Norman & Margaret Moss from Partners in Harvest were our special guests last weekend to help us celebrate our 128th Anniversary.Norman was Senior Pastor of Queen's Road Baptist Church, Wimbledon for 31 years. Under God they were both used to bring their congregation into renewal in the 1970's. Since then the Church has grown steadily and has been widely known as a centre of Renewal. Norman & Margaret now travel widely to be with leaders and churches around the UK and overseas. Their desire is to encourage Churches and groups - regardless of size - who are hungry for more of the Holy Spirit.
On Saturday evening Norman & Margaret joined with our leadership team (pastors, elders and deacons) for dinner and they shared their experiences of fifty years in ministry - from a tiny church on the Isles of Scilly, to Wimbledon, Toronto and Partners in Harvest. Their humble attitude and openness to the leading of the Lord in their ministry was evident and is a great example to us.
On Sunday they joined in with our morning prayer time, when we were also visited by Arnie Swiegers of Oasis South Africa. During the service, Margaret shared testimonies of healing and Norman talked about the Father's love and the importance of forgiveness, forgiveness as a key to healing, Jesus as our friend and Father God loving us as much as He loves Jesus. Norman closed with a time of ministry, inviting people to come to Jesus for the first time, and also ministering to those wanting to be filled with Holy Spirit. You can hear the message in our podcasts, which you can get to from the website home page
Also during the service we took up thank-offerings and pledges towards a new building project. Members and regular attenders are encouraged to ask the Lord how much he would have you sow into this 'seed-offering'. Our target is £20,000 and the opportunity to give to this remains open - simply put your offering in an envelope marked 'New Building Project.'
After the service lots of us stayed behind to enjoy a fellowship lunch together, and there was an open Q&A time about Partners in Harvest, and what becoming a member church would mean. Thanks from everyone to those who served us in the kitchen and did such a great job of it.