The Stirling Bridgebuilder - March 18, 2008
posted in Missions, Europe |
39 Wishart Drive
Broomridge, Stirling FK7 7TR
Scotland, U.K.
Tel: 011-44-1786-816259
Email: mitchvick@btinternet.com
Congregation News
There’s been a real “buzz” about the Stirling congregation in recent weeks! Attendance at worship has been excellent, and participation in Bible classes has also been gratifying. We were all encouraged by the recent news that John Renwick, who has battled colon cancer since September 2006, no longer needs chemotherapy because his tumours have shrunk to a size where surgery offers real hope. His doctors are now preparing to operate on his liver and colon in early April, and they are talking in terms of curing the disease rather than palliative care. We praise God for answering in this way so many prayers offered in his behalf world wide. The church has also rejoiced to welcome into our fellowship Pauline and Vanessa McGachy, who come to us from the Cumbernauld congregation. Last Sunday’s fellowship meal brought together most of or membership, along with several of our international friends from FriendSpeak, and visitors who were with us for the advanced Bible study seminar. It was an excellent day.
1st Baptism for FriendSpeak In Stirling
After our fellowship meal on Sunday afternoon, the majority of the congregation traveled with us to East Kilbride, where we borrowed the baptistry of that sister congregation for a very happy event, the baptism of Jie. Jie is the first of those we have worked with in FriendSpeak to come to this decision (though several others have returned home and made contact with local churches of Christ).
Witnessing the baptism was her husband Danny, who has also been coming to church services and FriendSpeak with Jie. We pray that he too will eventually follow Jie in this commitment to Christ. Carrie, another FriendSpeak reader, is also asking many questions about becoming a Christian, and we hope to establish a regular Bible study with her soon.
Youth Club Resumes
Another major source of encouragement for us was the resumption of our Youth Club work in mid-February. Led by David McCready and Tristan Block, this youth outreach is the outcome of many months of preparation and prayer. So far, after three weeks, we are averaging around 15 kids per week, but numbers are increasing in a manageable, steady way. We feel good about this work, both in terms of the renewed contact with area children and their families, but also in terms of the church’s impact on the neighborhood. Please pray for continued success with this important work.
Bible Study Seminar
We have now finished our annual Bible study seminar (hence the lateness of this report). Each year seems to be an improvement in the enthusiasm and support with which it is received by the Scottish brethren. This year’s studies were taught by Dr. James Thompson from ACU on the book of Hebrews, and the excellent response shows the interest in this sometimes difficult book by the church here. On each of the four days of the lectures we had 30-34 Christians taking part, and this year was the best over-all support we’ve had. As always, we are deeply grateful to Dr. Thompson for an excellent job and to Dr. Richard Oster and the Ministry for Theological Education in Memphis for helping to make this valuable work possible. This year marks 10 years of MTE seminars in Scotland, and it continues to enjoy strong support from brethren throughout the country. Our seminar this year saw brethren from 13 Scottish churches, as well as four students from the British Bible School in Corby, England.
Family News
All is well with us personally. Isobel and I are both in good health and looking forward to a short break in early April. Robin and Chrissy are on their spring break week after a demanding round of classes, and are spending the week on a campaign in Mexico. Laura and Clay have both been battling bronchitis/strep throat infections and have had to miss several days of work as a result. Hannah had a great spring break week with friends in West Virginia and is now back in the grind of classes and tests. My mother is doing a bit better after fighting off another series of infections.
Please keep our work in your continued prayers as we continue to push forward with the gospel message in central Scotland.
Yours in the Lord’s service,
Mitch and Isobel Vick