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Dear <<First Name>>,
As the Christmas holiday season draws to a close and thoughts turn to new workout regimes (and away from mince pies) I am reminded of the joy of deep rest. When the labour is done for the day, and the tools are downed, we rest.
Of course, rest isn't always easy. Work can seem unending, family holidays can be tiring, cooking and cleaning and living all take continuous effort. But there is a difference between resting and stopping. Life is momentum and energy and resting isn't the absence of activity but the presence of peace.
When we stop and remember that God's in control, we can rest. At Christmas many in the world celebrated the birth of Jesus - the Prince of Peace - who offers peace and rest to all, amidst the labour and the living. I hope you found peace this Christmas and I hope that in this coming year, through all the living and the working and the doing that you know Jesus as Lord and know His peace that permits us moments of rest.
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2015 in Review
There's much to thank God for in 2015 across the various interests in both mine and Helen's lives. I've been busy with my chaplaincy work in Oxford, my speaking, teaching, and writing ministry, as well as my business.
There has been times of travel with Helen as well, which has been a great blessing to both of us.
There's much that could be said, and I've heard that 'a picture speaks a thousand words'. So, to keep things brief(er) please enjoy these photos from last year (if things don't look right, check out the online version here).
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March The OCCA mission to Norway (Oslo) was a great time. The snow was melting and people were listening to the gospel being proclaimed and explained. It was a thrill to watch people come to faith, and good fun going with a great team!
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May A couple of months after Oslo it was back to Scandinavia, but this time to neighbouring Sweden and to Mälardalen University in Västerås, about 90 mins west of Stockholm. A two-night programme had been arranged during which I spoke each night for 50 minutes followed by Q&A.
Not much evangelism takes place here, so it was a privilege to join a praying, developing, Christian witness on the university to tackle some tough questions and talk about Jesus.
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As well as the trips to Norway and Sweden, and quite a few place in the UK, I've jumped the pond three times this year, and made it half-away across the Pacific a couple of times too.
One of the blessings that comes from operating your own business is that you get, more or less, to choose who you work with. I've made great friends in business, and worked with some of my best friends, both in the UK and overseas. Many times ministry and business overlap, and often there's quite a lot of fun to be had along the way.
Travelling for work or ministry can be as tiring as it is fulfilling. But some times travel can offer a great vacation. This year I got to take Helen to Maui for two weeks in the summer. I showed her my old stomping grounds, she listened patiently whilst I taught for 6 hours in a YWAM school, and we visited my our Maui church, New Hope Maui, where I was given the privilege of preaching.
And then we had plenty of time to soak in Hawaii (and a little bit of San Francisco too on the way home).
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Stopping through northern California on the way home ...
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Whenever it's not possible for Helen to join me on a trip, a mug is brought back with me because I think a mug is a fun collectable. (I have since been informed that mugs are indeed fun, but jewellery is more apt).
Featured here: Västerås, Sweden -- Oslo, Norway -- Mobile, AL -- Pasadena, CA.
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September saw me bring up my century of tours at The Kilns, the former home of C. S. Lewis. It can be a truly fun thing to do, showing groups of interested people around the home of the late, great Oxford don.
A little bit of history, a little bit of apologetics, and a little bit of story ... just up my street really! Find out more about the work of the C. S. Lewis Foundation - who run The Kilns.
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September saw the beginning of my 4th year as chaplain to students from Azusa Pacific University (near Los Angeles, California). Getting to spend time with these guys can so often be the highlight of my week.
From September to Easter, two groups come to Oxford as study-abroad students. They leave their friends, families, familiar study environments, and warm weather behind and stride out into a bold new experience.
The growth in character and learning that can come from such a short time can be amazing to behold. And growth is not without its challenges. So over coffees, and trips around Oxford, and to London, and in our mid-week meetings, I get the chance to engage and process with them. It's a privilege to be a part of their lives for their season in England!
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A Year's Worth of Writing
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Nearly 12 years ago, when I began my time with YWAM, I started writing. Since then my own blog has developed and at the same time accompanying writing projects have come along.
It's been two years since I helped set up the apologetics wing of Christian Vision of Men (CVM), the Demolition Squad. A large component of this work is the production of the blog which in 2015 went from strength to strength.
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This last year I continued to write the apologetics column in Sorted - 'the men's magazine with morals'.
This magazine goes out across the UK in newsagents as a wholesome alternative to other offerings, and is frequently distributed throughout the military, both at home and overseas.
Good for Christian men; and good for Christian men to pass to their friends.
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Another exciting achievement was the publication of the first book on apologetics with CVM. The Ultimate Survival Guide: How to talk about God, the Bible, and Stuff was edited by Andy Kind, and features content from both of us, in total tackling 25 common objections to Christianity.
It was a fun first-few-steps into the book-writing world, and God-willing there's more to come ...
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Looking to 2016
Already, the year ahead looks like much of the same. There's plenty of mission, business, travel, Oxford, chaplaincy, tours and probably a whole heap more that we're not yet aware of!
I hope to write again soon with further (shorter) updates about specific things coming up. I so greatly value prayer support during certain points throughout the year and desire to keep you in the loop with all that's going on.
For now, here's a quick list of some of things I'm looking forward to.
- Jan Welcoming new APU students to Oxford
- Feb Speaking at my mother-in-law's church (how cool is it to say that!)
- Feb Taking part in a student mission at Glasgow University, with Helen (wahoo!)
- Mar Travelling to Iceland (with Helen!) to teach at a church conference
- Apr Teaching at CVM training day
- May/Jun Speaking at three apologetics training weekend events
Finally, do be in touch with what you're up to. Helen and I both love to hear from our friends, and we keep a little board for current prayer requests. Prayer is powerful and as you pray for us, we would love to pray for you.
Onwards and Upwards,
Jonathan
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