Pressing On

Why must I choose? Polarising can be a useful technique when writing articles, including blogs. Writing strongly from one perspective enables a pithier piece of writing which then provokes more response. However, it can also create tribes,  people who share a particular opinion, gather around them likeminded people and then draw together evidence from said people in order to strengthen their own position. Unfortunately, when things are presented in such a way they create false choices - in other words, if we reflect a little more deeply we realise that there is in reality, no choice that has to be made. It is not an either/or situation and it would be more accurately presented as both/and. An example... Qu: Is there still a need to send missionaries from the UK, supported by the UK Church, to other countries around the world? Many argue that there is, and continue to follow a traditional model of sending, others say that there is not and would argue that our resou...

                                            For all those reading this from the comfort of your island retreat here in the UK I wonder if you were aware of what God was doing in Europe over the Christmas and new year period - as he moved amongst thousands of young people, challenging them to more active engagement in His global purposes? Did you feel the afterglow coming across the channel towards us? The movement's called Mission-Net. Firstly, on behalf of the worldwide body of Christ (as if I speak on behalf of them ;-)) however, a huge thank you for all the staff and team that worked so hard to put together the recent Mission Net European conference and, of course, Evi Rodemann for steering it all. If anyone is interested in reading about what went on, how people wer...

For the last fifteen years I have spent a large amount of my time seeking to encourage people into overseas missional activity. I have had varying degrees of success in this venture! Over the past twenty years I have been bringing up my children, final tally four. I seem to have had varying degrees of success in this venture also! (but that is another story!) What do I do when those two collide? My eldest is now committing to work for four months at a hospital placement in west Africa ... it is very interesting to reflect on the emotions and thoughts that this brings forth as we embark on another phase of parenting. Initial thoughts: 1/ This represents an opportunity for me to make a personal visit back to west africa. This time I have another reason to go! Okay, so this is a selfish thought - but it's there nonetheless! 2/ Viewing the application process from another perspective is an interesting one - suddenly the questions that are asked take on a different meaning and im...

More thoughts in the series ... this time from a friend in Central Asia.   Monday tomorrow – back to the office. Sometimes, it seems like a drag. Teaching, translating, trouble-shooting, personnel problems. I dream of being a ski instructor (not that I can ski!) or of 'full-time' ministry. But then I remember why I am here: 19 years ago God called me – suddenly, unexpectedly – to this 'closed' country (but no country is really closed, just takes more creativity to enter) that I had only heard of in passing, and his commission: “I am building by Church there – you go and be a co-builder with me”. And then 6 years later (when I was already on-site) “I will lead you in ways you have not known”, as he directed me to start a business. Most people think the business is a 'platform' – that's insider language for a way to get a visa. It isn't - ok, maybe I...

More thoughts from my guest blogger, Malcolm Gr a y - Thailand.   “Why did you stay among the campfires to hear the whistling for the flocks?” (Judges 5:16).  Israel have settled in the promised land of Canaan. There is an uprising under Sisera, the commander of the Canaanite army with their 900 iron chariots. Israel are too disunited and afraid to face the enemy. Owing to a lack of willing male warriors, God chooses a courageous woman, Deborah, to lead the Israelite army into battle, consequently shaming the men. Predictably, God pulls through, and an amazing battle is won in the shadow of Armageddon (Mount Megiddo). God sends rain, the plain of Megiddo turns to a sticky mess, rendering the chariots useless, and Sisera flees on foot to a friend’s tent. Jael is the welcoming hostess, allowing the exhausted commander to sleep – just long enough for her to drive a tent peg through his temple, rendering ...

This year marks the centenary of WEC International . It is great to give thanks for what the Lord has done these last 100 years with and through the WEC fellowship - but I also want ed to mark what is happening in the world today ... So here are some more details ... "My name is Malcolm Gray, living in Thailand with my wife Kerstin and ten-year old daughter, Amy. We are a family of ‘missionary kids’ – or ‘MKs’ according to mission lingo. My daughter and I were born in Thailand. My wife was born in Burundi, each of us to missionary parents – who are not coined ‘MPs’ by the inconsistent lingo ! Our passports state that we are British and Swedish, though, if my Dutch mother was the type, she may feel slightly hard done by – but she’s not. She taught me about g race rather than being Dutch. And that’s what we aim to teach the Thai – what Grace is as opposed to what being Dutch ...