So I thought I'd take this time to update you all. The last couple days have been kind of random.
Reaching Out
I've been trying to build relationships in New Ross. Sometimes I just go into a store or a pub in a time when I know it will be empty. The people here are usually more than willing to have a conversation with me, ask me where I'm from and what I'm doing in Ireland, etc. This is a much more natural way to tell them about Grace Church and what we believe than approaching someone on the street. I'm not saying God can't use street evangelism or that it shouldn't be done at all, but I haven't seen the fruit of it so far. Additionally, the vast majority of people here who been saved as adults have a story of getting to know another Christian who took the time to build a relationship with them. So this is my approach, and I am always looking for and thinking of new opportunities to meet people. I am open to any suggestions...
The last couple weeks, we have seen great weather (I maybe pretended it was too great, which might be why I'm sick). We have enjoyed this weather by grilling out at the Buckleys. One morning, it hit me that pretty much everyone everywhere loves barbecues. So I suggested Grace Church have one and it is now set for May 8th. We are inviting the neighborhood surrounding the community center where we meet, and also people we've built relationships with who wouldn't be comfortable going to a church service on Sunday morning, but would be willing to meet the members of the church on a Saturday afternoon barbecue. Those of you who are supporting me financially should know that your contributions will help fund this event. We will have live music and I will talk for ten minutes about what Grace Church believes (the gospel), but the rest of the time will just be hanging out and getting to know people. If it goes well, we're hoping to have another one, possibly when my family is here so my little sister can lead the music. Please pray for this as we continue to plan and invite people in the upcoming weeks.
A Pharisee in New Ross?
When Miles was still here, he told me about a street preacher (megaphone and all) named Lee who preaches condemnation to non-believers in the towns in this area. The other man who lives with the Buckleys, Patrick, loyally supports this man. I haven't seen or heard him, but I've heard Miles' and James' opinion, and formed my own general opinion of street preachers. When Patrick told James and I yesterday that Lee would be in New Ross, I told him that I would come and if he was hindering people from believing the gospel, I would shut him down by whatever means necessary. We have been sewing seeds in New Ross, and I don't want people associating this guy with Grace Church. James told Patrick to call Lee and tell him not to come to New Ross, so Patrick did, and instead went to hear him preach on the street in Wexford. Unfortunately, Patrick and Lee are attracted to the "Us vs. Them" mentality, which just infuriates me. Some people just have to feel powerful and better than others, and they put others down to feel this. Certainly, this is not the way of Jesus. Jesus was harsh on Pharisees, those who boast their own righteousness, like Lee, but never on those who knew they were sinful or not in the church (See 1 Corinthians 5:9-13). The one time that Jesus actually gets violent is against people hindering people from worshipping God (at the end of John 2). He is righteously defending the poor and oppressed, thus He did not sin. And what was oppressing the people? Religion! I went into town just to make sure that Lee didn't change his mind. He didn't come today. Not in our town, at least not while I'm here. Pray for wisdom for me as I address these religious tendencies in Patrick.
Matt the Techie
Because I'm younger than most of the members of Grace Church, I tend to know more about computers. Thus, I tend to be the one people go to when they need something down involving computers. This is a new experience for me, not that I'm clueless regarding computers, but I've never been the authority. James took me down to see the man who runs the Grace Church website the other day and he taught me how to update it. I have done a little bit of work on it, mostly deleting info on events that have come and gone. There is probably some more work to be done, but I don't want to completely overhaul the work they've put in so far. Anyway, check out the website if you get a chance: www.thegracechurch.ie
Heading to France & Switzerland
On Monday (hopefully I'll be feeling better), I am flying from Dublin to Lyon, France to see my dear friends Nathan, Joanna & little Ayla Michael, who are missionaries with Wycliffe Bible Translators. They are in France until at least October, but hoping to soon be working with a people group in Cameroon (Africa). I am trusting my visit will be mutually encouraging and fun. On Wednesday evening, I am taking a short train ride to visit my friend and former college roommate John Mark Walls in Geneva, Switzerland. We are possibly taking a day trip somewhere on Thursday (I'm hoping Italy), before I return to Nate & Jo's. I am flying back to Ireland on Saturday in order to be at church that next Sunday.
Well, I suppose that's sufficient for now. All the best!
Sorry you're not feeling well Matt! Dearls and Jonathon are here with me, they say hey! Interested to hear how things go with that dogmatic megaphone yelling worship blocker...
ReplyDeleteLove ya man! God bless:) -Thomas