AMEN Conference 2015 'Rest/Study Day' - Friday

I admit I tend to go at life relentlessly.  I insisted that we should have planning sessions for both this August's Multiply trip to Kenya, and next March's to Rwanda while both Gregory and Rukundo were available.  This meant an early start for both of them to travel to Central Offices.  But the meetings were invaluable. 

First Janet rolled up with the back of her car full of tables for the sewing/tailoring project in Nairobi.  We've got ourselves on a very tight schedule since finding out the container leaves from Cambridge next Wednesday.  She also showed us the colourful pin-cushions and needle-cases that the Birmingham congregation had produced.  Viv texted to say that set-up in the marquee was running late, and he wouldn't make it to the meeting.

We ploughed through the action points from our last get-together.  The first hot topic was the guys' overland minibus trip from Nairobi to Kampala.  Gregory announced that we'd fit in an extra conference at Nakuru.  It all seemed to hinge on an early start leaving Nairobi, about which I was constitutionally doubtful.  No matter.  The next day Eldoret, as planned, then on to Kimilili.  Four more hours' travel and a whole day conference: a bit tight. 

Then Trevor dropped in that his old friend Cornelius wanted us to visit his tribal work en route to Kampala.  This entails crossing into to Uganda on a 'B' road, and a bout of after-dinner tribal dancing to accommodate their warm hospitality.  Mental note - take your own mosquito net.  Finally we rendezvous with Janet and Hilary in Kampala.  "It's all looking very tight.  Can't we take longer?" someone commented.  "Well the programme wasn't before all this was crammed in." I countered.  One consolation emerged - we'd probably get a free afternoon to visit Lake Victoria when the following weekend commitments were over.  And Viv may get the drive the minibus back to Nairobi while the rest of us fly.

Crunch point number two was the need for a proper business plan for the sewing/tailoring project.  All through AMEN is emerged that the international guys are wonderful pastors and preachers, but the well-intentioned practical support we try to roll out just falls over through lack of planning and oversight.  Ed is on everyone's case for a business plan and a 'champion'.  Gregory 'gets it', but already has his hands full.

By this time the skeleton team for Rwanda had arrived, so we swapped over and began round two.  "We simply must get a better idea of what the community support and income earning projects need," Ed and John agreed.   Around the table we chorus, "You never told us that!" as Rukundo explains that the two tons per month of grain that his wife has been grinding to sell in the market, first has to be washed and spread out to dry.  Basic mis-assumptions.  So John and Jenny will go for ten day in mid-September - in fact as they had partly planned to do last year.  We have several ideas for small scale income-earning business projects.  But the need is to get the right supervision in place.  "Rwanda is littered with broken equipment donated by NGOs," he's told John. 

Rukundo clarifies that the two halves of his community we're to visit are 90km apart.  Further stretch on the programme.  We've also planned to go to Burundi, but the present unrest casts doubt on this.  "It will be alright when the election is over," Rukundo assures.  It seems that this is pretty average for Africa. 

It takes me all afternoon to consolidate the action points.  Then I grab some tea at the Farm and walk to Cornhill for the evening event.  Mary is waiting.  Driving the minibus on the way to stay at New Kings, I collect my luggage from the Farm.  They made me very welcome.

AMEN Conference 2015 Day 4 - Thursday

A lot to pack into today, and there's a sense of buoyancy as we gather at Cornhill.  Mick, Kelly and Iain have joined us again, and Trevor is paying a guest visit so he can talk with Gregory ahead of our trip to Kenya/Uganda in August. 

Mick splits us into pairs to share about our 'rev counter' readings - physical, emotional, relational, intellectual and spiritual well-being.  He asks, "Is anything in the red zone?" and "Where may Satan try to exploit our weaknesses?"  Colney and I have a great catch-up.  He tells me how he stays fresh in his demanding ministry in Odisha by revisiting his home state of Mizoram for a month when needed.  We pray about the evangelist team that operates on the front line in the villages.

Mark's church in Switzerland has produced a film on community 'Living in Community', and Jesus Fellowship has over-dubbed English.  It's the third time that I've watched it, and it gets better with reflection.  We'd like to get this, and the new Multiply DVD - with subtitles - translated for our international partners. 

Claire has done a presentation on the intern and leadership hosting schemes.  We have Home Office certification to have folks over for up to six months to give them experience of community, our business group, Jesus Centres and church ministry.  The international guys will have to find candidates who can successfully apply for visas, and that's increasingly difficult in today's immigration-sensitive environment.  Having leaders over for a couple of weeks will probably prove more viable.  Of course, we have to ask, "Why aren't we doing this the other way round, too?"  Desmond suggests that I teach in his bible school in Sierra Leone for a fortnight!  Simeon invites us to north Nigeria to learn some lessons on winning against or winning over your enemies.  We're enthralled by his account of his challenges, but discrimination laws probably prevent me from relating much more! 

