It was with great joy that we were able to return our workers to the streets in England, Northern Ireland and Wales from Monday, 12th April. Reports of recent open-airs by our Evangelists and Associate workers show a general openness to the gospel, with little hostility, for which we praise God. We are also thankful to the Lord that, as of today, Monday 26th April, open-airs can resume in Scotland. Our return to the streets was 'picking up where we left off' with existing Coronavirus risk assessments, policies and practice. Some of the Mission's workers have encountered 'COVID-Marshalls' and local authority workers on the streets who have expressed no concern as to the way we are
operating. This is a good testimony in a watching world. Whilst adherence to our measures remains important for a number of reasons, we have no desire to retain them unnecessarily.
In light of the generally improving situation across the UK, our review meeting today has approved the lifting of the 2-hour limit on open-airs with immediate effect. Other measures remain, but our workers are no longer restricted by a maximum duration of two hours at each open-air.
The review meeting also looked at our own 'roadmap' for easing restrictions in line with changes to Government legislation and guidance. Should easing be deemed appropriate at each review meeting, we trust they will greatly assist the planning and operation of forth-coming Team Events and Beach Missions and also facilitate further open-airs. Your prayers to this end would be greatly appreciated. The review 'roadmap' (timetable) is as follows:
We can give thanks to the Lord for what has been achieved thus far and look to Him to lead us going forward. May we, like David, truly know the Lord's guidance and protection in these times, 'For You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your Name's sake, lead me and guide me' (Psalm 31:3).
JP Earnest
Just recently we passed the 'one-year mark' since the Coronavirus began impacting our work as a Mission. Although these last twelve months have been frustrating, something we would never have chosen, we remember that our God is Sovereign. He is the One who declares in Isaiah 46:9b-10, 'For I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure'. Our mortal minds cannot comprehend the sovereign purposes of our God, yet we can take great comfort in resting upon the knowledge that He is in complete control. We can reflect over these last 12 months and give thanks for what has been achieved in His goodness, praying that it will yield fruit for His glory. May the words which Joseph Hart penned in his hymn, 'How good is the God we adore', be ours – 'We'll praise Him for all that is past, and trust Him for all that's to come'.
What is to come? In the ever-improving situation, the governments of the UK have confirmed they are 'on track' for their plotted route out of 'lockdown'. With non-essential retail outlets in England, Northern Ireland and Wales reopening on Monday, 12th April, we are pleased to announce that open-airs may recommence in these areas from
this date. Scotland's date for reopening non-essential shops is set for Monday, 26th April and, subject to the Scottish Government's confirmation, open-airs may resume North of the border from this date.
Upon returning to the streets, we shall be 'picking up where we left off' in terms of our Coronavirus measures and methods. In other words, social distancing and hygiene protocols will still need to be observed and each open-air capped at two hours. A maximum of six team members (including the Evangelist/Associate worker) can operate in venues that can sustain a larger presence on the street without impeding social distancing. For this reason, the recommended size of a team in most areas remains at four (including the Evangelist/Associate worker). Each supporter will still need to be centrally registered, affirming their understanding and adherence of the current measures in place.
As a Mission we remain committed to regularly reviewing the measures in place and, when appropriate, will seek to relax restrictions. God-willing, over the coming weeks and months we want to see a gathering momentum in street evangelism as more and more open-air opportunities are resumed. In doing so, we remember the Apostle Paul's
exhortation to the Philippians, 'Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ' (Philippians 1:27a).
More videos added online
More evangelistic videos have been added online at here.
The videos can also be viewed on our YouTube channel.
We also have a selection of videos with signing for the deaf community (BSL) online.
The Apostle Paul told the Corinthian church that one of the marks which should characterise gospel workers is patience. This is one of many virtues he lists so that, 'in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God' (2 Corinthians 6:4a). He desired that no avoidable offence could bring a cloud over their gospel endeavours. 'We give no offence in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed' (2 Corinthians 6:3). How vital it is therefore, to ensure that in days of much scrutiny our conduct does not bring our witness into disrepute. Patience should be the hallmark of the believer as we watch and pray for the Lord to enable a return to open-air work.
Throughout this Coronavirus situation, we have sought to ensure that we have a proportionate response to facilitate open-air evangelism, whilst preserving our testimony before a watching world. We committed to reviewing our measures each month and another such review took place yesterday. With 'stay at home' orders remaining in force in all four regions of the United Kingdom, it was good to erect 'milestones' so that when these are reached we can return our workers to the streets.
In real-terms, the level of restrictions has to be relaxed sufficiently so as to annul the 'stay at home' orders. With respect to the 'lockdowns' of 2020 this was the reopening of non-essential retail outlets. We will continue to monitor the situation so that as soon as it is safe and legal to do so, our Staff Evangelists and Associate workers will able to resume their regular open-airs. May these 'milestones' be replaced by 'Ebenezers', 'Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far the Lord has helped us".' (1 Samuel 7:12).
