Ian and Rachel Hesketh inducted at West Bromwich

Tonight Gordon Neale, one of Elim's national leaders, inducted Ian and Rachel into the Pastorate of the West Bromwich Elim church - a meeting that coincided with the churches 70th Anniversary. It was a particular joy for me to preach at this service, not just becuase I beleive that Ian and Rachel are going to fulfill a great ministry in the years that lie ahead, but because 31 years ago I beame the pastor of this congregation and enjoyed five happy years here. There was great support from local churches and the congregagtion extended way out into the foyer area. 

Great Guys on the Gap Year

Those who have taken time out from studies or work to be involved in missions spend time with various Elim leaders in the preparatory weeks before they leave.. Today (left to right) Darren, Luke and Johnny spent the morning with me before setting off tomorrow to work in Cambodia with Neville and Kaye Walker our missionaries there. I enjoyed our time together and the opportunity to pray with them before they set off on what I belive will be an important time for them. 

With Luc and Rachel Favre in France

Arrived in Thonon on Friday and spent the evening with Luc's leaders. Saturday morning was spent with Michelle Rimbert's leaders in Ambilly. The Saturday night meeting in Thonon was followed by a great Romanian meal. On Sunday morning I was again in Thonon - a church I visit about every eighteen months and see evidence of growth on each occasion. Saw significant development in the worship band. It was especially good to be able to spend time with Luc and Rachel (awesome cook!) in their newly converted farmhouse.

 

Weston Super Mare

Had a great day at Weston. The Sunday morning service was packed to capacity with extra chairs filling every available space. Claude Ellerington, senior minister of this creative and innovative congregation, is ably assisted by his two sons Richard and Steve - both ordained Elim ministers. The picture shows (left to right) Richard and his wife Regular. Natasha and her husband Steve and Sue and Claude.

Donna Neville, co-founder of the Praise Chapel network of churches based in USA, is to be the main speaker at the "Creative Leadership Conference" at Selly Oak Elim church organised by Maldwyn Jones. Other speakers include Chris Cartwright and myself. The dates are 12th-14th October. Women in Focus (12th) Teams in Focus (13th) Leadership in Focus (14). To book places for yourself and your leaders contact Maldwyn Jones 01214711133 maldwyn@sellyelim .org 

Next week in Weston SuperMare

Next Sunday we will be in Weston with Claude and Sue Ellerington. We were in college in the Sixties and have remained close friends in all the years that have followed. A couple of weeks ago, while on holiday, we spent the day together and we are looking forward to seeing what is currently taking place in this creative and innovative church 

Sunday in Braintree

This Sunday I preached in Braintree. Dave and Bev Dickson are doing a fabulous job in this great church. I was there two years ago just before they took over the pastorate. Today I witnessed a congregation that had almost trebelled in size and was packing the present building. Necessary expansion plans are underway. These two great people are typical of our young leaders who enthusiastically and sacrificially are creating an environment of faith in a congregation that I found to be warm, responsive and open to all that God wanted to do among them.

 

Enlarge Youth Leaders Conference

The largest ever numbers were present for the Serious4God youth leaders Conference held in Mark Ryan's ideal fascility at Letchworth. It was great to play a part in this two day event lead by Mark Pugh who, together with his team are doing an awesome job in leading Elim's youth focus. There was a great atmosphere and the title "Enlarge" was an apt tdescription for this growing youth vision.

 

Missions DVD

On Wednesday we recorded the DVD that outlines the transition of missions funding policy. Although we had produced a document there were those who still were not entirely clear about the implications. As the NLT considers transparency to be an important part of Elim's ethos we felt it right on this occasion to communicate in a new medium - the format being a TV interview panel conosting of Chris Jones, Bruce Hunter, Robert Millar and myself. Colin Dye kindly made the KT TV studio available and, after editing, duplication and distribution the 45 minute program should be in the hands of our churches in around a months time.