Why I Became a Street Pastor

From the age of twelve, when I was confirmed in the Church of England, I found that God was giving me people to listen to. I didn’t realise the value of this for a long time, until, as I got older, I perceived that generally people wanted to talk to others rather than listen to them. I began to understand the value of the gift of listening; never more so than in the nine years I spent bereavement visiting.

When I heard of Street Pastors I felt a longing in my heart to become one as it seemed to me to be a perfect opportunity to listen to people I would never otherwise meet. Unfortunately it seemed impossible at the time for me to be able to do the training and I felt bitterly disappointed. However, within a short space of time my circumstances changed, amazingly just in time for me to start the very next training session. This seemed to me to be confirmation that this was something God wanted me to do and I was very excited to be on my way to becoming a Street Pastor. I loved the training and all the people I met doing the course. I even ended up with a fondness for Brixton where we had our training, which was the last thing I expected.

I love being a Street Pastor and all it involves. You really feel like you are out there walking the streets with God. When someone you have never met before says “Thanks for listening to me, it’s really made a difference”, or “I have never had anyone to listen to me before and I really needed someone to listen to me tonight” it makes all the early morning starts for the training and all the late nights walking the streets worthwhile.
Hazel Ross

In the Hot Seat

John Ross, our Treasurer

John, would you like to share with us something about your life

.......... AT HOME?
Life at home tends to be rather hectic at present, although I suppose that hasn’t actually changed much over the years. Since last Christmas, however, we’ve had Hazel’s 91 year old mother come to live with us, which has meant a whole new routine. That has just changed over the last two weeks as Hazel has now retired from her part time job, so is now full time carer for her mother as well as wife and mother.

.......... AT WORK?
I work full time for a Charity called the Employers Forum Age and we recently launched a new forum, the Employers Forum on Belief. My job is to look after our members (we have around 151 EFA members and now 63 EFB members,) and recruit new ones from employers around the country. We have members from large Government organisations, local authorities, large private companies, and smaller organisations with less than 500 employees. The job involves travelling, although this is generally confined to ‘days out’ rather than weeks away as it used to be in my previous jobs. I enjoy working with people, meeting and discussing policies that will make a difference to the workplace and to how people relate and respect their fellow employees. The law is complicated and an employer has to tread a careful path of neutrality and inclusion which is sometimes very difficult when they consider the Belief (or non belief).

.......... AT PLAY?
Since I’ve taken on the Treasurer’s job I don’t seem to have an awful lot of time for leisure, although now the budget is out of the way things should ease up. I enjoy playing golf with my friends and my son. I also like to read (mainly crime) do crosswords and sudoku puzzles. I like to swim and keep fit generally; however, I haven’t been able to do so much recently due to a problem with my left leg (must be old age) but I’m waiting for X-ray results. Why do they take so long to tell you these days?

How long have you known Jesus as your Lord, Saviour and Friend?

I became a Christian sometime in 1976/7, can’t give you an exact date as it wasn’t a ‘road to Damascus’ event, more a gradual realisation that God was working in my life and Jesus was important to me. I was led to Christ by a great friend, Bob Politt, who was at that time the curate at St Peter’s Church in Pickford Lane, a lovely Christian man. If you want to know more about my testimony then why not ask me?

What difference do you find being a Christian makes in your life?

Christ gives you security in your life and an ability to deal with many, and sometimes difficult, situations with a degree of understanding that you don’t always see in a non Christian. Being a Christian and dealing with people, as I have done for most of my working life, makes a difference to how you treat others. However I must admit to occasionally being a ‘grumpy old man’ when I am driving and travelling on the train in particular, but then as well as being a Christian I am also human.

Have you a favourite Bible verse?

Ephesians 3 vs 14-21, a lovely prayer of Paul, one which says just how wonderful it is to know Christ in our lives.

Thank you so much, John, for this really interesting article, which I am sure will be an encouragement to all of us - Editor

Stepping out of the Boat

Reflection from our September Members’ Evening

One of Satan’s oldest tricks is to get us to doubt God’s word and ability. Remember his words in the garden to the first couple? “Did God say?” He tried the same trick with Jesus in the wilderness. We can learn from Jesus’ answer, “It is written.” The big challenge for us today is hearing God and then moving forward in faith. The result of our Members’ Evenings together must never be we have reached an agreement but that we have discerned God’s will.

