New Year Hopes

David Cameron & Nick Clegg are starting the year with a re-affirmation of their coalition commitments. Reminding everyone of their plans and ideas is a good idea, as most of us are forgetful and grow cynical. Time will tell whether it is more than cosmetic. 

For St. Andrew's, this year is the Silver Jubilee of the opening of our building. We will be re-visiting the history of how Goldsworth Park, and our church building, developed. 

But our main target is to reach more people effectively, so that we see lives and communities transformed, as people encounter the reality of Jesus in their own experience. 

St. Paul, writing to his friends in Thessalonica, reminds them of how their lives were changed. 'When we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true.' (1 Thessalonians 1.5) 

Following Paul's visit to their city, a number of people accepted Paul's preaching, and became Christians. This led to their being persecuted, but the transformation in their lives was obvious far and wide. So Paul reminds them of how their changed lives had an impact throughout the area. 'And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Macedonia and Achaia, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God. We don’t need to tell them about it, for they keep talking about the wonderful welcome you gave us and how you turned away from idols to serve the living and true God.' (1 Thessalonians 1.8-9)

Can you imagine this sort of thing happening on Goldsworth Park? 

My prayer is that this will happen because of the ministry and outreach of our church, and that many people will be amazed and astonished at the ways in which God brings hope and life to local people, as they learn to trust Jesus for themselves. Please join me in this dream.

Best wishes,

Richard