WEC SPEAKERS
We had a good evening of fellowship recently with Andrew and Maria Wylie, who were speaking of their work with WEC in the Middle East. WEC was founded over 100 years ago when C.T. Studd went to China with his great motto ‘If Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice is too great for me to make for him’. It’s good to know that WEC, whose new name is ‘Worldwide Evangelisation for Christ’, is still commissioning men and women to work for Christ all over the world. For more information check out WEC’s website here.
MOLDOVA NIGHT IN IONAD STOODIE
Stephen giving his Moldova presentation
We raised £631 as a result of a fundraising evening in Ionad Stoodie on 6th April. Stephen Campbell from the manse, who was part of the Lewis trip to Moldova in 2009 gave a hearty and enthusiastic presentation of the work of the group who had gone out to assist with children’s camps and with practical work. About 60 people were present, including four young people who have been to Moldova and one expecting to go in 2010. The presentation was followed by some singing which was enjoyed by all. This year’s trip is from 26th June to 13th July.
Stephen and his audience!
Moldova visitors - past and present
DR CAMPBELL APPOINTED ADJUNCT PROFESSOR OF CHURCH HISTORY
Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, has appointed Dr Campbell as an Adjunct Professor of Church History. That means he will be assisting the Seminary to deliver a module for its Master of Theology course on the campus of London Theological Seminary. He will be teaching a course entitled ‘Perspectives on Scripture’ in London next March.
DVD OF POINT INDUCTION NOW AVAILABLE
A two-DVD recording of the induction of Rev Dr Iain D Campbell to Point Free Church is now available. If you wish to order a copy please send your name and address, plus a cheque (payable to ‘Point Free Church’) for £12 to cover postage and packing to
Mr Donald Crichton, 21 Swordale, Point, Isle of Lewis
KOREAN PASTORS IN POINT
Chang Won Shu and Young Bok Kim outside Point Free Church
We were pleased to welcome two pastors from Korea to Point ON 10th November. Pictured outside Point Free Church are Chang Won Shu and Young Bok Kim. Both have visited Lewis before, as a result of the twinning of the Western Isles Presbytery of the Free Church with the Kyoungi Presbytery in Seoul, Korea.
The pastors were the guests of a fellowship meeting in Ionad Stoodie on 10th November, and were entertained by the Presbytery the following evening at a reception and a public meeting. Their congregations are much bigger than any of ours, and it was a joy to share fellowship with them and hear of their work.
Dr Campbell of Point Free Church expects to visit Korea in February 2010 to lecture at a pastors’ conference and to preach in Chang Won Shu’s church. Chang Won, who trained at the Free Church College, sang the words of Psalm 73:23-28 beautifully to the fellowship at Ionad Stoodie, and told us that he has introduced Psalm singing to the Korean churches. He encouraged us to hold on to the heritage of the Psalms.
The pastors were given gifts of the Induction DVD, the new Gambia Partnership DVD, and Dr Campbell’s new book on Psalm 23.
NIGERIAN VISITORS TO POINT
Part of the audience at Aird Community Centre
Femi, Adua, Iain D, Gevah, Isaac and Godswil
We were privileged to have a visit from five guests from Nigeria who have been visiting Lewis under the auspices of Steadfast Global. They met with some of the locals in Aird Community Centre on Wednesday 30 September 2009. They are all connected with Voice of the Christian Martyrs Nigeria and The Stephen Centre International, organisations which support persecuted Christians and young people who have been orphaned as a result of persecution against Christians. The evening was an inspiring time of fellowship with brothers and sisters from a culture very different to our own.
BUCKETS OF LOVE
Our Sunday School has been supporting Blythswood’s Buckets of Love project. This is a way of sending gifts and practical help to different places all over the world. The Sunday School is pictured with their contributions to the Buckets of Love project.
IAIN D’S NEW BOOK
In this devotional treatment of Psalm 23, Dr Iain D. Campbell describes the onset of spiritual life in Christians, their varied progress as followers of Jesus the Good Shepherd, and their final destiny in his presence for ever. By tracing the metaphor of shepherding throughout the Old and New Testaments, the author makes insightful use of this rich imagery as it describes the work of Christ as the Companion, Leader, Provider and Protector of his people. The book is written by one who functions as an under-shepherd of the Saviour and who is aware of the spiritual needs and desires of his flock, and this experience is very much to the fore throughout the work. Further the activities of Jesus are described in such a straightforward devotional manner that make the book a joy to read. It is a book suitable for the heart as well as for the mind.
Rev. Dr. Malcolm Maclean, Minister of Greyfriars Free Church of Scotland
Iain D. Campbell’s exposition of the Psalm 23 is masterful, both exegetically and pastorally. Reminiscent of the late Douglas MacMillan’s work on this psalm, Dr. Campbell’s adds significantly to our appreciation of the psalm, indeed under his guidance we are led to behold new vistas of greener pastures and still waters. Sure-footed, expository genius of a rare kind.
Derek Thomas, John E. Richards Professor of Theology, RTS (Jackson); Minister of Teaching, First Presbyterian Church, Jackson Mississippi; Editorial Director, Reformation21.org
SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS
SUNDAY SCHOOL PRIZE-GIVING
The prize-giving of the Sunday School took place in the Church Hall during the Sunday service on 28 June 2009.
The children received Certificates of Merit for the completion of their worksheets at Bible Class, Junior and Infant levels.
The children have worked hard all year on their worksheets and can be proud of what they have achieved and learnt.
Once again we hope and pray all that was learnt through their hard work and endeavours will be blessed to them both presently and in the future and that we will in the days and years to come see the children of the congregation becoming faithful and bright ambassadors and witnesses for the Lord.
SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTING
The Sunday School outing took place on Saturday 20th June. As in previous years we had a joint outing with the Knock Free Church Sunday School.
Our destination this year was Shawbost School where the children took part in a number of activities such as swimming and indoor and outdoor sports.
We were blessed with fair weather for the day and the Rev James Maciver and his wife Donna were on hand again this year to assist with the barbecue.
A number of our elders and deacons as well as parents also came along to enjoy the fun and help with the supervision of the children as well as helping to eat all the food!!
A lovely time was had by all and we look forward with great anticipation to next year’s outing.
HOW I BECAME A CHRISTIAN
I’m not really sure of the exact time that I became a Christian. I just know it was at camp two years ago in Hawick. One night a girl who was a year older than me was speaking and she was giving her testimony. I was completely mesmerised by what she was saying because I never knew many Christians my age at that time.
After Chloe was finished I went to my dorm and was thinking a lot about what she said and then decided to talk to two girls I knew. They said they had been thinking about it a lot too, and that night we decided we would ask God into our hearts. I didn’t have any flashing lights in my experience but I had an unbelievable peace within me. I had to endure three communions until I found strength to start following and I went forward last communion. I felt so happy – I don’t think I’ve ever smiled so much! The Christian life isn’t the easiest road to choose but it’s by far the best. I have never looked back on my decision that night.
My Favourite Bible Story
Esther’s story is my favourite in the Bible because she responded so well to the crisis she faced. She had to risk her life so that the Jewish people could be saved from King Xerxes’ decress. This shows that it wasn’t just men that were heroes in the Bible. I also love how much she loved her people because not many people would risk their lives for other people.
Kristina Mackenzie (Bible Class and Church Member)
