Our blog has moved!

Our blog has moved to its new home within our website.

Please follow the link below to move to find it on Christchurch Christian Centre's new website...

http://www.christchurchchristiancentre.org/blog/

Thank you for following!

Poem 'Why do I share?'

Why do I share?

Do I really care?

About my fellow man

In a way that God is pleased with me

And according to His plan

Is my heart yet burdened?

About the world that’s all around

I know I’m far from perfect

Though in Jesus I am found

Is my heart full of yearning?

Do I seek to do God’s will?

To see many people born again

Does my duty linger still?

If I do not seek a real heart

For the spiritually lost and blind

Will more people miss God’s heaven

And that bad place likely find

Do I truly have God’s wisdom?

Do I fall at Jesus feet?

Do I yet still have a heart of stone?

When I know that I’m complete

Is it just to escape God’s judgement?

That I want to share Gods plan

Or is it the whole experience

That they might understand

For just as I was born again

With a life all fresh and new

Surely it’s appropriate

That the lost should be born too

Do I really believe that darkness

Is dispelled by Jesus light?

Am I really going to use my knees?

And join into this fight

Do I really seek God’s spirit?

To help many others see

Or am I just content to know

That I am born and free?

It seems I’ve come a long way

Over 30 years or more

And the world seems more resentful

Against what you came here for

It wouldn’t be correct or right

To try this on my own

When I think about Gods holiness

Jesus gloriously enthroned

Oh Jesus Holy Spirit

Please cause my heart to see

Lead me, lead me, lead me

That others can be freed

How many souls before me

Have called out to this plight

Because we, when we become God’s children

Have become all clean and right

Yes, yes, yes

Again I want to say

I cannot do this on my own

In my life you shall have your say

In my life you shall have your say.

Amen and Amen

---

Written for the morning service on Sunday 5^th September 2013 to the Glory of God to encourage myself and to encourage others to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ all the more.

Written by David Samways © Copyright 2013

A member of Christchurch Christian Centre - www.christchurchchristiancentre.org

Our testimony of God's material & financial provision in growth

Faith in times of expansion

Christchurch Elim Church, Millhams Street, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 1DN

www.christchurchchristiancentre.org

 To God alone be all the glory

In 1937, following an evangelistic campaign held by a lady evangelist, Christchurch Elim Church was planted. The congregation met in a hired upper room in Millhams Street Christchurch (we do not now know the location of that room) until 1939, when just before the beginning of world war two, in faith, a gospel hall was built in Jumpers Road, Christchurch. The land cost £100 and hall cost £217 and was built by a Mr. Leat of Bransgore. The work was completed in November 1939.

The new gospel hall was small and could only seat about 60 people comfortably. In 1984 a new porch was added to the building, which cost about £4,000.  Research was undertaken, plans were drawn up and consents were obtained from the authorities for the building of the porch and the Church began to pray.  Little by little the money began to come in starting with a gift of 50p from one of the children who wanted to give to the project from her pocket money. The porch was built without borrowing any money.

In 1991 the congregation began to grow and by 1993 the church needed some extra room. By faith, plans were drawn up to extend the building at a cost of about £40,000.  The Church prayed and the money came in just in time to meet the bills. With the addition of the new extension in 1994, the building could now hold up to about 120 people.

For many years the church had been praying for new premises with better facilities as the children were meeting for Sunday school in the kitchen and in the small back room and there was no more room to build on that site.

It is important to this account that an incident is mentioned that occurred some years before the need for a new building became plain. What happened was this. Several years before the congregation began to grow, the Pastor had been walking along Millhams Street in the town centre. Situated in Millhams Street was the second largest church building in the town with a clock tower and large facilities, including a separate hall and numerous rooms suitable for Sunday School and other activities. The building was in a very poor state of repair with missing slates, broken windows, seriously eroded stonework and many other visible signs of a lack of care.  As the Pastor walked past that building, he asked God, “Why is this church in such a state?” Immediately the question was asked, God answered by giving a very clear and precise thought to the pastor. The thought was silent but as clear as if spoken out loud, “Because the life has gone out of it!”  In an instant, the Pastor responded, “Then put the life back in it”. 

