Southern Perspective YWAM OXFORD - OCTOBER 2009 FROM THE DIRECTOR We are definitely entering a new season. We’ve been through different seasons before, seasons of growth as more students have come and new schools started, and a season of winter, in 2008, marked by a sharp decline in students. The Lord alerted us to that impending season in a dramatic way. It was a day of prayer and fasting. As we all moved toward the classroom, under the walnut trees, for an hour of prayer, specifically themed to ask the Lord what was happening to us, the leaves on the walnut trees all fell off in a period of five minutes, raining down upon us. There was no wind; it was a totally calm, frosty day. It became a season of root growth with the Lord sorting out issues and searching hearts and ultimately making us clean and strong for the next season of growth. That season saw a surge ofspiritual vitality in our midst, the construction of ournew premises and the emergence of two new schools: the Earthcare DTS and the Father’s Love Crossroads DTS and the germination of a future School of Basic Trade Skills. And now, we are in a n ew season. At our annual staff and trustees retreat at beautiful HanmerSprings last month, the Lord spoke to us about three things: Prayer, Team Leadership and a particular central Asian nation we prefer not to publicise too much.. Prayer: We have almost completed the stairway to heaven! We have a big prayer room, situated in the attic space above the new administration wing but to make this accessible, we required the construction of a staircase. The intrepid clamberup a ladder! The Lord is encouraging us to make prayer more of a priority in this season. Team Leadership: Susanne and I have resigned from overall leadership of the base, effective from the end of this year. This new season requires a different style of leadership to take the ministry into the 10s and 20s. This will be team leadership and there is a call for individuals to make the sacrifice, step up and be committed. As leaders and trustees we continue to pray that the Lord would make very clear to us all those who are to take the baton. Central Asia: J.R. has been our man there for the last year. Susanne and I plan on joining him overthere by ANZAC day next year. Our heart is to see the mobilisation of many teams to that country with the Good News, in an attitude of friendship, love and service. This “call” is not just personal, but a long term mission the Lord has been speaking to us about as a base here in Oxford and YWAM nationally. We are definitely excited and a bit nervous about this new season! INSIDE THIS ISSUE: • SNOWBOARDERS DTS • CURRENT SCHOOLS • SECOND LEVEL SCHOOLS • AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS DTS • STAFF PROFILES • BUILDING PROJECT • PRAYER AND STAFF NEEDS 1
