2008 AGM report

2008 Annual Report of

Elim Pentecostal Church

PASTORS REPORT 2008 How fast a year passes in the Kingdom of God, this is my fourth annual report to you of our earnest endeavours here in Caldicot, if we gained marks for busyness we would be a leading contender for church of the year by anyone’s standard as you will see as you read  on through. However busyness has never been the criteria in the Kingdom of light. Faithfulness has always been the standard expected. I trust that you will judge us to have been faithful as we make our reports available to you.

The 60 Anniversary Celebrations  

A week end dedicated to honour the witness and testimony of the Fellowship. The highlight for me was the meeting of old and new friends that gathered to celebrate. A photographic exhibition was available, Lionel Cox our elder and lifelong servant of the Church had written a history of the people, premises’ and testimony of the Church. (see appendix 1) Presentation certificates were given to Lionel Rose Powell and Margaret Williams in appreciation of their ongoing commitment and availability to the Fellowship. For our celebration service we invited the South African born revivalist Salomé Hunt to speak what a power filled evening that was. As the hungry and thirsty for the Kingdom of righteousness, came with an expectancy to be touched by the Power of the Holy Spirit.

Christmas in Caldicot

 One of the traditions we have in Caldicot is the switching on of the lights in the town precinct, which is always great fun and an opportunity to introduce the Christ of Christmas. This year we added Carols at the Castle to the town diary. What a great evening, very cold of course so we were all well wrapped up. Few will forget the candlelight procession from the church through to the Castle, what a great experience to start a new Caldicot tradition. The Bishop graced us with his presence and delivered a short message, about the God of heaven who came down and dwelt among us, it is estimated that about 300 attended to sing and rejoice, enjoying the minced pies and mulled wine. Programme items included contributions from the Methodist choir, the St Mary’s hand bell ringers, several local readers and a guest appearance of ‘Diggy the donkey, as well as  The Severn Tunnel Band, the event was closed by Dorothy Harries(who became a grandmother about 4 hours later) leading us with her guitar. DVD’s of this great event are still available.  

LIFE Exhibition For most of us the event of the year has to  be the Life Exhibition. Designed and provided  by ’Counties‘ the evangelistic association. The Churches of Caldicot had come together to organise this great week. One paragraph will not do justice, over 1000 visitors to the exhibition in excess of 800 being children from the local schools. Ross Gough had organised the schedule supported by the heads of every local school. Marie the Methodist minister had led us as a team from all the churches, what a joy to be working together. Prayer meetings at the Rectory, regular sessions Sunday afternoons for briefing and co ordination and what a great hospitality team  the nerve centre of the week that run the exhibition café, over 60  volunteers from all our local churches. And the joyful enthusiasm of the children who with the aid of modern multi media technology discovered more about the life of Jesus, His words, and works climaxing with a powerful presentation of His death and resurrection. In the café zone discussion forums  made the visit even more personal. In 2010 Counties will visit again with GSUS a high tech mobile classroom

Easter Week Again a week marked by unity amongst the churches as we shared together during this great week. Never will I forget the exhilaration of the Resurrection morn at Rogiet as we gathered together. Our traditional Good Friday gathering around the Cross drew the largest crowds seen in recent years. Such a joy to share Fellowship each evening in a different tradition, celebrating Jesus.

 Gwieni and local Councils Following our anniversary event Jim Stewart, who formerly attended of the church here in Caldicot, now working for Evangelical Alliance as a lobbyist at the Welsh Assembly, as well as being a council member for Gweini, introduced us to Tony Ford the man charged with increasing the influence of Gweini ( A co-ordinating group of Voluntary Christian workers). Tony came and encouraged us to consider the formation of a group in Monmouthshire.  http://www.gweini.org.uk/ I believe that this has all the potential to move us forward together in our common unity (community).I have attended Caldicot town council meetings,  Severnside forum meetings and will continue to explore opportunities to express our common interests, 'the well being of the people where we live'. gweini gives a well proven opportunity of influence and significance, providing access to  well funded and economically proven programs that are changing communities for good.

 St. David’s Day

  We were given an opportunity to insert something of church tradition into the days celebrations at the Castle. It proved impossible to arrange an eisteddfod type of event, so some creative thinking was called for, being informed by Maree Farimond that John and Charles Wesley had visited Caldicot, I visited the new Rooms in Bristol to do some research, as a result of which arrangements were made for Mark Topping an actor who re enacts Wesley’s preaching to come to the Castle and preach, the event also featured the Methodist church choir singing Wesley hymns, It was at this event I met the team from www.mon-tv.com who invited me to become involved in ‘The God slot’ of their new internet channel (more about this in Dorothy’s report).Mark through the message ‘lay up treasures in heaven’ challenged all who listened.

Schools We have again had the opportunity to take assemblies in every school in the area. To share Bible stories and see the reactions as children discover that Jesus is living exciting and real in my life and can be in theirs as well. To meet some of them in the town and be greeted cheerfully by them is always an encouragement. Continue to pray for the ongoing privilege to be entrusted with such a great task.

Hope 08 

A nationwide initiative of help and evangelism, with the task of introducing a million hours of kindness, In the name of Jesus. We made the Elim tent available to promote the event which will be hosted in August by the Baptist Church. During the month of May we had the tent in the Country Park for a week of Mission. We are so grateful to the elim @bristol city church for their most generous support during this week. Numbers in attendance were disappointing compared with those of last year. Speakers and programs were much appreciated 2 evenings hosted by the Bristol Church were followed by evening hosted by the Baptist church with evangelist Dai Hankey. A special friends evening shown on www.mon-tv.com  was followed by a special communion service led by our Anglican friends, what a climax as the bubble machine!!! was fired up.

