A warm welcome to Mr. Jordan Litchfield who will be staying with us and working with Mark for the next six weeks.   He will be preaching at the church as well as assisting with youth camps and outreach! 

We have moved four miles away to Portrush in County Antrim.  God has blessed us with a beautiful bungalow that overlooks the sea!!! We found this lovely place to rent quite by accident, but God provided for us in a very special way!  Pictures to follow as soon as we have internet again...

The GBS choir trip to Ireland!  I'm sure all of you know already, but the trip was a huge success.  Lots of wonderful touristy things planned by Mark, and services where God's presence was real and wonderful!
 Pictures will follow when we have internet again!!!!

Deanna has just returned from the USA, her final week of teaching at GBS, and the IHConvention.  The convention ending was a special treat with Deanna and her sisters getting to play with the Mass Choir with their Dad, Professor Garen Wolf conducting for the last time before he retires from GBS.  It was a busy and wonderful two weeks.  Now life continues... Monday night sets off a special week of meetings in the town hall commemorating the 1859 revival here in Coleraine.  Thursday night Mark will be speaking at a Christian Right To Life center, and the highlight of this week will be Friday after our Kid's Club-- our first "supper and a movie" night for young couples.  We will be showing "Fireproof" an excellent movie on marriage-- we recommend it!
 

It was great fun for me to be home for Easter!  Sarah and David's children were such fun-- especial on their Easter egg hunt! I have to say that Mom outdid herself! Check out the rest of the blog for cute pictures of the kids at Easter!

Way too cute-- Our nephew Caiden celebrating St. Patricks day!

You know that 400 year gap between the Old and New Testament.  Well we have a gap in the blog as well... defininitely an inspired gap, but just proof of busy lives!  But we are going to try to keep you better in touch with our lives and ministry from now on!

Last Friday night, Mark was talking with a fellow church leader who lived in the area in which we live.  Maynard told Mark that Ireland's smallest church was only a few miles from our house. 

This morning we had a little free time and decided to walk along the top path of the Giants Causeway.  It's over 10 miles long, so we didn't do it all.  However, since we were near the vicinity of Portbradden, we decided to check the little church out.  Here it is, pretty cool ....

A wee bit of Irish humor.... Posted by Deanna, with thanks to my friend Lisa Robinson for the link!

The three best singers from the Muppet Show singing Danny Boy. Click to watch.

To watch the video, click the title above.

We have just updated the site by posting the latest church newsletter and our own personal newsletter.  They can be accessed through the links on the side of this page.  Site updated 14th of November, 2008.

The new car has arrived.  After much deliberation, Mark has a new toy!
Quite an upgrade from the Peugot, and much needed extra space to haul youth group people, stuff, etc...

We have just spent two lovely days in Prague.  Our trip included a visit to the Prague Opera house to see Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutti.  The architecture was incredible and the sites too numerous to tell!  Please see our picture page for more views of Prague.

• 73% believe in a god/deity/higher power
• 64% believe there is a link between declining church attendance and declining morals in today’s society
• 81% believe that society is moving away from religion
• 71% feel that churches could offer more for young people
• About half (51%) say religions are out of touch with society and need to change with the times
• 21% agree that shops shouldn’t be open on a Sunday
• 61% say sport should be played on a Sunday
• 50% would like churches to develop more online resources

available from; http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsline/content/articles/2008/10/17/faith_trail_feature.shtml

With the passing of time, we have found that the need for a minor hall has become more and more of an issue. About 8 years ago we (the church) bought some extra ground and a temporary hall which has served us well. The church board progressed with plans to build an extension onto the back of the church, giving us a minor hall, new kitchen, pastor's office, church office, disabled toilets, stores etc.

This is being seen as an investment in the Kingdom of God, enabling us to minister more effectively to people of all age groups in our community. While we are conscious of keeping the costs down, it is still a great financial commitment. We are ever mindful that we serve the God who is able to meet all our needs and we ask you to pray with us that soon we will be able to commence the building work.

Perhaps you have been blessed through the ministry of our church - through the web messages, the ministry of our pastors, the radio broadcasts etc. and you would like to be part of this work. You can contact us for details of where to send a cheque or donate via Wesley Stewart's website by clicking hereSimply label it "church" and enter your donation and the gift will be taken securely online by WorldPay.

Planning permission has already been granted and we now seek approval of the plans by Building Control.

I received the following letter in my inbox earlier today.  It is from Alistair Begg and his organization, "Truth for Life".  It clearly demonstrates the strains and pressures of preaching which probably only preachers really understand!

No Small Matter

Dear Friends,

Since October is Pastor Appreciation Month, I thought it would be fitting to share this word on preaching from William Taylor in the 19th century:

“Let it never be forgotten, then, that he who would rise to eminence and usefulness in the pulpit, and become ‘wise in winning souls,’ must say of the work of the ministry, ‘This one thing I do.’ He must focus his whole heart and life upon the pulpit. He must give his days and his nights to the production of those addresses by which he seeks to convince the judgments, and move the hearts, and elevate the lives of his hearers.

…In the opinion of the multitudes, the life of a minister is one of ease and leisure. They see him only in the pulpit; and as they mark the apparent ‘abandon’ of his manner, and listen to the easy cadence of his speech, they think that it has cost him little…. But try it, and you will discover that he has acquired that graceful ease only by long and laborious training, and that, for all so simple as it appears to be, he is training every muscle to its utmost, and the whole man is putting forth his energy.”

Richard Baxter said, “It is no small matter to stand up in the face of the congregation, and to deliver a message of salvation or damnation, as from the living God, in the name of the Redeemer. It is no easy matter to speak so plain, that the most ignorant may understand us; and so seriously that the deadest heart may feel us, and so convincingly that those who contradict us may be silenced!”

