The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia — your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it…
1 Thessalonians 1:8 NIV
Message Rang Out
Amiel Elfert, 20, who is studying music at the University of Victoria and is the organ scholar at Christ Church Cathedral, in 2024 was awarded the Jeff Smith Memorial Young Ringer Award. The award is given out by the North American Guild of Change Ringers, which promotes change ringing and provides a network for change ringers across the continent. Change ringing developed in England in the seventeenth century and involves a series of bells hung upside down on wheels. The wheels are turned using a rope attached to the rim of the wheel and controlled by a bell-ringer.
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One of the greatest joys I have known is in visiting God’s people in over 100 countries around the world. Particularly in countries where persecution against Christians is strong, the joy of the Lord is infectious. To watch believers sing softly in an apartment that is rented for worship and study of God’s Word, with walls covered in a foot-thick noise blocking baffle so the sound of singing can’t be heard by anyone outside the room is humbling and deeply moving. The joy on the faces of the worshippers is never to be forgotten. I’m happy to share with you their faith. The apostle shares a similar testimony about the believers in Thessalonica. In 1 Thessalonians 1:8 he writes about them: “The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia – your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it…” I pray that we Christians here in Canada will love Jesus and live for Him with such joy that our testimony will be an encouragement to other believers everywhere.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley