers.
Debbie

(treats eye squints) and Glenda our "soon-to-be-student nurse" are

going to be leaving our fellowship within the next month or two. They are concerned about finding a Christ ian fellowship when they relocate.
J.B.

rfte MNBing ef MissiOB

So often in today's society we are caught in the attitude of planning for the end of things. This is often true in our team ministry. We plan new projects, and events and anxiously look toward the end of them, praying that people will receive Jesus. A constant diet of this can cause discouragement and depression
when desired end results are not soon received.

After all, have

Shouldn't we be

not we been commanded to "make disciples of all nations"? eager for people to become Christians?

Yesi However, we must keep a balance of our part in the salvation of souls and God's part. Although I find tremendous joy when someone to whom I've witnessed becomes a Christian, I must also find tremendous joy in sim
ply sowing the seed of the Gospel.

A few weeks ago I was discouraged and depressed. I constantly prayed, 'Lord, after all this time, why haven't we seen even one person become a
Christian?' Other members of the team shared my concern, my discourage ment. We each searched ourselves, lest in some way we might have become

a hindrance to God's work by some unconfessed sin. Along with this search came the reminder, that we are responsible for telling the Good News: God
saves people.

The 'end' (which is really the continuation) of the Christian life will
^e one of praising and glorifying God for all He has done for us, and be cause He is worthy of such. Strangely enough, the means to the 'end' is
the same as the 'end',

"Brethren, do not be weary in well-doing."

will come as we will report next month.

(2 Thess. 3:13).

The results

Penny

We Ast for nese

Prayer of Thanksgivingl Having thought he would be liable to pay around $3,000 for a recent automobile accident, Roger would like to share the good news that his insurance is now going to pay. The company had previously refused his claim twice. We really feel that the Almighty
has intervened. Praise the Lord]

Prayer for Encouragement; Debbie, Annette, and Julie (teenage Christ ians from Coventry) have all moved some distance away. Debbie, par
ticularly, seems isolated from

Christian fellowship, although she

still clings to her faith,
Michelle

Prayer for Potential; Please pray for the new possibilities of Invest igation groups, which we have in Erdington.

EDITOR ERRS:

Michelle's name should

have been added after last month's

article, "Celebrate Your Salvation," The ghost writer is revealed.

"RICHARD, RICHARD" is screamed

We have to teach children like

(in a strong Austrain accent) from the 6th floor apartment balcony.
Richard is a seven year old boy who occasionally attends our Sunday
School.
brother

Richard about God, and it's not

easy. They do not understand the things we talk about; for they have not experienced the love of caring parents. We have to show them that love through our lives. But when

He lives with his mother and

in a world of constant scream

ing and reproach for his wrongdoings. Richard is actually crying out for
attention and real love,

God has designed the family so that a child may grow up knowing real love with a proper balance of discipline and mercy. We find that the child can better grasp the con cepts of God's love, mercy, good ness, and discipline when he has first experienced the reality of
them in his own home.

they are constantly causing trouble, it's always a temptation to resort to screaming and scolding which they already know only too well.
Please pray for Richard, for his mother, brother, all the children V7e
have to teach and for us that we

may be able to show them the love of

Jesus so that they might come to know

Him.

Jan

ERDIN6T0N TEAM

290 Gravelly Lane

Birmingham B23 5SB"

ENGLAND

i 'Coventry CV5 6PT

ENGLAND

COVENTRY TEAM 149 Huntington Rd.

AMERICAN CORRESPONDENT
M/M 0. L. Davis 1010 N. Monroe St. Lincoln. III. 62656
U.S.A.

WJii

P.nn^ Crtaie^

WuUi.

liJfguiari

Non-Profit Bulk Rate

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Lincoln. III. 62656 Permit #76

EPISTLE FROM ENGLAND

Missions Services
Box 177

Lincoln Christian Church 204 N. McLean Street Lincoln, III. 62656

Kempton^ IM 46049
Address Correction Requested

. . . I^epori from a Juaf leant miniitr^

ckaffen^ing a poihGiriilian nation wilk lite ifaimi of Cltriil

Vol. 4 No, 9 July 1977
"We are heirs of the Father

'

We are joint heirs with the Son

ONE
sisters?

We are children of the Kingdom

We are family, we are one."

When we live in a time when people are terribly segregated, how do we gain
and maintain the oneness God desires us to have as Christian brothers and

It's true that there are laws to prevent physical segregation in

schools, restaurants, factories, etc., but no law protects us from the dan ger of withdrawing our selves, from withholding our feelings from one anoth
er, Satan would have us avoid the risk of sharing our inner selves - thus failing to grow and be blessed by the oneness we are offered through our sonship. Recent visitors from the U.S. have helped me realize and appreciate the

togetherness we share here in Coventry. We have taken 'baby steps' toward integrating our entire beings. Many factors contribute to our closeness. We hope to share some of the areas in which our ONENESS is working and
blessing.
Debbie

Physic ally The

binds.

early Christians didn't just theorize about sharing they lived it. Food, clothing, houses, fields, money - much was freely given and freely received as physical expression of the spiritual tie that

For over a year now, our sharing in the Coventry Body has been built up in a most obvious physical expression. We are building an extension to double the size of our present building - and almost all are volunteer

laborers.

Previously unrecognized (because they were non-existent!) skills

of building have been conveniently discovered and used to the limits. If anyone had told us we would have to lay bricks, tar a roof, etc., we would have quickly assured them that not "all things are possible!" But we didn't volunteer to do this job or that. Together all of us volunteered to do whatever was necessary to complete the vision the Lord had given to anticipate our future growth and give us an adequate facility for renewed
Christian witness and service.

Valuable lessons are being learned the hard way:

patience, discipline,
-

>

sacrifice to see the task throughl

for runny-eyed Leahi)

(I think of Jacob working seven years^

we are even learning in grace to accept the

weaker brother who doesn't have the discipline to do his part.

(continued)

Spiritually
It is difficult to try to separ ate the spiritual aspect of our sharing. Yet we feel it such a blessing to be able to share spir itual things while working together or eating together that we must mention it specifically. Often our times of fellowship lead us to pray er sessions, singing, and deep shar ing with one another. We are a young church but the Holy Spirit provides us with spiritual maturity like I've never before experienced. Last Sunday we were blessed by two fine sermons by three-year-old
Christians.