This month, may I encourage you to encourage the one who labors in the Word and in doctrine on your behalf on a regular basis?

We look forward to seeing some of you next week for the Truth For Life Weekend, Lord willing.

With my love in the Lord Jesus,
Alistair

Praying is more important than preaching.
Preaching is more important that administration.
The family is more important than the congregation.
Faithfulness is more important than competition.
Love is more important than ability. 
                         (Dr. Erwin Lutzer)
                      Senior Minister of Moody Church


Sometimes our priorities get turned around!

In response to the previous post regarding "harvest services" I am placing a little history and meaning of the service bearing in mind this service is peculiar to British Christianity and some of our American readers may not understand the service.

Harvest is a time to return thanks.  Although giving thanks has been given for successful harvests since the earliest days of civilization in Britain, it wasn’t until 1843, that the modern British tradition of celebrating harvest in church began to be made popular.  The Reverend Robert Hawker popularized the harvest service when he invited parishioners to a special thanksgiving service at his church at Morwenstow in Cornwall. On that day Victorianhymns were sung.  Shortly after that subsequent hymns such as "We plough the fields and scatter", "Come ye thankful people, come" and "All things bright and beautiful" helped popularize Rev. Hawker’s harvest festival which included the custom of decorating churches with home-grown produce for the Harvest service.  In America the festival is set on a certain day and has become a National Holiday known as Thanksgiving, but here in Britain it remains a Church festival whereby people have the opportunity to contemplate on God’s goodness to them and return Him giving thanks for His continued goodness.

The autumn/fall program at the church has begun!  By the end of the month, all of the childrens work, youth work, ladies fellowship meetings, discipleship classes, disabled Christian fellowship etc will be in full swing!    It is great to see a full programme in operation and know that so many are benefiting from ministry of the church.

Currently our senior minister is ministering in the USA.  He and his wife are away from our church until the second week in October, so Mark is leading the church with his one leg!  It is difficult as his mobility is severely interrupted; however, so far with the help of many within the church visitation within the church is proceeding as usual albeit a little slower!

On the 21st September, 2008, Mark is speaking at Lisnaskea Independent Methodist Church for their annual harvest services.    Our church, harvest services are on the 12th of October.  The Rev. Tom Shaw will be preaching and the Monteith family will be sharing in music ministry.

We are pleased to announce that we will be holding another "Young Adults' Winter Weekend" in January.  Once again we are privillaged to have another one of our friends from America come and speak at the weekend.  The Rev. John Parker, director of Bible Methodist Missions will be our guest and the focus of the weekend will be on service.  The dates are from the 9th - 11th of January, 2009.  The weekend will be held in Ballyhome residential center.

Another great announcement that we are able to make is in regard to a visit next year from the God's Bible College choir.  Several conversations have been had with Deanna's dad regarding the possibility of this visit.  Now we are able to annouce that a group of 20 will be coming to Northern Ireland to hold several "choir services".

Friday to Monday is our senior teen camp, held at our youth leader's home.  Our activites Friday went great!  The gorgeous scenery of the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, folowed by great food and then bowling.  Saturday we went to Belfast (Dundonald) to go putt-putt golfing and iceskating.  Great fun, and as we were just finishing iceskating, Mark and I --hand-in-hand decided to take one more lap around the rink.  The ice was quite choppy as it had been some time since they had cleaned the ice.  Mark hit a hole in the ice, and valiantly tried to keep me from getting hurt as we fell.  I managed to get up with only a few bruises-- to see my husband still on the ice.  I knew when the entire rink stopped and Mark did not get up that something was really wrong.  We had a lovely free ride in the ambulance (I hate socialism, but loved social health care this weekend) to the hospital where we discovered that Mark's ankle is broken.   He proceeds to get back from the hospital, and then preach his sermon he was scheduled for at the teen camp.  In great pain, we made it to church this morning (morphine from yesterday having long worn off), in the only pair of brown trousers that will fit over the cast.  
   For any of you that know my family, you may be counting how many falls the Wolf family has had in the last few months.  First Rachelle falls on a sky slope-- to be followed by knee surgury.  My mom almost dies falling down our basement steps, shattering her wrist and having surgery that included a metal plate etc...  Then Garen falls from a ladder at work, breaking his leg in several places.  And now Mark.  Warning:  Avoid being around my family.   We all will appreciate your prayers for recovery, and I for nursing patience, wisdom and love.

  Grandma, Nancy and John have left for the states.  We had a wonderful time touring the north coast and seeing castle ruins.  Grandma enjoyed the Beleek factory, John the cows (he is a veterinarian) and Nancy seemed to enjoy everything.  We had an ulster fry at the 'sizzlin sausage' our favorite breakfast place, let them meet some of our friends, and had icecream at Portstewart!  A good time was had by all. 

Grandma Parsons, Aunt Nancy and Uncle John arrived this week to our wonderful Island!  We had a great day in Dublin Saturday, and then brought Grandma back to our house.  John and Nancy will be arriving on Wednesday to spend the rest of the week with us as well!
 The list of tourist things we are going to try to get in is very long!  It is so great to have them!  

We have just finished two wonderful weeks of youth camps.  Crystal (the best sister-in-law in the world) was our speaker and she did a wonderful job!  We are tired but encouraged.  We hiked Raflin Island, Ice Skated, Putt-Putt Golf, shopping in BallyCastle, Forest Park walk, played games on the beach, sang, roasted marshmallows, played ball, prayed, testified, bounced on the bouncy castles, etc... etc...  Did I mention we were tired? 

