Connecting with Langham Partners, United Kingdom
August 31, 2008
United Kingdom — July 13-19, 2008
Winding up this extended tour with a week in the United Kingdom, visiting the Langham family in London, Glasgow, Carlisle, Dormans and Exeter, was “the icing on the cake.” The gracious hospitality of Chris, Liz, Ian, Christine, Pieter, Elria, Howard, Roxanna, Ruth, Frances, Peter, and Uncle John was like the oil poured on the head of the priest.
The week began with worship at All Souls Sunday morning, a short nap and worship at Holy Trinity Brompton. I was struck by the singing, especially the lyrics of British worship. Both churches use “contemporary forms” but the message of the songs seemed particularly strong and theologically sound. This was also evident at the Keswick conference later in the week.
My first journey of the week was to Glasgow, to meet Ian Shaw. Ian was in transition toward his new role as Langham Partnership International’s U.K. scholar director and we soon discovered topics of interest in church history and historical theology.
Time in Scotland was far too short…but then there was Carlisle, Langham Literature and the lake district to savor. LPI’s Literature program director Pieter Kwant and staff offered an intensive course in the Langham Literature program. It was then off to the Keswick conference, where LPI Preaching program director Jonathan Lamb was the preacher, with the service recorded for BBC.
Back to London on Wed. to the home of LPI international director Chris Wright. Chris was back from preaching in Belfast and it was very good to share an evening with him and Liz. In the afternoon, Chris accompanied me to visit John Stott. He was eager to hear from the scholars in Africa as well as updates from Chris. The short hour was one I will not forget.
The final day in the U.K. found me heading toward Exeter to meet Howard Peskett, retiring scholar director for the U.K. I hoped to hear wisdom from his experience with Langham, as well as college principal and missionary. Howard offered his wisdom on candidate selection, supervisors, and scholar care.
Thus ends the account of the JSM/Africa/scholar tour. May God continue to bless and use the outreach of Langham toward the goal of mature followers of Christ.
South Africa – June 22-29, 2008
Zambia – June 30-July 7, 2008
Kenya – July 8-12, 2008
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2 Responses to “Connecting with Langham Partners, United Kingdom”
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September 3rd, 2008 at 3:13 am
Thank you for this interesting report. I assume there are other JSM Scholarship students in Africa in countries you did not visit such as Seblewongel Daniel from Ethiopia in Ghana and another student at EGST in Addis Ababa? What a legacy Uncle John is leaving. To God alone be the Glory
September 3rd, 2008 at 9:22 am
Art, I’m glad to know you read the report. Yes, we have other African scholars. Along with Seble in Ghana, we have one student at JETS in Nigeria. We do not as yet have doctoral students at EGTS but I hope that will happen in the future. Many blessings to you.