COURAGE A CALL FOR - SHARING THE GOSPEL IN THE MIDST OF CULTURAL ADVERSITY - WEBFLOW
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Jan 2020
A call for
COURAGE
Sharing the Gospel
in the midst of Cultural Adversity
As we launch into 2020 (it almost sounds like
science fiction), we have some interesting
news items, adverts on what is coming up
We are a fellowship of churches and and some great articles. The articles are not merely
individuals networking together to from the armchair but from the front line, the mission field
support gospel workers in 15 countries – amidst real engagement with men and women in different
CONTENTS
across Europe. We train, send and places and settings. We look at coping with a changing culture
support both national and cross cultural
through Italian church planting eyes and examine the intricate
leaders so that local churches can be
planted, pastored and multiplied.
issue of the gospel and culture – from a Spanish perspective.
We look at the ever-important question, ‘What is an NEWS
Never has there been a greater need for Evangelical?’. I have written a piece, appropriate for a new year, On the Move 4
churches that are God centred, Gospel on bringing the unchanging word to an ever-changing world. Anchored to the Rock 8
driven, theologically clear, culturally Norway: A Needy Land 12
In November our dear friend, a longstanding servant and
connected and pastorally engaged.
supporter of EMF, Di Gurr (formerly Williams), following a
The Old Rectory, Main Street, severe and relatively short illness went home to be with the VISION
Glenfield, Leicester, LE3 8DG Lord she loved. All who knew her will miss her – we commend The Gospel: Challenging Worldly Culture 16
+44 (0)116 232 5192
her husband Andrew and the rest of the family to your earnest Being an Evangelical 18
prayers. In the next edition we will have a more extensive Autumn Conference Report 24
EuropeanMission Steadfast & Sure 26
remembrance and tribute.
@EuropeanMission
We hope you enjoy this edition and we value
@europeanmission
your prayerful interest as we seek to maintain GET INVOLVED
hq@europeanmission.org and, where needed, improve this magazine. Prayer Directory 30
www.europeanmission.org
Every blessing
Northern Ireland Representative Steven Bowers WAYS TO GIVE TO US:
Phil Dunn Online www.charitychoice.co.uk/europeanmissionaryfellowship
23 Millgrange, Ballymoney, Direct Account Number: 10340073
County Antrim BT53 7QB
Sort code: 20-92-54
+44 (0)28 2766 4214
phil.dunn@europeanmission.org Financial Please note that the
proceeds from the sale
IBAN – GB62 BARC20925410340073
position of Guessens property are Swift Code (BIN) – BARC GB22
Australia Representatives not included in the above Post Cheques payable to ‘EMF’ and sent to the address
Dr Ian Cameron (Honorary) December 2019 figures. These proceeds on the previous page
138 McCaul Street, Indooroopilly, have been ringfenced to
support future training and Donations in Australia
Queensland 4068, (07) 3371 2294 Total Income:
partnership and, as such, c/o Ian Cameron
emf.in.au@gmail.com £668,287
do not contribute to the Or to Commonwealth Bank
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Mr Keith Morris (Honorary) Account number: 10101262
£707,070 Mission. We are grateful
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(08) 9592 6964 Deficit for the year: donated to the Mission in The European Mission Fellowship is a Registered Charity (no. 1071823)
emf.in.wa@gmail.com £38,783 the course of the year. and Company Limited by Guarantee (no. 3631207) registered in England and Wales
2 3
News
News
On the
Move
In September 2019 I moved with my family from
Greetings from Pericei Luna de Sus to Pericei (Transylvania, Romania) to
do mission and pastoral work there. In British terms
Pericei may be likened to a small town with a large
(about 2000) Hungarian population. We did know
something about the church, but I had not
preached there that many times. My wife was
very supportive in my decision and finally even
the children accepted it. This was reassuring.
There were not only many boxes to pack, but
also new questions to solve. However, it was
good to experience the goodness of the Lord in
every step of ours.
So, what did we find in Pericei? A community that
needs the gospel and a church that – interestingly –
needs the same: the gospel! Although it may be quite
early to write as one who knows the local situation
full well, my first impression is that the congregation
loves to plan ahead and loves to be organised. This
gives me hope about planning outreach or something
similar. However, the local people seem to be very
busy. They work hard to build better houses, to buy
better cars, etc. This makes it harder to reach the
family members and the relatives of the congregation,
as well those outsiders, who know not the value of the
kingdom of God.
4 5
News
News
On Sundays there are about
There are signs of both strong
150 or more people present.