Visiting the wild west was great fun!  We flew in to New Mexico and visited our great friends the Bullers, toured Las Cruzes, Santa fe, Albaquerque, an Indian reservation, White Sands Monuments and much more! A very relaxing and enjoyable holiday!

Keeping up to date posting pictures and events is quite difficult!  Quite often our intentions though they be good fail to produce!  But ... we have put some newer pictures from the past several months on the picture page.  You can see what we have been doing in our free time!

Saturday 14th June. 

Last Sunday was the annual Sunday school and Bible class prize giving.  We had two wonderful services with many parents attending to see their children take part in the two Sunday services.  Mr. Dougie Young from Scotland was our guest speaker.  You can watch the services online on the church website.  http://www.coleraineimc.org. 

In addition their prizes for good attendance the church takes the Sunday school children for a special outing.  So, today we headed off to Finvoy Fun Farm for a morning with pot belly pigs, lamas and all sorts of smells.  FUN!!  You'll find some pictures on the picture page of our kids.

One of our goals at the church is to develop friendship, fellowship and leadership amongst the late twenties, thirties and young married couples.  There are potentially 25 - 30 who can fit into this age category and have real potential to impact the church.  Several came around to our home last Friday. We had a great time cooking, eating, talking and even playing swingball.

   It is exam time here in the UK.  Now for those reading this that do not have music exams in their country, I'll explain.  There are three main governing boards of private instrumental/vocal education.  The three boards each have a syllabus that is followed for each level or 'grade'.  There are eight main grades followed by some advanced diploma's in teaching and performance.
   Each student may enter the exams (three times a year) to advance to the next grade.  They are judged based on 3 pieces (selected from the syllabus)  assigned technical work such as scales and arppeggios, ear training, and sightreading.  It is a pretty intense processes.
   Deanna has a range of students from initial (beginner) to grade 8.  Of the 18 taking exams, over half have completed them, and we are all waiting the results. (patiently of course :O)
   There has been 100% pass rate so far, so we hope to continue that!

Deanna is back from her trip to the ole' USA.  Extremely busy, with very little time to see everyone, but great to see the best little Indian program ever (go Kayla), have some time to eat and fellowship with friends, and all in all soak up every bit of family time possible.-- oh, and a wee bit of shopping too!

Life on the Emerald Isle continues to see us constantly on the go with plenty of activities to ensure that we don't settle down to a life of contentment and ease.

In preparation for Deanna's planned trip to Cincinnati to work at Bible College for a couple of weeks, she has been teaching extra lessons at the two schools as well as the Causeway School of Music.  De leaves on Monday 28th of April for two and a half weeks to finish teaching this years Music History class and help with some Music Division administration.  She will be there for  Oratorio and Concert on the Lawn.

Church work continues to be steady.  While there are not any great dramatic increases, the small encouragements that are seen do provide the energy for the next event.  Having said that, our two recent special services. "Escape From Addication, Release From Captivity" were extreemly encouraging.  Morgan and Alison Stewart came from Newport, South Wales and told of their wonderful deliverence from crime, drugs and near death.  Their story is amazing and God receives all the glory for what He can still do in peoples lives today!   Many infreequent church attenders were spoken too.  Some were and are involved in drug abuse.  We also praise God for a man who sought the Lord for salvation after the service.  Mark had been working with him since coming to Coleraine.  You can veiw their story on google video.  The link is http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=986918053825168862
 
What else has been happening?

In the early part of April we attempted to get a way for a few days.  We flew over to Liverpool and spent the night there before travelling to Mark's grandmother in Oxford.  Deanna got to see some 18th Century mansions and William Shakespeare's birthplace.  The visit was cut short, due to a death in the congregation which meant that Mark came home early.  Very soon, we will get around to posting new pictures on the picture page.  Other places of interest that we have been to recently include the Ulster American Folk Park.  This site tells the story of many people from Ulster (Essentially refers to Northern Ireland) who made the arduous trip to settle in America.  Such men include the Father of American Presbyterianism, the printer of the Declaration of Independence and the man who designed the seal of the America.  He was born just a few miles from where we are living.  It was an interesting day, however, the journey home was wonderful as we drove over the Sperin Mountains, dodging sheep and lambs.

Well, that's all for now ... much work is calling.

Former Heroin Addicts visit Coleraine

Morgan and Alison Stewart
Newport, Wales.

Coleraine Independent Methodist Church
(Ballycastle Rd)

20th April, 2008

11.30am  Morgan Stewart "Out of the Prison House"
6.30pm  Alison Stewart "From the Jaws of Death"

Mark and I love Tuesdays!  It is our day off, and we took a day trip across part the northwest coast of the Irish Republic, our final destination being the town of Donegal.  Donegal is known for its long tradition of handwoven tweed. (beautiful very expensive.)  To see more you can visit the web site at www.donegaltown.ie/.  We had  a great time seeing the rugged country side and quaint little thatched cottages.  Thanks to the GPS system, we were able to navigate on some back roads and see the real sites. It was a great relaxing day!

Reverand Stewart and Mark just recently finished a three week mission in Blackhill. (a community about 5 miles from Coleraine) For those who live outside the UK, a mission is a series of outreach services, held specifically to reach the unsaved.  The Lord helped in the services with various people coming in to sing and give their testimony.  The services were held nightly, and in the afternoon on Sunday with good crowds coming in. 

We can't compete with the USA, but we did get one good snow this winter. It was at least enough to make some snowballs.   Because we are so close to the sea, it melted by midday, but it was fun while it lasted!

