March 2011

A Chat with Doug Morten

Doug, thank you for agreeing to share with us and for saving me so much time by answering my questions by Email – especially as my shorthand is pretty rusty!! I am so glad I suddenly realised that I had not caught you before to appear in this spot!!!

I was born at Woodford Green in Essex, just on the borders of East London, the second of three children at that time.

Our parents had met and been active in the youth at a Congregational Church but with the start of a family and moving out of touch with their church, attendance was erratic. Sunday school at a small local chapel with our penny for the collection (which was occasionally channelled through the local corner shop) is my only recollection of my early ‘Christian upbringing’, though we did say our prayers at bedtime and grace after meals.

The onset of war changed everything. Dad was drafted into Woolwich Arsenal as a munitions worker and cycled daily through the blitz from and to our flat in Walthamstow. We experienced much of the heavy bombing until, finally, late in 1940, 2 months before I was 7, my older brother, younger sister and myself were evacuated with our schools and we ended up in North Devon. Mum went off immediately to Hertfordshire and at the end of November another sister arrived whom we didn’t see until she was 2 years old.

In Devon we were billeted with wonderful, caring folk, all seeming ancient to us. We were taken to church regularly (C of E, much to our parents’ regret) and my brother and I were enrolled in the choir - not that we had any gift for singing. The early Sunday School meant we were familiar with bible stories and the Lord’s Prayer and singing in the choir meant that we were familiar with the words of the hymns but that was as far as it went - God was there but it did not mean much to me.

We returned, in 1943 this time to Woolwich, and immediately joined the choir at St Mary’s Woolwich. When the V1 rockets (Doodlebugs) started flying over was the first time I recall praying voluntarily - “Dear God, let them fall in the Thames and not kill anyone!”

When war finished, returning from a second spell in Devon, I started senior school at Woolwich Central, continuing in the church choir - but still not really a singer - until my voice broke. I had plenty to interest me, mainly sport and contact with church ceased. I finished school at sixteen and became a Civil Servant: a draughtsman in an obscure Government Department.

The only real hobbies I had were philately and table-tennis. 2 years National Service were almost a waste of time - except for the table-tennis - and my new hobby of photography.

A few years later at the table-tennis club I met Beryl - just another opponent to practice against for a couple of years and that’s when my life changed; we started going out to places other than the t-t club and I received an ultimatum - you want to go out with me, you come to church with me. I accepted. We were married in 1961, bought our first house 2 years later and Jackie came along 2 years after that. Beryl began attending Church here and I for some reason resisted becoming involved and only came along at Christmas or when the children were doing something.

Although I was attending more frequently, I found nothing to attract me until Malcolm Hilley became our minister. He was someone I could relate to and I started listening. At last God was getting through to me! I was baptised by Malcolm in 1984.

You ask me how long have I known Jesus as my Lord, Saviour and friend? As Lord - most of my life I suppose. As Saviour and Friend - only since I started listening.

As I look back at the difference before and after accepting Jesus into my life, my real regret is that I did not listen when I was young. I had always been a very self conscious person but having found Jesus I found confidence, enough to take on leading a Christian Fellowship at work and a housegroup here, things I never thought I’d be capable of. I have always been a very practical sort and not a great reader and I don’t read my bible as regularly as I ought but every time I do I can find something to help me, to challenge me, to cheer me. I don’t have a favourite bible verse, I can never remember them long enough but there are a lot to choose from if I did start to look for a favourite!

At my baptism I stood before the congregation with that new confidence and said that as I had spent 50 years without God in my life that He would grant me the next fifty to work for Him. I’m more than half way there and He’s continuing to bless me so much.

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40 Hours of Continuous Worship

What People Wrote

From a visitor, addressed to the BBC team:

“I want to thank you for your obedience to our LORD – this is a holy place – because Jesus is here. You have managed to make it inclusive, not barring anyone, because the LORD is here. It’s not about us – it’s all about HIM!"

"Thank you for providing such a unique opportunity, such a special place to worship only HIM! You have blessed us in a wonderful way and I know HE has been blessed because you have listened and obeyed.
Thank you”

Kathy Gower writes: Well the weekend came and went like the last 40 hours and once again I was truly blessed, and, as before, I took everything needed for a weekend away.

