Latest magazine articles
Ministry on the Silk Road
October 31st, 2024
The Silk Road refers to the vast expanse of Asia that stretches from Istanbul in the West to Xi’an in China in the East. It is the name of the ancient trade route that brought silk from China to the markets of Europe, although it should be called ‘Silk Roads’ as it was a network of routes that traversed Central Asia, and modern-day Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Turkey. Moreover, it was not just ...
RECCE: Ukraine
October 31st, 2024
“Attention! Air Alarm!” – cue siren sound from the mobile phone on the bedside table. ‘Passport, phone, wallet’ – the ‘mantra’ of essentials, then off to the safe room or shelter while sometimes hearing the mournful, rise-and-fall wail of the air raid warning sirens outside. A regular pattern during the night (especially but not always) during this recce mission to Ukraine.But rewind a few weeks t...
A Chat with Val Batchelor
October 31st, 2024
What was growing up like for you?I was born in Rugby in a non-believing family although my father had a Catholic background and my mother, Methodist. My mother sent myself, two sisters and my brother to the Methodist chapel but did not attend herself. I attended a large Comprehensive school in Rugby and left home at 17 ½ years to join the Army.When did you join the army and why?I joined the army i...
RECCE: Nigeria
October 31st, 2024
Sharon Borland and I left for Nigeria on 9 June and flew to Abuja and then on to Jos. The purpose was to recce possible ministry to war survivors of the Fulani Herdsmen who appear to be supported by a Jihad sponsor. We were asked to go by Release International who we have worked with in the past and they facilitated this.On arrival in Jos, we drove to the Conference Centre and saw a herd of cattle...
Field Report: Uganda, Arua
October 31st, 2024
“You are worthy of it all, you are worthy of it all, for from you are all things, and to you are all things, you deserve the glory.”The unprompted a cappella voices of the DTS students rose and blended together in a song of gratitude that came from deep within hearts that had experienced healing and freedom. The tangible presence of the Holy Spirit rested gently on everyone in the room, as we took...
Working in Unity
October 31st, 2024
“It’s Kingdom!” Along with Flame’s mandate from Isaiah 61:1-3 to set the captives free is the commission to make disciples from Matthew 28:19-20. We work in partnership with people and organisations on the ground seeing God’s kingdom work grow as they are equipped and enabled to minister. It is about serving, working alongside, giving the glory to Jesus. It has never been about empire it is all ab...
Intercession Hubs
October 31st, 2024
On Wednesday 28 August, 10 members of the Intercession Hubs met together for a day of fellowship and prayer. The big house where we met in Bedfordshire welcomes Christian guests for days such as this, and it was a treasure chest within beautiful countryside surroundings. But why did we organise a get-together? Well, Flame’s Intercession Hubs have been running now for 12 months, and so far, there a...
I Didn’t Survive: A True Story
October 31st, 2024
This is an account of love and cruelty, faithfulness and deception, sacrificial and self-serving attitudes, idolatry and obedience, and life in Iran and America. It tells of the amazing power of God, and of his mysteries that we will not fully understand in this life....
Signs in our times
July 1st, 2024
“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.” Matthew 24:32-33 Jesus once criticised a crowd, who could interpret the signs of their weather (take note of that!), but had not grasped what God was doing in their ‘present time’, righ...
Learning to love our muslim neighbours
July 1st, 2024
I grew up in a Christian community but I was a nominal Christian. My family were respected both within the Muslim community and the government. In 2000 my mother introduced me to an AoG church. When I entered the church and heard the Good News of the Gospel I was overwhelmed. It changed my life. Finally, I had encountered Jesus in a real way and I dedicated myself to my Lord. Later in 2007, after ...