Profiles of speakers for our 2017 conference
Mitchell and Helen Cargill: Involvement in Eastern Europe began in 1961 when on a business trip to East Germany, and the opportunity was taken to visit the few believers. With directions, from friends in West Germany, we set out into the “unknown”. Their main request was for Bibles”. Our interest was aroused to the needs of believers in Eastern Europe, and we began to develop the work which continued until December 1989 when Communist control collapsed. During the Communist years we had “delivered” many thousands of Bibles in the national languages and hundreds of commentaries in English. Post Communist Rule - we decided to start providing literature in their own languages. Soon the greatest interest was coming from Ukrainian and Russian believers. This project has developed and we now have more than 50 Bible Commentaries in Russian and more than 40 in Ukrainian. Our publishers in Ukraine currently sell, at a subsidised price, approximately 2000 books per annum, and we have received many appreciative comments from readers. This gives us the assurance that those buying are reading.
Tony and Clare Cox - Medical Missionary News: MMN supports the work of medical missionaries and mission hospitals in three ways: 1. in partnership with like-minded Christian missionary organisations through the provision of grants; 2. through the sponsorship of Christian doctors, nurses, students and medical electives in their training and attendance at courses; 3. by sending supplies through shipping containers, specifically to the countries of Angola, Malawi, Moldova and Zambia. The work of MMN is firmly rooted in the spread of the Gospel and support for Christian medical work. Throughout the years, the methodology and emphasis of the support has adapted to the changing world, missionary needs and circumstances. But the underlying motivation, the communication of the love of God through his Son Jesus, together with the provision of relief for the alleviation of suffering, remains constant and steadfast.
Following a career in the Financial Industry Tony Cox joined MMN in 1999. Initially this was as a volunteer for a period of three months, but soon after he accepted an invitation to the position of Assistant Director. Tony eventually succeeded the retiring Director in 2008.
Following a career in the Financial Industry Tony Cox joined MMN in 1999. Initially this was as a volunteer for a period of three months, but soon after he accepted an invitation to the position of Assistant Director. Tony eventually succeeded the retiring Director in 2008.
Wesley and Alison Downs were commended to serve the Lord on a full-time basis in 2002 by the assembly at Wythenshawe. They worked within the deprived estate of Wythenshawe running a drop in, preaching the gospel and providing help to the long term unemployed. In 2005 the mill was setup as a specific outreach to the long term unemployed and homeless. Today the mill serves needy people with day time work experience for the long term unemployed and a residential program working with ex-offenders and homeless often coming out of addiction. Also there are many customers who benefit from the low cost household items that are sold, which is part of a charity shop giving work experience to the long-term unemployed. They are involved with running a drop-in in Manchester City centre each Sunday to homeless people as well as a street work amongst people sleeping rough in Manchester City Centre. The preaching of the gospel is at the core of these activities.
Richard and Pam Harknett met whilst studying at Tilsley college in Motherwell. They were married in September 2005 and 5 months later were commended to the work in Peru. The evangelical church there has experienced steady growth over the past few decades, and there is pressing need for training, discipleship and consolidation, as well as for continued evangelism. They formed part of a team which founded a Bible institute in the northern, coastal city of Trujillo, which has since spread to include 4 different locations. Alongside this, the team started a short-term mission programme for Peruvians, a support agency for national workers and published a number of booklets on missions, commendation of workers and church leadership. With the continued development of the national church, responsibility for each of these ministries was passed on to Peruvian believers over the course of 2015-2016. They have two children, Lucas and Emily, who have both grown up in Peru. The family moved back to the UK at the end of February.