Finally we see some light on the horizon and hope for completion in
the autumn. All the walls

are up and ceiling sealed

underway.
do.

and the finishing work is But there is much yet to

We know now that none of our

project would be possible without

deep sharing in all ways.
Steve

Socially

Our Thursday ladies

Gradually

meeting initiated last autumn is an

other opportunity for the church to

share in real koinonia.
these new Christians decided that

We can do all things - through Christ Jesus, who strengthens us

in oneness.
Debbie

meeting weekly for a chat and lunch was inadequately meeting their needs.
Now we ladies (our numbers are be

tween 8 and 12) study Gladys Hunt's

book, Ms. Means Myself and we still manage to chat and dine together

1^0 to Share
A farewell Bar-B-Q was held for two from our congregation. Glenda has gone to London to start her nurses training. After finishing her preparation, Brigette will soon leave to pursue her career. Both girls gave their testimonies, tell ing how much Jesus has changed their lives. Pray that they will be able
to share their faith with others in
their new situations.

over our potluck dishes. Some days various women bring guests - other women, usually non-Christians, who perhaps are lonely or express a de sire to see a 'living' church. As a group we are learning much; we are realizing one another's spir itual gifts; we learn that one's weakness is often another's strength. These spiritual realities are en abling us to minister to each other more deeply. We also learn that we must give and take in various other
situations and we
we are.

A Nottingham Church of Christ recently organized a 'Youthquake'

for early teens. Four young people from Coventry and five from Erdington attended. Those who attended

learn the neces

shared together in teaching, dis

cussions, recreation and meals. The

sity to accept one another for what

Maturity is not easy. We do not always succeed. But the Lord is guiding us into deeper sharing.
Lee Tate

whole event was gospel centered and

the young people were challenged to follow Christ as their personal
Lord.
Jan

At one time, Steve and Lucy Shaw were just ordinary people divided from Christ. Then, one at a time, they became one with Christ. The parents of two young daughters have now become one
in Christ because of their new relationship through Him. Lucy
decided first that she must follow Christ - whether her husband

Two One In Jesus

Baptistry Used For First Time in 12 Years

did or not.

Two weeks later, Steve (a physics teacher) followed not Lucy

but their mutual Lord. The pattern has become familiar to us - although not frequent enough; initial contact from door-to-door calling. Investigat ion Group, Bible Study, struggle, new birth. The following interview with
Lucy reveals some of the facts:
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CONTACT WITH CHRISTIANITY?

the most was the fact that He loved

everybody and that He would die for

When

I was christened as a Catholic,

but I never understood i t .

me and everybody. I don't think that anyone can understand how much love
that He has. It amazes me that He

you came along, then I understood. I never even considered myself a

listens to us all at any time.

HOW HAS BECOMING A CHRISTIAN
AFFECTED YOU?

Catholic (even though my family were strongly Catholic), so I can't

have been a Christian.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ATTI

I think that it has changed me

TUDE TOWARD CHRIST BEFORE WE BEGAN OUR DISCUSSIONS ABOUT HIM?

completely and other people are be ginning to realize this now. I question things now that I didn't be
fore. I think that it has made things
harder because now I know what is

I was frightened of Him because

I didn't understand Him. I had al

ways been told that you should be frightened of Him. They told me, "If you sin, you will end up in Hell." I used to put Him to the back of my mind because it was eas ier to forget it.
THEN WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN?

right and what is wrong.

it.

To do wrong

is to hurt God and I don't want to do

I did think that it would give me a

bit more peace.

at once.

The first week was It made

horrible because I expected too much

Then I read New Life, New

Lifestyle (by Michael Green).

I knew all along that God existed and that there had to be something about this life and when I was given
all the facts and told what the Bi

me realize it is a growing process.

It has really changed me though.

It was much easier before to say that

if people want to do something, they

can. Now I have to question it, but
I t feels s t i l l not condemn them.

ble said, I decided that I ought to

do what the Bible said.
WHAT STRUCK YOU PERSONALLY ABOUT THE MESSAGE OF JESUS?

easy to talk to other people about it, I would rather people know that I was
a Christian than not know.

Not to be frightened of Him for a start. And the thing that struck me

To Pray or Not To Pray The valxie of intercessory prayer

cannot, indeed must not be overlook ed. Luke 5:17-26 records the healing of a lame man, brought to Jesus by his friends through a hole they had made in the roof. Verse 20 reads, "And when he saw their faith he said, 'Man, your sins are forgiven you.'" Let us join together in prayers of faith for these needs and praises: *Mr. & Mrs, Muller who have a reg ular home Bible study, Mr. Muller
testifies that he came to church for

Jubi lee
June 7th was Silver Jubilee Day marking the 25 year reign of Queen
Elizabeth II, For the first time in

years, patriotism is in vogue. Peop le were celebrating in huge street parties. In some places, people are now more free to be more than pass ing figures on the street - because of the parties. Yet, very few are remembering the real Jubilee message of Leviticus. It was a year of national repentance
and restoration.
from sin.

The Jubilee tone

the first time in 36 years - because

he wanted to,

was unmistakable - He sets you free Are you free? There is no sweet
Bev

^Children's Camp in August, *Jenny, who is struggling with acceptance of how God is at work
today.

er celebration than thati

Penny

ISN'T OUR GOD A GREAT FATHER?

ERD1N6T0N TEAM

290 Gravelly Lane Birmingham B23 5SB

ENGLAND

COVENTRY TEAM

49 Huntington Rd. Coventry CV5 6PT

ENGLAND

AMERICAN CORRESPONDENT
M/M C. L. Davis 1010 N. Monroe St.

Lincoln. III. 62656

owen

Penn^
WJ/in.

WicUie

aintfi

U.S.A.

Creait^

H/egwarl

Non-profit Bulk Rate U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Lincoln, III. 62656 Permit #76

EPISTLE FROM ENGLAND Lincoln Christian Church 204 N. McLean Street

Missions Services Box 177

Kempton, IK 46049

Lincoln, III. 62656

from fnnr
. . . f^poM from a Jua( ttam miniiir^ clxattm^in^ a poil-diriilian nation will ike ifaintj aj CItrisI
Vol. 4 No. 10 August 1977

0,

^yCU^rKM>

SomTlei^G
CAN IT BE that a

great work for God involving thousands of people devolves upon our prayer life

C>ti^ ^e.XveeH

half a world away?

