Rabel has now been going since March 2009, and I have written many articles for the WebPaper, have sent off a number of letters and developed the website. There have been leaflets handed out, and now two leaflets are available for download.
I am fast approaching the time that Rabel goes up a gear. I have had a firm word from the Lord that I should not be promoting the activity of Rabel in any major way until I have prayerfully read through the Book of Jeremiah. I am now nearing the end of this Book, and I am thinking of the next steps.
Currently I have personal oversight and accountability for Rabel from Adrian Hewitt, a dear brother and a far wiser man than I. Soon will be the time to seek greater awareness of the vision and work of Rabel, on both a local and national level.
There are a number of developments I would like to see happen over the next few months:
1. Awareness in Eastbourne churches - Around April time I plan to send out letters to the evangelical churches in my hometown of Eastbourne. These will be accompanied by leaflets for any interested members. I am really hoping that this may stir interest in a few people who could draw alongside me, in order to form a local steering group.
2. Local Groups - I would hope to have, fairly shortly, a "Local Groups" area to the website. Initially, of course, this will be Eastbourne, but I do hope that some in other parts of the country could gather together and form groups for Rabel, and such groups would feature on the website.
3. Arrangements with Other Organisations - I have had some contact with Liberty and the Christian Institute. I am planning to write to these two groups again, with an especial regard as to how we can co-operate. This will be most likely to take the form of Rabel referring people to these groups for legal assistance (see below).
4. Personal and Prayer Support - When the Rabel Vision first formed, it was clear to me that a large part of the work would be to show people of whatever faith or no faith, that they matter and Christians do care about them. I would want to set up a network of people who could offer emotional and spiritual support to those who find themselves at the wrong end of civil liberty erosion.
The Christian Institute already supports Christians who have their religious liberty attacked, and Liberty support people in a more general and legal way. I do not intend Rabel to duplicate this. For legal assistance I would expect to refer people on to the relevant group.
I do, however, want to set up a group of Christians who can communicate with and support people through prayer and sympathy.
Do let me know of your views on these developments.
Thank you,
Mark.
