Ritchie's Real Deal

Floods upon the Dry Ground

2010-06-03T00:29:00.001+08:00

Hi folks ... we're home!

After 7 weeks in freezing cold Arctic UK, we are back in beautiful Philippines. It feels as if we have stepped from the freezer into the oven but we are glad to say that the searing temperatures we came back to a fortnight ago have dropped. In fact, we have had the first rain for 6 months here in Santiago and all of a sudden the horrible yellow dusty colour of our grass has turned lush green.

It made me realise that we need constant spiritual refreshing in our lives.

It is so easy to become dry and arid ... so easy to let the 'cares of this world' take away the life of God in us. When we are dry and brittle it is not a good sight and is certainly not pleasing to the eye. When we go through difficult times - wilderness times - our attitude and our spirit can often be negative and so lethargic.

But what a difference the rain makes. All of a sudden the yellow becomes green, the short becomes lush and the dead becomes alive. New life. New shoots. New energy. Sefton Village has become a paradise again ... all because of 3 days of rain! Wow. What a thought.

No matter how dry we are of how difficult a time we are having or how long we are in the wilderness for ... there is always refreshing with God! he can always supply a drink of cool water. He can always pull us through and pick us up. He can always shower us with good things. No matter how hard it gets ... we have a God who can bring us to places of rest and refreshing. Check out Psalm 23 and see how blessed we really are:

He is my shepherd
I will not live in want
He MAKES ME lie down
Where? In green, lush pastures ... places of plenty, much food and safety
He leads me beside quiet waters
He restores my soul. Again. Again. And Again.
He guides me in his ways
We need not fear death ... for He is with us
His rod to comfort us
His staff will lead us
He prepares a table for me.
Where? right slap bang in the middle of mine enemies!
And they cannot scare me, touch me or harm me!
Why? Because he anoints us with His spirit
Our cup of blessing constantly overflows!
Goodness and Mercy will CHASE after me ...
EVERY DAY that I live
And when it's all over here ...
it's just beginning in heaven
For I will dwell in His house ... forever

So whoever you are - a Filipino trying to make it through life, a Pastor trying to lead the church in the ways of God, a housewife in UK bringing up a family, a businessman in Singapore trying to survive recession ... let me tell you the great news today. Maybe you feel that life is yellow, arid, dry and dusty - but if you will stop for a while and reach out to God, his rain and refreshing is only a prayer away. No need just to survive ... you can thrive!

Listen to the promise of the Lord in Isaiah 44:3 (NLT)

For I will pour out water to quench your thirst and to irrigate your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants, And my blessing on your children.

A few showers will change your life!

Pastor Mark Ritchie

Cnristmas Update ...

2009-12-03T12:14:00.001+08:00

Well, we are nearly at the end of 2009. I remember in August thinking 'I think the rest of the year is going to fly by so fast' .. and it has!

Sefton has been a hive of activity in 2009. Despite many challenges - particularly financially - we have seen the amazing provision of the Lord and have seen many new and exciting things happen. The ministry has developed in many ways and we are so grateful for a wonderful group of people who we are privelilaged to call or staff. They are magnificent.

We have had so many visitors and teams this year. Each team and team member have added so much to Sefton Village and I know that they have gone back changed.

We had to go back to UK in February for 6 weeks after we heard the news that Mary's dad had cancer. It has been a tough year for them and even for Mary .. but God has answered our prayers and David has had some great results over the last few weeks. thanks for your prayers.

We have started some many wonderful minsitries this year - Theatre for Christ, New School Building, Powerhouse Schools Programme, Street Pastors ... if you want to see a short DVD that we made for a church in Hamilton please go to our blog www.markmaryritchie.blogspot.com

There are three things I want you to take note of:

1. Christmas Cards - If you are in UK, please note that you don't have to spend a fortune sending cards to the Philippines for us. Many of you did this last year. David Strachan and his family are coming out in Dec 17th, so if you want to send a card to us, save some money and send it to them and they will bring it out. His address is:

The Ritchies
c/o The Strachan Partnership
37 Hay Crescent,
Peterhead,
Aberdeenshire
AB42 1HH

If you in the Fraserburgh area you can drop it into my dad's house.

2. New Blog: We have decided to make a new blog for Sefton Village. In the past myself and Matthew have had the burden of blogging about all the news from Sefton. But now, hopefully every day, one of our staff will be writing about what's going on at Sefton.

Check it out - www.seftonsoundbites.blogspot.com

Please bookmark and leave a comment!

3. Christmas Expenses

Hate to repeat this again in 2009, but we always struggle at this time of year. By law, we have to pay all of our staff a 13th month pay in December. It's not an optional bonus ... it's law. We also have many extra expenses in December.

So basically, we need around 5000 pounds in the next two weeks! I know it seems impossible but if you can pray about it and help a little ... we can do it.

Please send any cheques to our agent (or email him if you want to put a gift directly into the Sefton RBS a/c):

Dr. Norman Reid
Hazelbank
83 Marjoribanks Street
Bathgate
West Lothian
Eh48 1QH

Tel: 01506 653366
Email: dr_n@btinternet.com

Thank you all so much for your interest and support regarding Sefton. We will be sending out a newsletter and gift in January. If you are not on the mailing list then please contact Norman on the above email address.

As you prepare for Christmas we pray that you will not get too stressed! Remember who it's all about ... Jesus.

We'd love to hear from you ...

All our love,

Mark, Mary, Lydia & Josiah
xxxx

Sefton Village 2009

2009-11-26T20:38:00.001+08:00

What's been happening at the best place in the world...

Church Hopping

2009-11-12T15:21:00.003+08:00

I was reading Roger Blackmore's blog today and came across this article about church hopping. Someone was talking to me today about a church that was growing so fast ... but mostly by Christians who wanted a change and wanted a new scene. This is common the world over. Seems like these are a million excuses to leave a church and any one will do. But anyway ...

These are the top ten things church hoppers say, as listed in Bob Franquiz’s excellent book, Zero To Sixty

1. “But my old church…” This usually means they want your church to be like their old church.

2. “I just need time to be fed.” This means, “I don’t want to do anything. I’m here just to sit and see what I can get out of this church, so don’t expect me to serve in any way, shape, or form.

3. “I’m looking for a church that teaches the Word.” This means, “I’m looking for a church that dispenses lots of information without challenging me to do anything.”

4. “We came here because we are looking for deep teaching.” This usually means their last church focused too much on actually obeying the Word. They want a church that just talks about the Rapture, the Second Coming, who the Hittites were and the identity of Theophilus.

5. “I should know my pastor.” This means, “In my last church, I got to know the pastor, but when the church grew, and the pastor couldn’t have dinner with us every Tuesday night, I left and came here.”

6. “We want a church that’s focused on discipling people.” This means, “I want a church that’s focused on me, not people who are lost.”

7. “I wish you wouldn’t focus so much on what people need to do.” This means they don’t like commitment, they don’t like to be told the Bible actually tells them how to live and follow Jesus. They want to come to church, live in their sin and have no one tell them this is wrong.

8. “I wish you wouldn’t talk about money.” This is the best way to tell a pastor “I don’t give.”

9. “My old church/pastor was…” The way people come to your church is how they will leave. If your first conversation with them is all about their last church and pastor, that is how they will leave your church and how they will go to their next church.

10. “Pastor, I’ve been talking to a lot of people and they all say…” Translation: “Me, my spouse and my mother think…” If they start this way, 99.9% of the time they have no one else who thinks this way, it is just the best way to complain. If someone has a complaint and uses this line with me, they need to list all of the names or my best assumption is they talked to the same person 10 times.

Mmmm ... sounds familiar! If we only moved when God said move we would always be in the right pace in the right time.

Rachel's Back ...

2009-11-12T00:37:00.005+08:00

Hi everyone. Right now it is ultra busy at Sefton Village. This weekend we celebrate 10 years of the KMGLC school ... should be a great occasion. We also are opening our newest Cornerstone Church in Sta. Monica. It's all go!

We have a team here from Rotherham New Life. We are having a wonderful time with them and I have asked one of the team - Rachel Fields - to write a Guest blog for me. Rachel was here 18 months ago when she was a student at Mattersey. She is a wonderful lady and has a great attitude & spirit. Here is what she is thinking ...

"Wow, back in the Philippines 18 months later. It is great to be back and see the wonderful people of Sefton Village!

We are a team from Rotherham New Life Christian Centre with 3 adults and three 16 and under girls. We have come out with a view to serve the people of Sefton, but we have been so blessed being here with the generosity of the people here.

We have been here since Monday morning.. and thrown ourselves into the programme that Sefton village would normally carry out on a weekly basis. Feeding Programmes, Street Pastors, School Assemblies, Bible College Chapel Service, Praying for the sick in a local hospital, visiting a local prison… and this has only been three days.

The most incredible thing about Sefton has been the incredible number of ministries that have started up in the last 18 months. I was impressed last year when I came, because they were extending the Kingdom of God more than I could ever imagine, now they have just blown my brains away with, Echague, St Mateo, Elementary School, the radio station is being built.. (I don’t know the rest, but I am sure there is plenty more) oh and of course 2 new churches planted in the last couple of weeks and one more this Saturday!

I am amazed that got has enlarged the territory of Sefton Village in turn Sefton Village is extending the Kingdom of God!

The three teenage girls have experienced somethings they have never experienced before. My husband Stephen is experiencing his first ever missions trip (what a place to start!!!!) and Stephen Chambers, a senior leader from RNL has come back again this year!!

Pray for us as we continue to minister through the next week!!"

Thanks Rachel. Will get some pictures posted soon!

Talk soon ... goodnight!

Helga Mosey Children's Home ... the New Look!

2009-10-23T06:12:00.001+08:00

Over the last few months our workmen have been hard at work in our Children's Home. We have two kids and two adults in our house ... and we know how much punishment a house can take with four living here. But can you imagine a house that has around 15- 22 kids living there with 8-10 adults ... for 13 years!!!

At the beginning of 2009 things were pretty bad. The vinyl tiles were coming up, the cupboards were falling apart, all the screens on the windows had huge holes in them, the toilets were all blocked - bar one, the paint was all faded, the play equipment outside was falling apart and ugly, curtains all torn ... etc. etc. I think you get the message. It all came to a head when we were showing an American Missionary couple around the home ... and we felt more than a little embarrassed!

Yup, it was time for a makeover ... big time! By faith, I asked Jonathan, Matthew and Marilyn to make an estimate of everything we need to do. Everything. We have been struggling so much with the finances in the last year that it was impossible to budget for anything like this.

We prayed and I felt we should first contact the Helga Mosey Trust, headed by Pastor John Mosey (Helga's father). I only wanted to make them aware of the condition of the Home and that we wanted to start raising money for a face lift ... that same day they contacted me to say they would pay for everything. It was a tearful moment. Couldn't believe it.

We started in September and for around a month all the kids were squashed together in a few rooms and the Nursery had to stay in the Guest house (not that they complained!!) ... a challenging time. But not a complaint. Because what was happening inside the Home was fantastic. You can endure a little bit of hardship when you know there is a whole lot of blessing ahead!

Finally, we finished the face lift. Matthew has dome a great job with the guys. There is new ceramic tiles in the Living area, kitchen and workers rooms. The whole place has been repainted - the kids and aunties chose the colours. All new mosquito screen on the windows. New kitchen units and lovely black marble worktop. New curtains in every room and new soft furnishings throughout. All the toilets were unblocked (from teddies, toys, books, cutlery - you name it!!) and new toilets put in. All the kids room have vinyl laminate flooring. The whole outside of the building has been repainted, including windows and roof. We have a new wiring and electrical system. The swings and playground equipment are repaired and repainted. Amazing. Talk about a transformation!

Everyone is so happy now. I went to take pictures yesterday and the kids and staff were over the moon. Delighted. They are calling it 'Malacanyan' - the place where the President of the Philippines resides! Even I would love to live next door at HMCH!

Enjoy the pictures and video ... they all looked a million dollars! I did a bit of a photo shoot for the staff and kids after taking the Home because they looked so good! Be amazed at what has happened. These children are precious to the Lord and the ministry of Marilyn and the Aunties is second to none. I am so happy for them.

Sometimes, a positive change in the physical exterior can bring great joy and warmth to the whole ministry ... it has certainly happened at HMCH! Thank you Matthew & Jonathan. Thank you John & Lisa Mosey. Thank you Mary. Thank you staff. Thank you Lord.

Helga Mosey Children's Home ... Facelift!

2009-10-23T00:11:00.001+08:00

Amos 9

2009-10-15T19:23:00.002+08:00

The Lord speaks in many ways - through preaching, through the prophetic word, through dreams and visions, through circumstances, through words of knowledge ... and especially through His Word. I've learned that if the Lord wants me to take note of something or if He really wants to speak to me, He will let me hear or read the same passage of scripture three or four times. Same with you?

Two days ago I was reading my Bible and I was going through Amos. Sometimes it is good to read a whole book at once. Chapters are there to break things down but most of these books were written and meant to be read as one book or letter. We can sit and read a novel or auto biography for hours but when we are reading God's Word we read a couple of pages, two or three chapters and say, "Right, that's enough for today." It's good - especially with the minor prophets and the Epistles (letters) - to read the whole book.

Anyway, enough of me rambling on. I was reading Amos 9 and it hit me right between the eyes. I read it in the NLT and I wondered what it said in the Message translation. Yesterday, I was reading a blog and also a magazine ... and in both Amos 9 were used.

Today, whilst driving to Church, I was listening to Paul Scanlon's message "Understanding Transition" and he uses it as his text ... from the Message! I knew God was speaking to me. He is amazing. So often He is desperate to speak .. but are we listening?

Here is what it says in Amos 9:13-15, from the Message:

Yes indeed, it won't be long now. God's Decree.

Things are going to happen so fast your head will swim, one thing fast on the heels of the other. You won't be able to keep up. Everything will be happening at once—and everywhere you look, blessings! Blessings like wine pouring off the mountains and hills. I'll make everything right again for my people Israel:

They'll rebuild their ruined cities.
They'll plant vineyards and drink good wine.
They'll work their gardens and eat fresh vegetables.
And I'll plant them, plant them on their own land.
They'll never again be uprooted from the land I've given them.

God, your God, says so.

I don't want to elaborate or suggest anything right now. Maybe these verses are for one or some of you reading this. I believe they are for me .. I have read the words but now I have to ask God for the understanding.

Pray about it ... maybe this is for you. If you want to comment or send a wee message, would be great to hear from you.

Blog again soon ...

Selah

Cornerstone@5

2009-10-12T21:22:00.011+08:00

A few weeks ago we had a tremendous weekend celebrating five years of Cornerstone Churches. We have been amazed at the goodness of the Lord and what He has done since 2004. We invited Pastor Yang Tuck Yoong and his wife Daphne to be our guest speakers - they are the Senior leaders of Cornerstone Singapore. They brought three other team members from Singapore.

What a weekend we had! On Friday we picked up the Team and on Saturday morning we did 'Street Pastors' in Santiago. On Saturday night we had 'Colours of Cornerstone' where every church and department gave a video or PowerPoint of their ministries and then did a song, dance or testimony as well. It was great! The Police sent representatives, as did the Bureau of Jail, politicians and business friends. So much effort had gone into organising the event - especially from Jane Mangadap and her team!

We now have 12 Cornerstone Churches and we are planning to plant 6 more in the next 6 months. Every church wore different colours - what a night!

On Sunday morning we had the Anniversary service and Pastor Yang spoke about being a prophetic church. He prayed for all our leaders and the praise & worship was wonderful - a taste of heaven! At the end of the service so many came forward for prayer and to be touched by the power of the Holy Spirit. Incredible morning!

After the service we had a baptismal service at the Sefton pool. We had four groups of pastors baptising because we had around 60 candidates to be baptised. What a wonderful time. In the evening Pastor Yang and Pastor Daphne spoke to our Cornerstone leaders and then at 730pm other leaders from nearby churches joined us for a leadership seminar.

On Monday we went to the jail and had a great service there. Pastor Yang spoke ... and the fire of God fell!! We baptised 15 new believers after the service.

So we thank God for his faithfulness to Cornerstone in the last 5 years. It's incredible to see what He has done with a group of willing and surrendered leaders. Our theme was taken from 1 Samuel 7:12- "Ebeneezer - God has helped us every step of the way."

And He has. And He is. And He always will.

Selah

Comeback ...

2009-09-08T11:24:00.002+08:00

... I am making a comeback in blogworld! It seems that a few folk are missing the blog...

Check it out again next week! This week is unbelievably busy. We are going to celebrate the 5th Anniversary of Cornerstone this weekend and Pastor Yang and his lovely wife Daphne are bringing a small team to speak and share for the occasion. Wow ... should be amazing. Will blog about it soon.