I would like to say that spending the whole 40 hours (apart from the last 20 minutes, when I dozed off) in prayer and worship is truly my cup of tea, ( even though I don't drink the stuff, mine's coffee for future reference) I couldn’t do it without first and foremost, having the desire to do it, and secondly, partaking of red bull. This is not alcoholic, but simply fruit juices that has caffeine in it; I don't believe it gives me wings, but it does help me to stay awake for longer periods. Drinking this on a regular basis will be detrimental to one's health, so wisdom plays a big part in this.

1. What was the highlight for me?
To be honest I don't know. There were several moments that touched me, and touched my spirit, but not one in particular. I like to take a note book and pencil with me so I can record what God is saying, cos that's the expectation I come with, and to look back on them when I come home.

Friday evening, I sensed there were barriers God wanted me to break through in order for me to reach out and touch Him and He would touch me. "Shine on me and through me, blessed be your name, when the sun's shining down on me" etc, were some of the words we sang that evening, and I felt the words were significant to me. I don't know why, they just are. In fact, during the whole of that Friday evening and the early hours of Saturday I picked up on the words "TURN" and "TOUCH." I sensed then, this was not just meant for me, but for several others; my notes say, "TEAR DOWN BARRIERS THAT PREVENT US COMING TO YOU". Frank confirmed this Saturday evening and Sunday morning.

In the early hours of Saturday morning, I was lead to Psalm 98. "Sing unto the Lord a new song, for He has done marvellous things," and carries on to say how faithful God has been ( and still is ) that all should rejoice bringing instruments before Him ( our hands, voices etc.). He has given ALL that He has so we should give ALL that we have. Again in the early hours of Saturday morning, there was a time where singing in tongues just lifted me into the very realms of Heaven itself. I can't remember the lady's name, but she was prostrate on the stage floor, and singing to Father, and as I sang in tongues, I began to cry and shake. Then singing the words ( in English ) Father seek, Father love, Father find, flowed from me and I repeated them over and over, peace came into my heart, and I felt at one with God. Later on that morning, Frank asked us to pray for the ones that used to come to church, but do not come now. Chris Bryant felt God say to him, that he needed to pray more for the prodigals, and that really, so should we all.

Looking at my notes, I see I got up and danced, the time being
12.20 am Saturday morning. I'd forgotten about that, but I do recall Jesus holding my hands, smiling and gently moving me round in a circle, wow Lord how could I forget that! Amazing as that was, it was not the highlight of the week end.

2. Did the Lord lay something on my heart.
Yes. I felt God saying, I need to turn to Him more and He will touch me, (Friday evening); which is interesting because Frank had such an insight to what God was saying to Him on Sunday morning. Through many tears, Frank asked God what was wrong with our church, and after a while, God said to him, but not in condemnation, "It's the heart Frank, this church has heart problems. Some hearts are cold, while others are wounded. Chris Bryant felt we should ask of ourselves this very question to God. Is my heart wounded, or cold, and in what areas is it so?

Long before this knowledge came to light, I had sat at the table where we could have communion at any point in time over the 40 hours, and was led to, 2 Tim 3: 1 - 5. I went to read on, but felt God saying no, so I didn't. Not knowing why I was led to those verses, in view of what God said to Frank, I am looking to see if in these verse's there lies in my heart a coldness or perhaps wounding, that I hadn't realised, but if there is, I know with Father's help, my heart will TURN, and God will TOUCH me.

The other thing God laid on my heart was to be interactive with our other brothers and sisters. eg Peace Haven. Having tea or coffee with them, seeing what God is doing in their lives etc, praying with them and for them. If we are to be one church, then we should act like one church. When we reach Heaven, it's not going to be, white people in one corner, black people in another, Chinese in another. God is preparing a place for us in His mansion; who's going to be my neighbour I wonder?

3. What will be my actions / attitude in the future?
I do want with God’s help and blessings, to put into practice what He has personally spoken to me and to the church. So it will be for others to see if my attitudes and actions have changed, only time will tell.

Whilst I have been writing this, I have been trying to think of a highlight and the one thing I come back to is a young girl of 18yrs, who left where she once lived, travelled to Belvedere, suitcase in hand, where she says a friend will put her up. She was found in or rather came out of our sports hall, where she made Sylvia jump. Sylvia sat with her, and afterwards shared with us what she had told her. Sylvia also said she had picked up a book from our library, called no-body’s child. I know what it's all about, cos having read it myself, AND I wondered as to how much she could relate to it. I saw her as she looked into the main hall, and I beckoned her over. At first she said ‘no,’ then hurriedly came over to me; it was here I could see she had already read a few pages. The point of this highlight for me, is God's perfect timing. The church being open when it was and at the timing of her arrival (believe me it was freezing outside) and choosing a book out of many, that I sensed relates to her. I don't know if I'll see her again, but God has His hand on her, and I pray she will be blessed through this book and find her way into His loving arms. I will replace the book with the one I have at home, as I said she could keep that one.

