Bangor Worldwide Missionary Convention

In the midst of the winter weather, we may dream of summer holidays on warm sandy beaches with clear blue skies. We cannot guarantee sunshine in Bangor this summer, what can be depended upon at Worldwide is challenging speakers reporting on God’s work being done in all sorts of diverse weather!

Theme

Building the Kingdom

That leads us nicely to the theme for this year’s event - ‘Building the Kingdom’. A host of international speakers have been lined up to bring updates from the building of God’s kingdom across the world. As ever, challenges mission agencies and missionaries are facing will be brought to our attention and encouraging stories of how God is building His kingdom will inspire and uplift all those who attend. The morning Bible Readings will be lead by Paul Mallard, Pastor of Woodgreen Evangelical Church and Director of Midlands Gospel Partnership and we look forward to what Paul has to say to us from God’s living word.

Our new branding for the theme has been confirmed and we will be using this throughout our 2015 literature.

Event

Open Doors Tour 2015

To mark their 60th anniversary, Open Doors are planning a tour of Northern Ireland highlighting their work with persecuted churches across the World. Between February and April, they will make 60 presentations to a range of church and organisations.

Prayer

Maud Kells recovering well

On 4th January, Maud Kells, a missionary with WEC International, was shot in her home in Mulita, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The 75-year old who has served in the African country since 1968, was immediately flown by MAF to a hospital in Nyunkunde (DRC). Maud received an OBE in the 2015 New Year Honours list and the news of the incident made considerable headlines across the UK. According to recent press reports, Maud continues to make a steady recovery and her wounds are beginning to heal.

Video

An interview with Bikhash Adhikari

Bikash is the Director of Sundar Dhoka Saathi Sewa (SDSS) – a Christian organisation based in Kathmandu, where Bikash lives with his wife, Bijata and their baby son, Bishesh. SDSS offers a range of services that offer compassion, care and practical support for the poor, the sick and those with disabilities. SDSS is essentially the ‘social care arm’ of Sundar Dhoka Church, a church led by the marginalised for the marginalised.

Prayer

Join with the Johnstons in Italy

Presbyterian Church in Ireland missionaries Alan and Tracey Johnston serve in pastoral ministry and outreach with the Sola Grazia (Grace Alone) congregation in Porto Mantova in northern Italy. The congregation is Coram Deo Ministries' first church plant and is a small, but growing congregation.

Event

Make a Date

With Valentine’s Day coming up on 14th February, why not make a romantic gesture and buy the one you love a ticket to the Celebration Event at the Waterfront Hall. Show them you care for them AND the work of God’s Kingdom at the same time!

Points for Prayer

Publicity

The first element of our publicity material for 2015 is now available. The A5 leaflet gives some details about the Convention and also focuses on the Waterfront event on the closing night. Give thanks for the generous offer by Open Doors to distribute this leaflet during their 60th anniversary tour and pray that God would use it to make the Convention better known among the Christian community. Pray also for a press release which has just been issued, that it will be picked up by the media and that we will be guided, in the absence of Church Alive this year, to other effective ways of getting our message out to those who might be interested.

Youth Event

Continue to pray for the Worldwide Youth event on 27th February in Hamilton Road Baptist Church. Pray that there will be a good attendance of young people from across the denominations and that there will be an openness to what is presented.

Conferences Alliance

Bangor Worldwide, together with a number of the other major conventions which take place each year in the Province, have been working together for the last few years to try and interest the government and tourist bodies in assisting with joint publicity. The group is to meet the Minister and senior officials responsible for this area later in the month and would ask for prayer that the meeting will go well and have a positive outcome.

Committee and Trustees

Remember the committee and trustees as they meet this month to consider 2015 and future conventions. Please pray for the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to ensure that any decisions we might make are in line with God’s will for the Convention.

Highlights