Pastor's Posts - Archive

June 30th, 2010                              
The next Worship Together event will be held at The King's Church on Sunday the 11th of July at 6:30pm. Everyone is welcome. Please contact us if you need more details and would like to come along.
Today I attended the first of a series of meetings with a group of Pastors brought together in Javea by Peter & Trisha Cox. They came from Gandia in the north, and apologies from one Pastor from Albir in the south. They have one heart and one spirit and one conviction - that God will move mightily on the Costa Blanca and that we must work together in true unity, breaking denominational barriers, to see His Kingdom come in power, and soon. The words "fire" and "revival" were used not lightly. If you have the same conviction, contact Pete & Trish through me.  
Praise and Worship have always been at the forefront of the spiritual battle. Join with us on the 11th as we seek Him who has all things in hand. He calls, inspires, empowers, unites, and
works mighty miracles for His Name's sake.    
On a different note, check out our new Google Street Map view from the "to find us" button to the top left of this page. Thanks Chris for the continued effort to upgrade the web site.         

June 26th, 2010

Today we celebrated Graham & Margaret's Golden Wedding Anniversary with a Wedding Blessing here in the church building. About 32 people attended with family & friends coming over from the UK.
Tomorrow after the service we will be celebrating an outdoor baptism of Ian and Jayne Luscombe (husband and wife) on Calpe beach. Please pray for the weather and the wind of the Spirit to be favourable!
Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise Him you creatures here below, praise Him above you heavenly host, praise father Son and Holy Spirit...... well "Ghost" is a bit KJV!

June 3rd, 2010

Please pray urgently for Janet in intensive care in Benidorm Clinic .... God will lead you.

Thanks to all those who helped me celebrate my birthday on Tuesday last. It was fun.
Worship Together will be held at The King's Church this next Sunday the 6th at 6:30pm. Everyone is welcome. Please contact us if you need more details and would like to come along.
On Saturday the 26th June we are delighted to be celebrating Graham & Margaret's Golden Wedding Anniversary. Medals will be awarded accordingly!
Our trip to the UK went well except .... I have to return again in July for yet another operation. Please pray that this may be the last God willing. I'm really OK in myself .. no real symptoms ... it's all just necessary but disruptive.   God is LORD and King! 

April 27th, 2010  

Our AGM went well, and I have now circulated the Minutes and financial reports. If you haven't received a copy and consider yourselves members at The King's Church, then accept my apologies and request them from me by email. Thanks to all who attended and contributed.
Lyn and I will be in the UK from the 13th May for a couple of weeks, and Jenny will be looking after things for us here.
The spring weather is glorious now, and all thoughts of winter are behind us. But there is a "day" coming when this last winter will seem like heaven. Scripture speaks much of it. Let's keep in mind that He is coming back for His own, and the world will be in utter turmoil. Be prepared for "the day" and let's get busy preparing the bride for His return.
Stay strong and keep the faith.
April 13th, 2010                               
We will be having our AGM on the 18th April after the morning service, so please take that into consideration if you are planning to attend that day. The service will start a little earlier at 10:45am. I will circulate an Agenda well before the day.
Just a quick update today .... more another day.
Christian love and blessings to all who follow Christ, and to those who follow the King's Church events here ..... 

March 23rd, 2010                               

The next Worship Together event will be held here at Benissa on the 11th April. Everyone is welcome to join us; please spread the word.
We are in transition at the moment between winter and summer congregations so things can get a little quiet round here. The spring weather seems to have finally arrived, although the rain hasn't quite left!
We will be having our AGM on the 18th April after the morning service, so please take that into consideration if you are planning to attend that day. I will circulate an Agenda well before the day.
May you all have a very Good Friday on the 2nd! Easter Greetings to all our members, friends and associates in God's work here on the Costa Blanca and where you are.

March 2nd, 2010 

Our next Worship Together event will be at the Int. Baptist Church at Javea on March 7th at 6:30pm - whatever local fellowship you attend, why not come along and enjoy!
We attended the inaugural meeting of the Spanish Baptist church, which is two doors down the road from us last Sunday evening. It was really to dedicate the total refurbishment of their building and the installation of the new Pastor, Jorge Pastor. We were made very welcome, and God was amongst us. The choir was amazing and the building was full; let's hope and pray that many come to attend regularly.
Spring has arrived here in Spain, and blossom is everywhere. If you are not in regular fellowship at the moment, why not get among God's people that you might bless others as you blossom under His love and care? God is so good, and although we fall short of His ideal, we have His grace and forgiveness. 