Our winter retreat for young adults was a good success.  A flegling work, we we not sure how it would unfold, but God was good and met with us.  Meredith Moser came over to be the speaker, and God really used him to speak to us about Holiness! Meredith is gifted at communicating to young adults, and our 20's-30's group enjoyed his ministry and felowship!  Wesley and Lorna had a treasure hunt for us that took us from a castle to a deserted warehouse. (really I'm not bitter because we lost at the deserted warehouse.  Really I'm not...)  Seriously though, the hunt, followed by bowling was a smashing sucess.  Deanna was personally glad that nobody died from her cooking, and Mark relieved that so many attended. Joseph Kenoway-- accompanied by some other instruments, kept the music upbeat and worshipful! Overall, a good time was had by all...

Now this next weekend is our teen camp reunion weekend...  so much for resting on the Emerald Isle!

Deanna has passed her Northern Ireland driving test!  This is cause for great celebration!  While a driver is learning here in the UK, they must display a large L plate on the front and back of their car. *(Learner, but we've been calling it Looser.)  Deanna is pleased to now be able to go to the store with out someone having to take her, or walking!
Now that she has passed the plate changes to R.  There has been great discussion on what that stands for :

Its great to have Mom, Dad and Rachelle here for the New Year!  Today we took a beautiful trip across the coastal road to Belfast.  On the way we had a picnic at Carrikfergus Castle.  The castle is a Norman Fortress built around 1100.  We then continued on to Belfast, where we stopped by Stormont, the Northern Ireland legislation building. The next stop was Saint Anne's Cathedral and then the Belfast City Hall.  There we road the Belfast Wheel to see the city by night.  Oh, and we did some shopping in Downtown Belfast in between.
The evening finished off with a fish and chips supper.  Overall a wonderful day!  A great way to begin the new year!

Congratulations to Dad Mander who recently graduated from Queens University with his Masters degree.  

We celebrated Christmas early in America.  It was great fun to see Sarah's children as they grow up (and everyone else too )  It seemed like such a fast trip, as Deanna was finishing up teaching her class at GBS--she has been teaching Music History and Literature via web cam.  The annual Christmas pagent at GBS of course was part of the trip as well! We enjoyed getting caught up with family and friends, although sadly we ran out of time and there were many we could not see.  

   We missed wishing you all a very Merry Christmas.  Thank you for all the cards we have recieved, especially those sent from America!  We were so busy during the holiday season that we did not get Christmas cards send out.   Let us give you a brief rundown on current events in our lives.
   Since returning from America we have had six Carol services (in people's homes), one primary school program (in the church), 2 Christmas parties, 2 Church Christmas programs, a Christmas morning service, and for the new year, we will have a watchnight service.  We will try to put pictures on the web site soon!
   This week Dad and Mom Wolf, and Rachelle, are visiting from the USA!  The following week Meredith Moser is coming to speak at our Young Adult Holiness Weekend.  The month of January also includes our
Teen Camp Reunion Weekend. 
Stay tuned for February and March which are already completely full with special services and events!

On Sunday 18th November we had a special service celebrating the 300th anniversary of the birth of Charles Wesley, the Methodist hymn writer. An informative programme incorporating many of the Wesley hymns was enjoyed by the congregation. Facts about his life, hymnwriting and conversion were complimented by a Powerpoint presentation. In the photo you can see the Rev. Stewart and Mark with the Rev. Charles Wesley. This was a special life-size painting made for the evening.

It was a wonderful surprise to see our church overflowing last night at our mid-week service.  We had a special visit from the Ugandan Children's Choir.  They have been in Northern Ireland for the last six weeks, visiting churches, schools, residential homes etc.  They come from an organization called Rock Childrens Ministry.

It was an extreemly lively and energetic performance.  I think all enjoyed it!

Oh For a Thousand Tongues To Sing

A Tercentennial celebration of the Life and Ministry of the Rev. Charles Wesley


   Coleraine Independent Methodist Church
   Sunday 18th November, 2007 @ 6.30pm


"Let me Commend to You my Savior"
                                                  (C.W)

We attempt as much as possible to take Tuesday off.  Sometimes it is only a small part of the day, while at other times we leave early and come back late.  It is a good opportunity for Deanna to see some of the country.  A few weeks ago, we left early and drove right around the coast from Portrush to Bangor.  We made stops at the Carrick - A - Rede Rope bridge, Glenarm forest Park, Carrickfergus and Bangor.  Enjoy a few pictures!

The holidays find us very busy!  The Christmas program at church, including a budding instrumental group, is keeping us on our toes!  The young people, some of which are just learning their instruments have been faithfully showing up to rehearsals.  We have a trumpet, clarinet, alto sax, recorder, snare drum, 2 bass guitars, and two keyboardists-- oh, and Deanna on the violin of course.  We will add more instruments as our momentum builds! 

The Childrens's service is on the 23rd December AM
The Carol Service is on the 23rd December PM

We are very much looking forward to seeing all of our American family and friends very shortly.  Because Christmas is such a busy time at the church, we will travel to Cincinnati for the GBS annual Christmas program, and then celebrate with family and friends.  This sandwiches our visit in between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  After Christmas Dad and Mom Wolf, and Rachelle will join us in Northern Ireland for a visit!  We can't wait!

Our dates to be in America are:  Leaving Belfast on the 27th of November
                                              Leave Cincinnati on the 10th of December
 

Looking Ahead!!

In addition to the usual activities, January finds us being involved in a couple of weekends   1) a Young Adults' Winter Weekend, (focus on Holiness).  Meredith Moser is our keynote speaker, so we look forward to introducing him to Northern Ireland!  2) On the last weekend there is the teen camp reunion.  Both of these weekends are in Portrush.