During weekdays there are about legalism and practical libertinism
70-80. Praise God there are some among the people in the church,
lay preachers who can step in and
preach if I am away for whatever
which will probably require balanced
reason. Moreover, the leadership teaching about the grace of the
of the church is strong, which is gospel and its outworking in holiness
also good. We have Sunday schools in
three small groups which, according to our and in the fruit of the Spirit.
custom, takes place during the prayer meeting
on Sunday morning. At the end of the prayer
meeting the children join the church for the main
The people here love to celebrate different events:
service to recite the Bible memory verse and to
child dedication, baptism, elderly people’s day, mothers’
listen to the sermon. We also have a youth group
day, harvest day, thanksgiving day etc. The celebration of
which meets on Saturday evening. There are
Christmas, Easter and Pentecost also takes place for three
about 10-20 young people attending and at the
days each – which means I have to preach every day twice
moment I am teaching them on how to handle
for three days (and in between once somewhere else)! This is
the occasional crisis in the Christian life.
kind of common among Hungarian pastors in Romania.
Unfortunately, there are several members who either grew
cold in their love for the Lord so they do not attend regularly the
church services, or were disciplined for various serious sins of
which they were not willing to repent. I have also found out that
there is a lot of pastoral work to be done which will demand
much of me it seems. There are signs of both strong legalism
and practical libertinism among the people in the church,
which will probably require balanced teaching about the grace
of the gospel and its outworking in holiness and in the fruit of
the Spirit.
In the meantime, I also continue to go back to Mera to
finalise a catechism for baptism with the newly converted
Gypsies. Their baptism took place on 22 December 2019.
Pál
So here we are in Pericei to save the lost and build up the
Borzási
church. How? By preaching the powerful gospel of our Lord
Jesus!
6 7
News
News
In Italy we live in an increasingly
24/7 culture. Many in our
Anchored
church have shift jobs,
involving working till late
to the Rock
in the evening or doing
nightshifts. As a result, our
midweek meetings from 8.30-
10.30pm have seen a struggling
attendance during the last year and,
after a period of discouraging midweek
meetings with the same few faces looking
Adversity in Italy at us, we decided it was time to face the issue.
We spoke with all those who were struggling to attend trying to
understand the reason. Everyone was able to explain why they were
struggling to come and they all had valid reasons! So we decided
What do we do when our mid- to shake things up and try to have different times and styles for
week meetings are empty? our midweek meetings every week. In this way our hope was that
What do we do when the local everyone in the church should be able to come at least twice a month
authority changes and we to something during the week. So now we have a Saturday morning
‘Theology for Breakfast’ in the café in our village; we have a study
find ourselves struggling as a
‘Exploring Christianity’ at a café in Budrio at 6.30 pm; we have prayer
church?
at 9.00pm for those who finish work really late and still have 8.30pm
What do we do when the law for those who preferred the classic time. We also read through
changes to limit the activity Hebrews 12:24-25 to encourage one another of the importance of
of Muslims and it affects meeting together.
evangelicals too? The building we rent as a church ‘Le Torri’ was a building much
upheld by the previous town council and much less upheld by the
These are some of the questions present town council. As a result, it becomes increasingly difficult
we have asked ourselves as a to understand what our future looks like there as a church. We had
couple in the last year! to move out for the summer period as they were doing works, so
spent the summer having our services in the local park. It was a good
witness for passers-by as for 1.5 hours on Sunday afternoons we
held family services involving the children and looking together at
8 9
EMF: Who?
the ‘I Am’s’ of Jesus. Some children from the park
News
we do not have all
Get Involved
even joined in the activities! We have now been able
Europe: Why?
to move back into the Le Torri but we would value the answers, but we
prayer for the future of this building and wisdom for
good relationships with the local authorities. know in all of these
The evangelical church is not officially
recognised in Italy and so in order to exist legally
uncertainties that Christ
churches set up associations. This enables them to is the head of his church Filipe Rodrigues Saturday 22 February
have bank accounts, pay rent etc. We were finally
able to complete this process a few months ago.
and we go on in faith (Portugal) 10.00am - 1.00pm
Steven Bowers Light refreshments on arrival
As happens regularly in Italy, however, the law has resting in this headship. (Mission Director)
recently changed! They have introduced a clause
Rev. Philip Venue
which states that it isn’t possible for associations to
McClelland Richhill Presbyterian Church
rent the same premises week after week for religious
A very good local lawyer is helping us (Ahorey and Clare 9A Corcreevy Road, Richhill
services. One church near Milan has been closed
Presbyterian Church) BT61 9RA
and prevented from entering their rented premises understand the way forward and this has been a
as a result. We now need to understand whether great growing responsibility for Giovanni and Maura
from our church as they study these issues. Everyone will be made most welcome
this law will be applied in Budrio and how we can
solve the problem related to this new So the difficulties come as situations change
from year to year and as a church we have to
Big
legislation.
respond to these changing times with
conscientiousness, discernment and
integrity. At times we do not have all Small
Church
Mission
the answers, but we know in all of
these uncertainties that Christ is the
head of his church and we go on in
faith resting in this headship and
trusting that our labour is not in vain
in the Lord!
