A Moment of Change

For seven years I have had the incredible honour of serving as Team Pastor to Mission24. It’s been one of the privileges of my life to do so.

Last Thursday, I stepped down from this role. As I approach 70 years, I want to hone down and concentrate on my writing and with helping with the Leicester revival.

Over the seven years of working with the School of Ministry for Mission24, we have seen 300+ students graduate from the programme. And each of those graduations results in evangelists reaching those who need to know Jesus’ love. Thousands have stepped into God’s kingdom as a result.

Working with Jonathan and Elaine Conrathe has been such a blessing. There is no doubt that Jon is one of the leading evangelists in our nation at this time.

It all started many years earlier,with my then-church asking me to keep an eye on Jon! He and Elaine had recently joined KingsGate Church Peterborough and as someone that obviously had major ministry, the church were concerned that he would fit in. So I went on one of Jon’s missions to suss him out. I came back from that mission with a friend for life and as a trustee!

Even so, I had no thought of serving in a more active capacity. That came about as the result of two prophetic words.

The first was in South Africa. Roh and I were visiting our daughter and went along to her church in Johannesburg.

‘Ralph and Roh, I feel I have a prophetic word for you.’

That was Pastor Greg. Greg didn’t know us at all.

‘Ralph, you are coming to a watershed moment in your life and God is calling you into evangelism.’

Watershed moment, yes. I was about to retire from my job in the city of London. Evangelism? Well, quite honestly, I thought Greg had got it wrong. I remember thinking exactly that - 'you’ve got that totally wrong mate, I’m no evangelist!'

Back in Leicester, I was at a City pastors meeting with Emma Stark and her team visiting us. Emma has a significant prophetic ministry. One of her team came over.

‘I feel God is saying to you, you are at a watershed moment in your life.’ (Yes!) ‘And God is calling you into evangelism’. (No!)

It’s hard to ignore God when He says something twice.

It was a couple of weeks later when, out of the blue, Jon emailed me.

‘Ralph, I can’t help thinking that you are the person I need to help me start a School of Ministry….’

And so it began.

Now it ends. It ends with grateful appreciation to Jon and Elaine for the privilege. And with such thanks to God.

I remain a trustee, so will still be involved with Mission24. But my call to writing and to work with Chroma Church Leicester becomes central now.

Some of my favourite Bible verses in the Message translation sum up my journey, both up to this point and beyond….

 I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.

So let's keep focussed on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision - you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it. (Phil 3:12-16)

I continue to run the race. There are many miles ahead. And I intend to stay on track.