None of this would have been possible, had not Peter Kot suggested last year to have a 40 hour prayer and worship, and for Heather who plans and arranges for the worship groups to come and take part. So to you all, thank you, and bless you, and here’s to the next one in June.

Jill Grant writes: The forty hours of praise and worship was a great time with our Lord Jesus. I wasn't there for the whole time, but when I was there it was a great time of praising, listening, praying, soaking, dancing, worshipping, crying, laughing, playing and challenging, plus good fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ. I would like to say a big thank you to Heather and all those who supported her over the weekend, may you all be richly blessed.

I felt God gave me three pictures: the first one was of a baby all multi coloured - I felt God was saying that you are all the same to me, I thought that was interesting because the seminar which I didn't go to was all about the black and white churches finding ways of working together. Later on I found out that Diane had had a similar picture. The second one was of hands of the poor reaching out, with a feeling that we should be looking after them. The third picture was of the world with oil poured over it, I felt that while we were praising, God was healing the world, at one time He said I am pleased with the worship.

I enjoyed the Saturday afternoon when we were worshipping with banners, and working out a creative expression of dance, to Psalm 27, and we were all thinking of some good ideas which made us get excited, a good feeling of team work, I felt like a child again.

On the Monday morning, I felt God was speaking to me on a personal level, and helping me to sort out a problem.

Thank you Jesus, Thank you Holy Spirit, Thank you Father.

Diane Kot writes: I was so looking forward to the 40Hr worship weekend and, although quite tired, I went along with an expectancy that God would talk with us.

Saturday and Sunday were the most inspiring. On Saturday I joined in with the banner worship workshop. I didn’t realise that there was so much more to it than just waving a flag around and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Then Saturday evening was just thrilling. The prayer concert was something new to me and it was good to focus on specific prayer issues. Frank spoke about unity between the black and white church communities and then asked people to pray about it. It was during this prayer time that God gave me a picture of lots of different coloured threads which had been twisted together. I was reminded that a thread on its own is weak but if you twist several pieces together then it is a lot stronger. I felt God was saying that if black and white churches can find a way of working together then we will be a much stronger force within the community.

The Sunday worship was great and had a real party atmosphere to it, a coming together of God’s people from all different churches to celebrate all He has done and all He is doing.

I am looking forward to the next weekend in June with a great excitement.

Richard Payne writes: Watching Becky doing Men of Faith with people using banners brought the worship song to life. The final version with Mattski on the keyboard and Pete on guitar was good.

The session after banners was a time to focus on the Psalms, with each person reading their favourite. Reading Psalm 8 with extra sound effects after each line was certainly different but the animals and birds caused a big variant of sounds!

The Canadian group singing Taize choruses/chants with no microphone or instruments was refreshing – the harmonies sounded very professional and heartfelt.

Perhaps in June, when the next 40 Hours is planned, on the Saturday we could be in the car park with the Healing Ministry – Music is always a good bridge to reach the people of the village!

Juliet Lamin writes: The whole weekend in itself was an experience of a life time for me. And the highlight for me was the two souls that were added to the kingdom.

The take home that the Lord dropped in my spirit on the weekend is the book of Acts chapter 2 - the power of unity - and this will be the focus of my prayer throughout the year to see more unity in the body of Christ.

Lynda Bryant writes:

To be in your presence, To sit at your feet,
Where your love surrounds me, And makes me complete,
This is my desire O Lord

To rest in your presence, Not rushing away,
To cherish each moment, Here I would stay,
This is my desire O Lord.

Thank you Lord for such blessing this weekend! The words of this song sum up how I felt during the 40 hrs of worship and prayer. The presence of God seemed to fill the whole place; as soon as I stepped into the building Friday evening I sensed God's power and wonder. To spend real quality time with God was exactly what I needed and God knew that! The closeness that I felt with Him during that time just resting in His presence was amazing. The silent times, when God and I just delighted in each other's presence, the praise times when the worship groups led me into deeper praise and worship, the repentant times, when Jesus touched me once again to show me how much He loved me and what He did for me, all played their part in making me feel complete in God. The longer I spent with God the deeper my desire for Him became. I loved worshipping with other people from different fellowships; it was a little touch of what heaven would be like.

