Over the past four years we have experienced an incredible pruning and disciplining from our Great and Mighty God. We have also experienced the challenges that flow from having a 'real sense of freedom' in Christ. We thank God that He has chosen to mature us through the process of sifting that has taken place these past few years and that we are able to turn those experiences into greater victories in our personal relationships with God, each other and the World! To God truly is the Glory (Hebrews 12:8 - 11)!
Today however, is an occasion to rejoice and celebrate yet another one of God's many blessings!
We are very pleased and delighted as Trustees, to confirm the appointment of our dear brother; Andy Fleming as our Evangelist & Teacher and his wife, Tammy; as our Women's' Ministry Leader to the Midlands Churches of Christ Congregations here in England.
Many of us recall our earlier acquaintances with Andy and Tammy when they served as ministers with the Central London Church of Christ in the late 1980s. Their labour in Christ, as most of know, led them to Moscow (Russia) in the early 1990s after starting the church in Stockholm.
Their love for God continues to challenge and inspire us to be courageous, bold and rooted in the biblical conviction for all that is righteous.
Their work in Moscow has reaped an amazing harvest in Christ. This is evidenced in the testimony of their faith and courage in the Lord through out the 1990s. Over 18 Churches have been planted across the former Soviet Republic States all of which are still standing and faithful to God!
Towards the end of the last decade, Andy and Tammy Fleming were called to serve as World Sector Leaders for what was then known as the International Churches of Christ Administration sector. Once again, their impact in that Ministry has been felt around our worldwide fellowship. We truly honoured to have Andy and Tammy relocate with their children to Birmingham. Those of us who have spent some time with them over the past few weeks will agree that they really do inspire us individually and collectively to look upwards in our walk with God! We pray also that you will embrace them and support them in their ministry as they work alongside us all in Christ.
In their ministry roles, Andy and Tammy will work alongside the Trustees and the Shepherds to rebuild our fellowship and strengthen our churches.
Andy and Tammy are also committed to the Middle East World Sector Missions ('MEWS'). They will continue to co-ordinate the missionary work - in that challenging part of our fragile world. Let us continue to support their work in our prayers.
Let us also pray that God will continue to guide and protect them as they give of themselves to His work and for doors of opportunity to open up to them and our brothers and sisters in that part of the world. We are sure this pleases God.
Shepherds Group
As they are now responsible for the spiritual and pastoral leadership of the congregations, Andy and Tammy will now lead the Shepherds Group so as to free up Shepherds and House Church Leaders to focus on their own responsibilities to care for and minister to their charges.
Andy and Tammy as ministers will work with our local leadership team whilst at the same time, account to the Churches through the Board of Trustees.
The Trustees
It is envisaged all Trustees will get involved in the pastoral life of the churches - some, if not all, may return to the Shepherds Group whilst remaining the legal and administrative custodians and servants of the churches.
This is truly an encouraging day for all us. We commend the Flemings to you and ask that we all give them our support as they help to rebuild the walls and cloth of our communion with Christ. May His Will reign in all our lives and in His churches!
The Trustees
16 Sept 2007