Some of you are aware of the International Rural Churches Association (IRCA) and some of the previous events or conferences associated with the international rural ministry community. At the beginning of March, we have an opportunity to join together in prayer over three days. Europe & Africa are grouped together on the 8th of March and I get to be the Zoom host for 8 hours and coordinate contributions from across countries!
The aim of the day is to join together in sharing stories from local, regional or national contexts, connecting with other people involved in rural ministry internationally, praying for each other, celebrating rural ministry & mission and also weeping together over the state of our world as we look ahead to our calling. The stories may range from a reflection on the current state of life and work, a report on moments where you are seeing God at work, an update on your personal involvement in ministry, a network update on your involvement in larger regional or national issues, a reflection on conversations or events that you have been involved with over the past year or so, or anything else you fancy sharing. Essentially, we are looking for opportunities to engage with people wherever they are and connecting with each other in a world that is increasingly isolationist and antagonistic towards people who have different backgrounds or experiences.
I would love to include you and people from your networks. If you can join us ‘live’ that would be wonderful, but I’m aware that time is short to add things to diaries. If you or anyone in your network of contacts have anything that is pre-recorded, please send it my way and I will include it in shaping the day.
There are a few other things relating to rural ministries buzzing around in the background that I will circulate next week, but for now I’m focusing on this and hoping you may be able to help, either by participating yourself or by sharing it with others in your network. If people are interested in contributing, I would love to hear from them, and if people are interested in participating in any or all of the international prayer Zooms, they can sign up online: https://irca.online/24-hour-
Many blessings,
Heather
Dr Heather J Major |
Research Fellow in New Places for New People, Evangelism and Growth