Indian Summer
We're having an Indian Summer in London. They call it that here too. We've really enjoyed the sunshine and warm days when it should be getting colder. It's been really nice but I did have to wear a scarf Wednesday night and I'm told cooler weather could be just around the corner.
We've also enjoyed getting encouraging emails from a number of you. Your prayers and support are appreciated more than you can imagine. Keep'em coming. They make a big difference.
I've included some new photos on the left from our trips into central London. The sunshine makes all the difference when you're sight-seeing and the kids finally got their free bus pass this week that all teens under 16 are eligible for. It makes getting around London a lot cheaper.
The Return of Pastor Brian
I'm happy to announce that Pastor Brian will be back on duty this weekend following his sabbatical. It's been a privilege to fill in for him these four weeks. We will be sorting out our future plans next week (see Vision and Strategy below).
During his absence I "preached" the same message in both Camden Road Baptist and Upper Holloway Baptist over the past two weeks. I say "preached" with quotation marks because the first half was a parable about shoes and the second half was a game show about forgiveness. Someday I'll share the Parable of the Shoes with you and let's just say the winning answer to the game show was "seventy times seven."
Street Pastors
In addition to leading worship, two Bible studies, the homeless drop in ministry, the nursing home ministry, and hospital visitation I've also begun training as a Street Pastor on Saturdays. Street Pastors, according to their website, is an inter-denominational Church response to urban problems, engaging with people on the streets to care, listen and dialogue.
It was pioneered in London in January 2003 by Rev Les Isaac, Director of the Ascension Trust, and has seen some remarkable results, including drops in crime in areas where teams have been working. Each city project is set up by Ascension Trust and run by a local coordinator with support from Ascension Trust and local churches and community groups, in partnership with Police, Council and other statutory agencies. For more information, click on th link to their website on the left.
Vision and Strategy for London
Here are some thoughts about our plans for ministry in London. Please join us in prayer about direction for the future.
- supervise weekly youth ministry through Upper Holloway Baptist Church [also further develop ministry for children]
- participate in weekly homeless ministry at Upper Holloway Baptist Church [75-100 people come through every Monday for a meal and place to get warm]
- assist Pastor Brian with worship leading, preaching, counseling, visitation, and church administration as needed
- complete training as a Street Pastor [I am one of the first four people in training for the borough we live in]
- develop relationships with university students, especially international students, in north London for the purpose of sharing the gospel and beginning discipleship groups [there are over 300,000 university students in London]
- develop relationships with young families through Upward Sports [GOAL: be the first church in England offering Upward basketball, there are several in Ireland but none in England, we have the facilities but need basketball goals]
Financial Gifts
We are so grateful for everyone that is partnering with us in this ministry. I realize that things are tough all over financially right now and many of you have uncertainty about your own economic future. That makes your sacrificial gifts all the more precious to us. We promise to represent you well in the city of London. Feel free to visit us any time and inspect the "fruit" of your investments.
Financial gifts should be directed to the First Baptist Church of Clermont and designated to the Ecker family. The church address is 498 W. Montrose Street, Clermont, FL, 34711. Our address in London is at the bottom of this page.
