Together For The Harvest
TFH is linked to the Evangelical Alliance. Click on the logo to go to the EA web site.
Week of Prayer 2009
A Week In The Life Of...
John Manwell
The reader of my account of a typical week will either conclude that I have got involved in far too many diverse activities or that I have an exhilarating life of variety! I hold both these opinions.
My typical week begins on Sunday morning with our church, The Well. We meet in a community centre and Sunday morning is a process of loading the car with the PA, drums and flags, along with writing final notes if I have prepared a message for that morning. A big part of the set up is hanging the flags. We have about 40 flags from nations we have formed relationships with. Our meeting begins with tea and coffee and is very unstructured, sometimes praying for overseas connections or hearing what God has been saying to people in the Church.
Sunday afternoon and evening is often time off for us. The kids usually ‘remember’ some homework that needs to be done and Marie catches up with laundry! I have never really had a ‘hobby’ but at this time of the year I like chopping wood for the fire. Marie bought me a lovely axe a few years ago for Christmas – so it’s a favourite pastime to retreat down to the end of the garden and swing the axe until it is too dark to be safe! Worrying, isn’t it?
Our home is a central element of our ministry and calling to the city. In 1988 God
spoke to us to come to Liverpool, to buy a big house and have people stay with us.
That year we moved into a 7 bedroom semi-
Several years ago the Lord challenged us to get involved in our community. So for a few years we have been active on the board of the local Community Association, which I now chair. This has been a tremendous journey of discovering how the voluntary sector outside the traditional Church operates. It has been hard work, but has helped us to develop relationships in our neighbourhood. This Monday was the AGM and it was very encouraging to review the development of worthwhile community activities. Normally on a Monday night we have our prayer and Bible study in our home, where there are often visitors from across the region and the world with us.
During the week I usually have a meeting with one or other of the organisations that I have become part of. I enjoy my membership on two school boards of governors, and I am honoured to be on the board of the Liverpool Lighthouse. I’m also part of Sue Sinclair’s Community Watchmen Ministries and Chair of Merseyfest. I thrive on being able to meet with these people and pray through the issues and opportunities of our region.
My working days are split between TFH and my own business ‘Optics’ and both require energy and constant activity. In the work for TFH the tasks range from membership enquiries, planning leaders events, preparing the TFH News magazine, and keeping the Steering Group informed. I spend at least a day a week contacting people from other networks and groups to build relationships with people across the region. These include organisations such as the Anglican Dioceses, the Evangelical Alliance, business networks, Manchester Networks and other regional networks. As I have picked up new tasks in TFH over the past year I have been extremely grateful for the support and guidance that John Cavanagh continues to give.
Recently there has been a burst of exciting activity relating to building a network of Christian business people, resulting in an invitation to a private meeting with MPs and Peers in the House of Lords. This has got me very excited as I have believed for a long time that Liverpool and the Mersey region is going to be an example to the country on how the church can come together and truly see transformation linked with a revival of Christian faith in the land.
My business involves spending time with business owners and leaders helping them to look ahead, plan their priorities and strengthen their team. For many years I have had a passion to see Christians in business being leaders and influencers. I love working with leaders and helping them to develop strategies for their challenges. I have been working with business leaders in Liverpool, Manchester and the USA.
One consequence of being involved in a number of different streams is the flow of mail and email. I thank God that He has given me good health and that I am motivated by pressure and having lots to do. Recently we’ve welcomed some new volunteers to help with administration for TFH, and this is a great help.
By the end of the week I am ready for a break and Saturday tends to be a catch-
It is a blessing to live and serve God in Liverpool.
