New Chairnan's Report

Chairman's Report

My first task is to thank those who have served faithfully on Council for a number of years and are now leaving. Each one, in their own different ways, has made a tremendous contribution to the work of EEFC Camps. As Camps co-ordinator, Andrew Burrows dedicated an enormous amount of time and energy to ensure that everything worked as smoothly as possible both here and in central and eastern Europe. Janet Matheson gave her considerable talents to the work of camp leader and very efficient secretary over a number of years. Anne Brodie is (hopefully) going to continue the absolutely essential work of prayer secretary, which she does with quiet efficiency, from outwith the Council. The reason that it falls to me to make these comments is because our esteemed chairman, Donald Matheson, is also leaving Council. Donald has chaired council with military precision and zeal for the honour and glory of Christ. Truly, he has not spared himself in the work of EEFC. Travelling extensively throughout Europe (accompanied by Alice), chasing up camp leaders and vigorously promoting the work of camps, his tireless energy inspired and often rebuked others!

We shall miss the contributions made by all these faithful people and we wish them the richest blessings of Almighty God in all that they do.

When I took over as chairman, I was coming into EEFC as a novice (although I been somewhat involved in the early days) and it is taking a little while for me to find my feet! Nevertheless, other members of Council have been patient and helpful and have enabled me to fit in easily.

Philip, our treasurer, and I had planned to go to Hungary in January to meet with the national leaders, but we were defeated by the snow! The meeting was re-arranged for late March when Sam and I were able to meet in Debrecen with our national brethren. The meeting was profitable and helped me to understand the commitment and concerns of the national leaders. It was decided that there would be a single theme for the talks at camp and to try to integrate the talks and the Bible studies. The theme chosen was ‘The Life of Christ' as marked out in the Christian calendar and the Bible studies would look at some of the individual associated with those events. It was agreed that a booklet be prepared in English and Hungarian with outlines for the talks and the studies.

It was also agreed that we should try to have a yearly meeting with camp leaders from eastern Europe and the UK for fellowship and planning. It is planned that the meeting would be held alternately in Hungary and Scotland. The first meeting is provisionally scheduled for 18th September in Budapest.

One thing that we all need to do is to publicise the work of EEFC more widely. Members of council, and others, are willing to speak at meetings to promote the work, but this can only be done as we get invitations from groups or congregations.
Council is investigating various ways of expanding the work of EEFC and much prayer is required for wisdom.
We pray that camps this year will be blessed of the Lord and that everybody involved will find their love for Christ increased and their commitment to his service deepened.

Thomas C. Donachie