So many things to share ... next week! If you have any comments, pls write below. If you really would like the Sefton blog to continue ... let me know.

Until next week ... blessings upon blessings!

Bye ...

Bit of a Nothing Blog ... but at least you know I am Alive!

2009-05-23T13:38:00.003+08:00

Sorry ...

... I really hoped to get some momentum with my blogs. Truth is that there is so much to blog about! So many things have happened and are happening around our lives and ministry. BIG problem is our Internet. In the last month it has been on around 5 or 6 part-days!! Even Mary is beginning to complain ... and that's something! We are looking fir different options but o far there are none. Aaaaaaggggghhhh..

I am sitting in an Internet cafe again, but it is not the nicest of places with so many teenage guys blowing up and shooting the enemy playing their crazy violent games! Hard to get some decent thought processes going! Whatever brain I have after 39.99 years of use is finding it hard to put some words together!

What's been happening here?

* Just back from AoG National Conference
* Many kids discharged from HMCH ... Ryan going to Italy!
* SBTC Week of Refreshing
* SBTC Graduation

I only have a few days left of being in my thirties!!! I will be 40 on Thursday 28th May!! I am looking back, planning ahead and working out my life!

Blog soon ... promise! Just pray for good Internet!!!! Thanks

Iron Shrpens Iron

2009-05-14T05:30:00.004+08:00

Over the last weeks, I have had the amazing privilege of listening to three great men of God - Reinhard Bonkke, Ed Silvoso and David Shearman. All of them have done a significant work for the Lord in different ways.

Reinhard Bonkke - Incredible evangelist to Africa. I first heard about him as a teenager at an AoG conference. At that time he was making a 34000-seater tent that was going to touch Africa. Little did he know that the tent was far too small! Now he sees literally millions of people come to his evangelistic crusades and in 2009 alone, more than 2 million people have accepted Christ through his ministry. Incredible.

I was honoured to go with David Strachan to Singapore for the celebration of Reinhard's 50 years in the ministry ... what a weekend! Planetshakers were the worship leaders, so you can imagine how powerful the services were!

As I listened and watched this great man, what did I learn?

* Passion for souls. He has an incredible passion to 'plunder hell and populate heaven.'

* Integrity - He has not been tarnished by scandal or accusations. He has been a man of honour for many years and does not strive after worldly possessions. He even sold his house in the states to pay for an evangelistic crusade!

* Focus - He knows who he is, where he is an where he is going

* Mentor - He is mentoring young men to work with him and one day he will release them into what he ha started. The work will go on.

I was invited by Brian Burton - a British AoG Missionary in Thailand - to go to a 'Transform Our World' Conference in Phuket last month. The main speaker was Ed Silvoso. I felt it was very strategic for where we are at Cornerstone so I brought our three leaders with me. I had met and heard Ed Silvoso in the 90's because there was a strong link made with his ministry and my home church in Fraserburgh. He has recently written a book about Transformation and I felt that we needed to be there. We had a great conference and I had the opportunity to spend some time with Ed, his wife and his world team.

He is still an excellent communicator and his heart is to see Marketplace Ministers throughout the world in our churches. His presentations were excellent and very challenging.

What did I learn from this man?

* Loves people - seemed to me like he really genuinely loves people. There were many of his team there and they testified about how Ed had really poured his life into theirs. Again, he was a mentorer.

* Burden - He has a tremendous burden to see Christians raised up to minister on the fields of work they live in. The world will only be transformed when the Pastors and Christian leaders raise up and recognise that not every person in their church needs to go to the ministry via Bible School! Teachers can reach teachers, shopkeepers can reach shopkeepers ... we need to raise up Marketplace Ministers.

* Networking - Ed and his ministry is known all over the world. He knows the power of networking and synergy. He knows what he needs to become and needs to say to get his message through to a lot of leaders from a lot of backgrounds in a lot of nations.

* Transformation - At eth end of the day, Ed longs for societies and cities to be transformed. It is great to have a revival in church but far better to see a transformation in the community! We need both! If Christians touch God in the church, reach and bless people in their work places.. transformation will come!

This week I am attending the Philippine General Council of the AoG Conference in Cebu, Philippines. One of the speakers in David Shearman from Nottingham, UK. David has been one of our national AoG Leaders for many years and is very respected in the movement. He has built a great church in Nottingham of around 1500 people. He has wonderful gifts in teaching and preaching with a strong prophetic edge.

When I know he was coming, I decided to email and ask if I could spend time with him and even help him while he was here. Si this week has been great for me. We have spent a lot of time together and I really am challenged by this man. What have I leaned so far?

* Commitment and resilience - This man has been in Nottingham for 44 years - around 38 as the Senior Leader. Say no more. That's commitment. Many struggles over the years, but here he is still serving God and overseeing His work. He is committed to British AoG, his local church, to missions and to his family. God, make me passionately committed!

* Prophetic - over here in the Philippines, the gifts of the Hole Spirit are not taught about much. You would never go to an AoG church and hear a prophetic word. But David has an amazing gift of prophecy - not only as words but also when he ministers the word of God. When he was preaching yesterday, I was thinking, "Wow, you are saying and touching things in your message that you know nothing about but are significant words from God." God, make me prophetic!

* Mentoring - David has been known as a man who mentors the next generation. I love that. His heart is to train those coming behind. He does this at a local, national and international level. This makes him a great man.

* Humility - when you speak and share with David Shearman for any length of time you will see tears. This week I have seen him kneel in the services in times of consecration. As we speak together I have seen his compassion. His interest as I simply share my life and heart with him. It is so easy to get a hard heart in the ministry. But David has reminded me again of the importance of humility and compassion. Of we don't have these in our lives ... we might as well give up!

So these three men have impacted me in many ways. I feel that God has been bringing me on a crash course this year to learn from these men and to sharpen my life and ministry. You may say,” Well, what a waste of your time, effort and money. Why can't you just listen to CD's and stay at home?"

Sometimes you have to be where the men of God are. There is something called Impartation ... when a man or woman of God lays hands on you, prays for you and imparts things of God into your life. You can't get this from buying a CD. You gotta go. Actually, going in itself is a sign to God that you are serious about what He wants to bring us into. You will never waste money of your goal is to receive from the Lord. He will always bless your life in so many ways. God loves "Those who have set their hearts to pilgrimage" Chasing the blessings? No. Cherishing the anointing? Yes.

I am a blessed man. I feel challenged and refreshed by what these men have said, but also how they have lived and are living. They are all, I think, in their 60's and I can see that the fire and passion of God is alive and well in each of them. I pray that they all 'Finish Well."

And how about you? Well, my advice is to get around men and women of God who can impart something into your life. Get around people who will speak truth to you. Get around people who have proved themselves to be faithful. Get around people who can pour what they have into you. Get around people who will stretch you and challenge you. Get around people who are changing our world for God.

You can sit in a church all your life and never be challenged. You plan your vacations to go to places where your soul will be happy but where your spirit is never fed. Why don't you change your heart? Why not, for maybe the first time, say, "God, I want to go and see what you are doing in this world. I want to go and spend time with a person who is making an impact for you. I want to experience you at work. I want to be challenged. I want to be refreshed. I want to learn new things."

If you have the heart to go ... God will have the heart to bless. And your life will be changed ... forever!

Michael Angelo said, "The problem for most of us is not that we aim too high and miss, but that we aim too low ... and hit."

Selah

Crazy River in Santiago

2009-05-13T14:27:00.001+08:00

Here is the river in Santiago last week! Unbelievable. See the power lines ... they are usually 15-20ft in the air. That's how high we are talking about. Scary stuff.

How Can a City Be Changed?

2009-05-11T21:48:00.004+08:00

Over the last week I have been really challenged by what I have seen, heard and experienced. What we think changes us; but also what wee see, hear and experience moulds and shapes our lives. No matter how much philosophy we know or ideas we may hold on to ... when disaster comes, what we go through and how we respond to what we go through shows what we really believe and trust in.

Last week I watched my friends and fellow workers homes go under a deluge of water and mud. I saw it. I also saw for myself how they reacted. My aunty Betty emailed me and said,"I cannot believe their faces (smiles)" I heard what they said and I experienced their deep emotions and positive attitude. They have preached louder last week than in the last 5 years behind a pulpit.

How can we change city? The same way in which I have been changed. Seeing. Experiencing. Hearing.

There are a few basic things that you see in the first few chapters of Acts - the beginning, the blueprint for the church.

1. Prayer
2. Power
3. Presence
4. Provision
5. Proclamation

Why is this still so important today? How can we still follow this simple example?

1. Prayer - believe it or not, prayer is still the key that will unlock doors and open the way for a clear vision. If we pray ... He will answer. In this age of ready made videos & DVD's, there is still no shortcut to revival or transformed societies. It starts with a group of people who are desperate for God to do something and even more desperate to be used by Him. Many churches are doing everything EXCEPT pray. Our fruit will be little and our vision will be good ideas.

2. Power - I am a Pentecostal, and I have preached so many times about the miracles, signs and wonders. We need them today etc. etc. And we do. this unbelieving generation demands a sign that God is alive and sometimes only a miracle will prove He is there and He has power.

We have been faced with many challenges in the past 9 years and we could tell you story after story of the miraculous power of God. When you trust Him ... He turns up. Back in the UK I believe that people need to experience the power of God. Not just read about it or hear about it ... but experience it. Trouble is that very few Pastors and leaders see a true miracle from one years end to another. We need to experience the power of God.

3. Presence - and where do we need this power? On the streets. In the hospitals. In our homes. In our workplace. Church was not made to be in church building alone. Church was designed to be where the people were. My views on church have changed so much in my few years here.

A few months ago God spoke to me. He said, "Mark, 99% of people in this city will never come to Cornerstone." What an encouraging word! Thanks Lord. He lead me to read the Gospel of Mark. Then I realised. Probably 90% of the ministry of Christ was done on the streets - in people's homes, in the market, in the Fields, in the villages. When I looked at my church experience over the years, I realised that 90% of all ministry in most churches is done INSIDE the church building. We gather a few but multitudes outside never hear.

God designed the church to have presence in the marketplace. this is where we belong. What about a church that never goes on to the streets, never reaches out to the strangers, never touches the poor? What kind of a church is that? That, my friend is not a church as God designed; it is a group of Christians who meet together for the sake of meeting together. We are right when we call it 'Meetings" - we meet and leave. The church is not an end ... but a means to an end. Church without evangelism is not a church at all. A church with no presence on the streets is a church that needs to wake up and smell the harvest.

4. Provision - the early church ministered to the poor, fed the widows and found themselves reaching out into the felt needs of Jerusalem. This is so importance. I am really beginning to see that there is an invisible secret that we know little about by reading the book of Acts. Yes, power and miracles are important for people to experience. But I believe that many accepted Christ because they SAW a church that ministered to the poor day in day out. Not a fortnightly rota with a few buns and soup, but a group of people who cared consistently and selflessly.

They gave. They fed. They prayed for people. They clothed. The sacrificed what they had. They ministered. Every day.

I have seen the power of kindness last week. By giving out a few cakes and noodles last week I felt true appreciation from people whose lives were falling apart. They said things like, :I will never forget your kindness." Or "No-one cares for us apart from Cornerstone." or "Nobody came but you." They SAW something. Their felt need was met. Random acts of loving kindness can break the hardest heart.

When we schedule evangelistic programmes and powerful events, let us remember that a simple act of kindness and love can be just as powerful as the most wonderful message! Yes, we need people to experience the power. But just as important, we need people to SEE that we really care. We provide. We give. We sacrifice.

5. Proclamation - Our mission at Cornerstone is "to Make Jesus Famous" People in Santiago need to be connected to Him ... the source of life and everything we need. In the early church, it was all about Jesus. In every message in Acts, the Apostles preached Jesus.

Today, we still need people to HEAR that Jesus is the only one that can save, heal, deliver and bring joy, purpose and life! We still have a message to proclaim! Praise God, the way in which we can share the message has changed - blogs, podcasts, internet, powerpoints etc. etc ... but the basic message is still the same. Amazing.

I believe the people in Jerusalem SAW the care and compassion of these young Christians; They experience the miraculous power of God and they heard the message of Christ. They believed, repented, were baptised ... and the church grew from strength to strength, from street to street, family to family. News about what was happening was the talk of the town. Being with Christians was the place to be. The whole city was filled with awe and great joy.

How I wish one day people will write this about Santiago!

Can a city be changed? Yes. Absolutely. But somehow we have to allow the people to see, experience and hear what God is all about. He needs no props. When He turns up things will never be the same again. I feel we have to change the way we think. Allow God to show us new paradigms. New levels.

Gotta go and catch my bus!

What do yo think? Please leave a comment and lets get talking!

Selah

It Is Well ...

2009-05-09T15:54:00.008+08:00

Yesterday was was one of the most incredible days I have lived! I went to bed and it seemed as though the water was in my brain and between my ears .. I had seen so much of the stuff! Every time I closed my eyes I saw fast, muddy water that looked like coffee!

It was heavy rain again last night and I feared the worst. I left St James Subdivision and literally hundreds of people were sitting on their tricycles or standing in the mud waiting for the water to subside. With the heavy rain I thought that they would have to wait a long time. But praise God ... I found out this morning that the water finally subsided in Pastor Adonis' house at 1am!

Mary & I went to St James this morning to see the pastors and their families .. as well as many families who have sent their kids to our school in the past or at the present. A lovely christian lady texted us to swing by her house to take some food for the people. She gave us ten big boxes of noodles, two boxes of Coffee sachets and hundreds of buns. My car was full.

When we entered St James, it was like a war zone! Che, one of our members, showed me how high the water came in her house (above) and look at her belongings! Everyone, and I mean everyone, had all their earthly possessions out on the street or in their garden and all of them were busy cleaning their furniture and possessions. We saw mattresses that were drenched... sofas that were soaking... everywhere!

We visited Pastor Jun and he had already cleaned his house and had gone to help Pastor Adonis. Pastor Marlou was almost finished his house. We went to Pastor Adonis' house ... what an absolute mess! His whole house had been caked in mud. The mud was around a foot deep and the water was about 7 feet - touching the ceiling! When we saw him he was busy washing his furniture ... with a toothbrush. I told him he'd better not brush his teeth tonight! How can this man smile when everything he has has been under the water? Incredible.

Pastor Adonis took a step of faith three months ago and rented the house next to his to start a new Cornerstone Church. He pays for the rent himself and he and his family, along with some neighbours, really sacrifices to make this simple house into a place of worship. I went there a few weeks ago and there was around 60-70 people attending! Below are the photos before the typhoon.

But when I saw the devastation in the church .. I was so sad. All the PA equipment was covered in mud. The musical instruments - drums, keyboard, guitars - looked as if they were pretty much destroyed. The floor of the church was covered in mud. I just felt in the spirit, " We will get this place more beautiful than before!"

Some of our Cornerstone members' houses are in a bad way too. I said to one member, "Yesterday was a terrible day for you." His response? "Yes, but today is a day of challenge and opportunity for me and for us." In all of my travels in these last two days I have never heard one complaint or angry word. Filipinos are people of resilience, respect and gratitude ... and I admire and love them more and more.

I was so proud of our Cornerstone Pastors and workers. Yesterday, Henry told me they fed 2000 people with Congee! He was so tired. But he asked if I had any money to give him ingredients to make another 1000 meals today! So he rose at 4am and started making food for everyone again. I met them going around every street in St James with free food. People came with huge pots ... and we filled them. These people were so busy cleaning they had no time to cook ... but thanks to Henry and the team a great need was met. We also went round on tricycles giving out coffee, noodles and buns! Meals on wheels ... Cornerstone style!

I heard on the news that 24 people died in Isabela. When I saw the river yesterday, I knew that some people would have had no chance. Please pray for those who have lost so much. Pray for our Pastors as they try and get back to a normal life in their homes. Pray that we westerners could learn from these Filipinos about how to live by faith, how to respond to difficulty and how to smile. Pray for many Muslim families who had their homes completely destroyed. Pray for our Cornerstone churches .. that they would reach out and touch lives in this hour of need. Pray for all our Pastors and staff and all the people we know in Santiago who are going to bed in wet homes with no electricity tonight.

Thanks for all your prayers. If you have only started reading the blog in the last day or two, why don't you bookmark this page and check it out from time to time. Please sign our Guestbook on the right and leave a message or comment.

I leave you with the words of an old hymn that I have been singing away over the last few days:

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord!
Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul...

... and that, my friend, is the most important thing.

Selah

P.s. - there is one good thing that came out of the typhoon. Pastor Winston found two fish in his living room as he was cleaning it out! Will make a nice snack!