ROGÉRIO & Saturday 28 March
SÓNIA RAMOS 10.00am - 1.00pm
(Portugal)
Light refreshments on arrival
STATHIS &
RUTH YFANTIDIS Venue
(Greece)
Ballymoney Baptist Church
PASTOR SIMON 60 Ballymena Road
Stefano
CURRY Ballymoney, BT53 7EZ
& Jenny
Mariotti (Larne Baptist Church)
Everyone will be made most welcome
10 11
News
News
Europe's northernmost country, the Kingdom
of Norway is one of the most beautiful places
on earth. It’s famed for its rugged mountains,
spectacular fjord coastline, the magical
northern lights and the midnight sun. It’s also
one of Europe’s most prosperous nations,
and regularly ranks as one of the happiest
countries in the world.
50%
But what is the spiritual situation like here?
That was one of the first questions I asked
EMF missionaries John and Oline Taylor
when I visited them recently. They
explained that, sadly, when it comes
A needy land
to religion, the picture is a lot less
positive. Just over 71% of Norwegians
are members of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church and consider themselves of the
Christians - which sounds wonderful.
But probe a little further and there is real
population
cause for alarm. Theological liberalism and the no longer
charismatic movement have had a devastating impact
on the Lutheran church over the last century. The net
believes in
result is that today fewer than 10% of its members God!
actually attend services. In fact, recent research
suggests that over 50% of the population no longer
believes in God! Yes, there are a few small signs of
12 13
New!
60 years they have laboured faithfully for
News
We need more people like
News
the Lord in northern Norway – one of the
John and Oline. their least evangelical parts in the country. Their
ministry has involved helping small groups
confidence in the power of believers who were unable to have a pastor
of the gospel coupled in several areas including Rotsund, Vardø,
Monthly
Brønnøysund, Berlevåg, and Espenes – where
with their passion for the they currently live. The work has been slow,
salvation of Norwegian
EMF Video
difficult and very demanding. They’ve had
to contend with both the declining spiritual
men and women is burning
& News
climate and the extreme weather climate
brighter than ever. (in the Polar Night period, which lasts from
updates
November to January, the sun doesn’t rise at
all, and in the Midnight Sun period, from May
encouragement in some central and southern to July, the sun never sets). Yet they didn’t give
areas, but the reality is that Norway, like so up and didn’t give in. Indeed, their confidence
many other European countries, is becoming in the power of the gospel coupled with their
incredibly secular, materialistic and spiritually passion for the salvation of Norwegian men
indifferent. and women is burning brighter than ever.
So, what is the solution? What can be John explained, ‘Our hearts just bleed for this
done to see the cause of Christ advance again land’. May the Lord in his mercy be pleased to
in this great land? Well, put simply we need raise up many more such faithful and zealous
more people like John and Oline. For almost gospel workers for the needy land of Norway.
We’d love to see more churches having a regular EMF slot
in their prayer meetings or services. To help provide focus
and content for these, we’re launching a new monthly EMF
video along with a short news update. The video will be a Please do encourage your church to make use
short clip (less than 5 minutes) and initially will be from of these in their prayer meeting or services,
our ‘Meet our Missionaries’ series – each month focusing and we’d welcome your feedback and any
on the work of one of our missionaries and giving a few suggestions you have to help us help you
prayer points. You can download the video to play offline. partner in the work of mission in Europe.
Each month we’ll send a short news update by email You can view the videos on our website
with a few headline news items and prayer points, along europeanmission.org/videos
with a link to the video and also to the prayer diary. (We’ll
also send a paper version to those who don’t use email,
Phil with a summary of the featured missionary.) This will be
Dunn sent to all supporters who currently subscribe to the EMF
Prayer Diary.
14 15
The
We can define culture as the self- Furthermore, the features of today's culture, pinpoint that faith is not only a confidence in Christ
Vision
Vision
understanding and expression that every for instance the way our own culture comes out in as a Saviour, but as a Guide to true reality. We are
Gospel
society has of itself, whereby people try social media, clearly indicate that, increasingly, the summoned to give up our own assessment of things
to make sense of their lives. As a whole, pursuing of new experiences, rights and comforts, in order to receive the only truthful insight into it,
today's world's culture tends to consider is the only way to find meaningfulness in life. Yet, God's own, as it is in His Word.
man as the only measure of all things. the seen and portrayed results, of this man-defined Once the Gospel gets hold of a soul, it also
Culture now frequently suppresses God approach to meaning, is one of an emptiness and changes the aim of that life. Meaning is no longer
from the picture, although it cannot a restlessness that knows no end. It often comes to be found in his contrived doings but in praising
Challenging exclude Him altogether, as for example so
many artistic manifestations, be they books
with angry and impatient tones, showing a crude
intolerance that will not even bother to listen, let
God's own works of salvation. Purpose is no more
in his strivings, blindly seeking worth where lasting
Worldly Culture or films or other forms of art, imply. alone accept, contrary and reasoned viewpoints.