As a leadership team, (elders, deacons and ministry team leaders) we have felt God saying now was the time to move forward in bringing into reality our desire to reach out into our village using the strategically placed building God has blessed us with. As one of the deacons said; “we have always seemed to be packing our cases but never going anywhere”

This led the leadership to bring two proposals which the fellowship endorsed, that require a degree of faith.

• The first was to recommend a budget that required an increase in regular giving and also used the “reserve balance” left from last year.
• The second was as we have now established the “Refresh Centre Development Board” to recommend that we release Peter full time for one year.

For the second item we have called for the last two weeks in October to be a time of prayer and thanksgiving. We want to test this step by asking for a thank offering which would bring the funds to release Peter. Some of us were a little uncertain, so let me share some thoughts that may help.

Prayer is the power house of God’s people and we have shared with you our desire as leaders to increase our prayer life together. Can we encourage you to make use of the new dedicated prayer room? We will seek to keep the “prayer wall” current with information. Also, as the daily prayer in the morning grows, if you are ever free do come along at 9:30. We have a brief training theme for each week as we seek to equip ourselves spiritually for the task ahead.

When it comes to the challenge of budgets, let me share a couple of scriptures that have helped me in my understanding of faith and finances. In 2 Cor. 8 Paul gives us some principles on giving. We are to give out of what we have not out of what we have not. That our present abundance supplies other needs. Do be assured that in setting a faith budget your treasurer with the deacons will not spend money that is not there. However we do understand that all we have is God’s money and has been entrusted to us for His Kingdom work, not to make us feel secure. The way God supplies is illustrated in Exodus 16 in the provision of the daily manna, with the emphasis on daily. God wants us to trust Him in all things day by day. “Give us this day our daily bread.” When the Israelites’ tried to build up a supply or reserve of manna in case it did not turn up the next day they found what they kept by got maggots!

As we think about supporting Peter full time in a developmental year for the centre, several things led us to bring this recommendation unanimously from the leadership team.

• It is good to put people before buildings when looking to develop a new initiative. Buildings must always follow on and serve the vision of God’s people.
• Peter took a step of faith a year ago and reduced his work week to allow more time to engage in God’s work in church life. It was a time Peter wanted to hear God for his future.
• Mark and Hannah who are leading us in the Refresh Centre vision have themselves made a big commitment to the future life of the church by moving house to be nearer the Centre. They are not yet able to pick up a “hands on” role in the work but both feel Peter is the person to do so at this moment.
• Peter has personally had a clear word from God that it is time to step out from his work situation.

For more details about Peter’s job description and how things will work and be tested in the coming year do ask in the office for a copy of the document handed out on the members’ night. By planning a thank offering with a goal of £15,000 we have set a significant test, a Gideon’s fleece if you like.

It is important, that as we move on with the journey and things feel a little different, that we keep together in love, encouraging one another. Please pray for those who are getting involved in the new activities, reaching out and connecting with our village. Please pray for Peter. Let’s lift our faith and pray this money in. Let’s also be the answer to those prayers as we give sacrificially.
Frank Payne

Vulture Funds

What are they?
This is a term used to describe the actions of a number of particularly aggressive (and immoral) companies who take advantage of the debt of poor countries for their own profit.

They do this by buying up cheap debts from poor countries and then pursuing these countries for repayment. Last year, the IMF and World Bank listed 54 companies that were taking 12 of the world’s poorest indebted countries to court. At that time, these companies had been awarded well over $1 billion from these countries – money that could have gone towards reducing the poverty in those countries. Another thing that concerns me further, is that in about a fifth of the above cases, the adjudicating court has been in the UK!

Update on Haiti

Further to my article in the September Newsletter, I have just received some good news. Under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative, Haiti has finally received debt cancellation to the tune of $1.2 billion by The World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank and other creditors. As is usually the case with these HIPC “initiatives”, this debt cancellation comes with a series of tough conditions, so it will certainly not be an easy ride for the people of Haiti. Let us give thanks to God for this long-awaited decision and pray that it may indeed be is a positive step forward on the way to economic justice for the long-suffering people of Haiti.
Derek Fraser

Three Churches Together Event

'I have come that they may have life and have it to the full' John 10 v 10

'Freedom In Christ' was the theme for our Three Churches Together event on Sunday 13th September. I arrived at North Heath Baptist Church in the morning to a hub bub of people and youngsters all chatting together over hot drinks and doughnuts! A real feeling of excitement and anticipation seemed to fill the place! What a wonderful privilege and blessing we have in this country to be able to meet together in such freedom! With a packed church we started together in worship, praising God together as local churches and glorifying His name. A wonderful time, all ages together lifting Jesus on high.