Straight after lunch, our international exec meets.  This is the point where we bring together the UK's desire to help, and the overseas partners assessment of priorities.  It's a great exercise in brotherhood, and ensures Multiply doesn't lapse into 'bible colonialism'.  The proposals are radical.  First they want to push forward income-earning businesses so we (the UK end) don't have to keep pumping in annual funds.  This is very adventurous, but won't be brought about overnight.  Second, they propose that we can save costs by trimming the bigger MILC conference next year so each leader just has two or three travelling key companions.  They also want us to trim the number of team members when we visit.  This will go hand-in-hand with a different approach for our younger contingent to visit (sort of reverse internship), so we don't lose this benefit.

We join the remainder of the group for a general discussion on this feedback.  Can we send someone with the necessary skills overseas to identify viable business opportunities?  Can we see if some existing business activities can transplant overseas?  Can we assemble local folks in the Multiply regions to see what initiatives they can generate?  The options are extensive: Ed feels deluged, because he's seen as the key player.  Mark reminds us that Multiply came together because we were motivated towards this kind of dimension of God's kingdom.  Christiaan agrees that he has learnt a lot.  Huw agrees that next year's MILC will benefit from more focus, and the chance to save some expenses will work well to make the best of our squeezed budget.

Piet speaks of 'being part of each other' (as Jesus teaches in John chapter 13).  We fetch bowls and towels and wash one-anothers' feet, and then share bread and wine.  The guys take some final photos, and head for their transport.  I look with dismay at the unread emails, missed calls and voice messages on my phone.  Catching up with 'normal' life will be a stretch.

AMEN Conference 2015 Day 3 - Wednesday

An early start, because this is our day away.  Piet drives the minibus from Cornhill, and we head for the Elim Conference Centre and Regents College Campus in West Malvern.  Mick has arranged the day, thanks to his friend Nigel Tween, who spoke at a Leaders Day event a couple of years ago before moving on from his role as Director of Training. 

We're fortunate to be hosted by John Glass, Elim's General Superintendent.  He 'retires' next year after 16 years, to take up the chair of the UK Evangelical Alliance.  However, it's apparent from the start that titles and status mean little to him.  Elim has churches in some forty countries, and the Malvern complex, set in beautiful countryside, became their headquarters about five years ago.

John explained the hundred-year history of the movement, and how they have experienced growth, impending decline and then recovery.  The story is narrated in their centenary book 'Defining Moments'.  It includes many examples of God's leading and many dedicated folks' sacrifice.  In response to our questions, he unpacked the challenges that Elim faces today.  "we're not in a post-Christian culture, but a pre-Christian one, because most people haven't experienced real faith."  

When we break for lunch, we share the facilities with the students and members of staff.  Then we head into the grounds and around the main buildings to get some flavour of the whole operation.  John's role is distinctly spiritual direction: he leaves the substantial 'structural' supervision to his able team. 

In the afternoon, John speaks of Elim's DNA - the way they select and train people, uphold pastoral standards, keep vital values alive and release initiative.  A 'platinum' system of pastoral care - Refuel - supports their 600 UK ministers, and John speaks of their warm partnership with Assembles of God (AOG).  He lectures in the final-year Ministry track of their degree course, and gives us a sample of the content from his own book 'Growing Bigger People'. 

Huw asks about changing church cultures, and John speaks of the blessing Jacob spoke to his son Joseph (Genesis chapter 49): resilience and vitality despite opposition, with an account of his own experience.     We're very grateful for the exclusive attention we have received.  The day has not disappointed, and we bless John for his own challenges ahead.

Returning on the minibus we are thoughtful.  Desmond has a lot of things to share with us tomorrow, arising from the guys' get-together yesterday.  Today has created a bigger perspective for our discussions.  On Friday I have arranged two meetings to progress the planned international visits.  Walking back from Cornhill, I call in at the marquee, getting set up for the Weekend Festival.  John's words stay with me: "No weapon formed against you can prosper.  But if you're enthusiastic for victory, you have to be equally prepared for battle".





Off to the seaside

AMEN Conference 2015 Day 2 - Tuesday

I apologised to Chris Fatherheart that I'd been stuck in the bedroom catching up with admin and doing yesterday's blog.  Today's challenge: to walk to Living Stones, as I'd excused my presence at the Farm for its central location between the places we'd be meeting during the AMEN week programme.  Well it was either an early morning walk and then return after lunch, or a jog this afternoon. 

