Note from the Network:
This is part of a series of regular updates from the leadership team within the Mahabba Network. They will be published here on the blog, but the best way to stay up to date is to sign up for our newsletter; you will receive a prompt when the latest one is available. Previous updates can be found here.
Lift up your eyes
A Mahabba update from the leadership team – August 2018
A Mahabba update for everyone involved with Mahabba.
1. Introduction
‘Lift up your eyes’, was the title and theme of Mahabba regional gatherings this year – to be inspired by what we’re seeing God doing among Muslims and encouraged and equipped in hearing from Mahabba groups in the regions.
These were great events with very positive feedback from attendees and we would love to see more gatherings of this kind.
Total numbers were well up on attendance at the national gathering in 2017 and learning from one another in ways like this is so much part of why the network exists.
Here are some reports and quotes.
2. South and West event in Gloucester with Georgina and Phil S
Despite a few practical hitches the day worked well in drawing together new and existing friends and other networks.
There was a great buzz of conversation going on throughout.
A highlight and standout impression was of people getting to know about things happening closer to home and hearing from people who are not specialists or ‘professionals'.
This is what Mahabba is about.
Stories of what people are doing as part of their everyday lives are encouraging and need to be heard.
So often Christians have contact with Muslims but don’t do anything with them because they are lacking confidence or don’t know where to start.
Days like this can be so helpful to take inspiration from others in taking steps towards Muslims.
Some commented that they wish they'd invited others – there’s always next time!
3. London event with Chas
More than 60 attended, mostly from London but also from a bit further afield.
We heard encouraging stories from eight different London Mahabba prayer groups.
Some are still small and struggling with lack of interest from churches.
Yet they also told amazing stories of running successful 'Meetings for Understanding', of church leaders getting involved, evangelistic events being hosted and engagement with Muslims in their communities and local Mosques.
We shared on the different resources available to help the groups engage in reaching out, sharing good news and making disciples (such as Friendship First, Come Follow Me, Joining the Family, Al Massira, Discovery Bible Studies…).
A successful day.
4. North event in Oldham with Ted
About 60 people came from across the North, from Liverpool in the west and Hull in the East.
Steve, John, Deborah and Phil R were among the contributors and the event was greatly enhanced by the presence of the Resonance Band leading multilingual worship.
As always, for many participants it was hearing from other Mahabba groups that was the main encouragement.
So three quite different events but with the same outcomes – people inspired, encouraged and equipped for renewed commitment to prayer and reaching out locally.
We would love to hear from you how something from the event you attended spoke to your situation – please see below to submit feedback.
There are more gatherings to follow; first for Birmingham and the Midlands on 13th October - ‘Joining the Dots’, connecting and equipping the church to reach out to Muslims.
See below to find out more.
5. Vision Update
We are making really good progress with the Mahabba vision process.
We’ll come back with more next month and look forward to hearing more of your thoughts.
Thank you so much for your prayers and have a good summer.
Bryan Knell on behalf of Mahabba Board and Executive Team
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