The GILMORES

December 2010 - News update

2010-12-01T16:32:00.002Z

Ouch! It’s quite painful to think how long it is since we’ve sent out news. Of course there’s the blog, and Facebook and Twitter.. but they’re not always updated. So here goes: an impossible task – to summarize many months in a few paragraphs! :)

In a few words? God is good!!!

FAMILY:
Annette continues to co-exist with M.E./CFS . Energy is still limited and she needs care to administer what she has. She has continued to develop her friendships locally as well as connecting as much as possible with friends in Italy too. We are thankful for a measure of health and for God’s presence in times of questions…
Rox has just turned 20! Hard to believe! In June she completed 3 (happy) years at College. These however had not done much to prepare her for the next stage of life. As we prayerfully explored the next step, and visited more than 10 places, we ‘came across’ a specialized college in a nearby town. All the staff is specifically geared to assist those with challenges to ‘cross-over’ from academics to the working world, from teenage to adult… Miraculously (following quite a hard fight and lots of prayer) she was able to secure a place there. And so far (8 weeks in) it is proving to be a wonderful experience. Two examples: she is loving doing sports (!), she is independent every morning in getting ready and catching the transport provided. Challenges still remain, but there are encouraging signs of hope! Pray on! Go Rox!
Alex (17) successfully completed his lower set of examinations at school (GCSEs). Now he has embarked on A levels studies, with a particular flair for graphic design. But more importantly (!) he is in a serious relationship with Abi! We are grateful for spiritual development too!
Kristin (15) continues to move forward (very well) in the area of academics. She continues to look forward (and long!) for a speedy return to Italy! But she is maturing in many areas and also wanting a serious Christian walk. We are thankful for that ( in this quite god-less context, school and society…).
Jonathan (recently turned 23) is in reasonable health. The only activity is… ‘juggling’ the increasing ministry responsibilities with being a husband and father. One interesting development is the discovery of ‘tritones’, neo-urban gospel and Victor Wooten (thanks Youtube!). A little more below of ministry news.
We enjoyed family trips to Italy at Easter and during the Summer.
We look forward to Christmas with the Gilmores in northern Italy (at my sister's place….).
MINISTRY:
Lots (too much) to detail.
Just a list (basically) of some of the opportunities and challenges.
-          A good 80-90% of time and efforts are focused on Italy. Wheelock Heath Baptist Church (identified now as our ‘sending church’) has graciously accepted to validate this involvement and we continue to be encouraged to move ahead in Italy-related ministry.
-          Locally Jonathan leads a Small Group and coordinates ongoing ministry at the local YMCA. The latter is particularly exciting. An ongoing weekly Gospel-activity has allowed for a climate of trust and partnership to develop. Besides giving us (individually and as a church) opportunities to interact with some of the YMers, there are now plans to expand further. This will include one or two regular follow-up sessions (Bible-study and support group..) as well as the possibility (currently being defined) of Jonathan taking on a chaplaincy for several months. There are also other Gospel initiatives and opportunities and Jonathan continues to be very involved in all of this.
-          Back in Italy… Jonathan and Annette continue to keep in close contact with a number of young Italian adults. Annette’s heart is for a group of young adult ladies she has a deep friendship with. It is her desire to keep encouraging them and investing in their lives. Jonathan meets weekly with 4 young Italian men in 60-90 minute, one-to-one, skype-sessions. Using as a basis a leadership-training course (Learn to Lead), these are opportunities to mentor and share.
-          Italian Ministries continues to expand. Jonathan continues to shoulder much of the responsibility of leading this field-based missonal network. In September we were blessed by the third Missione Congress. Almost 300 people attended. The teaching was great (Dr. Ajith Fernando), the fellowship encouraging and refreshing, the programme full (7 parallel ‘tracks’ led by 7 different ministries…), the blessing wonderful. (One of the highlights was certainly seeing about 70 people respond to call to commitment and mission.) Not all is fun. There are frequent pastoral issues and this can be quite draining and demanding.
-          UCBC.(Union of Christian Bible Churches) Earlier this year Jonathan was chosen to be a member of the National Council of the UCBC . This is a growing national network of like-minded churches, extending throughout Italy. Responsibilities include strategic thinking and planning and pastoral issues.
-          Acts 29. During June an exploratory trip to Italy with Steve Timmis begin_of_the_skype_highlighting     end_of_the_skype_highlighting, Western Europe leader for Acts 29, resulted in further conversations about Acts 29 in Italy. Recently this led to the development of an exciting coordinating responsibility for Jonathan of Acts 29 in Italy. This is currently being explored and defined further. But it could be massive. Watch this space.

