New beginnings

3 minute 57 second read

Dear reader,

There is a season of new beginnings upon us as a mission.

Milestone reached

In November’s edition of Link and after much work in the previous four years, we were able to announce the joining together of our two historic missions under the banner of Pioneers UK and Ireland. A vision we believed to be of the Lord and with a view to seeing more Arab peoples reached with the gospel in years to come as we combine the strengths and histories of both missions.

The need is of course still great as we seek to share the gospel in the Arab world – a region described by one author as ‘the living-room’ of Islam. The brand name and logo Pioneers Arab World will give us the opportunity to continue to highlight the Arab world distinctive and connection with ministry in this part of God’s global mission.

A new season for me personally

After a period of discernment, the Lord has made it clear that there are
now ‘new beginnings’ ahead for me too. I sensed the Lord say ever so clearly to me in the summer of 2017, ‘Will you serve me here for seven years?’ I embraced the opportunity and have given it everything during that time. It has been a joy beyond words. It really has. Despite the difficulties in the region and challenges along the way the Lord has answered much prayer. Ministry in the region continues to progress and people continue to be mobilised into long-term mission.

And so it is with mixed emotions that I informed the board that I believed that my time as National Director was needing to come to a natural end in December 2024. I felt I had served my time and honoured the call to serve the full seven years. I am leaving on very good terms with the staff teams, my fellow Director Stephen Carling, our Board of Trustees and with many friends in the mission, delighted by the future in store for Pioneers and the wider global Pioneers family too.

Reflecting on God’s faithfulness in times of change

Personally, it has been a tremendous privilege to have been part of AWM-Pioneers since 2013 and to partner with the vision in this way. I stepped into the role of National Director in early 2020 just before Covid struck. We migrated to working online along with many others, moved offices to a new refurbished premises and re-integrated in a post-Covid world with its new challenges and realities. Similarly the completion of our merger was a significant moment that I’m grateful to God for being able to see completed.

Facing a task unfinished

The culmination last summer of a wonderful celebratory conference with our staff team, trustees and other key partners alongside some of our 144 members and 96 children was an apt ending of a chapter and the beginning of a new one. At that celebratory event in the summer, I was deeply struck afresh by one of our banners which read, ‘Jesus still says go.’ He does and His calling takes us into new seasons whether here or overseas.

As Lilias Trotter is quoted as saying, “The history of His wonders in the past is a constant succession of new things and He is not at the end of His resources yet.” I believe this quote to be true for my family. There is a new chapter ahead of us but also a new chapter for the Pioneers mission family.

Good things in store this year

This year, Link will continue to contain testimonies of God at work and you will gradually see more of our new branding introduced across all our communication channels. Furthermore, the staff team will continue to visit churches and exhibitions inspiring the UK and Irish Church and our mobilisers will continue mentoring mission enquirers stirred by God’s call into global mission.

The staff team continue to pursue this vision and mission in partnership with the UK and Irish and Arab Church and you’ll hear from my good friend, Stephen Carling, who will be leading the mission onwards as the sole director into this new season.

To God be the glory. Great things He has done.

Yours in Christ,
Phil Elam