Harding Campaign 2009

Within the mix of the past few weeks we had our campaign with Harding University - What a JOY! The group of seven were the right people at the right time to bless our community and support our ministry. Alex and I had pretty much got the school program worked out and we spent the first day getting the group familiar and excited about it. We decided to take a far more hands on and practical approach this year in the school assembly times. We wanted to illustrate and get the message across about three qualities, "Kindness, Faithfulness and Gentleness."

For "Gentleness" we made a table with four handles and had the kids work together to keep the ball from falling off. We taught about the importance of being gentle with our friends. How being harsh or aggressive won't keep the ball on the table, but gentleness does! The kids loved it and the variation in how they handled the task was everything from near perfect teamwork to total chaos!

For "Faithfulness" we made a pair of skis that were made for three. The three chosen kids have to work together in order to get moving in the same direction. We taught about the need to be in agreement with your friends and not to be selfish and want everything your own way. The result of the kids trying the skis was amazing! The whole school was anticipating what would happen next. Some times the kids would work well together, but there were other times when they just would not click and the result was hilarious.

To illustrate "Kindness" we had packages of healthy sweets as gifts which we gave to the teachers who were invited up to the front to receive their gift. In return the teachers were instructed to return the act of kindness by sharing the candy when they got back to class with the kids. As with the other two illustrations we got a huge response from the kids and we were in no doubt that they got message.

Throughout the assembly presentation we went with the theme of "Food Fight" and we had Alex dressed up in a Banana costume representing "Healthy food" and Tyler dressed up in a Hot dog costume representing "Junk Food." At the start of the program we had a tug of war with the Banana coming out on top. Throughout the presentation the Hot dog and Banana would also illustrate how NOT to do the Gentleness and Faithfulness object lessons and the Banana would take the Hot dog aside and help him understand how to be a better friend. Their interaction throughout the assembly was a huge hit with the kids and illustrated really well the message we wanted the kids to get. At the end of the assembly we would get one of the teachers to dress up in the Banana suit and take on the Hot dog in a tug of war. This always got a massive response from the staff and kids.

We had the opportunity to bless over 2000 children with our assembly program and I am confident the whole school community are talking about our time with them. At every school there was a scurry of teachers running to get camera's in order to get some photo's for their various school news letters etc...

The group took a while to adjust their mindset of being able to talk openly about their faith in God and to be able to share with the children some of the Fruit of the Spirit. When we would de-brief after the first couple of schools I would tell the group, "You are not mentioning God's name enough!" After the second or third time out they got the hang of it and were blessed in doing so.

Well that is enough for this one - I will post a few more about some of the other events and focal points we covered during this years great campaign.

God bless!

P.S. A huge thanks to this years group: Tyler, Andrea, Whitley, Katie, Laura and Melanie. Special thanks to Mike Wood for leading the group. You all made a big splash - especially Andrea!

Amy's new chapter

As you will see this has been quite a time for our family. Amy left school this past week, she finished the last of her exams and is now finished her high school education. There is no doubt that Amy has been an excellent student. Amy has been an amazing servant to the school and has given the school reason to be proud of their staff. I believe the school will miss Amy greatly. As the deputy head girl Amy served with a very conscientious and dedicated spirit. Her assistance and leadership was gentle, but with a determination to make things better. In everything Amy was a part of her gentle spirit made an impact for good.

Fenella and I are sooo proud of Amy. In spite of some circumstances that Amy deals with on a daily basis, she continues to challenge herself to be more and to strain for perfection in all she does. Amy has a very clear path ahead of her. Amy knows what she is passionate about and is making every effort to be an opera singer. Although the road Amy has chosen is not an easy one, it is an obvious one! Fenella and I love the way Amy is focused and driven toward her ambition. We are thankful that Amy has the right people to guide and develop her gift of singing.