Two minutes before I arrived, Claire rang: "Are you coming today?"  Wouldn't you know.  Then, remarkably, Mark and Christiaan arrived after me.  "Two Swiss guys: late!" went up the chorus.  "Ah, but it was an African driving the car," Desmond confessed, laughing.

Matthew and Mark had joined us from Kings Church, Medway.  Matthew was due to give the morning's inspiration.  He made a great job of it, taking his full allotted two hours speaking on apostolic administration, and fielding questions afterwards.  He pointed out that 'ruling/managing', in broadest terms, stretches from God's instruction to Adam in Genesis chapter 1, to the gift empowered by the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians chapter 12, and on to the eternal destiny of the saints (Revelation chapters 5, 20, 22).  So, we'd better get into this purpose of God.  He sprinkled his teaching with examples from bible characters (Joseph, Daniel, Paul) and Kings Church's own ministry.

Shortly he goes to Brazil, linking up with Desmond to formally commission the new Multiply group.  And we'll see him sharing the leadership of 11 July London Day.

Kelly and his team talked about the new planting in Milton Keynes and the fathering and release that was involved.  The Living Stones group are ahead of any other part of our church in pioneering this way.

Over lunch, I cornered Gregory about conference arrangements for August's East Africa visit.  Ed has confirmed that the container of donated goods will ship on 27 May - putting pressure on our priorities.  A couple of the team will need to check out international driving for the minibus journey overland to Uganda, too.

The international guys were scheduled to spend the afternoon together, to agree matters of their concern, reporting back later in the week.  I chose the canal towpath for the walk back.  It was great, until the heavens opened and a heavy hailstorm broke.  Mercifully, Claire had her oil-filled radiator at full blast when I dripped my way into Central Office.

Huw was around, too, so we compared notes on AMEN progress so far.  On Saturday Steven had prayed about shaking together our hearts, minds and spirits.  Yes, it's been meaty stuff, and we're only half way through.

AMEN 2015 Conference Day 1 - Monday

Rain, and my phone forecasts it for the rest of the week.  So it looks like the marquee's going up in the wet, and the Bank Holiday weekend will get muddy. 

I nipped round the fifty yards from the Farm House to Central Office dodging the showers.  In the main reception our African AMEN guys were gathered to be kitted out with warm red fleeces and knitted beanies.  The flame patterns suggested these are Jesus Fellowship's equivalent of bishops' mitres. 

In the Farm lounge the complement was made up with Mark and Christiaan from Switzerland and Colney from India.   Each of the guys gave a review of the last year.  Desmond was freshly returned from western Brazil.  There, together with Paulo who joined us at last year's conference, he'd commissioned a new Multiply group.   We new face the challenge of translating our material into Portuguese.  Steven added to Saturday's brief update by mentioning that he'd been contacted from Mozambique, Angola and South Africa.  Matthew had similarly been contacted from Togo, Cameroon and Benin, as well as progressing the established group in Ghana.

Colney is quietly unassuming, with a remarkable track record.  Last autumn he heard that the Hindu celebrations in Nepal involved sacrificing 250,000 cattle.  He'd been gripped with urgency to visit or somehow mobilise prayer.  The two recent earthquakes have created an unparallelled opening for the gospel, though pastors are now desperate for even two sheets of corrugated iron to replace roofs.  He also said the that our gifts of video cameras and supporting IT kit resulted in his boys at the orphanage in Cuttack getting distinctions in their school certificates. 

Pete, head of our pastoral department, spoke at some length about the need for Multiply to show excellence in safeguarding matters.  Here's an area where we can help other groups to achieve a balanced practise through accountability in the network and with proper training.  Next, Ed encouraged excellence in our practical projects, particularly by better planning and preparation.

By lunchtime the sun had broken through, and woolly hats came off.    Relief for the tent team, too.

A bunch of our younger folks assembled to share their experiences of projects connected with the international visits.  Claire got excited at the prospect of a 'reverse' internship, where UK folks do six months with the partner churches, rather than us hosting their delegates.  It certainly seems that a month is a better timescale for visits.

Mark and Piet rounded off the updates on the last year in Europe.  They were passionate for the radicality of brotherhood in the face of one-dimensional church life.  Radical sharing of and obedience to the word of God, not 'reason' or disappointments, was a recurring theme during the day.  It's remarkable how this AMEN group has come to a place of deep trust, courageous speaking and wise exchange in our varied church-building ministries.  God always has more.

