There have been comings and goings in the US office this past week.
We've said "farewell" to Daniel (Brodi) Broaddus. Brodi has been the engine of The Good Book Company US looking after customer services, logistics, finance and much, much more - and he has done an outstanding job. Please do pray for him as he goes off to seminary. He will be much missed but we're excited about the gospel work he's heading towards in the future.
But we've said "hello" to not one but two new members of staff as well!
Angela Esatto is the US office's new part-time Executive Assistant where she will be responsible for human resources, book-keeping and making sure her colleagues are in the right place at the right time (no small challenge). A homeschooling mum of five boys (yes, five boys) Angela is an avid blog-reader, a keen cook and a big fan of the great outdoors.
Matthew Endres is a recent graduate of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and he's been married a whole 3 weeks! Matt is going to be responsible for product administration and customer services, making sure you get the products you need at the time you need them.
We thank the Lord for all our staff. Please do pray for Angela and Matt - that they will settle into the Good Book family quickly; that they will enjoy serving God through Christian publishing and that they will enjoy helping you open up the Bible ...
This week we're thrilled to welcome a new member of staff into the UK office. Here's a little about him ...
What are you going to be doing at TGBC?
You tell me! I’m coming here to be the print buyer. [Blank Look] Oh you don’t know what that is? Well me neith… I mean, I will be finding the best deals to get our books printed with different printers, and helping advise the team here about what can be realistically and cost effectively printed when they are considering design questions. Then I think I’ll also be helping out with some IT stuff, so I have something cooler to talk about at dinner parties.
What were you doing before TGBC?
Before starting here I was working as the centre manager of a local charity in Basingstoke, that worked with mainly young people in the community to help grow confidence and boost social interaction, primarily through the performing arts. Despite this I’m still as wooden and uncoordinated as they come, and worked behind the scenes, specialising as a jack of all trades, managing their IT, Website, Policies and the staff & volunteer team, while dabbling in the finances, fund raising, event planning and general admin sides, all with a major in crisis control.
What do you enjoy doing when you're not at work?
In my spare time I’m a theoretical fiction writer (which is to say I think about writing more than I actually write). I enjoy watching high quality TV Drama, and can wax lyrical about Breaking Bad for hours on end. I enjoy playing football and other sports, and am a big New England Patriots fan, and love watching all and any American Football as the ultimate sporting fusion of brains and brawn. I also enjoy any excuse to cook or eat good food, especially if there is some nice wine and half decent company involved.
What can we be praying for you this week?
If you could please pray for me as I adjust to starting my new job and all that it involves. For a smooth process of finding somewhere to move to and commuting in until I do. And for good gospel opportunities with friends and ex-colleagues before I leave Basingstoke.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
Exciting times in the office this week with filming well underway for our innovative new product, Wonderfully Made.
Wonderfully Made is a pre-evangelistic resource for use within toddler groups - using DVD clips to promote discussion of parenting topics from a biblical perspective.
Watch this space for more information!
There have been celebrations this week in the Anglican church. After much debate, the Church of England has paved the way for women to become bishops. Campaigners are declaring victory, justice, equality, cultural relevance and more. The legislation - which most agree, is far more generous than previous drafts - now proceeds to parliament for approval.
Of course, not everyone has been celebrating. Some have been saddened, if not surprised, by the change. Some are worried that the legislation still does not do enough to protect the integrity of those who hold firmly to the biblical model of male headship. There are lingering fears for the future - on a personal and corporate level. The discussions and decisions are not over yet.
So, how do we pray for those impacted by the vote? Maybe 2 John v3-6 is a place to begin. The context is different but the words are still dripping with poignancy.
An awareness of grace, mercy and peace (v3)
Pray that all those thinking through the implications of this week's vote will be mindful of their status as children of God - their privilege, the sufficiency of God's Word in the hands of the Spirit within them, their utter dependence on the Lord of all things and their call to be humble before his sovereignty.
The joy of truth (v4)
Praise God for those men and women who have spoken truth - sometimes at great cost to themselves - and remain committed to God's Word. To hear God's words spoken faithfully is a wonderful thing in any circumstance.
The mandate of love (v5)
Pray that every decision, every discussion, every report, every email will be seasoned with love in ways that honour God and give helpful witness to a watching world.
A passion for obedience (v6)
Pray that the love that is seen is worked out in obedience to the Lord - that faithfulness continues to be a path to pursue whatever the context, the worries and the energy levels.
There are no easy answers. But love and truth hold firm. Let's not stop praying for the Church of England now.
Revenge porn. It’s the sort of issue we’d like to assume is just “out there” rather than inside the church. But it isn’t.
We’d like to think that all the single people in the congregation are walking closely with the Lord – and that all the marriages are rock solid - but they’re not. Some are sleeping with people to whom they are not married. A few are taping their physical pursuits. And when the break-up comes, occasionally one disgruntled party posts explicit images online to humiliate, to hurt and to hate.
It’s not a weekly occurrence in the average congregation but it happens. And when it does, lives can be wrecked – emotionally and spiritually.
How would your church respond? Would there be compassion? Rebuke? An awkward silence? It’s worth taking some time to think it through before it hits …... continue reading
