2/11/2007 - Martin's Update
Dear Friends and Family,
Thank you so much for your prayers for our first young people's service this
evening (Sunday, Feb. 11). It was a great success! I counted 24 in attendance,
which I think is a great start! (There may have been another one, but I am not
sure.) Five of them were from the target group--those who rarely come to church,
or have stopped coming to church. The praise and worship was wonderful. You
could really sense the freedom of the Spirit.
Even the children seemed to enter into worship, raising their hands and singing
out. It was beautiful! I preached on "Following Christ"--that it is not just a
decision, but a commitment, and a journey. Several people responded in the
prayer time at the end of the service that they wanted to re-commit to follow
Christ, and make His will a priority in their lives.
After the service we had a time of fellowship and refreshments. Everyone stayed,
and it lasted an hour. All of the people in the target group stayed until the
very end. One woman, Vili, used to attend the church with her husband and two
children. Her husband went to Spain to work, and ended up divorcing her. She was
so hurt, and has just pulled away from the church and all of her friends.
Tonight was the first time in over two years that she has come to church, and
she really seemed to enjoy it, and soaked up the fellowship. Pray for Vili as
she is raising two children on her own. God can restore the joy of her
salvation, and bring her back into fellowship with those who love her at the
church. Satan would like to see her lonely and bitter, but God has plans for her
for a future and a hope! Pray that she will fully open up to God and His people
again. Well, I will sign off for now!
Be blessed in Jesus' Name!
Martin Sutton