WORK ON OUR KNEES. I am feeling more and more that it is, after all, just the prayers of God's people that call down bless ing upon the work, whether they are directly engaged in it or not. Paul may plant and Apollos water, but it is God who gives the in crease; and this increase can be brought down from heaven by be

lieving prayer, whether offered in China or in England. We are, as it were, God's agents - used by Him to do His work,
not ours. We do our part, and then can only look to Him, with others, for His blessing. If this is so, then Christians at home can do as much for foreign missions as those actually on

the field. I believe it will only be known on the Last Day how much has been accomplished in missionary work by the prayers of
earnest believers at home.
the problem.

And this, surely, is the heart of

Such work does not consist in curio exhibitions, lantern lec tures, interesting reports, and so on. Good as they may be, /

these are only the fringe, not the root of the matter.
lasting missionary work is done on our knees.

Solid, ^

What I covet more

than anything else is earnest, believing prayer, and I write

to ask you to continue in prayer for me and the work here.
--an excerpt from Eraser and Prayer. London: Overseas Missionary Fellowship, 1963 y

f abie
I f i r s t met Jakie in the

pcning oorg
Many unusual requests arrive on

summer of '71 when we spent

just five weeks in Coventry. She was only six years old
then and showed a keen in-

our doorstep each year. God never ceases to bless us as we open the
door.

Most recently, the doorknocker

terest--not necessarily in Jesus, but in the American visitors.

When we returned to Coventry on a longer term basis, our friendship was renewed and Jakie has been a reg ular attender of Sunday School and
youth activities since before we came to Coventry.

presented himself as Joseph Winter, Swiss German, 28 year-old Christian from Basle, Switzerland. Joseph's
request was to have someone teach

him English in the remaining three

weeks of June. None of us ever

Several months ago, she told me

that she wanted to be baptized, but

her mother wanted her to "have some funlive a little first." Her moth
er also said that before she'd con

questioned our own ability to speak English and to do so fairly well, but to teach the basics of English to a young man who spoke only Ger
man seemed
le?"

an insurmountable task,

"With Christ all things are possib Clinging rather ambiguously to this promise, we opened the door completely and invited Joseph in. Opportunities began to unfold them selves. Within a couple of days,
we learned that a school near the

sent to Jakie's baptism she expected

to see some changes. Jakie needed to

prove her sincerity. This is just what happened. Jakie realized that her Christianity must
control her all the time. Her be havior at home altered and her moth

er agreed to her baptism. Jakie's mother is not a Christian,

so our responsibility to "raise Jakie

cathedral offered summer English language studies for foreigners. Immediately Joseph signed on for
morning classes. Most afternoons Joseph labored on the church build ing extension with us to earn his board and keep. Evenings he was
able to devote to his new studies.

up" is great. Perhaps God will use Jakie to speak to her mother.

j-j
Sylvia Burns (28).

Debbie
She showed

C^^^^Recently, Janet and I called on

an openess to talking about Jesus and we are now meeting once a week and having some fruitful discussions.
She knows herself and her faults

only too well and sees her need. Pray for her and her husband, Jim, who seems hardened by bad childhood experiences of forced religion.
Jan

Although three weeks is hardly adequate time to gain even a rudi mentary understanding of a new lan guage, Joseph clearly was making steady progress. Life is a risk, but we in Coven try are learning that special bless
ings are ours if we share those

risks with our living Lord. And in His name, we continue to "Open the
door." Lee Tate

3)n Waiting
After nine months in Erdington, new births seem to be overdue. But what can we do? Changing the metaphor, we are planting the

seed, hoping that it will take root.

It has, but we cannot say

whether there will be a large scale harvest or not. One eager, young couple have been in an Investigation Group

and Bible Study since January. Both are hesitating because they don't seem serious enough to talk about Christ to their friends. This week
she talked to a friend about Jesus. "It just came," she explained, "and now my friend wants a New Testament." How long will it be? How long will Jesus wait? Now is the day of salvation, but will there be a tomorrow? The mother of three of our J.A.M. children says enthusiastically, "You are the only Christians who have ever come to us to talk." Her husband is upset for days because he must think after our visit. A divorced woman? An

atheist?

An older couple studying the Bible?

Roger

We are responsible to do all we can, but still we must wait....

31iicf)arb tI)E i.pmg-l)EartEb?

It takes courage to speak the truth to one's contemporaries--so six year old Richard found out dur-. ing J.A.M. Time last Sunday. Having shared a lesson on the way Jesus changes people, a group of 56 year olds were discussing those naughty elements in their own lives

jUp Communication tuitl) (@nb

I have been suffering with pains in my knee, which my doctor told me was arthritis. One night the pain
was so bad I felt I couldn't stand

which could be changed by God's pow

er. As they were at a loss to think of any personal misbehavior, I asked if any of them ever told lies.
Three children declared with wide-

it. So I prayed to God earnestly and asked him to ease the pain, not knowing which way to lie for comfort. After praying, I fell asleep. The next morning when I woke up, I said to myself, "What has happened?" I

eyed innocence, "I've never told a lie." Two kids looked intently at
the floor.

But Richard, blessed with an acute perception of human nature, said boldly and honestly, "Well, I've told lies and you lot have just told another lie, because you've all
told lies before!"

"Out of the mouths of babes another crusader for the Truth.

Maybe the Lord of the Universe has

could bend my knee without pain and walk in comfort - no pain at all. This, to me, was a miracle per formed by God, If only we put our trust in God, He will help us in our hour of need. I cried with joy at this experience. I put my record on and sang to it, "God will take care of you." I want to be more like Him, day by day. Mrs. Smith, a 78 year old, long time member of the Erdington Church, recently growing much particularly because of regular reading of the Good News Bible.

Michelle

LAST MONTH IN THE ERDINGTON REPORT,

WE GAVE YOU LUCY SHAW'S VIEW OF HER

Jfinallp ^crsfuabEi)

DECISION.

THIS MONTH, HER HUSBAND'S:

Back in February, after several of Roger's Investigation Groups, I went with a few others to a baptism in Coventry. I was extremely impressed by the meeting and felt that something mysterious had happened. Was it the coming of the Spirit? I wasn't sure, but I felt that whatever it was, I
wanted i t too.

Over the v/eeks that followed, I learned more and more what baptism meant
and what a commitment to Christ involved. I had to decide i f I could afford

such a "high penalty". Of course, the answer to this is that commitment to Christ is not a high penalty at all but a freeing from the power of sin. Even so, I still knew that I would have to change my lifestyle and I felt

that it was asking too much.

I didn't want to be baptized and not let my

life be changed. Nor did I want any commitment I made to be false. Several times I decided I was ready and several times I changed my mind again. Baptism isn't a show or a ritual demanded by the church. It is an action

based on faith, and a belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God. The action of baptism frees us from our sins and puts us, if we want it, in
a better relationship with God.

