All Nations Church, Wolverhampton

I reserve most of my weekend appointments for Elim churches but there are some exceptions and one of those was when visiting the AoG church in Wolverhampton.  I first met its senior leader Steve Uphall, pictured here with his wife Esther, about twelve years ago at a Council meeting of the Evangelical Alliance.  I spoke at all three consecutive morning services and had the pleasure of viewing the construction of a 1000 seater auditorium that is in the process of construction.  On the previous evening Marilyn and I met with the core leaders over a curry at Steve and Esther's home. 

Liverpool (Kensington)

 Paul and Lynne Dunne have been in Liverpool (Kensington) for twelve years and have been committed to serving the church and the community beyond it.

It was good to be at a church with such a sense of 'family'.

As so often is the case when I visit a church, we are able to spend some time together after the service has finished, usually over lunch, and chat  about the blessings and challenges that come with pastoring a church in the inner city.

Always a joy to be with two such great people and to be with their congregation.

Newquay

 Mike and Shelagh Robins have been in Newquay for almost twenty-five years and during that time have seen spectacular growth that has seen the purchase and development of several campuses and the formation of new congregations.  The latest of these is in the nearby town of Redruth that, although being planted only a short time ago,it has 80-90 in regular attendance.

I was speaking at the NCC home base - a former Methodist building on the main road through the town.  The worship team led the meeting well and it was great to sense the atmosphere of a congregation that had been taught over the years to anticipate God's blessing and be part of God's purpose

A highlight of the day had to be 86 year old Doug Knight (pictured) who informed me before the service began that when he was 19 years of age he attended the crusade led by my grandfather, John Woodhead, from which the Newquay church was birthed and gave his life to Christ.  He had attended the church ever since that day in 1948.  It was a amazing to meet this great man who was born- again six month before I was born and was still faithfully serving God.

Worthing

Andrew Fadoju, pictured here with his wife Nicola, have been in Worthing for twenty years and has been the senior pastor for the past sixteen.

Most of my ministry appointments involve either being with a church on a Sunday or with groups of leaders across a region during the week.

Occasionally however I spend the evening with local church leaders.  This helps me to get to know our churches better and also for them to get to know more about the Movement's vision and values.

The evening began with an excellent meal followed by ministry and interaction.  It was great to be with such a welcoming grow of leaders from across the spectrum of the local church.

Barking

It was a delight for Marilyn and I  to spend the weekend with our good friends John and Trish Waller.

The Barking church has always been blessed with good leaders and the years in which John  and Trish have served this excellent church have seen great growth spiritually and numerically.  The two morning services see in excess of 400 people in attendance double what it was when they took over the pastorate.

Vibrant worship, a commitment to prayer, outreach and community engagement are four  of the keys to the expansion that Barking it is currently enjoying.

Connect Life, Caerphilly

It had been several years since I  last visited Connect Life church that stands in the shadow of the historic Caerphilly Castle.

For the past few years Roger Rowland, pictured here with his wife Janice , have led the church whose congregation is now the largest it has been in its long history.

Apart from pastoring a number of churches over the years, Roger served for ten years as Elim's national youth director prior to the formation of Serious4God.

With a great family atmosphere and its commitment to the town  through several community-based ministries, Caerphilly is well positioned for further growth and expansion in the future.

Hastings

 It was eight years since I was last in Hastings though Paul McMichael pictured here with Pennie, his wife of just four weeks, has been the minister there for under two years. 

I have known Paul since he was a small boy so  it was a great opportunity to spend time over lunch and meet Pennie for the first time.

There was a great family atmosphere in the church and it was good to meet a number of people who have been members for many years.

In a previous post regarding my visit to Ludlow I highlighted someone who had been dedicated as a baby in Elim and was now in his 80's.  So what a pleasure it was to meet Joyce Cripps (pictured) who was brought to an Elim church 90 years ago, just ten years after our Movement was founded, and who is now 94 years old.

Living Waters, Chorley

Six years ago John Lacy, pictured here with his wife Michelle, took over as senior leader for Living Waters church in Chorley from his father Tony.  I can well remember being present for the transition services - the farewell on the Saturday and the induction on the Sunday,

From that time the church has continued to see continual and sustained growth.  It is a thriving and impacting church with strong links into the community and supporting mission works overseas.  There were around 400 people present for the Christmas service at which I preached and which was followed by a hog-roast supper.

Bude, Cornwall

There are not many more picturesque places in Cornwall than Bude and it was great to return to the church which, for the past three years has been pastored by Steve Ellerington (pictured here with his wife Natasha)

Return visits give me the opportunity to appreciate how a church has developed since I was last there and, while always a pleasure to attend, I was aware on this occasion of an increased sense of church 'family' and appreciation of the worship team who, from point of view had stepped up to a whole new level.

From a personal point of view it was great to spend time with Steve and Natasha.  Both of their fathers were Elim ministers before they retired and were fellow students with me in Bible college in the late Sixties.  In other words, I have know this couple since they were born and to see them with three lovely children of their own, watching the pastoral care and fine leadership with which they serve the church was really something special.  If you are holidaying in this part of Cornwall this year, Bude Christian Fellowship is a church you would not want to miss.

Manchester

In 1968 I left my home church in Elim Manchester that had been pioneered by my father and went to Bible College to begin my training to be a minister.  It was more than fitting that 47 years later, and shortly before retiring as our Movement's leader, the final large gathering at which I would be preaching in that capacity would be the church where it all began that is now located adjacent to Media City Salford - the part of Manchester where I became a Christian as a child 62 years ago

For the past thirty years Paul and Mags Hallam have led the church and it is during their ministry that the major growth and development has taken place that has brought this significant church - that now has branches throughout India and Romania that, apart from churches, include schools and orphanages - to the place it is in today.