AMEN gets rolling

I was glad to find we were blessed with sunshine on Saturday mid-morning when Rukundo and Steven appeared.  With Mary, we headed off from Cornerstone to Cornhill.  The conversation turned to rhubarb (the produce, not a metaphor).  "Would you eat it?" I asked Steven.  He wriggled.  "Ah, you'd wouldn't mind being told that you had, once you'd safely digested it?"  I prompted.  He laughed.  "Remember you asked me if I'd ever eaten bush meat?  It's about the same..."  The topic of 'gun meat' arose when we teased Rukundo about Steph's dog.  He'd rankled that an apple core was wasted on a animal.

Lunch at Cornhill was pizza, followed by rhubarb crumble and custard.

Ed arrived, then Claire, and soon the Tudor room was filling up.  We'd invited the intended teams for our two visits: Kenya in August and Rwanda next March.  The welcome Reception was part of their familiarisation.  A phone call from Oxford confirmed that Gregory would be a bit late.  They'd only picked him up from Heathrow mid-morning.  Matthew and Simeon from Nigeria arrived, and folks were chatting freely.

We'll planned to let each of the international guys share something for no more that ten minutes.  Then we would give a quick update on Multiply UK and Europe.

The problem of Boko Haram is clearly in the consciousness of the church in Nigeria.  Simeon is based in the north, and Kelly described him as the bravest man he knows.  Pastors are finding it timely to link together in Multiply's regional 'chapters'.  Rukundo, too has been putting himself at risk, holding prayer conferences in North and South Kivu, DRC.  This is where the M23 rebels are operating - sometimes with the churches' unintentional shielding.  He wants to avoid tribal difference from descending into more bloodshed, prompted by his tragic experience in Rwanda.  Steven described how our UK team visit last year has produced ripples of interest in Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania.  By the time Gregory spoke, the atmosphere was hushed.  He spoke of being hopeful for good progress in Uganda. 

After a tea break, it was Jesus Fellowship's turn to bat.  Each of the guys from Africa had managed to stay within the allotted ten minutes!  Piet talked about his visit to Moldova and the massive impression it had made on him.  Paul Poz explained that he's due to see Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali, and then Andy Flannagan in the Houses of Parliament for an article on Christians in public life.  Ed filled in some background to our (hopefully more effective) approach to practical projects, and Claire on the current Multiply admin arrangements.  We rounded off with Hilary's inspiring account of how we have had donated to us 18 new sewing machines for August's trip.

I noticed the deep conversations around the room.  Mary and I were due to stay in Coventry in the evening, and the Cornerstone saints would be collecting Rukundo and Steven after tea.  The Kings-in-Coventry has waited til we arrived before eating.  There, on the kitchen table, was a delicious rhubarb crumble. 

May 2015 and AMEN comes round again

I must have been slow off the mark when the Multiply planning team chose to hold a meeting in the office that I share.  My name appeared on the minutes, and I was co-opted into the monthly agenda.  Or maybe it was my mild protest when Huw said we wouldn't be holding an event on the opening Saturday of the Conference week, even though that was the focal point in the Church diary.  "You can't do that, Huw.  The guys will have travelled here with that date in mind.  Ed and I will be happy to sponsor an informal Welcome/Reception event for them." 

Apostolic Men Empowering the Nations is our catchy title for the main leaders of the International Network.  They each operate in clutch of countries.  Regular readers of this blog will have met Gregory (Kenya), Steven (Zambia) and Rukundo (Rwanda) from my trips to East Africa, and Colney from India.

I usually stay at Kings House throughout the week's deliberations.  But the saints there moved to Coventry in April.  This year I'm toggling my time between Kings-in-Coventry and the Farm.  But the story starts at Cornerstone in Birmingham.  I'd planned to stay one night en route to a family Trust get-together in Cheltenham.  This AGM fulfills the legalities surrounding Mary's aunt's inheritance money, which got invested in a tax-efficient pot that can't be touched for twenty years. 

"Rukundo arrives at Birmingham at 9am," Mick announced after Thursday tea.  "And Steven's landing at Heathrow at 6am.  So we'll have them both here tomorrow."  'Tomorrow' Mary was catching a train from Sheffield, and Mick and I would collect her from Cheltenham station. 

Friday morning, just as I greeted Rukundo with an unpolished "Habari ya asubuhi", Mary texted to say the train was an hour late leaving.  No matter, Mick and I headed down the M5 as planned, and parked near the Italian eatery that Tony proposed for lunch. 

