4 Mar 2020, 10:31Charles LethbridgeAloa
Men's Ministries Meeting in Scotland
The 29th of February is an uncommon event. It landing on a Sabbath more uncommon still. A Men’s Ministries Day of Fellowship in Scotland? Well that is uncharted territory!
A little more than 30 mostly men were blessed to have Pastor David Neal (Editor at Stanborough Press) as their speaker following the theme #standup in the rented hall in Alloa. Pastor Neal divided the message through three sections: discussion groups looking at the voices of those hurting around us; a sermon calling us to put our actions where are words are; and finally a further discussion looking at how Jesus showed redemptive love in the lives of the woman at the well, the paralytic let down through the roof and Zaccheus.
The Men’s Ministries Sponsor, Charles Lethbridge, challenged the men present to covenant to make a change for good in their areas of influence over the next six months while growing out their beards as a symbol of this commitment (see the video online at fb.me/menscotland). As a first step towards standing up and being the voice of change and justice, the offering taken on the day was pledged towards sponsoring a young lady to attend a Women’s Ministries retreat who otherwise wouldn’t be able to attend.
Scottish Mission President, Paul Tompkins, led a moving time of intercessory prayer where those present came together to pray for each other. Pastor Gabriel Perea (Pastor of the Dunfermline, Edinburgh & Musselburgh churches) exhorted the men to disciple: to build up other people, to affirm them in the path God is opening before them.
Pastor Neal closed his morning sermon with the story of the Empress of India which sank in 1914 following a collision with another vessel, killing more than two-thirds of the 1400 on board. The stories afterwards dwelt on the passengers belonging to the Salvation Army who gave their life jackets to others, gladly sacrificing themselves in the knowledge that their salvation was already secure. Are we making that kind of impact in our communities? Are we prioritising the lives, good and salvation of others just like Jesus did? Are we standing up where Jesus wants us to stand?
The 29th of February is an uncommon event. It landing on a Sabbath more uncommon still. A Men’s Ministries Day of Fellowship in Scotland? Well that is uncharted territory!
A little more than 30 mostly men were blessed to have Pastor David Neal (Editor at Stanborough Press) as their speaker following the theme #standup in the rented hall in Alloa. Pastor Neal divided the message through three sections: discussion groups looking at the voices of those hurting around us; a sermon calling us to put our actions where are words are; and finally a further discussion looking at how Jesus showed redemptive love in the lives of the woman at the well, the paralytic let down through the roof and Zaccheus.
The Men’s Ministries Sponsor, Charles Lethbridge, challenged the men present to covenant to make a change for good in their areas of influence over the next six months while growing out their beards as a symbol of this commitment (see the video online at fb.me/menscotland). As a first step towards standing up and being the voice of change and justice, the offering taken on the day was pledged towards sponsoring a young lady to attend a Women’s Ministries retreat who otherwise wouldn’t be able to attend.
Scottish Mission President, Paul Tompkins, led a moving time of intercessory prayer where those present came together to pray for each other. Pastor Gabriel Perea (Pastor of the Dunfermline, Edinburgh & Musselburgh churches) exhorted the men to disciple: to build up other people, to affirm them in the path God is opening before them.
Pastor Neal closed his morning sermon with the story of the Empress of India which sank in 1914 following a collision with another vessel, killing more than two-thirds of the 1400 on board. The stories afterwards dwelt on the passengers belonging to the Salvation Army who gave their life jackets to others, gladly sacrificing themselves in the knowledge that their salvation was already secure. Are we making that kind of impact in our communities? Are we prioritising the lives, good and salvation of others just like Jesus did? Are we standing up where Jesus wants us to stand?