Water Water Everywhere ...

2009-05-08T19:43:00.001+08:00

Last night Typhoon Emong hit us here in the Philippines. The rain was incredible and caused flash floods. Many houses were completely submerged and people climbed on their roofs to be safe. This is the morning after...

Emergency: Pray for us!

2009-05-08T14:10:00.005+08:00

Over the last few days it has been raining heavily here in Northern Philippines. Yesterday we were warned of a typhoon that was sweeping towards us in Isabela. Some typhoons are very destructive with heavy winds, some are destructive with heavy rain ... but when you get the two together, that's when real trouble comes. And that's what happened last night...

The rain was pouring down last night. We had to wade through the water to get to the Bible School for a meeting. We were worried because many of our Pastors live in a place called St James, which is very prone to flooding. In 2007, our Pastors had to evacuate five times. But for two years there has been no floods and the government was confident that the problem had been solved.

But this morning we met one of our Teachers who lives in St James - Teacher Jennifer. She told us that she had a horrific night. She lives alone and she woke up at 2am to find the water coming up past her bed...and rising fast. She grabbed some things in her bag and ran. She left her mobile phone in her house along with everything else. She walked to Sefton Village through the storm .. and that's a long way in those conditions. On the way she was so exhausted that she just dropped her bag and let it float away. She has no way of knowing what has been destroyed in her house because it is completely submerged in water.

I texted all our pastors and staff who lived in St James. Pastor Jun told me that they were ok but stranded in their house. His pregnant wife Emmy Lou was sitting on a chair that was on top of their table. Jun said that even in the typhoon she looked like a queen! Most of our staff did not respond, so I decided to go and see for myself.

I went past the bakery and ordered 500 cakes. I went to the town while they prepared the cakes and I could not believe what I saw. On the bridges of Santiago hundred of people were looking over the river. But now, it was more like a raging ocean. Water was everywhere. The elecrticity lines were literally inches from the flowing water. People's houses were submerged. Many were on the roofs with all their worldly possessions. There was a boat going around saving people. I couldn't believe my eyes.

The police officer in charge said that in all his years as a policeman in Santiago, this was the worst floods he had ever seen. I went to St James and didn't get very far. Even the main road down to the homes was flooded ... and I know that this road was far higher than the homes below. I went around and gave out my cakes. The people were so grateful ... even though many had lost so much. I felt, "What's a cake when their world was falling apart?" But anyway, it brought a lot of happiness to many people (especially kids!) and sometimes all you need to know is that someone cares.

The police told us a few hours ago that the water was going to go higher. But as I went back to St James, I was happy to see it was receding. Please pray that he water will continue to recede. They say they are going to open up some dams nearby and that would raise the levels again. Please pray.

As I speak, I don't know the full extent of the floods. I know that all of our staff are OK but that many will have lost most of their possessions. The Pastors of Cornerstone who were not effected by the flood have been working hard helping people. Pastor Henry has just finished making meals for 1000 people and he , along with Pastor Danny, is going to find those who have no home and no hope. We are planning to use the church or fir centre as a place of refuge, if needed.

Please please pray that there are no casualties. Please pray that at this difficult time we will be able to touch the lives of thousands with practical love. Pray that out of this typhoon many will turn to Christ. Pray for our staff that have suffered and that are worried. Pray for Jennifer and Pastor Adonis ... they are the worst affected and Jun said that he was so upset watching Adonis as he stood and watched his house go under the water. Adonis' roof is almost covered with water ... everything will be destroyed.

I will do another blog tomorrow with an update. Sefton Village is ok because it is high up. My family are doing well, although Lydia is a bit upset about Pastors Jun's house and the house of her friends (Adonis' kids)

I am continually amazed at the attitude and resilience of Filipinos. Time and time again they suffer so mush with typhoons, earthquakes, volcanoes ... and yet they seem to rise up and get on with life so quickly. I am just thanking the Lord today that in all my life in UK I have never had to go through what these lovely people go through again and again. Count your blessings ... and don't hold on too much to things that perish.

Many thanks for your concern. You mean the world to us ... especially in times like these.

Still in Bonny Scotland ...

2009-03-25T16:15:00.005+08:00

Still here ... only just! We have booked our flights 'home' for Monday (30th March) from Aberdeen. So we will have been home for around 6 weeks altogether.

We are sure that we made the right decision and we have been able to spend a lot of time with David & Wilma up in Wick. David had his 3rd chemo last Friday in Inverness and is learning to rest and not push himself too hard between treatments (not easy for us men!) The great news is that he gets his next one in Wick - so no 9 hour round trip by train. This has given him a real boost. But I think the greatest boost is to see Lydia & Josiah with him for a while ... they have been really good children. We were able to celebrate David's 66th Birthday last week (below).

It is always sad to say goodbye but our plan is to come home for itinerary next March, so it won't be long until everyone sees us again! Don't know if this is good or bad!!! We have been able to see almost all of our friends in the last few weeks, even our lovely friends down in the Central Belt.

Also been able to do quite a bit of ministry over here in many churches. I felt that the message God gave me was to 'look up and see the harvest'. I am preaching at New Hope, Peterhead on Sunday morning and I feel it will be a significant day. Pastor Neil Cameron and his team are doing great and I went there last Sunday night ... place was packed. On Sunday night we will be at Fraserburgh Elim but I will pop up to AoG to say goodbye to all our friends there.

I leave you with a new link from one of our churches in the Philippines. It is San Isidro and they have started a new blog. I apologise on behalf of all the other blogs, I don't know what has happened to the Pastors over there! When I get back i will try and inspire them to blog. I think the internet connection has been off for nearly a fortnight, to be fair.

But check this blog by Pastor Alex Ritua regarding San Isidro - it's encouraging! http://www.ccsi-online.blogspot.com

Don't worry ... we are still experiencing Filipino life over here! I can park my car down the harbour and within 5 minutes of saying 'Kumusta' to a Filipino fisherman (there are around 300 here!) there will be a crowd of Filipinos everywhere! Even in Wick, we bumped into a few in Tescos ... and took them out for a coffee (below)

Be blessed. Will blog soon ...

Back Home

2009-03-11T07:19:00.005+08:00

Sorry for the lack of blogs recently. So many things have been happening in the last few weeks and we are just catching up with ourselves! The main reason we are back in Scotland is because Mary's dad - David - was diagnosed with a serious strain of cancer and we decided to come home to spend time with Mary's parents and help them at this difficult time.

We only had a few days to get things sorted out at Sefton. I think Mary and I had around 20 meetings with people in a couple of days. The great thing is that Keith & Anne are still there and will return to UK in April 7th. Matthew & Claire are also there, so we decided that we had a window of opportunity to come home ... and we did. We only have one life and we are often faces with difficult decisions ... but I often preach that 'people are more important than things." No regrets.

We arrived back to cold & snowy Scotland on February 13th. We spent the first weekend in Fraserburgh and had the opportunity to attend the Dedication of our wee niece Eve (Mary's brother's girl) This was a real unexpected bonus!

We then went up to Wick and were there for almost two weeks. David was diagnosed at the beginning of February and then immediately started his first treatment of chemo. Many are praying for him ... and we are seeing the results of prayer. He reacted very well to the fist treatment and felt much stronger. The pain in his hip went and he was able to walk and even drive. This gave him a real boost. We had a great time as a family, with the kids, and that alone was worth the air fare!

We drove him down for his second chemo two weeks ago and then I took the kids down to Fraserburgh to give David & Wilma some peace! Again, David reacted so well with the chemo. Mary stayed in Wick for a few days and then joined us in Fraserburgh. We stayed there over last weekend and I was able to minister in Elim and Emmanuel churches in Fraserburgh. Really enjoyed it!

We needed to get away as a family and we managed to book into a fantastic place called Crieff Hydro. All you Scottish people ... you need to come here! Amazing. Whatever the age you are ... there is something for you to do. It has definitely the best kids facilities in any hotel I have ever been to. Today, the kids went swimming twice, went to soft play, went to the outdoor adventure playground, ate at the amazing 'Kidz Buffet (with tons of good food and also Angel Delight etc!) and tonight they spent 2 hours at the Kids Club - completely supervised by staff. This is all free as part of your accommodation! Josiah told me that "it was the best day of his life!" If you don't believe me ... believe him!

We are going down to the Central Belt on Thursday to visit some friends down there. We will go back up to Fraserburgh on Saturday (I will be preaching at Fraserburgh AoG on Sunday) and then on to Wick Monday. And then ... we'll take it from there!

At the beginning of the year we were given a word from a good friend -"Take one day at a time." We didn't understand it then,but we do now! David gets his 3rd Chemo on Friday March 20th and we are praying for continued strength. If he does well we will plan to go back to the Philippines on the last week of March.

Pray for us as we learn to draw from God enough grace as we need for each day. Pray that we would do the right thing and not be impulsive in our decisions. Pray most of all for David as he journeys through these difficult days. For Wilma, as she supports him and tries to maintain her life. For Mary, as she tries to help her mum & dad at this time. It's not easy and she wants to do the best. For the kids, as they adjust to moving around and meeting new people. they are amazing really! For all at Sefton, as they have to adjust to us not being there.

Thanks for your love and encouragement at this time. Will keep you posted on any news.

Many blessings,

Mark

From Sefton to the World!

2009-02-06T15:08:00.001+08:00

In December 2008 I challenged all our churches and Department Leaders to catch up with the rest of the world and start blogging! No excuse now ... we have quite a number of desktops and laptops around Sefton Village!

Well, most of them have accepted the challenge and have taken the first step - getting a blogsite! Most of them have followed (copied!) me and used Blogger.com ... mainly because it is so easy to use ... even for the most computer-challenged pastor!

So, here are their blogsites. I know that some have not even got their first blog in, but I have challenged them to get one in by the end of this week! Why don't you look them up, bookmark them and write a wee comment to encourage them. News from Sefton is coming faster and thicker than ever!

Check these out:

Winston (Youth Director)
Marilyn (Children's Home)
James Bastian (Ramon, St Mateo etc.)
Henry (Feeding Programme)
Danny (Nagassican)
Jun (Powerhouse Kids Club)
Daben (Youth Pastor @ Santiago)
Marlou (Pastor of Santiago)
Matthew Kerr
Joboy (Keyboard player @ Santiago)

There are a few more blogs coming, which I will give you next week.Here is the latest blog from Winston Bao-in - just to give you a flavour! Remember, when you read these folk's blogs, English is their second language - so be kind!

Hello everyone!

I want to share about a friend named George....

George came from a remote village in northern part of the island of Luzon in the Philippines. Hes family is poor so they decided to search for greener pasture, and in the process he and his family are scattered. Due to poverty, they had never been to school, so George can't read of write.

He got married and had 3 kids... In the course of time, his wife died while their kids are still small. A relative offered to help him raised the kids, and ask him to send one of his daughter to them in manila. His daughter is 9 years old that time. He send his child in a bus to Manila, and in the process, the daughter was lost. They searched for her, but no where to be found. In just two weeks, he lost his wife and a daughter.......

He got married again for the second time, and God blessed them with 5 children. They are now living in Nagassican, Santiago City, and a faithful member in Cornerstone Church Nagassican. 3 years ago, he was diagnosed with kidney failure, and it is really acute. The doctor sent him home to die, and said hes got only a month to live.

He and his family believed that God will heal him. He only take a medicine when someone give him, for they can't afford to buy.

George is still alive, but he can't work, for he is not yet well. When he gets worse, he said hes medication is prayer. At the moment, he is sick again and he's here in Sefton Village for prayer.

He said hes ready to be with the Lord. Hes prayer request is that the Lord take him very soon to end his suffering, but if God wants to use him for His glory. That he will receive his healing very soon, for him not to be a burden to his family.

Please pray with us, and my prayer is that the Holy Spirit will teach us how to pray for him and his family.

i Can Only Imagine

2009-02-05T11:37:00.001+08:00

By our 'Theatre for Christ' group of young people from Cornerstone Churches, Isabela in the Philippines.

Their first performance!

Drole Scottish Humour

2009-02-04T17:23:00.001+08:00

Keith gave me a book to read yesterday and it looks so good ... and very Scottish! It is called "Tom Shields Takes the Fifth" and it is full of stories, funny pictures, anecdotes, fables and hilarious stories. Tom writes a daily column in the Sunday Herald and Daily Record. Looks great!

Here's a wee sample:

"A linguistics class in a University in Ontario, Canada. The Professor tells the class, "In English, a double negative forms a positive. In some languages, such as Russian, a double negative is still a negative. However, there is no language in the world in which a double positive can form a negative."

To which a Scots voice replies, "Aye, right."

A Glasgow father was watching over his young daughter's shoulder as she sets up an email account on the family computer. She reaches the point where she has to put in the password and the message on the screen says that it has to have at least four characters.

So, after thinking about it, she types in 'snowwhitebartsimpsonshrekwoodie'.

A woman goes her personal trainer at her gym and asks, "Can you teach me to do the splits?'
The instructor asks, "How flexible are you?"
So the eager learner tells him, "I can't make Tuesdays."

A tale from the European tie penalty shoot out at Celtic Park. As the players line up for the vital kicks, a group of Celtic fans were discussing what to shout at the Valencia players to try and put them off. One said, "We need to shout out the Spanish word for Miss".

Raising his voice he shouted out, "Does anyone know the Spanish for miss?"
From behind, someone shouted, "Senorita".

In a similar vein, a friend of mine - a lady, wife and mother - out of the blue sent me some quotes about wives. She told me to read them but but maybe they should not be put in the blog. I read them ... and decided they would be great for my blog! Just the kinda stuff I like!!

I hope you enjoy them. I must say, at this point, that none of the below apply to my wife Mary. (I better get that off my chest because she told me to write that disclaimer!)

Ok ... here they are!

When a man steals your wife, there is no better revenge than
to let him keep her.
Sacha Guitry

By all means marry. If you get a good wife, you'll be happy.
If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.
Socrates

Woman inspires us to great things, and prevents us from achieving them.
Dumas

I had some words with my wife; and she had some paragraphs with me.
Anonymous

'Some people ask the secret of our long marriage. We take time to go to a restaurant two times a week. A little candlelight, dinner, soft music and dancing. She goes Tuesdays, I go Fridays.'
Henny Youngman

'I don't worry about terrorism. I was married for two years.'
Sam Kinison

'There's a way of transferring funds that is even faster than electronic banking. It's called marriage.'
James Holt McGavran

'I've had bad luck with both my wives. The first one left me and the second one didn't.'
Patrick Murray

Two secrets to keep your marriage brimming
1. Whenever you're wrong, admit it,
2. Whenever you're right, shut up.
Nash

The most effective way to remember your wife's birthday is to forget it once...
Anonymous

You know what I did before I married? Anything I wanted to.
Henny Youngman

My wife and I were happy for twenty years. Then we met.
Rodney Dangerfield

A good wife always forgives her husband when she's wrong.
Milton Berle

A man inserted an 'ad' in the classifieds: 'Wife wanted'. Next day he received a hundred letters.
They all said the same thing: 'You can have mine.'
Anonymous

First Guy (proudly): 'My wife's an angel!'
Second Guy: 'You're lucky, mine's still alive.'
Anonymous

Theatre for Christ

2009-02-03T06:56:00.006+08:00

Wow ... what a weekend! On Saturday morning I preached at the Cornerstone Men's Fellowship and I was so blessed with the great turn out. I talked about the story of Lot - "A Half Hearted Man and a Broken Hearted God." The need for no compromise!

On Saturday night, the very first production of 'Theatre for Christ' took place. My very first Premier! Theatre for Christ is the vision God gave to Jane Mangadap (above) - the lovely wife of Pastor Danny. When they were young they started a few Christian Theatre/Drama clubs in the Catholic church - and they are still going after 20 years! Jane is an amazing lady - I think she can literally do anything ... drama, singing, I.T stuff, art, video, Admin, writing etc. etc. - and she is such a blessing to the whole Cornerstone family. She is the Director for the Communications Dept. at Cornerstone.

She felt the Lord placing on her heart the need for a dance/drama group in Nagassican Church. Nagassican is a place that is really scorned by everyone in Santiago but God has promised us that he will make it a Place of Honour! And in the church many young people have been giving their lives to Christ. Many come from broken families and difficult situations. Many have not finished their schooling. But God is using these young people is wonderful ways. They have become intercessors and God is showing them - even the children - many visions and words. But that's another blog ...

Jane felt that she should open the 'Theatre for Christ '(TFC) to other Cornerstone Churches. So she ended up with 49 young people from 4 churches. Jane got a vision for doing a production about the story of the Bible - from Genesis to the resurrection. She put it all together - script and all - and called the young people to rehearse. They met every Thursday night and from 8-5 every Saturday from mid-December. A big commitment ... but it really paid off!

