Si Brown

Forgive me if I speak about stuff you already know, but for the sake of anybody I have not spoken to for a while I'll start from my graduation.

I managed to get a 2:1 in my PE and Maths degree at Loughborough Uni and was privileged to graduate when Steve and Anne Redgrave received honorary degrees at the same ceremony. I had a quality time at Uni where my relationship with God changed and deepened dramatically.

This year I am doing a course called DNA, which is a discipleship training course run by the Pioneer network of churches. I am based at Openheaven church, Loughborough and I receive quality teaching in Battersea, London. And no, It is not at the Dog's home! So far I have had sessions on various topics including relationships, youth culture and schools work. The training blocks are about every two weeks and are an intensive 2 days.

I have a heart for seeing people come into relationship with God through footy and it has been great seeing how footy cell groups are starting to form and develop. These are based in the Christian Union footy team, which is mainly students from the uni numbering up to 50 members. They are starting to set up a third team! I'm in a cell with another Christian and two not-yet Christians from the first team. We are regularly meeting up to discuss, build relationship and pray together. Oh yes, both of them pray out loud and thank God for stuff! If you would like to know more about the vision for footy cells just let me know.

I am also involved with the Quorn Baptist footy team and enjoying getting to know the boys there. I pray God will give me some great opportunities, like He has done before, to chat with them and disciple them. One lad has been impacted by the community there and has become less aggressive since being involved. God is at work and He wants them lads in His Kingdom!

I was privileged to see God save the life of a homeless guy in Loughborough the other week. A friend and I got chatting to him whilst at a CU meeting when he dropped in, looking for some food and drink. We had a great conversation about God, gave him a bible and a booklet to read and then my friend met him the next day. We met him further on the following Saturday night where we had a pizza, went to a firework show and then for a pint. Before the pint, on the way down, he revealed that he wanted to make the decision to accept Jesus and so he prayed as we sat on a wall down a side street. We prayed for him after and are looking now to help disciple him and get him integrated well into Church and helpful contacts. We shouldn't settle for converts but make disciples.

God's teaching me a lot about reactions to people and situations amongst other things. There's a lot more to come, I'm sure!!

Other stuff I'm involved in is some schools work and I've been given the role of treasurer for Openheaven.

Please pray for this year. That I'll move on massively with God and do his perfect, pleasing will. For the footy stuff I'm involved in - that we'll really see loadsa fruit for God's Glory and Kingdom. For Lee to really grow in God and his life on the up. For Adrian and Stu, the guys in our cell - that they will want Jesus completely in their life. That I'll get my study done in time for the deadlines!!