News, Praise & Prayer July 2010

News

Well it is just over one month until The first semester of CCBI starts, we have at this stage filled 15 of our 20 bed spaces  and hope the rest will fill up too.

As fantastic as it is, the cold hard reality of everything that has to be done is really setting in, there is an overwhelming amount to do and that is before you actual start thinking about preparation for teaching.

In the midst of this fantastic chaos, My heart has been exercised over something significant , a significant realisation, often in ministry we talk about servant hood, sometimes glibly, but the realisation that has struck my heart is this, you cant separate servant hood from sacrifice.

Let me explain, after a while, you try to be servant without it requiring sacrifice on your part, the giving of yourself, the denying of self. Though we try and justify or manipulate circumstances at the end of the day servant hood requires that we sacrifice in the giving  of  our selves and in the denying of self, though never easy or acceptable to our flesh, this is the way of the Master   Mark 10:45

Praise

• We have been offered a van for CCBI – so it looks like the Lord has provided for one of our most significant needs!
• Jake & Tecla have been granted their religious workers visas and will be arriving here in few days.
• One year after arriving we are still here – praise God for his faithfulness.
• For Jordan and Becki as they again serve at kids evangelical camp here at the ranch

Prayer

• Preparations for the arrival of Jake & Tecla – for their transition into ministry  here in New Zealand
• Josh has submitted his visa application, please pray that the Lord would open the door for  him to come and serve with us for the next year. Whitney is completing here medical paper work and will be submitting her visa application soon
• For strength as there is so  much to do before the semester starts
• For the students as they prepare to come , that their journey here would be smooth and there would be  no issue with Immigration.
• For the semester that it would be exactly what the Lord wants it to be and would bring Glory to His name.
• There remain significant financial needs both for the ministry and for us as a family. Please pray for the Lord provision in His way and His time, constantly fighting with finances is a reality but so often it really weighs upon our hearts. At the end of the day it is hard to do ministry without resources.
• For the practicalities here at Lakes ranch as the ranch steps with us in this venture of faith , that the Lord would bless them for their faithfulness.
• For spiritual protection, the enemy resists at every stage  but he is a defeated foe , Praise God!
• We have recently begun to talk to NZ Immigration about recognising CCBI , please pray that we be granted favour with the NZ government and that we would be connected  with the right people in the government,  in order to facilitate this recognition.
• We are making plans for a Calvary Chapel National Womens Conference, please pray for this as we begin  to plan and seek the Lord for what shape this should have.
• For Harvest with Greg Laurie in Auckland in August 13th – 14th

Probably in the last month I have cherished the gift of prayer more than at any other time in my life as believer, truly we have seen the Lord’s  hand as we have asked and so we are so grateful that you are willing to ask with us that He might glorify Himself in this region  and in this work.

In Him
Mark, Gwyn, Jordan & Rebekah

Becki ( now with an I) wants a puppy !

February & March News & Prayer

Just a quick, short but  hopefully enlightening up date

A Month of Travelling!

On the 3rd  March I begin travelling to share about the ministry here in New Zealand and look forward to connecting with as many of you as I can.

March 3rd – 9th  California

I will be visiting CCBC in Murrieta and I will be teaching the Sunday night service at CC Modesto.

March 10th – 14th  New Jersey

I will be fellowshipping with the saints on the east coast and leading worship for CC North Plainfield in their Sunday Morning service, before flying out to Hungry CCBCE for their speakers week.

March 15th – 20th Hungary

I will taking part as one of the guest speakers at  the speakers week of CCBCE in Vajta , alongside Pastor Ken Ortize and Pastor Bill Goodrich.

March 20th – 24th England

I will be teaching the morning service at Church on the Way, Bradford, before returning back to Hungary.

March 26th – 29th  Southern California

A quick stop off in So Cal to visit a last few people have an open house for our supporters and then head home for New Zealand, arriving back March 31st !!!!! in Auckland

CCBI – New Zealand & Capernwray

We are now one of the residential campuses worldwide that are fully affiliated with CCBC in Murrietta, we are currently taking admissions for the September semester. The website is fully updated with details of prices, classes and dates. Please keep us in prayer as we pioneer this work in this area of the Pacific Rim.
I have been invited to teach a series on worship at Capernwray Bible school, here inNew Zealand, I will teach the three part series at the Cambridge campus in April.

Prayer & Praise

• Please pray for safe traveling mercies, for the family as we  will spend the next month apart that God would just keep us all encouraged  in the  faith.
• Please pray for a fruitful time of ministry, speaking in so many different locations, for anointing and fruit.
• Praise for God’s continual blessing in the transition into the  ministry down here in New Zealand.
• Please pray for provision for all the needs over the next month , both for the family here at home and myself as I travel.
• That the Lord would raise up labourers to serve down here in the South Pacific Rim.

Thanks for all the prayers, love & care

M & G

Hi everyone.
Here are some  points for praise and prayer relating to the ministry here and  to our own family.

Family

Prayer

• For Jordan and Becky as they start in year 12 and years 9 here at Rotorua Lakes High School, that they may settle in and blossom in yet another transition, especially for Jordan as he enters the New Zealand school system for the first time, something he is looking forward to with great excitement and anticipation.
• For the Lord to continue to ground us here in New Zealand as we look forward into the new year to what He may have for us
• A friend Kelsey will be joining us here for 6 weeks, please pray that she would be blessed and encouraged by her time here in New Zealand.
• For health and safety -  and no more field trips to the ER

Praise

• For Gwyn’s successful surgery
• For the continuing healing of Becky’s arm and Mark’s wrist
• For God continuing provision for us here in New Zealand
• For the blessing of serving here at CC Rotorua and in worship and with  ladies studies at CC Hamilton.
• For Jordan’s and Becky’s place at Rotorua Lakes High school

Ministry

Prayer

• In light of the postponing of the inaugural semester of CCBI until September, please pray for God’s wisdom,  that He might unfold the work here in New Zealand as He chooses in His time.
• Please pray for encouragement, there  is obviously a degree of disappointment and discouragement in having to postpone the opening semester. 1 cor  15:58
• As we take the next  9 months to prepare the foundation and establish the school, I will need to travel more both within New Zealand  and outside New Zealand, Please pray for Gods wisdom in this season and His financial provision to meet the additional expenses of travelling.
• For Jake and Tecla as they prepare to submit their paperwork for a visa to serve here with the school.
• That the Lord would bring students from within  New Zealand and from wherever He chooses. There is great deal of interest here, but many are reticent to commit to coming to  a new school.
• For wisdom in direction, as we consider developing a distance learning option for those in New Zealand and the Pacific  Islands.
• Pray for continuing development of the leadership studies here in CC Rotorua.
• Pray for the worship team at CC Hamilton and CC Rotorua that we are working with, that we may be able to encourage and equip them to serve the Lord and the body in a way that pleases the Lord.
• There are numerous opportunities presenting themselves to teach throughout New Zealand, Please pray for wisdom to know how to use my time in the best way for the Kingdom.
• As we continue to look into facilitating the distribution of Christian books and materials here in New Zealand, please pray for wisdom to know how to proceed.

Praise

• The salvation of 13 kids who gave their hearts to the Lord at the most recent kids camp here at Lakes Ranch. Becky and Jordan were able to serve at the camp and were blessed by the time of ministry. Please pray for the establishing of these young lives in Christ.
• For God’s guidance  and provsion in relation to CCBI, we have recently been given computers and numerous resources to help establish the school.

Prayer and Praise  – November 2009

Ministry

Praise

Thanks be to the Lord for  continuing to establish us here in the ministry in New Zealand and the great people he has placed around us.
For the completion of the Wednesday night studies through the book of Nehemiah at CC Rotorua.
For God continuing  hand upon the ladies studies that Gwyn is helping out with at CC rotorua  and CC Hamilton.

Prayer

That the Lord would bring more students to CCBI, especially from the Pacific Rim.
That the Lord would provide for the practical needs of finance for the startup needs of the school.
Practical areas of need are two computers, Books for the library  and a vehicle to help with moving students, as we look to have weekend outreaches serving at some of the Calvary chapels here in New Zealand.
For the continuing ministry with the worship team and ladies studies here in CC Rotorua and in CC Hamilton.
For staff to help with admin and the various needs here at the school.
For Jake and Tecla, as they submit their application to NZ Immigration for a one year ministry visa, that this would be granted as the Lord wills.
For Mark as he travels extensively to cast the vision of the school and encourage the brethren, sharing at many of the Calvary chapels in New Zealand over the next month.
For Great vision, Great Perseverance, Great Courage and Great faith.   and GREAT FRUIT!!!!
For an Inheritence for Messiah in many nations – Psalm 2:8

Family

Praise

Thanks be to the Lord that we are still here and still walking.
For the Lord’s goodness and encouragement in placing great people around us.
For the Lord’s continuing provision for us.