Bristol  

We have been exploring ways in which our working relationship with e@b  could grow stronger, it is very obvious to everybody that our greatest weakness in the Caldicot Church is a lack of available creative workers to grow  local church. It is here that Bristol folk could help us, by looking for practical ways in which we might release such potential has become our ongoing conversation. As part of that conversation I have made myself available to the Bristol Church as their Director of Community Development (Pastoral Care). This as well as adding a huge new load on me has put an extra call on Dorothy Harries who has stepped forward to take responsibility for our Sunday morning communion services until such time as this conversation with Bristol has revealed a clear way forward, as we reach towards fruitful expansion of the work here in Caldicot. Why give away when we have needs ourselves? I hear you ask, my answer is simple, as we sow so shall we reap. As we ‘sow’ into the ‘fields’ of Bristol, we have an expectancy the God will send workers to us

That’s where we are now, a great year behind us a challenging changing year ahead. I close by thanking all that have made this past year an exciting adventure and praying that we might know the Lords provision and guidance as we step out into fresh opportunities with and for Him. Lets work together to become a bridge into his presence, purpose power and peace.

Pastor Jim  (PJ)

MON-TV

How exciting that we have been given the opportunity to play a significant part in the development of a brand new ministry with the recently launched internet TV station based here in Monmouthshire. I am involved as production assistant, alongside Pastor Jim the regular presenter all under the watchful eye of our technical director Ken Bucknall.

We regularly have opportunity to visit people involved in Faith Based activities, to highlight their cause and portray their work via the Faith in Monmouthshire segment of www.mon-tv.com

The internet is a modern way of communication, broadcast by computer, just a click and instant access, if you receive this report electronically just click on the link above, scroll to the Faith in Monmouthshire section and enjoy.

Look out for Alison’s story as she shares her story of God delivering her from a life dependent upon drugs, a life almost destroyed by her addiction. See the change that finding Jesus has made as He turned her life around. Watch as she demonstrates how God uses her as His instrument of deliverance, bringing many to find Him for themselves. Alison and her husband Morgan are real friends of the Caldicot church and minister  the love of Jesus with great passion and power..

Other items available include a ‘Mock Wedding’ at Monmouth Comprehensive school part of the RE curriculum. A seminar looking at the environment called the Noah’s Ark project. Visit the restoration project as Gigal Chapel is being renovated. The Rainbow Café and Bookshop Chepstow has a great feature. Pastor Jims story the recent Hope 08 Tent Mission in the Castle Country park, so much choice available.

Much prayer is welcomed for this budding new work. Mon-TV is a charity based community project, of course finance is needed as well as publicity, tell your families and friends to log on. Prayer for the appropriate opportunities to highlight Faith at work in and through peoples lives. This is a great platform for which we give thanks  to all concerned not least Richard Waterstone and Carles Riba founders of Mon-TV.

Dorothy Harries.

PRAYERLINE  01291 424166 

Prayerline operates here from the church. We have an answer phone attached to pick up the calls  received to Prayerline.

Callers are greeted by a short message of welcome and re assurance guaranteeing a listening ear, if preferred anonymity as well as the promise to add our faith to theirs as we seek a break through in their circumstances and situation.

Calls vary week by week sometimes there is quite a number other weeks no calls at all. Many calls come as a result of publicity that we have received radio interviews articles in direction Magazine mentions on www.mon-tv.com all play a part in making this ministry known. The Market Stall has given opportunity to hand out leaflets in the precinct.

Why Who What How are regular questions we receive, Easy, we long to share the love of Jesus His care and compassion whenever to whoever by every means possible. We pray as a church releasing Gods healing power. Prayerline is regularly featured during Sunday evening service as well as other gathering that we have in the Church. We have some callers that ring on a regular basis, the take comfort from knowing that a wall of faith and security is surrounding them at their time of personal need.

Some folk call back with updates that are so encouraging to receive. Recently a distressed mother told how her son had been reinstated at work vindicated and promoted. A baby recently admitted to hospital in a critical condition the return call said all was now well. Lives are changed faith is renewed and Gods love is being released far beyond the walls of the church building and way beyond the size of our congregation.

Prayer is a ministry for everyone, join us tell your friends and families this service is available to all

 01291 424166  PRAYERLINE   01291 424166 

Dorothy Harries

MISSIONARY REPORT 2009

What a shock to recently receive news that John and Heather Prentice had been involved in a major road accident in India as they had taken sudden emergency action to avoid  wandering cows in the road. Praise God for his protection and deliverance.

John and Heather are the couple that we regularly pray for at our Monthly Missionary Prayer meeting, Their Indian Chronicle is read out and every point used for prayer or praise as this great couple that have gone so far to take the glorious message of Jesus.

Our Missionary giving is of course never enough,  this year through the Boxes available for home or office use we have been able to contribute £434, more boxes are available, we empty them on the last Sunday of each month. We have also contributed  £400 as a gift to the Prentice’s as well as  £250 to Nepal via Alison and Stewart Morgan.

Regular prayer updates are available through the Missions Department of Elim and are available through our Missionary Director Lionel Cox.

We have prayed regularly for Mike and Caroline Marclew and family as they have worked in far off Papua New Guinea (PNG), their tour of duty has now come to an end, they have returned to their home in Devon, let us continue to pray the Lords leading and direction as they move on in their walk and service with Him.