The highlight of the weekend was seeing the Holy Spirit working in people’s lives, Lee and Jane becoming Christians, the young people standing at the front being prayed over because they felt God calling them to work for Him abroad. What a thrill! The most precious time for me was having communion together on Sunday morning. The purpose of the weekend all came together for me at that point.

Thank you to ALL who played a part in allowing me to spend such a precious time with my God and creating a wonderful opportunity for the Holy Spirit to work. Two verses that laid on my heart during this time were: Exodus 3 v 5 'Take off your sandals for the place where you are standing is holy ground.’ and Jeremiah 24 v 7 ‘I will give them hearts that recognise me as the Lord. They will be my people and I will be their God for they will return to me wholeheartedly.’

Dates for the next 40 Hours: June 24th – 26th and September 30th – October 2nd

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BMS Birthday Scheme

If, after reading this article, you feel you would like to join this Scheme, do have a word with Alison Fraser. The following is an update sent to those participating.

“Last year, the BMS Birthday Scheme received a total of over £310,000 from people just like you. That money, made up of thousands of gifts just like yours, made it possible to save countless lives and improve the quality of life for many more in the name of Jesus Christ. Some of the work was dramatic, some of it was less glamorous, but every activity fulfilled part of our commission to bring life in all its fullness to those in greatest need. People without an NHS or private medical insurance rely on workers like ours, and those from our partner organisations, to heal their children and restore quality of life to their families.

Here is just a small sample of some of the work you have supported recently. It's not meant to make you feel that all the world's ills have been fixed or that life is dandy in the Majority World. It's meant to remind you that what you achieve through your support of the BMS Birthday Scheme is important and makes a huge difference. Differences like these:

Training and keeping doctors in Nepal
Katrina Butterworth is a BMS medical worker in Nepal, with a Masters degree in education. This makes her perfect for her role of developing a medical education curriculum for Patan Academy of Health Sciences (PAHS), a medical school based at Patan Hospital in Nepal. PAHS doesn't just focus on the technical aspects of medical work, but aims to give students a heart for Nepal's poor. It links future doctors with local and international charities and exposes them to the needs of remote rural communities and marginalised groups like Nepal's elderly poor. While many of Nepal's recently trained doctors immediately emigrate to Australia, Europe or the United States, many of the students at PAHS have scholarships that guarantee that they will use their qualifications in Nepal, often within its remote rural communities. The community-orientated programme at PAHS, with its Christian input and focus on GPs (who are the 'captains' of rural healthcare in Nepal, according to Katrina) is already having an impact on the health of remote rural communities.

Dignity recognised and restored
In Tunisia, unlike in the UK, children with disabilities are not always included in the mainstream schooling system, and their disability is often seen as a shaming curse on their families. Anna*, a BMS physiotherapist, mentors Tunisians who care for people with disabilities in their homes. She tells of how she met Yasmina*, a 15-year-old disabled girl whose family had tied her up in her bedroom in order, as they honestly saw it, to 'protect her'. Anna was able, through a relationship of trust that she had built up with Yasmina's family, to speak into the situation and offer alternative ways for them to interact with her. Today, thanks to Anna's help (and your support), Yasmina's situation is very different. She is no longer tied up. She participates happily in family life. In the eyes of God, she always had dignity, but today she and her family experience it for themselves *names have been changed to protect identities

A Centre for hope in Chad
In Chad, BMS workers Mark and Andrea Hotchkin are overseeing the building of a brand new hospital, in partnership with the Cutting Edge Foundation. Chad is a country where poverty is extreme (Chad is rated 175 out of 182 countries on the Human Development Index). Rebel forces have been attempting to take the capital and female genital mutilation is practised on 45 per cent of the female population. Against this backdrop, Andrea, a specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology and Mark, a specialist in emergency medicine, are hoping to use their surgical and medical skills to bring life in all its fullness to the largely Muslim area in which they will be working. In 2011, they will be joined by Rebecca North, a BMS nurse, who will work alongside them and the rest of the hospital staff in the blistering 40 degree heat, bringing universal access to healthcare to Chad's capital.

Be in no doubt: the health and medical work done by BMS doctors, nurses, specialists and development workers is made possible by your giving to the BMS Birthday Scheme. Your gift, no matter how small, makes an immense difference. Thank you for being part of Christ's witness of love and mercy among some of the most grateful people in the world.”