Prayer

For wisdom regarding finances, and God’s continuing provision as we move into the Christmas Season and start thinking about university for Jordan
For our Mums back in England that they would be upheld by grace and that God would bless their health with us being so far away.

For Becky and Jordan as they finish the school year here in New Zealand and they face the transition to a new year and for Becky the transition to Rotorua Lakes High School (…and a blue uniform!!!)
For Gwyn as see seeks the Lord as to where to place her efforts and gifts in serving, that the Lord would guide her clearly.
For Jordan as he learns to drive
For Becky as she learns to stand for Christ in the world of High School.
A funny one (as in different !!!) I want to support the worship team here and so I am learning bass guitar, so if anyone has  bass guitar they would like to donate then I could really do with one, just if you have one lying around that you don’t need. Thanks – Mark!!!

Thank you for all your prayers and love, truly we wouldn’t be here without your faithful service to the Lord in prayer and giving, in all the ways that you do give.
We cannot express enough our thankfulness for your heart to serve the Lord.
Mark & Gwyn

Hi Everyone,

Once again we covet your prayers and praise The Lord for your faithfulness in standing with us in  this venture of faith.

Praise

• For a more permanent place to settle, we are renting  small apartment on Lakes Ranch here in Rotorua.
• For God’s continuing provision in meeting our daily needs.
• For completion of the Bible Institute web site, we are now ready to receive students !
• For my mums health , recent treatment has really relieved some of the pain from her arthritis.
• For Becky completing her first term at Mokoia Intermediate  and the way in which the Lord has aided her transition.
• For the ministry opportunities we have been presented with here at the Ranch, I had opportunity to share a study with the leaders for the youth camp here at the Ranch.
• For Jordan and Becky, as they serve as youth leaders for an evangelistic kids camp here at Lakes ranch

Prayer

Personal

• For Becky’s return to school for her last term  at Mokoia , before her transition to High School at Lakes High and that we would make wise decisions in this regard.
• For Jordan, in his schooling and future career decisions, for deep and special friendships to form.
• For Gwyn, there are some medical tests and procedures that she  needs to undergo, for peace and comfort.
• For Mark, not to be distracted from the work of the ministry, for peace and great faith and annointing.
• Finances are difficult for us and a concern, please pray for Lord’s continuing provision and  our contentment with where we are at financially.

Ministry

• That the Lord would draw students and send who He wishes to study at CCBI. Especially students from New Zealand and the Pacifc Rim region.
• For Jake, Tecla and Mel as they seek the Lord’s will and provision as they look to come and serve with us  for the start of the February semester.
• For Mark as he teaches at the New Zealand Pastors conference in October and that nationally the Calvary Chapels would be excited about the college.
• For the trip to Wellington in which Mark will share at several  locations concerning CCBI and that the Lord would spread and cast the vision for the Bible school.
• For protection over us and the ministry here in New Zealand.
• For the plans for accomodation for CCBI to come to fruition.
• For the replacement of the items stolen during the church  break in.

Praise

• For God’s faithfulness to us – we are still here after two months.
• For the safe arrival  of our container, it has passed its inspection, with no hassles and with no cost, even Gwyn’s baskets (bio hazard) , they just need to deliver it now – so we need a place to live !
• Becky’s smooth transition into school here in Rotorua.
• For the kindness and care of the fellowship of believers here in New Zealand.

Prayer

Personal

• That the Lord would continue look after our mums and family back in the UK
• A place to make home, a more permanent location for us to live, this one is certainly heavy on our hearts after being mobile since May 2009.
• Wisdom in regard to Jordan’s schooling here in New Zealand.
• The kids would begin and continue to develop real lasting and deep friendships.
• Finances, things are tight, but I think that is true for pretty much everyone these days, this is especially tricky in search for a place to rent.
• For constancy of heart to keep going.

Ministry

• A place to accommodate students.
• That the Lord would bring who He wants, to the school.
• For the right staff for the first semester.
• For the necessary finances to function in this venture of faith, as we set up the school here in Rotorua.
• For worship and Wednesday studies in Nehemiah.
• For Gwyn as she teaches at the Ladies fellowship on the evening of September 6th
• For the property under the church, after the fire the place is now vacant and would make a great coffee shop outreach centre, please ask for the Lord wisdom in this regard. It has been offered to us rent free for 6 months, we would just need to set it up and and the people to run it.
• For the believers in New Zealand to catch the vision for CCBI, as I travel and share about the school.

