Witness JULY/AUGUST 2009 ISSUE - Free Church of Scotland ...

Bert Pohl to address the Assembly about his work in Smiths
Falls. Mr Pohl explained his work in consolidating his
congregation, and also reaching out with the Gospel to the
surrounding community. He asked the Assembly to pray for
him and his work, and to keep in touch with him. Mr Murray
then asked Rev Warren Gardner to address the Assembly
about the work within the bounds of the Free Presbytery of
the USA. Mr Gardner brought the encouraging news that
they have experienced considerable growth, especially in
Greenville, where the congregation has grown from twenty
five to one hundred. As with Mr Pohl, Mr Gardner and
the brethren in the USA are actively involved in outreach
in various areas, not least among crowds who wait to get
to watch wrestling matches locally and sometimes stand
four abreast in a queue half a mile long – a ready made
congregation who won’t be going anywhere!
�
Rev Warren Gardner
Order of the Day 8.00pm
After the presentation of the Report came the next Order of
the Day with speakers emphasising missionary endeavour.
DJ Morrison
The first to speak was our own Home Mission Worker,
Mr Donald John Morrison. Mr Morrison referred to the
Newsletters he circulates detailing his missionary work.
He spoke passionately about the unexpected events that
have rocked the UK in the past twelve months – revealing
the Lord’s hand – referring particularly to the economic
and financial crisis. He also alluded to the opposition
there is to the Gospel in our generation, solemnly noting
comments by a minister who preaches not far from where
the Assembly sat: ‘to hell with hell’ he said, ‘ if the Pope can
do away with limbo, I can do away with hell’. Mr Morrison
showed from this how opposition to advancing the Gospel
is tragically coming from within the church as well as from
outside it. He reminded the Assembly that attempts to
silence the Truth are attempts to silence God – which will
never succeed. As always the Assembly was glad to hear
from Mr Morrison.
Mike Moore, CWI
Next to speak was Mike Moore of Christian Witness to
Israel. He gave thanks for the interest and financial help
given to the CWI, and also for the invitation to address the
Assembly, noting that it was ten years since the General
Secretary of the mission last addressed the Assembly. He
mentioned with sadness how many today look down on
Rev Mike Moore
Rev Richard Knodel
mission to the Jews as futile, believing that Old Testament
Israel is completely fulfilled by the New Testament church.
Alluding to Romans 11, Mr Moore encouraged the Assembly
that there is a future for Israel, and assured us that the Lord
is answering the prayers of the church – revealing that since
1984 many Jews have believed in Christ. CWI have not
known of so many Jews converted to Christ as there were
in the past year! Following on from Mr Fraser’s plea for an
overseas church missionary, Mr Moore said he hopes that
that missionary will be sent to the Jews!
Rev G MacDonald - Covenant College
Next to speak was Rev Greg MacDonald, who addressed
the Assembly on the ongoing work in Covenant College,
Zambia. He gave his report of a recent visit there in terms
of seeing the work through the eyes of two students at
the College. He gave many encouraging details about the
progress of the work, involving not only the College but
also the Farm overseen by Mr Phil Bailey, and the role of
Miss MarJanne Hendriksen in the Christian Community
Schools work. Our Church has a strong link with the work
in Zambia and it was most encouraging to hear how the
work there has advanced from its small beginnings nine
years ago.
Rev W Macleod - Kenya
Last to address the Assembly was Rev William Macleod,
who spoke about his recent visit to Kenya to address a
Conference of preachers and pastors. Mr Macleod spoke of
the appetite for the Reformed faith he found, that was seen
by the many questions he was asked, as well as the requests
from the men to preach to them as long as possible! He
was very encouraged to see the many opportunities that
exist, and for the attendance at one church he preached in
which had about four hundred inside and others gathered
outside! Mr Macleod encouragingly referred to the fact that
the teaching received at such conferences is spread far and
wide by all who come to them, thus giving massive scope to
the Reformed witness borne by speakers.
The Moderator then replied to each of the speakers.
Thursday 21st May 9am – Session 6
� Order of the Day 9.15am – Rev Dr Richard Knodel
PTS, ‘The Priority of Preaching’
Thursday’s business began with an address by Dr R Knodel,
from the Protestant Truth Society. Having brought the
20 JULY/AUGUST 2009 ISSUE