UPDATE:
• Arrived in England July 15, 2008.
• Will be there for three weeks of camp, plus some strategy meetings toward Youth Leadership Summits in the Fall 2008 and into 2009.
PRAY FOR:
• Workers for Youth Leadership Summits
• That God’s will be accomplished
NEWSLETTER:
As I recently walked the busy streets of London, and also looked out over the spires of Oxford, home of one of the world’s finest universities, I was struck by the amazing visual evidence of the long, rich history that is very much part of British daily life – a history which is often taken for granted.
The same is unfortunately true of Christianity in Great Britain. From massive cathedrals towering over surrounding buildings to smaller parish churches occupying prominent locations in almost every town, the visual evidence of Christianity’s impact on England, and Europe in general, is obvious. However, what is not so evident is the fact that many of these churches stand virtually empty as interest in Christianity has dramatically diminished.
A recent survey revealed that over 40% of the British people believe that religion is not a force for good in society and that Christianity does not have an important role in public life.
Great Britain has become a post-Christian nation. Christianity made a tremendous impact through such people as Charles Spurgeon and John and Charles Wesley. But now, many would say that the days of Christianity are over in Great Britain. The visual presence of churches throughout the country are more a part of history in general and seemingly have little to do with the present, or the future.
Five major denominations in the United Kingdom have publicly stated that if things continue to decline at the present rate, they will be non-existent before the middle of this century. Countless towns and villages throughout the country do not have even one evangelical church. In the last 50 years, almost 50% of churches associated with these denominations have been closed and are now used for other purposes including apartments, and increasingly, mosques. Islam is now the fastest growing religion in the U.K., and if trends continue, within 20 years there will be more Muslims in Great Britain than Christians of any persuasion.
What should be our response as the body of Christ to this situation? Is there hope for a reigniting of the Christian fervor which was once a hallmark of this great nation?
The Scottish Reformer John Knox once said, “God, give me Scotland, or give me death.” His passion and faith was influential in changing Scotland from being one of the most “sinful, wicked and superstitious nations of all Europe” to becoming one “noted for its honesty, piety and morality centuries after his death.”
John Wesley once proclaimed: "Give me one hundred men who love only God with all their heart and hate only sin with all their heart and we will shake the gates of hell and bring in the kingdom of God in one generation." Wesley’s “Methodist” or “Holiness” movement changed not only England, but the United States as well.
One university student stated that, “God [and his church] is dead in Europe.” This diagnosis may seem like reality to her, but it is wrong. God is developing a new generation of spiritual leaders whose faith, like that of Spurgeon, Knox, and Wesley, can change cities and nations. We must believe God for the emergence of new leaders and new churches that can be a part of spreading God’s kingdom afresh throughout the United Kingdom.
I do not believe that God is finished with Great Britain. I have witnessed firsthand how God is changing lives through churches like Kindsmeade Baptist in Cannock, England, pastored by my good friend Damian Pickett.
Martin Young, pastor of Rising Brook Baptist Church in Stafford, England is encouraged by the fresh vision God is giving his church to make an impact in their local community and across the nation.
There is no question that reaching Great Britain with the gospel will be a difficult task. But it must be done! More and more missionaries, along with British pastors and youth leaders, are realizing that young people are the hope for reestablishing strong churches in the U.K. But, they also realize that this requires having more Christians step up and become leaders – and that these emerging leaders need to be trained.
On a recent trip to England I met Pastor Neil Henley during a casual meeting at a local restaurant along with Damian Pickett. Neil voiced a common concern I have heard numerous times (that I include in my soon-to-be-released video) – “We need help recruiting and training new youth leaders!”
After 35 years of pastoral ministry in the U.S., God has given me a fresh vision and burden to help reach Great Britain with the gospel. The fact that Britain has been greatly ignored because it is such hard spiritual ground has further motivated me to become involved. It is true that compared to other parts of the world where establishing a ministry can take a relatively short amount of time, doing so in the U.K. may take years, or even decades. However, I believe that we can trust God for a miraculous speeding up of this process.
