A lot has happened since I last posted.
This week has been focused more on street evangelism which has been a lot of fun. So I will share with you three very exciting stories.
Story 1
Last Wednesday we were invited to a bible study group at one of the Starbucks in Vienna which I think is very exciting and is a great witness to the Starbucks staff. It was good to meet opther people in the bible study and we all got really encouraged. We hung around with the bible study leader and we felt the urge to doa bit of presence evangelism which is basically asking God to come fill a room/building with his presence to such a point where people start to notice. After we felt God was sufficently present we asked God what he wanted us to do, two of us got injuries one was a hurting back and the other a hurting wrist. Myself God told me to create some origami and give it to the staff to bring joy. I went to the staff and had a really great conversation telling him how Jesus must really love him for a random guy, from a random country,with random paper creations to approach him. He was very open, he turned out to be Muslim and so we shared a little about ourselves and he was very touched. The other guys decided to go from table to table looking for these injured people. Sure enough they found them sitting next to each other. To cut a long story short both got healed and both were really touched when we starte dtelling them what Jesus thought of them. The most exciting part is one will come to the bible study tomorrow.
Story 2
We went out evangelising with some friends from the churhces we have been to. I got into a few good conversations with some Americans, Germans and I got to sow a few seeds there. My favourite story though is I got to talking to this Belgian tourist, young guy who isn'ta Christian. Me and my frined got talking to him, shared about what I was doing in Vienna, shared a few testimonies etc. Then he invited himself around our house the next day, which was quite amusing (usually that's my job). Anyway next day arrives and he turns up and the whole team and him share lunch together talk about difficult issues he has and we got to pray over him, for healing and what Jesus thought of him. He was very touched. We are still in contact. his last words were.
"Jon that was amazing".
I find it such a blessing how he got so touched by God and I am very excited to the stories he will share back home.
Story 3
God seems is really showing me of how much of a provider he is for me. One the monday last week I met a frined and we shared some stories of God and she ended up buying me coffee and dinner. This same frined last sunday at church remembered our conversation of how we as a team needed a second Austrian mobile and how I needed a laptop to do work (it would be easier in many ways). So that evening they come in and sure enough without even asking for them she brings in a laptop for me to use during this outreach and a second Austrian mobile for the team. I find God doing things I wouldn't quite expect but I love it everytime. He see's me and looks after me, giving me everything I need just when I need it.
That was a mouthful, but God is good, kind and loving. How I have much to learn.
Until next week.
Tuesday, 15 February 2011
Friday, 4 February 2011
Vienna so far
I have finally arrived in Vienna or in Austria wrote Wien.
We as a team have been here one week and so much has happened it is quite incredible.
We arrived on Saturday and that same evening we went to a Church service and we were amazed at the enthusiasm of our arrival and it is such ablessings to know people have beenpraying for us before even arriving and even looking for a house for us. While at this service we met many useful contacts and were also given a free mobile phone, so contacting people now in Vienna has become a lot cheaper and a lot easier.
More so though is we have been given a free house to live in, 20 mins outsdie of the main centre of Vienna by the underground. All we have to pay for is electricity and once a week the landlady will wash our clothes and cook for us. INCREDIBLE.
Today we had a random stranger come to our house and give us a whole shopping bag of bread which is amazing so now we don't have to spend so much. It is so amazing to see God provide for us as a team iin ways I personally have never experienced before, such a testimony to Gods true character.
Apart from that we felt God say settle down and get used to the culture so that is exactly what we have been doing so this first week has been very relaxed but neccessary as it will be impossible to reach the culture if we don't take time to understand it or if we allow ourselves to burn out. Now we are moving into a phase of planning a huge evangelism event a lot of things to sort but as it beginnings to form I look forward to telling you more about what will be doing.
Prayer Needs
. Finances I have no money so please pray in the 200-300 Euros I need a month.
. That planning and building relationships for this evangelism event will take form as the event is next month
. Unity in the Vienna team
We as a team have been here one week and so much has happened it is quite incredible.