The Mander saga continues as Deanna is preparing for her driving test. (on the wrong side of the road)  Her learner permit includes the countries regulatory L plates to be displayed on the front and back of thecar---much to her great dismay!  One of the ladies of the church commented that she and her cat would be staying in for a few weeks, until the roads were once again safe.

For those  following our saga, the long-lost shipment has arrived after 15 and 1/2 weeks of precarious travel!   It is wonderful to have our own dishes, linens, pictures etc...
The company Infinity (USA) managed to hold our things for quite sometime, but the company on this end Portrush Removals was wonderful, and had our things here in less than a week from being called.  We even invited the gentlemen in for a cup of tea after the boxes had been unloaded--it was definitely a celebration! 
For those of you who know our house, the John Wesley picture traveled safely and mangaged to make it onto the wall of the living room, instead of the office where it was originally intended...     Only five pieces were damaged, which considering their long stents of storage and moving, we felt quite blessed.

At Coleraine Independent Methodist Church, we have a great group of teenagers who are developing spiritually, and are active throughout the church programs from prayer meeting to being assistants in "One Way Club."  Our youth leaders, Wes and Lorna Stewart are absolutely fantastic and have spent so much valuable time in mentoring these teenagers.  As a result we are seeing them develop in their Christian lives and listening to them pray and enjoying being in their company.  However, they are truly spoiled!!!

For the past two Saturdays we have enjoyed two trips to different venues.  On the 8th of September several of us went down to the Northern Ireland Airshow held here in our very own Portrush.  It was great seeing the RAF Red Arrows put on an amazing performance, travelling less than 100 meters apart at 800mph.


Last Saturday we changed from being air enthusiasts to hill billy farmers as we visited "Country Comes to Town" in Portadown.  We had another great time and enjoyed a boat trip along the River Bann and a cook out at Portadown Independent Methodist Church. 

Mark has been in Liverpool Hope Univesity this week attending a conference on Charles Wesley.    "An Eighteenth-century Evangelical for Today: A Tercentenary Celebration of the life and ministry of Charles Wesley" (11th-13th September 2007).  The featured speakers have included Professor Mark Noll (University of Notre Dame USA), Professor Richard Watson (University of Durham, UK), and Dr. Herbert McGonigle (Nazarene Theological College, Manchester, UK).

The church is planning a service honoring the tercentenary of Charles Wesley, and the event will benefit from the knowledge gained at the conference.

Seeing the need for Biblical education in our church, Mark has commenced a bible study class for adults.  For our readers in America, you must know that Sunday School here is only for children, so there seemed to be a need for more Biblical education for the young people as they entered adult life, and  for adults that were saved later in their lives.  They need a place to discuss the Bible, what they were learning, and be able to ask questions in a non-threatening environment.

The Advance has now begun on Sunday Mornings at 10am in the church hall.  The first Sunday we had twelve wonderful students of the Bible, and the lesson title was 'Is the Bible True and Relavant to us Today'.  The second Sunday we had twenty-one, ranging in age from 17-72.  We studied 'How the Bible Speaks to Us' and a few ways to study the Bible.   This Sunday we will take the lessons learned last week and apply them to a character study of Nehemiah.  

The topics we have been asked by the parishoners to cover include, Why are we Methodists (which is for Mark like giving steak to a bull dog ), our current study on how to gain from your private reading and devotions,  prayer, and several other topics have been suggested.  One lady in the church said it was 'wonderful to be able to read your Bible at home and know there was a place to ask questions.  We know Pastor Mark will give the answers to the best of his ability.'  There is great excitement, and we thank God for the opportunity to minister.

Deanna is now completely maxed out on the number of students she can take.  She is teaching group string classes in two public primary schools (42 students currently), teaching twenty-four pupils in private lessons at the Causway School of Music, as well as three students in her home.  Most of the students are beginners, although there are a few that are more advanced.  
She is also teaching Music History and Literature I at GBS through video web cam.  Modern technology makes the world a much smaller place, and it is nice for her to continue to share with the GBS music majors whom she loves!

There is nothing like staying busy to beat home sickness!

Deanna arrived back from her week in America on Wednesday, August 15th.  She had a good time catching up with friends and enjoyed being at Mike and Michelle's wedding.

She arrived back to a full schedule at the church.  This past week we have had two children's bible clubs in the evening.  Both were outside neighborhood clubs, one being outside our home in Lougestown Park.  On average we had around 12 - 14 kids at our home and around 20 at the second location.   Some contacts were made with parents and we hope that these kids will begin to come to our main One Way Club on Friday nights at the church.

As the Rev'd Stewart, our senior pastor is on vacation, Mark has had the responsibilitiy of all the services in the church and also the radio ministry.  He has been busy in the study and been doing visitation amongst some of the church members. 

In two weeks time on September, 4th, we are launching a new outreach in the church called, "The Advance."  It is essentially a bible study/ discipleship program for adults who are serious about seeking God and being equipped to serve Him.

Another outreach they have just got the green light for is a "Just Looking Group."  This outreach will seek to reach twenties and thirties and introduce them to Christianity.  A wonderful location has been secured for this ministy in a trendy coffee shop which overlooks the Atlantic Ocean.  It's our desire that as the local university semester begins in late September that some of these students will also attend and begin toask questions which have been lingering in their minds regarding Christianity.

There are a couple of updates on the site.  Our latest church news letter has replaced the thesis page and there are some new links on our favorites page highlighting the area in which we live.  Slowly ... but surely we will update the site!!!

Do feel free to contact us, we love hearing from our friends!! 

For our friends in America .....

We enjoyed a great weekend with Mom and Dad Wolf joining us in Northern Ireland.  We filled the three days they were with us with plenty of sites, views and antiques stores.  A concert by the Ulster Ochestra was even attended too.

