From 03-09 July Grace Baptist Church Wood Green had their third annual week of prayer and giving. Below are the points covered over the seven days.Maturity of the church
Pray.
More important than any ministries of the church, more important even than how many members are in the church, is the maturity of the church. This is particularly vital as a significant portion of our congregation on a Sunday have become Christians and been baptised within the last five or so years, and still more come from unhealthy church backgrounds in the past. Maturity is seen in humility, unity, steadfastness and perseverance through difficulty and suffering, self control in what we say and do and how we say and do it, a devotion to the Lord and his people, a heart for the lost and an impulse to share the gospel with them, clear convictions, evident compassion, and biblical discernment. Prayer for maturity is then a priority.
The maturity for which we pray is accomplished primarily through the ministry of discipleship, which involves the teaching and preaching of God's word and how we respond to it at a practical level. Whether through our Sunday morning Gospel Project growth groups sessions, expositional preaching in our morning and evening services from Pastor Ryan and Elder Charles, weekly prayer meetings, in-the-week men's and women's Bible studies, evangelistic book tables, or personal one to one Bible studies, the message of Jesus Christ and what means for us takes centre stage and if we are paying attention, we have no excuse for spiritual inactivity and immaturity. Pray for the leaders of the church, that they would achieve their purpose of "the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:12). Pray for the members of the church, that they would "all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness" (Ephesians 4:13).
Give.
Growth group resources, evangelistic leaflets, invitation cards, literature for the book table, and any other tools we use for the up building of the church and equipping of saints for the work of ministry cost money. Furthermore, we are told in Scripture to practically support those who labour in the ministry (Ephesians 5:17-18). These practical needs aside, it is still right that we give. Giving is itself evidence of maturity, as it demonstrates that we understand that everything we have is given to us by God and should be used for his glory and the good of his people over our personal gain. Furthermore, it has the added benefit of funding those ministries that further develop our maturity.
"Do all roads lead to God?" Outreach
Pray.
Last year we had an evangelistic event called "Is the Church Past Its Sell-By Date?". This year, we will have a "Do All Roads Lead to God?" evening with our former pastor and General Secretary of the Grace Baptist Partnership, Barry King as the speaker. The event will be held on Wednesday evening, 20 July, at 7:00 pm in the Alexandra Hall, 64 Alexandra Road, N8 0LJ. The event will be promoted through personal invitations, social media, our evangelistic book table, door to door conversations, and leaflet distribution. Pray that God would bless these efforts and those who are engaged in them for his glory in good conversations and gospel conversions. Pray for the people in our area who will be reached by this event. We desire to see people saved from their sin and its eternal consequence! Pray that it would be so.
Give.
Growth group resources, evangelistic leaflets, invitation cards, literature for the book table, and any other tools we use for the up building of the church and equipping of saints for the work of ministry cost money. Furthermore, we are told in Scripture to practically support those who labour in the ministry (Ephesians 5:17-18). These practical needs aside, it is still right that we give. Giving is itself evidence of maturity, as it demonstrates that we understand that everything we have is given to us by God and should be used for his glory and the good of his people over our personal gain. Furthermore, it has the added benefit of funding those ministries that further develop our maturity.
"Do all roads lead to God?" Outreach
Pray.
Last year we had an evangelistic event called "Is the Church Past Its Sell-By Date?". This year, we will have a "Do All Roads Lead to God?" evening with our former pastor and General Secretary of the Grace Baptist Partnership, Barry King as the speaker. The event will be held on Wednesday evening, 20 July, at 7:00 pm in the Alexandra Hall, 64 Alexandra Road, N8 0LJ. The event will be promoted through personal invitations, social media, our evangelistic book table, door to door conversations, and leaflet distribution. Pray that God would bless these efforts and those who are engaged in them for his glory in good conversations and gospel conversions. Pray for the people in our area who will be reached by this event. We desire to see people saved from their sin and its eternal consequence! Pray that it would be so.
Give.
We are grateful that the leaflets and speaker have been provided courtesy of the Grace Baptist Partnership. We make an annual contribution to the Partnership general fund, and if you would like to make an additional contribution you may do so either through an envelope in the general offering marked "GBP" or online at http://www.gracebaptistpartnership.org.uk/about-gbp/donate/. As with other ministries of the church, or born out of our church, it is important that we realise the importance of giving not only to maintain what exists but also to sustain and support ongoing development and growth.
