Through your prayers and giving, you are our partners in proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. Pray that we would continue to do so with all boldness and without hindrance!
“The biggest obstacle we face in our area is that people are too comfortable and proud because they are materially blessed.” Paul Barton, evangelist at Hyde Heath Baptist Church in the Buckinghamshire village of Hyde Heath, does not begrudge people their personal prosperity, but is deeply concerned that they enjoy the gifts but not the Giver, and that their blessings may ultimately be their curse. “My prayer and desire is that Christ will shake people up so that they would be ready to lose everything so that they may gain Christ and his salvation. My anxieties and fears are that when we preach the gospel and live out our faith to people in the village nobody repents.”
Perhaps God has already begun to shake people out of their proud complacency. During the March-June 2020 national lockdown, Paul reports a greater openness among the villagers to talk about spiritual matters and eternal truth. More people received Christian literature than previous years, and Paul had more one-to-one gospel conversations - outside, during the permitted daily exercise of course. He worked with the neighbourhood watch to create a COVID Community Support Group, which assisted those who were shielding. Shopping was purchased, prescriptions picked up and prayers prayed for those who requested it. “It was important for the village to see the gospel in action by caring for people in their time of need”, Paul notes.
The 75th Anniversary of VE day in May 2020 presented the church with another opportunity to share the gospel despite restrictions. A Spitfire plane flypast had been arranged for a local care home resident who worked with Prime Minister Churchill during WWII, and the church knew people would come outside to view it. The church building has a prime location in the village, so they decorated the church property and put out a book table with Christian literature, a great deal of which was taken.
One lady, Sue, now attends church gatherings regularly as a result of the literature distribution and the church is seeking to disciple her. They pray that she would be added to the church membership this year. Another encouragement came in September, when the church observed its first baptism for over 30 years!
Nonetheless, it is hard going. Paul is discouraged when people seem to view the ministry there in terms of results, instead of faithfulness. Regardless of perceptions or response though, Paul and the church believe that Christ is worth proclaiming.
Pray that Paul and his family would be encouraged with success from their hard work proclaiming Christ in Hyde Heath.
Pray that Hyde Heath Baptist Church would be bold to persevere in preaching the gospel when they don’t see what is happening in people’s hearts.
Pray that the church would be bold in assessing their gospel ministry and evaluating the worth of various ministries that have not borne spiritual fruit over the years, and making necessary changes.
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