Vision
To empower cross cultural understanding of the gospel by combining narrative with art.
In the UK 250 copies of the first book “Gods human email” have been bought. Non Christians have asked for it as they love the art. The art is designed to reflect the parables of Jesus with story telling pointing to salvation in Christ. The human email title is the man Hathak who delivered the messages between Esther (in the palace) and Mordecai (outside) to deliver the Jews from Haman. 52 blogs per book. Book 2 in design. Visit the link here to see the interview that lead to many book sales.
Last May I was sent to Baku Azerjaiban with leaders laying on of hands in the service. I chose this country as Turkish is spoken and I served in church planting in Turkey. Since then we give thanks to God for the growth of the ministry there and across the nations ! To provide a summary as follows :
Azeri and Russian translations/books done for Azerjaiban (via Baku translation centre)
Hebrew translation completed for Israel and Gaza (through messianic Jew)
Farsi version in planning for cities within Iran (through key Iranian leaders)
Turkish version (via leader who produced the first audio bible in Istanbul)
French version (early concept)
It is very important for me to work in accountability with leadership oversight. www.seethemessage.com details the vision and goal of this ministry which is now part of a leadership team of 5 people as follows
Stephen Dikoume (YWAM and Hope Church Luton), Johny Gentle (King Arms church Bedford), Regan King (Angel Church Islington), Roland Lim (Covenant Life church Singapore) and Malcolm Macloud (Itinerant Evangelist UK)
These people are either pastors or leaders assisting me with strategy
I myself was trained at All Nations College for 2 years studying missions working thereafter in Pakistan, Turkey and Cyprus for 3 years.
Strategy
So what happens overseas when translations are complete ? How do we advance the gospel on the ground? Local leaders develop communities of “seekers” who have connection to churches but need to encounter Jesus through the stories in the book.
In Azerjaiban, we have a great leader, Gulshan (who has 17 years or working with pastors and bible translation for different ethnic groups). She has launched an initial 4 groups in Baku and in other towns and villages. She currently has 35 seekers studying in the groups. She has trained numbers of small group leaders. Adults, children and older people are all being reached. A coffee shop has been opened in the North of the country where the art work is poster size on the walls. The posters provide door opening conversations.
I have recently received this encouraging news from the Azeri leaders:
A believer woman from Ismailly, she read your book and is waiting for more books. She has a few house groups that she is working with. Here is what she says: “It is easy to teach non-Christians using this book, since it reveals the goal of us as Christians. People receive this book very easy. The Bible study course I teach is harder than this book. The pictures make acceptance of this book more easy.”
Here are some current photos of seeker groups (all photos have been approved by Gulshan).
Should you like more details on the ministry please text Jon Gledhill on 07713 073087
If you are passionate about a country and would love to see a translation there let me know. If you would like to support a translator and artist please let me know.
Thanks for reading ! More details to follow.
Jon Gledhill
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