Northampton Elim

 What a fabulous day at Northampton with Jason and Lynda Heron (third and forth from the left) and their assistant pastors Mike and Beki Nicholls.

During the morning service, which was followed by a hog roast, eleven children were dedicated.  It was a particular joy for me to dedicate Judah pictured here with his proud parents.

Three years ago the church went through a number of difficulties but ,through the wise leadership of this great team, Northampton Elim has never been in better shape

The building, including the gallery, was packed to capacity for the occasion and a building extension for a parallel youth service is already underway.

Marilyn and I so much enjoyed being with great friends and an excellent congregation.

Dr. Michael NTumy

I flew in and out of Hamburg Germany in a day so that I could visit and pray with my good friend, former chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Dr. Michael Ntumy.

After a serious operation this exceptional leader, who during his tenure saw CoP double in numbers and become the largest Denomination in Ghana, was confined to a wheelchair.  However, as those who suffer in this way are not defined by their disability I have chosen a photo taken in 2006 when the President of Ghana decorated him with the 'Order of the Volta' the second highest national award in Ghana.

Apostle Ntumy is an inspiration to many - not just in the two million strong Church of Pentecost - but countless others around the world through his books.  He remains one of the finest Christian leaders I have encountered.

Formby Christian Fellowship

It was a pleasure for Marilyn and I to spend the day with Malcolm and Denise Dyer at Formby Christian Fellowship - a church that has many activities that relate not only to the local community but which also network with what other churches are doing in the area.

Over lunch it was good to meet with the Elders of the church and their wives before speaking at the evening service at which four other Elim churches in the area were represented.

Bakewell, Elim

It only seems a short time ago that I was present for the opening of the fine new building in Asbourne but since that time not only has the church doubled under the leadership of Ben Brown and his team but they have planted out into the pictureque town of Bakewell around twenty miles away.

It was my privilege to be present at the opening of the church.  Though the town is nationally known for its famous Bakewell pudding, the building that now carries the Elim logo is an old chocolate factory.  The small building was full for the first official service with local people and visitors alike sensing that this was the beginning of great things.  Well done Ben and Esther (pictured here with their children) and all involved, for being among the many in our Movement who are rising to the challenge of the 'Big Centenary Ask'' by planting out beyond the boundaries of their locality into the surrounding areas.

Nantwich Elim

When our Bible College moved from Nantwich it had an understandable numerical effect upon the local church as students and faculty no longer attended.  However there has been a dramatic turnround under the leadership of Michelle Nunn who has seen the congregation double in the period of less than four years in which she has been the senior minister. 

Prior to the Sunday service I was taken on a tour of the church and conference centre and it was clear that a massive effort has been made by volunteers to create the improved facilities that now exist on the site.  There was a great sense of appreciation for what Michelle, her husband Brendan (pictured here with their son Dominic) and the team, had accomplished and having been there I have to concur that the best days of the Nantwich are yet to come.

National Leadership Team

This diary page usually relates to only the preaching engagements that I have around the country. It does not cover the remainder of my diary throughout the week.

One of the most valuable inclusions in my calendar is the time I spend with the National Leadership Team - the group of leaders selected by our Conference to give leadership and direction to our Movement throughout the year.

Our meetings take place over three days five times a year.  One of the greatest joys in my role as General Superintendent is the privilege of spending time with people of such high calibre who, apart from being colleagues, have also become close personal friends.  

Elim France

Having spoken in Edinburgh on the Sunday morning (see earlier post) I then flew direct to Paris for the Elim France leaders Conference.

Our churches there are led by an amazing couple - David and Christine Thabot.

I know of no people who have shown more tenacity than they have over the years as they, and the churches that they lead, struggle against the oppressive secular and Islamic opposition that exists in that country against evangelicals.

I spoke at five sessions over the two days.  Elim does not have a strong presence in France but it was a delight to spend time with our leaders and their spouses while I was there.

Edinburgh Elim

Gordon and Heather Allan hale originally from Greenock and ministered latterly in Clydebank.  A little under two tears ago they moved to Edinburgh.  It was great to be with them.

On entering the church one is immediately impressed by the fact that, though it is a traditional church building, it has been sensitively restored and the entrance hall is high-tech with video screens and first class contemporary graphics and branding.

After a meal with the local leadership on the Saturday afternoon I spoke at the church service in the evening and then on the next day on Sunday morning service.  There are usually excellent worship bands in all our churches but I considered Edinburgh to be exceptional.

Rotherham Elim

It was good to be with Paul and Caroline Folland and everyone at Elim Rotherham and witness the development of the church since I was last there.

One of the things I enjoy about my visits to churches as I travel is to hear  the stories and testimonies of members of the congregation who I try and spend as much time as possible with after the service has concluded.  These include those who have served faithfully for many years as well as those who have recently come to faith.

I was surprised on this occasion to meet a wonderful 94 year old man who, when he was a small boy, knew my great grandfather.  How many memories and experiences are contained in every one of our churches.

Scottish Regional Retreat

Elim in Scotland has never been in  better shape than it is at the moment.  This was the clear conclusion that we came to as Marilyn and I attended and spoke at the retreat for pastors and spouses organised by Kevin and Margaret Peat and listened to the testimonies of all the good things that are taking place.  It was good too to hear of the faith-fuelled plans for the centenary celebrations in 2015

Sixteen years of our ministry was spent in Scotland - a period in which we made many friends among leaders and members alike.  One of the exciting things that are evident is not just an awareness of those who have served in Scotland for many years but the new and emerging younger leaders who are set to carry the baton into the future.  Thank you Kevin and Margaret for creating the climate for growth and thanks too to everyone in leadership for your dedication to the harvest into which you continue to sow.

