CLC World 2015 Issue 2

CLC W RLD clc.org.uk/clcworld

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2015 / 2

MAKING AN IMPACT: Nothing is wasted!

PAGES 11- 22

CLC Italy donates their slightly damaged Christian resources to prision libraries. Here are some volunteers of their team delivering a selection Bibles & books to a prison in Naples.

Bringing glory to God by making evangelical Christian literature available to all nations so that people may come to faith and maturity in the Lord Jesus Christ.

In order to succeed we must never stop seeking the Lord!

In his classic straightforward style, Stuart Briscoe compares and contrasts the lives of these two great biblical kings (David and Saul) to show us the path to spiritual transparency and a godly heart.

Mission: clc.org.uk Online Shop: clcbookshops.com For magazine feedback or to SUBSCRIBE to CLC World (Single or Bulk), contact Amanda Lutes, CLC World Editor at:

291 Abbeydale Rd. Sheffield S7 1FJ

3-7 CLC News Bites 11-22

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clcworld@clcbookshops.com Personnel Enquiries:

New Project

personnel@clcbookshops.com

Burmese Study Bible

Finance Office:

For Overseas Opportunities:

office@clcinternational.org

Registered as a charity in England & Wales (1015793) and in Scotland (SC037939)

25-26 27-29 BOB HARTMAN & Talking Tales

financeuk@clcbookshops.com 51 The Dean, Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 9BJ Tel: 01962 733342

CLC WORLD

REVIEWS

~ BOOKS WE RECOMMEND!

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291 Abbeydale Rd, Sheffield, S7 1FJ

Getting involved

CLC International (UK)

30 Partnership

ook 8 - 10 BExcerpt

ISBN: 9781619581845 PRICE: ÂŁ7.99

Daily we are impacting thousands of lives in over

50 countries around the world

Scan the QR code or go to clc.org.uk/projects to discover more about our on-going projects

CLC NEWS!

Dear Reader,

gazine, filled g up our mission ma Thank you for pickin news updates, Prayer Focus and d with CLC projects an reviews and author interviews. rpts, relevant book exce will find it an informative and u I sincerely hope yo encouraging read. ministry’s biggest t, we find that our More often than no s to help deepen rce ou res n Christia role is recommending pport them with their outreach to su someone’s faith or visit to one of our e Lord ever used a th s Ha you or greatly endeavours. k member to spea to ff sta C CL a or res you read from cent was even something us! aid you? Perhaps it th wi zine? Please share our CLC World maga having a regular xt issue, we will be Starting from the ne ere we look forward wh ‘Testimony’ section testimonies! Simply C’ ‘CL ur yo m to sharing @clcbookshops.co rld send them to clcwo rld Editor Amanda Lutes, CLC Wo

If you see the Facebook logo, then that CLC team is on Facebook.

Don’t panic. I’m with you.

There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength.

I’ll help you.

I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.

Isaiah 41:10 (MSG)

CLC Paris, France:

Our team responds to the attacks in early January.

It was a very stressing time for the Parisians, especially for those who were in the trains and the underground, while the police was looking for the two terrorists. Even though as Christians we trust in God, we were greatly anguished by the situation. I personally phoned a believer who was panicstricken throughout the police search.

As a team, we strongly believed that all over the world Christians were getting together to join us in prayer. Throughout these prayerful days, we tried to remain sensible and watchful since we were receiving regular updates from the media — especially as these crimes often inspire new attacks. Some of our customers, feeling concerned for our safety, asked us why we had not taken on a security guard. To each one, my wife gave the same answer: our Lord takes care of us.

Quentin, Bookshop Manager, CLC Paris

CLC London, UK: What a wonderful surprise!

After the busy rush of Christmas, our team in London were enjoying a fairly normal Tuesday afternoon on the 6th of January.

Suddenly, one of the members of the team spotted this familiar face browsing the shop.

Yes, that is worship leader, Michael W. Smith with our very own Isabel Bernardi! Thank you Lord for this wonderful blessing.

,

PS. Please remember Isabel in prayer as she recovers from a recent surgery. Thank you!

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UK Managers & Assistants

CLC UK Managers’ Meeting:

Melanie Gardiner and Sophia Scholle with the ‘incomparable’ Paul Crisp!

CLC Wholesale (UK) welcomes the managers

In February, we held our biannual managers’ meetings at the CLC Wholesale located in Hampshire. It has been many years since the meetings were held here and with so many new members joining the mission, it was decided to be the ideal location.

Melanie Gardiner, Aberdeen CLC Bookshop & Cafe Manager, shared: It was amazing to visit the CLC Warehouse in Alresford and see all the action happening! We had a very fruitful time there, and it was great to be with all the other shop managers to share ideas with each other about how best to move forward and represent the CLC mission to the best of our ability in our local community and as a whole. The time of prayer we had as a team of UK shop managers was very special too, and it was great to have the time to enjoy our links in The Lord together! My highlight was finally meeting the one and only Paul Crisp in the warehouse and finally being able to congratulate his incomparable book-finding skills in person!

BUILDING YOUR CONFIDENCE IN THE BIBLE Confident

Why we can trust the Bible Michael Ovey & Daniel Strange Is God in control? Can he be trusted? Is he moral? Does he care and can he speak into my life and my struggles? Daniel Strange and Michael Ovey set out how we can place our com om mplete tru tr r st in Scripture, challenging both complete trust Christians and those outside the church.

9781781915547 RRP £7.99 £6.99*

A Christian’s Pocket Guide to Loving The Old Testament

One Book, One God, One Story Alec Motyer The latest addition to the excellent pocket guide series from one of the master scholars on the Old Testament Alec Motyer.

97817 811 819 9158 806 6 £4.99 9781781915806 *Offer valid until the 30th of June

Backchat

Answering Christianity’s Critics Chris Sinkinson Tackles the dodgy science and Christian urban myths that can ruin our own witness and the dignity and authority of the Christian Church.

9781781914069 RRP £6.99 £5.99*

The Bible Is God’s Word

Catherine MacKenzie What is the Bible anyway?

Who wrote it? Is it really accurate and how can we know for sure that it is true totally true? These and other questions about the Word of God are answered in this book.

9781781915554 £5.99

CLC Makeni, Sierra Leone:

USA to Thailand:

Thanking God for His protection of Alie

For the past nine months, we have been praying for the eradication of the Ebola virus. We are very grateful to God for what He has done for us as a country.

We especially appreciate God’s protection for our brother, Alie Kamara, who was sent to Makeni to work in the new shop. It has not been an easy start because the region has basically been shut down for the past two months! Praise God that through this difficult time He has kept Alie safe and yet enabled him to get Christian resources into the hands of those desperately seeking courage from God’s Word.

Responding to God’s calling

Don and Betsy Veldboom have responded to God’s call on their lives for service as literature missionaries and are preparing to visit the CLC team in Thailand this year for two months where they will be helping with the English book department.

Don served for many years as the President of OM Literature in the USA and was also a District Manager for Family Christian Stores prior to that.

At the time of writing, our tenancy agreement for the Makeni shop is coming to an end. Please join us in prayer as we search for a better location more central to Makeni’s town centre as well as for the necessary funds.

Donald John, CLC Sierra Leone National Director

CLC Philippines: The Board of Directors

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CLC Florence, Italy: Outreaching to tourists!

You may be thinking, why does CLC have a bookshop on a street as ‘unattractive’ as this? The answer is simple: The group of people you see standing in the street is actually queuing to see Michelangelo’s David, one of the most famous statues in the world. It is in this little shop you will find all the important tourist paraphernalia, plus Bibles and other essential Christian resources in numerous languages! Please pray for the active ministry of this team and the many tourists they interact with on a daily basis.

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The CLC Philippines Board of Directors gets together regularly to pray for their country and their ministry, seeking God’s will and wisdom for the future. As their mission is spread across the different islands in the Philippines, this comes with quite a few ‘extra’ challenges.

Please remember to pray for these leaders.

Why not follow along with your local CLC bookshop on Facebook & Twitter?

Search: CLC Bookshops UK shop locations: clc.org.uk/shops 55

CLC Easter Project: Portuguese Bibles for Africa!

CLC Miami, USA:

CLC UK Bookshops decided to give this project an extra boost in February by asking their customers to fill out a survey.

For every customer survey completed, the team will donate £1 towards this project.

With just £5 CLC Portugal is able to send a Portuguese Bible to Africa to be given away.

A huge thank you to those who completed the survey as we’ve raised enough to send an additional 52 Bibles! *In 2014, Bibles were sent to both Angola and Mozambique!

