Christmas and New Year is quickly approaching and as I look back over the last year it is amazing to see all that God has done in and through us as a community here in YWAM York. The Discipleship Training School  graduated on the 19th of November  and it has been a pleasure and a privilege to journey with the guys over the past 10 months as they have grown deeper in their passion for and relationship with God, been stretched and challenged in their faith and in their friendships and grown in their gifts and strengths in ministry.

Together we have  done short term trips reaching out to love and serve communities in Cardiff, Wales, Medias in Romania and Capetown in South Africa as well as the ongoing work with Street Angels, the besom, homeless initiatives and youth work in York.

As I look to the year ahead it is with anticipation and expectation of God doing more in our lives as individuals and in the communities we serve. I am so thankful to God for the many blessings we have in our lives here in York, and for his commitment to us a we live to be  blessing to all who we meet.

My prayer for each of us in YWAM York for 2011 is from Isaiah 61

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,

because the LORD has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,

to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.