TOM and PATTI WHEELER
WBF Missionaries to
WALES
Field address: Tom Wheeler 52 Penylan
Close Bassaleg NP10 8NW Wales, UK
E-mail address: prediger61@hotmail.com
Sent by: Tabernacle Baptist Church P.O. Box
252 Crane, TX 79731
October 2005
IT WAS BOUND TO HAPPEN
EVENTUALLY
Recently I was out knocking doors with a Welsh preacher friend and we met God’s standard of righteousness in this world. I know that some of you have been looking for many long years, but yessiree, we found him!
Terry and I had been taking turns knocking doors and taking the lead in speaking to the residents. It was Terry’s turn, and at this particular house in Nelson a retired fireman came to the door. He proceeded to tell us how that millions of people out there (pointing out at his neighbours) wished they could be like him. At first I don’t know whether to take this guy seriously or not. I’m thinking, “Fella, you can’t seriously be that self-righteous.” But it is my brother’s turn, and I let him deal with him. The man goes on to say, “All I did in my life was help people. I’m a million times better than that SCUM out there.” To which Terry replies, “But you’re a million times worse than the standard which is required in the Bible.”
Neither Terry nor I had much success that day, but there were eight of us out knocking doors in a concerted effort to get the gospel out that week. Patti knocked a door that produced a visit the following Sunday, a day that saw two new families visit. And Terry had a man come to faith in Christ - a man whom he’d been praying for over many years. God is even yet merciful to inveterate sinners. In this difficult field, that is meat to give our brother strength to labour on.
GOSPEL
LIBERTY (OR MAYBE NOT)
The
House of Commons here has again passed an “incitement to
religious hatred” bill, which would make preaching the
exclusive claims of Jesus Christ punishable by up to seven years
in prison. The House of Lords has always shot down this
legislation in the past, but this time it was passed with an
amendment protecting the rights of Christians to proclaim the
gospel without falling foul of the law. The vote was passed with
a majority of 149 in the Lords, which would make it difficult,
but not impossible, for the Commons to disregard the amendment.
Should
the bill become law without the amendment, it will be the first
time in this land since before the GLORIOUS REVOLUTION of 1688
that gospel ministers will be in danger of imprisonment for
preaching Christ (such legislation has already been passed in
Australia, and convictions have started). It seems incredible
that more than three centuries of religious toleration could
soon be no more. A final decision should be made within a
month’s time.
I
will not ask you to pray that this bill is killed in this
session. Even though that is the desire of my heart, I have a
nagging suspicion that it will take open persecution to greatly
further the gospel in this nation. John Bunyan spent his days in
Bedford gaol writing the Pilgrim’s
Progress; may God make us willing, if need be, to also
lose our liberty if we might bless this old lost world. I ask
you to pray as the Spirit of God leads you. His will be done in
this.
WHAT WE’RE INVOLVED IN
RIGHT NOW
Presently
our ministry involves helping other preachers here in south
Wales, preaching in various communities, and home Bible studies.
We had been trying to find a place to hire for public meetings
in Pentwyn, but bureaucracy has been a great hindrance. We still
seek avenues of ministry. The home meetings may turn into a baby
church yet. Pray for the Lord’s leading in all this.
Fishing
for a few and feeding a few followers,
Tom
and Patti Wheeler
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