With the arrival of this last certificate we are ready to finally able to open our new shop in Miami! CLC Colombia first established a warehouse in Miami a couple years back and now, with this little piece of paper, they can expand their ministry in this city. A BIG thank you to all those who have been praying!

Praising God for this important permit!

CLC Seoul, Korea: Keep up the good work!

UPDATE: I’ve just received word that the Stockport, UK shop is taking this a step further and for every customer who spends more then £25 in their shop (full priced items) from Ash Wednesday until the Saturday before Easter Sunday, they will donate an additional £1 towards this project!

To learn more about the different projects we are involved in please visit:

clc.org.uk/projects

CLC Korea is well known for publishing award-winning Christian books throughout the country. As you can see from the photo, having a great selection of strong Christian resources available in our shops makes both the customers and our staff happy. Please continute to pray for the team that makes the tough decision about which books to publish as they are now receiving numerous manuscripts.

CLC (UK

) 1941 -

2015

A Lighthouse On the High Street If you are passionate about the Gospel message and have a desire to reach your community, why not join a ‘family’ that loves serving the Lord, their community, and making a life-transforming impact around the world? Whether you are looking for voluntary or paid work, or even something in between, among the many opportunities we currently have available, CLC needs reliable, diligent, and enthusiastic team members for our busy bookshops, offices, and warehouse.

For nearly 75 years, CLC teams have been impacting lives across the UK. If you enjoy working in a team environment and believe, like we do, that Christian books CHANGE lives, why not visit our website to discover more about the different opportunities available to serve with us?

clc.org.uk/vacancies

Email your enquiries to personnel@clcbookshops.com 6

CLC UK is pleased to be partnering with:

Church Planting Forum 2015 – Shaping the Future

How can our Church Planting Initiatives shape the future?

There are Church Planting Initiatives going on all around us, around the world, in our nation and in our communities. People who are full of enthusiasm, passion and inspiration for planting churches in all sorts of areas are hard at work, joining in with and encouraging the growth of God’s Kingdom.

Springdale College: Together in Mission’s Church Planting Forum (CPF) is an event which works to bring together those working at and influencing Church Planting all around the country. Why? So that we can inspire, encourage and inform one another, while building relationships to help strengthen the work at hand.

by Penny Simpkins

The afternoon was spent in lively discussion around seven different topic areas with members of the team and guests interacting through sharing ideas, thoughts, prayers and stories.

Our 2015 CPF came to an end with guests and team alike feeling inspired, encouraged and a part of a church planting community which will only go from strength to strength.

We were also very grateful to CLC who provided our guests and team with goodies to take home to further inspire and encourage us.

This year, Roy Crowne from Hope UK joined us as our CPF chairman, inspiring us with his own stories of church planting while helping to encourage networking in the room. Anji Barker, who has just moved to the UK from living in Thailand’s largest slum for the past 12 years, joined us as our key speaker, sharing with us inspirational and humorous stories of what it means to see God’s Kingdom grow in the most colourful of places.

We then had the privilege of being joined by seven fantastic Church Planters, all of whom are planting in different ways and areas, be that from developing other church planting leaders, to understanding denominational differences, to mapping community needs, to understanding multicultural church opportunities, and so much more.

Bible software donated by the CLC Carrs Lane Bookshop in Birmingham If you would like to know more about, be part of and hear from our Church Planting Forum, then please do get in contact and get yourself on our contact list: penny@springdalecollege.org.uk.

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God has placed before you an

OPEN DOOR I come from a long line of preachers, with a long line of stories about how they got their ‘call.’

My great-grandfather, Robert Bennett Hall, ran away from an orphanage when he was twelve and ended up working for a shopkeeper and marrying his daughter. One day he was sweeping out the store when he got the call, put down his broom, went home, and told my great-grandmother that he’d been called to be a preacher.

My brother-in-law, Craig, was working at a grocery store when he received what was to him an unmistakable summons to become a pastor.

He got his call in the frozen foods section.

I never got a call—at least not one like that. I used to hang out in grocery stores sometimes, but I never got a call. It took me many years to understand that God may have very good reasons to leave choices up to us rather than sending us emails telling us what to do.

When the invitation to move from California to Chicago to serve as a pastor at Willow Creek Community Church came back in1994, I faced the same dilemma. If pastors change churches, they’re supposed to have a clear call— especially if the new church is bigger than the old one.

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John Ortberg is the senior pastor at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church (MPPC), an author, and a speaker. John’s teaching centres around our everyday life with God and how God cares more about who we are becoming than what we do.

Pastors will usually say things like “I didn’t want to go anywhere, but I got this strange sense of unrest in my spirit, and I had to obey.” Pastors almost never say stuff like “This new church is way bigger than my old church, and I am super excited about that.”

But I had thoughts like that. I knew they weren’t my best thoughts, or my only thoughts, but they were in the mix. And I had to struggle with them. I think maybe that’s part of why God works through open doors. They help us struggle with our real dreams and motives.

So my wife, Nancy, and I wrestled with this decision, and ultimately decided to go to Chicago. We got no divine direction or supernatural indicators as far as we could tell.

But we chose it because the adventure of ‘yes’ seemed more alive than the safety of ‘no’.

Very rarely in the Bible does God come to someone and say, “Stay.” Almost never does God interrupt someone and ask them to remain in comfort, safety, and familiarity. He opens a door and calls them to come through it.

The staggering truth is that this very moment is alive with opportunity. What could you

be doing right this moment that you aren’t?

You could be learning to speak Chinese. You could be training for a marathon. You could be logging on to eHarmony to search for—and possibly meet—the love of your life. You could be telling a friend a secret you’ve never told another living soul. You could be sponsoring an impoverished child. You could be watching The Bachelor, or buying the world’s sharpest knife from an infomercial, or finally making that therapy appointment your spouse has been encouraging you to make for years.

There’s an open door.

But wait! There’s more. ‘Open door’ isn’t a phrase to describe just any opportunity. An open door is an opportunity provided by God, to act with God and for God. In that little passage to the church at Philadelphia, the apostle John has a wonderful expression. He writes that what stands before the church is literally an opened door. Jewish writers often avoided writing the word God directly, out of reverence. So this is John’s way of saying that the opportunity being offered did not come out of the blue.

God was at work. What lies before us is more than merely human. Not simply open doors, but opened doors.

And God is in the open-door business. This means a new way of looking at God. He prefers yes to no. He loves adventure and opportunity.

This means a new way of looking at life. I do not have to be afraid of failure. I do not have to live in fear over circumstance. Each moment is an opportunity to look for a door that opens up into God and his presence.

This means a new way of looking at myself. I am no longer limited by my smallness and weakness.

The God who opens the door to me is also the God who knows how small and weak I am.

This means a new way of choosing. I no longer have to live under the tyranny of the perfect choice. God can use even what looks like the “wrong door” if I go through it with the right heart.

Our lives are filled with doors.

Maybe you are in a rut. Your life is safe but not fulfilling. You have a desire to do more or be more.

Maybe you are in transition. People are changing jobs, companies, and whole careers more often than ever before. How do you choose wisely?

Maybe you have a passion. You have traveled overseas and seen a great need, or you have studied a problem and want to make a difference. What’s your next step?

Maybe you’re facing an empty nest. You suddenly have freedom and time and possibilities that haven’t been available in a few decades. What is the best way to spend them?

Maybe you’re retiring. But you know the word retire isn’t in the Bible, and you’re not ready for death or shuffleboard. What might God have next for you?

Perhaps you’re on the brink of an exciting relationship or thinking about marriage. How do you know if this person is ‘the one’?

Every morning is an open door; every moment can become one. Some of us see the doors and seize them, and so life becomes a divine adventure. Some of us shrink back or fail to see.

To fail to embrace the open door is to miss the work God has made for us to do.

If we want to experience more of the Spirit of God in our lives, we need to train ourselves to look for and respond to moments of divine opportunity. Every journey— yours, too—will be filled with uncertainty and mystery and adventure and frustration and surprise.

God told Abram, “Go to the place I will show you.” That’s where the open door leads. To the place where God guides. God opened a door.

Abram went. And the rest is history.

Where will your doors lead?

To find out more about the divine adventure God has waiting for you, pick up a copy of John Ortberg’s new book, All the Places to Go… How Will You Know? Available online and wherever books are sold February 24, 2015. Or, visit www.johnortberg.com 9

When God opens a door, how do you know?