We are grateful that the leaflets and speaker have been provided courtesy of the Grace Baptist Partnership. We make an annual contribution to the Partnership general fund, and if you would like to make an additional contribution you may do so either through an envelope in the general offering marked "GBP" or online at http://www.gracebaptistpartnership.org.uk/about-gbp/donate/. As with other ministries of the church, or born out of our church, it is important that we realise the importance of giving not only to maintain what exists but also to sustain and support ongoing development and growth.
LTS Summer Placements
Pray.
Recently, Pastor Ryan shared with the church that he was speaking with the Principal and Vice Principal of London Theological Seminary about getting a student to work with us for a three week placement this summer. We are delighted to have received not just one, but two such placements. Manuel Redondo - originally of Barcelona, Spain - will be with us from Sunday, 17 July. John Kerr (British, but recently returned from several years in New Zealand) will begin on Monday, 18 July, joined by his wife Lisa and young daughter Chloe. They will be assisting with the weekly life of the church, both will have opportunities to preach, and they will participate in some evangelistic projects while they are with us. Please pray for them as they prepare for their placements, pray that the plan would be suited to their needs personally and educationally, pray that they would be blessed by the time they have with us, and pray that they would be a blessing both to our church and the surrounding area. Pray that through these weeks, we might build a good relationship with them that will be conducive to future gospel partnership as they progress in their ministries at home and abroad.
Pray.
Recently, Pastor Ryan shared with the church that he was speaking with the Principal and Vice Principal of London Theological Seminary about getting a student to work with us for a three week placement this summer. We are delighted to have received not just one, but two such placements. Manuel Redondo - originally of Barcelona, Spain - will be with us from Sunday, 17 July. John Kerr (British, but recently returned from several years in New Zealand) will begin on Monday, 18 July, joined by his wife Lisa and young daughter Chloe. They will be assisting with the weekly life of the church, both will have opportunities to preach, and they will participate in some evangelistic projects while they are with us. Please pray for them as they prepare for their placements, pray that the plan would be suited to their needs personally and educationally, pray that they would be blessed by the time they have with us, and pray that they would be a blessing both to our church and the surrounding area. Pray that through these weeks, we might build a good relationship with them that will be conducive to future gospel partnership as they progress in their ministries at home and abroad.
Give.
Much of the work our placements will be doing will require resources: tracts, leaflets, invitations. These should be characterised by good content and good quality, and such things cost money. As ever, it is right and appropriate that the finances for such things be provided by the members of the church through our offerings.
Little Feet Parents and Toddlers Group
Pray.
Much of the work our placements will be doing will require resources: tracts, leaflets, invitations. These should be characterised by good content and good quality, and such things cost money. As ever, it is right and appropriate that the finances for such things be provided by the members of the church through our offerings.
Little Feet Parents and Toddlers Group
Pray.
Previous years we have prayed that God would bless and help us by adding more young children, teenagers, and the elderly to our number. This is still a matter for prayer - by far most of our growth has been and continues to be in the young (18-40) mostly single male category. One way that we hope to engage families with young children is through a new ministry aimed at parents and toddlers called "Little Feet". At Little Feet, we hope to provide a place that is safe and inviting, where parents can come one morning a week during school term-time with their children under five years old to play, do handicraft, learn about different topics in a fun way, sing, listen to books being read, meet other parents and children...and to get to know members of Grace Baptist Church Wood Green. The kind of group we have in mind is one where parents feel supported and can enjoy the fact that they are their children’s primary educators - that means the first things a child learns, it learns from its parents! So at this Parent and Toddlers Group the parents will be encouraged and supported to get involved in play and participating in the activities with their children. We will be focusing on activities that parents can do at home, and for craft will using household ingredients and materials that are economical and easy to find. We are grateful to have the assistance of Maria Amoako-Britten from the Association of Grace Baptist Churches (South-East) Home Mission. Pray that we would provide this service in a well planned, caring, welcoming way. Pray that the parents and children will appreciate what the church does for them through this. Pray that this ministry would lead to other ways of serving families in Wood Green: parenting classes, children's and teenager's ministries are just a few things that could come out of it in the years ahead. Pray that conversations at and relationships built through this ministry would lead to many wanting to know, hearing, and responding to the gospel.
Give.
Church members will be provided with a list of essentials for the upcoming trial run of our "Little Feet" parent and toddler group, to be fully launched in October. Each of these are items that need to be purchased. Perhaps you have an equivalent that is not in use or can be done without: could you donate it? Or maybe you would like to make some small investment in this important new ministry: could you purchase one of these items? If so, speak with Nneoma Efedua as soon as possible. Alternatively, you can make a contribution to the general offering in an envelope marked "Little Feet" or a transfer with the same reference.
Building improvements
Pray.