On the other hand, and in sharp contrast, the
Gospel, God's good news of salvation for lost
significance cannot be had, but in submitting his will
to the Lord Jesus Christ. And, in doing so, man finds
a joy and a peace that surpasses all understanding. A
sinners in the Lord Jesus Christ, brings in an entirely new vision of all, a complete revolution takes place
different culture all together. The main thing about in those who receive Christ. This is the new culture
José the Gospel, says one of its greatest expositors, the Gospel introduces, a delight in God Himself
Moreno the Apostle Paul, is that it is God-centred. It is the and His ways, with a corresponding thankfulness.
Berrocal
Gospel of God (Romans 1:1). This means that the Gospel culture is quite distinguishable from this
Gospel is not a product of man's own ideas about world's, in that it calls us to relish not our own
the divinity. It is rather a Scriptural revelation from undertakings, but the glory of God in Jesus Christ.
God about Himself as He is in His Son. Therefore, the preaching of the cross challenges
The background to this Gospel is that we are this world's culture at its most crucial point, with
sadly lost and have no rights to claim before God, a message that is so contrary to human viewpoints
and that our salvation depends entirely on God's and expectations. But with a salvation that has
grace. The way the Gospel comes to us is through repercussions now and for the life to come. This is
the preaching of Jesus Christ and Him crucified the culture to pursue, the Gospel culture.
(2 Corinthians 2:2). Again, the most prominent
characteristic of the cross is that it displays God's
own character and achievements.
In teaching the Gospel, Paul highlights two
attributes of God, his power and wisdom, shown in
the way of salvation in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:24).
In the Gospel, God has effected a reconciliation
between Him and man in the atoning death of
the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. The only way
to receive this good news of salvation in Christ
alone is by faith in Him. It is also fundamental to
16 17
Being an
Vision
Vision
Paul does not launch a campaign to promote
Evangelical
good behaviour and Christian morality –
he preaches a Gospel centred on Christ.
Moralism and Christianity
The inhabitants of Corinth were
idolatrous and materialistic, but
Europeans are very In certain Roman Catholic countries in Europe, Paul isn’t bringing them a new
confused about what such as Spain, there is a lot of religious ignorance spirituality. They were living a
it means to be an about everything that is not Catholicism and the proud and immoral life, but Paul
Evangelical. Listening press seems to be increasingly misinformed. But does not launch a campaign to
to the media about the neither can it be said that they are making things promote good behaviour and
weird things which are up. We should recognise that it isn’t easy to know Christian morality – he preaches a
happening in America
what an Evangelical is. Gospel centred on Christ.
The evangelical movement
makes us feel some
What is the Gospel? isn’t the result of moralistic
sympathy for all those The word ‘evangelical’ comes from the Greek campaigns seeking to promote
who are still pretty word evangelion, meaning ‘good news’. In decency and good works. This is
disconcerted when 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 we are presented with the what many churches have done
they are asked what an basis of the Gospel. The Word of God is not a in the past, but these churches
Evangelical is. human invention or the result of speculation, were not necessarily those best
but God’s revelation. known for their evangelical faith,
Our understanding of the Gospel isn’t but rather for their humanism
derived from the ‘wisdom of words’ (1 Cor and social work. Others become
1:17), or the ‘wisdom of the world’ (v20), but embroiled in anti-gay campaigns,
from the ‘wisdom of God’ (1:24; 2:7), which but how do we expect homosexual
is true wisdom. In the eyes of the world it isn’t people to hear the gospel when we
wisdom, but madness; it doesn’t signal power spend our time fighting against
but weakness; nevertheless, the wisdom and their rights? Homosexuality may
the power of God lie in ‘Jesus Christ and him be a sin, but the sinner needs
crucified’ (1 Cor 2:2). That is why Paul decides to to hear the Gospel, rather than
proclaim only Christ and his cross. moral advice.
