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MissionNewslettersMembers of Cairns Road, keep upto date with everyone by reading the latest newsletters. Please note that the newsletters are password protected with the usual communication password. Please phone the church office if you would like further assistance accessing the newsletters. You will need Adobe reader to view the newsletters, which is available free on the web.
About missionChristianity is not a Western religion, despite attempts by some to paint it as such. It originated in the Middle East, and although it's founder was a Jew (an historic faith which was, and still largely is, nationalistic), the church refused from day one to accept any distinction based on race. Its early spread to other cultures was helped by the migration caused by early persecution of Christians in the Roman province of Judea, and the later sacking of Jerusalem by Rome in 70 AD. But it was the dominance of the Roman Empire that also enabled Paul, a Roman citizen, to play such a significant part in the spread of the faith throughout Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) and later to Rome. The pattern of the spread of the church via persecution and following trade and travel, has continued throughout its history. The Pilgrim Fathers who left the UK in the 17th century for America did so to escape persecution for their faith and in so doing joined with similar groups from mainland Europe, thus ensuring a strong Christian influence in the founding of the fledgling USA. But it was Britain's role as a dominant trading nation in the 18th & 19th centuries that released Livingstone to Africa and Carey to India, and thousands in their footsteps. The 3 superpowers of the 20th century have all played their part, wittingly or not. The profit motives that put Coca Cola into the language of every country in the world were paralleled by non-profit motives that put US Christians in schools and hospitals in those same countries. For Russia and China, the church has grown and spread against a background of persecution. Stalin banished millions to Siberia and death, but many found life along the way. Chairman Mao thought that by throwing out Western missionaries from China in 1949, he could capture the thoughts of the Chinese people. But 50 years on over 100 million Chinese Christians put the lie to any idea that the church is linked to a Western mind-set. At Cairns Road we are pleased to regard ourselves as merely a small part of a global body. We have many links across the globe and locally, and seek to develop particular lines of support and partnership, including the following: BISCBISC (Bristol International Student Centre) 45 Woodland Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 1UT www.bisc.org.uk Bristol International Student Centre (BISC) is a Christian organisation linking the international students at Bristol's universities and colleges with local people and each other. It is a registered charity supported largely by local churches and offers friendship and events to students of all faiths and no faith. Feather family
PortugalCarol Green
GermanyTim & Bianca Hopcraft (working with Campus Crusade in Germany) AlbaniaMaki and Ruth Mico NepalJon and Nic White Huw and Mary Morgan BulgariaTeddy and Didi Oprenov Children: Ann-Marie b.1992, Sophie b.2000 Location: Sofia, Bulgaria Since: 1998 Job: Teddy is Pastor of Sofia Baptist Church and General Secretary of the Baptist Union in Bulgaria. He is also President of the Good Samaritan Foundation (a relief charity based in the church) and on the Committee of the Evangelical Alliance of Bulgaria. Didi is President of the Baptist Women's Organisation. The couple came to Bristol to study in 1996 and a partnership was formed between their church and Cairns Road which is renewable every 5 years. Recent partnership events have included a marriage weekend in Bulgaria, a visit here by the Bulgarian youth team and last summer a joint weekend conference in Bulgaria. In addition Sofia Baptist Church is in the process of building a new church and Social Centre and a trust has been set up in the UK for fundraising. Geoff Wallis of Cairns Road is the Honorary Secretary of this. YWAMThe Pratten Family Name: mark and Julia Pratten Children: Hannah b 1998, Abigail b 21.12.01 Mission: YWAM (Youth with a Mission) Location: Harpenden, UK Since: 2001 Job: In 1995 Mark and Julia were sent out by Cairns Road to work on the Mercy Ship, Annastasis. They returned to work at Mercy Ships uk Office based at YWAM HQ in Harpenden. In 2001 they joined YWAM to work on their Discipleship Training Seminars at HQ. In 2002 they became Personnel and Staff Care Co-ordinators. They still help in the background with the Discipleship Training School, supporting staff pastorally. UCCFClaudia The StenslandsErik and Joanna Stensland with Luke Name: Jo (Joanna) an Erik Stensland, Luke Benjamin born 15.08.04 Mission: Independant. (Was Bethany Fellowship Missions till 2006) Location: At present in USA. Since: 1992-2003 Balkans; 2004-2006 USA Job: Jo came to Cairns Road as a student in 1986. After their marriage in 1992 Jo and Erik (American) worked in the Balkans. Erik has just completed an MA in Organizational leadership in USA and is running a photography business to support the family. They are now exploring in what ways they could be serving God in the future. Jo assists in the rental business she started in Allenspark and also volunteers her administrative skills at their church. Previous mission: They first worked in Albania as administrators of the Albanian Evangelical Fellowship Alliance (VUSH), notably organising relief teams to work with international organisations during the Kosovo crisis. In Jan 2000 they moved to Pristina to organise the united effort of the evangelical community in Kosovo and to set up a coordination and network centre for relief, development and church-planting called AIM (Association of International Missions). This gives opportunities for cooperation and joint projects and offers services to the missionery community. The BeamsFred and Jan Beam (Children's Ministries, AIM International) Urban mission
Cairns Road is a supporter of re:Source - an exciting new
urban ministry project. We also linked with other Baptist churches in Bristol. In particular, we partner with churches that are located in challenging areas of this city, or who are faced with difficult circumstances. OpportunitiesInterested in GAP year opportunities or short term working teams? The Missions Team can give you addresses of organisations who take Gap year students and there are many individuals in the church with short term experience. Please see a member of the Working Group who can help you get started. In the past, members of Cairns Road have organised working teams in South Africa, India, France and Bulgaria. Watch out for new opportunities. Fair tradeThe church strongly advocates fair trade. Cairns café and the church order fair trade coffee supplies and other products where possible. Cairns Road Baptist Church hold an annual fair trade event (normally around November time) to raise awareness of 'justice', 'poverty' and 'fair trade'. If you would like to know more about fair trade then click on the useful links below:
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He's got the whole world in his hands ... 
Portugal
Germany
Albania
Nepal
Bulgaria
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