We are grateful for God's provision to re-lay the flat roof surface above the front two toilets, and to recently replace all of the windows. There is still a great deal to do in order to make the building more practically useful and aesthetically pleasing, and thereby we trust more glorifying to God as a material stewardship entrusted to us. Pray for provision. Pray for wisdom and discernment in hiring workers. Pray that the work we hope to eventually do will be to a high standard. Pray that in no way will our focus be on the building and that we won’t be obsessive about it, but that we would see it as simply another means to the end that God be glorified among us and through us.
Give.
Church members will be provided with a list of essentials for the upcoming trial run of our "Little Feet" parent and toddler group, to be fully launched in October. Each of these are items that need to be purchased. Perhaps you have an equivalent that is not in use or can be done without: could you donate it? Or maybe you would like to make some small investment in this important new ministry: could you purchase one of these items? If so, speak with Nneoma Efedua as soon as possible. Alternatively, you can make a contribution to the general offering in an envelope marked "Little Feet" or a transfer with the same reference.
Building improvements
Pray.
We are grateful for God's provision to re-lay the flat roof surface above the front two toilets, and to recently replace all of the windows. There is still a great deal to do in order to make the building more practically useful and aesthetically pleasing, and thereby we trust more glorifying to God as a material stewardship entrusted to us. Pray for provision. Pray for wisdom and discernment in hiring workers. Pray that the work we hope to eventually do will be to a high standard. Pray that in no way will our focus be on the building and that we won’t be obsessive about it, but that we would see it as simply another means to the end that God be glorified among us and through us.
Give.
We must give generously, consistently, and regularly, but also recognise that it is simply not possible for all that we give to go to improving the building: just maintaining it costs money (gas, water, electrics etc.), and we have other needs - not least supporting our pastor. It is vital then that we be patient and make this a matter of prayer for God's provision, and that through our own gifts as a church we seek to be the means through which he makes that provision.
Elder Charles and Nneoma
Pray.
Charles and Nneoma are not yet a year into their marriage and Charles is around half a year into his role as an elder in the church. We praise God for bringing them together and for helping them so far throughout the tests and testimonies of early married life. Pray for their continual growth in love and maturity, that they would be loving and gracious to each other in all things, that they would put to death things big and small that can affect their relationship, that self-centred and self righteous attitudes would have no place in their marriage. Pray that the Lord will help them to understand more how to help one another, especially as they studying the Scriptures together, which they confess they don’t do enough. Pray that they would make plans to do so and that the church will hold them accountable in this. Pray that they will have thankful hearts. Charles writes “God has so richly blessed us that any cause to lose heart actually doesn't make sense. Pray that I would be thankful for my wife and she would be thankful for me.”
Charles’s work situation is changing, so their outlook towards the future (specifically their finances) has changed. Pray that Charles would find work soon, and that God would give him direction in the way he should go. Pray that they would not lose hope and shrink back, but press forward. Pray that they would be good stewards and gracious givers in all aspects.
Pastor Ryan and Uliana
Pray.
As Ryan approaches six years since beginning pastoral ministry in the church – three years as assistant pastor, and soon to be three as pastor – he is grateful for the encouragement, help, support, love, and prayers he has received from the congregation. We have wept with him through pastorally challenging and personally painful trials. We have rejoiced with him at gospel-advancing and heart-stirring triumphs. He thanks us. Pray that we will continue and abound in our care and love for our pastor. Pray that he will know the Lord’s conviction, compassion, wisdom, power, love, and self-control in his life and ministry and that he will lack nothing that he needs. Pray that the Lord’s work in and through him would be evident as he leads the church and continues to be more involved in ministry on the mainland of Europe. Pray that God would be glorified in the many various initiatives he is engaged in at home and abroad, ecclesiastically and socially. Pray that he would continue to know the Lord’s guidance and help as he preaches, teaches, leads Bible studies, does evangelism, and seeks to facilitate and encourage biblical, evangelistic ministries among pastors and evangelists across Europe through Euro Evangelism.
We praise God that after the unexpected disappointment of a suddenly broken engagement, the Lord upheld Ryan in life and ministry through some difficult days. We praise God that he arranged for Ryan to meet Uliana Melnyk while speaking at the Euro Evangelism conference he was involved in organising in Ternopil, Ukraine last May, and for the natural development of their relationship to marriage. Ryan and Uliana are in the process of applying for her spouse visa to immigrate to the UK, where she hopes to join Ryan as his wife in September. Please pray that the application process will be smooth, that the visa will be speedily granted, and that Ryan and Uliana will enjoy a good transition into married life and ministry together.