18 19Vision
Vision
A Biblical Message An Historical Faith
The gospel is Christ-centred, but it is also a famous theologian with great influence in The Gospel is not only Christ-centred and
biblical. Again we are told that the Christ that Vatican II, was once asked about the posture biblical, it is also historical. This can be seen
Paul preaches to the Corinthians is ‘according of Hans Küng, who denied the Pope’s in the reference made to Christ’s burial
to the Scriptures’ (1 Cor 15:3–4). The basis of infallibility. He answered, ‘So if Küng says (1 Cor 15:4), which is even mentioned in the
evangelical faith is not actually an experience, that the Pope is not infallible, and the Bible Christian Creed. Jesus didn’t carry on living
is not infallible either, then Hans Küng must
but a book. We judge our experiences in the after the crucifixion or die somewhere in The Gospel
light of the Bible, not the other way around. be the infallible one’. It is as simple as that. Kashmir. He did not faint away only to be
That is the difference between the Evangelical It is a question of authority. If we don’t trust revived in some Dead Sea cave. No one died is not only Christ-centred
faith and mysticism. If we believe that God is the Bible, it means that we trust ourselves. in his place, as is claimed in the Koran and and biblical, it is also historical.
real, it is not primarily because we feel it is so, That is why evangelical faith, far from being some apocryphal gospels. Jesus truly died and
but because that is what He has revealed about a manifestation of arrogance, recognises that rose again (v4). The good news is based on the
Himself in His word. we do not have the truth; only God has it. It is historical facts about Jesus of Nazareth. There
Some will say that all Christians believe because we trust Him that we say that His is is no differentiation between the Jesus of faith Apostolic Teaching
in the Bible, but that it depends on how the truth and ours is the error. and the Jesus of history, as some branches of Believing in the gospel is not, however, merely believing
it is interpreted. For Roman Catholics, Others will say that the problem is not the modern theology claim. in historical facts. Theology isn’t a hobby for those who
the authority of the Bible depends on the authority of the Bible, but its interpretation. As the apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15, have nothing better to do. Our salvation depends on
interpretation of Church teaching. Rahner, Modern day hermeneutics give the impression if Jesus did not rise again, our faith is theology, since ‘Christ died for our sins’ (1 Cor 15:3). His
that one can understand more or less anything meaningless, and we are truly worthy of pity. cross is not only a historic event, but it has a theological
from a text. It is in such a subjective vision that That is the extent to which our faith depends or redemptory meaning. Sin and death are related in
we lose sight not only of the author but of the of the reality of what happened on that day in Scripture. But if one is a consequence of the other, why
meaning of the Word itself. In Wonderland, time and space. Our hope is therefore not so did Jesus die if He hadn’t sinned?
Alice meets Humpty Dumpty – some sort much in the message but in the reality of the ‘He died for our sins.’ The sins are ours; the death is
The gospel is Christ-centred, of anthropomorphic egg – who likes to use
words whimsically. He tells her, ‘When I use
resurrection. If He lives, then we live too. His. He took our punishment. It is the only way that we
can be ‘saved’ (1 Cor 15:2). Jesus didn’t come to make
but it is also biblical. a word … it means just what I choose it to up for our faults but to take on the full weight of our sin.
mean – neither more nor less.’ To this Alice His death is the death of death.
objects, ‘The question is … whether you can This is the apostolic teaching, which gives us
make words mean so many different our security. Apostolic continuity does not lie in a
things.’ But for Humpty, ‘The sacramental ordination, transmitted from one person
question is … which is to be to the next through an episcopal blessing. The apostolic
master – that’s all.’ It is ultimately tradition is found in 1 Corinthians 15:11, the message
a question of authority. If we which he (Paul) or they (the twelve), had preached and
don’t submit to the authority of we (the Church) have believed. This chain entails a unity
the Bible, we submit to another of faith between the apostles and the Church touching
authority. every generation.
20 21Personal Reality
EMF
Vision
Get Involved
The gospel is ultimately a personal reality. That is how the
South Wales
Corinthians received it, and they persevered in it being saved in
order to keep their salvation (1 Cor 15:2). This is our hope, a ‘living
Conference
hope’ (1 Peter 1:3), not a vague but a secure hope. It is anchored
in the past through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, For further details,
upholding the future as a present reality, that we hope one day go to our website
europeanmission.org
to see fully realised. Our certainty of salvation is not however a
gesture of arrogance, but our trust in the fact that, in the same way
Saturday 14 march Vitalii Mariash
as He lives, we will also live. (Kyiv, Ukraine)
10.00am - 12.30pm
This theology is too individualistic for some evangelicals.
