Happy New Year everyone and welcome to our first prayer bulletin of 2013!

Funding the Family

There is an exciting training event organised by Stewardship in Belfast on the 9th March 2013.  Funding the Family Business is a one-day seminar hosted by Belfast Bible College, led by Myles Wilson, specifically for those who raise personal support for Christian mission.  The attached flyer gives more detail on the content.

The cost of the seminar is normally £50 which includes a light lunch and a copy of the book to take away, however for Stewardship Account holders or members of Global Connections, the cost is reduced to only £35 per place, with a further discount available for couples.

For more information on Funding the Family Business, visit www.fundingthefamilybusiness.org or go straight to our online shop to make a booking. To take advantage of the reduced price, select the discounted option.  If you would like to discuss any aspect of the training before making a booking, please contact Fiona Mearns at Stewardship on 020 8418 8880 or at education@stewardship.org.uk

Worldwide Stories

Don't forget you can visit our Vimeo site where, as well as talks from the last 2 years of the Convention, you can also find Worldwide Stories,a look at various people who have heard God's call and whose lives have been influenced by the work of the Convention.

Prayer

We value your prayers as we continue our preparations for Worldwide 2013, a year in which we continue to develop the work of the Convention.

Bible Readings

The main prayer request again this month is for someone to take our Bible Readings as a replacement for Darrel Johnston. We are awaiting a  response from one speaker and have a few other suggestions which we can pursue but it would be good to get this finalised as it has a knock-on effect on the rest of the programme and on our publicity.

Finance

Give thanks for an encouraging year on the financial front. Despite the gloomy economic situation, God has been good and prompted His people to give over £180 K for missions support again this year. This will be a big help to many mission agencies which are finding their revenues squeezed  at this time.

Website Redevelopment

At our last meeting, the committee agreed to appoint Thought Collective to carry out a major upgrade of our website. Please pray that all involved will be inspired and guided by God to produce an outcome which will be an effective tool in the extension of His Kingdom in the area of missions.

Programme for Young People

Following discussions with the Youth Pastors in the Bangor area we have decided to have a separate programme for young people on one of the evenings at this year’s Convention. This will be the first time we have done this and it will be an attempt to draw in the upcoming generation to the Convention by providing a programme which is geared to their particular tastes. Please pray for Keith McIlwaine and the other YPs as they detail their plans for the evening.