We then divided so that the young people and the adults could have their own teaching sessions. I wasn't in with the youngsters but I could hear that they seemed to be having a wail of a time. I hope someone writes a short piece in the newsletter to let everyone know what they did! We began our session discussing in small groups how we felt Christians were 'more free' than non Christians and in what ways were Christians 'less free'. Interesting questions and as you can imagine many various thoughts from all of the groups were fed back; including we have freedom from sin, freedom in peace, security and God's Word that sets us free. We have God given boundaries that may appear to limit us but in themselves are releasing to enable us to live life as God intended, to the full!

Andrew, the minister at Welling Baptist led us through God's word in Galatians, the book in which Paul speaks a lot on freedom in Christ. We focused on chapter 3 v 1-3, chapter 4 v 20 and chapter 5. We looked at how Paul was writing to Christians who seemed to be fascinated by false teachers to the extent that they were 'bewitched'. He reminded them that they had not received the Holy Spirit by obeying Jewish Laws, but when they believed in Jesus. They should continue to grow in the Spirit's power and not let anything hinder them to make them regress. Andrew challenged us to see if we could see anything in our churches or even ourselves that stop us being free in Christ. We thought about how we have all sinned but our freedom comes in Christ! We don't deserve his love, we have done nothing for our salvation but Christ has done it all and continues to love us unconditionally. What freedom! Andrew encouraged us not to get hindered by religious rules and regulations, our freedom in Christ is not 'Jesus plus ......' but in Jesus alone.

In the evening Frank led us through a 'concert of prayer'. I found this both challenging and refreshing. As Christians from different churches we came together and prayed in triplets for personal renewal, seeking God’s fullness and awakening in His church. We shared in groups the needs of our churches and prayed for each other. I was praying with two other people from North Heath and I felt a strong sense of God's power over our prayer times. There was definitely something very special and powerful in praying with other churches. I felt it really pleased God and we were beginning to fulfil what He had in store for us. The evening also gave us all an opportunity to lay on hands and ask for God’s anointing on individuals. We then moved on to pray for God's fulfilment in ministries, eg Street Pastors, work place ministries and mission among the nations.

The time was a real blessing and I am sure the beginning of something that will continue to unite us and bring God's plans for our three areas into being. Can I encourage you all to come to our next 'Three Churches Together. If you want to know more, come and see me! Exciting times are ahead. I am sure God is going to do a new thing in individuals and in our churches. 'Let go and let God!' - Lynda Bryant

So, what did the youngsters do? “Well, judging by the praise noise made by the children they certainly did not miss out on Dougi Doug not being present for their part of the Churches Together celebrations. The visiting youth group – the Youth Band from Kingdom Faith Ministries in Horsham – were absolutely amazing, full of energy and love in abundance for the Lord which they managed to impart to all the boys and girls throughout the whole morning. It was obvious that our youngsters need more of this type of encouraging worship, so that they can grow and grow in their love for the Lord.” - Linda Tythe

Please do pray regularly for our children and for the leaders and helpers, especially at this time for Girls’ Brigade and Tots’ Club, both of which have been affected by a drop in numbers.

'SHOE-BOXES PLUS'

Frank and I had a plan - to take Sunday evening's service, nip to Poland for four meetings and pop back in time for Wednesday's Members' Evening - simple!

We left at 4am on Monday 21st September to fly to Krakov in Southern Poland from Gatwick North. This airport is served well by EasyJet and British Airways, and we had a great, short flight.

We were going to stay with Kryztof and his family in Nowy Sasz, a large town near the Tartras Mountains. Frank and I were able to take a leisurely four hours to travel slowly through the hills and mountains in glorious sunshine. This part of Poland is quite like the French Alps and we were able to stop by the roadside, where I sat and watched five eagles swooping over the valley below (see Isaiah 40:28-31). It was great to see Kryztof and have a family home as our base, but it was a fairly quick turn-round to get to Kryztof's pastor Jack, who was hosting us for dinner.