We found a sponsor from UK to buy all the materials for the backdrops, costumes, T-shirts, food for rehearsal days - a huge thank you (you know who you are!) Finally, January 31st came! To be honest, I didn't really know what to expect. But when I got there I could see that A LOT of effort had gone into this production by Jane & her amazing team.

They started. The young people were human trees ... then came Adam & Eve .. well, you know the story! The music was great and Pastor August did great voice-overs. Then we were taken to the 21st century to the effects of sin - drug problems, gambling, prostitution, murder etc. Then, out came the devil - Pastor August - and his two demons. They started throwing the people into hell (red lights and all!). They started running into the congregation to try and throw some of the spectators - frightening! My kids are convinced that Uncle Winston really is the devil (and I am having a hard time convincing them he is not)!

Then Pastor James Aquino came and spoke for 5 minutes about "There is No Hope." Really really powerful. Next scene was the birth of Jesus and the dancers danced to 'Joy to the World.' Probably the most powerful time for me was when they sang "I could only Imagine' and they portrayed the healing ministry of the Lord. Then they acted out the crucifixion to 'Above All' - so powerful.

Curtain down ... Pastor Winston came on and spoke about "There is Hope ... the Cross" He showed a 5 minute video. Again, really hard hitting. Part 3 was about the resurrection ... joy! All the young people danced and it was exciting to see them all dance together at the same time. Pastor Marlou finished things off with a challenge - "Your Commitment to Christ"

Then they had 'Curtain Call' and all the young people from the different churches did their own dance. There was such unity amongst these kids! They all gathered in front of the video screen and watched the credits and they even had a section of 'Bloopers' ... so funny.

I cannot describe the joy and emotion I felt that night. As a Pastor, I just stand back an watch in wonder as the Lord takes ordinary lives to do extra-ordinary things. It is on nights like these that I really think, "It's all worth it!'

These 49 kids - so many from broken homes and difficult lives - so professional, humble and disciplined. So happy. Full of joy. Hearts of gold. The main purpose of TFC is to 'Bring Christ to the Streets' and they have plans to do a lot of street work, evangelism and schools ministry. Right now, almost every school is open to Cornerstone - even the 4 High School are asking for us to come and minister to the kids. We are entering a season of harvest ... an these young people are key.

Enjoy the photos. They are good ... but you had to be there! Pray for Jane and her team. Pray for these young people. Pray for the ministry of TFC.

The Day the Wee Man Got Me!

2009-01-31T09:02:00.001+08:00

Here is a classic moment for a wee boy who knows he has his daddy round his little finger and in a sticky situation!

We are at Cornerstone San Isidro Church and Josiah has been practicing his 'One Way' song all the way there in the car. But... when he gets up and Daddy announces that Josiah is going to sing, Josiah decides to pull a sucker punch. "Ayow," he says and repeats.

Ayow means, "I don't want to" in Tagalog.

Then, as quick as a flash he says, "Daddy, I have something to tell you. I will whisper in your ear. I want a little green toy tomorrow and a black one the next day. Then he starts singing .... ONE WAY, JESUS ..."

And he sings away like a choir boy! He got me real good. Check out his cheeky wee grin when I am taking him off the seat!

Yup, this kid is smarter than you think!

Let the Earth Hear His Voice ...

2009-01-29T23:07:00.005+08:00

What a historic day! Today was a great day. I have loved living today.

Today we had the groundbreaking service for the new FEBC Radio Station here at Sefton. For those of you who don't know ...here's the story! In 1999, whilst here on our first visit to Sefton, on the day that we knew God was calling us here ... the Lord woke me up in the middle of the night and showed me a vision.

He told me, "Sefton Village will become a centre of fire." In this vision, as real as watching a movie, He showed me many things. He showed me children praying with tears. I saw young people prophesying and reaching out. I saw SBTC students going with fire torches into the darkness. I saw many being healed. And I saw a Radio Station. In the vision, I saw someone speaking into a microphone and at the same time I saw people listening to the radio, falling to their knees and accepting Christ as their Saviour. I was amazed.

As we went around the churches in 2000, I told them, "One day we will have a Radio Station at Sefton Village!" In truth, it seemed almost impossible and very unlikely. I know absolutely about Radio Stations, construction or programming. I had no contacts in the media world. But I had a vision ... and I knew that someday it would come to pass.

In 2003, still nothing had happened with the Radio Station vision. I remember thinking, "Lord, I am not going to push this vision right now ( I was so busy with SBTC & the Fire Centre building) ... but if it is of you ... show me what to do." A few weeks later I was invited to a presentation by FEBC radio here in Santiago. Well, as I sat in that church, the Lord spoke to me and said, "This is the time for the birth of my vision." At the end of the service I stood up, went to the front and said, "Don't worry, I know were your Radio Station is meant to be!" Kinda bold (especially as they thought they had land to build a Radio Station at Cauayan - a town 30 miles away!)

I met the FEBC guys and asked them to pray. Another 18 months passed .... nothing much happening. I heard that FEBC had a new Director - Mr Dan Andrew Cura - who I knew and recognised from the TV. He was a very well known News presenter on the Philippines' biggest channel. We met ... and became friends with a mission. We have met many times since over the last few years and have taken things step by step.

We leased a large portion of land to them at no cost for the next 50 years. I am pretty sure I won't be at Sefton at that time but if I am, we will sign it again for another 50! Pass me my zimmer ...

Over the last 18 months FEBC have sent up Radio Station managers to set up the ministry. They are a lovely couple called Em & Miriam Perez. They have ministered at FEBC for many years! They have trained many new programmers who speak many languages. This is the first Radio Station FEBC have started since the 1970's .. so we are all kinda new at this stuff!

The station is called DWMR 1143 they were joking today that MR stood for Mark Ritchie but actually it stands for Mission Radio!) The main aim of this station is to present the gospel in many different languages to many different people groups. Fantastic. There are around 5 or 6 Cornerstone Pastors who have already been trained.

So today we all met together to thank the Lord and break the ground. We met beside the new school building and many were there - Pastors, SBTC students, Programmers, Politicians, FEBC Staff and Board Members etc. We had a short service where many spoke, encouraged and shared. I was meant to give the Welcome Address but it almost turned into a preach! Only 7 minutes though ... good for me! I felt so fulfilled and delighted.

We went down to the actual place where they will build and broke the ground and cut the ribbon. I was so excited. The vision, though it lingered, was coming to pass before my eyes. They are expecting to complete all the buildings in 5 months and start going full time on air by May. Almost all of the northern Philippines will hear Christian Radio ... all the way from Sefton Village! Can you believe it? God's words are sure and his promises will come to pass.

I leave you with the words of the one and only song we sang today. But these words are a declaration that the world WILL hear about the Lord.

Be blessed ... dream, and don't doubt!

To God be the glory, great things He has done;
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life gate that all may go in.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory, great things He has done.

O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.

Great things He has taught us, great things He has done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
But purer, and higher, and greater will be
Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.

'Under the Cosh'

2009-01-28T23:51:00.005+08:00

A good friend of mine emailed me today and commented - "you sound like you are under the cosh?" Been thinking about it all day -what on earth does this phrase really mean? It's one of those phrases that you know what it implies but don't exactly know what it means.

What's a cosh? Being an Aberdeen supporter for many years - of course I know what under the cosh means!' But do you know know what a cosh is? A cosh is a 'weighted stick" and to be under the cosh means to be "under threat or coercion". The Cassell's Dictionary of Slang says it is a 1950s phrase, but relates it to a late 19th century American phrase "under the gun", with a similar meaning. A cosh is a weighted weapon to attack or hit with ... a weapon.

There you go! Are we under the cosh? Yup, we are! There is no doubt that we are under pressure right now from many angles, situations & attacks.

Right now, there are so many brilliant things happening in and through Sefton Village:

* These last two weeks have been amazing as far as the influence of our School is concerned. We have a lovely couple called Simon and Pauling Marsh here from England. Simon is a retired Headmaster and was the chairman of Christian Head Teachers UK for many years. They have been doing seminars for all Private School teachers here in Santiago and it has gone wonderfully well.

After the initial seminars last week the Chief of the Department of Education set up another seminar for today! And they have arranged for between 100-200 teachers to attend another seminar on Friday! And Simon is teaching principles straight from the Bible!

Two years ago, the Lord spoke to me and said that Sefton was going to be a source of blessing to the schools in Santiago. Id didn't know how and I spoke to Mary about it. But now ... it is happening before our eyes!

* Bible School is going great. Lorenz and Joy continue to bring excellence and challenges to SBTC.

* FEBC - Ground breaking service tomorrow! Wow.

* Street Pastors - we are beginning to realise that we have to begin to pastor people where they are...on the street. It is significant that probably 90% of the ministry of Jesus was on the street, in the marketplace. Probably 90% of any church's ministry today is in a church building. Major problem. More about this soon.

* Jail - Pastor August and team continue to see amazing things happen in BJMP. More conversions, more discipleship, more baptisms.

Top guy at BJMP says that since Sefton came, the jail has completely changed. Before' they fought like dogs ... but now they are encouraging and praying for each other'. You can feel the presence of God.

* Feeding Programme - Henry now doing feeding programme 3 days a week. Around 2000 kids a week! At the same time Pastor Jun is teaching the kids through the Powerhouse ministry.

* Hospital - wide open for us! We go every Wednesday but chief of hospital wants us there 'as much as possible Pastor' Now ministering in Cauayan hospital weekly as well.

* Churches - all growing! New churches being planted! Pastors full of vision and fire. God speaking and we are trying to listen.

Amazing things happening in Nagassican. Every morning this week they are having 'Jericoh Walks' from 3-6am! On Friday we will walk around Nagassican and anoint with oil as we go. The young people an children there are receiving visions and words from the Lord. Amazing. 'Nagassican is for the Lord,' Danny told me tonight. Another blog on another day.

Yup, the enemy is standing up and applauding what is happening here! Nope. For every advancement and victory there is a battle and a cost. Dodging the bullets and being under the cosh is difficult and we have faced these times before, and surely they will come again.

What are the main difficulties right now?

1. Finances - wish I could wave a magic spiritual wand and get the pound back up to 93 Pesos to the Pound (like it was in July!), but it ain't gonna happen. It has dropped like a stone. Yesterday we got 62 ... the same rate as we got when we came here 9 years ago! Nightmare.

Taking inflation of prices, we are probably getting only two thirds of what we were getting last year and half of what we were getting in 2000. With nearly 50-60 staff, a children's home and all the above ministries to run ... we are going under! We either have to pray for more monthly support from UK or begin to cut down our staff numbers here at Sefton.

The potential of revival is the point of recession!

Still praying and trying to find the Lord's mind on things. I am well aware that the whole of the UK is in financial crisis ... but we often preach about God's amazing economy ... now is the time to see if it is true! One thing's for sure ... He has never let us down yet!

Big pressure is also the building of the new school. If the pound had not dipped we would have had almost enough to have finished stage 1 of the building. But, because of the exchange rate, we are well behind. We need to be finished by June but as I speak we are down to our last few pesos with none at home!

We are at the end of the rope ... but 'without faith it is impossible to please God." If it's where God wants us to be it certainly is not where we would choose to be!

2. Physical attacks - we are well aware that many of our families are becoming sick. Pastor Jun's motorbike was stolen during the service. Today, on the way to hospital ministry I had a flat tyre, Marlou had a flat tyre and the chain and sprocket of Danny's motorbike was destroyed. OK, maybe you say these are all coincidences ... but I have lived long enough to recognise that the enemy works discouragements in this way.

3. Future plans - all of us Missionaries at Sefton are really trying to find the mind of Christ as far as to what our own future's hold and what is the plan of the Lord for Sefton. Should we hand Sefton over? If so when? If so, how? If so, to who? Huge. Major implications.

It is good for all of us to ask these questions because we don't want to go home early .. but neither do we want to stay a day too late! Don't worry ... we are not planning in moving on or coming home this year. But we are seeking the Lord for His PERFECT will.

4. Mary's dad - David has had a real difficult time of it over the last 4-5 months with one thing after the other. Recently he has been in real pain wit his hip. On Saturday he was in such pain that they had to take him by Ambulance to Inverness. They found out that his hip is actually broken ... but he has never fallen! He is having tests this week to find out what has happened.

As a missionary, these are the toughest time. When our families are suffering at home. It is so hard for Mary right now and she is literally taking one day at a time. Please pray for David, Mary's mum Wilma, her brother Bruce and for Mary herself. Thanks.

5. Busyness - since New Year it has been non stop. Meeting after meeting after event after event! Keep waiting for a 'normal' week to arrive! We've had quite a lot of visitors at Hotel Ritchie and there has been a lot of 'extra things' recently. Sefton is getting busier (typed that word a few times and still doesn't look right!) and the harvest is getting bigger!

Well, there it is! My heart has been opened up. I wrote on my Facebook that 'I am struggling' and I really was...and in many ways I still am. But I am not down, or depressed, miserable or moaning ... I am just a bit tired and a bit unsure of some things.

I'm at the amazing place where I need to see some miracles! and grace. But, been here before and I know, like Bear Grylis, there is always a way out!

Have to have attitude of the amazing Paul ...

'We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. That is why we never give up.

Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!

So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.' (2 Cor 4:7-18)

Yes, we are 'under the cosh' right now ... but don't worry, like they said about those Hebrew young guys who were thrown in the fire - "there is another man in there with them."

Even 'under the cosh' ... Jesus is here! Selah!

Pastor Jun ... Still Smiling - but only Just!

2009-01-25T22:57:00.002+08:00

Sorry for the long wait for a new blog. Been totally, absolutely, crazily frustrated with almost a complete lack of broadband in the last few weeks.

Many of you know Pastor Jun ... the guy who is always smiling! He has an amazing testimony and is really a trophy of grace. He is our Children's Pastor at Cornerstone and is a brilliant guy! He is married to Emmy Lou - one of our Teachers - and they do a great ministry with Powerhouse Kids Club, in Cornerstone Santiago and recently they have started a new church in Sinilli.

I did a staff appraisal with Pastor Jun and he was so excited about 2009. He is doing brilliant in the new church and uses his wee red motorbike everyday in every way. Lydia and Josiah are regular passengers on the bike (but don't tell their Grandas!!!) But, alas ... disaster struck.

Pastor Jun was leading the Sunday evening service at Cornerstone a couple of weeks ago. When the service was over he went out with Emmy Lou to go home ... no bike! Gone! All the members looked everywhere ... but it had been stolen. They were really upset for few days. They had been paying off the bike for almost two years and they were finally going to own the bike in August.

But they have really reacted in a positive way this week. Jun says that someone has 'borrowed it' for a few weeks! He is still full of smiles ... just! In the UK, it would be like getting your car nicked. Only problem here is that they have no insurance, so they cannot claim back anything.

Please pray for Jun & Emmy Lou. It's a tough break. When we started Street Pastors I felt that we would come under attack and it has happened to many of us. This last week has been super tough for me, as well as many of our pastors.

Will share more news soon ...

... in the meantime ... keep smiling!

Here's a wee cartoon to hep you! Goodnight...

Christmas @ Sefton (Part 1)

2009-01-14T23:03:00.007+08:00

Well...what a Christmas that was! Last year, we had a huge Sefton Village Party on Christmas Day ... but it had become far too big and the kids were being neglected on the big day. So we decided to have parties by department.

So my first was the SBTC party on Dec 12th. We had a great night. I bought a Lechon (suckling roasted pig - above) for the students as a 'Thank You' for all their hard work during the Tri-District Conference. But first we played some great games in the Fire Centre and had a great laugh. The last game was one that Gowan and I used to do back in Scotland - Egg Roulette. Take 12 eggs, hard boil 6, let them cool, put them in an egg box and give them a number. Take 12 gullible people and let them choose what egg to hit on the other person's head ... result - a great huge laugh ... and a lot of mess!

On the week before Christmas I went down to Manila, bought a heap of last minute shopping and stuff for Sefton Village and then picked up the Strachan family at Manila Airport. We travelled straight up overnight (they were brave) and we were rally rushing because wee Josiah was singing and dancing in his School Christmas Performance. Well, we were doing pretty well and then, one hour from Sefton, we had a flat tyre! Middle of nowhere ... pouring rain! Disaster!

David 'Mr Fixit' Strachan made a grand effort to get the spare wheel off, but to no avail. Away Pastor Danny went to find someone. 'Fat chance', I thought! Middle of nowhere. Not even Danny, with his millions of uncles, brothers, friends and mother-in-laws could find someone on this mountain!

