Wow, another week has come and gone. We are very busy as we are trying to “finish strong” in all of our relationships and ministry opportunities. This coming week is our last week of “regular ministry.” We’ll have all the regular school assemblies, lunch clubs, after school clubs, youth clubs etc. The following week is good-bye parties at the various schools, youth clubs, and churches that we work with. It’s hard to believe that I’ll be back in the States in a little less than three weeks.
The highlight of this past week was hanging out with my new friend Monthana. On Friday my teammate Drew and I went with Monthana to the mosque that he attends. Monthana is a devout Muslim and was honoured that Drew and I were interested in learning more about his beliefs and practices. It was a very interesting experience to observe. Everyone at the mosque was very kind and respectful to us. After the service Monthana took us out for coffee and we talked about the service, similarities and differences to a service at the churches I am a part of etc. In two weeks Monthana is going to attend a service at St. James that Drew and I are leading worship at. Monthana girlfriend, Audra, is especially excited to attend one of our services as she grew up Catholic and does not currently have any religious affiliations.
Today was the all age service at St. James. As always, I’m blown away by the receptiveness to new experiences of worship. Today the service was even more focused towards the children in our worship. It was wonderful to see both children and adults of all ages doing the motions to Jump Into the Light, Our God Is a Great Big God, and Big House. Holy Is the Lord and Come, Now Is the Time to Worship are two other songs I lead today that have become favourites of St. James as well.
As a bit of a financial update, I have been blessed by your generosity in supporting me. Thus far, you all have committed to nearly 25% percent of the support I need to continue to serve in England. That is a great response in just one week’s time. I hope that you will continue to pray about the opportunity to join with me in the amazing things God is doing in Salford.
Our theme verse for the next few weeks is found in Hebrews 12:1-3 and says:
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up (NLT).
Whatever season of life you find yourself leaving or maybe just beginning, keep your eyes on Jesus
Every new beginning is some other new beginning’s end,
Chaddington