Amy hopes to study at the "Royal Scottish Academy for Music and Drama." However, it will be at least another year before she can realistically, enter the Academy. There are a number of reasons for this, but God willing, Amy is on track for a place there. Until then Amy has applied for a place to study with the Scottish Opera and will hear, hopefully, later this week if she is successful with her application.

Amy passed her driving test last week and is now able to explore even more Independence. She passed first time, which is a first for our family. Fenella and I both passed on our second attempts. The timing is great as Amy can now nip through to Dyce and visit Beth.

Love you Amy xx

Beth's new chapter

This past week has been huge for our family. Last night we drove through to get Beth set up in her new school and had to say goodbye in a new way. We are still a bit shell-shocked at the speed of the past events which have led Beth to the Aberdeen Music School. As Beth's mum and dad we are soooo proud of her and her choices that have led to this opportunity. Of course we are struggling with the fact that Beth will be gone from Monday to Friday and we will be starved of her bounce and charisma, but we are settled knowing that she will be with us at the weekends and that she is pursuing something that she loves and is passionate about. Her ability for playing the oboe and her love for music make it easy for Fenella and I to know Beth has made a wise choice and for us to support her in this choice is easier as a result.

We all went through to drop Beth at Craibstone Halls. The sun was shining and the setting of where the accommodation block is could not be more beautiful. It is set in the country with green grass and huge trees everywhere. The accommodation is a two mile run from the new school. When we got to Beth's room Fenella and Amy helped to get everything put away and decorated the room with the gifts Beth got from her friends and a few posters, of which "Edward" took pride of place on her door. Amy and Fenella had put together a big photo collage with heaps of pictures of Beth with family and friends - it was lovely and made Beth cry. Holly and Hannah stuck pictures they had drawn on the wall just above Beth's bed. After a wee while it was time to say goodbye. Beth phoned this morning to say all is well and she had to run and get on the bus for school, which was leaving in 2 minutes!

And so as a family we enter into a new chapter and strange territory. Fenella and I were not quite ready for Beth to be moving out just yet, but we know even though we are not there in person to take care of Beth, she has her heavenly Father.

Love you Beth xx

Gearing Up!

Found a half hour to nip in an update. The past few days have been so solid! The schools were out Monday and Tuesday and Fenella took the day off work on the Monday so we took off for the day with the girls. We did some shopping (well with 5 ladies, what do you expect?) and went to the pictures. It was so nice to switch off from ministry and enjoy family. The past weeks have been tough as a family. We have had to journey through some tough choices and see Amy and Beth continue to grow and take control of their future paths. They make Fenella and I sooooo proud. To listen and hear their reasoning for not getting involved in some stuff their peers are into is a joy! They are both focused young women and are finding the keys to enjoying life and learning to avoid life's drains. As their dad, I can't believe how well they are developing - it's obvious that Fenella is an amazing mum! I must also comment that they are learning to be led by the Spirit and are showing fruit in keeping with His nature.

AT the classes we are starting to get the kids excited about campaign, which begins a week on Monday with the Harding group. Our notice board has a bunch of sign-up sheets for a "Fruit of the Spirit" scavenger Hunt, a Bowling night and a Scottish night. I must mention last Thursday night. We had our first "practice" at the Scottish dances in preparation for the Ceilidh. Anyone who knows me can testify to the fact that I have no "moves!" However, I feel that I have found my feet and had an absolute blast learning the dances. It was a great night and there were smiles on faces from the start to finish! If you have never experienced traditional Scottish dancing - you are missing out! Forget all the nonsense that goes on at clubs and disco's nowadays! A ceilidh is one of life's best kept secrets for good clean fun and enjoyment! John Campbell taught us the moves and we learned a total of six dances, including "Strip the willows," "Highland Barn dance," Gay Gordon's" etc...! We had soo much fun!

