A month's a long time in ministry

It's almost a month since I have posted anything. And a lot has changed! I'm now living in Scotland and pastoring Glasgow Elim.

The transition has been fairly smooth. We have been made to feel very welcome by the people of Glasgow Elim. It feels as though we have been there for a lot longer than three weeks! I am surprised at how "at home" we feel already.

Glasgow Elim has a very different profile to Elim Church Crawley. It is a church that is well known nationally and internationally and has hosted some very well known Christian leaders; we've just finished a week of ministry with John and Carol Arnott and Sharon Stone. And then I'm preaching next Sunday. No pressure, just privilege.

The children are getting used to new schools. God has been very gracious in the way in which he has made a way for them.

I don't often share personal stuff on this blog, but I think I should share this.

We were a little apprehensive about Jonny moving to a new secondary school - and he was too.

We encouraged him to see it as an opportunity to prove God. I felt that God was speaking to us through the story of Jehoash visiting the dying Elisha. It's that story about him striking the ground with the arrows three times, when he should have struck it six times (2 Kings 13.14-18). Anyway, he got three victories over Aram and was publicly successful. However, he could have had so much more (2 Kings 13.25). I encouraged Jonny to believe God for real success and favour at his new school instead of just hoping to make it through. And he has risen to the challenge and is finding that the Lord is really helping him.

Thanks for all your prayers - but do keep praying!

Two great churches. One great cause.

Most of my readers will know by now that my family and I are moving from Crawley to Glasgow in the autumn.

The last few weeks have been taken up with discussion, prayer and planning the move northwards.

We are very excited about the door that God has opened for us in Glasgow and have felt very welcomed by the church and its leaders. It's an incredible church with a great heritage stretching back to the early days of the Pentecostal movement.

It wasn't an easy decision to leave Crawley. Our lives have been so enriched by the people of Elim Church Crawley. We have had eleven and a half wonderful years serving this church and seeing God do so many new and exciting things. We'll never forget the Crawley years and hope that our friendships forged there will continue throughout our lives. Thanks to all you Crawley guys who have been so supportive of our decision.

So it's all change. New location, but same objectives: to reach people with the Good News and help them to become wholehearted followers of Jesus.

Glasgow Elim Church. Elim Church Crawley. Two great churches. One great cause.