But, would you believe it ... back he came with a wee guy in tow, "He is a vulcaniser' beamed Danny. And a vulcaniser he was! This wee guy was like Asterix the Gaul or Popeye! He changed the tyre in seconds and soon we were on our way ... with a few laughs on the way home! Bad news ... missed Josiah by 10 minutes. Good news ... we didn't miss much - it was a 'no show' day for the wee man!

After a bit of a rest it was all go for parties. So on Friday 19th we went to the Cornerstone Party - a few games of bowling and then back to the church to eat. All the pastors with their families were there ... great night. It was also Peter Strachan's 16th that week .. so we got the big guy a cake and celebrated Cornerstone style!

On Saturday morning Lydia was performing at her School Christmas Performance ... now she was a star! Her class recited a Christmas poem and did a fantastic ' ' dance! I had hoped to have downloaded already, but our Internet has been terrible these last few weeks) Someone in the UK had given David & Grace money to take the children's Home to McDonalds ... and that was a great time.

I had a great week because poor David was the popular choice for all the Christmas events and parties - jail ministry (twice), Sunday services, Men's Ministry, watchnight services etc. He worked like a Trojan! I was his official driver! One of the highlights came on Christmas Eve in Nagassican. What a night!

The place was packed with people. All excited. Most had very little of this world's possessions but I guarantee you could not find a happier place on earth that night. We sang, the youth danced and David preached. David went out and put on his Santa's outfit ... you should have heard the gasps from the Filipinos! No-one here has even seen anyone dressed as Santa. So David brought the house down.

The kids were all given a gift (chosen and wrapped by Pastor Danny and his wife Jane) and the kids just hugged and held their present for ages, before opening. Some kids never even opened their gift .. and I asked the parents "Appai? Why?" Because it is the only gift they will receive on Christmas day and they want to open it tomorrow.

Selah.

I will take up the story again ... tomorrow! Goodnight ....

Catch Up After Christmas ...

2009-01-08T22:46:00.008+08:00

Merry Christmas ... Happy New Year ... Happy Valentines ... life moves on so quickly!

So much to blog about. So many things have happened. So many things going on. So many things to do. So many things planned. So many ...

What a great Christmas we had! The Strachan family (David, Grace, Peter & Grace Louise) from Peterhead came and visited us over Christmas. We had a wonderful time ... especially me, because David ended up preaching at all the Cornerstone special Christmas parties and events!! Weyhey! I felt like I had a week off!

Over the next week I will write blogs about:

* Our kids @ Christmas
* Christmas @ Sefton
* Street Pastors
* Singapore
* Manny Paquiao

* 2009 Plans

I have challenged all our Pastors and Leaders of Ministries here at Sefton to start up their own blogs so that the amazing things they are doing can be spread around the world. So, hopefully, you will be able to keep track of most of our Cornerstone Churches, an SBTC blog, Feeding Programme Blog, Powerhouse Blog etc. I will let you know all their website addresses after they report back to me this week. Should be great!

I want to start the year off with a bit of a laugh. Mary & I have some friends that always say the wrong word at the wrong time. And, although the word is completely out of context, it sounds so funny. Know what I mean? We all know folk like that. Anyway, I have just read a BBC article about some of the clangers that George Bush has dropped. I know he is a Christian man and that he is the President of the USA, but he is not so good at articulating what he thinks. They actually have a new word that describes the problem of poor articulation - 'Bushism'

Just read these quotes and have a giggle (no offence intended!):

"They misunderestimated me."
Bentonville, Arkansas, 6 November, 2000

"I want to thank my friend, Senator Bill Frist, for joining us today. He married a Texas girl, I want you to know. Karyn is with us. A West Texas girl, just like me."
Nashville, Tennessee, 27 May, 2004

"For a century and a half now, America and Japan have formed one of the great and enduring alliances of modern times."
Tokyo, 18 February, 2002

"There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again." —Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 17, 2002

"I think war is a dangerous place." Washington DC, 7 May, 2003

"The ambassador and the general were briefing me on the - the vast majority of Iraqis want to live in a peaceful, free world. And we will find these people and we will bring them to justice."
Washington DC, 27 October, 2003

"Free societies are hopeful societies. And free societies will be allies against these hateful few who have no conscience, who kill at the whim of a hat."
Washington DC, 17 September, 2004

"You know, one of the hardest parts of my job is to connect Iraq to the war on terror." CBS News, Washington DC, 6 September, 2006

"Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning?"
Florence, South Carolina, 11 January, 2000

"It's clearly a budget. It's got a lot of numbers in it."
Reuters, 5 May, 2000

"Too many good docs are getting out of the business. Too many OB/GYN's aren't able to practice their love with women all across the country."
Poplar Bluff, Missouri, 6 September, 2004

"Will the highways on the internet become more few?"
Concord, New Hampshire, 29 January, 2000

"I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully."
Saginaw, Michigan, 29 September, 2000

"Families is where our nation finds hope, where wings take dream."
LaCrosse, Wisconsin, 18 October, 2000

"Those who enter the country illegally violate the law."
Tucson, Arizona, 28 November, 2005

"And truth of the matter is, a lot of reports in Washington are never read by anybody. To show you how important this one is, I read it, and [Tony Blair] read it."
On the publication of the Baker-Hamilton Report, Washington DC, 7 December, 2006

"See, free nations are peaceful nations. Free nations don't attack each other. Free nations don't develop weapons of mass destruction." Milwaukee, Wis., Oct. 3, 2003

"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." —Washington, D.C., Aug. 5, 2004

"We spent a lot of time talking about Africa, as we should. Africa is a nation that suffers from incredible disease." —Gothenburg, Sweden, June 14, 2001

"We both use Colgate toothpaste." —after a reporter asked what he had in common with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Camp David, Md., Feb. 23, 2001

"For every fatal shooting, there were roughly three non-fatal shootings. And, folks, this is unacceptable in America. It's just unacceptable. And we're going to do something about it." —Philadelphia, Penn., May 14, 2001

"It is white." —after being asked by a child in Britain what the White House was like, July 19, 2001

"The most important thing is for us to find Osama bin Laden. It is our number one priority and we will not rest until we find him." —Washington, D.C., Sept. 13, 2001

"I don't know where bin Laden is. I have no idea and really don't care. It's not that important. It's not our priority." —Washington, D.C., March 13, 2002

"I'll be long gone before some smart person ever figures out what happened inside this Oval Office."
Washington DC, 12 May, 2008

Enjoy 2009 .... and May the Lord bless you and your family.

P.s. - Little Eunice Hope has made a prefect recovery. Pastor Winston wants me to thank all who prayed for her. Thanks!

Jesus-Too Small A Price

2008-12-16T00:00:00.001+08:00

I stumbled across this amazing song about the thief on the cross by Don Francisco. I heard Don sing this song live three times - and every time the congregation were captivated. And at the end we all just stood up and worshipped ... incredible.

Listen to the words mor than the graphics. And remember ...

When you know Christ - your last breath on earth is your first breath in heaven!

A Quick Prayer Request ...

2008-12-12T14:19:00.004+08:00

I will finish my sporting blog tomorrow - I have a new prayer request for you.

The little girl in the photo above is Eunice Hope Bao-in and she is the beautiful daughter of two of our staff - Winston (Cornerstone Pastor) and Mary Jane (Teacher). She has just turned one and she is lovely. This picture was taken yesterday morning.

Yesterday afternoon, Eunice Hope managed to climb to the top of her crib .. and fell down on to the cement floor. She bruised her face, split her two lips and she has a bad scrape on her face (below)

Please pray for her - that her face would completely heal and that there would be no permanent scars or marks. Pray also for Winston & Mary Jane ...I think they got a bit of a scare!

It is wonderful when we can 'bear each others burdens' and pray for each other. And it is wonderful to know that we don't only have a God that we serve ... but a God that really cares.

If you have any message to Wisnton, Mary Jane or Eunice, please post it here or go to Winston's Facebook page.

Blessings ...

david narey of scotland against brazil world cup spain 82

2008-12-11T22:29:00.001+08:00

A Brazilian goal against the Brazilians... Pity it only made them angry!

Aberdeen FC v Real Madrid

2008-12-11T22:28:00.001+08:00

Super Dons! Our greatest Night!

Aberdeen 2 Hamburg 0

2008-12-11T22:27:00.001+08:00

Enjoy this my NE pals!

A Question of Sport?

2008-12-11T18:06:00.009+08:00

The Philippines is bereft of sporting heroes or teams. In a generation when speed, height and physique is of paramount importance in sport ... Filipinos genetically have very few of these essential attributes. Major sports like Football (soccer), baseball, American Football, Tennis, Swimming are not common, or even unseen.

Basketball to a Filipino is like football is to a European or Baseball is to an American. It is the national sport played in every square meter of the country. You can see hoops everywhere ... even in the most remote of areas! They love basketball. Even though Filipinos are small ... they are nimble and very accurate in passing and shooting. But they are never going to win the Basketball Olympics!

Olympics ... what a terrible word to the Filipino! It has been many decades since a Filipino has graced the podium in any sport. In fact, the 'dream', as in past Olympics, is to win at least ONE MEDAL ... even a bronze! But alas, there was no-one who even came close! "It's the taking part that counts", the headlines stated as the 'heroes' came home. Is it?

I come from a country that loves sport ... em, loves football really! But there is something special when YOUR team or YOUR player wins a tournament or achieves greatness. Here are a few of mine:

* Who can forget Archie Gemmil's amazing goal v Holland?

* My first ever football game in 1983 -13 years old, Pittodrie, Aberdeen 4 Rangers 0. Amazing experience.

* My first European Game, a few months later - Aberdeen 2 Hamburg 0. Listen to this ... Aberdeen were OFFICIALLY the best team in Europe. We had beaten Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Hamburg.

* Jim Watt ... I was only young but I remember those amazing fights

* Home Internationals - I remember 1976(?) Scotland beating England at Wembley ... and the fans sitting on the crossbar!

* David Narey's goal v Brazil

* Gothenberg! Aberden beating Real Madrid in Eoropean Cup Winners Cup Final. Classic!

* The yearly excitement of 'Jockey on the Hockey' v Bristow and co.

* Scotland Rugby team winning Grand slam ... Calder, Hastings brothers etc.

* Andy Murray's win v Federer last month - wow!

Sport, at it's best, CAN bring a feel good factor to an individual or even a nation. It's not bad thing. I remember being in Ghana ... they are football crazy! The whole nation stops to watch their national under 17 team on TV! I went to a few games in Kumasi ... unbelievable passion!

But, to be honest, being Scottish usually means that we have to live with a phrase that rings true - 'Glorious Failures' Yes, we often fail, but we fail with style. We are magnificent against the best of teams, but when opposition comes that we should blow away ... we blow it! I cannot begin to tell you the amount of 'If Only's' we Scotls have had! Mmmmmmm.... don't go there! So sport can bring joy ... and tears!

Here in the Philippines, as most of our visitors will tell you, we can still get good old British football! I am very friendly with the owner of our cable company, and every week I just text what channel the game I want to watch is on ... and there it is! Any game, anywhere in the world - even Old Firm Derbys! I just give a wee bag of donuts for all the staff every month as a 'thank you' ... wow. I must admit, I love watching the Premiership - listening to Andy Gray and John Motson commentate on some great games. It is so good for me to watch a sport I love and listen to familiar British voices. Yup, sport can bring joy!

Here in the Philippines there is not much hope or joy amongst the people. There is so much poverty and so much corruption. Most Filipinos have a hand to foot lifestyle. Even amongst our staff, very few even have back accounts. Their attitude is - if we have a roof over our head, food on our table and can provide enough money to give our kids an education ... that's enough.

But my observation is this: One man, more than any other, brings more joy, pride and hope to Filipinos - Manny Pacquiao.

Don't know about him? Tell you all about him tomorrow!

Until then, enjoy your own sporting memories ...

I've put a few of my memories for you to see above! Enjoy!

Gutted

2008-12-10T21:58:00.005+08:00

There are some nights that I go to my bed absolutely satisfied. Maybe I have seen lives changed, made a good decision, achieved or accomplished something, won a battle, happy with an event or ministry or just downright thankful for the amazing life I live.

But there are some days where I feel 'Where did I go wrong?", or "What happened" or "Why Lord?" Today was one of those days, unfortunately. Gotta deal with them, coz they come thick and fast sometimes!

The day started well enough. Thirteen people arrived from Cornerstone Singapore at 2am - they are here for a Missions Trip. We met at the hospital and told them, "Guys, be prepared to be challenged and maybe even shocked by what you are going to experience and see." I know it's not easy for any of us to go into a hospital where desperation lurks in every ward. Little did I know that it was me that was going to have the biggest challenge.

I helped the Prayer Team in the first room - Infants and toddlers (although sometimes you get kids, men, women .. all mixed together!) As we started to pray, a mother from teh other side of the room cried, "Doctor, Doctor" and began to cry. I went over as she picked up her wee boy and began to stroke him. "Don't go, Don't go ... mummy has a lollipop here for you!" I heard the 'death rattle' from this little boy and I knew this was serious. Within seconds, around 20 students nurses gathered round the wee boy and began to give oxygen and heart massage. The mother was hysterical. They kept on trying until the Doctor came. This big doctor came in, checked the boys heart and pulse, and said, "Patay (dead)" and then walked out!

I was stunned! The nurses began immediately to take out the drip from his lifeless hand. Everybody left, except me and the mother. I went over to her and felt such compassion. I wanted to fight for this boy. His body was still warm but his lips were blue. I began to cry out to the Lord, "Please Lord, let breath come back. Let his spirit return. Healing. Hope. Miracle." It is so hard to pray when you know the whole ward is watching you and a mother is next to you grieving for her son. But I felt I had to. I kept praying, believing.

But there was no change. No breath. I prayed for the mum and left to go and cry. I felt I should go back, so I did. The little boy was wrapped in a blanket by his mum. 'Don't be cold my son", she cried. I sat down beside her again and prayed for the life of this young boy. Nothing.

I went out again and the Ministry Team began to pray for the mum. James Aquino told me that the boy had started coughing a couple of days before and they thought it was a common cold. He was brought yesterday and they diagnosed it as Bronchitis. Within a day .. he was gone. In the morning he was given an orange lollipop ... but he never had the chance to eat it.

I felt I should at least pay her bill, as she seemed to be really poor. I found out she was so poor that it was considered a Charity Case. I wanted to give some money towards a coffin but I could not find the mum. "She's in the morgue," the chief nurse said, "Follow me!" My goodness, the last place I wanted to go was a morgue!

The 'Morgue' was just a few pieces of galvanised iron nailed together with only two walls and a roof! I found the mum sitting there alone, crying. "What would Jesus do?" I thought to myself? I picked up the baby, now almost cold, and prayed to the Lord. Nothing. I cried and handed him back to his mum. I gave my gift to help her, prayed for her and walked away. Feeling empty.

I drove to the school where we were doing a feeding programme ... but my heart wasn't in it! I was surrounded by beautiful, healthy children ... but my thoughts were with a wee boy that died of a simple illness. I was gutted.

Today, I have been really sad. Why? Why did this beautiful wee boy have to die? Why did my prayers, given so earnestly, seem to have no effect. Why do the poor suffer so much? Why?

I came home and found Josiah playing. "Thank you Lord", I prayed to myself. For his health, his personality, for his sense of humour, for his (daddy's!) good looks, for the joy he brings, for the future he has ... for the life he lives. The little boy I prayed for will never have the opportunities my son has. And yet, I remember a day when my little boy was sick with Pneumonia and the Doctor said to me, "If this medicine doesn't work, we have no more hope or options." Through prayers and a good Doctor ... he made it.

I keep wondering what that family are doing now. At the end of the day, I did what I could. I know that at those difficult moments ... we have to leave it with God. Our times ARE in his hands. It's just hard when the conclusion doesn't make sense.

I would like you to pray for another handsome wee boy I met today. His name is Angelo (above) and he has just turned 1 year old. Exactly 21 days ago he took a seizure ... and he has been in a coma ever since. He is still in hospital but is not responding pr opening his eyes. The family has no money for a CT scan or EEG scan. I was in a hurry to catch up with the Singaporeans so I had just time to pray for him and speak to his mum. PLEASE pray for this boy ... he is such a wee cutie. Pray for a miracle - that he would come out of his coma and be completely healed. That his life will IN NO WAY be affected by this seizure.

Our God always answers prayers. He doesn't always answer in the way that we want ... but he always answers.

I'm going to bed now. I am praying that tomorrow will be different.

Selah ...

There is none like You
No one else can touch my heart like You do
I could search for all eternity long and find
There is none like You

Your mercy flows like a river wide
And healing comes in Your name
Suffering children are safe in Your arms
There is none like You

There is none like You
No one else can touch my heart like You do
I could search for all eternity long and find
There is none like You

Cold Weather ... Cool Blog?

