Leighton Medley our BPCA Outreach Minister has returned to Pakistan to reach new communities with the true Gospel of Christ and to continue discipling those who have already been reached through our previous campaigns. Leighton’s remit for this work is quite simple, he is to bolster the faith of Christians who have little access to regular church services, setting up bible study leaders who will one day become ministers of the Gospel in rural communities. He is to bring revival and better understanding to Christian churches in Pakistan many of which have adopted a very legalistic theology and have forgotten the need for repentance, faith in Christ and the need to place our trust in Him. Leighton has also been reaching out to Muslims and we hope that soon his work will provide a dividend by bringing others to the family of God.
He has been having great success with many believers expressing revival, churchgoers committing their lives to Christ, and Muslims taking an interest in the Gospel though yet to commit to Christ. We hope with further donations to make Leighton’s role a permanent one in two years time. For this we will need the help and support of those who was to see Christ’s gospel flourishing in Pakistan and seek you help to finance this important ministry. One of our costs is the purchase of bibles at £4 each. If you would like to help please donate by clicking (here).
Below is one of Leighton’s recent accounts of a trip to Iqbal, Faisal Town, Islamalabad:
I must confess I love these people here in Quetta, they have been through so much pain and suffering, loss and persecution that their faith never ceases to amaze me. As I am presented with the Pashtun Cap, a traditional gift when Pathan people greet new visitors, I feel an overwhelming surge of emotion. It is a sign of the Pashtunwali code, which is held in very high regard here, and as I receive their blessing, I think of my father at home, who is terminally ill and gave his blessing for me to come. The tears well up and I thank this community for their love and their support throughout our visit.
After worship I preach from Galatians 5:16-26, on life in the Spirit, where the emphasis is on the purging of sin, not the use of gifts. As Christians we are to abstain from all forms of immorality and it must be noted, that the Christians are in a war every day as “the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit.” (Galatians 6:17)
We therefore cannot carry on sinning as if nothing happens, Paul is explicit in telling us “God forbid” in Romans 6:1. We are called to be holy as God is holy, we must not cheapen His grace, otherwise we only look like hypocrites and we really are just kidding ourselves. But we must understand we cannot do this with our own strength, we need the Holy Spirit to regenerate us to new life in Christ. When a person is born again, they become more aware of their sin, repent and begin to receive the fruits of the Spirit detailed in Galatians 6:22-23.
If we belong to Christ truly, then we must as John Owen, that great English Puritan Theologian once wrote, “be killing sin, before it kills you.” This is the Christian life, the constant pursuit of holiness which is the hallmark of the Christian life. We must keep in step with the spirit, be careful not to despair, if we think we are doing badly, nor should we fall into pride, if we think we are doing well. Pride is all too often the problem among Pakistani Christians, and it is such a bedrock of their culture, which is why so often they are divided among themselves. This leads to the splitting and fracturing of the different congregations, thus they become a weakened fellowship, primed for more persecution.
The small congregation listens well and after the meeting we have a call to prayer, that this community would grow in faith and holiness, not just in numbers.
My prayer is that the faith these people show, would be replicated across the country. They are marvellous people, they are God’s people so pray for their protection and for their growth, in Jesus name, Amen.
Brother Leighton
