In Touch Quarter 1 - 2017

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Report Area Reps Report 2016 David Soakell David Soakell reports back on some of the highlights of the biennial Area Reps’ training day held before last year’s annual conference For some, this was their first Area Reps’ training day. For others, 2016 was their first National Conference experience too. We took the opportunity to give special tribute to David Masson and Chris Walker, now with their Lord. Those attending were David and Julia Soakell, Jacob Vince, Julie Archer, Philip Aitchison, Bill and Val Crudgington, Robert and Sheila Figures, Caroline Geuter (and husband Andrew as observer/support), Paul and Mo Hayes, (Julie Uttridge as observer) and Roy Thurley. Reports were read out from all Area Reps who couldn’t be there, but had sent one in. During session one we emphasised that we are very keen that the heart of the work we do must always be done well as ambassadors for the Lord and often ‘the face’ of Christian Friends of Israel (CFI) in the regions. Our primary function is the mandate of CFI through education, advocacy and aid, to serve the Church and bless Israel - although we must be led by what the Lord puts on our hearts as to the weight attributed to which strand. This means displaying literature such as ‘In Touch’ alongside ‘For Zions Sake’, but also using the ‘Watching Over Zion reports’, ‘Watchmen’s Prayer Letter’ (monthly from Sharon Sanders, Jerusalem office) and email as a way of helping equip supporters in teaching and in prayer. Area Reps are expected to encourage people to sign up to the CFI UK mailing list; encourage visits to the CFI websites, Facebook page and Twitter feed; and to promote events CFI UK host, such as Strategic Prayer Days. Bookstalls are available to enhance Area Reps’ roles particularly with an emphasis on reaching out to open enquirers as well as encouraging existing supporters. Sharon Sanders’ tour in 2015 was a great success and encouragement to all. Prayer Conferences and Speaking/ Teaching Conferences were organised by Donald MacDougal and Philip Aitchison. Members of the group of Area Reps also hosted the Kesher Course, some for first time. David Walker has also hosted the ‘Text and Context’ course with great support from local leaders. Julie Archer did a full series of house groups for all in her church with good feedback and took a teaching session at a Summer Camp. Some Area Reps shared that they have had breakthroughs in the last year, gaining access to churches not previously interested in CFI or Israel. It was felt that, through the Area Reps and the summer festivals this past year, many have seen a spiritual change to issues regarding Israel in general – a great answer to prayer. CLAN and New Wine both in 2015 and 2016 were great experiences for Audrey Lee, Bill and Val Crudgington, Matt Elwick, Philip Aitchinson, and Paul and Mo Hayes. All felt that these were worthwhile, and New Wine in particular had great sign-up totals as well as four Church Links recruited and a possible new Area Rep. Martin and Julia West have had input in new churches in Bristol along with putting on conferences and more. Other Area Reps such as Moira Dare-Edwards did events for CFI such as CRE etc. Others had been able to establish a CFI prayer group. Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) has been a great opportunity for many Area Reps to educate churches, local communities and witness to the Jewish community that we can and do stand with Israel and the Jewish people. Again, Moira Dare-Edwards had a very full HMD week of events and she was privileged to be invited to Washington in the USA to speak about her work for HMD in Essex through Yad Vashem. Other Area Reps also had Holocaust Memorial events in their areas including Dave Walker in Birmingham; Roy Thurley and Sharn Asbridge in North Wales; Kristy Daniel-Sam (nee King) in Sheffield. In addition, David and Julia Soakell were invited to Stoke on Trent to speak and put on an HMD event. New initiatives throughout 2015 and 2016 included radio broadcasts for a regular show on Branch FM in Dewsbury with David Soakell, along with Heart for a Generation conferences with Julia Soakell, being hosted by Donald MacDougall and Philip Aitchison. Other events included standing with the Jewish Community – with Audrey Lee being involved in a vigil outside a Glasgow theatre for the play ‘When the Siege Came’, which was written by 8 IN TOUCH • 1 st Quarter 2017 www.cfi.org.uk