Little did He know how that prayer would be answered.

By the time the extension to the building in Jumpers Road was completed, it became clear bigger facilities were needed if the church was to continue to move forward.

On land adjacent to the church there was an old factory building which came onto the market. After prayer, the pastor enquired wanting to make an offer but the property had just been sold. God had different plans.

It was subsequently learned that the believers who met in the URC building in Millhams Street were considering leaving the building as so much work was needed to restore the property to a useable standard. The building was and is a grade II listed building. 

On hearing about this probability, the pastor of the Elim Church contacted the URC church officials and offered to purchase the building for £1.

After an inspection by the Elim Church Leadership and discussion with the URC leadership, the URC decided not to sell the property. On hearing that news, the Elim pastor went home and with his wife prayed a simple prayer, “Lord give us the building and fill it.” Later, and without any prompting by Elim, the URC contacted Elim and agreed that the Elim Church could take over the building for only £1.00.

It was decided by Elim to go ahead, believing it was God’s will for them to do so despite the fact that there was an enormous amount of work to be undertaken. At that time, Christchurch Elim had less than £4000 in the building fund.  The church buildings in Millhams Street were to be transferred without the kitchen and toilets as they were sited on a piece of land that was to be sold separately by the URC to a developer who planned to build houses on the land. Despite this, Elim went ahead fully persuaded that it was God’s plan for them to do so.

On the surface £1.00 seems very little, but the amount of money required to fix the building was estimated at over £250,000. Subsequent to moving in, a quantity surveyor assessed the cost of restoration at £750000.

The Elim Church congregation took possession of the building on the 13^th of November 1998, moving from the small building in Jumpers Road, to the new building with all of its problems but with space for growth and all the potential of the larger facilities.

The old building was subsequently sold for £65,000 and net sale proceeds of about £63,000, together with the building fund of £3,673 was everything that the congregation had towards the restoration project.  

The roof was leaking badly in many places and for some time there were even buckets spread around the building catching the drips of water during services on rainy days.  It was so bad that the electrics were being compromised by the water ingress during the services.  A quite extensive (though not complete) list of works can be found on the website showing the extent of what was required.

Do take a Look at this list on our site - http://www.christchurchchristiancentre.org/restoration2.html

Although the estimated costs were so high, the Church relied 100% on God supplying the money for the restoration and they determined not to borrow or go into debt. Although there was one time cash flow seemed likely to be inadequate, in the event there was sufficient in hand to cover all needs as they arose. Prayer continued as the project proceeded and God not only sent in money little by little but He also sent some new church members along who had the skills needed for particular parts of the restoration work. In particular, the church prayed for a builder to join. That prayer was wonderfully answered and God sent a skillful builder (who had trained as an engineer) and other able tradesmen to help.

We cannot say that the numbers attending are very high but finance has still come in.  This is more clear evidence that God is the God of the impossible. The first part of the request, “Lord give us the building,” was answered. The second part will be answered too, “And fill it.”

More than fourteen and a half years on and the building project is ongoing, however it is nearly completed.  There has not been much financial support from outside the church and almost all of the £400,000 plus that has been spent thus far, has come from two main sources:- the generous giving of the church members and the income from a 3 hour coffee morning held each Monday morning in the church hall.

God taught this little church to exercise faith, starting with a £4,000 porch and then a £40,000 extension to the original building and now the current project. God has worked in response to faith and obedience.  At times work was started when insufficient funds were available but acting in faith led to these steps being taken and the bills were always paid, although on several occasions the finance came in at the very last minute.

The amazing testimony is that all of the money required for this restoration project has come in on top of the general income required to run the church, pay the bills, employ a full time Pastor, reach out to our community with the love of Christ and to continue support for international missions each month.

Some people told the Pastor that he was crazy taking on such a project.  Some told Him that it could not be done and that they would fail.  However, obedience and faith in The God of the impossible are ingredients for success.

It could be said that it all started with the prayer, “Then put the life back in it,” but we believe in God’s purposes and doubtless, what we see Him doing now is what He has always intended. 

