Dear Honeyridge Family,  

Since we last met together six months ago, a lot of water has flowed under the bridge of the global lockdown, with much of it having flowed through the channels of Social Media being propelled by the waves of racism.  

We have seen various groups and movements across the globe seeking to hijack legitimate concerns around police brutality and social injustice and systemic inequalities in society, in order to promote their own personal and political agendas – with very little being offered by way of true hope of reconciliation and justice according to God’s agenda.  

So as we look forward to regathering as The Body of Jesus Christ at Honeyridge in the months ahead, what should we be looking forward to? Is the church gathering really about singing and preaching and fellowship with friends? Or is it about something far more foundational and far more radical?  

In Ephesians 2:11-18, the Apostle Paul writes to Jews and Gentiles who could not have been more divided than they were. They were racially divided, religiously divided, socially divided, and culturally divided… and this division led to immense hatred and hostility.  But into this volatile context of deep-seated age-old racism, Paul brings the Gospel of Jesus to bear upon their hearts, showing that in Christ Jesus, there is true reconciliation through the death of Jesus on the cross. He says…  

Ephesians 2:18–22 — 18 For through [Jesus] we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In Him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.  

Bruce Milne says of this…  

In a profound sense, the arms of Christ spreadeagled on the cross in His final agony became a fitting symbol of His sacrifice’s achievement. With one outstretched arm He grasps believing Israelites, and with the other He grasps believing Gentiles; and, in His person offered up in holy offering, He unites the two. Accordingly, ‘He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one’ (Eph. 2:14). By His death, Christ Jesus has ‘destroyed’ the barrier and removed the grounds of the hostility.  

So as we look forward to regathering as the Church of Jesus at Honeyridge (as a holy temple in the Lord where God dwells by His Spirit)… my prayer is that our desire will be to display this reality of the transforming power of the Gospel so that the people of Johannesburg will recognize that the true hope of reconciliation, peace and justice is only to be found through our reconciliation to God through Jesus Christ.   Let us pray that God would be working in each of our hearts to display the magnificence of His Gospel power as we regather as His body and His bride at Honeyridge.  

Your brother in Christ,

Clinton.

The 12th of September 2020 was an exciting day for all Compass leaders and children. It was our first day back at Compass since lockdown had started and what a day it was!

We all arrived with great excitement. Compass was held outside on the lawn of the church grounds and the children were spread out on the grass. We gave each child a designated hula hoop to sit in for social distancing. After all the necessary COVID paperwork and sanitization was done, the fun started!

All leaders and children enjoyed a time of worship; it was wonderful to worship together in person again. We had lesson time, played a game & small group time where we could connect and catch up on life, it was special.

The children thoroughly enjoyed seeing their friends and leaders again. It was an amazing day full of laughter and excitement and we hope to have many, many more just like it. We thank the Lord for keeping us all safe during our first Compass meeting back.

by Gina Kolisko  

This past year I had the privilege of serving at St Paul's Ealing in West London under the New Wine Discipleship Year program. I worked alongside many incredible people such as Tamlyn Carshagen (who was previously Tamlyn Cosh - a past Honeyridger!) in the kids' ministry at St Paul's.

The year was filled with exciting challenges and experiences as I learned more about the inner workings of a church and its various ministries. Even during the challenges that Covid-19 presented, God still provided ways for us to be a blessing to the families who worship at St Paul's.

As a part of my year, I regularly gathered with other Discipleship Year students in my area for fellowship and a time of worship and intense Bible study. It was such a blessing to be surrounded by so many gifted, inspiring and godly young adults.

As I look back on this year in London, I can so clearly see God's hand through it all and I am so honoured and blessed to be a part of the family of Christ. Thank you to all who supported me and prayed for me during my time abroad.

All glory to Him!

Shona Harris

LULEBURGAZ/MISSION FLAT: Our mission flat is now becoming a gathering place for our family, relatives and friends. My parents, sisters, brother, and some friends have contributed to the furnishing of the flat. Please keep them all in your prayers especially that God will prepare their hearts for salvation.

UMIT (HOPE) 2020 ONLINE SEMINAR: This seminar occurs annually and is followed by a short-term outreach throughout Turkey. This project focuses on the need to have Jesus followers in every city; their vision is (through prayer) to share the Gospel where no churches exist. Also, it is to give spiritual support to believers, to grow in the LORD. UMIT’s aim is to encourage and equip local believers so they can evangelise and share their experiences with non-believers.

God bless you all.

Alper  

The Moskona ministry is back on track. After months of quarantine, we are excited to be resuming a number of activities with the Moskona people.

- Please pray with us as we work on finishing the "Bible House"; putting in doors and windows, buying chairs and tables etc. as finances allow.

- We hope to start pastor training and literacy classes soon as well as continue with using the "Storying" method for Old testament translation.

Family news:

- Stephie, Brandon and the kids left Indonesia due to visa issues and will remain in the USA until next year. Their third child is due in November.

- Jordan and Charissa are together in Papua at last. Covid-19 has complicated the when and where they will tie the knot.  Jessie-Fay is back at college. She has injured her hand and would greatly appreciate your prayers for healing.  

Love, Andy and Debbie