OBFPC outreaches
From 14-21 July, a mission team from Bob Jones University in South Carolina, USA, visited Oulton Broad Free Presbyterian Church (OBFPC). Led by speech-communication lecturer David Schwingle and his wife April, the group comprised 10 students from different states, majoring in various subjects. They were serving churches across the UK for eight weeks of their summer break.
Eric Liddell
Combining inspirational music, original drama and personal testimonies, the team led assemblies at three local schools and an elderly residents’ home, and took all the week’s meetings at OBFPC, including a packed out coffee morning.
At the Friday ‘Kidz Klub’, they presented nearly the entire AV text of the Book of Jonah as a drama, as well as teaching many new songs. For the teenagers on Saturday they performed a play, called Sonrise society, on the brevity of life.
On Sunday morning came As if in heaven – the final race of Eric Liddell, a remarkable portrayal of the life of the former Olympic runner and missionary to China. This was followed in the afternoon by I’m imperfect – the true stories of three women striving for physical perfection.
Each of these dramas was interwoven with Scripture and clear application of the way of salvation, as well as challenge to believers to serve the Lord Jesus more.
Characterised by sincerity, humility, zeal for God’s Word and a passion for souls, it was a privilege to host these young people using their considerable abilities for the glory of God and his gospel.
Air festival
Then, from 24-25 July, glorious sunshine brought crowds of about 450,000 to Lowestoft for the 12th annual Seafront Air Festival, For the second year OBFPC ran a ‘Good news’ stand on the promenade that, at 4.5 by 6 metres, was twice the size of the previous one!
We were blessed by more joining us at the stand to help with the witness. The increase in workers was evident and over the two days 3500 Scripture text calendars were distributed, as well as 1500 themed gospel tracts and 1000 Scripture leaflets. In spite of the good weather hastening families to the beach, 230 children still came into the tent to take part in the quiz and colouring competition.
There were many lengthy conversations with enquirers, particularly on the second day. Some of these resulted in copies of individual Gospels or Ultimate Questions being taken away. Once again, the atmosphere was friendly, with even those arguing against the truth doing so in a good-natured manner.
We must pray that those spoken to would seek the Lord and that the Word distributed would not return void! We give thanks to God for this amazing opportunity to ‘praise him … among the people’ (Psalm 108:1).
Matthew Pickhaver