We have continued in prayer, often quoting part of the Lord’s Prayer but always looking to God who alone will see His will fulfilled. We pray, “Lord give us our daily bread, build Your Church and bring in what is needed to restore this facility”. We continue in prayer, “Lord build Your Church, fill this Church and save this town.

To God alone be all the Glory and Honour.

Hebrews 11:1 NKJV

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Main Meeting Area - Project Update

2013 Restoration & modernisation of main meeting area

In January of this year work began on a significant and necessary modernisation project to our main sanctuary. With access restricted by the fixed layout and signs of severe deterioration to the supporting floor joists 2013 has become the year we finally tackled this essential work.

This project has been divided into three phases and below are some photo's of the work so far.

Phases 1 & 2

Removal of the side seating areas and sub-floor to enable essential repairs

Significant deterioration was found to all floor timbers and almost all had to be replaced on both sides including the wall plates

 
New wall plates and treated timbers in place ready for the flooring to go back down

 

 

With necessary timbers replaced and repairs to the walls and flooring now complete on both sides, it was time to move onto phase three.

Phase Three

Removal of the central seating areas to enable essential repairs, installation of a new heating system and leveling of aisles to provide a safer and more functional space.

 

 

We were very pleased to discover that the condition of the timbers beneath the central seating area was not as bad as the sides although some repairs were necessary.

The heating engineer is onsite this week working on the new system and work has also begun on leveling the floor.

We are thankful to God for His provision of finance for this project which has allowed us to make a good start.  Please contact us if you are interested in making a donation towards this project which we believe will be of great benefit to the church and community for many years to come.

We hope this work will all be completed by the end of September.

We will post another update soon to show how things are progressing.

Our Sunday services are temporarily being held in the rear hall for the duration of this final stage.

Stone capitals

Our stone mason Mark Lillywhite has been hard at work and sent us these photos: check out these beautiful stone capitals! We can't wait for them to be fitted!

S'nice today

Sun shining, birds singing. Via my study window, I am enjoying a warm breeze today - where has the rain gone?

Tomorrow we have a wedding at Millhams Street. Hope the weather stays fine.

Drawing Board

Sorry folks, it has gone.

Whatever the weather...

Bridges is our Thursday morning event which runs each week especially for people who are on their own to pop in for a coffee and chat. This week the team were on hand again to welcome people and, despite freezing weather with a temperature of -0.5 C, Heather was outside in the town with her board encouraging folks to come in for a warm up. Heather, you are a star!

All are welcome to pop in any Thursday morning between 10.00 and 11.30 a.m. - we would love to see you.

Stonework and gardening

This week our stone mason Mark Lillywhite has been on site fitting some of the stones to the west-facing tower window. These include some really beautiful carved capitals. Pat and Dudley have also been hard at work clearing undergrowth in the garden. It's looking great!

Life after death?

Tomorrow is Good Friday. It's a day on which Christians remember the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross where He carried our sins away. We will have a service in the morning at Millhams Street, to breakbread and worship the Sovereign Lord of heaven and earth.

Jesus died for us. The righteous for the unrighteous. In our place, He died to bear our sin as our subsititue, enduring the wrath of God that we might be forgiven and reconciled to God. All who call on the Lord will be saved.

They laid His body in a new tomb carved in the rock and a large stone was rolled over the mouth of the grave. A guard was posted. The disciples mourned.

On the first day of the week, Mary found the tomb empty and was told by an angel that Jesus was risen. He was not dead but alive. Death could not hold him.

Before His crucifixion, Jesus had made it plain that He had authority to lay down His life and take it again. He had done as He said. God raised Jesus from the dead.

Life after death? Believe it, for resurrection is only for those who belive in the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour. He ever lives. Death has been defeated.

If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Saviour, decide today to turn from your sin and ask God today for forgiveness and new life. God bless you as you decide to follow Jesus.

Let me know of your decision and if you would like, I will email you some information to assist you with the next steps in your Christian life.