John Ortberg reveal s how to never miss a divi ne opportunity in his new book…

Let JOHN ORTBERG open your eyes to the countless doors God places before you every day, teach you to recognize them, and encourage you to step through in faith and embrace all of the extraordinary opportunities that God has set before you.

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au d i o pa r t i c i pa n t ’ s guide

Read the first chapter at tyndal.es/AllThePlaces or scan this QR code:

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clc.org.uk clcbookshops.com

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TYNDALE and Tyndale’s quill logo are registered trademarks of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Join us in this work. Lend us a hand through prayer so that many will give thanks for the gift that comes to us when God answers the prayers of so many.

2 Corinthians 1:11 (VOICE)

March 30th - April 5th

Week 14: Canada Monday (30th) - Brossard:

Our financial results have forced us to reorganise our structure as quickly as possible. We need to close the warehouse and one of our branches, which are both located in the same building in Brossard. As we are bound by a lease, we need to sublet this location. To do this, we are using the services of a real estate agent specialising in the field. Please pray that we might find someone to sublet as soon as possible.

Tuesday (31st) - CLC Book Counters:

As our territory is vast and sparsely populated, we find it difficult to actually take literature to the people living in the outlying regions. Because of this, we are starting a new structure this year - CLC book counters.

Halfway between a book shop and a church book table, the counter will be a place where churches and individuals in the area can come and pick up books and other articles. Please pray for the introduction of at least three counters this year.

Wednesday (1st) - Publishing:

Having started publishing books last year, with Josh McDowell’s book More than a Carpenter as our first book, we want to continue in this area. Our goal this year is to start a new project every month. Please pray that we might find good authors and good books that will reach and bless the readers.

Thursday (2nd) - Staff Training:

Last year, we arranged staff training sessions, but on a ‘need’ basis. This year we plan to hold training sessions every quarter. Please pray that the training will be relevant and contribute to improving the service we give to our customers.

Friday (3rd) - Distribution:

We have been distributing to other book shops for the past 20 years. We have specialized in DVDs and games, with only a few books. However, we now want to significantly increase our distribution of books.

Please pray that the Lord will open up opportunities for us in this regard.

The Weekend (4th/5th) - ZETeO:

In 2014 we set up a regular event we have called ‘ZETeO’. Zeteo is a Greek word which means ‘to look for’. Every two months we hold a lecture in one of our bookshops. These are given by a guest speaker, based on his or her theological specialty.

The speakers are professors or students who have published an academic thesis (masters or doctorate). Pray that our guests will be inspired and able to impart knowledge that can be used to build-up and attract the interest of listeners.

(ZETeO event photo) Week 14 information provided by Antoine Roberge, CLC Canada National Director 11

April 6th - April 12th

Week 15: French Speaking West Africa (FSWA) Monday (6th) - Relocation in Burkina Faso:

Please pray with us that the ministry in Burkina Faso finds its place again after having to relocate the Ouagadougou bookshop in 2014. Pray that customers will find us easily and that we will be more effective in serving the church and the country.

Tuesday (7th) - The Health of CLC Burkina Faso and its team: Good health is important. Please pray for the financial health of CLC and also for the physical health of the workers and their families.

Requests sent in by Prosper Weda, Director for CLC FSWA

Wednesday (8th) - Three Specific Needs for CLC Benin:

*Pray for someone with a clear call from the Lord to serve with us in Benin through Christian literature *Sometimes we encounter problems related to the way in which we pay our invoices. May the Lord help us to find the best way. *Pray for a miracle, that the Lord would open up the way so that we could have our own property.

Thursday (9th) - Benin Mail Bags:

The method of sending new merchandise via mail bags to the post office is very helpful for us. However, some of our suppliers do not know this method, so they often send our orders via transportation companies.

This means that we have to pay a transport tax, which can be very high. Please pray that our suppliers will understand and that they will use the mail bag system. Thank you.

Requests sent in by Emmanuel Ladeyo, CLC Benin Manager

Friday (10th) - Bouake, Côte D’Ivoire:

“Please pray that CLC in Bouake will go well and that the Lord will lift up the sales again to the point where the bookshop can fully cover its own expenses and then begin to make a profit. Please also pray for the town of Bouake that has a much greater Muslim influence since the 2002 crisis (the first civil war in Ivory Coast).

Pray for a spiritual awakening as Christians return to the country and that this will also have an effect on our sales. May God bless you!” Martine Foto, shop manager

The Weekend (11th/12th) - Abidjan, Côte D’Ivoire:

“The past few years have been tough for the ministry but now it is a year since the introduction of new leadership and, slowly but surely, the direction of the work is beginning to change. Give thanks with us for the fact that debts are being paid off to suppliers and generally things are improving. However, there is still the matter of the CLC apartment, which has not yet sold. These funds are needed to help clear an outstanding debt to Livr’Afrique. Please pray with us that we can soon find a buyer and be able to get a fair price in the transaction, so that we may meet our obligations.” Liz Patten, CLC Regional Director for Africa

April 13th - April 19th

Week 16: France Monday (13th) - Paris:

We plan to move out of the current bookshop because the landlord wants to double the rent. We need to find an appropriate new location in the same area of Paris, somewhere big enough to present a lot of books and easy to find for our customers. At the time of writing, we don’t 12

CLC Paris Team

know if we will find an affordable shop – either to purchase, if at all possible, or to rent. We need God’s guidance in all our decisions. Please pray also for our shop team in Paris managed by Quentin Lala.

Tuesday (14th) - Rennes:

CLC Rennes is the only Christian bookshop in Bretagne (western France). There are very few evangelical Christians in this region and CLC France wants to maintain a presence here although the sales are not so good. Please pray with us for a revival in Bretagne. We were so happy last year to see a young lady, who was going through serious difficulties with depression, become a Christian after visiting the bookshop and receiving help and encouragement from the shop manager Marie-Pierre.

Wednesday (15th) - Marseille:

You may have heard about tensions in France with Muslims, and our Marseille bookshop is situated in a Muslim area. Please pray with us for the security of the shop, and for Martine who manages the shop, and her helpers and customers. We want to be a light in this big multi-ethnic city.

Thursday (16th) - Lille:

Ruth Williams has served with CLC in France for many years and has had a number of responsible positions. Ruth took over as manager of the bookshop in Lille almost two years ago. A major prayer request is for more voluntary help for Ruth and co-worker John Pierre. While Ruth has been there, 10 volunteers have come and gone (one returned) and we are grateful to all who have helped, but volunteers who can commit to helping longer term would make a huge difference. As Ruth says “It takes a tremendous amount of effort to keep a bookshop vibrant and working well.”

CLC Lille, France

Friday (17th) - Montélimar Bookshop:

Heidi Lauber has been working with CLC over the last 36 years. She is now back home in Switzerland.

Emmanuelle, who just moved to the area in January, replaced Heidi as manager of the Montélimar bookshop. Emmanuelle has a lot to learn about how to run a bookshop and she also has to help the purchasing department as she sends regular orders to 12 suppliers. Please pray for Emmanuelle during these early days in her new job.

The Weekend (18th/19th) - Montélimar Warehouse:

We increased the size of our building by 220m² in 2013 and a further 600m² in 2014 in order to serve more publishers. We are now doing the logistics for 5 publishers and the Scouts Association. This means that we stock their books, receive their orders each day and deliver to their customers. This is a good activity because delivery costs to us are greatly reduced, and we achieve better rates from transport companies and for packaging material. Please pray with us for a good and efficient organisation in this developing department.

Week 16 information provided by Hervé Lessous, CLC France National Director

April 20th - April 26th

Week 17: CLC Connections Monday (20th) - CLC Ecuador’s Hospital Connection:

CLC Guayaquil, Ecuador

In 2012, CLC opened a second bookshop in the city of Guayaquil. Carlos Marin, the National Director for CLC in Ecuador, writes to say that the shop is well established and has a steady flow of customers. Many customers are visitors to a major university hospital that is close to the shop and CLC is becoming an ‘oasis’ for family members of people who are admitted to the hospital. The team pray that they will be sensitive to the needs of these customers and have opportunities to give spiritual encouragement.

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Tuesday (21st) - CLC India’s Hospital Connection:

Six of the 21 CLC bookshops in India are located in hospitals, or in the surrounding hospital grounds. In Vellore, Bangalore, Ludhiana, Guwati and Ranipet they are linked to hospitals run by Christian organisations or denominations and in Pondicherry the bookshop is part of the campus of the Pondicherry Institute of Medical Science. These shops are open to the general public as well, but have an CLC Hospital Bookshop - Bangalore, India important ministry among people who are unwell and their visitors.