They were with us and participated in (along with Mark's Dad) in welcome service at the church.  The church was filled with friends and supporters from all over N.Ireland.  On Sunday they were able to sing at the Drive-In Church along with another gentleman from Scotland.  The services this weekend at both the church and drive-in were great.

On Monday Deanna flew back to Cincinnati so she could participate in Mike and Michelle Mater's wedding.  She will also be working at GBS this week too.  Mark is left to fend for himself.

At the church we soon will be starting our Autumn/Fall schedule.  Before then, however, we have outdoor evangelistic clubs so we might gather some new contacts for the childrens and youth activities in the fall. 

In the upcoming season we also hope to introduce an adult bible class on Sunday mornings and develop a "Just Looking" small group possibly in a local upmarket coffee shop.

Early this week we had disappointing news.  Mom and Dad Wolf were supposed to be here but, unfortunately, the US government did not return their passports in time, and to make a long story short, the ticket prices became too much for them and they were sure they couldn't come.  This has been a huge disappointment for all of us. 
But someone kind anonymously paid for their tickets and they will be arriving Wed. Morning!  As you can guess, we are very excited!  They will be able to be at our installation service on Saturday, and attend the drive-in on Sunday!
They will be able to see our new home, meet the church people, and get a better understanding of life in Northern Ireland!

We just returned from 2 weeks of youth camp.  The first one was the 8-11 year olds, and was held in Ballycastle.  The 2nd one was the 12-18 year olds and was held in Scotland (Newton Stewart).

The Lord helped in the camps and we are tired, but feel relatively sucessful.  Wes and Lorna Stewart ( our friends and the camp organizers) did a great job with the planning, and things went very smoothly.

Camps here are smaller than in the US(30-45 campers), and packed with activities.  We climbed a mountain, rode BMX bike trails, went to an amusement park located on the grounds of an old castle, went banana boating--of which Mark fell off (or jumped I'm not sure) several times, Shopping in little towns, and much more!  We played games I didn't know the rules too (so I had an excuse...) such as rounders and unihoc. 

Deanna is tired, and Mark says he is not....

In other news...
The moving company Infinity, previously mentioned, has been renamed by us as Eternity.  Our things are still not here, and we hope... not at the bottom of the ocean.  Needless to say, the five suitcases we brought that seemed so much then, seem very small now.  Mark is still in contact with them, trying to recover our personal treasures.

We are slowly settling into our new home and ministry here in Coleraine.  The people in our church have been extremely kind and considerate in making us both welcome.   Unfortunately the weather has not been as kind towards us.  It has rained every single day since we have arrived.  We get “blessed” (American readers will get the picture!) every time the Sun splits the clouds, even if it for only a few minutes.

 

We are entering into an exciting few weeks as on Sunday evening (July 15th) marks beginning of the 15^th annual Drive In Church on the East Strand in Portrush.  This will be a first for both of us to be associated with this evangelistic outreach.  The services will run for the next five Sunday evenings.
 

On Monday morning we leave to go on our first youth camp of the summer.  This is held about 20 miles from our home in Coleraine at a coastal town called Ballycastle.  The kids range from eight to twelve.  The following Monday we leave with the teenagers and travel for a five day camp in Scotland.  Please pray for these young people that they would establish God and His word in their lives.

 

Deanna’s Mom and Dad will arrive in Ireland on July 25^th.  They are spending a couple of days in Dublin before traveling up to Northern Ireland and meeting us at the weekend.  They will be here for our official welcome service at the church on Saturday, August 4^th.  Both Deanna’s and Mark’s fathers are taking part in the service.

 

As of yet our belongings from “Infinity Moving” have not reached us and it has been pretty difficult to establish a connection with them.  Hopefully within the next two weeks our boxes should arrive. 

 

 

 

We have arrived in Coleraine and are getting our home in order.  We would ask that you be patient with us re: contacting many of you and keeping you informed.  We have run into a slight problem establishing a connection in the home for the internet.  Hopefully we will be up and running shortly.

Here are our contact details with our phone numbers.  The number in parenthesis are for the benefit of all our friends in America! 

To Contact Us

Mark and Deanna Mander
22 Loguestown Park
Coleraine
Co Londonderry
BT52 2HR
United Kingdom
Tel. (o1144) 2870 359686
(The time difference in NI is five hours ahead of the US)
Cell.  (01144) 7942 331015


email: mark_mander@hotmail.com

or

email: dwolf@gbs.edu

5.30 am: Wednesday morning we awake after three hours sleep to finish packing.
6.30 am:  Crystal arrives with Starbuck and Brugger's Bagels for us all.
7.30 am:  Two GBSC students from New Guinea came over to lift our boxes out on the street.   
8.00 am:  Truck company supposed to have arrived - No Truck.
10.00 am:  Truck company scheduled to leave - No Truck.
10.30am:  Driver calls and says he will be there between 2 and 4 pm.

Cleaning house and moving final belongings.

12.00pm:  Stephanie Philips arrives to help clean the house.
1.00pm:  Truck company says it will be 5.00pm before they get to us.  They have broken down - No Truck.
5.00pm:  Driver informs us he will not be there until the morning - No Truck.
6.00pm:  Take a load of storage item to Wolf's house.

Thursday:

5.30am:  Place moving items on the street again.
7.00am:  Truck supposed to arrive - No Truck - He will be half an hour.
8.30am:  Truck finally arrives
9.40am:  Our packages are on their way to the docks in New York City.

A big thanks to Rachelle, Crystal and Steph for their help over these past two days.

