Prestoncrest Missions

Dear brethren,

Thanksgiving is over, so this must be the countdown to the end of the year. I enjoy many aspects of the holiday period, but there are some I would rather avoid — the stress of so many activities, the commercialization, and some of the unneeded expectations of cards, gifts, and year-end newsletters. The point, though, is whether others enjoy them.

We began November in the USA and finished it last weekend with a French workers’ retreat in France. The last few days in the States included visits to the Harding Graduate School in Memphis, Freed-Hardeman University, to churches in Birmingham and Huntsville. The last few days were with David and family in Newnan, Georgia. The two-month trip was very fruitful, enjoyable, and encouraging. We thank God for all the open doors, open hearts, and open pocketbooks!

The Geneva church carried on its normal activities during our absence. We were blessed to have Bren and Cheryl White for three weeks and Bonnie Tirey for five weeks stay in our house during our absence. Besides ministering in many ways to the churches in Geneva and Lausanne they kept up with the daily work of the Bible correspondence courses. We thank God for their attitude of service and sacrifice.

After two years of various contacts, we had a joint worship period with the Leman church of Christ (formerly the International Church of Christ). They are now an autonomous group and after several studies with the leaders, we felt a joint worship period would be edifying. This occurred November 18th. The fellowship was in our meeting place with about a 100 present of the Geneva church and about 40 from the Leman church. Though there are still differences between us to be studied, there is enough common faith that we felt this unifying step was worth the risk. We will try to follow the God’s lead in what develops from here.

The annual workers’ retreat last weekend was very informative and edifying. There were 33 leaders representing most of the French-speaking churches in Europe. I will send an article and pictures to the Christian Chronicle. Perhaps you can read more there about the meeting.

The Geneva church, besides its regular activities, will have a special children’s program the 16th of December. This is an evanglism project with invitations given to family members and friends of the members. The New Year’s Eve program is becoming more important each year as we use it for evangelism. This year the theme will be “An Evening in Heaven”. Lots of interesting ideas are coming together as we imagine how our fellowship might be in heaven.

Many projects are in view for 2008. I will explain them as they develop. It should be a great year in terms of what God has planned for us. The greatest event would be if Jesus comes back to take us all home! May God bless our preparations.

Doyle and Barbara