Antonis Topaloglou
The new perspective on Paul’s teaching challenges us to see
Venue (Thessaloniki, Greece)
salvation less individually. Justification would entail, not so
much a personal declaration of our acceptance by God, but the
Planting Freeschool Court
Evangelical Church, Bridgend
Pál Borzási
(Pericei, Romania)
reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles in one single nation. The
legal language that has been used up until now to talk about
for Growth www.freeschoolcourt.org.uk
Parking: Please use Brackla One car
Fabiano Fernandes
(Lisbon, Portugal)
park, Cheapside, CF31 1BZ or Rhiw car
justification seems more appropriate for the Reform of the
park, WaterStreet, CF31 1DP. Both are Adam Urban
sixteenth century than for Paul’s teachings, it is said. Again, the within 5 mins walk of the church. (Siedlce, Poland)
words seem to acquire another meaning. However, that is the
wonder of the Gospel: a personal salvation that we never have to
EMF
give up, especially not for theological speculation that now tries to
understand the gospel better than ever before. José de
We are never lacking in arrogance. Evangelicals have acquired Segovia
Norfolk
the reputation for fanaticism due to the superciliousness with
which we can sometimes talk. The Evangelical faith should lead us
Conference
to true humility. If what we seek is God’s glory, we should not be
trying to big ourselves up. His word is truth, His is the infallible
authority, but we can make mistakes.
Saturday 21 march FABIANO For further details,
The gospel is ultimately 10.00am - 12.30pm FERNANDES go to our website
(Lisbon,Portugal) europeanmission.org
a personal reality Hosted by: ADAM
Cromer Baptist Church
www.cromerbaptist.org.uk
URBAN
(Siedlce, Poland) Planting
Venue: East Runton Methodist Church Building
2 High St, East Runton, Cromer, NR27 9NZ
for Growth
Parking: East Runton playing fields (opposite side
of the road, 200m in direction of Sheringham)
22 23Spiritual
Vision
Vision
and between nations. In religion, changed. The church’s mission
he observed a reduction generally was the same and the Holy Spirit
Climate Change
in religious adherence, with the still brings life. Our responsibility
main continuity amongst women was to love both God and our
and the elderly. At the same time, neighbour, to study both the Word
Across Europe
mainstream religions retained a and the world, to connect with
Andy
subconscious social influence and people without succumbing to the
Woods
power. Roman Catholicism had world, to evangelise and to disciple
tended to approach evangelicals people. We were to pray and trust
Andy Woods is
rather than align with the God, the Bible and the Holy Spirit
from Gloucester,
increasing amorality of the age. and not to lose our nerve. We have and is the
EMF Autumn Conference Report In all these things, God, human
nature and the gospel had not
a never-changing message for an
ever-changing world.
Ex-manager at
Guessens.
This event was held at Welwyn the scene for the proceedings with a reminder of
Evangelical Church on 9 November bygone years at the start of the Mission. Andrew
2019. There was a full programme Birch gave a very clear summary of the spiritual
changes that had occurred in Europe since,
with three sessions in both the
although the various contributors showed us that
morning and afternoon.
the pattern varied considerably depending on the
The keynote address was given by Andrew Birch country involved. Vitalii, for instance, had relative
(Palma, Mallorca) and the closing sermon on freedom for the gospel in Ukraine and in traditional
Hebrews 1-8 by Robert Strivens (Pastor at Bradford- evangelism. Jan Hábl noted a ‘closing’ in Czech
on-Avon, and lecturer in Church History at the Republic with a strong increase in individualism,
School of Biblical Studies at Guessens). There were and saw the ‘liberalisation’ in his country leading
contributions from a number of EMF’ers and an paradoxically to increased controls and supervision.
enterprising live video link with Greece (Leonidas I would like to summarise Andrew Birch’s
Kollaros) and Ukraine (Vitalii Mariash). The event message more fully than space permits. He chose
was also live-streamed. There was a definite sense of four questions to answer: What has changed?
technical climate change and challenge! Attendance What about religion? What hasn’t changed?
was down on previous occasions, which was a What’s needed? To each of these headings he gave
pity, as the quality was high. It was nevertheless multiple answers. Europe is more relativistic, with
encouraging to meet up with many old friends and no moral absolutes, and has become amoral in a
the new Mission staff. moral vacuum. At the same time it has become
Steven Bowers (Mission Director) led and quoted more sophisticated with technology, and more
from Omri Jenkins in Five Minutes To Midnight to set mobile. He noted a greater division, both within
24 25Steadfast
Vision
Vision
& Sure
I want to consider the unchanging word in
an ever-changing world (not of course an original
theme) – particularly in relation to the mission
of the church. History, of course, has its own
plentiful supply of lessons but let us consider four
Rooted in Christ very important and prominent things in Scripture.