It has been a while since we have updated you with our news.  The last couple of weeks in May were filled with various activities.  As the semester came to an end at GBSC we enjoyed attending the yearly campmeeting.  On the final Saturday of camp we saw Rachelle graduate from high school.  She graduated first in her class, however, Rachelle has already completed nearly a full year of college classes.  She has 30 college credits!

The following week Deanna was involved in faculty assesment week.  This is a week of various meetings and report writing and lasts for several hours each day.  Neeedless to say we were glad when Friday arrived came for we had something to enjoy as we headed to Indiana to the cabin with David and Sarah and their family, Garen and Crystal, Grandma Parsons, and Mom and Dad Wolf.  On Saturday we joined Dr. and Mrs Bird and attended the newly opened Answers in Genesis Creation Museam.  The rest of the time was spent, shooting guns, fishing, walking and swiming.

For the next couple of weeks we are still in Cincinnati trying to pack up our belongings.  Our crate which will take 2700 cubic sq ft of our belongings to N. Ireland arrives next week.  It will probably take six to seven weeks for it arrive in Coleraine.  We are trying to sell most of our furniture and will store the rest of our belonings here in Cincinnati. 

Deanna is still helping in the music office.  She is going to teach one class at the College next year via the internet and then meet with the students enrolled in the class for an extended time when she is over for the Christmas program later in the year.

Our move date is set for June 29th.  We are flying to London, spending the weekend with Mark's grandmother before travelling to N. Ireland.  Before we leave to go to N. I. we are going to spend a week in Kansas to see some of Deanna's relatives and take care of some business.

Please do continue to pray for us as we desparately attempt to clear things up and get ready for our move.

Go to our picture album to see pictures from the GBSC graduation and our weekend in Indiana.

 

I received this article in an email yesterday.  As I attend a Christian University which boasts many mega church Pastor's among its alumni, and at times is rather 'emerging', I say - "How True".

Kiddie Pastors and the Consequences of Infantilism in the Ministry
By Ingrid Schlueter

 

There are telling trends in ministry today that can be witnessed on the new, revolutionary church websites. Without doubt, a church website is the church's face to the world. But what happens when the face is crossing its eyes and sticking its tongue out? I have written before about the cultural infantilism that is becoming the hallmark of the the last several generations. If it is sickening in society at large, it is impossible to adequately describe its catastrophic impact on the office of the ministry.

 

In I Corinthians 13:11, the Apostle Paul very clearly indicates that normal physical maturity demands that childish things be put away as boy grows into man. Such a concept is now discarded by many grown men who toddle down the streets of America in sports jerseys with giant, 64-ounce sippy cups filled with soda, pacifying their constant need for oral gratification. The archetypal American, 50-100 pounds overweight, enthroned in his Stratolounger before his plasma TV with two remote controls, his Ipod, his cellphone, a bag of chips and a beer is really living out a toddler's fantasy of instant and constant gratification. He has never grown up and told himself, “no.” He has refused even the most basic self-discipline that comes with maturity. He has failed to graduate to manhood.  We have a nation full of these.

 

Pastors in emerging churches today mirror the culture. One church website featured a pastors' bio page where the “Executive Pastor” boasted that his favorite movie was “Snatch” with Brad Pitt. He thought it was a great movie once you got past the “493 F-bombs” in it. The image desired by some of these pastors seems to be a cross between college techno-geek and dissolute frat boy, with spiked, sometimes two-toned hair, funky glasses and faded, dirty looking t-shirts. They take pains to list the bands they like, the fast food, the TV shows, video games and favorite action movies. That would be unremarkable if we were talking about an adolescent's MySpace site. Instead, we are referring to a church website where these are supposed to be men—shepherds--who are mature enough to lead others within a local church. The same church website referenced above allowed each of the pastoral staff to answer a question about who they thought would win in a battle between Superman and Batman. It is a crisis of maturity that nearly defies belief.

 

There is a reason that there is such immaturity among these pastors today. Rather than take Scripture's admonitions seriously about those who should be in the office of pastor/elder in the first place, churches are watching the world around them and taking their cues. The blind are leading the blind in a very real way today. Those who follow these men have the leadership they want. The vulgarity and coarseness, the obsession with Hollywood movies and television, the refusal to grow up into men of dignity and wisdom are all symptoms of a church that has been defined and modeled after the world and its system. Awash in materialism and hedonism, our country no longer produces men and women of character. This should not be the case, however, within the true church of Jesus Christ. The milk of the Word is to be replaced in time with the meat of the Word that produces maturity. Boys should ultimately put away childish things and become men with physical and spiritual strength. In our effeminized culture, we are turning out men who can do nothing but attend to their own emotional and physical cravings. They are taught to feel and emote, but not to stand in adversity. These are the girly men who now  lead many emerging churches. They refuse to believe and defend sound doctrine and would rather spend hours blogging about “community”, posturing as intellectuals and inventing meaningless pomo (postmodern) jargon.

 

Where is all of this leading? If the pastors are overgrown adolescents who are more interested in exuding a cool image than preaching Christ crucified, where does this take those looking for answers? Quite frankly, many are being misled. In the same fashion that a 3-year-old is unequipped to sit in a cockpit and fly an airplane, these “pastors” are unequipped to lead the church of Jesus Christ. The result is a flourishing of false doctrine, the spreading of carnality and ultimately, the loss of souls for all eternity. The new hip pastors are failing to keep the wolves out of the flock, and in some cases, are the wolves themselves. True shepherds are passionate about the spiritual well-being of their flocks, not the latest Hollywood flick or video game. Rather than imitating and embracing the pagan culture in the name of relevance, true shepherds will warn from the Bible that “friendship with the world is enmity with God.” (James 4:4) They will be men of gravity, sobriety and moral excellence, as the Scriptures instruct pastors to be. (I Timothy, chapter 3)

 

A young minister who ultimately died at the age of 30, was frequently found walking the fields of Scotland weeping and praying over the names on his church rolls. He pleaded with God to save each and every one of those entrusted to him. He lived a blameless life and preached the whole counsel of God without fear and without an eye to the cultural trends. He did this because he had utter confidence in the Word of God and its sufficiency to meet every human need. These are his words to fellow pastors,  just before he died.