During our Summer trip to Italy we had a blast! Involvement in several camps (in various ways) was really encouraging. We were also involved in the Messina and Rometta churches (mostly).

The big question: what next? We had anticipated returning back ‘home’ to Italy this past summer, but Rox’s situation made us prayerfully re-think that. Now Plan ‘A’ is we return back during the latter half of 2011. This may (depending on Rox’s situation) be further extended by another short time (Plan ‘B’). Alex looks set to continue here in the UK to finalize studies. We will be returning back to Sicily (our flat and things are still there) and will then take the next step (staying in Sicily? relocating in another more central, strategic location?). Also: rather than be spread too thin, we are prayerfully seeking His best and guidance for the coming years as we enter this new phase in our lives, focusing on a few areas, maybe less ‘juggling’.

Pray:
-          The timing for our return
-          Family: spiritual walk, health issues, financial needs (we are still very low..), Jonathan’s studies (extension given until Sept. 2011)
-          The ongoing multiple ministry commitments: UK (local); Italy (IM, UCBC and A29)

Sempre Avanti!

Jonathan & Annette

39c Crewe Rd., Sandbach, CW11 4NE, UK. - Tel: 01270767411/07846645039
C.P. 53, 98048 Spadafora (ME), Italy. - Tel: 3286518234
Email: jaydeegilmore@gmail.com
Twitter: twitter.com/jaydeegilmore
Facebook: facebook.com/jaydeegilmore
Blog: http://jdgilmore.blogspot.com

A29 WE

2010-11-26T16:09:00.000Z

Just returned from Ignition - the A29 WE conference at Bawtry Hall.
Great time of encouragement being with various church planters from UK and beyond.
Acts 29 Western Europe is a church-planting network. The vision is an exciting one - to see churches planted throughout this needy continent.

Thinking about Italy... what about church-planting. What way forward? How to engage with Italians and bring the Gospel to lived out in authentic missional communities?

Much to prayerfully consider. And ask: how can A29 look like in Italy..

Watch this space...!

Sempre avanti!

Operation World

2010-11-08T10:01:00.000Z

The new edition of Operation World has just come out.
Italian Ministries is mentioned a couple of times.
You may also be interested in a short prayer video.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72boRi0tiM0

Freedom in the Furnace!

2010-10-03T15:57:00.000+01:00

Despite the preacher (!) God's word continues to strike me. Daniel's 3 friends were courageous enough to disregard the kings orders and threats. They had the guts to go counterculture. They disdained the furnace. All this because they knew HE IS ABLE.
So often frustration comes because of a perceived stalemate situation. In many areas it's almost as though things are not progressing. Yet, HE IS ABLE.
And the idols try to convince us to fall down and worship.
The 3 friends stood firm and strong. They counted the cost and knew HE IS ABLE. They ended up in the furnace and in that place of weakness and apparent defeat, a resounding victory was accomplished. GOD IS ABLE!

Works in progress...

2010-10-01T09:56:00.000+01:00

I have been chosen to be one of the Italian delegates at Lausanne III, at Cape Town from 17-24 October. Part of this implies wading through documents, statements, papers in view of further discussions and the elaboration of statements at the conference itself. It is a very meticulous job. It certainly requires much more time and attention than I will be giving it. There are some very good emphases which are emerging, such as the need for a better ecclesiology in the church today. But there are also concerns over a tendency, I feel, to blurring distinctive lines of Gospel definitions, for example, or give excessive attention to minor (though important) elements like ecological or political involvement. Some bits are quite worrying. It will be interesting to have the perspective of 4000 or so world leaders and to be able to take the pulse of the world church.... Meanwhile... works in progress!

Not a stroll

2010-09-30T16:44:00.000+01:00

God wonderfully blessed us at the recent MISSIONE 2010 mission congress in Italy.
Some 300 believers from all over Italy assembled to be encouraged and challenged about missions. 30 different organizations set up stands and conversations abounded. 7 different organizations (OM Italy, GBU, UCBC, META, nove37. YFC Italy and IM) put on parallel tracks. Children and youth enjoyed special programs.
We appreciated the rich, deep teaching given by Dr. Ajith Fernando.

2010-01-07T14:44:00.000Z

S'NO WORDS!

Back from URBANA

2010-01-02T19:32:00.000Z

Happy New Year!
Just returned home.
Summing up our time at Urbana - very good!
Some 150 direct conversations and contacts to follow up. Some 30 ministries too.
Good interest in Italy. We were basically the only 'country-stand'. Even the St, Louis paper mentioned us in their article.

Back home now... back into the swing of things.
New year, new challenge.

URBANA 2009

2009-12-28T14:40:00.002Z

Italian Minstries is present at URBANA 2009.
Here is the stand.

