The preacher, Andy Wheeler, from St. Saviour's, Guildford, and with long experience in ministry in Africa, spoke of the way in which those ordained, and the Christian community in the West, are at the margins of the growth and expansion of the global Church. While exciting growth and expansion happens in Asia, Africa and South America, we are often struggling. But the Bible has encouragement for us.
One of the texts for his sermon came from Luke's account of the first African convert to Christ. ' As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, “Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.” So he started out, and he met the treasurer of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under the Kandake, the queen of Ethiopia. The eunuch had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and he was now returning. Seated in his carriage, he was reading aloud from the book of the prophet Isaiah.(Acts 8.26-28)
Philip's obedient action led him to a man on the margins, in whose heart God had been working. At first sight, a single man in a carriage in the desert did not look a likely place to share the Good News of Jesus. But Philip asked a question - 'Do you understand what you are reading? - and had a chance to explain about Jesus, and the man was baptised, and went on his way rejoicing.
All of us will meet people today, who may be at the margins of faith. Just as Jesus commissioned his first followers, ' Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves.' (Luke 10.3) - so he commissions us.
If we learn to respond in obedience to the nudge of the Lord, we too will find ourselves on the margins, with those in whom the Lord is already working. Then, we too will have the joy of seeing the Lord at work, as lives are turned round.
Please remember to pray for Daniel and his family at this exciting time.
Best wishes,
Richard
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