Christmas Caroling

Wow.....it worked! I was trying something new. I will write all about this and MORE on Wednesday. Have a great day. :) Enjoy the little slideshow...

Weekly Update

Thank you for your many prayers and support. We hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving weekend. As we reflect on God’s goodness today, we have much to be thankful.
Yesterday Anna was able to go into a local high school and teach in a Religious Education class. It was a class of about twenty- eight year 7 students. She was able to teach them about God and creation. Two of the students already knew Anna because their siblings attend the chapel. They have invited us back to teach in other classes and also some assemblies. It is great to see how God has opened a door for us to teach the Bible in a state school. Here are a few thoughts from Anna…

“Have you ever done something half-hearted? Knowing God could open this door, but not having faith? Sadly, that is how I walked into the local high school a couple weeks ago. Why was I so shocked when God opened a door for us to minister to this needy school? We serve a powerful God! As I sheepishly walked around the school searching for the people I needed to contact, I felt out of place. “Lord, please help me” I muttered. This seems to be my frequent prayer, since I often feel inadequate. After speaking to the head of the Religious Education department, she asked if I could start teaching in the school. Since God had given me an opportunity to teach before, and I had the necessary essentials to teach in a state school, they warmly welcomed me. Their religious education program is broken into the five main religions of the world; I am able to freely speak about Christianity. I went on Tuesday to observe, I sat on my seat completely stunned! The teacher was speaking about the Islamic prayers. My heart was touched as I walked away with an enormous burden to pray for our young people. WE MUST PRAY SATAN DOES NOT CONFUSE THEM. They are searching for the truth. Thanks so much for your prayers. Please continue to pray the Lord will enable me and give me wisdom. The school offered to gather over 200 children for me to hold an assembly. What a privilege!”

God has also given us a great opportunity to reach the community this Friday, November 27th. The city council has asked us if our church could lead the Christmas carols at the Christmas Light Switch On and also give a ten minute message about the true meaning of Christmas. We will also be passing out many gospel tracts and invitations to our Christmas Carol Service on December 13th. This was a real answer to prayer for them to contact us. Please pray that God will work in people’s hearts and they would be receptive to the gospel and join us at church.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

(sorry no pictures this week!)

World Mission Conference

Thrillling. Encouraging. Challenging. Those are a few words to describe our first ever Mission Conference at Beeches Road. The week started with building a Mongolian Ger and French Café in the Sunday School room. The youth rally girls made flags from around the world, and the children decorated a banner. The room was transformed into an international display. We even made passports for each of the children! Every night the children could enjoy visiting the ger and café, getting their passport stamped, write to a missionary, receive a toy, taste international food, play games, and meet the missionaries! We also were able to hear a different Sunday School class sing and quote scripture every service! What a blessing. There is so many exciting things ahead in the near future. This conference was used to prepare many people for the future work God has for us. We hope and pray God used this conference to show believers their need to surrender their life to the Lord. The gospel was clearly presented each evening, pray for those who have not yet accepted God’s gift of salvation.

The French Cafe

The Mongolian Ger

What a blessing it was to hear over 40 children sing "Be a Missionary!"

Each evening a different Sunday School class sang....

Meeting the Missionaries

The children really enjoyed having a passport! :)

We had their picture taken in a "photo booth" and every evening they received a stamp!

Writing to the missionaries...

Playing "Pin the Tale on the Reindeer" (Mongolia)

Fishing on the coast of France

Tasting French Crepes

International Banquet - We had around 70 people attend!

We had over 50 different children during the conference and 60-70 people attend each of the services!

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the unttermost part of the earth." Acts 1:8

We now have a church website if you would like to visit, http://www.beechesroadbaptistchapel.com/

It's slightly under construction, but is nearly finished. We have already seen people visit our church through the website. Enjoy!

Thanks for your love and support! God is our strength and help.

GOD IS SO GOOD!

Weekly Update

TREASURE CLUB

During Treasure Club we memorize the greatest treasure, the Bible! Last week we had a special Awards Ceremony rewarding those who have worked hard memorizing!

AFTERCHURCH

On Sunday, we had all the long people over in our home for an afterchurch. It was an exciting time of singing, testimonies, Bible quizzing, and snacks!

DINNER CLUB

Dear Friends and Family,
We are eager to share our good news with you! God has blessed abundantly above what we could ask or think.

On Thursday we were able to visit eleven schools and give them information concerning our Bible Clubs. During the holiday season schools are looking for assembly speakers to share how Christians celebrate Christ’s birth. This is a great opportunity for us to enter schools and share God’s message of love. Please pray many schools will be interested.

Throughout the week we have several Bible studies with many individuals who have not yet made a profession of faith. This week during a Bible study with a young girl, she asked if we would pray for her salvation and the salvation of four other individuals. She looked up with a sorrowful face and said, “And that’s not all, so many people in Blackheath and around the world need to be forgiven of their sins!” What a statement for an unsaved, searching girl to make! She closed by saying, “Miss, if I become a Christian, could I do what you do and tell others about Jesus?” My heart was overwhelmed by her questions. Please pray the Lord would continue to do a work in her life.

We had ten teenagers come to the Heathfield dinner club today. Seven of them were unsaved, and four of those it was their first time coming to the club. During the Heathfield dinner club we enjoy a home cooked lunch and then close with a Bible study. We were able to clearly share the gospel today with many who have never heard. We asked, “What is sin?” The girls who had never come before couldn’t answer that question. The Lord has given us this time to reach those who have never heard. What a privilege!

This week we are gearing up for our first Mission Conference at Beeches Road. We are looking forward to starting on Saturday night with an International Banquet. Please pray the Lord will use this conference to speak to the hearts of people about sharing the gospel and being a bold witness.

Thank you for your prayers. None of this would be possible without your love and support. May God richly bless you!

In Christ,

Kevin and Anna Ruwersma

Update

Dear Praying Friends and Family,

We have much to share with you this week. God’s goodness has been evident these past several days. He has showered us with many blessings…

Angler's Dinner

Last Friday we held an Angler’s Dinner at the church. This was to reach men from our community. We had fish and chips, fishy stories, a great devotional, and prizes! It was great to have eighteen men come and hear the gospel message. Several of them do not attend any church. God used this dinner to reacquaint one of our members with the man who invited him to church fifty years ago. They had lost contact for thirty years!

Visitation

We had our record breaking attendance at visitation last Saturday – there were seventeen people present! We were able to knock on many doors and visit with several people who need the Lord.

Autumn Party

Saturday, October 31, we had an Autumn Party at Marsh Farm. We played fun autumn games, ate delicious food (including pumpkin pie – a novelty for the British), and had a bonfire. During the bonfire we sang songs and listened to a powerful devotional about making wise decisions. Following the lesson, three teenagers raised their hands and mentioned their need for accepting Christ as their Saviour. Please pray God would continue to do a work in the hearts of these young people.

Cathy Henschen

Cathy, a young lady who will be assisting with the chapel in Oxford, arrived safely in Birmingham on Wednesday. Cathy plans on assisting at Beeches Road temporarily to train for her upcoming work. Please pray for Cathy as she works and prepares for this exciting extension work of Beeches Road.

Thank you for your faithfulness to pray for us. We are happy to be serving the Lord!