I am here with my colleague: Giuseppe.
17,000 college students are present!
Great opportunity to raise the profile and challenge of mission in Italy.

Recovering and getting Ready...

2009-12-19T20:45:00.000Z

Story of our life, it seems. I've usually just returned from somewhere and am recovering whilst getting ready for next trip. Like right now...
Had a great weekend in Italy. Lots of meaningful contacts. Encouraging ministry (preaching in a disco was a 'first' for me!), lots of kms....
Now preparing for IM display at Urbana (27.12-1.1).
Meantime... getting ready for Christmas! Kids home on hols. Yeah!
But... ministry opportunities too... tomorrow (Sunday) morning speaking at WHBC; Tuesday - epilogue at YMCA event; Wednesday - another activity at YMCA....
Meantime...trying to recover from bad cold. Antibiotics. Bad, fluid-filled ear. Not looking forward to flights next week if not recovered....

Amidst the rush of life it's good to know there is One who understands, gives energy and guidance and has a master-plan!

The Emerald Isle

2009-10-29T19:41:00.001Z

Just back from a couple of days over in Ireland (literally) - care of a low-cost carrier (10p return trip for ALL the family!!!!) and some kind friends who worked out comfortable accomodation for us. (Thanks P + H).
Went as a family. It was good to be together, though not all together was good ;)..
Enjoyed the Giant's Causeway. Remarkable rock formation. Worth seeing.
Had a fleeting glimpse of Dublin and Belfast. (Click HERE for short clip...).
In all, too much travelling....
Now back to backlogged work....

:)

Here comes the bride!!

2009-10-17T20:48:00.002+01:00

Today I was able to celebrate the wedding of Anita (from Messina, Sicily) and John (from the UK). The bilingual ceremony was relaxed despite the bride was 1 hour and 20 minutes late!
This is the year of weddings for me (third one so far in which I've been involved...).

IM strategic thinking...

2009-10-17T20:34:00.003+01:00

As IM comittee we spent two fruitful days thinking through the current state of IM and looking ahead to prayerfully assess where we feel we should be going as a group.
It was useful to hone in on defining our mission and then creatively begin thinking how we can move forward.
Slogan: "Together in mission"
Mission Statement: IM is "a missional network with the vision and comittment to facilitate the development of mission in and from Italy".

We (IM) appreciate you prayers as this defining process continues. The next stage is to assess the perspective of the 80+ associates!

GILMOREview - September 2009

2009-10-10T11:52:00.001+01:00

September 2009

Finally (!) here is some brief, updated news from us. We appreciate your continued interest in our lives and ministry!

NOW...
We are still in the UK.
- Rox is back at College having begun the final (third) year of her Business & Administration course. As we prayerfully explore the next step for her we value your prayers.
- Alex and Kristin are back at school. Things are going well and we are grateful.
- We continue to be involved in the life of the church here. Please pray for ongoing ministry opportunities at the local YMCA and with various contacts.
- Though here, still our heart is for Italy. Most of our own time (J&A) is spent investing time there (online, phone, frequent visits...).

SUMMER 2009...
During August we travelled back to Italy. It was GREAT to renew contact with many. Time was too short ;).
Some of the highlights:
- YP camp in Sicily. About 70 present. Significant spiritual breakthroughs for several. Good response to teaching from Judges. Many meaningful 1-to-1 conversations. We just completed an encouraging 30-day follow-up programme and it has been good to see several move forward in their walk with God.
- Annette. We were conscious of much strategic prayer-support. She was able to be involved in ministry to a remarkable degree. Of special significance was her bonding with a growing group of young women and girls.
- Other ministry. J was able to shoulder much of the public ministry in the Messina and Rometta churches. There were also opportunities to renew fellowship with and share in several other nearby churches.
- An evangelism network. REM is a new project developing in the Milan area. J was invited to share at their first conference. It was exciting to see more than 80 people come together with a real passion and commitment to reach out in their area. It was also good to be able to offer ideas and input. The relationship is ongoing..

PLANS...
- We foresee being in the UK for a further year or two. We plan then to return to Italy. Pray with us for His best to be revealed.
- During coming months J will be in Italy on average once a month (for a weekend). Pray for a variety of commitments:

October 14-19: Strategic Italian Ministries Committee planning, wedding, youth event
November 21-22: Youth Weekend, Naples
December 11-13: YFC Italy event and ministry in Bologna.
December 26-31: Urbana, USA with Italian Ministries display.

- We also continue to visit churches in the UK and seek further contacts. If you are able to establish any new openings/contacts for us, then please let us know.

FINALLY...
Please stay in touch. We are aware that we have not been all that good in staying in touch but we do appreciate the continued contact with you.