It was Bev who finally tipped the balance when she asked me, "How can you
ask for forgiveness from a God you have not accepted?"
"S^o on Sunday, May 27 . .
Steve Shaw (26)

ERDIN6T0N TEAM 144 Gravelly Lane Birmingham B23 6LT

ENGLAND

COVENTRY TEAM 49 Huntington Rd. Coventry CV5 6PT

ENGLAND

AMERICAN CORRESPONDENT
M/M C. L. Davis 1010 N. Monroe St. Lincoln, III. 62656
U.S.A.
owen

Penn^
nUfin:

Tijicitefit

atnA

(^rease^ ^Jrin^ion

Non-ProfIt Bulk Rate

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Hussions Services Box 177

Lincoln, III. 62656

Permit #76

Kempton, JJti 46049

EPISTLE FROM ENGLAND

Lincoln Christian Church 204 N. McLean Street

Lincoln, ill. 62656

cltaiitn^in^ apoii'dinilian nation witk Ike

Vol. 4 No. 11

. . . l^ipoM from a Juai teum minislr^

of Ckrhl

* ^

September 1977

On Teeth, Babies & Habits

The thought, full-blown and in detail, came to me while I was bent over the sink, brushing my teeth this morning. It will take me much longer to
t e l l than i t did to think.

My head is full of Fatherhood, you see.

and I for all his needs and wants.

In two weeks or so my whole

world will be shaken by the arrival of my first offspring. Wrinkled, trem bling, rainiscule and completely vulnerable - he will depend on his mother
His (or her) arrival will change radi

cally my pattern of life. Many of my well established habits will have to be altered or replaced. Sleeping, eating, working habits - all will be af
fected. But because of the deep love 'I already feel for this yet unknown

personality, I am willing to change and give up my long-established ways

of doing things - my habits of living.

So I remember my teeth.
solution. ed effort.

The dentist said I was brushing them too goodi

It took my mother years to teach me the habit to break.

violent brushing was gradually breaking down my gums.
I had to learn a new way of brushing.

My habit of daily
There was only one

But to break such a rou

tine, uncouscious pattern as the way you brush your teeth takes a determin
For two weeks everytime I stepped to the sink, I had to con

sciously remind myself of the dentist's instuctions for my new habit of brushing. But now it's established. I really do have a new habit. I do
not have to think through it anymore - I just do it. All this is to remind us that most of our lives consists of habits-'-^how

we react to people, how we make decisions, what we bring into our hearts
and minds. Jesus comes to change all our life - particularly our most

basic patterns of living. Those long established habits must come under his rule. Some good ones may be kept and improved. Many bad ones will have to go. Like changing the way you brush your teeth, it will take a conscious, thinking, effort on our part. Or as Paul says, 'Be transformed by the re
newal of your mind.'

The habits I'll have to change when the baby comes will be much easier

than changing just because some dentist said so.

I only see him twice a

year.

My new child' s constant presence will demand change.

But I love him,

and I'll change gladly,

"When Jesus' presence comes into our lives, will we change our habits
gladly?? . . . because we love Him so muchi ?
Steve

A Picture Review
Steve St Pete laying a floor in new extension . . . Debbie baptizes

Jakie . . . Steve and Jan in Dover Castle (Spring Retreat) J. B. knocking on doors . . . Our Christmas choir of 'angels' . .
Coventry and Birmingham girls at the annual Women's Conference . .

Spring brings new lambs . . . Sharing a passover meal at Easter.

THE QUEEN IS COMINGi

KING

toe, waiting for the revealing of

the Sons of God,

StevG and I

had been meet

Oh that I would have at least the

ing in Coventry about camp. Now I was on my way back to Birmingham. Steve was giv
ing me a lift to the train
station.

same excitment at the thought of THE KING coming. He is, you know, and His arriving has been announced.
Penny

As we came to Warwick Road

we found it lined with crowds of people.

Prayer:

"What's going on?"

In Aid of a Bridge-Crossing
Sometimes there's nothing you

"It's the Queen!" was the reply.

I asked to be let out near the station so I could wait for the

can do but pray.

John and Audrey

Hurdman's situation is a case in

Queen, then hurry to my train, not

realizing that she too would be boarding her train which was now

point. They know all the right an swers, but as of yet, they are un
able to cross over into the world of salvation and love. Satan still

waiting beneath the overpass on which I was standing.

I waited with the crowd for half and hour. She was late. I waited

has Audrey believing that Jesus is

not quite capable of taking over her

with quickening pulse, a catch in my

thro-at-and-tears-of excitment brtm-'

life and helping her solve her prob lems. And John, well, - praise God
he's learning to talk to his friends
about his search. Once that was an

ing in my eyes. "The Queen, I've never seen the

impossibility.

But, still he waits.

Queen. She has to be real, I've seen her on the telly. What will she be like? Will her eyes happen to see
me in all the crowd? I do have on

Why? Why do they both wait? Why do any of us put off an important,
weighty decision? Is it a fear of the unknown, or the fear of not be

a red blouse.
hand?
cream? Yes.

What if she shakes my

Look at all those

ing able to carry it through?

Of course, the answers to their

Should I put on some hand

people just as excited as me. I'll bet many of them have seen her be

fore, Don't they ever get tired of waiting? Do they really love as

fears are easy to say: "Jesus will not let you go; He loves you; give your life to Him; let Him guide you," But those kinds of answers only hit

they seem to?"

My thoughts went on

and dig deep into the lives of peo ple when they are accompanied by the
Holy Spirit and prayer.
I have written for no other rea

and on, my neck grew tired from

straining to see if the car was com ing.

Suddenly my tired neck reminded me of a picture in Romans 8:18-25:

son than that you might pray for their salvation. Our prayers are

needed for them to cross the bridge

of surrender, love, and trust.
Bev

a picture of creation waiting, eager ly, straining their necks to peer a-

round corners and over crowds on tip

Who is My Neighbor?
We met some neighbors the other day, all within six hours. Some lived a house or two away, one down the street, and another in some other part of town,
Edna said she believed in Jesus,

mother whose husband has no desire

to go to church. She doesn't feel right leaving him on Sunday. "Is

there a mid-week morning meeting I could come to?" Will there be an op portunity to Indroduce them to Jesus? Nicholas was the Yugoslavian. When he was 14 he was in a prisoner of war camp learning first hand the
extent of man's hatred.
to me about this rubbish.

but that you can only really think about Him if you are ill. She suf fers from a very mild form of Multiplescleroisis. She said she would like to go to a church where people really enjoy their Christianity.
Will she come?

