Mission partners and associates 

Crosslinks has about 100 mission partners and associates. As well as the continuing faithful work of those already in the field, this year has seen many new initiatives. Sena and Jane Ounate-Lare went out to Togo. Pradip and Amita Sudra have gone to Zimbabwe just when everyone is leaving. Rob and Clare Myles are now in South Africa. Darren and Karen McCartney are serving on Baffin Island in the Canadian arctic, where BCMS first started in the 1920s. Then we have new British deployments: Pam and Afri Chandra moving from Kenya and beginning work in Streatham; Tim and Tanya Davies in a church plant in Sheffield; John and Felicity Hindley and Phil and Louise Keymer in a new student church plant in Manchester

Best 

Through the best programme, Crosslinks sponsors the training of study partners in order that they might become more effective in God’s mission wherever they are. None of them are from Britain or Ireland and most of them train locally, whether through training by extension or attending a Bible-based residential training establishment. Last year we sponsored students in 11 different countries from Uganda to Chile, India to Myanmar, Serbia to Angola, as well as a number of overseas students who came to study in Britain. We believe that supporting the world churches in the provision of a trained, biblically based local resource is a key part of our mission engagement and as a result we have increased the best budget for the coming year. 

Projects

Resources made available to Crosslinks can also be used to further gospel work through special projects. Two examples are in North India where we are enabling Indian Bible teachers to train others in biblical exposition, and also the School of Biblical Training in Myanmar. This was an exciting experiment to foster a movement for biblical expository ministry in Myanmar where Crosslinks sponsored the attendance of some 30 Anglicans from all over the country, and where we have been invited to return for a bigger event in January 2005. Other projects sponsored include the Alliance of Asian Christians, Faith to Faith, and workers amongst other faiths. Again we are increasing the grants budget in recognition of the vital nature of this work. 

Short-term placements 

With newcomer Jez Wainaina at the helm, the work of smile in providing young people with opportunities for short-term service has continued. The past year saw various pairs of youngsters in individual placements helping to look after the children of mission partners, freeing up the parents for other things. We also had teams going out to The Gambia, working alongside staff from the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students there. In the next programme for more mature short-termers, Moira Johnson went out to teach English in Herbertpur Christian hospital, North India. We hope to send out other short-termers to South East Asia to join church-planting teams in Singapore Diocese. In Ireland more than a 1,000 children and young people went through summer camps and holiday clubs. 

Our people 

None of our activities would be possible were it not for the unstinting work carried out by so many, and especially our various Crosslinks teams: the mission personnel team headed up by Mary Higginson; the regional team overseen by Alan Purser; the Ireland team led by Mel Lacy; and the mission resources team led by Graham Sopp. The past year has seen its fair share of comings and goings. We remember those members and co-workers who passed on to glory. Our mission partners the Jesudasons and Reaneys finished their period of service. As well as departures from mission partners, staff and General Council, we saw new arrivals and thank God for his continued provision of dedicated men and women in every area. 

Stakeholders 

Last year in his report to the annual meeting of members, Andy Lines concluded with the words: “It remains to be seen how the Lord will answer our prayers to match opportunities and resources.” Since then we have seen God answer in a very real and encouraging way and we are hugely thankful though dare not be presumptuous. In particular we continue to be grateful to God for the many faithful and loyal individuals who share in our vision and give so generously to it. In addition the launch of our Stakeholder scheme has enabled churches as well as individuals to better enter into a ‘partnership in the Gospel’, and participate in the work of bringing ‘God’s Word to God’s world’

Crosslinks magazine July 2004 index