Wednesday (22nd) - Hospital Connections for CLC Trinidad and CLC Belarus:

In both Trinidad and Belarus there are CLC members involved in ministry in local hospitals. In Trinidad a member of staff visits patients and, as the opportunity arises, prays with them. Some people have come to know the Lord personally through this ministry. In Belarus, the involvement has extended to the bookshop where relatives of patients in the local Children’s hospital visit the bookshop. Some just want somewhere to go, while others buy books or want to talk to someone. Currently, three mothers of children who are seriously ill attend a weekly Bible study that is held in the bookshop.

Thursday (23rd) - CLC Italy Connecting with Prisons:

CLC Naples, in partnership with the rest of CLC Italy, has a project to collect books that cannot be sold - because of minor damage for example - to be donated to prison libraries. Volunteers have taken deliveries of books to a prison near Naples and we hope to give more books, as we are able, in the future. (See photo on the left)

Friday(24th) - CLC USA Connecting with Prisons:

CLC USA sends free books to prisoners on a regular basis, as they are requested. Carolyn Moore coordinates this program and communicates with the recipients of these books as they are being sent out. Very often she hears back from prisoners about how meaningful the books have been. One prisoner said, “I want you to know that you have not only been a blessing to myself, but after reading the books, I have passed them into the system to be read by others as well, so you have been a blessing to many men in here over the years.”

The Weekend (25th/26th) - CLC Chile Connecting with Prisons:

CLC Chile takes books to one of the prisons in the capital city, Santiago. The aim is to provide a complete library of reference books for each individual prison block. Claudio, a member of the CLC team, is committed to carrying out this ministry. In 2014 CLC arranged for prisoners to attend a Thompson Bible seminar and we praise God for the opportunity to hold this event.

April 27th - May 3rd

Week 18: United Kingdom (UK1) Monday (27th) - Inverness:

“Once again this year, we plan to travel to outlying areas in the north of Scotland with bookstalls. These will include a large selection of children’s books etc., for the churches’ Annual Prize Giving in May. With Christian bookshop closures, there may well be some additional venues on our route this year and we need wisdom in the planning. Pray too for safety as we travel extensively in the Scottish highlands.”Les and Esther Dowey.

Tuesday (28th) - Sheffield:

The Sheffield shop fittings and layout are starting to look old and are in need of attention. Pray for Jan Burnham (shop manager), Mick Goodman (Operations Manager) and the retail team as they begin to consider the options for at least a partial refresh sometime this year.

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CLC Sheffield, UK Bookshop

Wednesday (29th) -Newcastle:

Pray for the Newcastle shop as they try to fill the gaps created by the recent closure of two local bookshops.

Pray that they can link up with churches and individuals from these areas and provide the materials and services they need. Pray too for more staff/volunteer help for Brian Taylor, the manager.

Give thanks that Imon Ragui’s visa has been approved! At the time of writing, he has just returned from India and should soon be joining Brian in Newcastle.

Thursday (30th) - London:

Pray for the recruitment of a deputy manager for the London shop. The manager, Shelley Webb, and her team need more help so that they can develop the possibilities provided by a shop in this key location near to St. Paul’s Cathedral. As the tourist season approaches pray that many foreign visitors will find, appreciate and use the shop.

Friday (1st) - Dundee and Guildford:

Pray for the Dundee shop. Mark Buchanan has recently become the manager and Ian and Lynne are two part time workers who have joined the team. After falling for some years, sales in Dundee need to increase to balance the books so pray for the team as they reach out to churches and build contacts with the local community. Give thanks for the support we are receiving from a number of strategic local churches.

CLC Dundee, UK Team Lynne, Mark, Iain

The Guildford shop has also experienced falling sales for a few years. However, give thanks for recent good improvements and pray for Graham Lapthorn and the team as they build on what has been achieved.

The Weekend (2nd/3rd) - Bookshop Leases:

The leases for several UK shops become due for renewal or renegotiation this year. Please pray for Mick Goodman, CLC Operations and for Jennie Byrne, who is our property advisor, as they talk to landlords and their agents about terms and conditions for new leases. The Leadership Team and Trustees also need much wisdom in knowing how to proceed when new terms are proposed.

May 4th - May 10th

Week 19: The Philippines Monday (4th) - Bookshops and Wholesale:

CLC Karuhatan, Philippines

Please pray for daily operations of our bookshops in Malolos, Cebu, Naga, Davao, the main shop in Karuhatan (Manila) and the shop attached to the Febias Bible College. Also continue to pray for our wholesale operations based in Karuhatan as the way some larger retail customers buy from us has changed.

CLC Cebu, Philippines

Tuesday (5th) - Cebu:

Please pray for the bookshop in Cebu City. We need to find personnel to manage the shop as the current manager, who moved there from CLC in Manila, is now approaching to retirement age.

Wednesday (6th) - Davao City:

CLC Davao is the most recent shop to open and there is a need for additional staff. A recent resignation means that, at the time of writing, just the manager and a volunteer were running the shop. Please pray for God’s provision of additional competent staff.

Thursday (7th) - Wholesale:

Continue to pray for the Sales Team of the Wholesale Department that they will be encouraged and more efficient in selling our books through different channels despite the challenges that they continually face.

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Friday (8th) - Online Shopping:

Praise God for the orders through the online shop, LAZADA. Our products have been active on this site since last December and orders are coming in. Continue to uphold us in prayer, as we will be adding more titles to this site.

The Weekend (9th/10th) - Facilities in Valenzuela: Our main HQ, warehouse and bookshop in Valenzuela continues to be a channel of blessings to other Christian groups here in Valenzuela. Regular prayer meetings of the Far East Broadcasting Company Prayer Partners are held here every Tuesday. Other groups, and a church congregation, use our large Function Hall. Even non-Christians have held wedding receptions and birthday parties here. Please pray for the safety of everyone who comes into our premises.

Recent event held at CLC’s Function Hall in Valenzuela, Philippines

Week 19 information provided by Romualdo Macinas, CLC Philippines National Director

May 11th - May 17th

Week 20: Bolivia & Uruguay Monday (11th) - A Good Start in Bolivia:

We give thanks to God for the first 18 months of CLC in Bolivia. He has blessed us and we have seen His provision and faithfulness month by month. As we move on, we would appreciate prayer for more openings for distribution that will help us increase sales and be faithful in paying our suppliers.

Tuesday (12th) - Key Components for CLC Bolivia:

Please pray for wisdom to establish good strategies for buying and selling books and Bibles so that we would have the right stock to meet the specific needs of people in Bolivia. We also ask for prayer for the staff – that those who are already working with us will have a love for the vision of CLC and that God would bring more personnel capable of taking on key roles in the future ministry of CLC in the country.

Wednesday (13th) - Bolivia Resources and Residence:

CLC Bolivia Bookshop

Please pray for God’s provision and direction as we look to open a second bookshop at some point in the not too distant future.

There are a number of important cities in Bolivia without a good Christian bookshop. Please pray for Gamaliel and Marlene Padilla who have left their home and family in Venezuela to direct the work of CLC in this country. Pray for continued good health and also that they would soon be issued with permanent residence visas. Thank you for your prayer support.

Thursday (14th) - CLC Uruguay’s New Bookshop:

We are grateful to God for the possibility of establishing a new CLC bookshop in February this year. This second, and smaller, bookshop in Montevideo is located just 100 metres from the main bus terminal in the capital. We trust that God will bring many new customers to this place.

Friday (15th) - Vision and Extension for Uruguay: New CLC Uruguay Bookshop: A second CLC Bookshop for the city of Montevideo

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We need vision to see opportunities to minister, through CLC, in areas we have not yet explored in order to make a difference in

the lives of people in this country.

Praise God for the work already accomplished through the mobile bookshop and the main shop in Montevideo. Now we trust that the new bookshop, by the bus terminal, will serve people who come from different cities in the interior of the country.

The Weekend (16th/17th) - Decisions and Provisions for CLC Uruguay:

May God give us wisdom and grace as we make personnel decisions to give continuity and ensure the future of the ministry. We are thankful for God’s provision in order to maintain the distribution from our warehouse despite the difficult economic climate in the country.

