September/October 2023

In 2007, Ukrainian born Jan Koum, applied for a job at Facebook. He was a talented computer programmer, but despite making it to the final stage of interviewing, he was ultimately rejected. Two years later he came up with an idea for his own mobile app which would show updated statuses for all contacts; he called it WhatsApp. There were initial struggles and Koum almost quit but a few months later, everything changed. He eventually sold WhatsApp to Facebook – the same company that had rejected him seven years earlier – for 19 billion dollars!

Many success stories have moments of failure on the path to accomplishing a goal; whether it’s J. K. Rowling having her book turned down 12 times, or the Beatles being told that guitar bands were on the way out. Perseverance through challenges makes the difference.

In the Bible, perhaps the greatest chapter on perseverance towards a goal is Hebrews 11, as the author recounts many Old Testament believers who by faith endured, despite challenges. Yet the greater perspective comes in the next chapter:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith (Heb. 12:1-2).

It is Jesus whom we look to as our ultimate model of endurance. Even through the greatest trials, he has gone before us and he is our goal.

For this edition, perseverance through trials is part of our focus. Sammy Davies helps us understand what true success is and how that releases us from fear of failure. Sharing candidly, Peter Baker looks at perseverance from the perspective of leadership and, in contrast, Phil Swann helps us think through the ugliness of spiritual abuse. Sadly, we will all have experienced Christians giving up on their faith, which is something Lewis Roderick dwells on, and another article encourages us to rekindle our faith if we grow cold.

There are several other articles to do you good, including our regular series, a selection of great book recommendations and updates on God’s work across Wales. May God do you good as you read, and keep you going in your faith.