English Ministry

When sitting down to compose this Annual Report, it has given me an opportunity to reflect on what God has been doing in the English Ministry (EM) over the past twelve months. Much has happened over that time. We have had to face various challenges, both individually and as a congregation/church: whether it be multiple COVID cases over several months, loss of loved ones, financial stress, or even challenges in various ministry areas. We have also had several moments of joy: first-time confessions of faith, new people joining MES, people growing in their personal relationship with God, additional people stepping up to serve in much-needed areas, etc. I am encouraged by the fact that God is the One Who is continuing to achieve His perfect purposes in both the challenges and the joys we have faced (cf. Romans 8:28-29) over the past twelve months.

I have appreciated the opportunity to continue to grow and develop as a pastor over the past twelve months (indeed, the past six years). It has been a privilege to catch up with people, whether as individuals or in a small group. I love encouraging people to explore what it means to be a follower of Jesus, and to take seriously His claim to be King of the Universe. It has been challenging, yet also rewarding, to sit beside people when they grieve, and to point them to the hope we have in Jesus. I am thankful for those who want to catch up to strengthen their walk with God, and who manage to “sharpen” me in the process (Proverbs 27:17). I am also thankful for those who have been willing to trust me enough to open up about some of the challenges they are facing in their Christian journey.

I am thankful for all God has been doing in the various ministries associated with the EM (please see the reports below). I am thankful that people are returning to MES in-person, that new people are joining our MES family, and others are returning after a reasonable absence. I am also thankful that some people who are unable to join us in-person (for various reasons) continue to have the opportunity to join us via livestream or delayed viewing each Sunday.

I am also thankful that the EM Committee have been able to commence a review of how we can more effectively be an EM that has discipleship at the heart of all we do together as a community of believers. We have spent the past few months understanding the five key convictions about discipleship (Why make disciples/What is a disciple/How are disciples made/Who makes disciples/Where are disciples made). In the next twelve months, we will assess how that looks in the EM, and how to continue to develop this as foundational in “the way we do things around here”.

I am also trusting that God will provide His person as Youth Pastor in His perfect timing, as this is an incredibly strategic ministry, not just for the EM, but for the whole of NSCAC.

I am thankful that God has raised up several leaders who give generously of their time across the various areas of the English Ministry. Even though some leaders have needed to step down over the past twelve months, God has raised up additional individuals to step in where required. I pray that God will continue to raise up even more leaders, in order that the English Ministry may continue to grow and glorify God.

I want to thank everyone that has volunteered to serve over the past twelve months, across all areas of ministry. The English Ministry (and the church) is unable to grow effectively without people generously giving of their time and energy to serve others within the church. To avoid the possibility of leaving out anyone, I will mention the areas of service here (in alphabetical order, as there is no favouritism):

• EM Cell Group leaders
• EM Committee/Vine Project team
• EM Ladies group team
• LIFT leaders
• MES Bible readers
• MES bulletin team
• MES Camp team
• MES Committee
• MES IT/AV/Livestream team
• MES Music team
• MES Outreach planning team
• MES Service leaders
• MES Welcoming team/ushers
• NSY leaders

I also want to thank those who have served “behind the scenes”, either in a voluntary capacity, or to support those on the front line.

As we enter our 35^th year as NSCAC, I continue to be excited by what God plans to do in the English Ministry. I continue to echo Paul’s prayer for the Philippian church (as recorded in Philippians 1:9-11) for each individual in the English Ministry, and each individual in NSCAC:  

⁹ And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, ¹⁰ so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, ¹¹ filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

In Him

Rev. Andrew Tibbs