Date: 07/25/2021

Series: Family Talks

Speaker: Beth Lane

In this Family Talk, member Beth Lane shares about how God is preparing her for church planting ministry to the poorest communities of Scotland – the Schemes. If you would like to know more about how to support Beth personally, see her support letter below.

"Hello Family and Friends,

It is a joy to be writing to you about what the Lord has called me to in this season of my life. Over the last year, God has been preparing and shaping me to go into full time ministry of church planting. I am excited to say that he has opened the door for me to move to Scotland to be a part of the kingdom building ministry of 20schemes.

What is 20schemes? 

The schemes are strong and vibrant Scottish communities with a rich history, but are often hit hard by complex social problems. They also happen to be the places least likely to have a gospel church or indigenous Christians. Only 2.5% of Scots consider themselves Christians and with the schemes having little to no access to the gospel, there is desperate need for the gospel message.

At 20schemes, our desire is to see Scotland’s housing schemes transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ through revitalisation and planting of gospel-preaching churches, ultimately led by a future generation of indegineous church leaders. If you would like to learn more about their ministry, you can watch a video explaining the work we do at www.20schemes.com/the-schemes

Why me?

In the last year or so, God has been patiently and graciously guiding my heart toward full time ministry. One way that he has pulled my heart in this direction is by growing my understanding of the importance and beauty of a healthy local church in the life of a Christian. We live in a world with oppressive sin and real suffering; but Christ has not left us on our own without help. We have the Holy Spirit and each other. We are called to care for the poor and downtrodden, love the lost and hurting, and live peaceably together and passionately for the gospel. I believe the way to do this most effectively is through the local church. I have experienced the joy of the Lord’s salvation through his church and want to share that same joy with the people of Scotland.

As a ministry intern, I’ll be a part of a church planting team either establishing a new church in a scheme or working on a revitalisation project. The internship is a 2 year term. I will be living and working in the scheme that we are planting in. We want to be involved in the community as much as possible so that the growth of the church is a vital part of the health of the community.

My role in the church could be serving in women’s ministry training and discipling new believers, using my gifts of music in a worship ministry, or in a number of other ways. Whatever the specific tasks I’m doing, my heart’s desire is to be engaged in the community, looking for ways to serve and connect, and always drawing my affection and those I’m with back to our friend, savior, and very purpose of our life, Jesus Christ.

Why you?

The reality of me moving to Scotland to serve with 20schemes is that I need your help. I cannot do this on my own or in my own strength. The Lord has asked me to go and he may be asking you to be a part of sending me. I trust that God will provide everything I need to get there and serve faithfully for the allotted time he gives me in Scotland

There are two ways that you can send me:

The first way to send me is through prayer and encouragement. I am aware of my weakness and that without the power of the Holy Spirit and the prayer of his people my efforts are in vain. I believe that prayer is powerful and that when we ask in faith, we will receive. Our God is good and loves to give good gifts to his children. Specifically, would you pray for faithfulness to the Gospel and the ministry, endurance in the work of church planting, and that I would be fully funded by or before August 2022.

The second way to send me is through giving financially. Before I am able to leave, I need to raise $3,046/month, pledged for 24 month. The total needed is $78,498. I am aware that asking for this money is no small thing but I also know that there is significant blessing in the act of giving. While a one-time gift is appreciated, the greater need is monthly/annual pledges. All donations will go directly to 20schemes and they will distribute the funds to me as needed. I trust that the Lord will provide the funding and I would be honored if you were a part of that.

If giving financial support is something you want to do here is how you can:

●  Go to www.20schemes.com

●  Click on GIVE

●  Click on US & OTHER COUNTRIES

●  Click on INTERNATIONAL WORKERS

●  Find “Beth Lane” on the dropdown menu.

●  Select desired donation frequency

Jesus is the hope and light of the world. I am his willing servant eager for the lost and hurting people in Scotland to know the joy of being called his own.

If you have any questions or would like to know more information about the work I will be doing, or about 20schemes, please do not hesitate to contact me via email or phone, or to set up an in-person meeting.

Sincerely,

Beth Lane

bethsweetlane@gmail.com 989-501-6812

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ``The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:22-24"