“The Lord said to Abram, `Leave your own country and go to the land I will show you’.” Genesis 12:1
Responding to the call of God and with a clear sense that He had something new planned for them, Mervyn and Jane Milne moved from their home in Dundee to a flat in Perth.
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42
Originally meeting in a room at the former Headquarters of Dewars (which became Perth Christian Centre) the Sharon Fellowship was formed. In years to come this gathering of worshiping people would become the Perth Christian Fellowship.
“And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” 2 Peter 1:19
People with a Mission Ministries became a registered charity in response to a prophecy given to Mervyn and Jane.
“….He has filled the hungry with good things…” Luke 1:53
The Mustard Seed Book Shop opened, offering food for the soul, and the Coffee Shop offered physical refreshment.
PWAMM buys 28 Glasgow Road in 2 parts, this became the NCO Annexe.
“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20
The first Challenger Bus Mission took to the road with a team on board a converted double-decker bus.
“Man cannot live on bread alone, but lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” Deuteronomy 8:3
Paul Tan from Singapore was the guest Bible speaker at the first New Year Bible School which lasted 4 weeks and was held at Perth Christian Centre. This was to become an annual tradition.
“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place where you can rest quietly.” Mark 6:31
PWAMM came into the possession of a mansion house in the Border town of Hawick. This was a rich resource as a centre for retreats and conferences.
“They shared their meals with unaffected joy as they praised God……day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.” Acts 2:46
The Quality Hotel in Perth was the first venue for the monthly outreach dinners which were regularly attended by over 100 people. Early guest speakers included David Hamilton, Jay Fallon and Drew Greenwood.
“Singers and dancers alike all chant your praises, proclaiming glorious things of you, O City of God.” Psalm 87:7
The Upper Room Singers were formed, travelling to Gospel events throughout Scotland.
“Tell it to your children and they may tell theirs; let them pass it on from generation to generation.” Joel 1:3
Evangelistic billboards were erected monthly around Perth, the first displaying a Christmas message.
“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20
PWAMM purchased a marquee and the first 10 day tent mission took place in Letham, Perth. Well over 100 people attended and many came to faith in Jesus Christ.
“Stir into flame the gift of God which is within you, for God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power……” 2 Timothy 1:6
The Burning Issues Drama Group first performed as part of the tent missions, using short, punchy sketches to communicate the Gospel.
Psalm 85:6 Will you not revive us again that your people may rejoice in you?
In May 2003 we held a David Wilkerson conference, this ignited a spark in the hearts of several pastors and leaders to hold a regular prayer meeting for Scotland. This conference was the catalyst for Pastors and Leaders meetings.
“For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11
The PWAMM team produced a short TV advert, which aired nationally, declaring that Jesus Christ is the reason for the season. Over 800 people contacted the freephone number and received a free copy of “The Jesus Magazine”.
“….In the cities of the mountains and the cities of the vale…..” Jeremiah 33:13
In addition to a successful tent mission and the start of monthly outreach dinners at the Angus Hotel, a Book and Coffee Shop was opened in Blairgowrie – the Emmaus Road Christian Centre
“Therefore I command you to be open-handed towards your brothers and towards the poor and needy in your land.” Deuteronomy 15:11
In response to the plight of families in Perth who were struggling to make ends meet, Joseph’s Storehouse was established. Food hampers were distributed to 8 families in the first year and this multiplied tenfold in the following years.
Conference facilities become available for use by the general public. This led to a conference department which now hosts hundreds of conferences and various other meetings a year.
“….In the cities of the mountains and the cities of the vale….” Jeremiah 33:13
The Challenger Bus Ministry developed further with the addition of Challenger 3 to the fleet. Its conversion in to Gospel Exhibition Bus equipped it to take a team to Dunvegan on the Isle of Skye for its first mission.
“….Neither was there any among them that lacked – distribution was made to every man according as he had need.” Acts 4:34-35
The Senior Citizens’ Christmas Gift Bag Appeal was launched, distributing bags worth some £50 to around 500 people in the first year. Local and national companies supported the appeal by donating groceries and toiletries or giving at cost.
In 2007 the Footprints 3-5 Nursery situated on Glasgow Road becomes registered by the Care Inspectorate.
“…..I will greatly increase their numbers and I will put my sanctuary forever in their midst. They shall live under the shelter of my dwelling; I will be their God and they will be my people” Ezekiel 37:27
After years of prayer, planning and preparation and many months of work, a former supermarket was converted and the National Christian Outreach Centre opened. Bill Wilson from New York was the inaugural speaker at a Gospel Outreach celebration.
“Stir into flame the gift of God which is within you, for God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power….” 2 Timothy 1:6
`Killing Time’, a historical play set in the 16th Century, centring around the Covenanters and the signing of the National Covenant heralded a development in the Burning Issues Drama Group repertoire, from short sketches into full length drama.
A new branch of the work commenced, using the Challenger Buses. This is not ‘evangelistic’ as such, but rather educational. The Scottish schools curriculum requires that children be taught what Christians believe (as well as other religions). We took this opportunity to offer a free service to schools to teach children about who Jesus is, why the Bible is important to Christians, and tell them about Scottish Christians who have been a powerful influence for good in the world.
Around 650 schools have been visited, with somewhere around 100,000 pupils experiencing the programme.
“….Jesus said….do you truly love me…take care of my sheep” John 21:16
Following a year of prayer, a small team opened The Well – providing essential services and a Drop-In Centre for those struggling with addiction issues and those in refuge, aiming to reach the most troubled and vulnerable families in the community.
Annie Song, one of the first Koreans to come to PWAMM, founded the ACTS Discipleship School. The programme was designed to strengthen students in their Christian faith, equipping them to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in their generation. Nine students came to the first school – eight from South Korea and one from India.
“So shall my word be that goes forth from My mouth;it shall not return to Me void but it shall accomplish what I please ,and it shall prosper the purpose for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11
To mark the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible a multi-media exhibition was mounted, reading through the Bible.
Following an increase of children, Footprints becomes 2 separate nurseries and the 0-3 years situated in the NCOC becomes registered by the Care Inspectorate.
Being inspired by another puppet ministry PWAMM have worked with, a few people get together to form Puppets with a Mission. The aim is to communicate the Gospel in a fun and creative way through puppetry.
“….In the cities of the mountains and the cities of the vale….” Jeremiah 33:13
Challenger 4 joined the fleet of converted neoplan double decker buses enabling school visits and community missions.
The Senior Management felt that it would be good to say ‘thank you’ to those who had faithfully supported the Ministry over the years. An ‘Appreciation Dinner’ was arranged, with the very special evening enjoyed by all in attendance.
By adding upstairs offices to the Centre, several PWAMM departments who had been operating from the Annexe moved over. This included: Graphics, Admin, IT, Finance, Conference and Maintenance.
“….Jesus said….do you truly love me…take care of my sheep” John 21:16
Using a converted exhibition bus, with coffee lounge area, the Community Bus project was launched in Perth City Centre. Every Friday and Saturday evening from 10pm-2am the teams became a known feature in the City Centre, meeting young and old, all of whom needed help and a listening ear. Perth and Kinross Council and Police Scotland supported this project.
“….Hitherto hath the Lord helped us….” 1 Samuel 7:12
PWAMM celebrated 30 years as a ministry, with a special weekend conference at the end of September, much rejoicing with our customers in the Coffee Shop and Book Shop and a BBQ held in the marquee at the National Christian Outreach Centre on Sunday 2nd October when members of the public joined the celebration.