Thonon - France

When Luc Favre commenced the church in Thonon he did so with just a handful of people. Today the church has grown significantly and much work has been done on the building in which they worship.

Marilyn and I ministered at four meetings over the weekend that we were there. Particular tribute must be paid to Luc's wife Rachel who has sacrificed greatly to see this vision come to pass given that she has been the primary income-source into the home during these formative years. I also had the opportunity to spend time with Michel Rimbert who pastors the church in Ambilly.

93 Years Young

On my travels I sometimes take the opportunity to visit the elder-statesmen of Elim who have given very man years to our Movement. Recently I spent some time with Ron Jones subsequent to some treatment he had completed for skin cancer. He had just moved to a new residential home that has been recently built in the south of Bristol. Always the pastor, among the first things that he did was to arrange Sunday services at the complex. Two Sunday's per month are designated 'specials' where visiting speakers and musicians are featured. Astonishingly, he has already attracted around a third of the residents to these meetings. An incredible feat at any time of life but especially at the age of 93!

Evangelical Alliance

The Council meeting of the Evangelical Alliance - better known as EA - represents the 1.25 million Evangelical Christians in the UK. The two-day council meeting held at High Leigh was particularly memorable as it marked the end of twelve years of EA's Director, Rev. Joel Edwards' leadership of the organisation. An evening meal in London celebrated the excellent work that he had done during his period of office. It was attended by council members, friends and family of Joel and the High Commissioner of Jamaica - His Excellency, The Honourable Burchell Whiteman.

Youth for Christ

It has been my privilege to serve for several years on the Council of Reference for British Youth for Christ - an organisation very ably led by Roy Crowne. The Council comprises of around a dozen people and is chaired by the Archchbishop of York, Dr, John Sentamu. Many hundreds of YFC young people are making a vital impact in schools and churches around the country.

Ghana photos

Accra - Ghana

I can think of few greater honours I have had, in the nine years since I was elected as general Superintendent, than to be invited to be the main speaker at the farewell celebration of my good friend Dr. Michael Ntumy - Chairman of the Church of Pentecost - which was attended by around 9500 people.

Having completed ten years in office – the maximum permitted under their constitution – Dr Ntumy steps down after a spectacularly successful tenure. Those who attended would be aware that when their Chairman came to office the world membership of COP was a little over 803,000. Ten years later it numbers 1,695,412. The number of churches have grown from 7,109 to 17,418. Several of the highest ranking officials in Government and the Military are members of the Church of Pentecost and the Vice President of Ghana, His Excellency Alhaji Aliu Mahama, was present for the four hour service. He paid warm and glowing tribute to his friend as did several other dignitaries who were present.

Last year the President of Ghana awarded Dr. Ntumy ‘The Order of the Volta’ – the highest honour that can be given to a civilian.

Michael Ntumy was trained at Elim’s Theological College in Nantwich as was his successor as Chairman Apostle Dr. Opoku Onyinah

A major influence on both their lives was Lionel Currie who, with his wife Ruth was also present for the celebrations. Lionel, an Elim minister for forty years and now senior pastor of Bridge Street Church in Leeds, spent nine years in Ghana and was Principal of their college at which most of the senior figures in the Church of Pentecost received training. Understandably Lionel and Ruth are not only greatly respected by the Denomination but greatly loved.

There is no Denomination that is closer to the Elim Pentecostal Churches than the Church of Pentecost. Each year delegates are sent to our respective conferences with full voting rights.

Dr. Michael Ntumy paid the warmst tribute to his wife Martha who has been a major influence upon the women of COP. Their five sons and daughter were present for the celebration service. The Ntumy’s will now move to Germany where they will oversee the work of the church there.

On a personal level I am delighted that Dr. Ntumy will be closer to us here in Europe and I look forward to strengthening my already close links with the new Chairman, Apostle Opoku Onyinah

There are not many churches that I can say I have visited for the first time but this was the first occasion that I had spoken at Asbourne. This eighty year old Elim church is situation in a beautiful Derbyshire town with a population of just seven thousand people. Alex and Susan Prail have pastored the church for the past eleven years and it was good to be able to meet all the leaders and their spouses over lunch. Ashbourne is a warm and friendly family church.

Irish Bible Week

Around 1300 people were on site for the first weekend of the Irish Bible Week at which I was the speaker on the opening Saturday night and the following Sunday morning and evening. The numbers included those in the main tent and two other smaller venues for the Youth and Children's events. The theme 'Taking your place' was then taken up by the other speakers for the week, Dr RT Kendall and Jeff Lucas. Ruth-ann Cannings spoke at the women's venue.

The lion's share of the organisation for the Bible Week is done by the Hillsborough Elim Church though only around 50% of those who attend are from Elim churches. The minister of the Elim church, Jimmy Ritchie and the minister of a local independant Pentecostal church in Moira are the principle visionaries and it is their team that carry the rsponsibility to ensure that eveything 'comes together'. This was the third time I had been a speaker at the Irish Bible Week and it is very evident that it is growing from strength to strength.

Barnet Christian Fellowship

There were several reasons why I was particularly looking forward to being at Barnet Christian Fellowship - a church that is led by Pastor Diane Druce (far left) and Doreen (third from left front row)

My ministry involves a great deal of travelling at home and abroad. Ten intercessors from this church pray through my itinerary daily throughout the year. They have provided prayer support for most of the eight years I have been General Superintendent and and I am greatly indebetted to them. It was a joy to meet with them as a group and I was honoured to have my photo taken with them during my visit to the Barnet church.

Dewsbury

Paul and Greta Hudson have been in Dewsbury for the past twelve years and for eight of those years have been negotiating for a Methodist church building. My visit to the church which was booked two years ago coincided with Paul's announcement to congregation that the building deal had now been completed.

The service was followed by a fine Sunday lunch after which I was invited to speak to the sixteen leaders of the church including the assistant pastor Nicola Le Goupillot. One of the many highlights of the day for me to was to witness the great rapport and friendship between the leaders - always a sign of a church with a great future.

Accountability Group

It is well known that for some time I have been part of an accountability group that also includes Lyndon Bowring, Jeff Lucas and David Coffey. As the Focus on the Family center was in Colorado we stayed with Jeff and Kay who were amazing hosts. This picture shows a day off at Bear river in the Rocky mountains.

Focus on the family

It is said that Dr James Dobson is one of the two most influential Christians in the United States. Focus on the Family is one of the most well known TV programs and in the country and the teen website alone gets a million hits a week. James Dobson is a close friend of President George Bush and has been a confidant of past Presidents.

I was in Colorado to spend time at the Focus on the Family HQ and on one of the evenings was able to relax and enjoy a meal with James and Sylvia Dobson, Jim and Jean Daley (who will be heading Focus on the Family in the future) and my friends (more of this later) Lyndon Bowring, David Coffey and Jeff Lucas. In the same hotel where we were we eating was Barak Obama a current presidential contender.

MIT Conference

A highlight each year is the three-day conference for 'ministers in training' held at Regents Theological College that is co-hosted by Nigel Tween and myself. There was a good attendance and great atmosphere. It is evident that we have many fine leaders emerging in the Elim Movement. Other speakers, apart from Nigel and myself, were Colin Dye, Geoff Feasey, Simon Jarvis, Chris Jones, Kant Misra, Marion Myers, Kevin Peat, and Sallie Wilson.

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.