Paul and Sarah Brown
August 2024
Welcome to Your Mission Field
What a busy period we have had! Home assignment was full of travelling to churches, and spending time with family and friends - all were a blessing and uplifting. The only thing that did disappoint – was the weather! For our 7 – 8 weeks in the UK, we counted around 3-4 full days of sunshine; we felt cold most of the time. We have heard, that since we left the UK, the sun has come out to play again; we hope you all enjoy the warmer weather.
Visiting the churches was a wonderful reminder of how grateful we are for our church partners, which include many who have been with us since the very beginning (now 12 years). They have walked this journey with us and us with them – celebrating each other's highs and bringing comfort in the lows. We also had the opportunity to visit new church partners, forming new friendships. When distances were too far, churches in Norwich and Bristol opened their homes allowing us to be part of their family and rest our weary heads. Delicious lunches made by churches in Cambridge, Bromley, NW London, and Ipswich. Taken for a lovely lunch by a church in Bromley. Sarah had a great trip down memory lane with a church in the neighbourhood she grew up in in NE London. To the church in Blackpool thank you for the lovely surprise of booking us to stay near Blackpool Tower and sending us off with yummy supplies for the train journey back to London. However long you have been with us, please know that having you as our church partners is greatly appreciated.
To all the churches we visited during our home assignment, we want to say thank you all so much for your welcoming warm hospitality, conversations, fellowship time, and all the delicious food we received! Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. Roman 15:7.
Alongside our home assignment, it was good to spend quality time with our family. Paul's Dad is currently unwell, so along with Paul's siblings, we have been putting things in place, such as setting up carers to ensure his dad is receiving the best care and help possible. Sarah and her siblings began the mammoth task of clearing her childhood home of nearly 50 years. Sifting through Sarah's parents' belongings has been an emotional roller coaster – bringing tears of laughter looking at old photos, tears of sorrow remembering her parents gone, and the surprising realisation that her parents were sentimental hoarders – i.e. finding all our school reports, cards, drawings, and masses of photographs etc. from years long gone.
A lesson we continue to learn and a word of encouragement to you. A question we are asked frequently when we go back to the UK for home assignment is; “So, how is the mission field?”. The 'mission field', these words seem to summon up locations in far-flung places and countries. However, when we hear this question, we are always reminded of Matthew 28:16-20 'Go and make disciples…' these verses are 'the Great Commission'. Too often when these verses of the Great Commission are heard or read, it is assumed these verses may only apply to pastors, those serving in full-time ministries or missionaries, but that is far from the truth.
Understanding the Great Commission, we begin to see it is not optional or for the selected few, but a command and compulsory for everyone; therefore, we are all called to bear witness to the Gospel. While everyone may not be called to serve overseas, do ministry full-time, plant a church or lead a church, we are ALL called to be ambassadors for Christ. If you have personally experienced the love and saving grace of Jesus, you have been tasked with the responsibility to proclaim The Lord's Kingdom everywhere you go.
Look around and you will quickly find others around you in need of encouragement, prayer, the truth, love, hope - many are hungry to hear the Gospel.
Thank God:
- In Sarah's local neighbourhood of Ilford, they held a 'March for Jesus'. Reaching out to the community with worship and prayer.
- Our home church in Aylesbury held a community day, many attended from the local neighbourhood and were welcomed with food, conversations, and prayer. It was the most successful one they have had.
Pray:
- That God would help us all to find creative ways to reach out to our local communities where we are.
- For a church in NW London, hoping to reach their local community during the Notting Hill Carnival this year.
Where is the Lord asking you to go to fulfil The Great Commission? Do not overlook the mission field in front of you - your local neighbourhood, your neighbours, at your workplace, in the supermarket, along the street. Even those who don't go out as frequently, remember your carers coming in.
We have eternal life-changing knowledge that should never be kept to ourselves, we should strive to set foot in our mission field each day. 'Welcome to your mission field'.
Love & Blessings
Paul & Sarah