Seeking the truth
I recently spoke to someone who quickly said to me that they were seeking the truth.
It is a question that at some point we all ask and has been asked for hundreds, thousands of years, for example with the Roman governor Pilate asking the prisoner Jesus “What is truth?” (book of John chapter 18 verse 38).
People you know will be asking this question, whether you know it or not, especially in a world of ‘your truth’, ‘my truth’ and ‘fake news’.
We went on to talk about how they are a member (their phrase) of an Anglican church but will be leaving it soon as they are not happy there, how they have read the Koran and the Bible, how they have discussed with Muslims who Jesus is, how they went to Bible college and have been part of the Islamic community for years.
Like most of us, it is a mix.
I decided all I could do was point him, out of that mix, out of my own experience, out of my belief in the truth, to Jesus who said that He is the truth (book of John chapter 14 verse 6).
The truth stands or falls with Him.
The truth rests with Him.
What would you say?
Who do you know who is seeking the truth?
First half
Good Friday Community event
Like last year, I was part of a team from across Churches in Chelmsford who put on a community event in Chelmsford High Street on Good Friday afternoon. It had great live soul music, with people walking past singing the songs, stopping and dancing, taking videos and talking with free food and drinks, and lots of activities for people to join in with like crafts, motorcycles and a spiritual spa. There were 50+ volunteers on the team on the day from 10+ churches and organisations with approximately 30 people making declarations of believing in Jesus, who were then followed up the next week to encourage next steps.
With life and work, this event was my main focus in the first part of the year. Same again but more next year?
Or maybe before next year….
The Word on the Street
With the support of the local Council, a team was back in Chelmsford High Street in May on a Saturday talking with people about life, faith and Jesus. As always, cards were chosen, gospels were given away, questions were answered (hopefully), people were prayed with and Jesus was highlighted as much as we could.
Preaching at Great Wakering Evangelical Church
With a very interactive service (survey and quiz) and preach (group discussions and deciding on what to put into practice in the next week), I tried to encourage the church to be realistic in talking with people about Jesus. The book of Colossians chapter 4 verses 2 – 6 is very realistic – are we like a proactive Paul or like a reactive rest of us?
Coming to other churches in Essex this summer….
Second half
Love Essex Southend High Street event
I have been asked to be part of the team again this year for what is now the annual outreach event in Southend High Street. Planning starts (for me) next week with a meeting (of course).
Life Church and Great Leighs Free Church preaching
I have some preaching dates over the summer – see First half Great Wakering Evangelical Church for a preview of the theme…
The Word on the Street
More dates are booked in Chelmsford High Street for this year. Please give thanks for the Council granting this time and space as they do not usually grant as much to ‘religious groups’ (sorry I had to speech mark that phrase as I recoil from it).
Another Chelmsford event?
We had a review and vision meeting for the Good Friday Community event with lots of ideas about what we could try and improve next year. But there was a strong feeling from the team – why leave it all until next Easter? If we think that there is a committment to doing more mission together growing in local churches, should we do something sooner?
Please pray for the organisng team as it considers possible next steps in the next couple of months, that there will be clarity and unity as we try together to seek and save the lost more.
Prayer
Thank you for all your prayer support. Please pray for the churches and organisations I work with, the people they are trying to engage with the gospel and also pray for my witness to family and my work place.
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