Dear Friends,
Back in September I encouraged you to consider coming to CMS Summer School for five reasons. As the week draws to a close, let me tell you what you missed…
- Great passionate Bible teaching. William Taylor from St Helen’s Bishopsgate in London has unpacked God’s promises to Abraham in Genesis 12-24. It has been stunningly challenging to think on God’s incredible sovereign love for the world and his call that we might be willing to live for him. Download the talks from the CMS website – you will be thankful you did.
- Growing understanding of world mission and evangelism. CMS send missionaries around the world and each day we have heard their stories and learnt from their insights into world mission. Today Nathanael and I attended a seminar on Bible Story Telling and the unique way that in many cultures the telling of stories gives you the chance to bring Jesus easily into a conversation. I am going to try it out in Campbelltown soon.
- Catch up with missionaries. During the conference there are opportunities to speak to, meet and catch up with “real missionaries”. On a three year cycle, all of our church’s link missionaries attend and you are able to hear more of their work. Neither Karen Darda or the Clarks are here this year, but many others are and hearing the joy and sorrows of their work in the world has been a delight and a cause for prayer.
- Great children’s program. More than 1300 kids attend summer school and they are all catered for in age specific programs (Babies to Year 12) that are awesome. I am involved in registration for the high school kids and each day hundreds have come to learn and grow and be shaped by Jesus. Our kids have loved CMSSS every year, including this year.
- Rest. The program runs 9am-12.30pm and 7-8.45pm every day. While there are some activities on, we have used the afternoons to catch up with friends and enjoy time with the kids. Yesterday we had 11 teenagers at our place playing Family Feud. Their laughs were matched by their seriousness as they sat under a tree and prayed for each other after dinner. What a great blessing.
Choosing to come to CMS Summer School will be one of the best decisions you make. In 2018, it starts on Saturday January 6. I’d love you to join us. You will not be disappointed!
In Christ
Nigel