We arrived on Saturday and that same evening we went to a Church service and we were amazed at the enthusiasm of our arrival and it is such ablessings to know people have beenpraying for us before even arriving and even looking for a house for us. While at this service we met many useful contacts and were also given a free mobile phone, so contacting people now in Vienna has become a lot cheaper and a lot easier.
More so though is we have been given a free house to live in, 20 mins outsdie of the main centre of Vienna by the underground. All we have to pay for is electricity and once a week the landlady will wash our clothes and cook for us. INCREDIBLE.
Today we had a random stranger come to our house and give us a whole shopping bag of bread which is amazing so now we don't have to spend so much. It is so amazing to see God provide for us as a team iin ways I personally have never experienced before, such a testimony to Gods true character.
Apart from that we felt God say settle down and get used to the culture so that is exactly what we have been doing so this first week has been very relaxed but neccessary as it will be impossible to reach the culture if we don't take time to understand it or if we allow ourselves to burn out. Now we are moving into a phase of planning a huge evangelism event a lot of things to sort but as it beginnings to form I look forward to telling you more about what will be doing.
Prayer Needs
. Finances I have no money so please pray in the 200-300 Euros I need a month.
. That planning and building relationships for this evangelism event will take form as the event is next month
. Unity in the Vienna team
Saturday, 22 January 2011
Faith Week
Well This is what I have been up to this past week. Every SOE does something called a Faith Week where each Outreach Team asks God where to go, what to do and then allow God to provide as we obey. Follow the below link and it will show you a map of our journey and what God did at each place. Enjoy.
Saturday, 15 January 2011
The Upcoming
Ok It has been a long time but here you go.
This is the team that is going to Vienna, Austria. Vegard is our team leader.
Our outreach is going to focus on 'The Arts'. As a team we are either artitsts/designers or musicans/singers and we are going into a culture which is both built upon and openly accepts these things. Our focus is on the youth of the City, they need Christ badly. We also have this amazing opportunity to a huge evangelism event with a weeks worth of specific evangelism with a huge event at the end. I am asking for your faithful prayers in this transition because there are still a lot of things that have to be sorted out.
Prayer Needs
. We need money, we need money, we are looking at up to £5000 for all four of us to live. Please pray this money in. Also practically if you believe in what we are doing please consider giving financially. You Can send an email to this address. (jonathan.franks@hotmail.co.uk)
. We need a place to stay. Pray for a home near or within the student community so they not only hear about Christ often but see how we live him out.
. We need a venue to put on a huge Arts event with dancing, music a talk etc.
This is the team that is going to Vienna, Austria. Vegard is our team leader.
Our outreach is going to focus on 'The Arts'. As a team we are either artitsts/designers or musicans/singers and we are going into a culture which is both built upon and openly accepts these things. Our focus is on the youth of the City, they need Christ badly. We also have this amazing opportunity to a huge evangelism event with a weeks worth of specific evangelism with a huge event at the end. I am asking for your faithful prayers in this transition because there are still a lot of things that have to be sorted out.
Prayer Needs
. We need money, we need money, we are looking at up to £5000 for all four of us to live. Please pray this money in. Also practically if you believe in what we are doing please consider giving financially. You Can send an email to this address. (jonathan.franks@hotmail.co.uk)
. We need a place to stay. Pray for a home near or within the student community so they not only hear about Christ often but see how we live him out.
. We need a venue to put on a huge Arts event with dancing, music a talk etc.
Next week though is faith week. Faith week is when we ask God where he wants us to go and what he wants us to do and then we do it. We have prayed and saught God and we believe he has called us to Milian, Italy for 5/6 days. To do we believe God will show us more at the time. Again though we need you faithful prayers as we do not yet have the money to get there.