Cleansing - turning - changing

After Jesus rode into Jerusalem to the acclamation of the crowd, He went to the Temple and observed what was going on. Being evening He went to Bethany and stayed there overnight.

According to Mark's account, the next day He returned to the Temple and, "Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts." Mark 11:15-16.

Radical. The following day He was challenged by the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders who demanded that He disclose His authority for such actions. The answer Jesus gave was completely unassailable. You can read it in Mark 11:29-30.

The Temple was cleansed of ungodly commerce; the tables were turned upside down and the money changers were left scrambling to gather up their coins. Jesus had authority to do what He did but it is possible that Malachi gives us similar authority to sort out worship. What do you think? Look at Malachi 1:10.

It may be we are shocked to see that worship of Almighty God had reached such a low point in the centre of things, right there in the Temple in Jerusalem, that worship was nothing more than a money making pursuit for many.

Maybe we can see some parallels though. Perhaps our worship could do with being cleansed or turned upside down and changed. God is looking for those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. Sometimes we become a little too familiar with the sacred. May God the Holy Spirit be pleased to visit us afresh and keep our worship pleasing to Him.

Meltdown

We have to agree that the events in Japan are terrible for them. We have prayed for their help and will continue to do so. Elim Relief Association has made an appeal for financial gifts to go to relieve the suffering. Anything given will be used wisely and I know Elim has a policy of making sure gifts are only administered by trusted partners, so we are confident those in need will receive what is given.

If you want to give, you can contact Elim HQ via the link on our website.

It is little consolation to acknowledge that tragic events have occured throughout history. Today's crushing calamity demands present relief.

It is a fact of our being that we do not know what a day will bring. There are some things so hard to understand that questions may arise as to why a God of love allows such to take place. However, we learn from those who have gone before and we are encouraged by the words of Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (NIV)

The challenge the Japanese people face is daunting and we pray much help will soon be on hand from as many as possible. Some have already gone to help from the UK and other nations are providing assistance too. There is so much that needs to be done.

In the midst of all that we see occuring, there are some things we can bear in mind. God has promised not leave us or forsake us. In it all He is there. He has shown Himself as the God of love, sending His Son Jesus to die on the Cross to bear our sin away. The gift of eternal life is ours through Jesus Christ and we can call on Him today and be saved.

The sudden way unexpected events can overtake anyone, gives us cause to consider our ways. Jesus will return. We do not know the day or the hour. It will be sudden. May we be ready for He has called us to watch and pray.

Speaking of eternal life, the letter to the Romans tells us plainly, Rom 10:12-13
12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile-- the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,
13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (NIV)

Progress; good, bad or ugly?

Quite early this morning some of us met together in the church hall. It is looking spick and span as Dudley has been busy with the paint. Old dowdy brown has been obliterated by fresh, bright, creamish something or other. I have no idea what grand title the colour chart has ascribed to the paint used.

It is always good to see progress in the restoration we have undertaken. In fact and more broadly, I think it is always good to see progress associated with something that is intrinsically wholesome. The problems arise when that which is bad makes progress.

The progressing decline in moral standards in our society is a case in point. It's just so obvious when we compare Bible standards of holiness with present trends. "Bad," is making progress. It is marching throughout the land.

The good news is that God loves us and sent His Son Jesus to die on the Cross for us. The good for the bad. Our sin can be forgiven because of Jesus and we can be saved. Eternal life is God's gift to us and we need not perish.

The message we bring includes the challenge to repent, as well as to believe. The call is to turn from sin. Turn from the "bad." Halt its progress and live right. Progress the good.

I love to see the way lives change when God is at work. He heals the broken and restores the lost. Transition from bad to good is possible with God. We do not lose heart.
Col 1:9-14
9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully
12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.
13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,
14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (NIV)

You probably know heaven and earth will pass away. Nothing we can do will stop that. God has ordained a new heaven and a new earth. Sin and mankind's pursuit of sinful ways have spoiled this present earth. It is doomed.