But why did we go? The Evangelical Church in Nowy Sasz is the distribution centre for over 1,000 Shoe-Box presents on behalf of Samaritan's Purse. What a great opportunity for us to link-up our giving here in Belvedere with the team there. The members of the Church there impact the lives of many children, in the poorer parts of the town, in the Ziganer Community (Gypsy-Roma), in the hospital and also out into the surrounding villages.

Frank and I were able to meet with the Church Elders to discuss possible partnerships that would reach out more, making the shoe-box appeal more effective and also to share with each other in prayer. Tuesday morning allowed us to meet with Ivone who is in charge of distribution. She receives a list from MOPS, their Social Services, each year. This list is meant to get shorter as more children are helped, but last Christmas the list went from 750 to 1200!

Ivone showed us pictures of the volunteers going to visit the more isolated families. In one family, the Mum has TB and there are four children, the oldest teenager having learning disabilities. Their small house is so far up into the hills, that the delivery required the car to be left on the last navigable bit of road, and the team trudged 2 km in the driving snow to the house. Families often make simple decisions - food for the next few days or new boots so that the children can get to school. At another house, the Dad is a widower, and is doing his best with three teenagers. The Church was able to give a basic food hamper alongside the Samaritan's Purse shoe-boxes to help them through the worst part of the Winter. God started prompting Frank and me - couldn't we in Belvedere work closer in partnership with Kryztof's fellowship in enhancing the joy that the shoe-boxes bring to the children, with more basic help for the family?

Lastly, Pastor Jack took us to see their church's new premises; an abandoned factory has the potential to become a church community centre. It was a dirty, smelly mess, and the only two positive inspirations inside this dank, grey building were the diffused light coming through the broken windows and the weeds pushing through parts of the floor. But... the Christians there believe they can make a difference in the middle of their community. They have faith to find the money to rebuild and fit-out this uninspiring 'shell' to be an amazing building.
The journey back was good, although we were both tired. Time spent in Southern Poland had inspired Kryztof and his family to link-up with various churches over here with Christmas outreach. Frank had talked with the leaders of the church in Nowy Sasz about Kazakhstan (surprise, surprise) and they had shared with us their mission opportunities into Georgia. Distances seemed small when God creates opportunities for Christians to work together with His view on the World.

So, as we look forward to our Shoe-Box Appeal, we can begin to 'catch the vision' of touching lives and living out the Gospel. Now its not just a box of nice things, it's an opportunity for our Fellowship to support other Christians making a real difference.
Andrew White

A CHAT WITH ......... Jill Grant

Jill, thank you for agreeing to have this chat. You are on the Diaconate as the prayer warrior, I believe, so would you like to share with us something about your walk with the Lord?

When I took the job on of being a deacon I didn’t want to do it, but I knew God was calling me. At first I found the whole thing very daunting and stressful, I lacked so much confidence and didn’t feel good enough. . . had I made a mistake? I was trying to be a good deacon in my own strength. Over the last few months I have handed it over to God and have grown closer to Christ. I have a deeper understanding and feel a lot more confident than I did. Instead of looking for what I might need to do as a prayer coordinator I am waiting for God to show me.

I have had the feeling that God has wanted the three Baptist Churches to get together for prayer. Well on the evening of Sunday 13th September (during the 3-church event) a man from Welling Baptist Church said exactly that, but he felt that we should be setting up prayer triplets. I felt very excited about it, and pray we will work together as churches to see that happen.

On a more practical note I have got quite involved with the building. Decorating, sorting things out, cleaning, gardening parties and I do enjoy it. Can I just take this opportunity to say a very big thank you to everyone that has given their time and energy, God bless you.

In everyone’s life there are usually the best times and the worst times. Would you tell us how the Lord has been with you during these times?