Prayer Needs
. The finances to get to Milan, Italy
. To see God move in powerful ways
. Continual stretching of our faith as we trust God wholeheartedly
. Open doors
. People to be saved
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| Jonathan. England |
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| Bjarte. Norway |
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| Thijs. Netherlands |
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| Vegard. Norway |
Monday, 20 December 2010
Humility in Gods great plan
I was back home in England and I was sharing with people what God has been doing and I almost had a crisis as I could not think of one single thing. Of course this was not so God has done many wonderful and amazing things and has met so many people and by Gods wonderful love I trust that he has poured into them all his goodness and acceptance and love and mercy and grace.
I think I almost had a crisis because I was comparing what has happened to what I hoped would happen in Norway, expectations that have been built on my amazing experiences from my DTS. The kind of lets go in guns blazing, I pray and the Holy Spirit comes in thick presence, lives are transformed on the spot, people are healed, saved etc... and the truth is this has happened but not in the way I was hoping or expected. In fact it has been quite normal in that respect and as a result I have been humbled by God because he spoke something very specific to me and has recently reminded me of that he said this I want you to invest. This is profound, such a touching from heaven on peoples lives through this. Due to all my experiences in life nothing is more beautiful to me when the God of the Universe comes down and reveals the value of that person to him, when acceptance and significance is given to them. This is the place I have seen the Holy Spirit work wonders that overwhelm even me who witnesses and he does it quite normally, quite simply and even quietly as God comes closer to the hearts of those we talk to.
The key is so simple it's relationship and it brings me great excitement and encouragement but it also requires one of the biggest sacrifices of all time. It cannot be rushed. Statistics say that a non christian needs 7 positive encounters with another Christian before they make a decision. So my challenge is this why don't you be one of them.
I think I almost had a crisis because I was comparing what has happened to what I hoped would happen in Norway, expectations that have been built on my amazing experiences from my DTS. The kind of lets go in guns blazing, I pray and the Holy Spirit comes in thick presence, lives are transformed on the spot, people are healed, saved etc... and the truth is this has happened but not in the way I was hoping or expected. In fact it has been quite normal in that respect and as a result I have been humbled by God because he spoke something very specific to me and has recently reminded me of that he said this I want you to invest. This is profound, such a touching from heaven on peoples lives through this. Due to all my experiences in life nothing is more beautiful to me when the God of the Universe comes down and reveals the value of that person to him, when acceptance and significance is given to them. This is the place I have seen the Holy Spirit work wonders that overwhelm even me who witnesses and he does it quite normally, quite simply and even quietly as God comes closer to the hearts of those we talk to.
The key is so simple it's relationship and it brings me great excitement and encouragement but it also requires one of the biggest sacrifices of all time. It cannot be rushed. Statistics say that a non christian needs 7 positive encounters with another Christian before they make a decision. So my challenge is this why don't you be one of them.
Friday, 17 December 2010
Pioneering
This week was my last week before I go home for Christmas YAY. Now I leave for England in just over 24 hours. I am definitely looking forward to going home. This week has been looking at what pioneering is. A very interesting few days that was sure.
Prayer Needs
. Finances for Outreach
. Apple Laptop (it's coming to the point where I am needing a laptop so I can do more work especially so I can continue to do more design work away from home).
So here is why. For the first 2 days our tutor got two of the student to lead, they had no idea about this by the way, it was interesting to see how they handled the topic and content given to them just 30 seconds before they were to teach it to the rest of the SOE class. The reason was this. Part of pioneering is passing on what you have learned as soon as possible so others can teach it to others and so on and so forth.
We also talked a lot about the 7 most important commands of Christ and how these were a vital part of Jesus ministry and teaching, we also looked at the 7 essentials of worship and how these should be a part of every church gathering if we are defining church as a group of people gathered together. Not necessarily somewhere where you gather on a Sunday morning. What was a lot of fun is that we got to practice it and it was incredible to find at how easy it is. All we have to do is gather a few people and involve these things in any creative way we want to and away we go. I got a huge revelation in giving, it is not about giving money in a collection although that is part of it, it is about giving people specifically what they need, just like the Church in Acts did. I would love to see this happen more.
