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Frontlines
Forward in Faith
JOHN BIRNIE
Most parents and grandparents have the joy from time to time of entering into the success of their children when they have excelled at sport, in music, art, or any of the other pastimes which occupy them. A cup, or shield, or medal is proudly presented, and celebrations follow. What may often be forgotten at such times are the countless hours of practice, rehearsal, and hard work which lie behind the award.Â
A similar pattern is reflected in the ongoing work of SGA. This year marks 75 years of ministry supported by our SGA family in UK and Ireland, and as at other milestones in the Mission’s work, special events and projects have been organised and captured our attention, calling for extra prayer and resourcing. Looking back we see, with thankfulness to God, something of the commitment and faithfulness of our supporters as they have rallied to these cries for support.
Memorable past milestones include the initiation of the Widows’ Project, the beginnings of Houses of Prayer projects, and the many challenges of Bible translation and distribution taken up at various times. More recently the expansion of the ministry into Far East Russia, Siberia, Mongolia and now into Armenia has captured the interest and prayer support of our SGA family. These and many others are like peaks or mountain tops rising up to engage us, very clear evidence of the Gospel expansion we all desire and work towards. Behind all these forward steps the day-to-day labours of the Mission in all its ‘ordinariness’ continue, forming and sustaining the basis of all our attempts to expand and reach lost men and women for Christ.
Behind all these forward steps the day-to-day labours of the Mission in all its ‘ordinariness’ continue
We praise God for the ‘highlights’ in the work over the years, and we recognise the gracious, sustaining hand of God in the day-to-day and week-to-week maintenance of the many avenues of SGA’s work, much of it unseen and perhaps not appreciated as it ought to be, but part of the essential foundation of the whole ministry, and all of it bathed in prayer because we believe: ‘Much prayer, much power’! We have proved the truth of this, and it inspires us to look forward with confidence into a new year and to continued expansion of our ministry. Much ‘land’ has been possessed/gained, but there remain regions and lands and peoples who have yet to hear!
Many children are hearing about Jesus Christ and being drawn to saving faith in Him.
Many of us were privileged over the years to work with our dear friend Nikolai Malai in Balti, Moldova. Who can forget his impassioned cry ‘Forward!’ as he encouraged and enthused Mission School students about Gospel opportunities and Gospel expansion? May that cry continue to stir us up to labour faithfully in the harvest field, and to take every opportunity God gives us to advance the work of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.