in an ever The need of and for the gospel
does not change
changing world ‘Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever
rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on
them’ (John 3:35). ‘All of us also lived among them at one
time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following
One advantage of increasing age is the rate of change in the last 25 Given the nature of human beings, God’s its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature
the ongoing opportunity to observe years has been difficult to keep up image bearers and God’s grace that is common to deserving of wrath’ (Eph 2:3).
change and changes. One of the with. Clearly, many changes are all, even in this fallen world, change for the better There has never been a generation of men and
great consolations for Christians good. For example, I doubt if we is in many ways inevitable. But inevitably too there women to which this does not apply. In the flow
is that we have the stability of would like to have attended the are changes for the worse. of history there never will. We must keep in mind
knowing and serving the One who dentist in the experimental days of The Bible shows us many of God’s servants facing that the spiritual needy condition of humanity
does not change. Whilst being the 18th century, when all kinds of great and often sudden changes; look at Job, Abraham, not only has not changed but will never change.
around for over sixty years enables tools, designed for other uses, were Joseph, Moses, David, Daniel. The Lord Jesus The ‘wrath deserving’ (unpalatable though it be)
one to see many changes. However, experimented with? trained his disciples to be ready for changes ahead. nature is never freed from its condition whatever
26 27Vision
Vision
changes may occur in society. No advance in The greatest of changes is coming
science, medicine or technology can resolve this. ‘But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens
The spiritual ‘DNA’ of people cannot be will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed
tweaked in such a way as to put us right with God! by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid
The gospel alone changes the nature deserving bare’ (2 Peter 3:10); ‘”As the new heavens and the new
wrath, acquits the guilty and adopts the new- earth that I make will endure before me,” declares the Lord,
born Christian into God’s family. In the work of Steven
“so will your name and descendants endure”’ (Isa 66:22;
evangelism and mission the complexity of change Bowers see also Revelation 21:1-5).
around us may indeed require fresh thinking, Even considering the great range of changes
sometimes brave and bold re-thinking, BUT the throughout history and particularly the last 100
need of the gospel remains. years, dare we say, to use the cliché, ‘We ain’t seen
nothing yet!’. Recall how the media and politicians
The gospel we will always need to adjust our approach the gospel requires no cannot get better, because that would mean that often put it following earth shaking events; ‘The
does not change adjustment. It will stand the test of time – we see he was less than perfect earlier, in which case he world has changed!’. God’s purpose is to bring
For this history enduring condition there is indeed this now – every day people embrace the gospel. It would not have been God. But God cannot get everything together under Christ. Those who rebel
good news. ‘And this gospel of the kingdom will be is still the power of God to salvation to everyone worse either, because in that case he would become and reject the gospel will experience a change that
preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, who believes. This power never diminishes. How imperfect, which he cannot be. God is and must is unalterable (Luke 16). The great change coming
and then the end will come’ (Matt 24:14). This gospel good is the news that tells us the good news never remain perfect in all his attributes.’ Of particular for believers is a change that brings the shifting
will be proclaimed to the end there is not the changes! interest here is that in the moral realm he does not shadows of the world to an end and any darkness
slightest hint of change or need to change. ‘The change – something that shifts, twists and turns in those shadows cast. Our need of the gospel does
gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in The God we serve does not change the world! We have a true rock and compass! We not change – so make sure we don’t forget that.
the Holy Scriptures’ (Rom 1:1). There is one gospel Malachi 3:6 – he declares it! (we cannot fully grasp need to know that God does not change, but we The gospel that meets that need does not change
(recall the letter to the Galatians) and this is what it) ‘I the Lord do not change. So, you, the descendants also need to know the God who does not change. – know it and stay with it. The God of the gospel
was promised and fulfilled. God never goes back of Jacob, are not destroyed’. The context in Malachi This has a great bearing on our approach to the does not change – reckon with that and rest on
on his promises. ‘It has always been my ambition to is contrasting the faithfulness of God with the Bible and its message. This is ultimate stability in that. There is a great change coming! – hope in
preach the gospel where Christ was not known’ (Rom unfaithfulness of his people. James Montgomery a highly unstable world. Our own lives maybe be it, look forward to it, be ready for it. We become
15:20). New territory for Paul but no new gospel. Boice helpfully writes of God’s immutability: ‘In completely changed in a matter of seconds in so ready for the greatest change when the One who
There must be no tampering with the Gospel of order to change, a moral being must change in many scenarios, but we must fix our eyes on the never changes, changes us by His Spirit and His
God. We need to know and be committed to that either of two ways. Either he must change for One who cannot and will not change throughout Son – of whom it is written … Jesus Christ the same
unchanging gospel. In whatever way we may have the better, or he must change for the worse. God eternity. yesterday, today and forever!