Sempre avanti!

GILMOREview February 2009

2009-02-04T17:48:00.005Z

Had I been younger (!) I would have promised a blog full of surprises, regular updates, pictures, fun, prizes and the smell of coffee....
Instead, now all I can say is that as often as I can (which may not be very regularly...) I will try and put new stuff on our space.... Who knows, Annette and the kids might get the hang of it too...
Soooooo...

W A T C H
T H I S
S P A C E !

Also: here is our latest GILMOREview (click on each picture to enlarge....)

FOCUS

2009-01-30T13:21:00.004Z

One of the challenges of life is to be able to focus.
When you're driving (especially me!).
When you're writing an essay.
When you're despairingly looking at a never-ending to-to list.
But above all, in being able to distinguish between what is peripheral and what is central.
So often our blur occurs because we focus on the peripheral and not on the central.
And this can happen when facing situations, feelings, issues, dreams, opportunities...

As you think of us pray that our focus might be clear.

Please.

Very occasional!

2009-01-07T15:31:00.002Z

If you're like me, you'll be looking for regular updates and news on a blog.
Which makes this one quite dismaying. :(
Maybe 2009 will see a change on our part, so keep watching this space.
Don't be very occasional in thinking about us and praying for us...

Grazie. Sempre avanti!

Home is where we are!

2008-06-24T17:07:00.005+01:00

People like us move around. That is nice but can have drawbacks. One is that no easy answer can be given to the question 'where are you from?'.
The bottom-line is that we're from everywhere and nowhere.
Home is very much the place we're at. Right now home is the UK. During this summer home will be Italy.

Pontefract Mission

2008-04-09T11:50:00.000+01:00

I just returned from Pontefract. I was there to take several events during the first few days of a mission organised by the Pontefract Evangelical Church.
Had a great time.
It was encouraging to hear positive comments from many who were present.
One lady was so challenged that she plucked up courage to invite her sister and a friend. This was a major step and indicates a growing missional vision.
The church is at an exciting stage. Much is being prayerfully considered. It is refreshing to find those with whom there is so much like-mindedness.
- Sunday AM preaching on Philip and Nathanael (more than 200 present)
- Sunday PM preaching on the woman healed of the issue of blood (coping with the impossible) (over 100 present)
- Monday AM coffee morning - Jesus calms the storm (dealing with fear) (40 present)
- Monday PM coffee evening - interviewed and sharing on 'coping with whys' (60 present)
- Tuesday AM coffee morning - sharing about Simon 'stop complaining and being bitter' (50 present)
- Tuesday PM coffee evening - sharing on the woman washing Jesus' feet (hope from forgiveness) (70 present)
While there enjoyed visiting the mega-bookshop Borders. Astounded by the quantity of popular literature attacking Christian beliefs. Yet, nothing substantial to replace or improve on it. Sad world.

Kids bak from kamp

2008-03-26T21:00:00.000Z

All 3 were away over Easter weekend with WHBC.
Came back with happy memories.
We were thankful they went...and that they returned!

2 much 2 do?

2008-03-26T20:47:00.000Z

If you're like me, then you're always facing the fact that there is 2 much 2 do.
At times it becomes overwhelming.
The todo lists are speckled with reminders to check the other todo lists...
And there is that feeling of never really being on top or 'in control' of all that there is 2 do...

Not that all that is right. But that's the way the feeling is.
I, for one, must continue to learn to live this moment to the full. Not project myself into some future time and live for then.

A few nights ago driving back from a rare day out, Annette and I arrived moments after a spectacular accident. A care was in the middle of the twisty road we were driving along - upside down. The two young people were still trapped inside. As we got out into the freezing Welsh black night and helped them (fortunately neither of them were badly injured) I was reminded of the fact that life is precious, short and to be lived to the max.
It's so easy to let opportunities slip by.
Many seem to vegetate from one day to the next with little sense of purpose of direction.
Many are submerged by the fact there is 2 much 2 do.

May it not be so for us.

Homeward Bound!

2008-03-18T15:16:00.000Z

Twenty days 'on the road' in little over a month is really a lot!
Annette and the kids valiantly held the fort while I galavanted around.
The Shetlands were wonderful.
Sicily was great (suprise?).
The US big :)
Lots of opportunities to share and challenge about ministry and Italy.
And now a few days home... :)

A new beginning!

2008-02-04T15:26:00.001Z

This is the age of information 'overload'. So much to consider. So much to get to know.
We are grateful, therefore, that you are taking the time to take a glance at our blog.
We'll try and keep it short and sharp. But it will be of interest, we hope.
We'll share news, plans and needs with you.
Bookmark this space and visit often!

Sempre Avanti!

Jonathan