NEWBOLD BAPTIST CHURCH WEB SITE

Latest News from g MICHAEL WINCH f 16 St John’s Court, Newbold, Rochdale, Lancashire, OL16 5TF England  Tel: + 44 (0) 1706 351193   E-mail:  michael.winch@btinternet.com

Hello Everyone,

It seems hard to believe that we are almost at the end of another year. It is the time that we as Christian people remember and celebrate the incarnation of God’s Son, Jesus Christ in human flesh. Let our celebration be one of true thankfulness to God for His plan of redemption for us as He sent His own dear Son to be our Saviour. 

What a privilege it was to minister in India on four occasions – in 1990, 1991, 1995 and 2000. Thank you for your prayer support and financial support during each of those visits to mainly teach in the Bible School at Eluru in Andhra Pradesh State. It was also good to preach at church services and meetings in the villages. One village had no electricity at all, yet the piece of ground for the meeting was brilliantly lit with fluorescent lights, fed not by a generator, but with cable threaded through the trees of the jungle for about a mile and hooked onto an overhead power line!! I guess with lack of teaching from God’s Word there was no question over the electricity! However, God blessed in so many ways across those four visits. It was in 1990 that I met the late Pastor D B Abraham and his wife Elizabeth. It was a joy to work with them and they became much-loved friends of mine, and of others who went to India. They both died of cancer within a short time of each other while only in their 50’s. Pastor Abraham on visits to England preached on two occasions at Newbold Baptist Church. My plans to visit India in 1997, 2002, 2004 & 2006 never took place because of a catalogue of serious illnesses that I have suffered, beginning in 1995. 
 
 

The major illness was a heart attack in 2001. Also, with the premature deaths of Abraham & Elizabeth we see how our Enemy, the devil himself, has sought to thwart the work of the Gospel there. The Bible School is closed. The new political situation makes an imminent return to India to preach the Gospel and teach believers impossible! Infiltrating police do not distinguish between “preaching ministry” to everyone and “teaching ministry” geared to the building up of believers for witness and service. Please pray for Christian’s in India now under severe persecution. This comes mainly from Hindu’s. Many I taught are now serving as pastors in village churches. Pray that in the face of their personal persecution, they may be an encouragement to their churches.

The late – Pastor D B Abraham

I want to thank you for your continuing prayers for my health this year. It has been a much better year – though my red blood cell count dropped dangerously low again and my GP threatened to have me admitted to hospital for a blood infusion. I did not want that, not knowing what the source of infused blood might be. I took it to the church (both at Newbold Baptist and to other churches I preached in around then). There was much prayer on my behalf. Some in the medical profession in our church advised on foods rich in iron such as liver and spinach. I began to be known as “Popeye”! My red cell count rose dramatically praise God! Now I have been told (23/11/07) that I need cataract operations on both eyes. This could be in 4 – 6 months time. Please pray for complete success in both operations – especially bearing in mind that in ministry it is vital to be able to drive 
 
 

The year has seen a change in the ministry to which God has called me. On 4th February at Newbold Baptist Church, Andy McCulloch was inducted as Associate Pastor. Also Mark Williamson and myself were recognised as Elders. It was a wonderful occasion. A great encouragement to me was that the whole of my family (except two) including my grandchildren were present. We took up 14 seats, and with relatives and friends of Andy and Mark there as well, a lot of extra chairs were put out. Sadly, on the 50th day of his service as an Elder, Mark died of a brain haemorrhage! I was planned to preach at the evening service that day. I scrapped what I’d prepared, and preached on John 11. The church was full. It was the most difficult occasion on which I ever preached, knowing Mark was hovering between life and death in Hope Hospital in Manchester. He was 29 years old. It was a testing time for all in the fellowship. Please pray for his widow Emma & their baby Rosie Hope, born on Advent Sunday. (Mark only knew about the pregnancy 2-days before he died), as well as for both Mark & Emma’s parents and families. 

Itinerant ministry in local churches still continues, but I am cutting back a little on this to be more available to Newbold Baptist Church. I preach regularly once every 4-weeks (approx) at Newbold. You can access news of the church on http://www.newboldbaptist.org.uk You can also listen to most sermons preached since 13/05/07 (click on “audio sermons”)- 

With no lectures to prepare for India, the Lord has had other work for me this year. This has included personal “one-to-one” ministry. Do please pray for me (and those whom I’ve asked to assist me) in this more intimate aspect of ministry. It is so, so thrilling when people are set free both into their true inheritance in Christ, and into their God-given potential in service for Him! It never cease to amaze me how God’s plans and timing are just perfect. 
 

One service I had to cancel last year as I was in the Royal Oldham Hospital was the service at Whitley Methodist Church, Reading (now held in The Avenue School). I made it this year on 10th June. It was great to meet again with many of the people I had grown up with. It was a memorable time fellowship. (Some of the congregation are seen here with me for refreshments afterwards).

This picture here was taken in the mid-1970’s during my College training. Some have laughed at it with my ‘Beatles’ style haircut, but it is on this lighter note I leave it with you as I conclude my “2007 Review of Ministry”. I’ve been so grateful over the years since I sent “News & Prayer Letter No 1” for all your love, prayers and gifts. I know I can rely on your prayers in 2008. Thanks.

Mark with his Mum, Jean

Mark & Sarah: Mark celebrated his 40th Birthday in February. Many of the family “gate crashed” to celebrate a meal originally just for Sarah & himself. The pictures I took in subdued lighting were a bit dark for reproduction here, so the picture above is Mark (age 6 months) with his Mum, Jean on holiday near Dale in Pembrokeshire. Three holidays there must have given Mark a love for South Wales, as in mid-November, Mark & Sarah moved to Llanelli in Carmarthenshire.  Mark has an identical post at Halfords, and Sarah likewise with the “3” mobile phone co.

Stephen, Jackie, Jordan, Erika & Aidan: They moved from Heywood to Norden (still in the Rochdale MBC). Stephen has changed his job – still in alarm security though. On one emergency call out he had to travel to Glasgow to deal with the fault! That’s 250 miles away!

Stephen, Jackie & Aidan

Jane, Dale, Jessica, Melissa & Olivia

Jane, Dale, Jessica, Melissa & Olivia are living with all the benefits of the major work done in their house and garden. Jane & Dale are very busy with the two florists shops. Jessica has left school and is now a civil servant, working in pensions.

Paul still with Euro Car Parts at Trafford Park, would like to get a similar job nearer home avoiding peak hour travel on the M62/M60.

Aidan, Erika & Jordan with their Uncle Paul

Once more, thank you for all your prayers for my family and myself.

God bless you this Christmastime and throughout 2008.

With my love and prayers,
 

Mike