Last month, the vicar and worship leader Tim Hughes was astonished to discover he had been given an award by Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The PM’s ‘Points of Light’ prize was given in recognition of The UK Blessing – a viral video sensation that featured Christians from various denominations. 

In the citation, Johnson wrote how he had found Hughes’ “sensational singing masterpiece” to be “truly uplifting”, before praising the Birmingham-based pastor for bringing Christians together through the power of music. 

Given the latest Government advice , church on Sunday in Ty Sign Communty Hall is cancelled until further notice. 

• everyone in the UK is now being advised to avoid “non-essential” contact with others and “unnecessary” travel
• people are also being asked to work from home “where they possibly can”, and avoid pubs, clubs, theatres and social venues
• Everyone should avoid gatherings

However church very much continues to exist and meet together online.

One of the first Bible translators for the Aghem people in Cameroon has been murdered during an attack on his village. He is the second member of the team killed in recent months.

Benjamin Tem was one of the original cohort of trained translation workers on the Aghem Bible translation project. He helped his people to read and discover the life-changing message about Jesus; through his efforts many started studying the Bible in small groups, hearing God speak to them in their own language for the first time.

He died on the night of 20 October, during an attack in the village of Wum.

Wycliffe.org.uk

A new online bookstore on partnership with 10ofthose enabling new titles and much loved OM publications to become more widely available. By accessing 10ofthose through the OM website, 8% from every purchase will be donated into the global ministry of OM.

www.uk.om.org/books

Mental health issues can impact every area of your life if they’re left unaddressed. However, there are actually very few that can’t be treated or well managed.

Protecting your marriage is important when you face these challenges. Here are some tips that can make a difference:

Communication – face and learn about the issues together. Seeing a GP together is an essential first step. The more insight you both have, the better.

Encourage the ‘ill’ partner as they develop understanding into how their mental health issues affect them, and urge them to seek help when they struggle to motivate themselves.

Be careful that the ‘well’ partner doesn’t become a ‘therapist’. This can change the relationship in a marriage and result in the ‘well’ partner becoming resentful and exhausted.

Care For The Family https://www.careforthefamily.org.uk/family-life

Dr Ruth Valerio, Tearfund’s Global Advocacy and influencing director said, ‘We are calling for urgent action from four multinationals – Coca-Cola, Nestle, Pepsicola and Unilever.

The CEOs running these multinationals can no longer ignore the human cost of single-use plastics – fundemental changes to business models are urgently required’.

Tear Times Autumn 19

Following Jesus entails developing an intimate relationship with him. This is what elevates Christianity beyond all other religions, philosophies, and worldviews. Mark 3:14-15 says, ‘He appointed the twelve—designating them as apostles, that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority over demons’.

A closer look at this Scripture—‘that they might be with him’—reveals that endeavouring to do anything for Jesus is linked with desiring and developing a relationship with him.

Christianity in general and discipleship in particular is based on a relationship with Jesus, not on spiritual directions and rules. Once we decide to let him have control over our lives, he will show us the way and teach us. This entails all the directions we need as we deepen our relationship with him.

Isaiah M. Dau(excerpt) Lausanne Movement