I need to mention Friday night! I am humbled to witness how God's Spirit continues to use this class to bless! We had three there on Friday night who were "lifted" because of the class. I am thrilled to witness the ways in which God provides for the needs of all at the right times. I know there are times in all our lives when we need a "lift" and it's fantastic that Friday night's are proving to be a source of encouragement for all who find it! I taught a lesson on challenging the group to question what eyes they choose to live life looking through - The worlds or God's? We talked about the distractions we cause by the clothes and "Look" we present. How we can be noticed and accepted simply by how we look on the outside. We then talked about CHARACTER and the importance of being noticed because of who we are and not how we look. Afterward we were able to play some volleyball now that the nights are longer and it's daylight till 9.30ish.

Please continue to pray for our growth. I know that God is working and that hearts are open - pray that the seeds continue to be planted! As a church family we are continuing to go through some struggles. This morning I attended another funeral. Eric Thom, who was one of the most sacrificially loving fathers I have ever known, is the fourth member of our church family to have passed away in as many months. This pattern may continue as many in our family are elderly. Our prayer is that we can discern God's plan and the Spirit's path in order that the Kingdom grows.

Just a quick note about my school ministries. I was delighted to begin a new work in Meethill School last Friday. I have opportunity to take a lunchtime club with the P4's and on Friday we had 17 come along and the time was great! I am looking forward to working with the school and developing relationships with the kids and the staff there - God is Good!!

I am delighted that George (my brother) is going to make a surprise trip over to spend some time with us. He is coming with Abby, which makes Holly and Hannah VERY excited! It will be good to see him and catch up. They get in tomorrow and will spend a week here.

God bless!

Teething Problems

We are having some pretty cool issues to get through these past days. We have been praying for our teens to get tighter as a group and for them to desire to be together and encourage each other when they are together. The reality is that our prayers are being answered, but we have some work ahead of us to get things worked out. Things were made clear on Monday nights, which is our night for the primary school kids. Steadily over the past month we have seen the teens growing in number to want to come and help out with the class. This is a dream to see them want to be there for a third night in the week. They come faithfully on Friday and Wednesday nights and now Mondays! I said we have to work through some things and here is why. There were 15 teens there to "help out" on Monday night. And for the most part they were a great help. However it became clear during the games part of the class, which is the last half hour, that the teens presence was overpowering and some tended to forget that the class is for the little ones. I am hugely encouraged by their enthusiasm to be together and to be with us at the church building, but we need to adjust things a little so that Monday's stays very much a primary school age focused class. Tonight in my class we will try to work through the process.


On the whole things are brilliant with the kids! Things continue to grow in numbers, but more importantly the group are growing in faith. Since Thomas' baptism he is showing good signs of growing. He has started to help out at Crimond school with our football after school club and is a fantastic influence with the kids. Rachel, Thomas' girlfriend is doing really well too. Rachel is growing in faith and is having a real influence on her friends. Two of Rachel's friends have started coming over the past couple of weeks. I was hugely encouraged to see evidence of growth when I see Rachel and Jessica now really good friends. Only two months ago they were arch enemies and could hardly stand to b in the same room as each other, but have allowed godly character to lead their lives and the result is obvious.


We are in full swing with our prep for this years campaign with the Harding students. I am excited at what we have planned for this year. God wiling, our vision will be in keeping with His will and the opportunity for growth and focus will become reality. Alex and I have been working with the teens to get the active things worked out and I have to say that this years scavenger hunt looks like it will be brilliant! We still have to polish the school assembly program a bit, but the skeleton is there and again we are excited that the kids will be blessed!

Just a couple of things about this past week. Our Friday night class was magic! We didn't have the numbers we usually have, but the class was special! The lesson was on transformation. I talked about a persons value in God's eyes. Everyone has the same value at all times, but it is our destination that changes when we accept Jesus and commit to follow Him.

I was preaching on Sunday night and we had the meeting in the youth hall and had a cup of tea and fellowship afterward. I asked the question "Are you a Spender or a Saver?" People who spend their life in debt to Satan, or do you spend your live laying up treasure in heaven? It was a good night.

