Elim - North East Region

The Insight Conference is held annually and attended by ministers and spouses from Elim churches in the north-east of England and was chaired by Gordon Neale who is Regional leader for the area. The venue was a country house hotel on the Scarborough coast and the event was ably organised by the minister of the Scarborough Elimchurch - Graeme Parkins.

I spoke on six occasions during the three-day conference and enjoyed, as always, the times of interaction with my fellow leaders and between the sessions and during the evenings. This region has excellent leaders across a wide spectrum of age and experience. It was great for Marilyn and I to be with Gordon and Kay and all our colleagues in the area.

Weston Super Mare

Its always a pleasure to minister at Holy Trinity in Weston not least because it is led by my good friend Claude Ellerington and his two sons Richard and Steve. Elim in Weston is a warm, creative an innovative church and, apart from preaching on Sunday morning there was a slot in the service where Richard interviewed his father and myself - drawing on stories from when we met at Bible College in 1968 to some contemporary challenges that Church is called to deal with today.

During the service I prayed publicly with Steve and Natasha (pictured) as they prepare to leave the team at Weston and join the ministry team at Elim@Bristol which is led by Simon Foster. They both will be greatly missed at their current church but will also make a very positive contribution to the progress of the church in Bristol.

Kensignton Temple Vision Conference

Pastor Colin Dye,senior minister of Kensington Temple and apostolic leader of the 'London City Church' network pastors Elm's largest congregation in the UK. One however cannot measure the church only with a numerical benchmark - though it is several thousand strong - as the church under his leadership has grown commensurately in depth through its comprehensive discipleship structure. Every year KT holds a vision conference, and I was delighted to accept the invitation to speak at the celebration servive at the conclusion of the conference. Colin Dye is not only a colleague, in that he serves with me as a senior member of Elim's National Leadership Team, but aalso a close personal friend. My visit to KT was another opportunity for me to witness first hand what is being accomplished in this significant spiritual centre in the capital of our country and to enjoy ministering to the tremendous people who are part of the KT network.

Armed Forces Chaplaincy Conference

During the past ten years that I have occupied the role of General Superintendent I have had the opportunity in minister in a wide variety of contexts in this country and around the the world. It was however the first time I had been asked to speak to the United Board Conference of Chaplains who serve the Army, Navy and Royal Air force. Many will know the courageous work they they do - exposed to the most dangers theatres of world conflict such as Afghanistan and Iraq. Though often in the line of fire they never carry arms themselves but remain continually available to those around them that often face the extreme levels of battlefield stress and trauma and injury. Their conference was held at one of their bases in Hampshire and I had been invited to speak at two of their sessions as well as at the concluding joint communion service.

Smethwick leadership Forum

Pastor Joseph Chinnalyan, senior minister of the Elim Church in Smethwick holds monthly leadership seminars for ministers from a variety of Denominations in the Black Country area of the West Midlands. It was through this initiative that I was able to be with him and the leaders that had gathered to speak on the subject of 'Authority in the Church - its limits and its scope'. By thinking beyond his locality he has consistently provided a resource for other curchs in the area.

Ladbrook Grove, London

The church in Ladbrook Grove is close to the Portobello Road. It is part of Elim's 'London City Church' network which works under the auspices of Kensington temple.

This was my first visit to the congregation that is pastored by Jacqueline Brown (pictured). I was impressed by many things during my time there and not least by the number of people involved in the meeting.

After the service I had the pleasure of meeting a couple more of the core leaders over a meal. Jacqueline is doing a great job in one of the most economically challenged wards of the borough in which they are located.

Sowerby Bridge

Duncan and Beverly Curry (pictured) were appointed to the Sowerby Bridge church in Yorkshire under three years ago.

Though, at the moment, one of the smaller churches within our Movement it has excellent potential for growth. It ws especially good to spend quality time after the morning service with Duncan and Beverly and the Elder of the church, Phil Tate (pictured right) to hear about the various ministries in which the Fellowship is involved and to talk about possible avenues of expansion for the future.

Bethel Christian Fellowship

Bethel Christian Fellowship has been in a great church in Oldbury (West Midlands) for many years. The reason for me being there on this occasion was to welcome it into the fellowship of Elim Churches. The senior minister is Rev. Ken Hipkiss (pictured) who until recently was the chaplain for West Bromwich Albion football club based at the Hawthorns. The speaker at this event was Gordon Neale the Regional leader for Elim the area.

Swansea City Temple

Hundreds of people packed the church in both the morning and evening services which celebrated the 80th anniversary of the Swansea church. Senior minister Michael Williams gave tribute to those who had contributed to the growth and development of the church over the past eight decades - both ministers and members alike. If it is true that 'a church that honours its past has a fruitful future' then there are great days ahead for Elim in Swansea. A much fuller report of the celebrations will feature in Direction shortly. I was the final speaker after a month of special ministry that has taken place. One of the most moving moments was the tribute paid to an 89 year old member who had given his life to Christ as a nine year-old in the opening meetings held by George Jeffries and who was still serving God today. Joel Pridmore, resident worship leader, led the music ministry powerfully and sensitively. I have preached in Swansea on several occasions over the years and it is a church that has been blessed by a succession of the best of our pastors. I have to say however that I have never seen it in such a strong position as it is today - both numerically and spiritually. Michael and Jill Williams (pictured) are giving phenomenal input into one of our Movement's flagship churches.

Dunstable Community Church

A recent Direction article featured the transition that DCC have taken in moving from their previous venue a former nightclub in the centre of the town. I was present to speak at the opening service on the Saturday afternoon which began a series of meetings over the weekend that was to conclude with Morris Cerullo flying in the the USA especially for the Sunday evening.

