Bible Reflections from Jenny

From CMSI's Shine and AGM on Saturday 14 March 2026

What have I treasured most about the privilege of working with CMS and CMS Ireland over the past 40 years? It has to be all the opportunities to connect with people across the global church. Opportunities to walk alongside churches ministering in so many diverse places, catching glimpses of God’s kingdom on earth in all its wondrous, colourful incarnations, from north, south east and west of this emerald isle to Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Thank you to all of you, CMS Ireland Stars and supporters, for your friendship, encouragement and prayerful support. God gathers people from all corners of the earth to be his people, to be a living  testament to his love and justice. To be church together. People from all cultures, and nations drawn into one witnessing community.

Psalm 107: 1-3 –

¹Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

² Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,³ those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south. ^‘ Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story’— surely this is at the heart of the mission of CMS Ireland- finding ways for the voices of the global church to be amplified and heard.

I have a precious Bible published for the golden jubilee of Uganda. Across its pages I have written notes of places and people I was with when studying particular passages. My faith has been stretched and strengthened as familiar passages have been illumined by others. I will try to briefly set the context in which they were chosen. Please try to imagine how the words sound from each of these perspectives.

In Nepal, a predominantly Hindu country where it is dangerous to share Christian faith, these are the passages Nepali Christians chose: John 20 – Jesus appearing to his disciples when they were hiding in fear in a locked room… Jesus comes to bless them with peace and breathes the Holy Spirit upon them.

Christians in Nepal testify to the amazing freedom they find in Christ having been born into Hinduism. We also studied verses from Peter, 1 Peter 2:9 - But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Sundar Dhoka church in Nepal  is dedicated to serving  people with disabilities, often the poorest and most marginalised. They chose words from Psalm 128:1-2 - Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him.² You will eat the fruit of your labour; blessings and prosperity will be yours.

To South Sudan in times of conflict, a country struggling to find its feet, plagued by poverty, factionalism and external pressures, where the church is embedded in community and a place of hope and service. The Mothers’ Union conference in Maridi  was attended by hundreds of women who know suffering and hard work. They studied Psalm 31 23-24 - Love the Lord, all his faithful people! The Lord preserves those who are true to him, but the proud he pays back in full.²⁴ Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.

On visiting the young slowly developing diocese of Olo, South Sudan, situated opposite an army camp with soldiers who pass the time with alcohol and drugs, the church chose Psalm 46:1-3 - ¹ God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.² Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,³ though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging...The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge’

Billy and I have a special respect for Bishop Hilary of Yei, who shepherded us so lovingly during our time as mission partners there. One day he recalled: ‘I stood in Immanuel Cathedral in Yei and I folded my arms and I wept. I wept because I saw my people fleeing. Our leaders have ignored God and so we are suffering’ I accompanied Bishop Hilary as he visited his people living in Rhino refugee camp, Uganda, where he ministered to them. A few years later folk were returning home to Yei and Bishop Hilary galvenised the young people of the VTC with words from Isaiah 40:28-31 - Do you not know? Have you not heard?The Lord is the everlasting God,…²⁹ He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;³¹ but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

There were also words of hope from Micah 4:3 for Yei VTC, relavant for all as we see a world at war -

They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.

I then think of our friends in Cairo, Egypt, a church in a pivotal place, with a crucial ministry. The Missions conference passage was from Ezekiel 34:15-16 - ¹⁵ I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord. ¹⁶ I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.

The people of eastern DR Congo continue to live in a situation of absolute horror. Where can hope be found? On my visit we were taught from 2 Corinthians 4:6-18 - ⁶ For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.⁷ But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. ⁸ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed... ¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart...¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

In Kajiado, Kenya, a very practical message - the holidays had ended and the children were returning to their boarding schools. The pastor reminded them of words from 2 Timothy 2:22-23 -

²²Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.²³Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.

On visiting Ireland, Rev Arsene from Burundi, chose Deuteronomy 30:19-20 to remind the church in Ireland of our purpose…to declare the choice God presents to humanity - ¹⁹ This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live ²⁰ and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life.

Bishop Isaac of Ezo, South Sudan on his recent visit, asked  each of us ‘Who are you?’, Who does God say you are? Matthew 5:13, 14 - ¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. ¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A rallying call for all of us!

As I retire, I will not be a stranger but will continue to support CMS Ireland in whatever ways I can, with whatever skills and strength the Lord grants me! Linda, as you step into new responsibilities as Mission Director - words from Deuteronomy that God spoke to the Israelites as they were given the 10 commandments and were looking forward to the promised land.

Deuteronomy 10 - ² And now, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. ¹⁴ To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it.  For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. ¹⁸ He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing.  ²⁰ Fear the Lord your God and serve him. Hold fast to him. ²¹ He is the one you praise; he is your God, who performed for you the great and awesome wonders you have seen with your own eyes. 

Thank you