Release International: Christians attacked in India

Release International:- In India, Hindu extremists armed with sticks and clubs attacked 20 Christians in a house near Bangalore last week, the latest in a string of attacks on Christians in Karnataka state in south west India.

Pray that God would bless and protect his people in Karnataka who live under the threat of violence. Pray that the church there will be emboldened to speak up for justice and spread the Gospel.

Marsali Campbell - 10 years in Africa

Marsali Campbell arrived in Kampala, Uganda, on 20th September 2001 to start working as a nurse with Dwelling Places. Her recent newsletter looks back on those 10 years and remembers the challenges, changes and development of the work with street children.

You can read her newsletter on her website.

Live Services via Telephone

Telephone conferencing of our Sunday services is now available for those who are unable to attend church due to illness, being housebound, being a carer, being a new mum, etc. This would allow them to participate in worship.

This service is not limited geographically and all that is required is access to a home telephone (not a mobile phone). If you know of anyone who would benefit from this live connection with our church family please contact Ali on 07871415215 or email her here.

News & Prayer Update from Argyris Petrou

We are blessed to be a part of the lives of Argyris and Dina Petrou, Christian workers in Athens, Greece. They have recently shared with us their news and prayer letter, and we’d like to pass it along to you. You can download this letter by clicking here.

Topics included:

• The Petrous’ marriage turns 25
• Dina’s work with women affected by sex trafficking
• Argyris’s preaching ministry
• The Greek Bible College
• How you can support the Petrous

Dr. Helen Roseveare Interview

Smithton Church minister, David Meredith, interviews Dr. Helen Roseveare, who was a missionary to the Congo for 20 years.

Video credit: Inverness TV

How Can We Reach Our Community?

Many of you will remember Pastor Lewis Allen (Hope Church, Huddersfield) preaching the anniversary services at Smithton just one year ago. Lewis writes an excellent blog called “Reclaimed” (you can find this blog and others on our recommendations page). I want to recommend Reclaimed to you, especially a blog article that Lewis has posted today called “12 Pointers for Local Church Evangelism.”

This article is based on a talk Lewis did for the South East Gospel Partnership day on Evangelism a few years ago. In the article, Lewis asks 12 questions that we (all Christians, as well as Smithton Church specifically) should be asking in regards to evangelism:

1. Have you decided on who you are trying to reach?

2. Where are some of the focal points in your community?

3. Is your church leadership ensuring that people are free for relationships with nonChristian friends; or are they snowed under with Christian activities, and move only in Christian circles?

4. Where does your evangelism come from?

5. Are you developing evangelists?

6. Do evangelism together.

7. Do you budget for evangelism?

8. Remember the attractiveness of community.

9. Prayer – is yours a praying church?

10. Are you putting thought and effort into communicating with nonChristian people who would never come near your premises?

11. Do your Sunday services meet the hearts and minds of nonChristian people?

12. How can you serve your community?

Click here to read the full article, which also contains Lewis’s answers to these questions.

Highland Food Bank Church Appeal

This is a reminder that we are appealing for the Highland Food Bank through the end of December. Items such as sugar, tins of salmon/tuna, packets of crackers, and tins of potatoes can be dropped off either in a designated area on Sunday or at the church office throughout the week.

Thank you for your support of this very important organisation!

News from South Africa

The Wilson have sent another newsletter about their experiences in South Africa. Here is an excerpt:

Recently, we had our latest Sunday School Teachers’ Training day.   A couple of days before, our team had been talking about how we are always aware of Satan’s attempts to attack and disrupt these days, and how each time we see God over ruling and claiming the victory.   That Saturday was no exception.  My blood pressure dropped suddenly and I ended up lying on the floor, workers were late arriving, the electricity kept going off and supplies that we needed disappeared.   As usual, we got into a circle and prayed.  God’s presence was very real as we prayed, and the day went on without any more hitches or upsets.  We had many people with us who had travelled between three and four hours journey in different directions to attend.   The desire and fervour of these teachers was humbling.  Their hunger for teaching, ideas and strategies was overwhelming.

You can download the entire newsletter here.

Wilsons July Update

Please find the attached update for the Wilson Family.

Wilsons Newsletter (38kb)

Wilsons & Dumisani Updates

Apologies for getting these out late, but below you will find updates from the Wilson Family and Dumisani Theological Institute in South Africa.

Wilsons Newsletter (37kb)
Dumisani News (256kb)