On Thursday evening, 23rd August, hundreds of Christians from a wide variety of churches gathered in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Glasgow for the first of the ‘Encounter’ meetings to launch The Turning – Scotland.

Many of you reading this will be aware of the impact of The Turning in England and beyond since June 2016. Around a year ago several Scottish leaders began to discuss and pray about bringing The Turning to Scotland. In February and April, Pastor Yinka from Reading led Pastors’ Envisioning and Pastors’ Training gatherings in 4 cities, 3 of which decided to plan for August missions this year. Details can be found at: www.theturning.eu/Scotland

Over 10 days in Edinburgh & Glasgow (7 days in Aberdeen) teams working together in unity (As One!) have spread out in each city centre to share the Gospel in one-to-one conversations. Over 250 signed up to take part in Edinburgh, over 100 in Glasgow and around 65 in Aberdeen.

There was a great sense of anticipation at the launch gatherings and, if the experience of the towns and cities that have hosted The Turning in England, Wales and France over the past 2 years is anything to go by, we can expect many hundreds to come to faith in Jesus, together with healings and other miracles as the teams step out in faith and pray with those they meet.

The vision of The Turning is nothing less than the re-evangelising and the discipling of the nation with the Church working together ‘As One!’. While the state of parts of the Church is a cause for concern, there is another side to the story. For those hearing the call of the Spirit, in whom Jesus’ prayer in John 17 resonates, there is an increasing desire and willingness to come together, to work together ‘as one’ for the sake of the Gospel, the sake of the Kingdom.

The Church in Scotland has been called the ‘sleeping giant’. That giant is now stirring! In many areas new churches are being planted out from existing ones, missional communities are being established in new estates, there are more regular joint churches prayer events as well as many other joint initiatives.

There is a shift occurring and it is time for the church – the ‘ekklesia’ – the ‘gathered ones with authority’– to rise up and take back the ground that has been stolen – to recapture that ground and hold it for the Kingdom of God. Scotland – it’s Time to Turn back to God!

Please pray for all involved in these missions, thanking God for the excellent response and for the teams from Reading, England that have given of their time to work with and encourage us (for many this will be stepping out of their comfort zones!). Pray also for a rich harvest and that the follow-up and ongoing discipleship will be thorough and excellent. Pray that from this start, a momentum will gather, equipping the church to share the Gospel throughout Scotland!

Alistair Barton
Director, Pray for Scotland