We must give generously, consistently, and regularly, but also recognise that it is simply not possible for all that we give to go to improving the building: just maintaining it costs money (gas, water, electrics etc.), and we have other needs - not least supporting our pastor. It is vital then that we be patient and make this a matter of prayer for God's provision, and that through our own gifts as a church we seek to be the means through which he makes that provision.
Elder Charles and Nneoma
Pray.
Charles and Nneoma are not yet a year into their marriage and Charles is around half a year into his role as an elder in the church. We praise God for bringing them together and for helping them so far throughout the tests and testimonies of early married life. Pray for their continual growth in love and maturity, that they would be loving and gracious to each other in all things, that they would put to death things big and small that can affect their relationship, that self-centred and self righteous attitudes would have no place in their marriage. Pray that the Lord will help them to understand more how to help one another, especially as they studying the Scriptures together, which they confess they don’t do enough. Pray that they would make plans to do so and that the church will hold them accountable in this. Pray that they will have thankful hearts. Charles writes “God has so richly blessed us that any cause to lose heart actually doesn't make sense. Pray that I would be thankful for my wife and she would be thankful for me.”
Charles’s work situation is changing, so their outlook towards the future (specifically their finances) has changed. Pray that Charles would find work soon, and that God would give him direction in the way he should go. Pray that they would not lose hope and shrink back, but press forward. Pray that they would be good stewards and gracious givers in all aspects.
Give.
When a brother and sister are in need, it is right that we rise to the opportunity to help them. Furthermore, Charles’s role as an elder makes it even more important that we show our appreciation for him regardless of the aforementioned challenges. A random gift in a card or envelope would not go amiss, but would doubtless meet some need and encourage our brother’s and sister’s heart.
When a brother and sister are in need, it is right that we rise to the opportunity to help them. Furthermore, Charles’s role as an elder makes it even more important that we show our appreciation for him regardless of the aforementioned challenges. A random gift in a card or envelope would not go amiss, but would doubtless meet some need and encourage our brother’s and sister’s heart.
Pastor Ryan and Uliana
Pray.
As Ryan approaches six years since beginning pastoral ministry in the church – three years as assistant pastor, and soon to be three as pastor – he is grateful for the encouragement, help, support, love, and prayers he has received from the congregation. We have wept with him through pastorally challenging and personally painful trials. We have rejoiced with him at gospel-advancing and heart-stirring triumphs. He thanks us. Pray that we will continue and abound in our care and love for our pastor. Pray that he will know the Lord’s conviction, compassion, wisdom, power, love, and self-control in his life and ministry and that he will lack nothing that he needs. Pray that the Lord’s work in and through him would be evident as he leads the church and continues to be more involved in ministry on the mainland of Europe. Pray that God would be glorified in the many various initiatives he is engaged in at home and abroad, ecclesiastically and socially. Pray that he would continue to know the Lord’s guidance and help as he preaches, teaches, leads Bible studies, does evangelism, and seeks to facilitate and encourage biblical, evangelistic ministries among pastors and evangelists across Europe through Euro Evangelism.
We praise God that after the unexpected disappointment of a suddenly broken engagement, the Lord upheld Ryan in life and ministry through some difficult days. We praise God that he arranged for Ryan to meet Uliana Melnyk while speaking at the Euro Evangelism conference he was involved in organising in Ternopil, Ukraine last May, and for the natural development of their relationship to marriage. Ryan and Uliana are in the process of applying for her spouse visa to immigrate to the UK, where she hopes to join Ryan as his wife in September. Please pray that the application process will be smooth, that the visa will be speedily granted, and that Ryan and Uliana will enjoy a good transition into married life and ministry together.
Give.
A portion of Ryan's support comes through the tithes and offerings of the church. Combined with the funds he receives for his work with Euro Evangelism, his needs are met and he is particularly grateful to report that he reaches the government's required income level for bringing a spouse to the UK. This is not reason for complacency however. The rules are always changing, and the required level of income for a visa is raised when children enter the picture. Such practical considerations aside, it is right and biblical that we not only continue giving as we have been but that we seek with the Lord's help to grow in giving to support those who labour among us.
A portion of Ryan's support comes through the tithes and offerings of the church. Combined with the funds he receives for his work with Euro Evangelism, his needs are met and he is particularly grateful to report that he reaches the government's required income level for bringing a spouse to the UK. This is not reason for complacency however. The rules are always changing, and the required level of income for a visa is raised when children enter the picture. Such practical considerations aside, it is right and biblical that we not only continue giving as we have been but that we seek with the Lord's help to grow in giving to support those who labour among us.
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