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HOME MISSION
HOME MISSION lists Chapel members who went into full-time Christian service in the United Kingdom, other than ‘Ministry’ (that is, ordained pastoral ministry, which has a separate section). This section contains only the information in Chapel records, and does not attempt to describe all the activities of the people concerned.
Charles Allister. Edinburgh City Mission, 1931–42. Deacon for many years. Died December 1942, obituary, Record, 1943, p. 8.
John Banks. Started studying for a BA in Theology & Counselling at the London School of Theology in October 2004, still balancing part-time work with study. He married Kyungmi in October 2005, still there, December 2006 ‘in training’, supported by the Chapel, Kyungmi studying (part-time) for BA in Theology at London School of Theology. Child, John. Report in cbcOnline, April 2007: ‘The course over the last months has been so inspirational in terms of church ministry. Two of my modules in particular have addressed key, issues for the Church: the need to read the Bible as a community, and how appropriate Christian counselling is for the wider (dysfunctional) family - the Church. The counselling placement is edging towards an end. It's been enthralling to see how God engages with where people are at, and continues any work that we may be a part of We have continued our placements at Chenies Baptist, and have particularly enjoyed leading Bible studies, children-'s club and youth work. Kyung-mi, due to the pregnancy, is now doing less, and in place of studying part-time is now doing some admin work voluntarily at LST, and proof-reading a manuscript (about the Doulos ministry) for a possible Korean publication, in June.’ Last report in cbcOnline before this CD was closed – August 2007: John graduated with a BA in Theology & Counselling and Kyung-mi studying (part-time) for BA in Theology at London School of Theology. The last 3 months could be summarised as emergencies, essays and encouragement. Much to our surprise and delight Kyungmi went into labour 4 weeks early, giving birth to Daniel (61bs 6oz) on May 1. Kyungmi was re-admitted to hospital a week later for polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (PEP). Daniel also was re-admitted due to continuous vomiting, diagnosed as pyloric stenosis. He went to Great Ormond Street for emergency surgery, which was successful. The essays, exams, and dissertation went well with the support of friends and proofreaders. Recently Kyungmi's translation and publishing proposal were both published in Korea. On June 30 graduation took place, and much to our surprise a good grade was awarded. For the future we are looking for openings for pastoral care/counselling in a church setting, though we are open to the recommendation of further study as well.
Richard & Linda Barclay
Their report, January 2004. Richard started attending the Chapel after moving to live in Edinburgh from Fife in 1996. He quickly got involved in YPM and became responsible for mission and prayer the next year. Since a young age he had an interest in overseas missions, and despite working in architecture he foresaw a future in some area of full-time Christian work. At the beginning of 1998, he felt God's call and decided that he needed to be more equipped for what lay ahead. So, with the blessing of the church and the encouragement of his family, he left Edinburgh to study at London Bible College for 3 years. 5½ years later, he was still down there. While in Australia as best man for a friend, between his 1st and 2nd year at LBC, he met Linda, whom he married a year later in her home city of Sydney. Linda has also completed studies at LBC and they now await further guidance. Richard is minister [started June 2003, after graduating from LBC]to Young Adults at Gold Hill Baptist Church, Chalfont St Peter. A future in Japan is a possibility. Final report – autumn 2006. We have now finished our Internship (Training in missional church planting in Australia) at the church Small Boat Big Sea and have decided to remain in the area for the time being. Richard’s hip problem has meant running with the club has been ruled out for the past 5 months - difficult when that was one of his main areas of mission. We also realise that it takes longer than a year to build relationships with people - not really that surprising! We have learned a lot about intentional mission in a community, but quickly realised that relationships are a long term investment. We have become part of the fabric of the church community and are also getting to know many in the wider community through our involvement in running and cycling groups, as well as trivia nights at a local hotel! We have learnt lots of valuable lessons and it's been an amazing privilege to be part of a church that is trying to do things differently. Richard has just got a job in Manly Library which will hopefully see him develop more and more links in the community. He is hoping to start some part-time study in the new year which will see him explore the area of counselling, where he can use and expand the gifts and skills he already has. Linda is still gaining and giving much in her job with Wesley Mission. As you can see we are committing ourselves to mission in the Manly area. We trust you will all do the same where you live. Thanks for all your prayer over the years, and if you're ever in Sydney please let us know!
James Begg. Edinburgh City Mission, 1943-54.
Dr. Arthur Bethune, son of CC James, brother of Dr. May Bethune, offered for BMS, Record, 1946, p.5, but medically unfit, so home work. Record, 1948, p. 137.
George Bethune, to Prairie Bible Institute, Canada, to train, Record, 1953, p. 157, graduated for mission work, not pastoral, 1956, p. 186, completed training, missionary society staff and pastor church in New York, 1957, p. 120, back in Edinburgh, 1958, p. 91.
Miss Linda Brown; one of the original members supported by the Chapel’s Home Mission Committee, later the Mission Committee. Started at the BTI, Glasgow, in autumn 1990.
Christopher Cairns, Missionary to Outdoor Blind Society (1880-1928), started 1880, retired 1928, also director of Carrubber’s Close Mission.
