River Church, Exeter

Aftern ten very successful years as leader of Serious4God, Mark Pugh (pictured here with his wife Nita and Marilyn and I) has become the senior pastor of the River Church in Exeter.

Chris Cartwright, Regional Leader for the area, formally conducted the induction service at which I preached.

The church was packed with primarilly the local Elim congregation but there was representation from many other places where Mark had ministered including BCC, RTC and Derby.  Several ministers from Elim churches in the area were also present but one of the highlights of the was when local ministers from various Denominations in the City joined together in prayer.

Pictured below however are the team of local leaders in River Church that together with Mark and Nita will, under God, shape the exciting future that I believe is ahead.

Portugal

Through an introduction via the Pastor of our church in Wimbledon Markus Bennet (third from left) Paul Hudson, Elim's International Missions Director, and myself visited the Conference of a group of Pentecostal Churches in Lisbon led by Pastor Hudson Silva (seventh from left)

Having flown in on Saturday morning I spoke at a leaders meeting in the afternoon and then to  a wider leadership meeting at night.  We flew home on the Sunday afternoon after I had spoken to the main church on the Sunday morning

Pictured above are the senior leadership of the Denomination who welcomed us warmly.  One of the members of the church is Brazilian International football star Bruno Cortez, currently on loan to Benfica, who powerfully closed the conference meetings in prayer.  It was great to be with this tremendous network of churches who are currently strengthening their links to our Movement.

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Living Waters - Chorley

What a thrill see for the first time the fabulous new facilities at Living Waters in Chorley and to be there for the dedication of the building. It is a huge tribute to the church and the visionary leadership of John and Michelle Lacy (pictured).  The vision and values of this exciting church mirrors perfectly the DNA of our Movement - marrying as it is does clear and relevant biblical teaching, powerful worship and a passion for connecting in practical service within the community.

Elim North West Region

Kevin Peat (pictured here with his wife Margaret) is responsible for a very large geographical span of the UK that encompasses the whole of Scotland and the Northwest of England.

On alternate years I have the privilege of speaking at a residential retreat in these two areas and on this occasion Marilyn and I spent two days with around a hundred leaders and spouses from Elim churches situated in the the North West - the venue being a top hotel in Blackpool.

One of the most enjoyable parts of my role is engaging with people who are hungry for all that God has for them and their churches and, as so often is the case, when I spend time with Elim pastors I am drawn to the conclusion that we have an 'embarrassment of riches' in this regard.  Our time in the North West was certainly no exception.

Chelmsford

Elim's long-established church in Chelmsford is situation in the heart of the city and is pastored by Keith Jackson (pictured here with his wife Barbie)

Life Church, as it is known locally, is yet another church that has to have two morning services to accommodate the growing congregation.  The first service was well attended and the second service very full indeed - including the balcony.  Keith is building a fine pastoral team around him and I was able to meet with the wider leadership over a Chinese meal for lunch - a session set up so I could share the wider vision and values of our Movement.

Chippenham

It was good to be with Keith Wilson (pictured here with his wife Sharon) who is the pastor of Chippenham Elim.  Sharon is a teacher and Keith is also an accomplished artist.

Joining the regular congregation on the morning I was there were two Nepalese Pentecostal congregations and at the close of the service everyone enjoyed some good Nepalese food together.