Week 20: Bolivia information provided by Gamaliel Padilla, CLC Bolivia National Director Week 20: Uruguay information provided by Humberto Urrutia, CLC Uruguay National Director

May 18th - May 24th

Week 21: International Office Monday (18th) - Regional Director for Europe:

Pray for Gary Chamberlin (Regional Director for Europe) who has the responsibility of arranging and coordinating the CLC European Leaders’ meetings to be held in Poland next week. Representatives from most of the 15 countries where CLC works in Europe will be present for a time of fellowship, training and sharing of ideas and concerns in the ministry.

Tuesday (19th) - Regional Director for the Americas:

“Next month there will be a webmasters meeting for the CLC countries in Latin America to be held in Panama. These meetings are crucial for training our web masters on the new features of the CLC eCommerce website. We are also planning to have time to discuss our marketing and social network strategy. We have a lot of work to do to increase the sales through the CLC sites. There are some countries, like Venezuela, that are really moving ahead but we would love to see the same results for all the websites.”

Gerardo Scalante, Regional Director for The Americas and Caribbean

Wednesday (20th) - Regional Director for Africa:

In October 2014, Liz Patten (Regional Director for Africa) and Petra Nemansky moved from the UK to Maputo with the aim of developing the work of CLC in Mozambique, Swaziland and Kenya. They are living at a guest home for missionaries and other full time Christian workers, where they are also involved with giving a helping hand. Please pray for them, that they will be able to balance the various commitments and also make time for rest and refreshment. They will need wisdom in planning their travel schedules to the other countries: Petra to Swaziland and Kenya and Liz to other countries in CLC Africa.

Thursday (21st) - I.O. Personnel, Accounts :

Give thanks for the work of Lesley West. She oversees the accounts of the International Office, managing the project funds, requesting country contributions and the myriad of details that are associated with making sure that all monies are accounted for. Her work is unseen by most but we would soon know if it was not done!

Friday (22nd) - I.O. Personnel, Online Training Platform:

Lloyd Hodkinson has been working in recent months on the preparation of an online training platform. The purpose is to enable CLC to share the training resources that it possesses. In time we trust that this will provide training material in a variety of languages. Training is a vital part of any

From left to right Crisit Cotovan: I.O Personnel eCommerce Lesley West: I.O. Personnel, Accounts Lloyd Hodkinson: I.O. Online Training Platform

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work – please pray that this online facility will enable many to gain the skills necessary for their CLC work.

The Weekend (23rd/24th) - I.O. Personnel, eCommerce:

Cristi Cotovan has been masterminding the eCommerce project for a number of years. He originally developed the system in his native Romania, but is now based at the International Office in Sheffield. Websites are now available in more than 15 CLC countries as a result of this platform, reaching more people than is possible through our bookshops. He is currently involved in the development of the eBook eReader app project, which will be a major advance.

May 25th - May 31st

Week 22: Kenya Monday (25th) - Finance :

For some time now, the work of CLC Kenya has been struggling. We began in 2007 as a wholesale operation but this has suffered due to the national economic situation and the closure of various retail outlets that used to buy from us. As a result of diminishing wholesale sales, we have tried a new focus on retail, at the same time continuing with wholesale. Please pray for our shops in Nairobi (a small retail front at our wholesale department and a ‘container’ bookshop in a church compound) and our shop in Eldoret. Pray that we would be able to continue to minister through the book sales but also through The area in front of the CLC Wholesale in Nairobi, Kenya personal conversations with the customers.

Tuesday (26th) - Staffing:

Due to necessary financial cutbacks as a result of yesterday’s point about finances, sadly it has been necessary to cut back to a minimum the number of staff in the team. Please pray for Edith Wamalwa as she leads the now much smaller team, and for each staff member that they would remain encouraged.

Wednesday (27th) - Outreach:

With retail and wholesale sales having become a struggle, there is an even greater need for the team to get out with the books! Clarence Matheny Ministries currently hold a leadership conference in Nairobi most months of the year, and CLC has been regularly attending with a book table. Please pray that our perseverance will be rewarded and that the delegates will make the most of what we are offering!

Thursday (28th) - Marketing:

Funds are currently low for the purchase of new stock. However, the ministry does have a large quantity of back (older) stock still in hand. The challenge is, how to market these titles to those for whom they would be a blessing! Please pray for the team, that they will be inspired to market creatively so that these titles will get to those who need them, and with the funds that this will generate, we will be able to settle old supplier debts and make new purchases.

Friday (29th) - New Project:

From left to right Liz Patten, : Regional Director for Africa Edith Wamalwa: Kenya National Director Petra Nemansky: I.O. Project Manager

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The CLC International Office, together with the Missions Director from CLC USA, has been investigating the possibility of a Print on Demand system (POD) for Kenya. Funds have been raised to purchase the initial equipment and Edith Wamalwa in Nairobi is looking forward to the new opportunities that this will bring to the ministry. Petra Nemansky (CLC International Office) plans to visit Nairobi to help set up this system during the first half of 2015, and thereafter it is anticipated that she will make quarterly visits, from her base in Mozambique,to support this new project. Please pray for good training and a smooth, encouraging start to this new venture.

The Weekend (30th/31st) - Valued Customers:

It goes without saying that all customers are valued! Sometimes we get large orders from mission workers, living far out of town, to use in local outreach. It is a privilege for CLC to be able to help to get specific materials as requested. Please pray for mission workers in rural areas of Kenya particularly, that God will bless them for their faithfulness and for their investment in His Kingdom.

Week 22:information provided by Liz Patten, Regional Director for CLC Africa June 1st - June 7th

Week 23: Publishing Monday (1st) - Italy:

CLC Turin recently organized a meeting with Emanuele Fardella, the author of two books, published by CLC Italy, about the influence of the occult and subliminal message in music. The books are bestsellers for CLC Italy as thousands of copies have been sold. Over 500 people came to the meeting. We have had similar meetings in Naples and Catania as well. We praise God that thousands of people are becoming informed CLC Turn, Italy: Book Event with Emanuele Fardella on these topics, and for the positive impact on the ministry of CLC Italy.

New CLC USA Publication

New CLC TPortugal Publication

Tuesday (2nd) - USA:

CLC USA is publishing several key books, on the topic of global missions, leading up to the triennial Urbana Student Missions Conference that takes place in December. Of particular importance is the new book Send Me, I’ll Go that has just been released.

It is written by a young, but experienced, missionary church planter who worked in Mainland China and is now in Taiwan. The book is designed to challenge young people to long-term commitments to serving God wherever He sends them.

Wednesday (3rd) - Portugal:

Many years ago CLC published a book by a Scottish missionary in Portugal. Now, under Carlos Cunha’s leadership, CLC Portugal has taken up publishing once more. In December 2014, the devotional book A Noite de Deus (Night of God) by Clarisse Barros, a Portuguese author, was published. In the first two months almost half the initial print run had been sold and feedback about the book is encouraging.

Thursday (4th) - Romania:

CLC Romania is currently running two bookshops, a website with online sales and a translation and publishing programme. At the time of writing they have 6 more books translated and ready for the layout process, one book ready for print, one book in the process of being translated and two titles waiting for permission to publish. Please pray for wisdom and energy for Ronela Micula and her team; they are as busy as ever but with a significantly reduced number of staff.

Friday (5th) - The Philippines:

CLC in the Philippines have published over 200 titles. However, almost half of these titles are either out of print or the contracts have expired. Please pray for the publishing department as they negotiate with foreign publishers for permits to publish their books. At the same time, CLC Publications have a project to provide reference materials to pastors and Christian workers in the Philippines at prices lower than bookstore prices. For this, there is a need for reference books, such as Systematic Theology, that can be published by CLC Philippines.

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The Weekend (6th/7th) - International Office:

In recent months we have collaborated with a UK evangelist to produce a Gospel of Mark specifically directed at people who are not used to reading the Bible. It comes in a magazine style and is entitled ‘Look Closer’. The New Living Translation of the Bible has been used, along with testimonies and explanations of ‘spiritual’ words in every day language. Please pray that this project will enable many people to read part of the Bible for the very first time.

June 8th - June 14th

Week 24: UK Changes Monday (8th) - Warehouse Relocation, Project Manager:

David and Roelina Scouler (ex CLC Australia) have joined the UK team. David is the project manager for the warehouse move. Pray for them as they settle into the UK and for David as he learns how the Christian book trade works in the UK and all the other information he needs to oversee the enterprise.

Tuesday (9th) - Warehouse Relocation:

Please continue to pray for the warehouse move. The trustees have identified a suitable property in the Chester area. Once all the legal processes, which hopefully will be well underway by now, are completed, the process of equipping and moving begins. Pray for all the people for whom this move will bring big changes and elements of uncertainty, that they may know God’s peace.

