Prayer Letter
January 2001
Praying for Crisis Centre Ministries,
its work, staff and
clients
in the context of Bristol's inner city
areas.
BRIDGEHEAD CHURCH
Starting 17 January, Bridgehead will be meeting every Wednesday
evening from 8 to 9 pm. Your prayers during October, November and
December when Bridgehead met monthly were such an encouragement to
us. Please continue to pray: we want to provide something which is
welcoming and friendly, so that those who come will feel relaxed and comfortable - at the same time it's evangelistic, aiming to provoke a response and introduce people to Jesus. We are involving as many different churches in the city as are willing to participate - and so far have received a good response to invitations we have given.
There are a number of people who have told us they want to come
and it would be brilliant to see a group form. There are also
often times when people are walking past and come in because they
wonder what's happening, or just find themselves in the Centre
without knowing why.
Please continue to pray - for fruitfulness, for people to come
to know Jesus . . . . and for the team leading this aspect of the
ministry (Trudie, Andy and Gill)
COFFEE SHOP
Thank you for your prayers regarding the appointment of a
Project Manager for the shop. Anne White has been appointed, and
she is due to take up that role on 1 February. This is a position
which is very significant to the operation and development of the
ministry. Please pray for Anne as she joins the team.
We would also appreciate your prayers for the volunteers: that
we will be able to provide opportunities for them to be encouraged
and develop their gifts and abilities and to be extended in their
relationship and walk with God.
The complicated lives of our clients can be quite a challenge
for our staff, and we need so much wisdom and understanding, love
and patience. We want to be continually working with God in what
we are doing, and to be able to see what God is doing in people's
lives. It would be so easy to be drawn by 'blind compassion' and become 'drowned' in the need; we would rather see where we can be effective, what God does want of us, where we can refer on to someone else and where we need to be alongside someone as they struggle with their issues.
LITE
Andy is encouraged by the response of some of the trainees on
the present course. It continues to be the case that, when
trainees do come, their response is good and they engage with the
teaching material and activities. However, because of the chaotic
lifestyles of those to whom this course is geared, consistency of attendance is an ongoing frustration. We would appreciate your prayers regarding this; it would be very good news to be able to help trainees to be more consistent.
Please also pray for appropriate help for Andy
(volunteers/assistant), contacts with relevant resources (eg. for
work experience placements, organisations who refer trainees to us
etc.) and future funding (quite a critical aspect as the present
funding stops at the end of March this year).
STAFF ETC
Council of Management - Anni, Richard, Martin, Barry, Sue, Ann,
Arkle, George
Derek - Director
Paul - General Manager
Andy, Trudie - Project Managers - with Anne joining the team in February
Dik - Support Worker
Jayne - Team Leader
And our many volunteers
CLIENTS
(names changed to protect identity)
Karl - has responded to God, but continues to struggle with
issues in his life (drink, drugs, relationships)
Marvin - came to know God many years ago but has wandered off
and is back using drugs. Regularly uses our Centre. Be brilliant
for him to come to God again.
Ben is a Christian and uses the Centre regularly. There are
issues he is facing in his life which are complicated and we would
really like to respond wisely.
Sam is doing really well - in church, in college and aiming
towards work.
Greg is a pleasant man, generally open to life's experiences
and fascinated by things mystical. He is exploring ways forward
for himself - be good if he came to know God!
'K'. In December I asked you to pray that he'd settle in
church. He's still there!
Tony - mentioned in the December letter. Has completed the
course in Dudley, had a brilliant time in India and is very
excited about God. Now looking to his future.
Dave - suffers with bouts of depression after having come off
drugs. Has heard the Gospel but as yet has not responded. Please
pray that he will see God as the real answer to his life's
problems.
Steve is a young man who has been addicted to drugs and is
presently making efforts to change his lifestyle. He's a bit of a
challenge because of his restlessness (hyper-activity).
Trudie Lane
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