Mike's Travels

Our chairman travels around quite abit, representing the CMA, visiting our branches, etc. What has he been up to lately?

Mike’s Travels 21st February 2012

CMA UK National Chairman’s
Report to Executive
Mike FITTON
25th February 2012

• Following our last Executive meeting I gave a presentation of CMA’s ministry at St Mary’s Church Scarborough in conjunction with members / leaders from West Yorkshire, East and Lincs branches, it was received very positively. It has been over thirteen years since I last preached at this church.

• Phil Parker and I had a meeting in York to continue planning the National Rally, it is coming together nicely. The booking forms have been posted out.

• Sandy and I attended the funeral of CMA Member Carolyn Falconer at the Faith Mission Conference Centre Edinburgh it was very well attended by the Borders / Forth and Tay Branches together with many local bikers particularly the breast cancer riders. Carolyn had clearly made a positive impression for the Gospel on their lives.

• The morning after the funeral I drove to Guildford and met with the SW London branch, I gave evangelism training. It was a wonderful evening and I believe they were encouraged.

• The next morning I moved on to the World Evangelisation Headquarters at Gerrards Cross to have lunch with some of the staff. This is the mission organisation that CT Studd began many years ago.

• I then drove to Oxford and met up with the Thames Valley Branch that evening at a member’s home and shared a challenge, it was a very positive meeting.

• The next day I drove to Gloucester to stay with Alan and Liz Robertson, the branch met for dinner at their home, we had a good time together with a reflection on what they have achieved and future plans. I gave a word of encouragement and confirmed my intention to assist at the Sidecar Rally the branch runs in April.

• Next morning I left early for home to get back in time for my mother in laws 70th birthday on Sunday.

• I had hoped that Larry Hartland’s funeral might have been held during my time in the London area but it was planned for Monday afternoon, so I travelled part way down on Sunday evening, then arrived in Ruislip midday on Monday. The funeral was well attended by friends from church, the Knights of Antioch and local bikers. Nine including myself attended from CMA, Marianne and her son Brian were very grateful that we attended. I returned home that afternoon.

• Thirsk Family Life Church invited me to preach, this is the church run by Naomi and Andy Hogan’s family and the base for the new NORTY Twig (Northallerton, Thirsk and York) We had a great time with a full house and the challenge I brought was well received. I am excited to see how this twig will progress.

• I met with three friends (we are all leaders from our church) for a day aside of prayer and reflection near Whitby, it was a blessing to sit in the quiet with our bibles and listen to God for a few hours.

• I was invited by a Methodist Church on the North Yorkshire Moors to give a presentation of CMA and to share about my trip to Sudan with Open Doors.

• Sandy and I travelled by ferry across to Northern Ireland to spend three days with the branch, I took a supply of bibles and leaflets for them. Saturday morning we met with the branch over brunch then moved to Roy’s church nearby for our Regional meeting, the issues they wanted to tackle were predominantly about the route to Membership, Workbooks etc. I gave a comprehensive response and I was delighted that it removed all their concerns. On Sunday I preached at Roy’s Church in the morning and again in the evening. The branch was well represented in the evening with standing room only. We then had supper together. We left Belfast Monday morning and arrived home Monday evening shattered but elated.

• I have been asked to preach at the CMA European Leaders Conference in Germany 9th-11th March on ‘Our personal response to the Great Commission’ your prayer support would be much appreciated.

• I have arranged a North East Regional Meeting to take place on Saturday 17th March at Boston Spa just off the A! near Wetherby. It will incorporate the North East, West Yorksire, NORTY Twig, East Yorks/Lincs Branches.

• I have been invited to speak at St Paul’s Church York on Sunday evening 4th March, it will be attended by the NORTY Twig.

Mike’s Travels 21st January 2012

Following our last Exec meeting Sandy and I attended the wedding of Dan and Tess from the North Cheshire Branch, it was a wonderful day and good to be involved in the lives of the younger adults of CMA. Sid and John Finan are rather good dancers; there maybe a workshop at the next National rally who knows?

Due to the Christmas celebrations my visits are few and far between in December and early January so I spent a great deal of time in my office working through issues, emails and plans for 2012. I fought valiantly against man flu for a couple of days in December and sadly had to cancel a preaching engagement at a Carol Service.

In January I attended the Teesside Christian Charities Forum organised by Albert Dicken at his church in Stockton on Tees, this has become very successful drawing in over 60 charities to share resources, ideas for fund raising and to encourage each other. Where possible I shall attend in the future.

I made a prison visit in Bedfordshire in mid January

I met with the Bedford Branch now headed up by Graham Penfold at Bedford’s Salvation Army Church and gave evangelism training. It was very well received with a good turn out.

I am booked to attend the European CMA Leaders Conference in Germany between the 9-12th March I have been asked to speak on the subject of 'Taking personal responsibility for the Great Commission'.

I have confirmed bookings to see the following branches in early February:
SW London
Thames Valley
Gloucester

I am booked to visit the Northern Ireland Branch 17th-20th February to hold a Regional meeting and preach Sunday morning and evening to support their work.

I am booked to attend the BMF Show in May to assist in the outreach and preach at the Sunday morning service

I gave a presentation of the ministry of CMA at St Marys Church, Scarborough in conjunction with the East Yorkshire Twig, a great event and many good contacts were made. I last preached there 13 years ago.

I continue to work on the National Rally plans with Phil Parker, I have completed the development and printing of 500 rally booking forms which will be posted out shortly.

December 2011

Following our last Exec meeting Sandy and I visited the Towcester Branch, we were very grateful for the hospitality of Malcolm and Fiona. The branch meets at Jacks Hill Café on the A5 near Towcester, the same venue used by the local MAG group. They have made excellent in roads to the local bike community please pray for them as they share the Love of God.

I spoke at a Men’s Dinner meeting at Carlisle Christian Fellowship, the evening went VERY well, thirty men attended many with issues they are struggling to deal with but it was obvious that God was moving amongst us. One leader told me “You will never know the relevance of what you have shared here tonight.” Praise God.

Sandy and I travelled to the Rhondda Valley to visit the South Wales Branch. We had a good meeting and I had the opportunity to present a challenge for their future development, the meeting ended with a time of prayer. We stayed with Debbie who made us very welcome……. What a breakfast!

In November I organised another coach trip to the NEC International Motorcycle Show, it involved 44 not yet Christian Bikers and considering many have biker bibles I was thrilled that nine people asked for them this year. During the show I had the chance to meet various people particularly Sam Manicom the round the world rider that asked me to review his book a year ago. Good to catch up with him.

Sandy and I visited the Devon and Cornwall Branch I gave evangelism training on the Saturday together with a challenging look at the past successes. The response was very positive we all ended the day with a meal in a local pub. Sunday morning we took part in a church service at St Austell where I shared a presentation of CMA and my testimony. We had a wonderful time staying with Tony and Jill.