Praise

We arrived safely and are finally no longer living out of suitcases, we had blessed time in England and in the US.

We have managed to get a car and are mobile, which is great.

The Lord has provided a place at a small intermediate school for Becky to attend, which great .

We have been very warmly welcome by the church body here and been blessed in so many ways.

The Lord is beginning to put together a team to serve in the school

Prayer Requests

Becky as she goes to school here for the first time on the 20th July at Mokoia intermediate.

Registering Jordan for homeschooling.

As the ranch has no said no to the Bible school being on site, we need God’s place for the school , so please ask that the Lord would show us.

Financial provision for the school as we move toward its opening in February 2010.

Workers and co labourers for the ministry here in New Zealand and for the school.

Our shipping container would arrive safely in the next month without any hitches and additional customs charges.

The provision of  more permanent place to live, that we might have some where to put the stuff when it all arrives!

Our personal financial needs, as we look for  a place  to live and set up home here in New Zealand. (Practically, we need to raise about an  additional 1000 Usd per month)

We appreciate , desire and covet your prayers, thanks for co labouring guys

M & G

As it is a matter of just a few days until we start the final journey down to New Zealand , we would truly covet  your prayers.

Here are a few Prayer requests and Praise points:

Prayer

Please pray for:

- A  good transition as we leave everyone here and arrive in New Zealand.

- The mums who we leave behind , comfort for them as we leave to serve the Lord in NZ.

- That we would quickly settle on arrival.

- Practical things: we need to find a car, wisdom , provision and the right vehicle for ministry.

- The travelling, we have lots of luggage and please pray it gets there and there are no airport issues.

- Practical financial provision, there are quite significant needs financially concerned with the move and setting up the ministry in New Zealand.  That the Lord would  provide for our outstanding and future needs.

- For good strong friendships as we move to a new place.

- For a place to live after the first couple of months or so.

- That the next week in California would be refreshing and encouraging to the spirit.

- For our Hungarian Family who we miss dearly and the foundations conference starting June 22nd, big prayers please !!!

Praise

- We have had opportunity to see and say goodbye to so many people, though unfortunately not everyone.

-  The provision of a car to use whilst we have been here , without which we would have been  in great difficulty.

- A great time with our mums and close family

- That we were able ship all our stuff, it left today and hopefully we will see it again !

- That we had a place to store all our stuff prior to its shipping.

- The Lords provision for us whilst we have been here in England.

- The opportunity to minister at and be sent out once more, by our home church.

- Literally for everything and everyone, so many people have cared for us and helped us in so many ways.

Thanks M &  G

Praise

• Finishing well in our last semester
• For getting close to the end of packing up our house.
• A great send off from all the people we love here inVajta
• For all the help we have received in so many ways

Prayer

• That all the boxes would fit in the van for transport back to England.
• Our last graduation here at CCBCE in Vajta.
• Continued financial provision for the costs of the move.
• For our families as they see us move to New Zealand,
  that they would be comforted.
• For the time in England as we arrange shipping to New Zealand & say Goodbye
• For our transition into the ministry in New Zealand & all the practicalities we will have to sort out upon arrival .
• God to bring Ikea to New Zealand !!!! – smile

Praise

God has been before us, as HE promised in so many ways, here are just a few items for praise:

We have sold our car
We have a temporary place to live upon arrival in New Zealand for at least a month
Friends who are taking out belongings back to the UK
Accommodation for the US part of the journey to NZ
The Lord’s provision in meeting our flight costs to NZ
Someone to repair my guitar, whilst in the US for only 5 days
A new website for CCBINZ
 

Prayer

Some very practical things that need the Lords wisdom and provision.

   •  We need to organise the shipping of our belongings to New Zealand

        -  The financial costs associated with shipping.

   •  The provision of transport during our time in England.

        -  It would be great to be able to borrow or hire a car, this will make things much easier as we tie up things and say goodbye to family and friends.

The ongoing development of CCBINZ

        -  For the Lord to bring the right people into the team for CCBINZ, in particular someone with admin skills.

        -  For students

        -  A place for the school to be based.

   •  Currently we will be working out of the church building in Rotorua, it would be great to have a residential facility in which to have the school, either as a tenant or owner.

        -  For the financial needs of CCBINZ as we start to set up the school.

•  Everything – Things that we have forgotten and not even thought about , but are in the hand of our Heavenly Father