Ruperts’ Speaking Commitments Ahead from July 2018

We are so grateful to God for all those who have taken an interest in what Margie and I are doing and have supported us in prayer and also in giving. We are aware that we have tended to report retrospectively on what has happened, and thought it would be a good idea to give you some sense of what lies ahead for us, so that you might be able to pray in a more informed way. You will find a list of commitments below.

Much of our weekly energies are spent very gladly in the life of Emmanuel here in Bath. God has encouraged us a church with significant evangelistic opportunities, rich fellowship and many students and children to disciple. And recently we delighted in our first baptism. This work, right where we are, is our first priority and joy. Rupert has generally been preaching away on one Sunday a month but has also been preaching at Emmanuel one Sunday a month. Margie is deeply engaged in discipling younger women in the church, selecting songs and playing the piano as well as playing a very active part in our engagement with local people. Please pray that in a church of largely younger families and students, we would be faithful, holy, prayerful, wise and persevering, setting a godly example to others.

Much of the rest of what Rupert does takes him to various training courses and opportunities across the UK as well as to speak at conferences and conventions. However, this autumn is largely taken up with three journeys abroad. The first is a family holiday in France, a small section of which involves visiting a missionary couple we were privileged to meet at a UFM conference Rupert spoke at a few years ago and again at a weekend away in Northern Ireland of their sending church. The second is visiting family in Canada, courtesy of Rupert’s brother Michael, whose wife Myfanwy is now sadly needing full-time care in a nearby Mennonite home. On this occasion Rupert has also been invited to give three days to the Metropolitan Bible Church in Ottowa whose senior minister, Jonathan Griffiths, used to teach on the Cornhill London training course, and is related to us. That is a special joy but will require a fair bit of preparation ahead. After that, at the end of October, Rupert will be going, alone, to speak several times and to do preaching training in North India, as he has been doing, usually every other year, over the last twenty-four years. This also will require a great deal of thoughtful preparation. Please pray for good preparation, safety in travel, stamina, good health and the precious enabling of the Holy Spirit.

There will be other commitments that will emerge in this period. Rupert has recently been used by the Christian Institute to lead day long seminars for pastors and church leaders on how to preach 2 Peter. He has now done this in the north of England, Scotland and East Anglia. He is now preparing material for a similar three sessions on how to preach 2 Thessalonians, and would very much value your prayers for this.

With our love in the Lord Jesus,

Rupert and Margie

 

 July

1^st preaching at Emmanuel

6^th-7^th preaching on Saturday and twice on Sunday at Hope Church, Ashton-in-Makerfield

22^nd preaching at Emmanuel

August

(30^th July-18^th Aug holiday in France)

26^th preaching twice at Emmanuel

September

10^th-27^th trip to Canada

22^nd preaching seminar for Metropolitan Bible Church, Ottowa

23^rd preaching twice at Metropolitan Bible Church, Ottowa

24^th speaking at staff day conference for Metropolitan Bible Church, Ottowa

October/November

26^th Oct- 9^th November trip to India

28^th Oct & 4^th Nov probably speaking in Delhi

30^th Oct-2^nd Nov leading preaching training conference at DBI centre in Chandigarh

7^th & 8^th Nov speaking twice at Word Conference in DBI, Delhi

18^th preaching at Grace Church, Hilton, near Derby

Other commitments are likely to emerge and I am likely to preach at Emmanuel on a fairly regular basis

2019

January

20^th preaching twice at Bethesda, Ipswich

February

2^nd preaching at Norwich Bible Rally

3^rd preaching at Norwich Evangelical Church

March-May

Leading 3 seminars at London Seminary