March/April 2022

Every now and then we treat our children to a pick and mix. They love it! In the shop they’re faced with a wall of sweets. Then it’s decision time. In go some giant cola bottles, gummy bears and jelly babies. My favourites are the fizzy watermelons and the bubblegum bottles. We bring them home, and it’s not long before they’re all gone. In many ways, this edition of the magazine is like a pick and mix. There’s a bit of everything in it! Hopefully it’s a treat for you to enjoy as well.

As we’re approaching Easter, we’ve got a few articles along that theme. Heledd Job exposes us to different ways Easter is celebrated around the world collated from various contributors. Al Gooderham explores the significance of the temple’s curtain being ripped at the very moment Jesus died whilst Alex Collins considers what happened to Jesus’ body after it was taken down from the cross and how that strengthens the reliability of the gospel.

Some of our articles speak of the way God has been at work in various situations. Gareth Jones recounts how the evangelical church in Lampeter has grown and the story of their new building. Laura Sanlon shares how God used one moment of grief to do significant spiritual good in her.

We often need a bit of practical encouragement sometimes. To help us cope with loneliness and to support others, Susannah Clarke shares from her experiences, especially through the pandemic. As Christians will inevitably upset each other from time to time, Nick Batzig navigates how we should respond, whilst Annette Verhey helps us to give and receive praise in a God-honouring way. Gary Brady gives some thought to the often overlooked role of deacons in church life.

We have two articles that focus on reaching the world. Caroline Taylor highlights how women who have served in mission have too often been left out of the story. Detailing her experiences on the streets of Cardiff, Paula Harris shares how she has had the opportunity to share the gospel with people who are homeless.

For our two ongoing strands: James Sercombe does a great job of explaining and encouraging true fellowship and Eddie Arthur challenges our thinking on giving money to the work of global mission. Our update is full of various goings on around Wales and our book reviews will spark some ideas for further reading.

With such a selection to choose from, which will you devour first? We trust it does you good and blesses you.