My best time was when I first became a Christian, a feeling of falling in love, a deep joy and contentment. I had somebody there beside me to help me to bring my children up. It was just wonderful – life had a meaning and a purpose and death had lost its sting. Well it lasted for a little while, but some of those feelings started to wear thin. Now and again they would come back – but didn’t last. I felt that was normal and it would just be hard work from now on. I would read John 8:36 “if the son sets you free you will be free indeed”. I did believe that up to a point, but didn’t feel it was entirely true. I was getting more miserable and didn’t understand why that was. I didn’t understand that you could go deeper in faith, but then I found out that you could. They say that it is not until your face is in the mire, that you know your need of God. Sadly there are a lot of Christians like this, and preachers like Joyce Myer spend a lot of time preaching to them. I realised then that I needed to draw closer to God by praying and reading my Bible more. One of the prayers I would say was “Break me, melt me, mould me and may I never be the same again”. When I was going through a low time I learnt all the words of this hymn and found it very comforting:-

The King of love my shepherd is,
Whose goodness fails me never;
I nothing lack if I am his
And he is mine forever.

2 Where streams of living water flow
My ransomed soul he's leading,
And where the verdant pastures grow,
With food celestial feeding.

3 Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
But yet in love he sought me;
And on his shoulder gently laid,
And home, rejoicing, brought me.

4 In death’s dark vale I fear no ill
With you, dear Lord, beside me,
Your rod and staff my comfort still,
Your cross before to guide me.

5 You spread a table in my sight;
Your saving grace bestowing;
And O what transport of delight
From hour pure chalice flowing!

6 And so through all the length of days
Your goodness fails me never;
Good Shepherd, may I sing your praise
Within your house forever.
H.W. Baker (1821-77) altd. Based on Psalm 23

I feel that I have come through the other side, although I know the Lord wants to do so much more in me. I feel I have a deeper relationship with him, and a bigger understanding of his love and forgiveness for me, a free gift that I accept, and it’s all down to the grace of my lovely Lord Jesus.

So often when I come round to the church buildings you are there working! In your, it seems to me, limited free time, what do you like doing?

In my spare time I enjoy seeing my family, including my four year old grandson. After spending years of camping holidays with our four children Hayley, Ben, Marie and Jenny, it is nice for Colin and I to go away on our own, exploring parts of England. I enjoy getting together with other Christians and my favourite Bible verse is Ephesians 3:17-19 “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

Kazakhstan Trip

Oct 24th – Nov 15th 2009

There’s only three weeks to go before the BBC overseas mission trip to Kazakhstan. As this is the first trip I am organising in my position as Overseas Mission Co-ordinator it has really encouraged me to have eight people with a desire to serve in this way coming forward, overcoming fears and doubts to follow what they believe God is calling them to and I would like to thank you all for your support, prayers and words of encouragement. I couldn’t have made it this far without you all! The willing team from Belvedere consists of:

Stephanie Ross (team leader! Eeeeek!)
Spero Mifsud
Mary Mifsud
Jill Grant
Sue Macarthy
Matt Harris

Alongside these wonderful people we are joined by two others from Wales: Chris and Margaret Coughlin.

The team will be staying and working in the city of Shymkent in Southern Kazakhstan. Our main role while we’re there is to set up and run an English café for the students. They have been carrying out some renovation on the café building and hopefully by the time we arrive it will be ready for painting and decoration. We are hoping to get some of the students involved with this so we can get the work done efficiently, they can practise their English and hopefully gain a sense of ownership over the space all at the same time. The kitchen is intact so we are hoping to put Chris’s baking skills to good use and give them a taste of England by baking traditional English cakes along with Cornish Pasties and other culinary delights with English place names in the title! We’re even planning some special ‘one off’ events such as a line dancing evening. There will also be opportunities to visit orphanages, drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres and the Salem School.

SO....how can I support and bless these marvellous volunteers I hear you ask?!
Firstly please pray for the team in all aspects of preparation, practical and spiritual. Pray that we will bond well and work well together so we can best serve the people we meet. Pray for a refreshing and equipping by the Holy Spirit in all the team members. Pray for wisdom and discernment.

Secondly please give: The trip is going to cost around £1,000 per person for flights, accommodation and hopefully some food/drink. Ideally we would also like to have a fund of around £500 to take with us to bless those we meet and who work tirelessly for the Kingdom under very difficult circumstances. If you can give anything please put it in an envelope marked for Kazakhstan and pop it in the offering boxes or give it directly to me or one of the team. Finding the money really is critical to ensuring all those who are willing can afford to go. Every little helps so please give what you can!

Thank you all again for your prayers and support; you will hear from us all again before we go and even more when we return!
Stephanie Ross