Around 450 people were present for the opening service during which a multi-media presentation showed the development of the vision to its present stage. Tribute was given to the leadership of senior pastor Doug Richards and his wife Helena who have led the church for the past 25 years.

Keynsham Bristol

For the past three years I have done a trio of Bible Studies over a three-week period at the Keynsham church. Although on the outskirts of the city it attracts a good congregation and is a church that is well known and respected within the local community. It is always a pleasure to be with the leaders and the congregation on these occasions.

NW Region Retreat

More than eighty people attended the Regional Leadership Retreat led and sponsored by Kevin and Margaret Peat. The venue was the prestigeous Hilton hotel on Blackpool's promenade.

It was a privilege to be the speaker at this fabulous event and times like these always carry with them the added oportunity of spending time betweren the sessions with individual pastors over the two days that Marilyn and I were there.

Rotherham Elim

John and Tracy Murfin have been in Rotherham for nine years which would certainly support that the theory that longer ministries produce greater growth. The church was full for the morning service in which John announced that the church would shortly be extending their curent fascilities. Following the morning service caterers prepared a four course lunch for thirty of the leaders prior to me speaking to the group that spanned the full age range within the church.

Angers (en jay), Loire valley, France

Angers, is one of the largest Pentecostal churches in the Loire valley region of France with a congregation of around five hundred people. It is pastored by my good friend Danial L'Herroux, pictured here with his wife Dina.

I preached eight times in the five days of my time with this amazing church. This included three evangelistic meetings, a youth service, three celebration services and and a meeting with the Assemblies of God pastors in the area.

Daniel L'Herroux has created a remarkable DNA in this thriving and growing congregation and has built a fine team of leaders around him. As he is totally fluent in English he acted as interpreter during the time I was there. I considered these meetings to have been successful on a variety of levels - not least in witnessing those who make first time commitments to Christ.

Irish Leaders

Though much of my ministry is spent speaking at Elim churches a significant proportion is also engaged with speaking to groups of our leaders across the UK. On this occasion the venue was Hillsborough Northern Ireland - a church that has recently undergone a magnificent refurbishment in recent months.

Irish Superintendent, Pastor Eric McComb, who has ministered in that capacity for over thirty years said that the attendance for this meeting was among the largest in several years and it was great to be with the many of our leaders who are doing an amazing job across the country. Being half Irish myself it is always a joy to be with my colleagues in Ulster.

Tramway Christian Fellowship

It was good to be present at the Tramway Christian Fellowship in Edmonton, London. This multi-cultural church is comprised of several ethnic groups and is pastored by Iain and Amy Waddell who, until a few months ago had been ministering in their native country of Scotland - something that must have been a huge cultural leap for them. However, this all goes to show that worship, however it is expressed, does not find acceptance to God because of style or cultural context. It is accepted by God because it is offered 'in spirit and truth'.

ICM - London

The occasion of my visit to International Christian Ministries was to celebrate with them their 25th Anniversary held in the City Temple, Holburn Viaduct London. This great church was planted by Pastor Lily Florida, a remarkable lady, and she remains the senior leader who heads the church with congregations across the city and which is primarily attended by those who originate from the Philippines.

Hundreds of people were present to witness the production which, apart from my message, included music, drama, dance and mime. I cannot remember attending a more spectacular and moving act of worship performed via the visual arts in any church I have attended. It was evident that months of preparation had gone into the four hour service.

Tribute was paid to the pastors for the work and growth that taken place over the years but they were quick to acknowledge that what had transpired was the result of the faithfulness of God.

Bootle

Among the leaders who deserve the greatest recognition in our Movement are bi-vocational pastors - those who build churches while engaged in full or part time secular employment.

In this category are Steve and Yvonne Yates (pictured centre). Also very much involved in the church are Andrew (pictured far left and who plays keyboard) Michael (pictured second from left and who handles the technical side of media) and Ian (pictured far right with his wife Kate who leads worship)

I cannot speak too highly of these guys and what they are doing in Bootle - a church in the Liverpool area ministering in a community that has over 50% unemployment. It was an absolute joy to spend Sunday morning with the congregation and the afternoon with Steve and Yvonne. Its leaders like this that makes our Movement what it is

Northampton - Truth Conference

It was a initiative by Elaine Roberts of 'World Mandate Ministries' and proved to be a great success. For several nights one of the main public halls in Northampton was taken to present the truth about themes such as Easter, Christmas and the Second Coming of Christ.

I had been invited to speak on the latter subject on the first night of the series to a ticket-only audience. The venue was well filled with Christians and non- Christians alike. At the close of the meeting five people made first-time decisions to commit their lives to Christ.

Livingstone House

One of the highlights of recent months has to be my visit to Livingstone House in the heart of Birmingham.

Sally Livingstone (pictured here) was a victim of horrific abuse from her earliest years and later became an addict before committing her life to Christ at one of our Elim Churches.

Totally transformed, she discarded the victim mentality and, through a series of miracles which will be the subject of a major article in Direction, set up a centre to help others who have been subject to addictive life-styles.

Sally, and most of the guys in the centre, attend Elim churches in the area but most especially Kings Heath pastored by Colin Dyson who gives spiritual input into Livingston House on a weekly basis as well as being involved in a management capacity.

I cannot speak highly enough of the work that Sally is doing at great personal and sacrificial cost to her and her family. If any organisation is worthy of financial support from our churches, Livingstone House is.

The key people there are of course the men themselves and it was amazing to sit in on their meetings and listen to testimony after testimony of transformed lives told in the context of humility and the vulnerability that comes with honest encounter with struggle. I confess to being proud of these men and everything that they are achieving.