2024

2024

The year 2024 has much going for it for Evangelism Consultancy  – plans for a new evangelism event run by churches working together in the centre of Chelmsford, more dates given by the council for Word on the Street when they are only supposed to have given one, discussions about trying to support evangelists in Essex more and more evangelism initiatives happening across Essex.  All this plus a daughter getting married and a new position at my school on the Senior Leadership Team means a full and engaging year is ahead.

So at the start of the year, I have been reminded of Jesus at the start of his ministry in Mark chapter 1.  Despite all the people, pressures and positives, He kept his priorities: He demonstrated reliance on God the Father by praying first (v 35).  He was then able to focus on His purpose, why He had come: He proclaimed the good news (v38, 39).

Please pray for me and for yourself that with all the people,pressures and positives this year, we are able to hold onto God’s priorities and focus on His purposes.

Looking back

Church notices – I have given a notice in various Chelmsford churches Sunday morning services in the past 3 months about different Chelmsford evangelism ministries that are looking for more team members and more support: Word on the Street, Street Pastors and Church at Car Boot Sale.  I got some good responses for Word on the Street with 5 possible new team members but little response for the other ministries, who have now decided to stop after many years of great work.

Love Southend – an event in September in Southend High Street involving churches from Southend and across Essex.  I headed up a great team talking with people in the street as bands played, rappers rapped and speakers spoke from a stage.  47 people committed their lives to the Lord that day (they were all personally followed up by a team and I am unaware of any further updates) and there were many many other great Godversations that day.

Word on the Street – another 3 Saturdays in the autumn had a team from different churches working together to talk to people about Jesus.  Again we had lots of great Godversations.

Christmas time – with my church Life Church, we went out onto the streets of Chelmsford playing carols from a truck, running a Christmas quiz in a pub and wrapped Christmas presents for free in a shopping centre.  I preached at the evening Carol service, which had some guests that Church members had invited along and who said that they would come back to church again afterwards – I take that as a positive!

Looking forward

Plans for an evangelism event in Chelmsford at Easter  – there has been discussions around trying to do something different after the Good Friday service in the High Street for the people there but time is tight so please pray for the organising team (which I will be part of) and churches to work together to communicate the joy of Easter to people more this year.

Preaching at a family service in Great Wakering Evangelical Church – it is on 4th February so a Valentines day / Love theme I think will be happening.  Please pray for the witness of this church in the village.

Fishing and Following training – Life Church is running some workshops between January and March to equip people to reach out and then disciple people around them.  Please pray that all sorts of people – not just the usual ‘keenies’ – will go along and be lit up by this.

Word on the Street – please pray for the Leadership team as they review last year, plan for news dates in 2024 starting on 6th April and train up new team members.

Counties talk – I will be speaking to the church reps for Essex churches for the Counties evangelists on 14th April about how to develop a culture of evangelism in their churches.

Happy New Year!

Thank you for all your support and prayers for 2023 and going into 2024.  Let us pray that we can know God’s priorities and purpose for us.  His was to seek and save the lost.  So ours is?