 

            “Get your texts from God—your thoughts, your words, from God. In great measure, according to the purity and perfections of the instrument, will be     success. It is not great talents God blesses so much as great likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God. A word spoken by you whenyour conscience is clear, and your heart full of God's Spirit, is worth ten thousand words spoken in unbelief and sin."

 

             --Robert Murray M'Cheyne

 

God, raise up men like this once again and give us hearts and ears to hear them.

(Retrieved from http://www.christianworldviewnetwork.com/article.php/1896/Ingrid_Schlueter

Lloyds Bank of London undertook a study to find out what happens to a typical batch of paper clips as they are released throughout the workforce.  Out of a batch of 100,000 paper clips, 3916 were used to unplug tobacco pipes; 5306 were used to clean under fingernails; 5423 were used to pick teeth or scratch ears; 7200 were used as hooks for belts, suspenders and other garments; 14,163 were snapped, broken or otherwise twisted during phone conversations; 19,143 became mock card game chips and approximately 25,000 became lost, swept up off the floor, or thrown away.  Only, 20,000 of the original batch of paper clips were actually used to clip papers together.

 

Interesting!  Only a minority of these paper clips, each one created for a specific function, were ever used for their intended design!  The overwhelming majority were used to fulfill some other alternative purpose.

 

You have a Purpose!

January 19, 2007 - C. H. Spurgeon (Revised & Updated by Alistair Begg)

Tell me where you lost the company of Christ, and I will tell you the most likely place to find Him. Have you lost Christ in the closet by restraining prayer? Then it is there you must seek and find Him. Did you lose Christ by sin? You will find Christ in no other way but by the giving up of the sin, and seeking by the Holy Spirit to mortify the member in which the lust dwells. Did you lose Christ by neglecting the Scriptures? You must find Christ in the Scriptures. It is a true proverb, "Look for a thing where you dropped it--it is there." So look for Christ where you lost Him, for He has not gone away. But it is hard work to go back for Christ. Bunyan tells us that the pilgrim found the piece of the road back to the Arbor of Ease, where he lost his roll, the hardest he had ever traveled. Twenty miles onward is easier than to go one mile back for the lost evidence.
Take care, then, when you find your Master, to cling close to Him. But how is it you have lost Him? One would have thought you would never have parted with such a precious friend, whose presence is so sweet, whose words are so comforting, and whose company is so dear to you! How is it that you did not watch Him every moment for fear of losing sight of Him? Yet, since you have let Him go, what a mercy that you are seeking Him, even though you mournfully groan, "O that I knew where I might find Him!" Go on seeking, for it is dangerous to be without your Lord. Without Christ you are like a sheep without its shepherd, like a tree without water at its roots, like a withered leaf in the storm--not bound to the tree of life. With your whole heart seek Him, and He will be found by you. Only give yourself thoroughly up to the search, and truly you shall yet discover Him to your joy and gladness

Devotional material is taken from “Morning and Evening,” written by C.H. Spurgeon, revised and updated by Alistair Begg. Copyright (c) 2003, Good News Publishers and used by Truth for Life with written permission. Scripture quotations are taken from Holy Bible: English Standard Version, copyright (c) 2001, Good News Publishers

Many of you know one of my favorite pastimes - reading a newspaper and having a Cafe Americano at Starbucks.  However, even though I freequent "Bucks" much, never have I acheived or ever want to accomplish John Smith's record.

"John Smith is a man in a mission.  You may have heard of this thirty - two year - old man who now goes by "Winter" - whose quest is to visit every Starbucks establishment in the world.  Working only enough to fund his ongoing caffeine crusade, Winter carefully plans each journey, meticulously mapping cordinates of each Starbucks location before taking the to the road.  He sleeps in his car, which has no air conditioning and smells like stale coffee, visitng as many as twenty - eight stores in a single day.

Winter's discontent with all things local has lasted seven years thus far, taking him to 4,122 stores in North America, 114 in the UK and 53 in Japan.  Though he is on track with his mission, his java journey won't end anytime soon; Sarbucks opens an average of ten new stores around the world each week." What Now...Making sense of who you are and where you are going: by Marc Estes.  Florida: Relevant Media Group, 2006, p21.

In Marc Estes book, he asks the questions as to why a man with apparently too much time on his hands would pursue a seemingly senseless task that has taken him around the world to Starbucks more times than the average Christian has attended Church.
   Estes makes the point that this man is squandering everything - time, resources, energy - on accomplishing a futile mission which does not make sense either practically or eternally.

The question has to be directed to us; have we discovered our purpose, our task that God has asked us to accomplish?  Furthermore, are we pursuing it with as much dilligence and determination as John Smith's desire to visit every Starbucks establishment.

Estes encourages his readers to initially pursue a fourfold purpose:
 
1. A Relationship with God that is personal, intimate, ongoing, vibrant
2. To Display God's character in our lives.  God desires we be Holy, ie. we display His likeness and charachter.
3. To Function as God's ambassadors and be stewards over what God has entrusted to us.
4. To Reproduce.  God desires we take the message of Jesus Christ to those in desperate need of finding their reason for existence.