Dear Friends

Weekly we hear stories from people in this nation and around the world who have a hunger to know God, a searching for a deeper reality, a longing for authenticity as they wrestle with the ‘truths’ they know about God and where they find themselves in the reality of their day to day experience. Some come to us in a place of pain, exhaustion and confusion, disillusioned in their faith. Others come with a hunger and thirst to grow and develop in their relationship with God, excited about life but wanting to connect with us for further development.

We are grateful to God for the missionaries, church leaders and other individuals that He directs our way. As they share something of their story, as we hear the honest heart cry for more of God, it is a consistent reminder again of why we do the things we do. It is a reminder that God has called T.L.C to be this place where leaders can come, a “safe” place for transparent honesty... a place to grapple with truth... a place to find restoration... a place for transformation and motivation to reach their God given potential. It remains a privilege and is both humbling and honouring to walk with those we encounter.

We share with you just a few statements of gratitude received over the past few months:

“...you have led me in the continuing discovery of the mystery of knowing Christ as my Life . . it is transformation!”

“This has been one of the most transforming experiences in my 20 years of ministry.”

“While facing my biggest leadership challenge to date, you came into my life at a crucial time in my development. There is no way to put a price tag on how much you have invested in me....”

“I don’t know how to thank you for your patience and unconditional love. It continues to reveal the heart of father to me ..”

It is a reminder of the individuals that Jesus Himself encountered in such personal and unique ways. In John 20 we see Jesus, risen from the tomb encountering individuals in their place of need, be it Mary weeping in her loss, Peter in his guilt or Thomas with his questions and accusations. God does know our point of need and longs to meet us there where we may also hear him address us by our name.

Many of you have shared in our journey as Transformational Leadership Centre, a ministry that has no physical centre but does know the gathering of people. Over the years we have continued to hire facilities as and when we have need of them. The cost involved in doing this is high both financially and physically, as we have the challenge of catering on top of the planning, hosting and speaking at such events, with the transporting back and forth of all that is needed to each location. We have also continued to work from our individual homes in coaching and mentoring.

The ongoing challenge of facilities is not only a financial pressure to us but a restrictive one as well. Every month we have requests from missionaries, church leaders and individuals who long for what we have to offer, but would need to stay over for a number of days and in some cases, weeks. We would love to offer them such an opportunity. There are small groups we would like to lead on a regular basis, there are new initiatives in training that we would like to start. We would love to see something more of a centre emerge in the local area that we could develop to serve our greater vision.

The property we had been hoping for has finally been sold and so we surrender (once again) our hopes and dreams to a God who is bigger. We have always known that faith is trusting the One who is, not dependent on the outcome. So while we recognize our own disappointment and at times confusion we also trust that God will make a way.

As we stand at this strategic juncture, seven years into the formation and establishing of TLC as a charity and ministry, we would like to invite your partnership with us. We find ourselves becoming “known” and enjoying the blessing and challenge of more and more people desiring that which we offer. Thus far, as a small staff, we have carried the cost of what we do ourselves, and have seen God wonderfully supply our needs.

In the light of the current financial climate, now would not seem a good time to talk finances in a newsletter. We have all been affected, some more and some less, by the staggering developments in the world economy. There are no doubt many questions to be asked and we continue to pursue God for His perspective, as we navigate through this tumultuous time. Can the Body of Christ flourish in a time of famine? Is there a “Joseph dimension” that we can manifest: bringing forth resource to supply need in a time of economic pressure? We know we cannot trust the world systems – what can be shaken is being shaken!

Is this a time for each one of us to be like Joseph in whatever sphere we find ourselves in the body of Christ? How do we rise to the present challenge?

We at TLC are being challenged to be more generous in all we do and to know gratitude as a lifestyle. To be generous in hospitality, generous & creative in giving financially, generous with our time, generous to “divine nobodies”, generous in attitude—and as disciples of Christ, we have the privilege to reflect His heart of generosity. “[May] He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food … supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; [may] you … be enriched in everything for all liberality, which … is producing thanksgiving to God.” (2 Cor 9:10-11) In our own sphere of influence we find ourselves particularly challenged to reach out with provision to the famine we find in people’s lives spiritually.

Therefore, after much consideration, we want to take the risk of making our needs know at this time, and entrust the rest to Him.  We ask you to pray with us for the next phase of our journey as we grapple with the following questions:

Do we rent or buy a house that could be turned into offices and a self-contained flat for those in need of guided retreats, crisis coaching, survival breaks, restoration, etc? Could it double as a place to host our monthly, weekly and daily programmes?
Might there be offices locally that would serve as rooms for coaching and as a team office? Or an unoccupied manse or similar type of property that we could care take?
Perhaps there is a local barn of some description that we could renovate and configure to our needs?
Is there another option that has not yet occurred to us?

At this key stage of our development, we would like also to invite you to pray and/or partner with us in these areas of specific need:
Month to month running costs which thus far we have carried as staff and find increasingly challenging as we expand what we do.
Sponsorship for those who come from nations where salaries and the cost of living is vastly different to here. Such individuals are leaders among their people, desiring further training, yet find it a huge, if not an impossible challenge to raise air fares to England, let alone cover their costs while here. It costs £900 for an individual to receive an intensive month of training with us.

We value your friendship, your support, your encouragement and your prayers. We are keenly aware that it always takes a team of God’s people to accomplish all He has on His heart, so thank you for the freedom we have to share with you so much of what lies within our hearts.

On behalf of our Team,

Val Smith