"Don't talk
I f there

Another woman was bitter toward

a church that threatened her with

the horrors of hell and judgement at Jesus' second coming. Will she
find the balance of God's love and
wrath?

is a God, why did he let them do these horrible things?" How can he be helped to see God's purpose? Do I know my neighbors? Who are my neighbors anyway? "A certain man was going down
from Jerusalem to Jericho .

"Dear God, meet their needs through me."

Penny

Jane was the name of a young

ERDIN6T0N TEAM 144 Gravelly Lane Birmingham B23 6LT

ENGLAND

COVENTRY TEAM 49 Huntington Rd. Coventry CV5 6PT

ENGLAND

AMERICAN CORRESPONDENT
M/M C. L. Davis 1010 N. Monroe St.

Lincoln, III. 62656

U.S.A.
ai/ij owen

Ptnn^
Wu/fin.

ftjickef/e

atni

Crtaie^ ^Jrin^ton

Non-profit Bulk Rate U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Lincoln. III. 62656

Permit #76

Iiissions Services
Box 177

EPISTLE FROM ENGLAND Lincoln Christian Church 204 N. McLean Street

Kempton, IN 46049

Lincoln, III. 62656

cltafftn^in^ a po)l-dtriiUan nation wilft ike

Vol. 5 No. 2

of Ciriil

October 1977

Camping

Provisions
"How

When we went out to set up for the two sessions of children's camp,

I found to my surprise a little wooden cow shed, a marquee (large tent),

a garage with a heater, and a helpful, smiling, Christian farmer.

blessed we are," I thought, "I wonder why."

(In the past three years we

have usually had only a field and our tents, so we've rented a hall not far away just in case of rain.) Finally, the tents were set up and all sorts of exciting things were planned for the camp that would be filled with sunshine as in the past. When I woke up the next day to the sound of continuous rain, my mind refused to comprehend. We arrived at the church building and it was still pouring. We picked up the excited kids and landed at the campsite. The rain stopped for about 30 minutes and then continued to pour all day. By the second day with the rain still belting down, I began to review the Noah storyi Undaunted, the rain kept on falling the final day and by the closing meeting, we were glad to get home. But we were praising God that we were so well protected. I think that one of the staff members expressed it best, "I didn't pray for the rain to stop because God pro vided so much protection that it seemed as if that was enough." God knew
oyr needsli

With the continual rain, we really wondered how the children would cope. But cope they did - they loved camp at the worst of times. The
second week was much better for weather, and the kids were relieved.

We put together kids from Erdington and Coventry another church. The growth within the children was We've all seen it. Many answers have stopped being come more real. We have also experienced something a comradeship on which we can build.

with a couple from really quite amazing. merely rote and be together which brings

When Abraham was asked to sacrifice Isaac on the altar, God provided a ram instead. Abraham named that place in Hebrew, "Jehovah jireh" - in English, "God will provide." I echo Abraham in priase, "Jehovah jireh!"
Bev

NEW APPROACH The goal is each one mature in Christ and the Lord has led us to reconsider how our Tuesday Bible studies need to be approached to best achieve this emphasis. We have felt the need for a more total ministry rather than merely an academic study.
We have divided into four groups which will meet in various homes with specific goals to lead us toward the maturity to
which we are called. Four leaders have been chosen who will

meet for prayer and encouragement to help each member of their group to grow toward the goals. We want God's Word to be a mirror in which we see ourselves as we really are, both as individuals and as a fellowship. We want to see where we fall short and need to change. We see the need for deeper honesty and sharing confessing our sins to each other and really seeking God's guidance and strength through His Word and one another. We see the need to have a real commitment to one another, praying for each other and coming with a desire to play our part in building one another up in love. As we commence these groups we ask for your prayers for the leaders and the groups - that we might really grow in our love for the Lord and each

other. We praise God for what He's doing with us and pray for all God's people that we might always be ready to adapt and change as He leads us, not being set in our routine and limiting Him from doing great things,
Pete Bowen (husband of Jan)
FISCAL YEAR

t-
Once a year we write to you about money - only to report your giving. Most of us are supported by the giving of one to three churches with

FINANCl

RECEIPTS

Janet Baines Jan Bowen

Debbie Davis
Steve & Lee Tate

$3,490. $7,410. $4,369.

ocassional gifts from elsewhere. After four years, we still commend this method. We are glad that we

$7,410.

do not have to spend time, both in

America and letters, to "drum up
money."

U.S.A.

TEAM FUNDS

And our testimony is that God really does take care of us. In

Balance Sept. 1, 1976 Receipts $299.12 Expenses $898.15 Balance Aug. 31, 1977

$602.29

fact, He takes care of us so well

that sometimes we take Him for

3.26

granted. But most of us have known what it is to count on God alone.

When we had no idea where our money

would come from or whether i t would

continue, He took care of us.

Something new this year.

Nearly

AUDREY is the one who could never talk to her friends

about

Jesus. And her comments about baptism, "You'll never get me in there." In a building packed largely with onlookers who she had
talked to about Jesus and wanted to know more of the Lord and

Savior she confessed, Audrey experienced that great spiritual/ physical happening of being born again. Afterwards she told
Roger, "I want the whole of Erdington to know about Jesus." In

the week, a number of people asked her about what they had heard. The word was already spreading. She calls it:

Unwinding A Fairy Tale

The past few months for me have been a gradual unwinding of what used to seem like a fairy tale. I have been fortunate enough to meet a group of people who have taken

trying to find a flaw somewhere way out if you like. Anyway, I'd lived all my life without Jesus, why should I 'need Him now? But in the back of my mind I knew how much
He'd suffered for me and if I

.a|

the time and patience to teach me a little about the life, death, and
resurrection of Jesus Christ.

could

only say yes to His way of life, my

life would be richer and fuller

For a long time I had doubts a-

and the fighting between my mind

and what I
over.

bout certain things, until I came to realize that they were not really
doubts so much as excuses. I was

knew He wanted would be

(continued on back page)

. . September 1976 - August 1977
RECEIPTS

\L TIMES
half of Michelle's regular support comes from Christians in Coventry of their own initiative. We think

that it's a good thing - you may be helping to support their ministry,
but they are supporting someone else.

Penny Creasey Michelle Edrington Roger Edrington

$5,846. $2,853. $6,175, $3,951.