Seven Commands of Christ
Repent and Believe (Mark 1:15, John 3:16)
Be Baptised and filled with the Spirit (Mark 13:11, 16:16, Luke 24:49, Acts 2:38)
Love God, Christians and your Neighbors (Matt 22:37-39, John 13:34)
Meet and Share the Lord's supper (Luke 22:17-20)
Pray each day and feed on God's word (Matt 4:4, 6:5-13, John 6:35, 14:15)
Give Sacrificially (Matt 5:42, 6:2-19-21, 10:8)
Seven Essentials of Worship
Prayer
Fellowship
Bible
Giving
Repentance and Forgiveness
Communion
Glorify Jesus
Testimony
In our Church meeting one of the people said "you know what I really need a pair of snow boots for all this ice here in Norway" so we decided to take a collection and we raise over 500 NOK which is just over £50 which I think is incredible. This giving also released so much joy it was quite something.
I am coming home within 2 days so I look forward while I am back in Leicester to sharing stories in person.
God Jul (Merry Christmas)
Monday, 13 December 2010
Sowing, Reaping, Keeping
Well we have just had a week with Laurence Singlehurst on the topic of this blog. It was one of my most favourite week of lectures because he is British and offers only the best in sarcastic British humour, he knows how to ask the right questions and it was 100% practical in application. BRILLIANT.
Prayer Requests
. Finances for outreach to Vienna
. I would grow in glorifying God wholely (see below)
. An opportunity to put on a massive event in Vienna has arisen pray for direction and provision
I could share many, many things about what I learned. We learned about a post modern culture and what is relevant to the people, old methods no longer work we must find new creative ways, we discussed how today people need to go throuigh a process and therefore relationship building is very important. But this is I think is the key message of the whole week.
Evangelism is not a method but a question, and the question is how big is your heart ?
Mission starts with love, the challenge to me is am I loving people or am I seeing them as projects. If I am not loving I need to be renewed in my values (high view of God, of people, of myself and sacrifical love).
It is our heart and love for people that drives us, helps us persevere and stand our ground. This is tough as I realise often my motives are wrong so I have begun to ask God to give me a bigger heart, I am going to need it.
Other
God has also been teaching me a lot about his Glory and it is a mighty subject. He has been showing me how many prayers actually have selfish motives because they are about what we get out of it. For example we often pray that God would move in an evangelistic event but hearts are often syaing so I can look good (I focused), to become a stronger Christian (that's I focused), to feel better about myself (that's still I focused), to become more holy (that's I focused as well). This really struck me because my prayers a riddled with motives like these. God really spoke to me saying "since when was it about glorifying self", but those who glorify him find they will always have success because God will be glorified through it. it's a complete brain shift but I am loving the challenges.
Prayer Requests
. Finances for outreach to Vienna
. I would grow in glorifying God wholely (see below)
. An opportunity to put on a massive event in Vienna has arisen pray for direction and provision
I could share many, many things about what I learned. We learned about a post modern culture and what is relevant to the people, old methods no longer work we must find new creative ways, we discussed how today people need to go throuigh a process and therefore relationship building is very important. But this is I think is the key message of the whole week.
Evangelism is not a method but a question, and the question is how big is your heart ?
Mission starts with love, the challenge to me is am I loving people or am I seeing them as projects. If I am not loving I need to be renewed in my values (high view of God, of people, of myself and sacrifical love).
It is our heart and love for people that drives us, helps us persevere and stand our ground. This is tough as I realise often my motives are wrong so I have begun to ask God to give me a bigger heart, I am going to need it.
Other
God has also been teaching me a lot about his Glory and it is a mighty subject. He has been showing me how many prayers actually have selfish motives because they are about what we get out of it. For example we often pray that God would move in an evangelistic event but hearts are often syaing so I can look good (I focused), to become a stronger Christian (that's I focused), to feel better about myself (that's still I focused), to become more holy (that's I focused as well). This really struck me because my prayers a riddled with motives like these. God really spoke to me saying "since when was it about glorifying self", but those who glorify him find they will always have success because God will be glorified through it. it's a complete brain shift but I am loving the challenges.
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