28 29EMF Prayer
Get Involved
Get Involved
Directory
Australia
(Eastern, QLD)
Dr Ian Cameron (Honorary)
138 McCaul Street, Indooroopilly,
Queensland 4068
BELGIUM NORWAY Spain
Tel: (07) 3371 2294
Michael & Ariëtte Robinson (De Panne) John & Oline Taylor (Sørreisa) * Juan & Marianne Bascuñana (Málaga) *
Email: emf.in.au@gmail.com
Andrew & Vivienne Birch (Palma de Mallorca)
(Western)
CZECH REPUBLIC POLAND Luis & Pilar Cano (Ciudad Real) *
Mr Keith Morris (Honorary)
Jan & Lucie Hábl (Nové Město nad Metují) Wiesław & Aleksandra Kamyszek (Łodz) Victor & Gio Defranchi (Palma de Mallorca)
2 Capri Place, Safety Bay, WA 6169
Henryk & Daniela Karzełek (Wodzisław) * Manuel & Alba López Franco (Almuñecar)
Tel: (08) 9592 6964
FRANCE Dawid & Agnieszka Kozioł (Zywiec) Matt & Judith Hill (Ciudad Real)
Email: emf.in.wa@gmail.com
Richard & Barbara Davies Zbigniew & Elzbieta Modnicki (Łodz) * José & Virtudes Moreno (Alcázar de San Juan)
Tony & Barbara Hynes (Carcassonne)* Krzysztof & Aneta Rutkowski (Włocławek) Francisco Javier Pérez Patiño (Xavi) (Ciudad Real)
Sławomir & Daniela Rutkowski (Włocławek) * Josefa Rodriguez (San Fernando)*
GERMANY Adam & Dagmara Urban (Siedlce) José & Anneke de Segovia (Madrid)
Timothy & Deborah Brooks (Utzenfeld) * Northern Ireland
PORTUGAL SWITZERLAND Representative
GREECE Fabiano & Suzana Fernandes (Lisbon) André & Marianne Rentmeister (Sion) *
Phil Dunn
Leonidas & Irene Kollaros (Ioannina) João & Emilia Narciso (Santana do Mato) * 23 Millgrange, Ballymoney,
Sophie Manousarides (Athens) * João & Celeste Nunes (Tomar) * UKRAINE County Antrim BT53 7QB
Stathis & Ruth Yfantidis (Athens) Rogério & Sonia Ramos (Sines) Volodymyr & Oksana Kostyshyn (Ternopil) Tel: +44 (0)28 2766 4214
Evangelos & Georgia Sikoutris (Patra) * José & Elisa Rodrigues (Alto do Moinho) Vitalii & Lyudmila Maryash (Kyiv) * E: phil.dunn@europeanmission.org
Antonis & Viki Topaloglou (Thessaloniki) Filipe Rodrigues (Alto do Moinho) UK
Evropi Tzelis (Volos) * UNITED KINGDOM BASE STAFF
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND István & Tünde Salánki (Hungarian Reformed Steven Bowers (Mission Director)
ITALY Eugen and Claire Peters (Newtowncunningham) * Church in London) Gerry Brienza (Operations Manager)
Pietro & Teresa Lorefice (Sicily) * Two other workers (North of England) Jonathan Jeffreys (Administrator)
Stefano & Jenny Mariotti (Budrio) ROMANIA Phil Dunn (Northern Ireland Representative)
Antonio & Anna De Noia (Peschici) Pál & Anna Borzási (Pericei) Martin Tatham (Church
Michael & Mary Steedman (Forli) * Sándor & Napsugár Kelemen (Targu Mures) Partnership Coordinator)
Vito & Erminia Tangorra (Sicily) Tim Oldridge (Finance Officer,
part-time)
Wendy Evers (part-time)
* Associate Members
30 31EMF
SPRING
DEPUTATION
If you would Visiting England Visiting
like a visit from and Wales Northern Ireland
one of these
missionaries,
please contact Antonis & Viki Topaloglou Filipe Rodrigues
(Thessaloniki, Greece) (Alto do Moinho, Portugal)
the EMF Office.
6-16 March 21-24 March
Vitalii Mariash Rogério Ramos
(Kyiv, Ukraine) (Sines, Portugal)
6-16 March 20-30 March
Pál Borzási Stathis & Ruth Yfantidis
(Pericei, Romania) (Athens, Greece)
11-16 March 27 March – 6 April
Fabiano Fernandes
(Lisbon, Portugal)
13-23 March
Adam Urban
(Siedlce, Poland)
13-23 March
Each missionary will be taking part in a regional conference.
Please see the advertisements in the magazine to support and hear him.
The Office and/or website is able to supply the full deputation programme.You can also read
