Anna's FirstServe Prayer Letter - October 16th-29th
Another two weeks has come and gone already! It’s strange to think I’ve been in Newcastle for three weeks now, it feels so much longer. Lots has been happening and I can’t wait to share it with you!
My regular working week
My usual working week at Regent Chapel is Tuesday-Friday from 9.30-4.30 and Sundays. I usually have Saturdays and Mondays off, so the couple that I have been staying with have taken me to different places around Newcastle which has been lovely and it allowed me get to know them a bit more!
Throughout my time at Regent Chapel, I will be working alongside Matthew, who is an intern at the church for the year. Please pray for Matthew as he also settles into Regent and looks to serve the Lord this year.
During our FirstServe year, we have been given a Discipleship course to work through covering topics like prayer, the importance of church and spiritual gifts. Kara, Rachel and I have decided to do the course together through video call as a way to catch up and continue studying God’s Word together.
Worship
I have had the opportunity to join the worship team playing piano and singing while I’m here which has been amazing! Matthew led the prayer meeting last Sunday evening and we led the worship for it together. I also played piano with the worship team in the morning. I will be getting involved in the music at the church in different ways over the coming weeks, singing at a funeral and a ladies Christmas night. It is so encouraging to be able to praise God through music with other Christians!
CAP Work
Every Tuesday morning we sit down as a team and read the Bible, talk and pray together which has been a great way to start the week. It is important to be reminded that even with the busyness of church work, we should never forget that our main goal is to serve the Lord. This past Tuesday, Matthew and I got the opportunity to go to Byker Pantry with Linda, our CAP manager to meet a CAP client and see the work they do at the pantry. It was very different to the Pop up Pantry we had been to previously and was a very humbling experience. Even driving to the pantry through Byker and seeing the vandalism and crime in the area was shocking. However, the people we talked with at the Pantry living in Byker were just lovely. I witnessed an amazing experience of God’s provision while we were there. The new CAP clients had said that they were in real need of a new cooker. Right after they left, we prayed for them and for God to provide and within a few minutes of saying “Amen” a lady came in without knowing their need looking to give a spare cooker she had away to anyone who needed it. It happened to be the exact size and type that the couple needed. I was honestly in awe, and it’s these experiences which remind me what an amazing God we have, who will supply all our needs!
Youth Work
As well as Sunday school and Creche, Regent have three main regular youth events - Friday Frenzy, Friday Xtra (FX) and Space. Friday Frenzy is for primary school age and we would get 10-15 on average at that. FX is on every other Friday and is the youth group for secondary school age. We generally have about 20 come for that and it is mainly Christians and their unsaved friends. Space is a youth Bible study held every Sunday evening, in which we are currently covering the fruits of the Spirit.
We also have a grandparents and toddlers group called Oaks and Acorns every other Thursday. We get about 20-30 grandparents and toddlers on average. Please pray as we look to build relationships with both the grandparents and the kids, that they would come to other events at the church and eventually come to know Christ.
Street Pastors
On Saturday night I had the opportunity to go out with Street Pastors around Newcastle City. Street Pastors are volunteers from local churches who go around the city during the weekends and offer help to those who are homeless, drunk, or need help on the streets. They provide advice, first aid, and offer food, water and blankets. We began at 10pm on Saturday night and finished at 4am on Sunday morning. It was particularly busy as it was Halloween weekend, so the streets were packed. We helped two men who had passed out drunk, one of which came back to thank us after a few hours. We also had the opportunity to share the gospel and pray with Shaun, a homeless man. Please pray for these individuals and the ongoing work of Street Pastors.
Other than work…
I have been very blessed that Regent have been so hospitable…and that they have some amazing cooks! I am out for dinner at different people’s houses every evening, which has been a great way to get to meet people. However, the repercussions of that means that I get dessert every night, so have had to invest in a gym membership!😂 It has been a great way to meet people outside of the church setting and build friendships!
My first host couple, Bob and Allison, have been amazing! They have made some incredible meals and have taken me to see different parts of Newcastle on my days off. On Saturday they even took me and Shona, a friend from church, for a road trip in their campervan. We were spoilt, between exploring old bookshops and making pancakes by the beach! They have been such a blessing and I am so thankful for their hospitality and kindness. I will be moving to stay with another couple tomorrow so please pray that the move goes smoothly and that I would settle in quickly to the new environment and routine.
Prayer Points
Please Pray…
As I continue to get to know people and build friendships with people from Regent.
For the individuals we have already had opportunities to share the Gospel with, between the youth work, CAP and Street Pastors.
As I move to be with new hosts tomorrow, that the move would go smoothly and that I will settle into a new routine quickly.
Thank you all for your much needed prayers and encouragement. God is doing amazing things in Newcastle and I’m looking forward to seeing what He has in store in the coming weeks!
God Bless,
Anna Shanks
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16 v 33