Peter Jenkins, former head at Ferndale Community School, has taken up a new post as head at Hartridge High School, Newport. One of his last acts prior to departing was to send Phil a letter expressing his thanks for the commitment and contribution Sporting Marvels made to his school during his time as head. This is what he had to say –

During January, Pastors John and Debbie - along with a few other leaders from Wales - spent five days in Atlanta, USA, as guests of New Hope Baptist Church.  

New Hope and Pastor Rhys Stenner have a huge heart for Wales. They have regularly sent missions teams to Wales over the last few years and last year, they contacted John to talk about extending their borders into Rhondda during a trip planned for July 2010. 

The Unsung Hero - Ian Martin, Mighty Man of God!

This space was meant for a story about our Sunday night Royal Law Cell Groups. Unfortunately, we had a few technological problems so it’ll have to wait till next month!

So, whilst dwelling on how to fill the space at short notice, something I (Phil) had once read came to mind - a man’s true strength is measured by the quality of the man stood alongside him when the battle is at its fiercest.

And that led me to thinking about my friend, colleague and assistant, Ian Martin, a young man who I am proud to have stood alongside me.

As outlined last month, our inability to replace cars going back to the leasing company is about to cause us a big problem for which we need an urgent solution!

The nature of what we do and how we do it, means that vehicles are a must, not a luxury.

We reported last month that former Marvel Kate and her husband Mark had been in Rhondda for a Christmas visit.

We also revealed they were expecting their second baby at the end of January.

Even though Ysgol Gymraeg Bodringallt is a junior school that teaches through the medium of the Welsh language, headteacher Marion Roberts jumped at the chance to be part of Sporting Marvels.

That was way back in May 2005, when Bodringallt Welsh became one of the original half-dozen primary schools to become part of the Mighty Marvels programme. 

It was Marvels Operations Manager, Becky Davies, who suggested Scrooge for 2009’s Marvels Christmas sign-off.  All for it, Pastor Debbie offered her services as “production director” before suddenly realising there were only four Monday’s left for rehearsals prior to show-time!!

Could they pull it off?

2010 has certainly started with a bang for Jody Barnes, pictured below delivering a Mighty Marvels lesson to one of our junior school partners.

We say “bang” because 1st January sees Jody’s promotion to full Marvel!

As you may know, Jody is something of a trophy for Sporting Marvels - the first person to be influenced by the ministry, saved and discipled under the ministry’s guidance, and now, working in and for the ministry!

When Ricardo Erasmus (Picutred below running a mentorship group) arrived on our shores in January 2008, it was clear that he had the potential to be a truly outstanding Marvel.

Two years later, at the start of a new decade, Ricardo is back in his native South Africa – hoping and praying we can find a way to bring him back and extend his time with us!
While his absence is being felt in many areas, it is none more so than in the mentorship groups he has created in Tonypandy Comp.

Rhian (Picture Below) has had her status as a full Marvel confirmed after successfully completing her four month probationary period while Jody also becomes a full Marvel and started her probationary period on 1st January.