Samuel Chambers, itinerant free-lance evangelist, 1934–6.[1]
Donald Cormack, senior. Commenced in 1901, Army Scripture Reader in South Africa, 1901-2; Soldiers Christian Association, France, 1915-19; Edinburgh City Mission, 1928; Superintendent, Sailors and Soldiers Institute, Edinburgh, 1929-37, when he died in post. There is also a Donald Cormack, perhaps the same man, as Scottish Secretary of the Open Air Mission from 1946–54.
Donald Cormack’s third son, Donald Schofield Cormack (born 1/12/1901 - died 3.1.1964), after army service in 1939-45, he was asked by Albert Long, then Scottish Secretary of the Open Air Mission, if he would accept that position, as Albert had been asked to take over the City Mission. He was with the OAM from 1946-54
Donald and Evelyn Cormack. Son of the Donald Cormack just mentioned. Itinerant evangelist, supported by the Chapel’s Home Mission Committee, later the Mission Committee. 1997 report: Donald, an independent Evangelist working mainly in Scotland, finds acceptance in many churches. He works in direct evangelism where possible, meeting people where they are, through regular services or special events. He encourages believers to support and engage in evangelism and gives basic evangelism training. He visits where opportunity affords - schools, CU's, prisons, rehab units, day centres - wherever people are. Donald and Evelyn have two married children and three grand-children. Their report, January 2004. I work as a free-lance preacher, available, as the Lord leads, to work with any Bible-believing church or fellowship, partnered by Evelyn, who shares the same ideals for Biblical evangelism. Born in Edinburgh, we’ve lived here most of our lives. Here in the Chapel we met and married. We’ve 2 married children: Donald & Kaye, with Ian and Scott; and Susan & James, with Stephanie and Donald. I previously worked in civil service and life assurance offices, giving me the normal background of daily work, with its difficulties and opportunities. I was converted under the ministry of Roy Hession, and enjoyed taking part in most church activities. In the 1960s and 1970s I travelled as a member of the Gospel music group, ‘The Heralds’, and so made contact with many churches. In 1972 I left office employment, working for some time with The Heralds, but since 1979 working independently with many churches and organisations. I believe that God calls His Church to keep on making determined, planned and loving approaches to our nation, in ways and words that are contemporary and meaningful. We must not only do something to evangelise our land; we must do everything. Last report in cbcOnline before this CD was closed – June 2007: Serving as an evangelist in the UK. Many thanks to all for your kind support in recent months. I've had to take a smaller number of bookings, but all went well and were worthwhile. Bellevue Chapel, Charlotte Chapel and Gorgie Mission. Sunday services at Hopehall Broxbum, Ferniehill Brethren. Hillbank Brethren Dundee, Glenrothes Mustard Seed Hall, Dawson Mission Falkirk and Arbroath Town Mission. Plus a weekend at Teen Ranch: 3 talks to the young folks and 2 talks to the staff (full-timers and volunteers).
Alex and Rebecca Dunbar. Supported by the Chapel’s Home Mission Committee, later the Mission Committee, while with the Edinburgh City Mission and after their retrial from it.
Miss Naomi Finnie. Daughter of Rev. Guy Finnie, minister of Larbert Baptist Church for some years. Home in Portsmouth when she joined the Chapel in 1992, while working here. In September 1994, she started a three year Diploma in Theology at the Irish Baptist College, and spent time in the summers of 1995 and 1996 in Latvia, working in a children’s home. Finished her training in 1997, not sure what to do next, came back to Edinburgh. Visited Latvia early 1999. Working with Bethany, October 1999. Keen to consider further the opportunity to work with "Hope for Children" in Latvia.
George Fox. The Chapel financed his studies at the Irish Baptist College, with a view to ministry, but he was turned down by the Ministerial Recognition Committee of the Baptist Union of Scotland. Correspondence followed, about his call and his marriage. Elders’ Minutes, 2 June, 7 July, 29 September, 1954, 2 March 1955; Deacons’ Minutes, 15 July 1953, 2 March 1955; Record, 1955, p. 137.
Arthur T. Francis. Edinburgh City Mission, 1924–54.
Joe Smith Fraser (or is he ‘Joe Smith’?) was appointed as Evangelist on the permanent staff of the Evangelisation Society, to more around the country, starting July 1914 (Record, 1914, p. 97). Took part in Chapel service in November 1914 (Record, 1914, p. 178)
Avril Gardner. Wanted to go to Moody Bible College in 1997, advised by elders to postpone this for one year.
William James Gardiner; after war-time service, he commenced training in 1945 with the London City Mission, was a missioner with them from August 1947 to 1958, married Flora Fox in Dover; report of his encouraging work in 1959.[2]
David Gordon, left for Moody Bible Institute, 1932, testimony for full-time service. Then at B.T.I. (if same person), finished February 1935, to go overseas, but not on December 1936 list.[3]
George Gordon, Edinburgh City Missionary, 1918-43; Chapel deacon at same time. (Record, 1934, p. 148.) Died 1943.