We have had some great assemblies this week! Clerkhill is a big school and we were able to teach the P1-3's Yesterday. We talked about being moulded and the importance of not letting the right things and the right people, ultimately God and His goodness, mould us. It was fun!

I continue to enjoy my "Coffee Times" and all who come and talk have the kingdom at heart and want to see it strengthened and growing.

Enough for now - please continue to pray for the growth we are seeing and that balance can be found. God bless!

Led by the Spirit or Dragged by the World?

I have been pretty rubbish at keeping this blog up to date these past weeks. The weird thing is that there has been so much to keep up with that I could probably write a book. This truly is a good time for the church here in Peterhead as far as growth and hope. On the other hand the evidence is also unavoidable that we are a church that is changing too. This past 3 months we have witnessed the passing of three faithful and influential followers of Christ. Yesterday we said goodbye to Ella Brown. Ella was certainly one of the most active of women in the service of God. I can remember when she used to hold a class in her house for boys when I was around 10-12 years old. I have some great childhood memories sitting around Ella's kitchen table making models and rocking chairs from clothes pegs. Ella will be missed!

The truth that faces us here in Peterhead is that we are likely to be witnessing, over the next few years, a number of our elderly passing on to their reward. Only God knows the plans He has for His church here in Peterhead. Although we have a number of elderly brethren who have passed on, or who are on the final part of their earthly journey, we have huge reason to be confident and hopeful that God's Spirit is living and active here. There is a feeling of expectancy and I believe God is active in many lives who are searching and finding purpose amongst us.

We are committed to promoting and encouraging Fellowship! In the past we have neglected this area of rich blessing to our detriment as a church and it is essential for us to get back to the basic foundations that the church needs to be built upon. John and Michelle Campbell had an open house a couple of Saturdays ago and it was good. We had a good mix of the young and old there which is so needed if we are to get a close knit family. We sang for a while and Alex Swango led a devotional thought. One of the great results from that evening was the start of Rachel's journey. Rachel is Thomas' girlfriend and she is very open and close to the kingdom. We talked for a while that evening and set up a time to study further.

When I met with Rachel it was so obvious she was allowing the seed to room to grow. She commented a few times how that before she would say "I just have different beliefs," but now she sees what Christ offers and wants to follow Him. We talked for a couple of hours and I have no doubt that she is giving her life over to God's influence and, God willing, in the very near future we will have a new sister in Christ. We love Rachel's openness and her desire to be with and to be like us "Christians."

Last night when I turned the corner into the building car park I was blown away with what I saw. There was a gathering of about 12 teenagers at the entrance to the Building! It is strange how every now and again we get signs. Last night I got the sign! We have an amazing group coming to Wednesday nights now. I love how they want to be there and be connected with godliness. It's amazing how things turn around. It was not that long ago, maybe 6-8 months ago, that I had concerns about the health of our Wednesday night class. Those concerns have now been set aside and in there place there is praise to God!

Monday night was fantastic. I was feeling very run down and exhausted on Monday. We had a pretty busy weekend (read further to see why). All day Monday I was struggling to get my head together and get focused, but upon arriving at the building and seeing the energy and life that the kids bring I was refreshed and we had a great class. Again I have to mention the desire of the teens here. There were 9 teens there to help out and I am thrilled there is an outlet like Monday nights for them to influence and get involved.

This past weekend we travelled down to Kircaldy. I had been invited to speak at their annual "Social" on the Saturday and also teach and preach on the Sunday. The Social was good. There are brothers and sisters from congregations all over the country get together for a time of fellowship and encouragement. My lesson was titled "Are you being Led by the Spirit or being Dragged by the World." My personal journey in study and prep for this talk was priceless and timely. I know how much I was blessed in preparing and by the comments afterward it seems like we all needed to be reminded to "Strengthen the Stakes and Let out the Cords." We focused on Spirit and Truth. Having our lives anchored in the Truth, but at the same time allowing the Spirit room in our lives to lead us and to advance the kingdom.

