A photo of our 8am congregation growth group celebrating Tracy’s birthday (third from the left).Tracy became a Christian last year, and has been a great encouragement to our whole group.
Highlight
This year at St John’s, we have seen a record number of people sign up for growth groups in the English congregations. Particularly in our 8am congregation, we have had the wonderful problem of not having enough growth group leaders. In light of this, I have been hosting a morning growth group (pictured above). At first I wasn’t sure how things would work out: How was I qualified to lead a bible study with group members who have been reading the bible for over 80 years? But indeed it has been an absolute joy serving this group. God is teaching me how his word needed by all people, and I am learning Paul’s command in 1 Timothy 4:12 – Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. God is also showing me the imperative to train leaders of all ages in his church- please do pray for me that God would raise up more growth group leaders at 8am.
Reflection
As part of my Cornhill studies, we have been studying the book of 2 Timothy with Simon Manchester. I am learning that the call to full-time gospel work is not just an invitation to proclaim the word of God, but also an invitation into hard toil and suffering. Yet, I’ve been reminded by those around me that we have a gracious God who is sovereign over all things – and he is the one what will ultimately complete the work. This month I am challenged by what it means to hold these two things in balance, so that I may suffer like a good soldier, compete like the obedient athlete, and work hard like the hopeful farmer. Please pray for me that my life and ministry would be marked with love, sweat, and patience.
Prayer
- Please thank God for the members of my 8am congregation, especially for Tracy who became a Christian last year and is a huge encouragement to us all
- Pray that God would teach me what it means to serve Christians that are older and more mature than me
- Please pray that God raise up more growth group leaders at our 8am congregation
- Please for my life and ministry that it would be marked with love, sweat, and patience
The Marsden Fund 