2008-12-09T15:49:00.005+08:00

Ittt''ssss freeeeezzzziiinnn here! Yup, the temperature has dipped down to 23.5 degrees! No air-con, no fans and blankets in bed! Bbbbrrrrrrrr .... we missionaries have to really suffer in these cold conditions!

Seriously, the weather has changed. It's so funny in the Philippines. In April, it is cool one day and you wake up the next and it is roasting! The Filipinos say, "Summers here!" And it is! The Lord just seems to say to the weather angel, "Flick the switch" ... and the weather changes. Same in November. It's hot and then - boom - it's cold. Amazing! In Scotland, I think the Lord has an apprentice angel flicking the switch ... and he doesn't seem to know what he is doing!!!!

Hope you like the new style blog. I am determined to keep consistent in my blogging. But I really would love more people to find out what's going on! I think in 2007 we had over 100 people per day checking out the blog, but now, because of my inconsistency, it has dropped way down. I am believing that by Christmas we can get it up to 100 a day ... and build from there.

Can you help me? Why don't you email everyone who knows about Sefton, or who you would like to introduce to Sefton - or even people from your family, friend or folk from church - and ask them to check out our new blog. On the new blog there are a few things that might interest you:

* Blogs that I read

* You can check out the latest Christian music and listen before you buy

* You can search God Tube - a great site for Christian videos

* Check out some devotional stuff from Chuck Swindoll

* Search Christianity.com - a great site for anything about Church, Christianity & Leadership

* You can look up YouTube videos

* You can see the latest news/travel advice from the Philippines

* Read the latest stuff from Time Magazine

* Get a Hagar cartoon every day - one of my favourites (not Mary's!!!!!)

* Check the date and time (in case you are half asleep!)

So please enjoy and I will try and keep things rolling along. Today, a team of 13 arrive from Singapore for a missions trip ... so there is plenty to blog about! PLEASE leave a comment or sign our guestbook (right) and if there is anything you think would be a great idea or addition for me to include in the blog ... let me know. Or if you have been to Sefton and would like to write something that I can put into the blog .. I would be delighted.

Well, I am going back to my hot cup of tea under my warm blanket ...

Chill....

Week of Power ...

2008-12-08T13:50:00.008+08:00

Assemblies of God (AG) in the Philippines have geographical areas which they call Districts. Within these Districts they have smaller areas which are called Sections. This is the American AG pattern. Here in Northern Luzon we have 3 Districts - NELDC, NLDC and NIDC. In each District there are between 200-400 churches.

Every two years, they come together for a Tri-District Conference and they rotate the location. This year, it was the turn of our District (North Eastern Luzon District Council) to host the Conference. NELDC have their District Office here at Sefton and I am one of the District Executive. So .. last week was kinda busy ...

The Conference was from Tuesday-Thursday, but everyone in the District and at SBTC have been planning and preparing for months! Here in the Philippines they set up heaps of Committees to run everything ... although most of the time it is only the one in charge of the committee who actually does anything ... sound familiar? The students have been decorating Sefton in Christmas decorations for weeks! Wherever you go there are decorations, lights and streamers! This has been the project of the students and they have made Sefton look like Blackpool! Check out this amazing star at the top of the Fire Centre (Keith's picture)

We expected around 800 people ... but over 1000 came! At nights they said there were 1200-1500 people at the service ... amazing! Usually we have to drag people to come to the service (Filipino time!) but this week they were actually coming early because we did not have enough seats! A miracle ...

The services were great - it's amazing to worship with over 1000 people in the Fire Centre! What an atmosphere. God gave me a vision that one day we would have that number in our Cornerstone United meetings ... do you believe it? The choir from Roxas (above) sang every night and there was praise and worship from different churches.

But the best part was the performances of our students (I am biased!) They were magnificent. On the first night they did a hands performance, on the second they did The Champion' and on the third night they did a dance/drama called 'Hero' (above) - I am so proud of them. The work that Pastor Lorenz and Joy are doing with them is fantastic. They have brought a whole new dimension to our Bible School.

The preacher was an Afro-American called Dr. Guy Peh. He is originally from Cameroon but has lived in America for many years. He is married to a lady from Belgium and they are both so tall - he is 6ft 7 and she is 6 ft 3! The Filipinos were like dwarfs around him! So funny. But his ministry was great ... a real evangelist. On the last night he spoke about the Fire of the Lord and it made a real impact. Hundreds came forward at the end to receive the Fire! Amazing.

During the day there were seminars (pic below) from Dr Guy, his wife Ilke, our General Superintendent Ray Calusay and our General Secretary Dr. Joseph Suico (who spent 3 years in England studying theology! We sent him off with a bag full of Lyle's syrup, Heinz Salad Cream & Tomato sauce and Tetley T-bags!) These two guys are great men and their seminars were a challenge to Filipinos to 'Rise up' in the area of finances and Missions.

How do you accommodate and feed 1200 people? Don't ask me, but they did! They put people everywhere at Sefton to sleep (and I mean everywhere!), they sent people out to local churches (Cornerstone Santiago had 71!) and they rented a few big halls in town. The Kitchen staff (from Cornerstone Nagassican) did an amazing amount of work - starting 3am every morning! So proud of them. Faceless heroes. We needed them.

So ... the Conference was a great success. Everyone played their part and it went so well. All the visitors were so well looked after. Pastor Marlou was telling me today that at Cornerstone Santiago they provided these 71 visitors with toothpaste, soap, pillows, blankets, tea & coffee and a light meal before they went to bed! Whenever the visitors came in - sometimes after midnight - Pastor Marlou had ushers there to welcome them and to help them in any way they could. That's 'The Cornerstone Way' that we learned from Cornerstoen Singapore and I am so proud of Marlou and our churches.

One last good thing ... it will be 2014 when the next one comes around to Sefton. By then, I will probably be like you ... finding out about it someone else's blog!

Selah ...

Disclaimer: After reading what I have written, I have realised that I have used the word 'proud' a number of times. Mary's mum always says that we shouldn't be proud in a bad way but that it isn't bad to be proud in a good way. So be assured, I mean 'proud' in a good way!

Lydia ... My Wee Superstar!

2008-12-07T00:02:00.001+08:00

Here's my wee dancing princess with all her friends dancing last Sunday!

C'Mon United....

2008-12-06T13:53:00.007+08:00

What a week at Sefton Village! We had Cornerstone United on Sunday and then Tuesday-Thursday we had an AoG Tri-District Conference. I will blog about the conference tomorrow, but first ... Cornerstone United.

The United service is usually on the first Sunday of the month and all our Cornerstone Churches gather together to lift up Jesus. Usually there are around 400-500, sometimes more, sometimes less. But it is a wonderful atmosphere.

I was so blessed and challenged last Sunday. I felt that we should do things a little differently than 'normal'. Instead of a main speaker, I felt that we should invite four of our leaders share what was on their hearts. In between, we would praise, worship and pray. First up were the Powerhouse Dancers ... wee Lydia included! They are a real blessing and they practice so hard. Their song was brilliant -"I have nothing ... If I don't have Jesus."

Then a man called Fanto gave his amazing testimony. He was high up in the army but led a terrible life - he was a murderer, womaniser and drunkard. He was put in BJMP. But there, he found Jesus, through the ministry of Pastor August and the Cornerstone Team. Well, what a transformation! He was released a few weeks ago is presently staying in the room of Pastor August! He wasn't to go to Bible School, enter the ministry and devote his life to the Lord. This hard guy has been given a new heart! He has a long way to go and many things to sort out ... but he is well on the way. It's really strange ... young August is his advisor and mentor!

Then Maribel gave a word - she is the wife of Pastor Adonis (above) - and she is one of the most sincere and lovely people you could ever meet. Her message was 'Don't Worry!" and she was excellent.

After some Praise and worship, led by Cristina and the Santiago Team, Pastora Theresa (above) shared. Well, she is one of my heroes ... without even speaking a word! She spoke about 'Overcoming Weakness with Strength' and shared her story. Inspirational and so humble ... her 'pulpit' was a simple chair.

More worship ... and then Pastor Henry spoke. He spoke on "The Power of Having Dream" and showed a PowerPoint on the blessings of the Feeding Programme. He is doing an incredible work. Do you know that in the last two weeks he has had feeding programmes around 8 times! Every time he gets up at 3am to cook all the food! What a heart. We ahve a burden to have the 'Food for Thought' programme running 5 days a week. Henry needs strength!

Last, but not least, was Pastor Danny. He spoke about 'Intimacy with God" and shared some things form his own life and the church at Nagassican. God is doing great things in Nagassican - they have 'Dawn Watch Prayer' every Friday morning at 4am and in the evening they have a night of prayer. No wonder God is doing great things there. Every night the church is being used. They have around 30-40 young people who have given their lives to Christ and are now in the Drama Group led by Danny's wife Jane. Here they are dancing last Sunday!

Pastor Danny sang a song "I was born to love you" and his dream that was that one day his sons would play the music for him to sing a song to the Lord ... and on Sunday it happened. Dreams come true!

I wrapped things up and we had lots of Henry's food to finish up with. I love United. We now have 7 churches - and another two will be planted next month. There is something wonderful when groups of churches join together to worship Jesus, listen to His Word and just to hang out together. Some of our churches are young and only have 30 or 40 people ... but they love coming together to be part of the big picture! Fantastic!

Be blessed ... and keep praying for us.

SBTC - 'The Champion'

2008-12-04T22:27:00.001+08:00

Here is the SBTC Student's performance on the 2nd night of our conference! They did so well.

Jesus IS the champion!

SBTC - 'You Were the Reason'

2008-12-04T00:15:00.001+08:00

Here is a world exclusive of the SBTC students' performance last night!

They worked so hard ...

A Most Embarassing Moment!

2008-11-21T08:40:00.004+08:00

In February last year I posted a blog in which is quite amazing. If you haven't done it before .. try it now. If you have done it before ... scroll down to find out my terribly embarrassing moment in the UK.

Here is the puzzle -

THINK OF ANY NUMBER BETWEEN 2-9

MULTIPLY THAT NUMBER BY 9

NOW, ADD THE TWO DIGITS OF YOU NUMBER TOGETHER (FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOUR NUMBER IS 34, 3+4=7)

OK, GOT A SINGLE NUMBER NOW?

SUBTRACT 5 FROM YOUR NUMBER

NOW WE CONVERT YOUR NUMBER INTO A LETTER.
A=1, B=2, Z=26 ETC.

THINK OF A COUNTRY BEGINNING WITH THAT LETTER

TAKE THE SECOND LETTER OF THAT COUNTRY AND THINK OF AN ANIMAL BEGINNING WITH THAT LETTER

THINK OF THE COLOUR OF THAT ANIMAL

DO YOU GET ...

A...

A...

Em ....a.....

...A GREY ELEPHANT FROM DENMARK??

Anyway, On my first weekend home I was preaching at Zion Church in Peterhead. There were tons of young people there and so I thought I would amaze them by the gray elephant thing. I even put into my PowerPoint presentation.

So I was in mid flow ... think of a number blah blah blah. At the end of the puzzle I asked "Who has a Gray Elephant from Denmark?" Very few! So I said, "I know you Peterhead folk .. a bit shy. I know that you all got a gray elephant from Denmark." Only a couple of my friends sheepishly put up their hands.

Later, In David Strachan's house, my brother Paul said, "You really blew the Denmark thing eh?" I was stunned. He said that I had forgot to include an important part - subtract 4! So all these poor people had the number 9 instead of 4, so their letter was I instead of D. So they all had green newts from India or black stallions from Israel! I was so embarrassed.

At least I can laugh about it now! So if you were there, my apologies. Hope no permanent psychological damage has occurred!

The only person that ever brings it up is a good friend Colin McLean from Cairnbulg, Scotland. He was there. But a few weeks later, I got revenge. We were watching Aberdeen play at Pittodrie and Aberdeen were awful. Colin stood up and shouted with his loudest voice, "Aberdeen ... you are a clower of showns!" Everybody heard it an laughed. So embarrassing. So next time you see Colin ask how the Clower of Showns are doing now! He said later that next time he would think about what he would shout ... but I reminded him that the worrying thing was that he did think before he shouted! Ha ha

But today, Colin sent me a new conundrum. Try it below. It is quite amazing.

YOUR AGE BY EATING OUT

Don't tell me your age; you probably would tell a falsehood anyway-but your waiter may know!

YOUR AGE BY DINER & RESTAURANT MATH

Don't cheat by scrolling down first ... and you may need a calculator!

It takes less than a minute. Work this out as you read .

Be sure you don't read the bottom until you've worked it out!

1. First of all, pick the number of times a week that you would like to Go out to eat.
(more than once but less than 10)

2. Multiply this number by 2 (just to be bold)

3. Add 5

4. Multiply it by 50

5. If you have already had your birthday this year add 1758...

If you haven't, add 1757.

6. Now subtract the four digit year that you were born.

You should have a three digit number

The first digit of this was your original number. (I.e. How many times You want to go out to restaurants in a week.)

The next two numbers are **YOUR AGE ! ------ (Oh YES, it is !)**

THIS IS THE ONLY YEAR (2008) IT WILL WORK!

Mmmm... amazing eh? Send this blog to your friends and let them work it out.
And if you ever do it publicly ... make sure you don't miss out a line!

Have a great day!

UK Adventure Part 2 - England

2008-11-17T23:04:00.007+08:00

After a quick tour of Edinburgh we headed South down the M6 ... into the great old country of England. By the way ... Sat Nav us great IF you don't know the way to somewhere! It was going to direct me all the way down to Manchester and cut across a few Motorways to get to Rotherham. On paper, it is quicker ... but have you heard about the traffic jams down that way? No way Mr sat nav - I'm going accross the good old A66 to Scotch Corner. Good job I did - huge tailbacks on M6 that night. Shut the thing down, get out your old AA map and live the adventure!

Got to Rotherham on Tuesday afternoon and my sat nav (now switched back on 'coz they are great for finding addresses!) got me to the front doorstep of George Jack ... my cousin who is now Senior Pastor at Rotherham Pentecostal Church. My three Filipio friends were glad to finally reach their destination! Well, if you haven't spent a few days with the Jack family, you haven't really lived! Jayne's cooking is amazing; the kids are wonderful; George's jokes ... well, to be honest, they are terrible! Only kidding. I stayed there for two nights but the Filipinos stayed there all week ... and loved it. Know what? These pastors were hooked on two things in UK - Tescos and the Wii at George Jack's house! They were acting like crazy men as they played Wii sports into the early hours! Great fun. Excellent family. True friends. On the Wednesday we visited my old haunt - Mattersey Hall (above), where I spent three years at Bible School. What a fantastic place. A bit more spruced up now, I can tell you! Some things were surprisingly the same but some things were refreshingly different. We had a cup of tea in the staff room and I thought to myself, "Last time I sat on this settee, it was to get into big trouble!" How the mighty have fallen.

They now have beautiful clasrooms, a cafe, bookshop and chapel. They have done an amazing job. They have built a huge (and I mean HUGE) conservatory that is joined on to the Dining Room. And the food ... well, it was actually delicious. I kid you not. And it didn't even taste remotely like cardboard. In fact, I felt I was in Ikea!!!! Excuse me for waffling on. Memories.

The main reason I was in UK was to preach at the Missions Conference of Rotherham New Life. We started on Thursday night and the theme was 'To Boldly Go ..." and they asked me to preach about going from Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria ... to the ends of the earth. The Rotherham New Life (RNL) church has really majored on Mission- both locally and globally.

The Senior Pastor is an Irishman called John Andrews. He has a doctorate but is young and is an inspirational preacher. He also plays a vital role at Mattersey as well as write books, be part of the AoG National Leadership Team and has a lovely family. Don't know how the guy does it.

Actually, I do. He is so disciplined with his life and doesn't waste words, opportunities or time. If you go to the RNL website, you will hear some of John's teaching ... excellent stuff, highly recommended. John has become a good friend and great encourager in my life.

Anyway, back to our trip. We started on Thursday night. The band was great and many of the songs were new. Sometimes you here new somgs and there is an immediate "Naw" rises up within you! But these new songs really spoke to me. Just before I got up to speak, I got a little bit nervous. I think that the fact I was speaking 9 times over the weekend hit me as I sat in the front row! I felt I was just standing at the bottom of a mountain. But, know what? God spoke to me at that mometnt and said so clearly, "You were born for moments like these." I felt strength. I know the Holy Spirit was there, right beside me. That was all I needed.

Friday morning was for Leaders and I shared about 'Revelations that have Changed My Life". I tried to share the revelations and change of paradigms that the Lord has shown me in the last 8 years. I was completely honest and I felt that many were challenged on that day.