a Palestinian theatre company. Session Two of the training day was led by Julia Soakell and looked at equipping. We considered how we can move forward and equip ourselves best, and how we can influence churches and recruit new Area Reps. How do we simplify the role to make it easier to communicate? How do we build on successes? Is the Lord leading us to think outside of the box? Do Area Reps need a greater prayer covering? Forming a team of like-minded, biblically sound praying friends to assist and support the Area Reps in their role was encouraged, as we know it can be isolating and difficult without this. Were there opportunities to recruit Church Links in the Area Reps’ regions? These Church Links could then be part of an Area Rep’s team. How can praying for Israel and CFI be encouraged in their region? Could the Area Reps themselves set up a group if there isn’t one locally. Can we encourage a ‘Timothy’ – someone we could mentor for the future? Other ideas were discussed such as to think about film nights, which are great if you are not confident to teach/speak for whole sessions. With permission, ‘It is No Dream: The Life of Theodor Herzl’, ‘Jacob’s Tears - Blessing, Curse or Co-incidence?’ could be used. ‘Nicky’s Family’ and ‘Forgotten Refugees’ are also great tools for dates around HMD. Session Three was a message from Jacob Vince – CFI UK Chief Executive, with a short Bible study illustrating our remit to bless Israel and serve the Church. Jacob stated, “I’d like to start with an observation. The wider Church has little time for Israel, whilst those who do, have little time for the wider Church. I think neither of these positions is correct. I take as my reference point the apostle Paul, who was designated as the apostle to the Gentiles. Notwithstanding this, Paul had great passion for Israel, expressing his unceasing anguish for his own ethnic people (Romans 9:2). But he was also passionate about the Church - Paul described facing the daily pressure of his concern for all the churches (2 Corinthians 11:28). So both are important and when we consider all that Paul gave, as he was used by God to bring the gospel message to both Jew and Gentile, surely this places on us an equal obligation to reach both Israel and the Church, one which should be reflected by us at CFI.” Jacob provided some practical ways in which we can do this and the need to make good use of our sign-up sheets (accurately too). He gave a brief overview of how CFI UK finances have been used across the three strands of education, advocacy and aid; and the benefits of Gift Aid and those who have chosen to leave legacies to CFI UK in their wills. Some items of concern were raised by the Area Reps as well as opportunities to enhance their service through improved resourcing. Area Reps were encouraged to press in and persevere. The day concluded with a time of prayer for the work and for one another. CHURCHLINK Update Julia Soakell reports back on the new way supporters got involved in 2016 Julia Soakell L ast year saw the launch of Church Links within CFI UK for our supporters to be involved in a new way! Church Links are a ‘grass roots’ way of endorsing the CFI mandate of blessing Israel and serving the Church. Each quarter a Church Link will receive literature about the work of CFI in the UK through this publication, ‘In Touch’, and through ‘For Zions Sake’ from our Jerusalem office, and will help to make them available for their own fellowship or church. This way Christians will see the solid base of Scripture and teaching about God’s purposes for Israel and the Hebraic heritage of our faith. Hopefully they will be encouraged to sign up for our regular quarterly mailings through the post or by email, by filling in a simple form. We now have at least twenty Church Links on board – thanks to all who have responded. Some loyal supporters have been doing this vital work for us without the recognition of the title, and we are so grateful for their perseverance and service. These Church Links are a vital part of our Team – hopefully believers will be encouraged to pray more confidently and be better equipped to answer questions, and the teaching included in our publications will bring a great harvest to us individually and corporately to the Church at large. Church Links can then make connections with CFI Area Reps and help advertise local and national CFI events like our National Conference each September. Many others have received a Church Links Pack – please pray that the Lord will lead more to get involved and return their forms too. The requirements you will need are to have a heart for the ministry, be on our mailing list and have the support of your pastor; and preferably be able to communicate through email. Could you take on this simple role and help your Church understand its Hebraic roots and how they can also support Israel? Help to bless your Church … For more information email: julia.soakell@cfi.org.uk CFI PRAYER SUPPORT Do you have a heart for prayer? Why not use the prayer pages on our CFI website, where we have helpful suggestions on prayer and regular updates of areas which need your specific support. If you lead a group that prays for Israel and would like to be on our CFI Prayer Contacts listings, let us know – we hope to be able to send out direct requests for strategic prayer in the days and months to come, as the needs arise. Contact: julia.soakell@cfi.org.uk facebook.com/cfiuk twitter.com/cfi_uk 1 st Quarter 2017 • IN TOUCH 9
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In Touch Quarter 1 - 2017

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