A big welcome to this fun-loving couple who recently joined the CLC UK team. May God richly bless them both as they adjust to life in the UK.

Wednesday (10th) - Computer System for Warehouse & Shops: With the warehouse move will come a new computer

system requirement for the UK ministry. Pray for Mick Goodman, the advisory group and the trustees as decisions are made as to which supplier is selected and for the work which will have to be done to adapt the system for CLC’s particular needs.

Thursday (11th) - CLC Interim General Manager:

Pray for Eddie Olliffe in his short-term role as UK General Manager. Part of his brief is to facilitate the finding of a longer term National Director for the UK possibly from outside CLC UK. Pray that we will know God’s person for this job.

Friday (12th) - Retail Managers Group:

Richard Morris, retires after the conference in May and John Watkins, will be retiring shortly thereafter. Geoff Fanning will continue with the retail management but pray that the Leadership Team will know the best way of overseeing the shops in the future. With God’s help CLC UK wants to keep as many High street shops open as possible and perhaps dream of opening others in strategic locations.

The Weekend (13th/14th) - Stock and Supply Chains:

With changes in the supply chain to shops continuing, and in particular USA publishers looking for UK outlets, pray for the warehouse as they evaluate the stock ranges being offered to them for distribution and wholesaling, particularly when more space becomes available in the new warehouse. Pray too for the shops and warehouse as they work together to ensure the availability of the Bibles, books and other supplies our customers need.

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June 15th - June 21st

Week 25: Poland & Hungary Monday (15th) - Wroclaw, Poland:

Please pray as, at the time of writing, we are looking for a new manager for the CLC bookshop in the historic city of Wroclaw. The shop is located in the premises of a Baptist church, but it is also open to the public. At the end of March, after many years of service with CLC, the previous shop manager left the ministry. We see this as an opportunity to find a new manager, someone who can take the bookshop forward and be active in organising book tables and in connecting with the local churches.

Tuesday (16th) - Katowice, Poland:

Please pray for the staff of the small CLC bookshop in Katowice. The manager, and CLC Director for Poland, Ewa Rymer, has been very committed to the ministry here for over 10 years. Praise God for the help of Sabina who assists Ewa in the bookshop and with adding new articles to the website - www.clc.org.pl. Please pray with the team for an additional person to help CLC Poland with the change over to the CLC International ePlatform website either this year or early in 2016.

Thank God that the shop is now more financially solid than it was several years ago.

Wednesday (17th) - Publishing in Poland:

CLC Poland was able to publish a number of books in 2014. These included Amazing Love by Corrie Ten Boom, Reason for my Hope: Salvation by Billy Graham and two titles by Evelyn Christenson. We are currently translating the new title by Francis Chan; You and Me Forever and, at the time of writing, working on printing Billy Graham’s book How to be Born Again. Praise God that there is much interest in Billy Graham’s books. Please pray that the Lord will guide us as we search for new titles that can truly make a difference in the lives of the readers.

Thursday (18th) - Budapest, Hungary:

Last year we saw dramatic changes in the Christian book market with two publishers opening bookshops in Budapest. We could sense the direct effect of this on our sales, even though our Internet sales rose significantly. This impacts the way we work and we have to concentrate more on online activities. Please pray as we adjust to these realities.

Reason for My Hope

by Billy Graham (Polish)

Friday (19th) - Debrecen, Hungary:

We have received news of an opportunity to move our Debrecen bookshop from its present location, in a small shopping mall, to a church property. At the time of writing, we don’t have all the details but we know the overhead costs would be lower. After 4 years of operation in Debrecen the overhead costs are still very high and a move like this could help the shop become self-sufficient. Please pray for wisdom in decision-making.

Zsolt Karpati (CLC Hungary) waiting for permission

The Weekend (20th/21st) - Miskolc, Hungary:

For the past two years the future of our shop manager, Ilona, has been uncertain. At the time of writing, it now seems probable that her husband, a pastor, will be moved to a church in another town in Hungary possibly in the next few months. Please pray for the Szuhanszkys at this time as they prepare to move after many years living and serving in Miskolc. Pray too for the CLC ministry as this will mean decisions will need to be made about its future in Miskolc.

Week 25 information provided by Gary Chamberlin, Regional Director for CLC Europe 21

June 22nd - June 28th

Week 26: Answered Prayer Monday (22nd) - Trinidad:

Trinidad has a high crime and murder rate and the CLC team there pray daily for God’s protection. Recently, they believed a man was attempting to steal from the Port of Spain bookshop. The staff were amazed to see how God kept sending customers into the shop while the man was waiting to make his move. As he finally drew closer to the cashier’s booth (a protective screen around the till as in the photo on the left) two more men entered the shop, which seemed to confuse him and he walked straight out having been in the store for about an hour and a half. The police had been alerted but arrived just after the man left. Please pray for continued protection for our four bookshops in Trinidad.

Tuesday (23rd) - USA:

CLC USA is praising God for His direct answer to prayer this past Christmas season. The team had been praying that sales would increase after several years of declines and bad weather. Not only did God provide good weather, but also sales increased by 30% in December in two of the three stores. What a good God we serve.

Wednesday (24th) - Dominica:

The landlord of the CLC bookshop in Roseau, Dominica, reduced the rental substantially for the whole of 2014 - an answer to prayer, for which we were very thankful. In last October’s Prayer Focus this temporary arrangement was mentioned and we asked for prayer that the rent would not be increased too much in 2015. Praise the Lord it has stayed at the same amount as 2014!

Thursday (25th) - Ecuador:

National Director Carlos Marin writes: “We give thanks to God for the Thompson Bible Seminars we were able to arrange in two cities earlier this year.

In Quito, 81 pastors and church leaders attended and in Otavalo there were 122 participants. Dr. Phil Train from Bolivia led the Bible seminars, including one that was specifically for the families of the pastors. The event was a great blessing for everyone.”

Photo of event:

Friday (26th) - Portugal:

Carlos Cunha manages a vibrant CLC ministry based in, and reaching out from, a small bookshop in Coimbra. Recently, Carlos’ wife started helping part-time in the shop. She had previously been employed elsewhere and volunteering with CLC meant significant financial sacrifice for the family. Praise the Lord for His provision for all their needs during this time though, on occasions, their faith was really stretched as well as built up! They have now been given the promise of extra financial support for the next two years – praise the Lord for this answer to prayer.

The Weekend (27th/28th) - Cyprus:

Sotos and Eva Photiades write from Nicosia: - “The previous occupants of the shop next door to us had a small business and insisted that their customers should be able to park across our driveway, blocking our car and creating problems for us. We have been praying this would not happen with the new occupants.

Praise the Lord, a very pleasant man is now renting the property, which he uses as an office for only a few hours every day.”

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FOCUS ON C. H. SPURGEON C.H. Spurgeon (1834-1892), the ‘prince of preachers’, was one of the most influential preachers in the second half of the nineteenth century. His sermons drew thousands to his church and, when printed, sold in millions to people in the streets. A hundred years later his popularity and influence remain.

Mother, Sister and Follower

Mary the Mother of Jesus, Mary of Bethany, Mary Magdalene Reflecting on the life and influence of the Mary’s of the Bible, a much neglected theme, Spurgeon illustrates their role and significance but never loses sight of the Saviour they loved.

Illuminating reflections on Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary of Bethany, and Mary Magdalene.

9781781914052 RRP £6.99 £5.99*

The Greatest Fight in the World

The Final Manifesto Spurgeon gave The Greatest Fight in the World almost as a last word to impart to his successors in the faith, his belief in the armoury of the Scripture, the armour of the church, and the strength that God gives us to fight.

9781781913291 RRP £5.99 £4.99*

Only a Prayer Meeting

Studies on Prayer Meetings and Prayer Meeting Addresses Classic Spurgeon in a shorter format. Together this collection is charming, challenging and cheering! If you wanted to find out how Spurgeon fuelled his church for everyday Christian living and a life of prayer then there is no better starting place.

9781845505783 RRP £7.99 £6.99*

*Offer valid until the 30th of June or while stocks last

Faith

What it is and what it leads to Spurgeon was concerned that faith, essentially a simple thing, was often portrayed in a manner unlikely to be of help to the genuine enquirer. This book gathers together Spurgeon’s thoughts on the subject, presenting a clear view of the exact nature of Christian faith and affording a glimpse of his great concern for those who had not yet put their trust in Christ.

