Passion for mission
On the evening of Saturday 20 September I had the privilege of joining 200 others for a missionary meeting and book launch at Lansdowne Baptist Church, Bournemouth.
I was grateful to be introducing Tim Shenton’s new EP title, Audrey Featherstone I presume? – The amazing story of a Congo missionary. Audrey served with Regions Beyond Missionary Union (RBMU) in the Congo from 1946-1969. I was grateful too for the opportunity to explain EP’s wider work of mission around the world, dispelling the myth that EP ‘just does books’.
Author Tim Shenton explained one of his main reasons for writing this book – to show that God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things for his glory. Paul Abeyta from World Team (formerly, RBMU) reminded us to keep mission central to everything we are and do.
Then came the main part of the evening, when Audrey Featherstone shared what was on her heart. She brought a powerful exhortation to take seriously the need for overseas, long-term missionaries. Short-term missions have their value, but a long-term commitment means thoroughly learning the language and culture of unreached people, in order to reach them effectively with the gospel.
It was clear that Audrey feels passionately that Christians in the UK are in danger of losing this missionary vision, which needs to be rekindled. What can we do? With God’s help extraordinary things are possible (and we certainly fit the criterion of being ordinary people!).
‘Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here I am. Send me!”’ (Isaiah 6:8)
David Woollin
Audrey Featherstone I presume? is published by EP (£8.95; ISBN 978-085234-678-5)