Actually, it was worse than that.  Mary booked her journey with our common purse pre-paid 'plastic', and only collected the sales receipt - not her tickets - from the station machine.  She'd nearly been thrown off the train, and had had to fork out an extra £16 to get from Birmingham New Street.  It wasn't for the first time this week that I commented, "We seem to be battling with the 21st Century and losing."  Maybe my 70th birthday on Tuesday made me uncustomarily defeatist.  I'd just loaded a forkful of Penne al Gianni when Mary rang to say she'd arrived.  Then the frustration of Cheltenham's one-way system.

Later, back at Cornerstone, Steven had arrived.  We sat together for tea.  Rukundo declined to give Steph's guide-dog his apple core.  Ah, cultural tides.  We chatted about Tanzania, the current political unrest in Burundi and children's school books.  Then the household gathered for their weekly prayer time.  They were keen that Saturday afternoon's 'bluebell barbecue' should go well.  I made a mental note to book the four of us in for lunch at Cornhill, ahead of the planned Reception.  After their overnight flights, the guys headed gratefully for an early night in bed. 

Off to the seaside

"We didn't go anywhere together as a house family, last year," Harriet scolded. "Please can we, this summer?"   She was right.  But the trouble was that every Saturday seemed to be booked up with weddings or Jesus Centre events. 

We found a compromise.  Mary and I were due to be in Liverpool, so if everyone headed west for the coast - instead of east as we usually aim - then we could arrange something.  Jack's idea of a day out consists of canoeing, cricket and digging up sand.  Steven's involves an art gallery or museum and nice coffee shops.  Hoping to broker some sort of compromise, I suggested, "Southport has a lot going for it."  The weather forecast predicted rain and low temperatures.

Barrie's orders were that transport should leave at 8.30am.  This meant that Mary got up at 6.00 to fill flasks, while other saints whiffled downstairs at 20 past 8 to start looking for breakfast.  No matter: habits differ.  We set our satnavs for The Atkinson, Lord Street, and headed off.  It proved to be a convoluted route.  In fact, there's no direct route - say a decent dual carriageway - from Sheffield to anywhere.  Oh, except Rotherham and Chesterfield.  I rest my case.  Powerhouse of the North?

Mary and calculated that we'd arrived first, despite rain and cloud on top of the Snake Pass.  So we explored the sea front for picnicing potential, and then parked next to Debenhams to use the (impressive) toilets.  Ian, in Liverpool rang me about Lois, who, having spent the week there, planned to join us.  He announced that he could arrange no lift for her, and a train was the only option.  Then Jack rang Mary.  "Nothing here but a stretch of mud.  Andrzej and Sharron want to go to Formby."  "Tell him to let Barrie know, and confirm with me, asap, 'cos of Lois," I snapped. 

Barrie banged on the car window.  "I've lost Ray and Malcolm.  They got out at Sainsbury's car park to use the toilet, and then disappeared."  "Jack and Andrzej are saying 'Formby'," I replied.  "I know.  What a flippin' game."  He disappeared.  'Meet at the Crispy Cod, Queens Street.' read Jack's text.  I contacted Ian to divert Lois - just in the nick of time, it emerged.

The proprietor seemed somewhat shaken by 16 separate orders fired at him, as four waves of passengers clamoured through the door.  By 12.30 we'd parked up at Life Boat Sands ("no toilets" muttered Jack), and were picking at our chips and mushy peas with plastic forks.  At the final mouthful Lois texted to say she'd arrived.  Mary and I headed off to locate the station carpark.  You'd think it would be easy.  You'd think that this popular little spot, attractively accessible to Merseyside's multitudes, would signpost the station's whereabouts and direct you smoothly to pick up visiting friends.  No chance.  Wearily we got back to the beach much later, having driven straight past the Crispy Cod and Lois's lunch.  Five hours since we left home.  I fell asleep. 

The sands, including dunes, offered a little compensation.  Lil and Ray took their electric trucks over the boardwalk right up to the tide line.  Our happy party huddled in the wind - tempered by some welcome sunshine.  Jack and Mary dug in the sand with the kids.  Steven found that he enjoyed joining in the cricket.  Titus exercised his recently-developed swimming skills.  Lil flew a kite.  Ray scowled from behind a blanket like Grandma in the Giles cartoons.  Gormley's iron men remained out of sight, but Malcolm rehearsed details of his exhibition at The Baltic.  Andrzej and Sharron disappeared for a walk.  Harriet changed the kids' wet clothes for the third time, and handed round flapjack.  Barrie relaxed.  Lois reminded Mary about her luggage again.  We were all doing our bit.

But, even happy days come to a close.  Mary and I duly headed for Lighthouse in Liverpool, and everyone else headed for petrol stations and toilets.  "Did you see the red squirrels?" Ian enquired at Lighthouse.  "We saw stonechats..." I tried, hopefully.  Ah well, maybe another time.