2007 AGM report

2007 Key Verse

Luke 1:37  For no word from God shall be void of power

PASTORS REPORT 2007

What a joy and privilege to be able to present another report to you of the wonderful works of God, again He has lavished His grace upon us and drawn us into His plans and purposes. I have been glancing through my diary just to remind me of some of the activities, events happenings of this past year, what a lot of entries how could we have attempted so much achieved such greatness of significance and relevance to so many and yet have as a congregation remained so few.

The current popular song springs to mind The splendour of the King clothed in Majesty He has invited us to come sing with him. I read something only recently ‘A songwriter had dreamt of a visit to heaven and was amazed to hear a song that he had written being sung around the throne, he turned to his angelic guide and commented that he was surprised to hear one of his songs being sung in heaven. No said the guide you were able to write because we let you hear one of ours, so you could rehearse before you arrived’.

As you read and are thrilled stimulated encouraged and excited remember we are joining Him in His programme not remembering ours which will long be forgotten, as will our trespasses shortcomings and iniquities thanks to His glorious grace.

Market Stall

You will remember my strong desire that we might be a church of significance and influence here in Caldicot, Our market stall was indeed such a place of contact prayer and fellowship, my grateful thanks to those willing helpers, wearing the elim logo braving the elements and committing so faithfully to such an important ministry. April saw changes in the Councils allocation of the stall and the emergence of the Fine new portable facility provided by the Bethany Fellowship with a great band of enthusiasts willing to be available every Tuesday. We have withdrawn in order to encourage, I do miss being there and pray that the Lord will birth within us a new venture to engage meaningfully the people of the area, our neighbours.

Songs of Praise 06

Not that we have been without significance, during the SoP last August the Lord birth within me a strong desire to facilitate a strong Christian presence in the Castle grounds, leading me to our 2007 Mission .

                         After approaching the Monmouthshire Council and the Elim evangelistic department, everything came together for us to host the ‘Meet God in the Park’ week. We were joined in every way by our brothers and sisters from the local church supported by the saints in the surrounding areas, Finance, Fellowship, workers, planners, it became a real expression of togetherness, Long will that week linger in our memories, already a booking has been made for the tent to return in 2008. For all that worked so very hard that week thank you, I really did appreciate the unstinting support of each one of you. Special mention of Alison the evangelist her very first Mission, what a blessing she is to the Church of Jesus .

School Assemblies

                        A major step forward this year has been the open invitation to minister in all of the local schools, a whole week addressing every year group in the local Comprehensive school brought access to more than 1000 students, what a glorious opportunity to share the hope that does not disappoint. This year also saw the introduction of a rota that brings all of the ministers in the town into all of the primary schools that we have. Something that reminded me of the Apostle Paul as he entered Corinth . Yes I was full of fear and trembling, how gracious God has been, we have no children at all coming to our church  yet He has brought us to all the children of the town thank you Jesus, something that staggers me every time I tremblingly walk into yet another school.

I have always taken the view that I would not put on an alpha course at the same time as a neighbouring Church, for fear of a spirit of competition invading. (this view has become more difficult to maintain as alpha now mounts a national major drive each autumn) So it was with joy that we joined the folk at the Methodist Church for their 10 week journey. It was a joy the food fellowship and discussions were outstanding.

Spiritual Journey

Our relationship with the other churches in the town continues to be of great importance to us, we have done many things with those of other traditions that have given valuable insight into the worship practices and the serenity of much that they do, nothing captured that more than the spiritual journey, written and presented by Pam Richards the Diocesan youth officer for  Monmouth, armed with our personal CD players we traced the ministry of healing, stopping often to reflect and pray. Thank you Pam.

We did join together for another great pre Christmas time of fellowship at the Golf Club again the evening was heavily subsidised, my sincere thanks to those that helped in that way. I know the evening was much appreciated especially by our honoured guests The Town Mayor and our Welsh Assembly Member, apologies were received from our Member of Parliament (her baby had only recently been born).

Holy Week

For me personally a highlight of the year was the joy of sharing this significant week with the brethren of the town. The week dramatically opened with sharing of the Passover ably hosted by our friends at Bethany, next we were around the Cross here in Elim, followed by a breakthrough evening as we gathered at the Methodist Church, thanks to the gracious invitation of Reverend Maree and her family, we collected our nails and listened to Reverend Barry English from St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church draw a picture of the cost and commitment called for in response to the Cross. Maundy Thursday we joined a vigil at St. Mary’s,

Good Friday saw us gather at St, Mary’s for a spiritual journey around the Easter Story followed by an amazing opportunity to march in procession into town carrying the Cross and gathering with the many that had come to worship Jesus, never will I forget he awesome privilege given me to lift up the Name of Jesus, be bringing the challenge of the Word to us all. For your faithfulness in support during that week is so very much appreciated, again thank you.

Use of our facilities

It is of concern to me that our great facilities are so under used, so it was joy to me to be able to extend an invitation to the Rogiet Indoor Bowls Club to use our hall whilst theirs was being refurbished, each week they gathered the car park buzzing the doors open and happy sounds, a joy for me to visit and watch. As they returned to Rogiet we were approached by the folk running Mums and Toddlers groups, seeking to promote the early learning of the Welsh language. They now meet each week during school term time on Fridays, again a joy to see the place full of life, God is so good at giving us opportunities to serve the community in which He has placed us, I pray for so many more opportunities in the coming days.