Nurse Miss Margaret Govan, member of Chapel, in charge of a Mission in Cambridgeshire in 1932, with details of meetings; Missions Through Friends Prayer League in Norfolk, 1934 –7; Gospel Caravan, 1938; Sister in Charge of Convalescent Home in Kent, 1938; appears in Record letters as ‘Our Own Missionary Letters’.[4]
John & Esther Grant, Anna, Debbie & Paul
Commissioned in the Chapel on Sunday 4 June 1995, for full-time Christian service with the Navigators. Report and biography in the Record, August 1995, p. 7.
1997 report: John and Esther work with the Navigators. John specifically works in two ministries: Business and Professional - helping men integrate and extend their faith into their world; Church Ministries - helping churches and leaders in matters of vision-building and strategic planning. Both Esther & John are involved in One-to-One and small group mentoring and discipling. They have three children, Anna (dob 22 May 1983), Debbie (dob 9 April 1985) and Paul (dob 29 November 1989). Their report, January 2004. In our late teens, both of us stood at the Christian Service Meeting at the Keswick Convention, to indicate we were offering ourselves for whatever God had for us to do for Him. We both thought it would probably be to serve overseas at some time. Johnhas been connected with Charlotte Chapel since a baby and Esther from the age of 12. We have both served in various ways in the Chapel. In the late 1980s we got to know The Navigators through doing the Navigator 2:7 discipleship course which had a profound effect on our lives, and led to us joining The Navigators to be involved in a discipling ministry. The context of John's ministry is 'the Workplace'. Equipped through his own work experience in the business world, both the corporate world and running his own small business, he spends most of his time getting alongside men in the workplace, serving them in helping apply God's word to the world of work. The aim is for them to see how they can be involved in extending God's Kingdom in their workplaces, where they spend such a large proportion of their lives. Esther has a discipling ministry among women, both one to one and small groups. We have been married now for 23 years and have 3 children, Anna (20), Debbie (18) and Paul (14). Last report in cbcOnline before this CD was closed – June 2007: Some of you reading this will already know about our new ministry opportunity at Morningside Baptist Church. Last October the Pastor there asked us to pray about going to MBC to help with discipleship. After several months of praying, listening to God and talking it over with others, we sensed that this was what God has for us to do and from the beginning of April we have been at MBC.
Jamie Green. Baptized on 21 May 1995 and joined the Chapel in June 1995, as a student aged 20, studying German; to spend time in Germany. Converted at a Scripture Union camp three years previously, from a rough background. Working with Bethany Christian Trust in a new venture at Beth-Haven, 1999. Married Debbie Nash – see her.
William Hill, missionary, U.F. Church, Kilwinning (shortly before 1911, Record 1911, p. 162), then itinerant evangelism.
Steve Hutchison. Joined the Chapel on 9 October 1994. To Moody Bible Institute for Sports Ministry, for four years from August 1999. ‘Having almost completed my time at Willow Creek Community Church this summer [1999] I want to share with you how God has been working in me recently. As you know, part of the reason I believe God brought me to Chicago was to be equipped and trained for fulltime vocational ministry. My intention was to major in Sports Ministry where I believe God had gifted me to serve Him. Over these past few weeks I have felt God confirming what I have been considering and praying through for over a year. I believe that God desires for me to pursue the Pastoral programme at Moody, changing from Sports Ministry. Since arriving at Moody my desire to preach God's word has intensified while I have observed how my passion for sports and football has diminished greatly. (Record, September 2000, p. 21). Graduated BA in Pastoral Studies in May 2003, then working with Peter Grant in Cumberland Community Church in Atlanta, Georgia, for one year. On completion, further study at Wheaton College, 2004. His report, January 2004. ‘When I became a Christian at the age of 18, I had absolutely no idea God would later lead me to pursue pastoral ministry. Growing up, I loved football and after becoming involved at 'Niddrie Mission', I sensed the Lord calling me to full-time vocational ministry. Alex McLellan, who played a large part in initially pointing me to Christ, told me Moody Bible Institute in Chicago was starting a 'Sports Ministry' program. Though there were times I was unsure of God's guidance prior to applying to Moody, elders (and others) from Charlotte Chapel helped point me in the right direction and to make good decisions. Not long into my first year at college I sensed the Holy Spirit leading me to change and pursue Pastoral Ministry. God richly blessed me at Moody with good friends, rich teaching and faith stretching experiences. I just graduated in May and am currently serving as a pastoral intern for one year at Cumberland Community Church in Atlanta. I am in the process of applying to graduate school at Wheaton College back in Chicago, where I hope to pursue further training. I believe the Lord wants me to serve Him back in Scotland in the future. Report, May, 2006: recently graduated with a Masters in Biblical Languages from Wheaton College. He has now returned to Scotland and would appreciate our prayers for future direction.
Richard Huxford. One year at All Nations Christian College, 2002 to June 2003, then looking for work in the sporting field.
Jo Inchley. Started training with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in September 1992. She was supported by the Chapel’s Home Mission Committee, later the Mission Committee although she was not a member when she first applied in June 1992. She was involved in YWAM outreaches in various European locations following her training in St Helens. A Joanna Inchley transferred membership to St Paul’s and St George’s in December 1995 - ? same person.