They both receive and give. So, a portion of the recorded money came not from America, but England.
All of us received some kind of

(Special for house $1,300)

Bev Mullins (Special for car $800.)

increase this year - that helps a

bit to beat the 16^7o inflation that

U.K.

TEAM FUNDS

continues.

We still think that your

value for money in us is not bad eight people in two team ministries for less than $45,000.

So, we put our record books away

for another year and talk to God who talks to you about our needs. THANKS

Balance Sept. 1, 1976 Receipts $866.46 Expenses $491.35 Balance August 31, 1977

$ 58,59

$433.70

FOR YOUR CONCERN.

Roger

(continued from Page 3)

NEW

SS (COVENTRY)

Finally I was asked (by another study group member) if in view of

all I had learned, I could turn my back on it and walk away. Of course the answer was, ."No." So now I am a Christian, a little wiser than I was before, but with such a lot to
learn, I'm sure.

Audrey HurdmanOl)
A Gift-

Nathan Lee Tate We very happily report a very spec ial new beginning in our lives, es pecially in Steve and Lee's. Their son, Nathan, was born on August 20 Even at his young age, Nathan has his own 'ministry' to all the
'aunties' and 'nanies' who want to

What's new about Sunday School? Basically, our attitudes and en thusiasm. We are beginning the second year of a two year program of making our own lessons. At a teacher's evaluation meeting we agreed to continue our monthly training meetings. After sharing a Sunday meal together, we spend the afternoon 'teaching' each other the lessons for the coming month, using a variety of methods and vis ual aids. As a result, we are a close group of teachers with one mind: 'to train them up in the way
of the Lord . . .' Debbie

cuddle him.

ERDiNGTON TEAM

144 Gravelly Lane Birmingham B23 6LT

ENGLAND

I
owen

COVENTRY TEAM 49 Huntington Rd. Coventry CV5 6PT

ENGLAND

AMERICAN CORRESPONDENT M/M C. L. Davis 1010 N. Monroe St. Lincoln, III. 62656
atneA

Wukeiie
rtaseu

U.S.A.

jrin^lon

Non-profit Bulk Rate U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Lincoln, III. 62656

Permit #76

EPISTLE FROM ENGLAND Lincoln Christian Church 204 N. McLean Street

Lincoln, III. 62656

Uc (torn fttg/ p
{kaitt! t n^mf
a

from a Juaf learn an ttalion wiik ikt tfaimi of Ckrii!

3 November 1977

Vol.

No.

THIS WEEK another Church of Christ

ventured out in the almost forgotten

area of evangelism. Knowing the necessity and having
seen the results in our work and

^omit tKalk glbout jligsiion

Like much of ministry, much of mission is just good hard slog.
There are times when we can write

those patterned after it, they be

gan an evangelism committee. After

spending several weeks of prepara

tion, they went out in a door-to-

about drunks knocking on our door at 2 a.m. or more regularly, our phone ringing and giving us little rest time because of people in need.
We can tell you of those most ex citing times when someone tells us
of his desire to follow Christ--

door survey approach designed to

talk to people about Christ. In their first night, the six two-man
teams from Bournville found i t both

hugging, praising, and true joy.

But most of mission depends on
how an individual views the normal

a challenge and a blessing. "Nearly

every team found someone interested

in an Investigation Group," they

report.

For a view of the unity discussions in Great Britain, read

Martin Robinson's article in the

Christian life. When he has jobs to do that are far from glamorous like wanting to say something sig nificant and helpful in a sermon but having a limited time to prepare-the man in mission must remind him

Christian Standard, October 2.

CORRECTION: Last month's financial

self consciously that God wants to lead him. When a tiring day is fin

ished and an evening of trying to

report should have recorded Jan

Bowen receiving $6,000 (instead of $7,410). Bev Mullin's recalcula tion is $4,174 (instead of $3,951). Please excuse the errors and change
the reports if you keep them.
If there are questions that you would like an
swered or articles that

move people to talk about important things arrives, the man in mission is tempted to only put in his time.
He must remind himself that His Lord

will renew His strength, that the Helper will help in directing conver sations. When counselling situations with immoral people seem to contra

dict and give room for cynicism,

positive perspective can only come from the man in mission's MAN/GOD. We try to be honest when we write, but remember it's only one man's
mind in one man's moment about one man's experience in mission.
Roger

should appear here, do

not hestitate to write to us at the

addresses printed. Note that the Erdington address has been changed

in the last couple of months.

tldjiiS toa^ t\)t Wttk tljat^as!

In this issue v;e want

Jan and JB continued door-to-door

to try to give you a 'feel'

for the kinds of ministry in which the Coventry team
is now involved. As has been stressed in other is

surveys in the afternoon. In the late afternoon JB began a Bible

Study with two ten year- old boys These boys are from Christian homes
and want to know more about commit

sues, ours is a changing ministry. As the leadership within the church grows to take on new re sponsibilities, the team must search for new ways to witness, serve and
train. What follows are some excerpts

ment, Steve managed to get in a few hours sermon preparation. Typically our Wednesday work day started at 1 p-m. JB was able to
see several of the Church members

from some of the things in which we

have been involved during the last couple of weeks. Hopefully this will help you to visualize our present ministry better. At our regular Monday planning meeting, the team assigned articles for our newsletter, began our plan ning for Christmas activities and pray^"for~~ihdrviduals to whom we

and pensioners on her list, Steve counseled with Robin over lunch,
met with Mr. Withnall to discuss the

agenda for the Quarterly business meeting, and shared a meal and en

couragement (over a piano lesson)

with Mark on his way home from the
office. Jan saw Marion as usual for

their weekly Bible study.

(She is

not able to come to midweek activi

ties and values the fellowship.)

Debbie caught up on her planning for our Youth Program, Sunday School curriculum, and her talk for the Thursday Pensioner's service. Later at the building, we had our midweek prayer time. Then we discussed our Christmas program and the building
extension progress. Later Steve took Phil for a visit to Mick and Maggie who haven't attended worship recently, 9 a.m. Thursday found Steve meet ing for prayer and planning with seven 'evangelical' ministers. The

are ministering. We were particulai?ly encouraged by progress made with SylviaJan and JB met her during their Tuesday calling. They've
studied with her for several months

now and she seems to be moving to wards commitment. In the evening Steve continued teaching New Testa
ment Greek to Pete and Phil.