9781845506476 RRP £4.99 £3.99*

No Tears in Heaven

No Tears in Heaven speaks of the great joy of the Christian Faith - Heaven.

The writings of Spurgeon, in his typically beautiful and penetrating style, will deepen our anticipation of Heaven and challenge us to a closer walk with God. 9781781914045 RRP £6.99 £5.99*

The Saint And His Saviour

The work of the Spirit in the life of the Christian Spurgeon takes us through the whole process of the work of the Spirit in a believer’s life, from his first experience of the Lord, and then through the at times tumultuous process of conversion, to the deepening knowledge of the presence of the Saviour with his people.

9781871676013 RRP £7.99 £6.99*

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A Study Bible for new believers in the Burmese language is desperately needed!

Photo of Jacob Mung holding CLC’s Burmese Bible commentary

Article contributions from M. Manser, M. Beaumont, L. Waalkes and D. Almack. Edited by A. Lutes

“A Study Bible for new believers in the Burmese language is desperately needed”, CLC Myanmar’s Jacob Mung informed well known author/editor Martin Manser in February of 2013. Martin, the author of the NIV Bible Handbook, CLC Bible Companion ‘Open Your Bible’, etc., immediately realised that he was in a position to help, both in terms of previous work and because the country was close to his heart due to family links (his wife is Burmese and his son works in the humanitarian sector in Myanmar). After thinking and praying about it, he got back in touch with Jacob and said he thought he could help. Jacob, as you can imagine, was immediately positive and enthusiastic about working together!

Martin realised his completed manuscript, The Bible for Beginners, which had been lying dormant for several years, might be a good framework for what Jacob wanted so he called his good friend Mike Beaumont, with whom he had co-authored/edited a number of books for several publishers, to discuss his idea with him.

Mike also has a big heart for Myanmar, since he visits regularly to lecture in a seminary in Yangon, and agreedwith: to help. They met up to plan Inquickly Association how to extensively revise, adapt and enlarge Martin’s original material. Two years and many hours of work later, the completed text was sent to Jacob in January of this year.

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The Burmese Study Bible will use the most popular Burmese translation of the Bible (an updated version of the translation into Burmese by Adoniram Judson, who brought Christianity to Myanmar just over 200 years ago) and will include many helps that have been created specifically for people in Myanmar, a society heavily influenced

by the Buddhist worldview. It is aimed primarily at new believers, those who need to have a strong foundation for their Christian lives so that their faith may develop and they may grow up to maturity. But it is hoped that there is much in this Study Bible that will also prove to be a great help to those who have been Christians for many years—especially those who have not been familiar with the Bible.

Jacob and another member of his team have already begun the translation work and the hope is that it will be ready for printing by 2017!

With over 200 titles translated into the Burmese language between them (that is over 50% of the total Burmese Christian titles available!) they have the experience and know-how necessary to see this job to completion. CLC UK and CLC USA are raising funds to support this project and to see the first 10,000 Bibles printed. It is our belief that the sale of these first Bibles will enable the team to reprint the Bibles as needed.

Last year, our Myanmar team was blessed with a surprise gift of a Publish 4 All Print-on-Demand system from Bethany International. This is truly a blessing to the ministry there as it enables them to conduct smaller print runs thereby reducing their stock volume. The reduction of overhead costs that will ensue will hopefully allow the team to save for their future ministry and make it possible to purchase better premises, including warehouse space.

Watch this space! We’ll bring you more information about this Bible as the team works on the translation. If you would like to made a donation towards this project go to page 25. To learn more about this project please feel free to contact us at clcworld@clcbookshops.com

Let’s make a difference this year

TOGETHER!

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I require more information about: O How I can support a CLC missionary O Leaving a legacy for CLC International (UK) O Setting up a Standing Order O CLC Project:_________________________ O Available CLC opportunities to serve in: City/Type of Work: .................................................

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this declaration. We can claim giftaid tax relief of 25p on every £ that you give. Please tick all that apply: I would like to giftaid this donation I would like to giftaid all future donations until further notice I would like to giftaid all previous donations for the charity’s current financial period & the previous 4 years I confirm I have paid or will pay an amount of Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax for each tax year (6 April to 5 April) that is at least equal to the amount of tax that all the Charities or Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) that I donate to will reclaim on my gifts for that tax year. I understand that other taxes such as VAT and Council Tax do not qualify. I understand the charity will reclaim 28p of tax on every £1 that I gave up to 5 April 2008 and will reclaim 25p of tax on every £1 that I give on or after 6 April 2008

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Thank you for your consideration & support of CLC International (UK) CLC Finance Office, 51 The Dean, Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 9BJ Email: financeuk@clcbookshops.com Telephone: 01962 733 342 Online giving can be done quickly and securely through the Stewardship© website listed below:

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e i r s e s f rom w e N TALKING TALES

Enter the colourful, exuberant world of top storyteller Bob Hartman as he takes readers on a journey of discovery.

Containing full-colour illustrations throughout, these books help children aged 3–6 learn about biblical figures through the eyes of the children who encountered them.

Special offer: £4.99 each RRP: £5.99 each

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Talking Tales: Yummm!!

Elijah, the boy and the amazing famine feast There’s a nasty famine, a bunch of ravens trained in waiter service and a little bit of oil and flour that turn into something huge!

ISBN: 9781782593591

Talking Tales: Shhhh!!

Miriam, the baby and the secret basket boat There’s a discovery in the river, an Egyptian princess, a big problem with slavery, a few difficult frogs and a very big army!

ISBN: 9781782593607

ALSO AVAILABLE FROM JULY 2015 Talking Tales: Pheww!!

Elisha, the brothers and the fantastically full jars ISBN: 9781782594154 Talking Tales: Zzzzz!!

Samuel, the night and the curious calling voice ISBN: 9781782594161

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Available at your local CLC Bookshop or online at www.clcbookshops.com

BOB HARTMAN INTERVIEW: Storytelling Tips, Testimony & His New Series Who is Bob Hartman?

Bob is an Internationally acclaimed best-selling author and muchloved performance storyteller who also works as a youth pastor for a Baptist church in Pittsburgh, USA. He regularly attends festivals here in the UK, and he will once again be at Cliff College’s 2015 Festival (May 22 - 25).

Be sure to visit the CLC bookstall at this event so you can discover more of his books, including: The Lion Storyteller Bible, Tapestry, The Wolf Who Cried Boy and The Curious Story of Jonah.

Many of our readers are involved in children’s ministry and storytelling is a key aspect of that. Do you have some recommended tips that you could share about storytelling?

Storytelling is all about relationships. So you need to build a playful, welcoming, interactive relationship with your audience, and invite them into the storytelling experience through actions and responses.

The more they do with you to help build the story, the more engaged they will be, and the more they will take from the experience. So give them interesting and memorable things to say and do.

It's also important to really love the story you're telling. So spend time with it, finding those aspects of the story that make you go 'Wow!' If you have done that, then the 'Wow!' will spread to the audience, too.

Do you have a favourite experience or testimony you could share about a time you were telling a story?

I told the story of the widow of Nain’s son at an event, a couple of years ago. The story is told from the son’s perspective, but because there are parts of the story he inevitably ‘missed’, I have him reflect his mother’s feelings and reactions in those places. To do so, I had to think long and hard about what it might have been like for her to have lost both her husband and her son. How would she feel about God, and her family, and herself, in the wake of that?

Several days later, a woman came up to me and thanked me for accurately reflecting what she had felt when she lost someone close. She said that she had never heard those feelings reflected like that before, and I was reminded of how powerful stories can be when we tell them truthfully, unafraid to be honest about the characters’ feelings and our own.

What inspired you to write this new series, Talking Tales, and what do you hope your readers will learn from it?

I have three grandchildren, and I like to read them stories, whenever I can. Some of the picture books they like best are the ones where the characters in the books speak directly to the reader.

I hadn’t come across any Bible retellings that were told in that way, so I thought it would be fun to have a go. I also thought that if we focused on stories where the character telling the story was also a child, that it would provide a nice way into the story for the reader. Fortunately, the folks at CWR were also keen, and, with Emma’s drawings, have produced a series of books that are child friendly and inviting and attractive and fun!

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Until 30/06/15

CHILDREN’S BOOKS:

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9781782593546 RRP: £5.99

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9781782593553 RRP: £5.99

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Diana Cotovan, Age 12

9781782593522

RRP: £4.99

RRP: £4.99 9781782593539

These books have mini-stories based on actual Bible events. We follow a group of children who are friends (and their pets!) in their day-to-day life, play time, when they just ‘happen’ to meet Jesus, his disciples, and witness the Bible story first hand.

