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  • November 30, 1999

Archives For November 30, 1999

Pin trading, fish & chips, and one red phone booth

Meredith Flynn —  July 26, 2012

OLYMPICS | Serena Butler

Even before the Olympics bring thousands of people from around the world to London, it seems as though the world has already arrived here. During our second day of orientation, we learned about the city’s diverse population:

  • 12-14 million people in the greater London area
  • More than 300 languages spoken in the public schools here
  • Less than 10% of Londoners are in church on any given Sunday

You can’t see them, but there are 21 other Americans waiting to take a picture in this phone booth.

We also got a lesson in pin trading, a major Olympic past-time. It’s also an outreach tool used to share the Gospel. We each received some pins to give away, and had an opportunity to purchase pins from past Olympics to help us start conversations with people we’ll meet.

To end the day, we had a traditional English dinner – fish and chips- in St. Margarets, the town where we’re staying. Then we “took a wander” down the main street, enjoying the quaint homes. We found a phone booth and each team member took a turn posing in it. We drew several onlookers. I’m sure it was quite a site to see 22 Americans all excited about one phone booth. As we strolled along, several people asked us why we’re here. We had the chance to tell them we’re here for the Olympics and are working with some churches in the area.

Up next: Heading into the city to meet our host churches and being the ministry part of our trip. We’re excited and ready to get started!

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London Calling!

Meredith Flynn —  July 25, 2012

OLYMPICS | Serena Butler

Editor’s note: IBSA’s Serena Butler is leading a mission team in London this week to help local churches there minister during the Summer Olympic Games, which start Friday. They’ll work in coffee houses hosted by the churches for Londoners and visitors to watch the Games, grab a bite to eat, and engage in conversation with people from around the world. Serena will post regular updates here, so be sure to check back frequently and also visit IBSA.org/Olympics for more from London.

We had a miraculously smooth entry into London –
even with all our luggage.

When I called my mom before we left for London, I said, “Maybe all our flights will be on time and all our luggage will arrive on time.” She said, “That would be a miracle.”

Well, Mom, miracles still happen! We all arrived safely – actually early – into Heathrow International Airport Tuesday morning. We breezed through passport control, found our luggage, and made our way through customs without a hitch. When we came into the main terminal of the airport, there were Olympic volunteers everywhere waiting to greet teams and media people. As we waited for our mini-bus to arrive to take us to our lodging, several folks asked us who we were and what we were doing. Some asked us what sports team we were. I’m not sure what kind of team we look like, but it started some conversations as we waited.

Nelda Smothers, our senior team member, quickly started a conversation with one of the volunteers. As I approached her, I could hear her saying things like, “It’s about a relationship, not a religion.” She learned that the gentleman’s wife attends a church in the Kings Cross area, where half of our team will be serving. As we spoke to a few others they and we explained what we would be doing, one said, “I might just pop in for some coffee at your coffee house one afternoon.” (You need to say that last sentence with your best Mary Poppins impression).

Meeting the Norwegian handball team.
Go Norway! But what is handball?

As we waited outside for our ride, the Norwegian handball team arrived, and our team took advantage of the opportunity to take some photos with some real Olympians. Then, it was time to board our coach and head to All Nations, the Christian college where we’re staying this week. It’s housed in an old manor once owned by friends of William Wilberforce. If you saw that movie “Amazing Grace” that name should ring a bell. The college is a training school for missions. It has lovely gardens and is very nice – and very English.

Our lodging for the week.

Tuesday evening, we had our first orientation session, joining about 200 other volunteers from around the globe. I met Dirk, a young man from Germany, who’s here in London because, in his words, “I attended the Barcelona Games as an atheist and I was introduced to the Gospel by a street preacher there. That is where I began my search for God.” Now he is here, as a believer, to share the Gospel with others. He was raised in East Germany, under communism, so Barcelona was the first time he had heard the Gospel. Those are the kinds of opportunities we’re praying for this week.

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Why prayer is an essential part of missions

Meredith Flynn —  July 5, 2012

COMMENTARY | Jay Ingram

As a former Journeyman missionary with the International Mission Board, I’ve had numerous people ask me, “What do week-long mission trips actually accomplish?” Well, if they are preceded and followed up with a long-term strategic prayer partnership, then a lot!

As I traveled to preach the gospel in Asian villages for two years, I can testify that my most fruitful time on the mission field was when my stateside prayer advocates were specifically praying for me that day or week (and they did this for two years).

Oftentimes, we fail to see the essential-ness of prayer in our daily lives. Maybe that’s why we reserve prayer to a formality in the church parking lot before the bus leaves or the Sunday before the trip. But once the trip over, what will we do to further the ministry? The unfortunate reality is that many mission teams and churches do not continue to pray for the ministry or locale to which they sent a mission team.

That’s why I propose that churches, small groups, and even families form strategic prayer partnerships with the ministry or communities with whom they will serve this summer.  People of all ages can be a practical part of this kind of ministry.

At Delta Church in Springfield, we have formed a partnership with the IMB’s Celtic Languages Team based in Wales. Since many people in our congregation won’t be able to participate in a mission trip to Wales, they remain a vital component of the partnership since they will be praying for the Holy Spirit to draw people to salvation.

Here are a few ways people in our church, and any congregation with a strategic prayer partnership, can stay involved:

1. Many missionaries and ministries send email updates each month or have prayer calendars. This is a great way to pray for urgent requests and long-term needs.

2. Current technology allows churches to connect live with missionaries from all over the world using Skype and other software. Use this opportunity to pray as an entire church for the missionary in real time.

3. Make examples.  If your church has partnered with NAMB or IMB missionaries, use their personal stories to promote the Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong Offerings. This will remind our churches that “real live” missionaries are using their offerings to preach the gospel all over the world and remind them to pray for these efforts.

Make strategic, focused prayer a vital element of your church’s missions projects and trips. Whether your mission team is traveling around the world or staying local, a prayer partnership will extend your efforts well beyond the summer.

Jay Ingram is a member of Delta Church in Springfield.

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