In the meantime, please pray that we would soon see restrictions ease in all parts of our nation and may a godly patience characterise us, which is fitting for ministers of God in this world. Praise God for the opportunities that there are, even in such times, and may the Lord be glorified in the saving of precious souls.
Supporters' Conference 2021 (Online)
In lieu of our usual three-day event in a conference centre, we will have an one-day event online.
In-depth reports from three of our Evangelists and ministry from God's Word brought to us by Committee member, Mark Fisher.
Monday, 8th March
The conference will take place on 'Zoom' for which booking is required.
More information can be found here
Evangelistic Videos continue to be added to the Mission's YouTube channel.
We are not the 'Online Mission' but the 'Open-Air Mission' and so most of the videos reflect the manner and the method which our Evangelists use to convey the gospel message in the open-air.
View the videos here, or on the Mission's YouTube channel.
Why not share them with non-Christians you may know?
Changes in Personnel
At the end of December, Jim Henry retired from part-time service with the Mission. We are delighted that he will continue as an Associate worker. We also 'bid farewell' to our Office Secretary, Linda Lumley, at the end of 2020. Linda had faithfully served in the office for 19 years and we wish her well in retirement.
At the beginning of January, Steve Cook was appointed as a full-time Evangelist, having completed a period as a Probationary Evangelist. Also, at the start of 2021, we welcomed Stuart Lythgoe as a full-time Evangelist. You can read Stuart's testimony here.
We praise God for His provision of these brethren and commend them to your prayers.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister announced a new level of restrictions to be applied across England from midnight. This followed Scotland's First Minister announcing similar restrictions for north of the border. With every part of the United Kingdom under what has become known as a 'lockdown', non-essential retail outlets have closed and our high streets have fallen silent once again. As a consequence, our normal open-air practice has ceased until further notice. Throughout the Coronavirus situation we have sought to act wisely, protecting our workers, those we come into contact with and our testimony. This curtailment will be kept under review so that open-airs may restart as soon as it is legal and safe to do so.
Thankfully, some open-airs took place in 'Tier 3' areas of England yesterday, and we are grateful for those opportunities. How we long and pray for the easing of restrictions so that open-air evangelism may resume. May the Lord grant us different and varied opportunities to communicate the gospel in the coming days.
Although 2021 already has its frustrations, we continue to trust in our Sovereign God and seek His help, encouragement and guidance. As the Sons of Korah knew and could testify, 'O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in You!' (Psalm 84:12).
19Dec 2020
As you will appreciate, the Coronavirus situation is ever-changing. Since yesterday's communication there have been further developments which impact our work as a Mission. As ever, we seek to honour the Lord in our response to tighter restrictions being applied to parts of the UK.
The Prime Minister announced today that from midnight on Sunday, 20th 'Tier 4' restrictions will be applied to certain areas.
In south-east England, the areas affected are:
Greater London (all 32 boroughs and the City of London)
Buckinghamshire (including Milton Keynes)
Surrey (excluding Waverley)
Gosport, Havant, Portsmouth
Rother and Hastings
In the east of England, the areas affected are:
Essex (excluding Colchester, Uttlesford and Tendring)
'Tier 4' will see the closure of all non-essential retail outlets and a 'Stay at home' order is being issued to residents. In the light of this, open-airs in these areas will cease. Staff Evangelists and Associate workers who reside in these affected areas may travel for work purposes (i.e. travel to open-air venues in Tiers 1-3). Registered Supporters who are residents of 'Tier 4' areas should not travel to open-airs.
The First Minister of Wales has brought forward restrictions planned for 28th December and they will be applied from midnight tonight. This level of restrictions will see non-essential retail outlets close and so, sadly, open-airs will cease with immediate effect. Staff living in Wales may travel for work purposes. Associate workers based in Wales may travel to open-airs in England, if they would normally do so.
From Boxing Day, 26th December, mainland Scotland will enter into 'Tier 4' restrictions with the closure of non-essential retail outlets. Therefore, open-airs will cease in Scotland on 26th December.
Tighter restrictions will be applied from Saturday, 26th December and will also see the closure of non-essential retail outlets. Therefore, open-airs will cease in Northern Ireland from Boxing Day, 26th December.
Each devolved administration will review these restrictions at regular intervals. We, as a Mission, will monitor the situation and will resume open-airs in each area when appropriate. Your continued prayer is appreciated. Where open-airs are able to continue in the run-up to Christmas, please pray that the Lord will use greatly use these opportunities for His glory and the furtherance of His Kingdom.