"I think we have to liken the whole 24-7 movement to a garden," Brian and Tracy Heasley  write their thoughts on how 24-7 is developing. They're based in Ibiza planting a community in the heart of one of the most hedonistic cultures in Europe.

"There are a lot of plants growing all over the world and many look very
different.  When I look at 24-7, I see a garden full of diverse plants
that include a whole range of wonderful colours and varieties - but they are
all in the same garden.

 

In many ways they have the same DNA - that is they are all beautiful plants - and yet they are very different.  

 

Some of the plants are hardy while some are more delicate, some are large and others are small, some provide shade for other plants and others live under the protection of the larger plants.

Some grow quickly, like sunflowers and others grow more slowly, some provide much nourishment and some provide little nourishment except what they need to survive.

 

Seeds of a few of these plants have been transported to gardens in other nations and planted in the soil there but as a result of the different climates and weather conditions, the germinated seeds produce still more wonderful and strange varieties and off shoots of the original plants.

This wild garden at the moment is very beautiful, and left alone many of the
plants would continue to grow and flourish.  

 

Yet there is a danger that if it remains relatively untended, some of the beauty could be lost.   Individuals may come along having seen one plant that to them seemed particularly spectacular.

With good intentions, they could seek to cultivate that plant in order to mass produce it and make it available everywhere, yet in doing so, some of the natural beauty could be lost.

Other plants could become too vigorous and choke those around them - perhaps initially by blending in with them but gradually encroaching on their soil to the point where a species is lost.   There could even be some plants that actually turn out to be weeds.  The challenge is to cultivate the garden and yet retain its organic nature.	Brian and Tracy Heasley with their sons Daniel and Ellis

In order to do this, we need gentle yet enthusiastic gardeners: people who will tend the plants, watch out for diseases and provide the right treatment when these do appear; people to ensure that the fruit is picked and spread about, not left on the plant to gradually rot; people who will notice the individual plants and make sure that those in the shade get enough light while those in the sun have plenty of water and don't dry out; people who know when to prune and who have gentle hands to mend broken branches; people who know how to create the conditions to germinate new seed; people who will observe weather patterns and changing seasons, understanding when to sow and when to reap.

 

Above all, these people need to grasp that they don't own the plants and can't force them to grow, but are content to tend the plants whilst God makes them grow.

In this vein, it would be a good move at this time to choose as 'gardeners' people who would take responsibility for looking after areas of the garden.

 

24-7 leaders should ask God to reveal some people with green fingers who are willing to offer a season, give them a geographical area of garden or a specific type of plant to cultivate, then let them go with the right tools and see what develops.  Call them back regularly for rest, food, drink and shelter from the elements, teach them how to share their expertise and how to leave their part of the garden healthy."

 

The Heasleys, who recently shared these thoughts at a gathering of UK's 24-7 leaders, have always had a heart for the nations and have been part of missions teams in 7 countries!   Brian's also led DC3, a dynamic and innovative church in Norfolk, England. A longstanding friend of 24-7, he's been central to movements pioneering Christian mission into youth culture and also put together a 24-7 book ‘Writing on the Wall’ (featuring prayers, poems and art from global prayer rooms).   Tracy worked with Brian in establishing a great model for working with young people and adults in a pastoral capacity for over a decade. She's also an accountant, administrator and a rock climbing instructor!