JB and Debbie began Tuesday as usual visiting three young mothers who have not been Christians long. They need much encouragement and fellowship. Jan and Steve unsuccess fully tried to visit a lady recently widowed. Her son-in-law, a disen
chanted Catholic has attended Bible

subject of this monthly fellowship

was how to take best advantage of the film. The Hiding Place soon to

Study and worship services for over a year now. As always, Tuesday brought preparation for our home Bible Study evenings, which use The
Measure of a Church by Gene Getz,

be in Coventry. The ladies of the Church met as usual for their weekly
luncheon discussion. Instead of the

team's usual meeting to share person

al problems

(turn to back page)

IN VIEW OF A YEAR

iSeto Cbge on Cfaangelisim.

We have launched our second year in Erdington with a significant re
shuffle of the work loads for each

One year has passed for

us here in Erdington. We arrived wondering what the future held. Some things were quite obvious: for Roger and Michelle there were marriage plans; for Penny it was the prospect of making this country her home. But how God
would work with this Church and the

team member. To allow Roger more time to nurture the existing Body, provide special teaching for new

Christians, and to scout the area

for unbelievers in his Ph.D. pro ject, Beverly, Penny, and I have
taken on the main thrust of "cold-

community was a mystery and a chal lenge for all of us. Looking back, I first found God's ways to be slow. Now I realize that His actions are like those of a young person in love. God is wooing this church. He is expressing his inten
tions and desires with His truth

turkey" callingthe thankless, usually wet, task of door knocking. In the past year our spirits have frequently been dampened by the predominantly negative responses, the slammed doors, the polite dis interest, the obviously false ex cuses. Mistaken alternatively for Jehovah's Witnesses or Mormons, we
have often been reluctant to risk

that is so simple.
Within a l l four of us there is a

burning desire to communicate the truth about God. We have been given the opportunity to do this through

our noses on yet another closed

door!

PREACHING (beginning a Sunday evening

service adds extra time to listen to

God's Word), WORSHIP (a more spon

taneous yet serious time has been a

help), STUDY GROUPS (some have never

actually talked openly about their

God), EVANGELISM (this frightens

many of our people, but we pray for it to become a natural part of their

lives), and JAM TIME (where children

are expressing a real interest in

God and are a joy to reach).

That

Then we spent some time on our retreat analyzing these feelings of defensiveness, and I came to a re newed awareness that the person these people are rejecting is not me, but Christ! I am sent from the King, I have Good News to share, and if they don't want to know, that is their own responsibility. They are only missing out on real living after alll
Now we are out on the streets

names only a few of the normal ways. Our lives have touched many people this year; three have responded to Christ, and many more are being woo ed. Just how God will accomplish this task will be a joy to behold. We are glad to be his servants!
Bev

with a new zest, we have almost

doubled the number of hours of

calling, and we go with the expect

ant attitude of the servant who has

asked his Sovereign to exercise

His Power--and knows He will.
Michelle

(continued from page two)

and victories, the team met with Mr. Withnall, to catch up on the various activities of the Church. 3 p.m. we went to our regular service of hymns
and devotions at the Pensioner's flatlets. Debbie and Jan visited

including publishing our church news paper, 'Koinonia'. Jean helps her
with this.

Jane briefly. Later Jan held her midweek 'Theophilus' group for ages
three to seven. JB and new Christian

Para continued their Gospel of Luke study for older children. After fish 'n chips, JB and Debbie attend ed a regular meeting for some of the
older ladies.

For a refreshing change from our normal Saturday activity of building our extension (you should see JB in

As may be expected, Sunday was one of our busiest days. Jan, JB and Debbie taught Sunday School classes and Steve preached. Lunchtime found several of us pursuing our ministry of hospitality. Some Sunday afternoons teachers or youth workers meet, but last Sunday it was the Tuesday Night Home Group Leader's turn. We all shared in a real good 'sing' and teaching in our evening service followed by our usual house fellowship time afterwards.
I t was a full week of varied min

work overalls!), Jan and Steve, their

spouses and four others attended a

istries. We are full of hope that He can use our efforts for His King
dom.
THE COVENTRY TEAM

Christian Family Life Seminar. Deb bie pursued her secretarial duties

ER0IN6T0N TEAM

144 Gravelly Lane Birmingham B23 6LT

ENGLAND

COVENTRY TEAM 49 Huntington Rd.

Coventry CV5 6PT

ENGLAND

AMERICAN CORRESPONDENT M/M C. L. Davis 1010 N. Monroe St. Lincoln, III. 62656
U.S.A.

P<nn^

WuUi,

Cdrin^lon
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.,tu It""
^ ekattm^in^ apoil-Clriilian nalion willi llir c/aimi of CkrUl
Vol. 5 No. 4 December 1977

from a Juat Imm miniiti-^

^ f

The gift and calling of the equipping minister (Ephesians 4:11) is to be

a servant of the Church. Trends of Church organization and leadership will
These will advance its search for rel

Serve Me,Serve My Church'

come and go.

Alternative structures of worship and "body life" will (and

should) bend and stretch the Church.

evant means of bringing the gospel into modern man's daily life. But in the midst of all this coming and going, the Lord needs those servants of the church who are ready to give all their strength to care for God's people wherever they are found. While the Church universal bends and stretches in its growing pains, those ready to tend God's flock must harness that growth through consistent

guidance.

It often appears not so glamorous or exciting to serve the Church

But those two areas of service must be one and the

as to serve the Christ.

same.

Jesus' call to His servants has not changed.

"Tend my sheep." (John

Strike Three Plus

Strike is an everyday word in Great Britain. Every news program and pap er carries word of various union strikes for higher pay. Some disputes in the past year have caused shortages of bread, sugar, and even toilet paper. Now we are bearing the consequences of an electric worker's strike. There are spot power cuts throughout our cities in which electricity may be cut off for up to three hours once or twice a day. Candles stand ready and fortun ately we have gas heating and cooking. And even more dangerous, the firemen came out on strike on the day of writing. Terrorists and political revolu tionists are already setting fires to cause chaos and destruction. Some are complaining of strikers holding the nation to ransom because of their own

selfish ends.

These endless strikes are a reminder of a world of people

How long, oh Lord 111
Debbie

living only for themselves.

NO EPISTLE NEXT MONTH

Christ the Lordi"

We publish it eleven times yearly with

a break because of our especially busy proclamation at Christmas time, "I am here with Good News for you. This very day your Saviour was born From the teams in Erdington and Coventry and our American Correspondents
comes a very sincere wish of a JOYOUS CELEBRATION OF CHIRST'S BIRTH.

