Philippians 1: 3-5 – I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he expresses his thankfulness to the church because of their support of him in his ministry. He is aware of just how dependent he is both on God’s providential care and the church’s partnership in his ministry. Likewise, we are grateful to God for you, brothers and sisters, for your prayer, your care and your financial support of the St. John’s MTS apprentices over these past several years. All of the incredible ministry of word and prayer that has occurred would not have been possible without all of you.
Since 2019, God in his kindness has raised up a steady stream of men and women who have decided to enter full time vocational ministry. By the grace of God, we have seen many of the ministries of St. John’s grow due to the faithful service of our MTS apprentices. Ministries such as Kids Church, City Youth, Growth Groups and Music have all been blessed by our MTS interns. And many of our congregations have grown both in number and in Christian maturity due in part to their service. We have been richly blessed, as have they in their ministry training.
As 2024 draws to a close, we will be sending our current MTS apprentices – Preeti and Nick – as they journey into what God has in store for them next. Preeti has just entered into married life and will be assisting her husband Josh as he serves as the Family’s Minister at Minto Anglican Church. Nick will be finishing his MTS apprenticeship and will continue to serve at St. John’s while working full time. It is always a sad occasion to farewell dearly loved friends, but we do so with joy knowing that the Lord will continue to use them for his kingdom. But as we send Preeti and Nick into their next adventure, we are reminded of the need to continue to raise up the next generation of gospel workers.
We will not have any new MTS apprentices joining the team in 2025. However, in God’s kindness we have seen a growing culture of men and women considering how they will use their lives to serve Christ, particularly in full time vocational ministry. Currently there is a group (called Harvest) of around 30 men and women who meet every term to consider questions around full time ministry. This year a group of around 20 men and women attended the Sydney For the Kingdom conference in October to once again consider the question of full-time vocational ministry. All of this has resulted in several godly and enthusiastic people who are already discussing MTS apprenticeships with the St. John’s staff for the future.
As those who have partnered with us in the task of raising up gospel workers, we would love to encourage and invite you to continue your prayers and giving to the Marsden Fund. This giving will provide us with the resources to continue training people for gospel ministry into the future. We have wonderfully seen God create a great momentum in raising up more gospel-workers and we want to see that continue to grow. God-willing, we already have around 6 people who are considering MTS apprenticeships with St. John’s around 2026-2028. Your continued prayers and giving to the Marsden Fund will enable us to prepare to train them when the time arrives.
Brothers and sisters, let us persevere in prayer that the Lord of the harvest would continue to raise up full-time gospel workers and let us keep being generous to enable that to happen at St. John’s.
Yours in Christ,
The St. John’s Staff Team.
The Marsden Fund 