The Lord showed me that on Friday night the Holy Spirit really wanted to move and touch the lives of many people. I didn't know how but the Lord clearly asked me to wait on his intruction. Well, I preached about "Jerusalem, the Place of Power" and at the end I gave an invitation for the Baptism of teh Holy Spirit. Some people came and responded. I felt the enemy laughing and saying, "Not much response eh?" But I kept seeking the Lord and the Holy Spirit began to show me areas of people's lives where He wanted me to challenge and pray for people. Well, the floodgates opened. We prayed for so many people. I felt God gave us many prophetic words. The Holy Spirit was moving and lives were being touched and changed. I think we left the building after 11pm! What a night.

Saturday was a family day and RNL had a full kids programme for the children. RNL are so organized and they really looked after us in so many ways. Their kindness and hospitality was exceptional. They had invited Dave Russon (the Directior of AoG UK World Ministries) and his wife Madeline to attend. I also shared a room with my good friend Andrew David from Torquay ... what an experience, what a guy! Brilliant. I gave the vision of Sefton Village and got Kirsty Allen from Fraserburgh to share about the Children's Home as well as the four Filipinos to share about the different ministries of Sefton. I think everyone was glad to hear some other people's voices!

In the afternoon I shared all about Short Term Mission Teams. At night I preached about the cost of serving Christ - What do you do when your world falls apart? (Acts 8) Another really good night.

Sunday was another wonderful day. Preached in the two services about Walking by Faith. Really felt the people were listening and were being challenged. Some places are hard to minister in, but RNL is great because the people are so hungry and so 'into' missions. Ended the day at George's church at Station Road. Our Filipino Pastors were ministering there and I wanted to say goodbye to the Jack family and my Aunty Helen and Uncle George (below). I was so blessed to see them come and support me over the weekend ... teh extra 400 miles!

Didn't sleep that night! Drove through the night to Manchester Airport. August and I had a nightmare time at the Airport, but that's another blog! In the end, I was so glad to get out of the country!!

But we had a great time. People were so good to us. Everywhere. I felt that our minisry was so well recieved and that people are really behind us here at Sefton Village. I know we are not alone.

A special thanks to John Andrews, his lovely wife Dawn and their family. Thanks also to Steve and Hannah Prosser from RNL for looking after us so well. Big thanks to the Mattersey Team who came on Mission to Sefton in March - so many of them came to the Conference. Big thanks to a special family in Scotland who did more than anyone will know to make ourt trip possible. You know who you are and we are so grateful. Biggest thanks to my mum and dad ... mum for coming out here to help in so many ways. To my dad for meing a mum to these Filipinos when mum was not there! Good job dad! We never starved and our clothes were always clean(ish)!

Feel like I have just made an album and an writing all the credits ... so I'll stop here!

Uk trip - fantastic. If we met you, ate with you, or if you blessed us in any way .... we love you for that.

Until next time ...

Home Sweet Home

2008-11-10T22:03:00.009+08:00

In September I had the privilege of coming home to UK for almost a month. I attended a Bible School Director's Conference in Singapore and then headed to Scotland from there. Mary & the kids had to stay at home because of schooling etc. So I took this once-in-a lifetime-opportunity to bring 4 of my Pastors with me - Winston Bao-in, Marlou Javier, James Aquino and August Manio (chickenpox and all!!)

The main reason for me coming home was to minister at Rotherham New Life's Missions Weekend - If Not Now When ... To Boldly Go. More about that later!

The majority if my time was spent in the NE Scotland. My mum flew out to Sefton whilst I was in UK and I came back to Philippines with my dad. So proud of my mum .. 7 weeks in the Phiippines in the roasting heat and no dad to keep her right!! Well done mum ... knew you could do it! Women power!

The first couple of weeks were jam packed - me and the guys speaking in so many churches, youth groups, children's clubs, Sunnybrae ... you name it! In between we did brilliant things ... fishing in a wee boatie Gamrie (unforgetttable!), going to see Aberdeen at Pittodrie (very forgettable!!) and a lot of other exciting things.

Best things was meeting up with my family and friends again. Brilliant. Met so many people - every day we were booked for lunch AND evening meals at friend's homes. Scottish people are the most lovely, kind, hospitable and generous folk. Highlight was seeing - for the first time - my new little niece Eve Flett. She is a smasher! Mary's brother Bruce and his wife Alison have been given a most precious gift. Thank you Lord.

Also had the great On Sundays we were pretty busy in the churches. So many churches. My Filipino Pastors loved it! We also had two 100% Filipino services for the Filipino fishermen in Fraserburgh. I preached at Fraserburgh AoG, New Hope Peterhead, Elim Fraserburgh, Calvary Fraserburgh and also at Kings Church in Aberdeen. Must say that we saw the Lord move in all of these services. Even met John Knox (below!)

Another highlight for me was the opportunity to preach at my best friend Ben's induction service. What a great night! So many folk from so many churches ... way it should be! Had the honour of preaching at Zion Church in Peterhead and baptising a really special guy called Peter Strachan. Memories. Especially the homebakes ... MMMMmmmm.

We travelled up to Wick with the guys to see Mary's mum & dad and all our friends up there. Beautiful journey up the coast. So wonderful to see my outlaws ... sorry inlaws ... again. They looked after us so well. They are really special and I admire them so much for the amazing way they handle the fact that we, including their grandkids, are so far away so often. This is the hardest part of being a missionary. Not only do we pay the cost ... they pay it much more. This is the greatest sacrifice. They are my heroes.

We spoke at the Over 60's in the Salvation Army and Marlou gave a presentation about 'Life in the Philippines'. I challenged them to think of some questions for Marlou and one lady, whom I know very well, shouted out (in broad Caithness) "How dye cook yir chikin?" We laughed about that all the way to Edinburgh! Folk in Wick like to get their oriental chicken recipes! We went to Edinburgh for a couple of nights. We walked the Royal Mile (with only my T-shirt because I left my jacket in Fraserburgh!) saw the castle and drove along Princes Street. It really is THE most beautiful City in the World. At night we had an went to amazing Korma with my friends Jenny & David. What a day! Getting tired now! Been round Scotland in thirty minutes. Next blog will be about our time in England.

Until then ... Be good and live the dream!

Comeback Time!

2008-11-05T22:49:00.006+08:00

I'm back! I'm alive! How are ye? Long time since I saw you at the other side of your computer screen!

Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. No excuses, except ... well, no excuses.

So many things have happened since my last blog. Unbelievable. I feel as if I have been constantly travelling from one end of the world to another since September and that I have only stopped this week! I will blog about some of the adventure very soon. Promise.

Right now, I am so tired an need to crash into bed. I will leave you with a few pics. So don't worry ... the real deal is making a comeback!

I would love to get a comment from you so I know who is still actually reading my blog and who have given up hope! Come on, encourage me to start again ... and you'll never believe what might happen! Goodnight, Mark

SCOTLAND

2008-09-17T04:56:00.007+08:00

Aberdeen, Scotland Airport

Praise the Lord we are here in a beautiful place of Scotland! We just arrived last Friday and wow its really amazing, Scotland is a Beautiful place with lovely Scottish people, that's true and I'm not kidding. I'm very happy to meet our friends here in Scotland. The people here are generous, kind, lovely, caring, giver and I love their smile, they are excellent. Even though we are a Filipino they (Scottish) received/accept us as their brother in Christ. So I want to thanks all the brethren here in Scotland. I pray that God will continue to bless you.
One night God gave me a very clear vision (November 2005), in that vision God showed me to send me to Scotland, and I said to the Lord, "Lord let your will be done!" but in m heart I don't want to go not because I don't like Scotland, it's because I'm not good in speaking English and its very hard for me to preach in English. That's true! But one day God spoke to my heart and said to me, "My son, this is the beginning of fulfillment of every promises that I gave to you!" Yes, God is faithful and I'm here now in the Beautiful place of Scotland. Friends, maybe God gave you a vision and dreams but as the days goes by just like nothing to happen it seems like your dream is dead and now you are very discouraged and disappointed but I want to tell you that every promises of God is yes and amen and I pray that God will resurrect that dreams.
Also, pray for us (Marlou, Winston,James, August, and Mark) because there is a "STOMACH PROGRESS" here, I mean there is a lot of food here, oh my the people here loves to serve us and the food is very delicious, the brethren here prepared a lots of food and we ate a lots of food, hahaha..... I think I'm very big now...
Next week I will show you many pictures so that you will see the Beautiful place of Scotland.
I really missed my family (my wife and my 3 beautiful kids), please pray for my son Marc David (20 months old) for his healing. This week (Monday)my wife went to clinic to check up our son and the Doctor said that my son need for an operation 'coz there is a problem in his testicles but I believe that God is able to heal our son. I'm not asking for money, all I need is your prayers and that is enough for us. I know that this is the attack of the enemy to my family and to me and the enemy wants to discouraged me and my wife but God will never,never, never leave us nor forsake us! Amen and God bless you!

Cornerstone Blogs

2008-08-18T09:19:00.008+08:00

Hi folks. Well, this morning I am absolutely shattered! Finished our newsletter at 2am and got up early with two exited kids jumping around shouting, "No school today...no school today!" My goodness! What a way to start a week!

Never mind, shouldn't grumble! Had a great weekend. God is doing brilliant things here. I just wanted you to take note that a few of our leaders also blog. Our youth Pastor Daben has a blog and he mainly shares about the youth. Pastor Marlou, the Pastor of Cornerstone Santiago, also has a blog and I thought I would cut 'n' paste his last blog to give you an idea of his style. Enjoy and look his blog up sometimes. If you know him...leave him a comment. I know he would appreciate it!

Here is life & ministry in the last few weeks from Marlou's perspective:

"I always share to our members here at Cornerstone Church Santiago that these Church is a without wall Church, a Church that will reach those who are ready to be harvested. Our cell group is really growing specially in Schools. In one school alone we have 34 students who are active in attending our cell groups and this morning I and Ptr. Jun are praying for this ministry and God shows us how to reach the students.

So Ptr. Jun and I will meet our key leaders tonight to plan and prepare, because I believe God has a wonderful plan for this. Last overnight prayer meeting God gave me a word about the campus ministry. Wow, I’m really excited about this, so continue to pray for us. I saw the favor of God upon us, one of our cell group at bagong silang is also growing, before our cell leader started a cell group in small room but last week the room is to small for them so they decided to move to a bigger place. And now we have a cell group in community center and many young people are attending in this cell group.

About Youth Ministry, it’s really growing. Before, about 10 to 12 are attending the youth group, but now about 80 to 100 young people are attending our Friday youth service, and thank you elders and deacons of Cornerstone Church Santiago because you really support the Youth Group not only your presence is there but you used your money to extend the Kingdom of God, someday God will reward you.

About feeding program, from June 16 to July 31 we fed around 6,000 kids. Bro. Henry (one of the Elder of the Church) doing well and God is with him. And we want to extend our thanks those who really helping this ministry to reach the poor, especially the UK Team and Cornerstone Church Singapore.

About Hospital Ministry, still doing fine, this morning all the Pastors went to the patients and pray for healing. But I and August went to two rooms and preached the good news, I really enjoy sharing the Word to this people and Praise the Lord they received the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Last week the Singaporean team are here, they are a blessings for us. Maureen is our speaker at Cornerstone Santiago especially in youth and Sunday morning service, she really encourage us, especially when she shared about WAITING. It’s true that most of us are impatient, right? That is the reason why, we want fast food, instant noodles, instant healing, and instant partners. But you know there is a blessing in waiting.
Sunday night service is amazing service, we have our own program but Praise the Lord God is in control. The presence of the Lord is very strong, and God gave a Word to Ptr. Mark about “Faith of Children,” and we ask all the kids to come at the front to pray for them and after ward the kids prayed for the adults. When that things happen I remember the book that I read about the French prophet in the year of 1685, ‘ children as young as 3 years old both prophesied and delivered discourses in perfect, fluent French even though this was not their native tongue. On one occasion, a fourteen (14) month old child, who previously had never spoken, suddenly began exhorting “to the works of Repentance” in a childish voice’ PRAISE THE LORD!

About Bible School, I and Pastor Mark teach about Acts of the Holy Spirit and Church History and we really enjoy it. On one occasion, as we teach about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit to the Bible school students, suddenly those who are not baptize in the Holy Spirit were filled with the Holy Spirit and we saw the manifestations of the Holy Spirit. It’s really amazing and all I can say is GLORY TO GOD!"

www.cornerstonechurchsantiago.blogspot.com

www.ccsgenerations.blogspot.com

This Is Our God - Hillsong Music Australia

2008-08-16T11:16:00.003+08:00

This video is incredibly challenging,

I don't know Mike or even heard him preach. But in the last few years I have heard snippets of his story and have prayed for him.

Yesterday I came across this video and I was so challenged and inspired.

No matter what you are going through ... He is your portion, your deliverer, your strength and your healer.

PLEASE take time to watch this ... and allow God to touch your life.

Mark

Hillsong Live - Healer (This Is Our God)

2008-08-16T11:16:00.001+08:00

This is the whole song recorded live at Hillsongs. Amazing.

Words Women USe the Most

2008-08-06T22:15:00.005+08:00

Well, Mary isn't feeling too well and is safely tucked up in bed. Coast is clear. Time to do a blog that will bring a laugh to all men out there ... and roll the eyes of a few women. Enjoy and learn guys ....

1. Fine- this is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to Keep Quiet.

2. Five Minutes - if she is getting dressed, this means half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have been given five minutes to watch a game before helping around the house. lol

3. Nothing - this is the calm before the storm. This means something and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.

4. Go Ahead- this is a dare, not permission. Don't do IT.

5. Loud Sigh- this is actually a word but a non- verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are not getting it and wonders why she is wasting her time arguing with you about 'nothing' (refer back to No. 3 for the meaning of nothing).

6. That's Okay - this is one of the most dangerous statements a woman can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you would pay for your mistake.

7. Thanks- a woman is thanking you, do not question or faint. Just say "you are welcome"

8. Whatever - is a woman's way of saying "I dont need your help!"

9. Don't worry about it, I got it- another dangerous statement meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking "What is wrong?". For the woman's response refer to #3.

New Life Weekend!

2008-08-04T21:58:00.008+08:00

Well, the team from Fraserburgh, Scotland are well and truly home now. We had a wonderful time with them. I have returned from a Cornerstone Pastors Summit in Malaysia/Singapore and yesterday we celebrated the 4th Birthday of my lovely son Josiah. All news, views and photos of the above events will be blogged about soon!

Just want to let you know of an amazing weekend we had when the team were here. On the Saturday and Sunday we had the privilege to baptise over 60 new believers! Around 23 were baptised in the jail and around 38 were baptised here at Sefton after the Cornerstone United service. We had to baptise in three rows because there were so many to be baptised (plus it was scorching hot!) I was so blessed because I was able to baptise folk alongside one of my best friends Kenny. What a moment! I will never forget.

God us doing some great things among us. We are seeing a great number of people committing their lives to Christ - particularly in Cauayan and also in Nagssican. The church in San Isidro is also growing, even though they have 'no fixed abode'! Keep praying that these new believers will follow the Lord through the rest of their lives and become great disciples of Christ in their lives.

In the jail, Pastor August is doing such a great ministry. He and his sister Mildred have been so faithful and they are now seeing fruit for their labour. I am so blessed every time I go there. They are leading their own meetings, leading the w praise & worship, writing their own songs, testifying ... and they have 7 preachers who are on a rota every week! They even take up the offering ... in a jail! August is trying to teach them about the blessings of giving.

The people in jail are not convicted criminals ... they are waiting for their trial. For example, I met a guy last week who was in jail for 7 years. His name is Dennis and inside jail he found the Lord through the ministry of Cornerstone. He was only 15 years old when he went to jail and was released when he was 23. His two friends murdered someone and because he was in the vicinity of the crime, the police also arrested him. He had nothing to do with the murder but he had no money to prove it.

On his release papers (above) it says that, "He has served his sentence of 10 days imprisonment." It took 7 years to complete a ten day sentence... i.e. he was innocent all that time. Imagine. It doesn't bear thinking about. Your best years of your life ... gone. Your reputation ... gone. Your integrity ... gone. Your hope ... gone. But ... Dennis found the Lord in jail! He has faithfully attended the services at the jail and he really wants to serve the Lord. His family have rejected him and he has nowhere to turn to. But Pastor August and his family are trying to help him find work so he can find his place again in the society that let him down so badly.

Please pray for those 61 people who were baptised last week. Pray for August and his team who minister faithfully to people like Dennis. Pray for Dennis (above), that he finds work, continues to walk with the Lord and that he will put the past behind him. Pray for our Pastors who are serving the Lord in our local Cornerstone Churches. Pray for a greater harvest.

