Scott Jackson Update February / March 2025
Spring is upon us, and if you're like me, then you'll be pleased that winter is over. Whilst there are many beautiful aspects of winter that we can enjoy, the festivals and cosiness of being inside under a big thick blanket, I love the new life that we see as spring starts, with the leaves growing back, the blossom, and the general increase of people being outside.
So how do we relate this to our spiritual walk? Whilst no doubt we all have our spiritual winters, where maybe life is particularly hard or we feel like we're being pruned and it's painful, are we still recognising those moments and things for which we can be thankful? However our circumstances look, God is always good, and He is close to each one of us. It's more a question of if we recognise that or not. And then of course, we can look at our spiritual 'spring' and give thanks for the ways in which God is at work in opening new doors in different areas, in developing and building His Church and helping us both to disciple each other in our walks with Christ, and to reach out with the aim of looking to make more disciples of Jesus.
"God did this so that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though he is not far from any one of us." Acts 17:27
Spring is upon us, and if you're like me, then you'll be pleased that winter is over. Whilst there are many beautiful aspects of winter that we can enjoy, the festivals and cosiness of being inside under a big thick blanket, I love the new life that we see as spring starts, with the leaves growing back, the blossom, and the general increase of people being outside.
So how do we relate this to our spiritual walk? Whilst no doubt we all have our spiritual winters, where maybe life is particularly hard or we feel like we're being pruned and it's painful, are we still recognising those moments and things for which we can be thankful? However our circumstances look, God is always good, and He is close to each one of us. It's more a question of if we recognise that or not. And then of course, we can look at our spiritual 'spring' and give thanks for the ways in which God is at work in opening new doors in different areas, in developing and building His Church and helping us both to disciple each other in our walks with Christ, and to reach out with the aim of looking to make more disciples of Jesus.
"God did this so that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though he is not far from any one of us." Acts 17:27
Young Life...
Ministry at WyldLife continues to develop and over this last season, as a team we have been going through a podcast series called 'Fight Hustle End Hurry' by John Mark Comer and Jefferson Bethke, whereby we are looking at how can we slow down in life so that we can be even more effective. How can we maybe cut some things out of life so that it creates more breathing space to develop and grow our walks with Jesus. This has been both wonderful and challenging to both process and seek to put in effect, but it's interesting how much healthier we feel, in different ways by trying to apply these principles into our lives.
Both the clubs and the Bible studies are continuing, and it's interesting how over the last month, it's actually been several of the kids who have said to us that we need a bigger space. So prayers are appreciated for this. It's difficult to locate suitable spaces that are affordable prices. Many of the churches who do not own their own building also suffer with this problem.
During March we had a visiting team join us from America, and it was great to see them leading and engaging the kids in many ways in both the club and Bible study. As we move forward, between the 11th - 13th April we will have our annual Discipleship Retreat for the kids who are a part of the Bible Studies and are wanting to go deeper in their walks with Jesus. Last year there were 38 kids signed up. This year there are 50, which is encouraging.
Bible Studies...
The Bible Studies are moving forward in Novo Lisiche, and whilst growth is slow in terms of numbers, it's wonderful to see that growth is increasing in terms of depth, with peoples faith continuing to build. We continue to seek God for increased hunger and awakening among the people of Novo Lisiche to the Gospel, and as we engage with people in the neighbourhood, we are having opportunities to converse with people about the Lord.
ICEJ Macedonia...
Over this last two months, members of ICEJ including myself, Macedonia branch have been to a regional seminar in Sofia, Bulgaria, to both commemorate and remember the effects of the Holocaust within Bulgaria and Macedonia, the saving of Bulgaria's 43,000 Jews, and the death of Macedonia's 11,000 Jews and also for us to look at how the ministry is doing in the region and how it can work within and through the Church to help increase understanding of Israel's role in God's plan.
We have also launched our new website, which is available in both Macedonian and English. https://www.icejmk.org/
We are praying and expecting that multiple new initiatives can be undertaken, by God's grace, as we move forward including book translation, and organised tours and teaching.
Kochani...
As you may have seen on the news, during March, there was a disaster in the town of Kochani as a fire took hold in a nightclub where a concert was taking place. 59 people were killed, all between the ages of 14-24. Many were there without tickets, many underage. And many other rules and regulations were broken that night, including the conditions of fire safety in the venue. This has led to so much anger towards all those involved in organising and hosting the event and the authorities. We are thankful that several neighbouring countries, Bulgaria, Serbia, Greece, Turkey have helped with the treatment of the many injured.
Thanksgiving:
That my visa has successfully been renewed. I am just waiting now for my new ID card.
For the growth in the Young Life ministry as kids continue to grow in their faith.
For the moving forward of ICEJ Macedonia, with new momentum.
For the growing faith of people that we are in community with.
For the neighbouring countries who have forward to help the injured from Kochani.
That my girlfriend, was granted a visa to come and visit the UK with me.
Prayer Requests:
For a bigger space for the WyldLife Clubs.
For the Discipleship Retreat later in April. That the kids would continue to go deeper in their walk with the Lord with increased passion and hunger for Him and the calling He has for them.
For more open doors for ICEJ to be able to share in the local churches here in Macedonia.
For the continued growth in faith of those who are coming to the Bible Studies, and for increased opportunities to both share the Gospel in Novo Lisiche and for people to recognise it as the truth.
For the full healing for those who have been injured in Kochani, and that the Church uses this opportunity to both comfort the brokenhearted, and to help direct people to the Lord.