By Simon Foulds, LPUKI Development Manager
During June, it was an honour to share in several events with a graduated Langham Scholar, Sally*, from a sensitive country in East Asia.
Sally was in conversation with John Libby, Langham UKI’s National Director. After listening to her, I took away three particular reflections.
First, Sally spoke about her role back home, where she lectures at a university. Although she does not openly profess her faith during lectures, it is often questions about Christianity that her students bring to her.
Risking Freedoms
Second, she described what can happen when the authorities want to question someone about their faith and activities. They are “invited to tea”. Sally knows many people, including her own pastor, who have received such invitations, though she has not yet been invited herself.
Third, Sally reflected on what she has seen in the UK and Ireland over the past few months. In some churches, she observed people who seemed to be going through the motions, perhaps taking for granted the freedom they have to gather, worship and learn. But she has also been encouraged by churches here where that is not the case.
This stood in contrast to her own church experience back home, where believers put, if not their lives, then certainly their freedom at risk, in order to worship, hear God’s Word, learn, and grow deeper in love with Him.
Holy Sprit at work
Sally was deeply inspirational. It was clear that the Holy Spirit is guiding her, both in her reflections on her time in the UK and Ireland and in the work she is now doing at home, in her professional and personal life.
Her ministry has been shaped and strengthened through her PhD studies and her Langham Scholarship. Thank you for your support of people like Sally, and of more than 350 graduated Langham Scholars serving in ministries across 96 countries.
*Name changed and country not mentioned in order to protect this Scholar, and many others like her, who are serving God in areas of poverty, pressure and great potential.