Afraid Yet Filled With Joy! - Rezarta Kardellemaj
As Easter has just passed, I have been reflecting on Matthew 28, where the women left the empty tomb “afraid yet filled with joy.” That feels like such a fitting picture of life today. There is much that can make us fearful: the state of the world, uncertainty about the future, and, for many, the personal struggles of health, finances, work, and daily life. Yet because the tomb is empty, we have hope. Christ is risen, death is defeated, and even in uncertain days we can live with deep joy and lasting hope in Him.
Thank you so much for your faithful prayers, generosity, and encouragement. Your partnership in this ministry means so much, and it is a joy to share some of what God has been doing.
Over the past year, 2.34 million people were exposed to our work, 33,443 non-Christians discovered more about Jesus through us, and 25,498 people were being discipled. Most wonderfully of all, 51 people received new life in Jesus through our Agapé UK teams. We praise God for each of these lives. These are not just numbers, but people deeply loved by God.
It is also so encouraging to see churches being equipped and resourced for evangelism, and believers growing in confidence to talk about their faith. Please pray that this work would continue, and that many more people and churches would be inspired and equipped to share Jesus naturally and boldly.
As we look ahead, I am reminded of Proverbs 16:3: “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Please pray for the upcoming Spring Bible Conference, the World Day of Prayer on the 28th, and our staff gathering in the summer. Please also pray for the churches running the Living and Telling course, and for the new evangelism and discipleship resources we are producing. We would love to see these resources used widely, helping many more people hear about Jesus and equipping churches and individuals to share their faith with confidence.
On a personal level, I would really value prayer for my health. Please pray for the hypertension affecting my vision, that it would not impact the optic nerve. Please also pray for my spondylolisthesis, especially that the back pain would ease and that I would know God’s daily strength and grace.
I would also be grateful for prayer for financial provision for my ministry , as I am in a really tight spot at the moment. Please also pray for Devon and Colleen, who are joining the Church Engagement Team in Birmingham from USA with their four children, that the family would settle well, especially the children in school and in finding friends. and a local community in Harborne.