After meeting with numerous Christian leaders in the U.K., I too have come to the conclusion that the best approach for rebuilding the Christian fervor that was once prevalent is by reaching young people who have the energy and drive to become effective disciple makers.
The typical U.K. young person is at least two generations removed from any connection with the church. This means there are no ready-made church youth groups or even any effective programs designed to reach young people. Thus, the task is challenging. But, the growing concern among committed British believers to reach their nation for the Lord is greatly encouraging. Great Britain can be reached for Jesus Christ!
The opportunities for dynamic youth ministry are available through churches across Great Britain. However, more workers need to be recruited, and along with existing workers, become better trained if we are truly going to make a difference for the cause of Christ.
God has strongly impressed upon my heart that now is the time to use the talents and abilities he has given me to help our brothers and sisters in Christ in Great Britain develop effective means of reaching their young people. As a result of what God has been showing me, I have established Strategic Youth Leadership Summit as the vehicle through which this ministry will be fulfilled.
My primary goal is to work in partnership with local churches across Great Britain to help provide leadership training for youth workers. Working closely with these pastors and churches I will be conducting weekend workshops to help train their people in effective avenues for reaching and discipling teenagers. The ultimate result of proper discipleship is the development of committed disciples who will in turn become effective disciple makers.
Additional training opportunities will include regional seminars in the U.K. as well as a yearly international conference bringing in leaders from across Europe.
A key element of the training will be to help churches develop both youth retreats and youth camps patterned after ministries that have proven to be effective.
But, how can all of this happen? I certainly can’t do it by myself! It requires partnership.
First, it requires developing solid partnerships with British churches that will be providing the workers to be trained, and who will be doing the work of the ministry. Second, and equally important, it requires developing partnerships with churches and concerned believers in the United States who will stand with me through their prayers and financial support. While many churches in Great Britain have the desire to reach out to the youth in their communities, they just don’t have the resources to be able to do so effectively.
On a recent trip to England, the title of a travel book in a bookstore window caught my eye. While my desire is not to travel the world, I have the compelling desire to make the most of my remaining time on this earth for the glory of God.
I hope you will join with me in helping reach British youth by reaching and training effective youth leaders. God has not abandoned post-Christian Europe. Together, we can help fan the flames of revival and once again see God’s Spirit move mightily across the entire nation of Great Britain.
In addition to my friends who contribute each month to my personal missionary support through Central Missionary Clearinghouse in Houston, Texas, I need ministry partners who will make a financial investment in something that will out-live each of us – the leaders of tomorrow, who must be trained today.
Would you consider helping to underwrite one Strategic Youth Leadership Summit for 2008 with your gift of $2500. A gift of $2500 will help train ten young leaders who can make an eternal difference in Great Britain. Almost any American church, no matter how small, and many adult Bible classes, could make this a missions project!
And while numerous individual Christ-followers could easily make this investment in the future of the United Kingdom, others cannot – but could underwrite the cost of training one future youth leader for a gift of $250.
In the Spring, I’m returning to England, accompanied by a few key American youth leaders who are partnering with me to mentor young leaders. We will be finalizing each Strategic Youth Leadership Summit for the Summer and Fall 2008 at that time.
I would like to be able to assure the British pastors with whom we partner that Christ-followers in America believe so strongly in God using the Strategic Youth Leadership Summit, that they have totally underwritten the expense, and there will be no charge to their young leaders.
Please let me hear from you – that you can make a special investment of $2500 to help underwrite one Summit. If you simply can’t make that kind of financial gift at this time, please let me know that you will sponsor at least one young leader – perhaps another John Knox or C.H. Spurgeon – with a gift of $250!
From my heart to yours,
Dale Peterson
President, Gospel Alive
P.S. Contributions for the Strategic Youth Leadership Summit should be made payable to Gospel Alive, Inc. and mailed to Gospel Alive, Inc. – 7850 Meadow Drive, Waterford, MI 48329. Gospel Alive, Inc. is a Michigan-based 501(c)3 organization chartered for the purpose of world evangelization.
For Updates Visit:
www.dalepeterson.co.uk
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