During their tenure which has been hallmarked by huge vision, faith and sacrifice they have built a first class team of top quality leaders around them.  They are truly amazing people.

My Sunday began with an interview with BBC radio Manchester to talk about Elim's Centenary and then on to minister at the 11am service.

North of England ELIM100

Over nine hundred people packed the Lighthouse Christian Centre (Elim Manchester)  from our churches in the north of England for the final centenary celebration that have seen around ten thousand people in attendance during 2015

The event was convened by Regional leader Kevin Peat and the worship led by Mark Stevens.  It was the perfect finale to a great year of celebration.  Many thanks to host Pastor Paul Hallam and for the amazing team at the Lighthouse who hosted the event.

Guernsey

The three churches in Guernsey wanted to celebrate the Elim Centenary on the Island and it was a delight to speak at their event.

The day began with an interview with BBC radio Guernsey, followed by lunch with the leaders and their spouses before going on to the celebration meeting in the evening.

Pictured with me left to right are Mick and Heather Leggett (St Peterport), John and Angie Roddis (Delancy) and Steve and Angela Mudge (Vazon)

The Source, Malvern

When Elim came to Malvern six years ago a small independent fellowship asked to become affiliated to us.  

A year ago Dan and Rachel Bennett came to take over the leadership of the church and during that time have developed the culture of the congregation that has a heart to engage with the community.

Having spent time with this fine young couple afterwards, I have every confidence that the church will see continued growth in the days that lie ahead.

North West Region

Every two years I have visited each of Kevin and Margaret Peat's two Regions.  

On this occasion the venue was a golf and country club in Blackpool.  This residential retreat was subsidised by the Region in order to create a memorable, relaxing and well-deserved break for the leaders and their spouses.

As a Mancunian it is always a pleasure to be back in the North West and particularly so as the pastors in this area are so open to everything that God has for them.

During one of of my messages I gave an illustration of a baby that makes its first steps.  A young couple came to me to stay that, while I was speaking, their child had done just that!

Thank you everyone in the NW Region for the warmth with which you received Marilyn and I during the time that we were with you and Kevin and Margaret, thank you for the opportunity you have given me to minister to your leaders in the years I have been the GS

Ludlow

Our centenary celebrations have been held in  some of the largest venues across the country but this special occasion has also been replicated throughout the Movement in individual churches large and small

Ludlow, pastored by Tim Coles pictured here  with his wife Judith, had around forty special guests in addition to their normal congregation.  These included the Bishop of Ludlow and several other local clergy, and various local dignitaries from the town.

Tim convened the service with a balance of warmth and dignity and the morning service at which I preached was followed by lunch for all who were able to attend.  It was a special joy that the centenary was able to be celebrated in their newly acquired facilities which are a great credit to the congregation who have prayed and sacrificed to bring their vision to completion.  Ludlow has one of the longest serving Elim members in our Movement.  David Smith (pictured) was dedicated as a baby in an Elim church 85 years ago!.

RTC Graduation Day

As the final months of my role as General Superintendent come to a close I commence officiating at a number of our Movement's national  events for the final time.  One of these was speaking at the Graduation service  of Regents Theological College held in Malvern Priory

The service was conducted by Elim's Director of Training Dave Newton and vice Principal Peter Read.  Fifty five students graduated and received their degrees.  RTC is blessed with a faculty who are godly people as well as being consummate professionals.

Centenary Celebrations - Wales and South West

This is just a section of the 1600 people who packed the St. David's Hall in Cardiff for the ELIM100 celebrations.

This was without doubt one of my personal favourite venues on the Centenary tour.  Chris Cartwright, Regional Leader for the area convened the meeting which balanced songs from the early days of Elim as well as the latest contemporary music.  

The contribution of the Choir led by Myra Harris added so much to the evening.  The level of worship and sense of the presence of God was extraordinary.  I have preached the identical message in all of the celebrations I have attended to this point and nowhere did I feel a greater rapport  with this great congregation of Elim people.  The evening was an absolute pleasure to participate in.

Eastbourne

It was good to be with Stephen and Elizabeth Smith for the morning service at our Church in Eastbourne.

There were a number of testimonies in the meeting of the impact that the church is having upon the local community as a result of their heart for the marginalised including that of an award presented to a member of the the congregation at the House of Lords that will feature in a future edition of Direction.

During the service I led in prayer for  assistant minister Ashley Steinschauer and his wife Rachel as Ashley prepares for chaplaincy in the armed forces.

At the close of the service Marilyn and I spent  some time over lunch listening to the plans that Stephen and Elizabeth have for the church in the days that lie ahead.

Elim Centenary, London

Two thousand five hundred people attended back-to-back meetings in the iconic Westminster Central Hall for the Elim100 celebration in the London area hosted by Colin Dye (KT and NLT member) and David Campbell (London Metropolitan Regions and NLT member.  Dominic De Souza (TLC Norwich) and his team worked tirelessly over many weeks to ensure that the day was the success that it turned out to be.

Worship was lead by Sam Blake, Noel Robinson, Helen Yousaf and band plus a backing choir.

This was a the third time that I had spoken at one of these events, the previous two being in Birmingham and Scotland.

Blackburn

Simon and Valentina Pastorello moved from AoG  Italy to join the team  in Elim Blackburn a few years ago and within the past few months Simon has taken over as lead pastor in what was the first church that Stephen Jeffries pioneered in Lancashire

Their strategically positioned building is now full to capacity on a Sunday morning and there is a wide spectrum of events in which the church is engaged in through the week.

It was good to be back in  church that has members who have been there for a generation as well as those who have recently joined the church

There are a number of levels of transitioning and restructuring in which the church is engaged that will position it to be a church that I will believe will see accelerated growth in the years that lie ahead.