Be blessed and encouraged ...

Mission Almost Accomplished!

2008-07-24T14:13:00.005+08:00

Hi everyone! Sorry for the lack of blogging recently. Been so so busy with the team from Scotland being here. There are 16 of them and the programme is full. Morning until night stuff! I am presently trying to find time to phone my mum and dad in between the busyness!

We are having a great time. So many things are happening on so many levels. Schools, Feeding programmes, medical missions, Electrical work, Bible School teaching, hospital ministry, leadership seminars, etc.etc. We also had a short visit from our ex-director Mike Dixon and his friend Dr. Graham Rideal. We packed so much into 24 hrs! Graham is excellent at saxophone and we were able to go around every prison cell to minister to the inmates. They loved it! Graham was playing some pretty cool stuff ... but almost played 'Jailhouse Rock' and 'Please Release me!" MMMmm ....

When they first arrived, in true Steve Ritchie fashion, a typhoon arrived - Typhoon Helen. Problem was that for two days the schools were all off, which affected our feeding programmes and school ministry. Never mind, as Mary's mum told me once, necessity is the mother of invention!

After those first few days, the weather became even hotter than usual. I mean ... super hot! Yesterday, my air con and fans were on all day and my house was still 32 degrees! Outside in the shade, it read 42 degrees. Melting. Even the Filipinos are complaining. These poor Scots ... Anyway, if you want to catch up on what the team are doing, then go to their blog. They are trying to do one every day by different members of the team. So check it out. The web address is: www.qrfseftonmission.blogspot.com

The team leave on Sunday and will fly on Tuesday. Matthew and I are going to a Cornerstone Leaders Summit in Malaysia on Monday. Please pray for us as we go there. Pray that we will be blessed, but also be a blessing. Pray too for Mary as she tries to minister and also look after the kids whilst dad is away.

Pray too for the Visa applications of four of our Pastors whom I am planning to bring to the UK with me in September - Winston, Marlou, James Aquino & August. If they are accepted, all I have to do is find finances for two of their flights! But I cannot move on until we have the Visas. They have been to the interviews and are awaiting news of their application. They should know this week. Please pray they are successful as I really want to bring them to UK for exposure, relationship building and just to help me!

Will blog soon ...

Here's Lookin' at You kid

2008-07-12T22:10:00.007+08:00

Yesterday we celebrated the 6th Birthday of my beautiful daughter Lydia. She has been talking about her birthday for months ... so it was wonderful when the great day arrived! We thank the Lord for our children every day. They are our most precious greatest gift and our greatest treasures.

She was so happy. She got up bright and early with a huge smile on her face. She opened her presents from her family and friends. She was so blessed ... she got a PINK little digital camera which she loves from one granny and granda. her other granny and granda had given her lots of things for her new room. Mummy and daddy gave her a small CD player because she is in the Cornerstone dance group now and Kirsty our spy found out that they don't have a CD player to practice with! So now they have and Lydia is over the moon!

Off she went to school to meet her classmates. At 9:30, mum and dad went down to give out the cake and juice at break time. The cake went everywhere ...the kids' faces were covered with blue icing! So funny. After school, it was change of clothes and off to the Children's Home to celebrate with them! Another lovely 'Disney Princess' Cake for all the children and staff. Mmmmm..... thus birthday deal is great!

At 5:30pm we were off again ... for Lydia to take all her best friends to McDonalds for her party. All the dance Group was there, kids from Sefton Village and other wee people. Of course, lots of big people were there too. The kids had a great party ... and every one of them were given balloons, tons of toys...and of course McDonalds grub! So good. And of course ... cake ... her third one (given by the big chicken!)

Biggest surprise was still to come! I went to pay the bill and the staff told me that the party was free! They said that they saw that I was always the one blessing others ... so today it was my family's time to be blessed! What a day!

Last thing ... all the kids came back to our house. I put up the big screen and projector and we all watched the Bee movie. Popcorn provided. All the kids loved it - none of them have ever been to a cinema -so this was the best thing ever!

They all went home so happy, full and thankful. Lydia was tucked up in bed - next to all her new stuff - a contented and happy wee girl. And mummy & daddy were so happy that the day had gone so well. We went to bed ... shattered!

At 5:15am this morning, a little boy ran through to our bedroom and shouted "Wake up, wake up ... It's my birthday today!" I thought I was having a nightmare! "Another two weeks son, another two weeks ..."

Give us strength Lord!

Build the Ship while at Sea

2008-07-08T15:12:00.005+08:00

These last few weeks have been hard for many people here in the Philippines. Typhoon 'Frank' hit the southern part of the nation hard and many hundreds lost their lives. The storm came on so quickly and many were caught unaware. Around 22 sea vessels sank on that terrible night. The worst disaster was the capsizing of one of the Philippines' largest passenger liner, the Princess of the Stars'.

What a tragic story. Around 800 people boarded the ship fully expecting to arrive in Cebu the next day. There was a storm signal number 1 given at the place they were departing from ... very normal in the Philippines. Signal 1 is rain and slight wind. They got clearance from the coastguard and away they sailed. Typhoon Frank was far away in the South East and was heading north. They should not be troubled by the storm.

As they headed south, Typhoon Frank completely changed direction and went East. It was headed straight for the ferry. The Captain tried to sail for a safe haven but the typhoon hit them first. Within 15 minutes the ship capsized. At this time, only 30-40 people are known to have survived ... over 700 are still missing, presumed dead. So many bodies have been washed up on shore but there are 20 other vessels that sank that night. Tragedy.

I am beginning to realise that 'without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God." I can try many ways to please God but if there is no element of faith invollved, they are nothing. I am learning how to fully trust God even though everything else around me shouts out the opposite. Faith ... Failing All I Trust Him. It is so easy to have safety nets around my life .. but do I really trust God ... completely?

Mary was reading me a quote the other day. It was about the beginnings of the Salvation Army and William Booth's son Bramwell uses an interesting quote - "We had to build the ship while we were at sea!" He was stating that the Salvation Army developed as they worked and ministered. They followed a progressive vision whilst they were setting up a movement that would touch millions.

I think that Sefton Village is a bit like that! looking back, to 8 years ago and even to more recent times, we have had to build the boat while we are at sea. We did not sit down and plan everything when we came in 2000 ... we have had to listen constantly. We have had to think and pray on our feet. As we are sailing, we have had to listen to the Lord for direction and guidance. Very often, in the midst of the storm, we have heard a 'still small voice' that has changed everything.

It's not east to build whist at sea. There are many storms! In the last month we have had so,me very serious issues to address and it seems as if the enemy is trying to undermine and destroy the plans of God. Sometimes it is easy to make a hasty decision when we see the icebergs ahead. Sometimes human logic prevails over simple faith. And sometimes we have got it wrong.

first few years here I led consistently in various settings. I was made praise and worship director for was happening at that point - we were developing For example, when I came to the Philippines one of my giftings and things I loved to do was lead worship. In Scotland I regularly led worship and in thethethe AoG in this area. But in 2003 I felt God say, step back and train up these young guys to lead the worship. So muchthe Bible School, building the Fire Centre etc. So I did. I trained up some people at Sefton to take on the worship.

That was 5 years ago. At the beginning of last year I felt the Lord say to me that He never wanted me to step back, He wanted me to step to the side and minister WITH these young guys. Looking back, in the midst of the storms, I laid down my guitar and mis-heard God's voice. We now have some great worship leaders at Cornerstone ... but I was left with a feeling of 'I've missed it ... no way back now."

But there is! I really decided to invest in a new guitar and start to strum away again. I said, "Lord, I am not going to force my way back into leading worship (like some old out of date blues singer!) ... Someone needs to ask me." Well, last week in our leaders meeting the Cornerstone guys said that the Pastors should be the back up singers and that Pastor Mark should lead the worship! Gulp!

So we had a so called practice on Friday and last Sunday morning I led the worship and all the 13 Pastors were my back uppers (as they call them in the Philippines!) You know, I loved it. I felt as though I had come home. I felt as if this was part of my life puzzle that was a missing piece! I felt that same anointing again and most importantly I felt the presence of God. I don't know where it goes from here, coz I'm building my boat whilst I am at sea.

Many Christians never leave the harbour. Many talk about the journey, dream about the destination, are fearful of impending storms and are not prepared to leave comfort behind. They never reach the open seas. They never fulfil potential. They never have the joy of arriving or the thrill of overcoming. They never really trust the 'pilot'.

A few months ago, I received a very unexpected email from a Pastor who used to teach me at Bible School. His name is George Ridley and I hadn't heard of him for years. He informed me of the amazing work he is involved in and said that he had just stumbled across my blog. At the end of his message he wrote something that really challenged me. And I pray it will challenge you also:

"Be encouraged and keep the dreams alive!
Some talk about GOING, others think about GOING but you WENT.
Good on you ... cos it's the start that stops most people."

Don't dither in the shallows, pretending to be building a nice vessel for another day. Ask the Lord for direction. Ask Him for a dream. Launch out! He is with you. He loves faith. He loves trust. He loves adventure. Even if you have to build your life and ministry on the sea ... don't worry ... He who began a good work in you WILL be faithful to complete it! Don't let the starting stop you!

Be encouraged. Be challenged. Be changed. Be ready for adventure!

Selah ...

SBTC ... Alive and Kicking!

2008-07-03T13:13:00.009+08:00

I am so excited about what God is doing - right now - in and through our Bible School. This September, SBTC is 10 years old! It was started before we arrived but I thank the Lord that what is happening now at SBTC has been accomplished by a step by step progressive vision. We have been in a process - from an 8 month basic Church Planting course into a two year School of Ministry.

The last two years have been tough, I must admit. The sudden death of Pastor Abe really knocked us all .. particularly me! And when I came back in 2007 things were just not the same without my friend and co-worker around. I found it hard to put my heart back into the Bible School. We set up a temporary dean - Pastor James Bastian. We all took extra responsibilities to get us through but James is the guy I need to thank the Lord for. How he help everything together -along with his ministry at Cornerstone AND being the Administrator AND starting a family - is beyond me. But he did!

Last year, my co-director Pastor Angel and I identified a Pastor to be our new Dean of students. He was from Pastor Angel's church originally but had left to go to Bible School years ago. He married a lovely lady called Joy and they were ministering in the AoG's biggest Bible School in the Philippines - Bethel Bible School in Manila. Pastor Lorenz was the Dean of students and joy ran their Nursery School as well as being the Dean of Women! When we approached them, they said they would pray about it. But they could not come last year due to responsibilities and commitments.

To cut a long story short, I went down to visit them in Manila and preached in their Bible School. Unbeknown to me, the things that I said in my message were exactly the words that Lorenz had challenged God about that week. Gos is amazing. If He wants to tell you something ... you had better be ready! So they handed in their resignation and followed the call. They arrived here in the first week of May.

They are our new neighbours and they have two great kids - Rohama (4) and Aaron (2). They have made a huge difference to SBTC and are using all their skills and giftings to bring new ideas to our Bible School. best thing is ... they are so passionate about what God has called them to do. It is infectious! I have rekindled the love for these students and for the amazing vision of our Bible School. I am so excited! Joy is also working part-time in teh afternoons at the Nursery School and is really helping Mary.

We started enrollment at the end of May and I am delighted to tell you that we have 24 first year full time students and 13 full time second year students! So we have 37 full time students at SBTC and around 5 or 6 that are day students. There is a new buzz around the place! Can you spot me in the top picture?

I am especially delighted to tell you that we have eight full-time students from our Cornerstone Churches (see pic below)! Wow! They are the next generation of church planters and leaders that have come through our church. We are beginning to see some fruit of our labour at Cornerstone!

There are many Leaders in the AoG District here that really want us to reach out and do extension seminars in various places. Please pray for this new possibility. It opens up doors for us to train even more people fro the ministry from around Northern Luzon.

Pray also for our transport situation. We have a large Jeepney van, but it is very unsafe and I am really worried about it. We have so many students now that we need either another multi cab plus get our one fixed or we need to trade in the old banger and use any money towards buying two multi cabs. I am praying we can do this by September when the students start to go out on evangelism and church networking. We have been challenged to plant a church directly from our Bible School, so pray we can do it! In the AoG here now, you cannot apply for credentials unless you have planted a church!

Please pray for us at SBTC. The first few weeks can be difficult for the new students and we have found that many of them feel under so much pressure to go home. Pray for the Salazar family as they adjust to life at Sefton Village. Pray for that God would continue to give us a progressive vision that we will be able to understand and follow.

Catch you later ...

Mark

Happy Fathers Day!

2008-06-15T23:17:00.004+08:00

Today is Fathers Day! The time-honoured tradition where the family will take a day to encourage, bless and thank the father of the home.

Today was really nice. Lydia came through at 5am and whispered, "Happy Fathers Day ... can I get a Yakult" all in one breath. Today, for the first time, wee Josiah came with his daddy on a preaching engagement. We dropped mummy and Lydia off at Cornerstone Santiago (because Lydia goes to Kids Church there and loves it so much she doe not want to miss it!) and Josiah, me and Pepito (Josiah's bestest friend in the Philippines and my unofficial adopted son!) headed for Cornerstone Ramon.

Well, surprise surprise. Josiah behaved great! He didn't cry for his mum once and seemed to enjoy the occasion. At the end of the service there was a 'Fathers Day' time where the kids or wives of the fathers said something really nice and then handed us a mug. Well, when my turn came, wee Josiah grabbed the mike and said, "Happy Fathers Day daddy, I love you!" I was taken aback and even more shocked when he started to sing! No, it wasn't an emotional paternal love song ... but it was from his wee heart -"One Way, Jesus"! He he. He even went really low and did the "You are the way, the truth and the Life ..." bit and started all over again! What a hoot. The folk loved it! And I was so touched.

I spoke about the Father Heart of God, and here were my points. I know there are 7, but I can assure you they were short!

1. A FATHER WOULD DO ANYTHING FOR HIS CHILDREN
2. SOMETIMES NO WORDS ARE NEEDED
3. THERE IS NO DAY OFF - IT'S 24/7!
4. CHILDREN TOTALLY DEPEND ON US … BUT ONLY FOR A SEASON
5. MY CHILDREN KNOW MY VOICE
6. MY DESIRE IS TO BE CLOSE TO MY CHILDREN
7. A FATHERS LOVE IS FOREVER

I thank the Lord so much for my dad and all the he has done for me. You never really understand the sacrifices and pain that your father goes through until you yourself are a father! Even now, my dad is so important to me and I know he he right behind us and what God is doing at Sefton Village. And I thank the Lord so much for that. I pray that I will be as good a dad to my children as my dad has been to me.

I remember speaking to Pastor Jim McGlade ad he said something really interesting. He said that you can only test how good your parenting skills are by how your grandkids turn out! He said that if you have spent time with your kids, brought them up in the ways of God, taught them good morals and trained them in righteousness ... then what you have put into your kids will come out in their kids! So I'm praying that not only will myself, Paul and David bring blessing for my mum and dad ... but OUR kids will also be a blessing to our family, their churches and the society they live in. Interesting ....

Well, we have a tough week ahead. Tomorrow, the new Elementary School will start as well as the new school year for the Nursery School. Also, the Bible School will start our new year. I am also preaching at the launch of our 'Feeding Programme' at Nagassican. Help ma boab! What a day!

But there is a very serious problem we have to deal with tomorrow. I cannot share any details but we would really appreciate your prayers. Right now, it is living on a roller coaster ... so many ups followed by great tests and challenges. I feel that there are great victories ahead ... but we have many battles to face on the way there.

Here are some laughs concerning fathers. Enjoy:

Letter to a Father:

Dear Dad,

$chool i$ really great. I am making lot$ of friend$ and $tudying very hard. With all my $tuff, I $imply can't think of anything I need, $o if you would like, you can ju$t $end me a card, a$ I would love to hear from you.

Love,
Your $on

The Reply:

Dear Son,

I kNOw that astroNOmy, ecoNOmics, and oceaNOgraphy are eNOugh to keep even an hoNOr student busy. Do NOt forget that the pursuit of kNOwledge is a NOble task, and you can never study eNOugh.

Dad

My Dad thinks he wears the trousers in our house, but it's always Mum who tells him which pair to put on!

After the church service a little boy told the pastor, "When I grow up, I'm going to give you some money." "Well, thank you," the pastor replied, "but why?" "Because my daddy says you're one of the poorest preachers we've ever had."

A company held a contest for kids with the theme: "The nicest thing My Father Ever Did For Me." One kid answered "He married my mother."

Happy Fathers Day to all you great men out there. Be blessed and bring up your kids in the ways of the Lord.