Have you met someone in your life who seems to have lots of connections? A person who knows exactly ‘who is who and what is what’? Someone quite unique who can connect ideas and fill in the gaps, who uncannily knows just the right person to talk to get the job done?
I have the privilege of knowing three such people, all of whom were motivated by faith expressed through service; all three had a gift of connection, a knowledge of how to resource an idea to come into life, whilst at the same time loving and caring beyond the project and really ‘seeing’ the people involved.
They are bridge builders
Label of Love is looking for such a person.
A bridge builder.
Bridges can safely transport across unpassable terrain; they may afford beautiful views on the journey, like rivers, ravines and valleys.
When my children were small, they loved a humped back bridge for the tummy curdling rise and fall, especially in the back seat! I can still hear them yell “Can we do that again mum?”
From the many conversations, visits and prayers which filled my first 6 months work for the trust, it became clear there were many opportunities for Label of Love to support local Churches to engage in a supportive and missional way with their local schools.
After school clubs, holiday clubs, in school emotional well being support, Experience RE days and so many more requests and wishes from local Churches, shone through each conversation and meeting.
Two worship songs come to my mind as I recount this to you, one from my teenage days in the Driffield Methodist Circuit. As 30 plus teenagers crammed into a village farmhouse who would welcome us with hot drinks and cake, we would sing;
Verse 1
The fields are white unto harvest
but oh, the labourers are so few;
so, Lord, I give myself to help the reaping,
to gather precious souls unto You.
Chorus:
Here I am, wholly available –
as for me, I will serve the Lord.
(Copyright:
© 1981 Sovereign Lifestyle Music)
It was a very emotive song, meeting in the farmhouse being surrounded by the ripe wheat fields of the Wolds. Many of those teenagers went into full time Christian Ministry or were actively involved in their village chapels.
The second memory which came to mind is of an assembly full of primary school children singing their hearts out;
Here I am, Lord
Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night
I will go, Lord
If You lead me
I will hold Your people in my heart
Here I Am, Lord lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
I wonder, who will be the bridge builders of this generation of children? Perhaps it’s you?
Cathy Beynon
Development Officer, Label of Love