City Church, Peterborough

There are four Elim churches in the Peterborough area and my visit on this occasion was to City Church in Midland Road.  The congregation was between ministers when I visited and  awaiting the appointment of a new pastor.  That church operates so well on such occasions is a tribute the the Elders, deacons and the many volunteers that make local church effective in all our congregations around the country.

Staines

Desmond and Patricia Egharevba are leading a church plant in Staines.  On most occasion when I minister it is necessary to travel to various parts of the country to connect with our churches.  On this occasion this congregation was holding a church weekend at our International Centre here in Malvern.  I spoke on the Friday evening and Nigel Tween on the Saturday. It was good to spend time with people who were so open to teaching and input.

People's Church, Newtonabbey, Belfast

My first memory of George and Linda McKim was when they came to Falkirk in Scotland to plant a church during the time that I was the Regional Leader for the area.  They commenced with just a handful of people and, after years of tenacious and sacrificial service, saw those early beginnings grow to a church of around two hundred people with its own building in the centre of the town.

They are now leading a church in Belfast and, as I did not have and free weekends for the next eighteen months, I flew out to speak at their regular midweek Bible study that, like their mid week prayer meeting, attracts large numbers.  There would have been around 250 on the Thursday night that I was there.  On a Sunday the church numbers around 600 people.

Apart from  ministering at the church it was a delight to spend time with two people who have experienced both the pleasure the pain that accompanies the process of building a healthy church.

Ipswich

It was a very full weekend in Ipswich and it was a pleasure to spend time with the senior minister and his wife,Harold and Florence Afflu (pictured here their family).

The first session was on Saturday afternoon which was a meeting for the wider church leadership.  This was followed by an evening celebration during which the message was translated in Romanian as there is a Romanian church linked to Elim that worships in the building on a Sunday and their congregation and their leaders were present on the Saturday service on this occasion.

There  were two morning meetings to accommodate this growing church.  In the second service the church and balcony were full and there was standing room only for any who were not present for the start of the meeting.  One of the most impressive memories about the visit was that, although the Worship Band were committed to two services, they were present for their own time of worship before the first meeting began.  With such commitment there is little wonder that this church is in the healthy state that it is.

Wrenthorpe

Wrenthorpe is a small on the outskirts of Wakefield.  And it was to this congregation of faithful people that Jamys Carter (pictured with his wife Emma) came to minister a little  under two years ago,

The church is well known in the community in which it has had a presence for very many years.

Apart from his leadership of the church, Jamys is very involved in the development of Elim's "ministers in training' within our Movement and Emma, apart from her role within the church, has a  doctorate and  works as a research scientist at Sheffield University.

It was a pleasure to spend time at the Wrenthorpe church and to have some quality time too with Jamys and Emma during the day.

Sparkbrook

The last time I spoke at Sparkbrook Elim was when Pastor JJ Morgan was the minister.  I was a teenager, and he had invited me to give my testimony.

Fifty years later I was a speaker, together with Nigel Tween, at a convention weekend entitled, "Embracing the Holy Spirit"

The church has gone through some difficult times in recent years but has seen a dramatic turn around under the ministry of the current pastor , Caleb Nyanni pictured here with his wife Angela who in the four years since he has been there has seen the church triple in size.

Calvary Chapel, Kings Heath

For many years Calvary Chapel was pastored by Colin and Francis Dyson (pictured fourth and fifth from left) and then four years ago their daughter, ordained Elim minister Claire Williams (pictured third from the left with her husband Tony), took over the leadership when her father retired.

Their eldest son Tim (pictured fourth from right with his wife) is a Minister in Training and now serving as the assistant minister at Elim Yeovil.  Their second son Jon (pictured second from right) is a second year student at RTC.  Their third son Joe (far left) is in the praise band in the local church.

It was great to witness first hand the growth and development of the church under Claire's ministry and especially good to for Marilyn and I to share a meal with all the leaders and their wives after the morning service.  A special mention should be made of the church elder Norman who has been a member of the church since  it was founded 55 years ago.

Com Church, Dunstable

My visit to Com church was part of their anniversary celebrations.  Thirty years ago the Dunstable congregation commenced with just a handful of people led by Doug and Helena Richards (pictured) and now is a large and vibrant church.  It was great to meet people who were part of the initial group and who are key leaders in the church today.

The last occasion I was in Dunstable was the the opening of their new premises where the church had taken over the largest night club in the town and converted it into a place of worship.  The previous week I had been at another Elim church that had taken over the town's casino.

Thank you Doug and Helena for your great welcome to Marilyn and myself and for the generous cheque you gave to Elim Missions for the suffering Christians in Iraq.

Church of Pentecost

Elim and the Church of Pentecost enjoy very close links.  It was therefore a privilege to be asked to be the speaker at the 25th Jubilee Anniversary celebrations that was held in Dagenham, London.  Other Elim representatives present apart from Marilyn and myself were John and Trish Waller, who had served for many years in Ghana, and Bruce and Heather Hunter.

The four and a half hour service included times for worship and reports of the growth of the church over the years.  It began in the UK as Elim church of Pentecost with just 30 people and now is 17,000 strong.  World-wide is numbers over two million.

River Camp

It was good to be back at River Camp on 2014 - an initiative commenced by David Campbell from small beginnings but now which attracts around 1800 annually to the large site situated in the Cotswolds near Evesham.  Other speakers were Che Ahn, David Campbell, Simon Foster, Ken Gott and Kevin Peat.