There are some things that will never fade or disappear. Look a these and get on board if you have not yet done so:

1. Jesus said, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." Luke 21:33 (NIV) - find out what He said - it's all in the Bible
2. Jesus said, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."John 6:51
(NIV) - evelasting life through Jesus Christ
3. Jesus asked the Father and He has sent the Holy Spirit to be with us forever, "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever" John 14:16 (NIV)
4. Compete for an eternal crown - start now - "Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." 1 Cor 9:25 (NIV) (You are very welcome to come and see us on Sunday if you want to know more)
5. We are going to be with Jesus forever when He returns for us - "After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever." 1Thes 4:17 (NIV)

I have a friend who says, "forever is a very long time." You just know what he means even if the philosophers would have a field day with such a comment.

Our work day went well and much was achieved. Work included clearing overgrown shrubbery. The waste was to be burnt. An attempt was made even though the wood was green but oh the smoke.

A well meaning soul thought the church was on fire and rang the ......... you guessed it.

The garden area looks better now and we, with smoky faces and hardly unchecked smiles, solemnly promised not to burn without notifying the control centre next time.

It was amazing though. A quick response; a concerned local; new faces at church! You will understand where I am going with this by now.

Jesus baptises us with the Holy Spirit and fire. Don't let's allow the fire to go out. We want God to draw people to the Son. I reckon He wants us to be filled with the Holy Spirit and the fire He brings.

Have a great day.

We had a good time together last evening in one small group - 14 of us discussed, "When is a person?" You just can't get away from Psalm 139.

Ps 139:11-17
11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,"
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
(NIV)

Have a great day.

Turning the world upside down

Some of the early followers of Jesus were accused of turning the world upside down. What they were doing was calling people to turn from their wicked ways and follow Jesus.

When that happens with any kind of large numbers, things change in a locality, town, or nation.

The Welsh revival is a case in point. So many became followers of Jesus that pubs emptied, crime stopped and the courts had very little to do.

Well before the Welsh Revival, the Wesleys had preached and God brought many to faith in Him. Some attribute the fact that the French Revoluton never crossed the channel, to this pohenomenon.

Back to the early believers who were accused. In fact they were turning things the right way up. It's right that there is no crime. It's right that there is no drunkenness, it's right that families thrive and stay together, it's right that we are kind to one another, that we love mercy and justice, that people turn to the living God.

Christians are called to be salt and light, to love their enemies and to pray for those who curse them. This sort of behaviour and character turns things up the right way. Of course, doing the right thing will upset many who walk in the dark but doing the right thing brings light.

Let's make sure we are guilty of doing the right thing even if we are accused of turning the world upside down.

Jesus is radical. Have a look at the New Testament. On the Cross, He laid down His life for His enemies that we could be forgiven. He rose from death and is alive. That turns things on its head and challeneges what man clasifies as, "the right way up."

What puts you off?

Why do some of us delay or fail to get on with things? One thing that seems to act as a deterrent for some people, is the idea that until they are, "a better person," or "more knowledgeable or practiced," they will not act. Sometimes we think our input or help would not be good enough.

The same sort of thought patterns can stop or delay us from responding to God. He calls us to turn to Him, or to undertake some particular work for Him, but because we feel inadequate or not good enough, we don't respond.

When Jesus called His disciples, He called them just as they were and just where they were. He did not advise them to get ready first; improve their behaviour; become a better person; be good, etc. He simply said, "Follow me."

Zacchaeus was up a tree - "Come down." He did. Peter, James and John were by the sea mending nets. "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men." They did at once. Matthew was sitting collecting taxes, "Follow me." Immediately he did.

Today God calls all of us everywhere to follow Him. Acts 17 says:-
Acts 17:28-31
28 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'
29 "Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone-- an image made by man's design and skill.
30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.
31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead." (NIV)

It's time. Just as you are, where you are. Today decide to follow Jesus Christ and turn your life over to Him.

I read this prayer and it might be what you need to pray:-

A prayer:

Heavenly Father, I admit I have sinned against you. I know I can only be in perfect harmony with you by trusting Jesus Christ to be my Lord and Saviour. I now choose to turn from my sin and accept Jesus. Please forgive me and give me the gift of eternal life. Help me to follow Jesus from today. Amen.

Don't wait any longer.