Training Opportunities

These continue to present themselves, folk still gather at my home every quarter for the Glory School, we spend the weekend together seeking to encourage each other in reaching out more effectively  in the Spirit, we have looked at Kingdom living, Prophetic speaking, ministering wholeness and at our next gathering we are looking at effective praying. A strong desire remains that we embrace in our programme a Soaking School

having attended recently with some of the folk from the fellowship a training school in Newport hosted by TACF, I am more enthusiastic than ever to see an opportunity develop amongst us for us to come apart and rest a while in Him.

Regional Training Course We have approaching 30 students now on this 18 month course designed to facilitate a start to more in depth preparation for ministry, some students go on into ‘the ministry’ others remain in their local situations with a good theological grounding enabling the to step up and out into greater things for the Kingdom.

I had not expected the call from e@b to help in their ‘Faithworks’ training programme, written and overseen by the Hillsong Church in Australia. I have loved being a part of this great work, already I have lectured on: Images of the Cross, The authority and spirit of an Overcomer, receiving very encouraging feedback from the students.

Ministry in other Places

Openings are still being afforded to take to Word out to other groups and places, Silver Lining is the group that meet in Newport for the over 60’s, what a joy to be amongst them, other groups include:

Underwood Baptist Church , the Undy Home Group (an invitation has been accepted to take all of Octobers meetings and present a study on the book of Revelations).

Newport Ladies Guild, The Bereans, Caldicot Methodist Men and Ladies groups, Elim Church Weymouth, e@b. Special mention must be made of the great support received from Reg. and Gladys, often Reg.  has ministered in song that has released the manifest presence of the Spirit of God, thank you both so very much.

Visiting Ministries:

This year we have been blessed by visits from Nicky Wilkinson,Alison Stewart, Peter Douglas, Micci Stubbs, Nerys and Navine Madhavan, Bruce Sandeman, Sandra Mason, Ron Keen. A joy to have them share among us we appreciate them all so very much,  thank you for your support in attending each time.

 FGBMFI Cardiff

On several occasions we have managed to fill a table at their gatherings, several evenings have brought a great release of the Holy Spirit. I have always been anxious to support this great ministry, not only is it a great night out for us to share a meal together but a perfect opportunity to invite friends and family to join us, remember my promise to you, every person attending for the first time attends free ( the costs will be covered), see Jacqueline for the date of the September meeting and join us please.

Conferences

Attended this year include the elim conference held in Minhead, The Kingdom Now conferences held at the City Church Bath and recently the New Wine conference held in Shepton Mallet, always a joy to join multitudes in worship and praise. Never will I forget kneeling with about 50 church leaders at the front of the church in Bath singing Holy Holy Holy, it was as if we were at the throne of heaven, how long we were  there I don’t know, it was joy unspeakable and full of glory.

Preaching of the  Word

Continues to be my passion, we have looked extensively at: Psalm 119, The Book ofActs, Our study of Romans 8 lasted many weeks as we were led into a glorious understanding of life in the Spirit.

Worship

My prayer is that we will touch Heaven through worship

The following is a quote from Jill Austin in a recent e-mail reference worship.

“During worship there is a great deal happening in the supernatural. This is when the creative presence of the Lord touches His people. Some see pictures, hear Scriptures, get words of knowledge or hear His voice. What does worship do? Worship changes the heart of man and moves the heart of God. It takes only a few seconds of a face-to-face encounter with the manifest presence of God to change the course of history for you, your city or your nation.

Worship is the way we encounter Him. It is an invitation to go beyond the boundary lines in heaven where God will whisper the secrets of His burning heart. We can hear the love songs of God's heart and sing them back to Him. “

I know that there is often conversations about worship, style, volume, length etc. Often I bow to these conversations seeking to maintain a unity of sorts, I do however always come back to my passion to touch heaven through worship, if you have a suggestion, do come talk to me. Remember corporate worship is talking to Father not just talking about Him. For those that help week by week, instruments, voices, sound, projections, what ever you do thank you, not just for your talents more especially for your faithfulness.

DVD Prayer School Suzette Hattingh

Whilst at the Elim conference, I was much impressed to purchase the materials for this prayer school using modern media facilities to bring this outstanding training right into our Church. We are well into the course now, as expected it contains a wealth of instruction suggestion and direction, already I can see changes in our prayer meetings as we become doers of the Word, for the faithful attendance and positive comments I again thank you.

Home Group Sword of the Spirit Colin Dye

Again another great training tool is being employed to lead us into a greater understanding  and maturity on our Journey together. My thanks to Lionel for continuing to host us in his home week by week, to Dorothy for sharing the teaching with me, my special thanks to those that have gathered faithfully week by week to share in an informal fun style of teaching, let me mention our star pupil, bright alert and always ready with an inspirational answer, Gladys we love and appreciate your contributions, thank you for being a part of our family. If you have never been, give us a try, if I could  only attend one meeting a week, THIS IS THE ONE that I would be at.

In conclusion, may I again thank you for your encouragement prayers contributions and support, much of the above achievements would not have been possible without you. It is true we are members in particular, but I believe of even greater significance is the truth that we are members of one another. Be encouraged as we step into a year of HOPE that will not disappoint. For the privilege of serving you, thank you.

May it be said of YOUR Pastor ‘He is a friend to all’

Pastor Jim  (PJ)