OAC Publications
Borderlines
June 1999

You say 'Nottingham'...

Rob and Traci Davis transferred to Europe Now from OAC GB with effect from January 1999. However, their interest in mission goes back much further...

At the age of twelve, Rob announced to his teacher that he had become a Christian. He didn't know what a Christian was, but he wanted to make friends with one of his class mates who had just said the same thing. One thing led to another, and he found himself in a Bible Study, where he was given a copy of 'Run Baby Run'. Through reading it, he discovered that he did want to be a Christian after all!

Traci's parents were converted when her father's lawyer told her father that only a miracle could solve the family's marital and financial problems. One miracle later, Traci made an initial commitment to Christ at the age of five.

Rob came into contact with Operation Mobilisation through a friend, and discovered that there was a base four miles from his home in Kent. He joined OM in 1990, transferring rapidly from computing to the UK Missions department, where he helped to organise missions in Leicester, Bradford and Preston. His secretary was a young woman from Illinois...

Rob and Traci began dating in 1991, whereupon Rob promptly set off on a five-week mission trip around Europe with Korky Davey. Rob and Korky had previously met at a Love Europe conference, where Korky had been responsible for the training in open-air evangelism. It was during this trip that Rob caught a vision for training evangelists in mainland Europe.

In 1992 Rob and Traci went to the USA for a year. As well as getting married, this gave Rob the opportunity to learn English. During this year, Rob and Traci's vision for training began to gel. They responded to an invitation from several churches to set up a base in Nottingham, and joined OAC GB in 1994.

During their time in Nottingham, Rob and Traci established a large and successful school's ministry, and an annual puppet training seminar that attracts interest from all over Britain. Some of the trainees who passed through their hands - and, often, their spare bedroom! - are now working in Italy and Switzerland. Kevin and Kathrin Skillings continue the local ministry that Rob and Traci pioneered.

Rob was involved in the Snowball project from the outset. As planning progressed, it became increasingly clear that a move to Bristol was the next step. This has meant a lot of changes, but, in many ways, the ministry continues much as before. Already, Rob has joined the OAC West Country schools team. And at the end of May, he is making a trip to northern Italy, with a view to sending evangelism teams out in the future.
 

This year's puppet seminar will be held in Bristol, from the 25th to 29th October. The cost is £80, plus a £10 booking fee. Creche facilities are also available. For further information, please contact the Europe Now office.