THE FLAMES OF PENTECOST will be in the minds of worshippers in churches all over the world on Sunday, not least in the Dioceses of Bradford, UK and Kadugli, Sudan. Nick Baines, the Bishop of Bradford – a city sadly no stranger to the destructive power of fire – has launched an urgent appeal for the Diocese of Kadugli in Sudan with whom Bradford is linked. Please click the photo above to learn more of the pressing needs there at this time, and respond to whatever extent you can.

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. – Acts 2

When tongues “as of fire” descended upon the assembly “in one place” many tongues, many languages, came to be spoken, “as the Spirit gave them ability”. The good news about ‘The Comforter’ is that the Comfort is intended for all people, of every race and clime, at all times, and in all places. Would-be disciples of Jesus must play their part well in ensuring that those whose lives have been seared by the power of real flame – as well as those touched by tongues “as of fire” – get to experience something of comfort in their own lives, forthwith. And the Comforter uses our eyes, ears, hands, feet and every other human resource to ensure its proper dispensation.