RAISING THE BAR ON LEADERSHIP
We are now a quarter of the way through the year which has gone very fast indeed. I remember as a child how the school terms used to drag on for what seemed a life time and the holidays flew past. Now I’m ‘mature’ it seems like the whole year races past!
My journey to Christchurch was valuable and I met some pastors I’d not met before. I got to spend a good time with the new Anglican Bishop over a cup of tea. He is standing strong with the Lord as he faces significant challenges in the Canterbury dioceses.
I flew to England to Keswick for the ITA Council meetings. It was an important time with a major decision being made to restructure the Council by adding a Governance Board as a representation of the Council. This is to help have better contact and support for the CEO and the management team. Since then nominations for the five places on the Governance Board were taken and my name was one. Yesterday the Council voted and I was one of the five elected to this new aspect of ITA. It is a privilege to serve in this way with this amazing group of missionary leaders influencing the development of so many young mission leaders worldwide.
At the meetings we stayed at the Keswick convention centre and I got to preach to the group of international leaders who make up the Council. Felt very special as people like Billy Graham and D.L. Moody have preached there too. I got to spend a couple of days with my brother and his family in Surrey and with some dear friends and their family in Devon.
On the journey home, (3 days in a series of trains, three airports and three long flights) I celebrated Yvonne and my 39th wedding anniversary, and my birthday. It’s the longest birthday I’ve had stretched over a day and a half. No gifts nor upgrades I might add.
I arrived home and four days later, Yvonne Hannah and I went up to Whangarei Baptist to take a Relationship Matters course. This is for Christians to bring unchurched friends. It went really well and Yvonne did brilliantly. One of the unchurched came on Sunday to hear me preach. We returned home on Yvonne’s birthday celebrating at Warkworth with a nice pie. Hang the expense I say!
Easter Yvonne was playing for all services and I accommpanied on flute.
I have continued to do the supervision of pastors and businessmen. I’ve also been working to get pastors to sign up for the leadership course in Nelson this year. I must say it’s been very hard work and we look like having quite a small number attending. However, just this week I’ve had a person from USA sign up and a pastor form Kenya hoping to come.
My car decided to break it’s exhaust seals and other associated bits which ended up costing just over $600. Yvonnes car required two new tires at the same time so it’s been a tough month.
I will be heading to the South Island on Tuesday morning (the cheap flights are always earlyish!) to continue to meet with pastors from different denomination to encourage them to attend the CLC. I will be preaching at two services in a Presbyterian Church in Dunedin while I’m away. Please pray for Yvonne and Hannah while I’m down south.
The invites for the Caleb Graduate course have been designed and we are going to hold the course late August as the June dates were too tight. Please pray that when they go out, pastors will sign up to come and grow some more.
Yvonne Hannah and I are taking a week’s leave at the end of May to go down and see Rachel, Jonny and Caleb. It has been a long time since I have seen them and Caleb is now 19months.
Our son Tim is leaving his work place next week to start a three year degree in software development. We are excited for him as he takes this new step. Please pray for Aimee & Tim as they settle into the new way of life and cope with living very tight.
Jeremy and Sakura are expecting their first child. Yeah, PTL Grandchild number two. We are looking forward to meeting our second grandchild. Yvonne’s knitting jerseys and things in preparation. Each article seems sooo small.
Successful ITA meetings.
My election for the Governance Board
Relationship Matters course going so well.
Tim’s acceptance for the university course
Sakura’s pregnancy.
Prayer requests.
Pastors to sign up for the CLC
Successful PR trip south
Good development of our next grandchild
The international participants will get visa’s easily
Grad course prep to go well.
Every blessing
Rex, Yvonne, Rachel, Jonny and Caleb, Jeremy & Sakura, Tim & Aimee & Hannah