Message of Hope 

Last Christmas supporters wrote Messages of Hope to mission partners. Next short-termer Jill Shaw saw Martin and Sue Fannon’s reactions in Tanzania at first hand: 

”One of the highlights of Martin and Sue’s month is receiving post. Seeing the smiles as they opened letters and seeing the Message of Hope on their notice board was a real reminder to me of the importance of keeping in touch.” 

Moving on 

When Graham Sopp left Crosslinks to become National Director of the International Bible Society, one reaction was: 

“We are sorry to lose Graham after all he has done for Crosslinks, but grateful to God for his time with us.” 

Regional Co-ordinators, Jonathan Leeson, John Price and Udobata Onunwa with their secretaries, Gina Scotney and Sue Cowley left in March and were much appreciated. “We wish to place on record the great help that Mr Leeson has given us in Street and to the Autumn Conference at Brunel Manor. He has always gone the extra mile whenever called upon,” is one comment of many. 

More than books 

Isaac Khen writes: “After my first year at Myanmar Institute of Theology, I was assigned for one month to Sittwe Diocese: leading training for youth leaders; lecturing at an ecumenical workshop on gender; lecturing to 70 young people at Diocesan Youth Training; leading the study programme at the 19th Diocesan General Council. 

This was my first trip for 17 years, however I asked the Lord to give me wisdom and strength and He supplied me with abundant grace. I received new insights for my faith, life and future commitment to the ministry. Thank you very much for your support for my study at MIT. God bless you all.” 

SBT Myanmar 

Andy Lines and Chris Wright visited Myanmar with a small team to give the second School of Biblical Training (SBT). Reactions afterwards were wonderfully enthusiastic. Many students told what they had learnt biblically: “knowing the nature of the whole Bible better… how to interpret Narrative, Law, Prophecy, Poetry, Parable and how each text fits the whole story of the Bible” They were helped in ministry too: “knowing how to prepare a sermon, and needing a lot of time to do that. But to have effective sermons we need to”. . .“the importance of preaching about repentance and the kingdom of God" They were also challenged about their personal walk with God: “having the enthusiasm to read the Bible daily and carefully” 

“we need a personal relationship with God if we want to be good leaders” 

When asked how they thought their congregation would describe the change since the seminars, they replied “They will say his preaching is better, biblical knowledge better and wider and deeper; a better minister, having more humility, preparing his sermons more carefully than before.” 

Joint Conference with SAMS 

After the conference in May with the South America Mission Society we got your feedback: “I enjoyed the broader perspective that a combined conference gives.” 

“It is not often I come away from a conference feeling enthused and vision renewed but I did last weekend.” 

“ It was good to see the vastness of God's grace and mission to the whole world.” “ I was challenged by the changing function of mission agencies” 

New mission activities include: 

• Growing involvement in SE Asia 

• More next individuals, with a team planned for 2006 

• Combined orientation weeks for short and long-termers 

• Increase in UK mission, especially with non-Western mission partners 

“Crosslinks still has the appeal for me that it had when I joined 55 years ago.” 

Crosslinks magazine July 2005 index