Scottish Regional Day

Given that around fourteen years of my ministry had been spent In Scotland, as a pastor and as a Regional Superintendent, it was clearly a special pleasure to return for a leader's day. The venue was 'The People's Church" in Falkirk and, with typical Scottish hospitality the Pastor, David Morrison, made the day special. Kevin and Margaret Peat cover Scotland and the North-West Region and have given the best of leadership to this important part of Elim in the UK.

Dunamis - Ealing, London

Charles and Teresa Hammond have led this excellent church since its earliest days. I always enjoy my time at Dunamis - not just because of the leadership and the people but because of the incredibly high level of musicianship of the worship band several of which work professionally. One of the drummers had recently flew in from Moscow have been playing with an internationally known secular artists and others were away in Los Angeles in a recording session. Worship, as we all know, is more than gifted musicians. Its about the ability to connect with God. This church does not fall short on either count.

Midlands leaders day

It hardly seems like two years since I last spoke at the Midlands leaders day at the Nettle Hill Conference Centre. Involvement in events of this nature is about the most fulfilling aspect of my role and being with the leaders in this Region, most of whom are known to me personally, is no exception.

Gordon Neale is not only the Regional Leader for these 50+ churches but also a good friend. There was a very high proportion of the Region present for, what I considered to be, an enjoyable and productive time together.

Norwich Elim Church

It was great to attend, and speak at, the 50th anniversary of the Elim church in Norwich. My first vist there was as a student in 1969 when I was asked to pastor the church for three weeks in the summer of that year while the minister was on holiday.

Today the congregation is ably led by Gerry and Linda Turner and I sensed a great deal expectation for the days that lie ahead.

Elim Conference & Bible Week

The Bible Week is always a highlight of the year and a great opportunity to meet with the hundreds of delegates who attend together with around 2500 guests at Pontins in Prestatyn. The ministry of Tommy Barnett and Sy Rogers from the States was greatly appreciated as were all those who contributed to a fabulous week together.

On a personal note I was overwhelmed by the margin by which the Conference affirmed my position as General Superintendent for a third term. I was well aware no previous holder of the office had been invited to continue beyond eight years and I was humbled by the 87% vote that was received. As I said at the time, I will do all that I can to serve the Movement in the light of the trust that they have placed in me and solicit their prayers for myself, and for Marilyn, in the days that lie ahead.

Zion - Halesowen

The leaders NET that I referred to in the previous posting was held in Zion, in Halesowen. In the evening the local church came together for the launch of the next chapter in the life of the congregation - a multi million pound building program.

Leon Evans, pictured here with his wife Alison, brought a powerful presentation in word and media that honoured those in the past who been instrumental in the growth of the church. Then, with computer generated 3D modeling, a packed church witnessed the outline plans for the future.

The rest of the evening was devoted to a period of worship and culminated in the message that I brought.

There was a unanimous sense of excitement about the way ahead. I believe that Leon and the team that serves with him is poised to take this great church into a very fruitful future.

Leaders Net - Midlands

Around eighty leaders from a variety of Denominations in the Midlands area meet on a regular basis for fellowship and teaching. On the this occasion the meeting was hosted in Halesowen. I was delighted to accept the invitation to speak at both the two morning sessions.

Greenock - Scotland

There are two fine Elim churches in the town of Greenock which is situated in the west of Scotland beside the river Clyde. On this occasion I was speaking in the original Kelly Street church

Fraser Donaldson, pictured here with his wife Susan, grew up in the Salvation army prior to attending the Greenock Elim church as a member and later progressed to the role of assistant minister. A few months ago, when Iain Waddell moved to London, Fraser was appointed as senior pastor.

I have preached in Greenock several times over the past twenty years and it was great to see, not only longstanding members, but several who have recently joined the church. There is a great atmosphere in the Fellowship and an expectancy that the best days of this church are yet to come. It is evident that Fraser and Susan are the right people in the right place at the right time.

Erskine - Scotland

The church in Erskine was founded ten years ago from the Paisley church which, at that time, was pastored by the late John Seeman. I was present to speak at the Anniversary service.

Derek Chittick, pictured here with his wife Anne, was inducted into the pastorate two years into the life of the new Fellowship and under his leadership the church has grown in strength and depth. Derek was a Church of Scotland minister prior to becoming an Elim Pastor and is a highly respected leader in the area. All of Derek and Anne's five children are involved in ministry in one form or another and one of their sons, Gavin, is on the ministry team of the Elim church in Fraserburgh.

The excellent evening of celebration was led by Erskine's first class Praise band and warm tribute was paid to Derek and Anne's pastoral care.

Coatbridge - Scotland

I have known David and Linda Bell for over twenty years since going to Scotland as regional leader and David, who was then head of an RE department, became the Youth Director for Scotland. At that time their children were very small. Today Audrey, Louise and Shirley all play in the Praise band together with their brother Stephen.

David took on a redundant church building and commenced a congregation from scratch. Saturday morning was spent with his leaders, Saturday night was a Celebration service open to churches in the area and Sunday morning was an opportunity to be with the Coatbridge Elim congregation.

Elim Conference Italy

The Elim Conference in Italy was hosted by Elim's President Giuseppe Piccolo (pictured here with his wife Antonietta) in Palermo, Sicily. This was the third occasion I had spoken at the Conference in recent years and it has become one of my favorite parts of Europe to minister in - not just because of the beauty of the landscape but because of the warmth of the people.

I spoke to the leaders and wives on five occasions during the time I was there and Marilyn spoke to to the women's meeting - a meeting that has such an impact it over-ran the time schedule as there were so many who requested personal ministry subsequently.

Phillip Niblett, who has ministered extensively throughout Italy in recent years, was present for the Conference and spoke with great effect at the Youth service.

On each of my visits my interpreter has been Luciana who is pictured here with me and her husband Giovani-baptiste. Apart from being police inspectors (Luciana is a chief inspector) they also joint pastor an Elim church in the north of Italy.

During the Conference there was a visit from a member of the Italian Government, the newly elected member of Parliament, Alessandro Pagano. He spoke eloquently and extensively about his Christian commitment and the need for a well articulated Christian voice and presence in the life of the country. I have heard many politicians speak during our services and he was by far the most impressive. My message during that service addressed the issue of integrity in church and State and we heard later that the text of it was to be added to his personal web site.

There is very much to be encouraged about in Elim Italy. They have fine leaders with a great hunger for God's best for their lives. I have just received an invitation to the the principle speaker at their Conference next year and am very much looking forward to being with them again.

West Street Baptist Church

"West Street Baptist" in Crewe has for several years been affiliated to Elim hence my visit to them. In the many years that their pastor, Geoff Willetts has been with them he has seen the church grow from a handful of people to the four hundred that attend their three Sunday services. I spoke at the two morning services. Geoff will retire in the next few years and the challenge will be to secure leadership that can continue to growth the church both in breadth and depth.

UCB

I have a very high regard for the work and ministry of United Christian Broadcasters based at Stoke on Trent. Its ministry is a great asset to the Church in the UK and it is led by a Board and Trustees that are of the highest caliber. My day with them was spent recording a series of fifty short messages to be broadcast over the next few weeks during their regular programming.

Salisbury - Oldest members

Whenever I visit long-established churches it is always a privilege to meet those who were founder members of the initial congregations.  Norman and Dorothea Coles have attended since the earliest days of the Salisbury Elim church and are still actively involved and rarely miss a meeting.  Norman is in his 97th year.  Elim owes a great debt  to such faithful people. 

Salisbury

The Salisbury Elim Church is pastored by Phil (pictured) and Sally Thompsett and Gordon and Jaquie Malcolm.  Prior to the morning service Phil took me on a tour of the adjacent building which had only been a shell on the last occasion I was there but now housed a coffee bar, youth lounge, sports hall and a number of offices from which community projects are launched throughout the week.

Holy Trinity - Weston

Its always a pleasure to visit our churches and spend time with our leaders and congregations. On this weekend however I was with one of my closest friends Claude Ellerington, who with his wife Sue, is pictured here. Both Claude's sons, Richard and Steve, are Elim ministers and part of the ministry team. Weston is a creative and innovative church.

Alloa

Colin and Laura Shreenan pastor one of Elim's smallest churches but through tenacity and commitment are beginning to see a breakthrough. Committed to the people and with the the belief that this fellowship can break out of its history they are faithfully planting for God in this small Scottish town. I enjoyed being with them and their church over my weekend with them.

UCB Partners Day

United Christian Broadcasters based in Hanchurch, Stoke on Trent is an organisation for which I have the highest regard. It was a privilege to minister to the senior staff, partners and supporters. There are several groups within the UK that are deserving of the financial and prayer support of local churches and UCB is most certainly one of them.

Liverpool leaders

I always appreciate the opportunity to speak to leaders across the Denominations. The Liverpool venue was Grace Family Church and the group to which I had been invited covered Pentecostal, Baptist, Anglican, Rhema and independent churches.

Leyton

Mervyn and Edna Tilley have been in Leyton  over twenty years and have seen the church develop to become one of our key churches in the London area.  Like so many of our Elim churches it has a heart for the community and missions as well as concentrating on its own needs as a Fellowship.  Though retired as a member of the NLT and as a Regional leader, Mervyn has lost none of his energy for the local church.  It was a joy to be with a group of people that is so open to God's word and with such a desire for spiritual growth.