On the Sunday we had a great time too and when it was time to leave I knew God had used me and that lives had been brought close to Him. Throughout the weekend I felt weak, but always found the strength when it was needed. God is our Strength! I must say a huge thank you to Tony and Joan Clark who showed my family true hospitality. We were blessed!

Have not mentioned anything about our school ministry, but that will have to wait for another time. Just know that God continues to throw doors open and we are more than willing to walk on through in His name.

In closing please keep us in your prayers. We feel that the harvest is plentiful! I have to be honest with you all and share that we are struggling. There is so much good and at the same time as I mentioned earlier so many changes that they are taking their toll. Fenella is flat out and we feel as if were on our knees. Please keep our family in your prayers. We have the campaign coming up and although the plans and prep are taking shape I fear we will not have the energy to keep on going.

God bless.

Thanks Paddy!

The past days have been a great timely source of refreshment. I can honestly say my tank is full and I have been inspired to get deeper into the word. We had an outstanding weekend with Patrick Sullivan from Dundee. He taught our Friday night teens class and took a series of three lessons over Saturday night and Sunday morning. Paddy was a true servant of our Father's! I am blessed, my family are blessed and our church family have been blessed. The only downside was that we did not get to spend some time with Gemma, but that time will come. I love it when there is a deep connection between people who love the Lord and His Kingdom. We can't wait till our paths cross again!

I am challenged to get back into the swing of keeping this blog current, but it is still a struggle to find the time and discipline to keep it up. I am surrounded by evidence that God is active and that lives are being touched and gently stirred from spiritual sleep. I am hopeful that God has some amazing plans for 2009 and I am almost expecting great things to come soon. Thomas is now a brother in Christ and is doing fabulously. I took him along this morning to our coffee gathering to spend some time with John Campbell, Alex Swango, my Dad and David Chapman. Our "Gatherings" are a great source of encouragement and challenge to get active in kingdom work. In my last entry I mentioned the significance of Thomas and how big a milestone his commitment is. He is a bit unique in that he is our first teenage guy to commit to Christ.

We are getting geared up for our campaign with the Harding group who will arrive in mid May. It is always an exciting, yet challenging time. I have been getting together regularly with Alex to work on how we get the school assembly program to connect with the kids and we are getting it down! The teens have been fantastic too - we have pretty much got the structure for our traditional "Scavenger Hunt" and this year the theme will be based on "Food Fight." Healthy V's Junk food and relate this to how we allow various influences good and bad into our lives. I have a feeling that this years will do the business - God willing!

Here are a bunch of pics from our Monday night's class. I must say a couple of things about the state and growth of this group. This past week the lesson was on David and Bathsheba and Nathan's visit. I gave the kids a test and was totally blown away with the results. Out of the 23 papers only one did not get full marks. What was impressive was the detail in the answers they gave. They pretty much told the whole lesson in their answers. This is amazing! Another pointer is the fact that this term we had 35 kids come to the class and we had 10 who had perfect attendance! I am hugely encouraged that the kids love being with us and the class is somewhere that they want their friends to know about - praise God! I must mention Nathan Best. Nathan last term was a handful, but over this past term he made a pretty dramatic turnabout and managed to get his first MVP Silver award - I am proud of Nathan's efforts! Another I need to mention is Alana Buchan. Alana has been a truly exemplary girl this term - perfect attendance and perfect scores on all the 4 bible tests over the term. Alana is always cheery and is a great example to her cousin Steph.

Alex is doing well with us. He is a lot more settled and I am sensing that he is now happy here. He has a willing attitude and will be a channel for blessing because he wants to serve. The ladies at church are pretty protective of him and feel the need to feed him at every opportunity. I think a training program will soon be high on his priority list.

Well, enough for now - God bless!