The Hiding Place

. . . recently became a topic for discussion in my Sunday School class. This contemporary motion picture is based on the struggles of two middleaged Christian women in a Ravensbruk concentration camp during

PARTICULARS
^^^After a few months break, we have
Once a resumed our "Teach-ins".

month we get together with Christians

from the Birmingham area (including

Erdington) to share a time of worship^

teaching, prayer and fellowship. We are having a series of five meetings on the topic, "Life in the Spirit."
The first in the series blessed us
as we discussed the conflict decrib-

World War II. They were imprisoned for helping Jewish refugees.
In one scene Betsy is beaten and

ed in Romans.

Do we live in the

her sister Corrie wants revenge on

the guard. She is filled with mur

derous thought but Betsy insists, "No hate, Corrie, no hate." A few impressive scenes later they pray for
the Germans.

flesh, under the Law or by the Spirit. ***The Coventry Church is very grate
ful to a U.S.A. Church who sent us

I have been trying to teach my boys that Christianity is not just joining the Church. My lesson point on this day was choosing God's way or our own. One of the boys, Steven, remarked about this scene in the movie. At

a gift to help build our extension. Part of the money was used to pur chase ready-mixed concrete for the floors. We started the job of the
floors on November 5. A few from

first I thought he was digressing, but I learned that he was clearly

challenged by the reactions of the
sisters.

I mentioned the Luke passage, "Love

your enemies . . . pray for those who persecute you." "Impossible!" cried

Erdington, a couple of visiting missionaries from Belgium, and Steve's cousin helped us in our "work camp". We had a good time of fellowship and we certainly worked! We praise God for the help received. ***We held a Guest Service on Sunday evening, November 6, to which we

made a special invitation to families,

friends, and contacts as well as several who had been part of our fellowship in the past. It was good to see new faces and have the oppor
tunity to share the love of Jesus

Steven. The door was open for me to show that it wasn't impossiblejust
hard. We discussed how Corrie was filled with hate but had to come to

the Lord for her strength.

Only then

with them.

We pray that the Spirit

could she pray for the Germans. I really thank the Lord for "The

will convict them to follow Jesus

through what they heard and experi

enced.

Hiding Place", which is presently

touring England. Please pray with me that many others will be able to use its message of struggle, hardship, blessing, and victory.
Janet

*";^r*Steve, Lee, and Nathan Tate will

be the U.S.A. between December 21

and February 1.

You may contact

them at RR #4, Champaign, IL 51820.

Phone 217-897-1271.
Jan

ON BOOKS
October 16-23. Christian Book Week. What does that mean? For

the team here it meant a special promotion of Christian litera

ture.

During the week, our publicity went through over 400 letter

boxes in the shape of bookmarks advertising our Saturday bookstall. This seemed quite a project to me with over $180 worth of books available.

Saturday came and all the would-be shoppers wandering along our street were greeted with the rather challenging statement, "READ FOR YOUR

LIFE" splashed across a white sheet over the church driveway. Several people were intrigued enough by this, and the spectacle of several display tables of books, to stop and browse around. The team had several valuable opportunities to talk to people about their particular needs and interests, and to share the content of books that seemed appropriate. In some ways it was quite frightening to be faced with absolute strangers with no survey sheet to hide behindi But it was also exhilarating

to think that we had been able to put Christian reading material into people's hands. We pray that somewhere, somehow God will really use these activities
of our ministry to stir the minds and hearts of our community.
' Michelle

YOUTH
How exciting Summer Camp was for
us and our J.A.M. children! Besides

the will to investigate

Because of Penny, Michelle, and Bev "beating the bushes" in door-todoor work, we have begun another In vestigation Group. Seven people varying from a man strongly interest ed in spiritualism to a woman with a Roman Catholic family are coming to
our home for discussion. old mother. "We're here

the formal times, just being together

was good because we could talk and

share Jesus naturally. So, we began a Youth Group on Wednesday nights. The program struct ure is loose. It is mostly a time to play games, chat, and be together. But in a Christian setting we are able to help them thank God and think of Him in a natural way. These 12-14 year olds are watching us. Either consciously or subconsci ously they are looking to see some thing in our lives. If they see us as people who care and who aren't afraid to let God come into our world, they will be one step closer to see
ing the real Jesus who can take their

to find some answers," said a 33 year At the completion of the first session, a 23 year old sausage maker said, "I don't believe a word you're saying but I'm willing to carry
through and listen." At the end of

the second session he asked me pri vately, "What if I decide to accept

Jesus and my wife doesn't? Will I go to heaven and she not go?" Later he added, "I'm just taking it all in
now. I ' l l s i f t i t out later," A

lives and save them supernaturallyl

Bev

good way to begin.

Roger

PERSONAL EPISTLE

(Beginning with this issue,

we intend to include a letter

my age. We talked about God. She didn't know Him. In fact she in

sisted that during a crisis in her

from a team member each month.)

Dear Friends, A lot of things can happen to a person when one goes on vacation.

life she had never once thought of God-not even to blame or to ask why.
My heart asked, "How can this be? Back home people talk about God all

One can travel to exciting places

to which he has never been (which

the time (in one way or another)."

I used to think I was "Where it

I did), (which I did often), or try

eating and shopping a country where you don't know the language. My vacation ended October 16, but the effect still lingers. The Lord made some very heavy impressions on
my life. I stood on the bank of the River Seine one afternoon and watch

was at". Now I've been learning that the action takes place where there is despair and emptiness and someone

asks, "Have you never thought that

there must be more to life than this?"
and then shares Jesus.

Rejane was excited to receive a

New Testament.
questions.

Pray for her; pray

ed a rescue team recover the body of a young man. My heart asked,

"Why? What despair?" I traveled on
a train with a Parisian woman about

for mei pray for yourself that we all

will start asking people the important

In Jesus, Penny

ERDIN6T0N TEAM

144 Gravelly Lane Birmingham B23 6LT

ENGLAND

COVENTRY TEAM

i 'Coventry CV5 6PT

49 Huntington Rd.
ENGLAND

AMERICAN CORRESPONDENT M/M C. L. Davis 1010 N. Monroe St. Lincoln, III. 62656
U.S.A.

WicUfe

(OJrin^lon
Non-profit Bulk Rate U.S. POSTAGE PAID Lincoln. III. 62656 Permit #76

rtaie^

^Jringlon

EPISTLE FROM ENGLAND Lincoln Christian Church 204 N. McLean Street

Lincoln, 111. 62656