Introducing the bus outreach

We are a registered charity: Charity No. 1081578

‘This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…’ – 1 Timothy Ch1 v 15.

The bus outreach has now been active for 30 years. This outreach endeavors to share the gospel of Jesus Christ on the streets of the Isle of Wight and we are well known locally. This method has proven over the years to be a successful way of reaching those who, for a variety of reasons, may never hear of the good news of Jesus Christ.

Since the COVID lockdown was relaxed, we strarted to go out again on the streets 3 nights a week. The trust continues to meet at various times in order to steer the administration of the outreach prayerfully. Each of the team and trust are from different churches around the island, working together for the gospel in Christ.

As an outreach we also play a part in the different county shows through the spring and summer months. We engage in different family activities like face painting, as well as to present a book stall and Christian tracts.

Each Easter time it has been regular for us to conduct a walk of witness through carrying the cross around the Isle of Wight over the first week of the holiday and finishing on Easter Sunday morning. On Good Friday the team work together for some street outreach in Newport town square.

People will often see the initials of the outreach which are on the side of the bus and ask what the letters JCWGVA stand for. This name was introduced when the outreach became a registered charity. It may seen a bit of a mouthful in one respect but if talking to Christians it helps to explain our work as we are called to be witnesses and also we are in a spiritual battle. If those outside the body of Christ do inquire about it then we find it is a good conversation starter.

Thank you for taking the time to view these pages and may our dear Lord richly bless you as you serve Him. The team and trustees.

Easter 2024 Newsletter

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Mar 302024

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Jesus Christ Witness God’s Victorious Army

Charity No. 1081578 www.godpod.org.uk
Easter 2024 NEWSLETTER

Charity No. 1081578 www.godpod.org.uk

Easter Greetings

I would like to share a narrative found in Genesis 28, where Isaac blesses Jacob to find a wife. In chapter 28 vrs 10 he arrives at Bethel where he has an encounter with the Lord.
God makes a covenant with him that he had with Abram and Isaac. Genesis 15 vrs 10&17 was not like the covenant in Jeremiah 34 vrs 18. Abram was a spectator to God’s grace.
Genesis 22 vrs 15 records that the angel of the Lord called to Abram from heaven, “I swear by myself” in response to Abram not withholding Isaac his only son, it would be helpful to read Genesis 22 ! Jacob was 77 when he left Isaac!
This is the covenant God made with Jacob, notice the promise, vrs 15 (companionship,” I am with you”, safety, “I will keep you wherever you go;” Guidance, “and will bring you back to this land” a personal guarantee ” I will not leave you “. Jacob also made a vow in vrs 20 but with an “IF” in it.
Chapter 29 vrs 4 we can see God’s promise unfolding, Jacob didn’t know where he was, God guided him and it was perfect timing because Rachel arrived with her sheep! Chapter 31 vrs 3 again God’s guidance; vrs 11 – the angel of God spoke to him in a dream; vrs 12 God saw what Laban was doing to Jacob; vrs 13 “I am the God of Bethel”. God is fulfilling the covenant promise to him.
Chapter 32 vrs 24 – Jacob struggled all his life, first with Esau, then Laban, and now was wrestling with a man! The man was an angel! (Hosea 12 vrs 4 the angel of Jehovah). Genesis 32 vrs 26 Jacob said unless you bless me, I will not let you go. Asked what his name was, “Jacob” he answered. Jacob, ‘supplanter’, ‘conman’; he confessed and was renamed “ISRAEL”.
Up to this point everything had come to Jacob second hand through his father and grandfather, he now realises that the blessing comes from God. Chapter 33 vrs 18 – Jacob went to Shechem in Canaan which represents the world!
He did not do as he was told or keep the vow he made to God in chapter 28 vrs 20-2; he settled in Shechem.
Please read chapter 34 the events of settling 30 miles from where God had told him to go.
God’s name isn’t mentioned in this chapter and it’s a long time before God speaks to Jacob again, and that is in chapter 35 vrs 1 “go up to Bethel” v11.
Genesis 47 vrs 31 Jacob worshipped as he leaned on the top of his staff.
See Hebrew’s 11 vrs 21-chapter 48 vrs 15&16.
Genesis 31 vrs 19 Rachel stole her father’s household god’s (idols) this was a serious matter because now Jacob held the title to Laban’s estate.
Genesis 35 – says get rid of foreign gods in verse 19, Rachel died in childbirth and was buried by the side of the road and not in the family tomb. The question we need to ask ourselves do we have any idols in our lives?
May the risen Lord bless you always, Mick.

Thank God For Easter
This season of the year for us as believers is always special as we consider the great sacrifice made for us by our dear Lord Jesus Christ it cost Him dearly. We cannot begin to imagine how much it cost our dear Lord to be betrayed, to be deserted, to be denied and rejected, yet He suffered all this for you and me. I find it amazing that in Hebrews 12 vrs 2, Jesus says that He counted it all joy knowing what was to come. The price has been paid in full for our sins and as “far as the east is from the west” He remembers our sins no more. Does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! We are commanded to be holy as God is holy and it is only with the Holy Spirit’s help that we can live lives that are well pleasing to God.
We thank God that Jesus was raised from the dead and now reigns in glory. This gospel must be preached until the end when Christ returns. The bible is full of promises and the return of Jesus is one that will surely happen at the right time. Let us not tire in sharing the good news concerning our dear Lord and may we live expectantly for His coming again.
May His grace and peace abide with you and those you love – Roy.

Bus Activity
We regret owing to poor health within the team and awaited vehicle repairs we have not been able to be at Freshwater, Wroxall and Shanklin. It is our desire as soon as practical to recommence the outreach in the near future. We have also had to very reluctantly abandon our walk with the cross this year. In the mean time we have continued to be active for the Lord in other ways. Your continued prayers are greatly needed and valued. Thank you to all who give financially to the outreach we do appreciate your faithfulness. Roy Acting Chairman.

A Morning Thought by C H Spurgeon
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God.” — 1Jn_3:1,1Jn_3:2
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us.” Consider who we were, and what we feel ourselves to be even now when corruption is powerful in us, and you will wonder at our adoption. Yet we are called “the sons of God.” What a high relationship is that of a son, and what privileges it brings! What care and tenderness the son expects from his father, and what love the father feels towards the son! But all that, and more than that, we now have through Christ. As for the temporary drawback of suffering with the elder brother, this we accept as an honour: “Therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” We are content to be unknown with him in his humiliation, for we are to be exalted with him. “Beloved, now are we the sons of God.” That is easy to read, but it is not so easy to feel. How is it with your heart this morning? Are you in the lowest depths of sorrow? Does corruption rise within your spirit, and grace seem like a poor spark trampled under foot? Does your faith almost fail you? Fear not, it is neither your graces nor feelings on which you are to live: you must live simply by faith on Christ. With all these things against us, now-in the very depths of our sorrow, wherever we may be-now, as much in the valley as on the mountain, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God.” “Ah, but,” you say, “see how I am arrayed! my graces are not bright; my righteousness does not shine with apparent glory.” But read the next: “It doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him.” The Holy Spirit shall purify our minds, and divine power shall refine our bodies, then shall we see him as he is.

May this Easter be a very blessed time from the team and trustees