One of the things I like most about these books is that the chapters are quite short, and at the beginning of each the reader is shown where they can find and read the story in the Bible, without all ‘the extras’. We can see exactly what it would have been like if the events were happening now. The books are easy-to-read and understand and I certainly recommend them.

Review by Amalia Cotovan, Age 10

Wholehearted: 60-Day Devotional A good devotional that appeals primarily to young women, ages 11 to 14, but also suitable for older teen girls. It contains really motivational Bible verses, prayers and vivid life comparisons. Get on the right path and interact with God in your day to day life and if you have questions about various issues in your Christian walk, this is a good place to find helpful answers. I found I could relate to a lof of the situations included in this book.

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TOPZ Gospels by Alexa Tewkesbury

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Stand Strong: 60 Day Devotional This daily reading book is aimed at teenage boys and as I am one I thought it is perfect for me​!​ There is a short reading each day and a useful explanation to help you understand it. There are prayer points that are very useful. It is easy to fit in with homework and also it can be done any time of the day because each daily reading takes around 4-5 minutes. This is a very good book.

James Markwell, Age 14 3/4

MORE BOOK REVIEWS: CLC WORLD Recommendations

Choose Life: 365 Readings for Radical Disciples by Simon Guillebaud Review by Wilma Brock

ISBN: 9780857215222

Price: £12.99, 384pp

We all make choices daily. Some choices may be negative, others positive and life enhancing.

Choose Life is a book of daily readings which invites you to a year of good choices. The author states that if the reader embraces the challenge `it will be the most memorable year of your life!` The short readings include quotations, stories, illustrations and anecdotes based on Scripture. This book is an invaluable resource to inspire, encourage and challenge the reader to make time for God and to shape the day to be filled with Jesus.

The Pursuit of Wisdom by R.T. Kendall Review by David Barnes

ISBN: 9781444749724

Price: £13.99, 256pp

Kendall’s books are so richly infused with Scriptural teaching and how life is to be lived in the light of these insights—the essence of wisdom—that it is no surprise his book about wisdom bears the same hallmarks and is therefore utterly compelling.

He makes the point that a Christian may be highly intelligent or clever, but not wise. Conversely he writes ‘My book is written to encourage the most ordinary person on earth to realise that wisdom is on offer to all who choose the fear of the Lord. To know the Lord is to have access to what He has written. His word is a lamp for our feet and a light for our paths (Ps.119:105). The unfolding of His words give light (Ps.119:130). When the Bible is carefully handled, correctly interpreted, fearfully explained—and sincerely followed—wisdom sets in.’ (p42).

Other related themes include the Sovereignty of God and that ‘godly wisdom is a secret—an absolute secret that God withholds from everybody—until, that is, He gives it. He alone knows the next step forward for each one of us. He alone knows the end from the beginning (Isa.46:10, p235). We are wise as we obey the clear teaching of Scripture, and wise if we accept that as we do the Lord will work out the wider circumstances of our lives according to His secret wisdom.

Thought provoking and vintage Kendall.

And Some Evangelists by Roger Carswell Review by Bonnie Brooks

ISBN: 9781781915196

Price: £7.99, 192pp

Roger Carswell exhorts his readers to seek out and encourage those gifted as evangelists in their local churches. In addition, he reminds us that all Christians are called to be Christ’s witnesses to those we meet. Bible-based, and enriched with examples of effective evangelism both historical and contemporary, this book is challenging, informative and encouraging. Roger Carswell honestly describes the sacrificial lifestyle required for the ministry of evangelism, but compares this with the blessing and joy of leading people to Christ. Because of his own experience as an evangelist, the author is able to pass on sound, practical advice, and I believe that this book contains something to challenge and inspire everyone who reads it.

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Go A Little Further: W. Ian Thomas and the Torchbearers Story

by Joan Thomas Review by Wilma Brock ISBN: 9781619581760 Price: £8.50, 196pp Joan Thomas writes the story of how Torchbearers came into being. The book is part biographical, and part historical. It is full of stories about individuals and countries impacted

by Ian Thomas and the Torchbearers ministry. The stories are heartwarming and inspiring, demonstrating how God transforms lives and situations. The book reveals how Ian Thomas`s Christ-centric way of living was the basis for his powerful ministry.

An interesting, inspiring and challenging book.

Miracles (HB) by Eric Metaxas Review by Rev. Brian Butler

ISBN: 9781473604766

Price: £16.99, 322pp

Christianity stands or falls by miracles. It rests upon the greatest miracle of all—the Resurrection of Jesus. In this fascinating book Eric Metaxas looks at miracles as the foundation of faith. It is in two parts—the first looks at the questions which miracles raise—what they are, their relation to science, a broadly theoretical view.

The second (which I read first), are accounts of present-day miracles: a fascinating collection which (as miracles should do) stretch belief but in the end convince.

Metaxas writes beautifully, and though one may quarrel with things here and there, one finishes up with gratitude that someone has ventured to write such a book for the sceptical twenty-first century.

The Cactus Stabbers by Jeff Lucas Review by Jean Mintoft

ISBN: 9781782593270

Price: £7.99, 140pp

This book is a collection of 22 humorous reflective anecdotes drawn from the author’s wide experience of life and ministry all over the world. Each short chapter is not only amusing and quick and easy-to-read, but always contains perceptive truths about the Christian life and faith, which are often challenging to our traditional Christian attitudes. The author often gets the reader’s attention by making a radical, sometimes even shocking statement (for Christians), but then goes on to expose the truth which is hidden within. This is an ideal book for picking up and dipping into, and might even expose Christians to issues which they had never before considered!

Not Just a Soup Kitchen by Dr. David S. Apple Review by David Barnes

ISBN: 9781619581746

Price: £8.50, 255pp

This is an excellent guide on how the local church can be involved in Mercy Ministry. It begins with the testimony of how God transformed the life of the author from a near-death skull fracture, childhood sexual abuse and thoughts of suicide to becoming a minister of mercy at a large church in Philadelphia. There is clarity in Apple’s explanation as he provides the biblical basis for mercy mission and historical analysis that includes Calvin’s understanding of the role of Deacon in keeping with mercy ministry thinking. The unique strength of this volume lies in Apple’s experience gathered over twenty years which comes through in a lot of practical wisdom on matters such as the importance of planning/organisation, setting limits in ministry, how to deal with con artists, mobilising volunteers, hospital visitation and other specific circumstances where people are in need. The ‘frequently asked questions’ section is also invaluable. Apple provides a number of helpful Appendices including a sample talent survey. Any church wishing to start or develop mercy ministry should obtain a copy.

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Think Before you Buy – Amazon or High Street Bookstore?

Blog post by author and blogger, David Robertson - theweeflea.wordpress.com Yesterday I learned a valuable lesson. I needed to buy a book (Mere Christianity) for someone and did my normal…looked it up on Amazon and was just about to press the button, knowing that it would arrive within a day and that it would be cheap. However, before I pressed the thought struck me – ‘why are you doing this? There is a Christian book store in the centre of your town”. So I went to CLC, bought the book. Result? It cost me £1 more, I got it instantly and I got the opportunity to support a Christian presence on the high street in my own city. CLC is a rapidly improving Christian bookstore in the centre of Dundee – should all of us who are believers in this city and who want to support this Christian witness make a habit of buying our books there more often? And if the books you want are not there – why not get them to order them in for you? The more good books you order, the more they will stock them! Lesson learned…

Perhaps all of us, wherever we are, should use the ‘economic’ power that we have intelligently.

Would my saving of £1 really have been worth it? What about the environmental cost of all that packaging and extra fuel? What about the jobs of those who work in the High Street? What about the ridiculous pressure that Amazon are able to put on publishers and writers because of their massive purchasing power?

But perhaps most of all, what about the public witness of a Christian shop on the High Street where people can just walk in, look at books and meet real life Christians? I’m not saying I will never use Amazon again, but I will certainly be more careful and thoughtful in my purchases.

Why should I fund a massive corporation which is using some of its profits to attack Christian values when I can purchase the book I want in my local Christian bookshop?

Find your nearest CLC Bookshop at:

clc.org.uk/shops

Are you always buying books for your church, ministry (outreach, UCCF, etc.), or because you are a theology student or church leader?

Then you need to know that CLC has a partnership scheme just for you!

For more details, please contact your local CLC Bookshop or email:

partnership@clcbookshops.com 31

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