Cynon Vally Church

One of the greatest parts of my role is spending time with  emerging young Elim leaders and on this occasion Marilyn and I really enjoyed being with Luke and Sam Goodway of Cynon Valley Church in Mountain Ash, South Wales

Its always good to be in Welsh churches and you can always be sure of a great welcome there.

Ignite, Lincoln

There may be some people who do not like the words 'Chav Church' but those who attend this exciting new church plant in Lincoln are not among them.

Darren and Laura Edwards (pictured here with their children Liam and Sophie) commenced the church over a year ago and the initiative came to wider prominence at the publication of Darren's book on the subject and a very support two-page spread in the Sun newspaper who, last Christmas, asked him to write a Christmas message to their millions of readers.

As I have no Sundays free for over a year I visited the church on a Monday evening and spent time with the people.  It was great to witness those present eagerly engaging with the scriptures and sharing their life experiences.  Darren and Laura are a living testimony in their lifestyle as well as their public ministry to their passion to reach the culture of which they are part and which they love.  Spending time with leaders such as these makes me increasingly proud of the young men and women who are reaching people for Christ through our Movement.

Oasis, Treorchy

It was great to be with Jeff and Susan Evans and the congregation at the Oasis, - the Elim church in Treorchy, South Wales.  Jeff and Sue commenced their ministry in our sister Fellowship (Assemblies of God) but have pastored within the Elim Movement for the past 25 years.

The church appeared to have grown since my last visit especially among those in their Twenties.  It was a joy to spend the day with Jeff and Sue and the church there. 

Marilyn grew up in the Rhonnda valley in the small village of Ynyshir.  I went to my first church as pastor in Llantrisant  so it was very much a case of both of us returning to our roots.    

Destiny leadership conference

Apart from my ministry within Elim, I often have the privilege of speaking to Denominations and networks outside of our Movement.  One such example was when being the keynote speaker at the international leaders day in Glasgow for the Destiny network of churches.  This groups has congregations in the UK and in Europe and was founded, and continues to be led, by Andrew and Sue Owen.  It was an absolute joy to be with them and their leaders

Oldham, Elim Fountain of Hope

There are not many churches when I can say that the last time I was there was sixty years ago - but I could do on this occasion as, when I was a very small boy, my father was the pastor at Elim, Oldham all those years ago

Today it is ably led by Willie and Daphline Achumba (pictured) and the special purpose of my visit was to speak at the name change from "Elim Foursquare Church" to "Elim Fountain of Hope".

Apart from enjoying my time with the church I also had opportunity to spend time with the leaders over the lunch. The youth leader is Ugandan International Basketball star Robert Muburu (pictured)

Crawley

It was good to be with our friends Phil and Elaine Johnston at Crawley Elim.  This was the first time Marilyn and I had seen their new building.

The church was very full for the morning service which overflowed into the gallery.  There was a great sense of the presence of God in the service.

Phil and Elaine have always brought added value to every church that they have led and Crawley is certainly no exception.

S4G Connect

Tim Alford who leads Serious4God has done a tremendous job in the short time since he took up the new role.  S4G Connect is a conference that draws on youth leaders from across our Movement and which is held annually in Malvern.

The speakers are drawn from people across the UK who, in one way or another, excel in youth ministry and this year, with attendance up 25% on last year, was no exception

The reason that I had been invited to speak, apart from being the GS, was to address the subject "Knowing what I know now, what would I do differently today than when I was a youth pastor.  

I very much enjoyed engaging with a great group of young leaders from throughout our Elim churches.

UCB Leaders Day

Over recent years I have made many good friends in the cross Denominational world beyond the borders of our own Movement and non better than David L'Herroux the Managing Director of United Christian Broadcasters.

UCB producers the highest quality TV and Radio Broadcasts and is responsible for the publishing of the daily reading booklet 'Word for Today'.

Apart from this wide ministry it also holds leaders day that attracts people from all over the Denominational spectrum and from all over the UK.  It was my privilege to speak at one of these important days led by UCB church coordinator Bill Partington.  The venue was packed for the event and it was a pleasure to spend quality time with quality people.

Brighton

The church in Brighton has not gone through the easiest of times in the past couple of years.  The situation has been reversed however through the leadership of Christy Smith (pictured here with his wife Lynda) and the members of the church.

As so often is the case, its always a pleasure to meet people who have been in the church for a generation or more (one lovely couple having attended Brighton Elim for seventy years) as well as those who have recently become part of the congregation.

An excellent Praise band led the worship.

Camborne

At one of the southernmost tips of the UK, our church in Camborne lies in the beautiful area of Cornwall.

It was great to be with senior pastors David and Liz Smyth who we have known since I was their pastor over thirty years ago.

We felt very much 'at home' in the church on the Sunday morning we were there.  There is a great sense of community and family about the congregation and the worship, led by Christian Ponsford was exceptional.

Dave Smyth is one of our Movements entrepreneurs and, because of his heart for the marginalised, those with learning difficulties and disabilities, has set up a program of care within the town that not only reach many hundreds of people every week but has a turnover of almost a million pounds annually.  It was a joy for Marilyn and I to be with them.

Ealing Christian Centre

By any standards ECC is an exceptional church. Marilyn and I were present to speak at the Watchnight service as the church and the Movement moved from 2014 into our centenary.

One thousand people were in the congregation that commenced at 8:30 pm and concluded at 4 pm the following morning.  Most of us would find a 7.5 hour service daunting but not the members of ECC who do this not just annually but every month of the year.

Apart from my ministry the meeting was packed with worship, intercession, musical ministry and powerful testimonies of the year that had gone past and which included the story of a remarkable creative miracle of which their was full medical documented evidence.  

Two days later I was able to spend time with the senior ministers, Richard and Rajindark Buxton (pictured) and all of the leaders in one of their monthly leaders meeting

Victory Church, Cwmbran

Victory church Cwmbran was in the news in the early part of this year as it was the centre of the what was being termed the 'Welsh Outpouring'.

 In recent months however it entered a very challenging period.  However, through the commitment of Clyde and Rebekah Thomas,(pictured) and the excellent team around them, everything is now back on track

There was a great atmosphere in the Sunday morning service at which I spoke and it is evident that they have now entered a new season.  Following the service I enjoyed lunch with the full leadership team and their spouses - a memorable and enjoyable day.

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.