February 16th, 2010

Welcome to all our visitors! 

Thanks for the Guest Book entry from Maggi. She is arranging a Women's World Day of Prayer at La Merced Church in Calpe. It's on March 5th at 3:00pm. If you would like more information please call her on 965732370.
We are still very much enjoying our Worship Together events. We are hoping to be meeting next at the Int. Baptist Church at Javea early in March. Times and dates to follow. Whatever local fellowship you attend, why not come along and enjoy!
Our new campo-rescue puppy Sheba is making her mark on our lives, and the mud in Pego is not glorious!! Dirty paw marks with everything. The rain in Spain falls mainly in Pego it seems. Note to self ... "Gravel is good, gravel is good, bare soil is bad, bare soil is bad; order ten tons of gravel soon" But the trees and gardens are loving it...

January 21st, 2010                                 

Most of you know Lyn and I are enjoying a short sabbatical in the UK. I had a minor operation in Preston Royal Hospital this morning and am already home in St. Annes at my mother's house! I'm sore and tired but received excellent treatment - thanks to all the staff, and thank all of you for your prayers and support! Praise God for His favour....... I was in hospital at 7am, taken to Theatre 7, and Ward 14!

Talking of perfect numbers.......

On the 7th of February we will continuing our Worship Together events at Benissa, with the next one on the 7th of March being scheduled for the Int. Baptist Church at Javea. Thank you John for offering to host that. We all look forward to meeting up with you all to praise God together, and continue a healthy dialogue of unity in the expression of our faith.

January 5th, 2010                                     
A blesséd and happy New Year to all!
This coming Sunday the 10th we and other churches will be gathering together at the Oasis Centre in Javea for another "Worship Together" event. What a wonderful way to bring in the new year - to lay aside the denominational barriers and theological differences and simply worship God together.
If you see this 'post' please don't wait for an invite - come along and join us at 6:30pm.  Everyone is welcome.

December 8th, 2009
Thanks to all those who came to join us last Sunday evening. There were representatives from six other churches, and we jammed about 35 people into our little building. We had a great time before God, and there was an hour of fellowship afterwards. With new friends and old friends, the atmosphere was genuinely heartwarming. Praise God for unity of spirit.
Apart from our normal Sunday Service on the 13th of December we will be having a special Christmas service with carols, snacks and more on Monday the 21st. Please come along and join us. Again everybody is welcome. If this is your one 'church' event in 2009 because you've not been to a wedding, baptism or other, then don't miss the chance!
We extend our love and blessings to all our folk who are away from us right now - Jenny, Jayne & Ian, Beryl, Gill, Tom, Ray, Barry & Barbara, Pete & Janet, Phillip, Ken & Chris, Bp. Tomás, Lynne & family, Nikki & family, and more.  

November 12th, 2009
Thanks to all of you who visited The King's Church a couple of weeks ago for our evening Celebration time of praise and worship. We had a wonderful open time in God's presence.
We really hope it will not be a 'one off' and are happy to host the next one, or please contact us if you would like to invite 'us' to where you are.
Please continue to pray for our Bishop Tomás currently working in very difficult circumstances in Afghanistan. You can check out his blog here http://anirishmaninkabul.blogspot.com/ remembering of course his wife Lynne and family still in Ireland.
We would also like to acknowledge Liz's daughter Phillipa's death in Ireland on the 3rd of November. The funeral was held yesterday, and we believe that over the last few months, through much witness and prayer, she had come to know Christ as Saviour. Remember Liz and Josh in prayer at this difficult time.

November 1st, 2009
I almost can't beleive that Christmas is almost upon us, and we're already planning services, and talking about carols. Where does a year go? I'm more and more impressed with the urge to live in the moment. Yes, we must plan. Always with God's greater and overall plan in mind of course, and His prayer-sought approval for whatever we do because that should be God-prompted anyway if we're listening to Him.
We don't plan first and ask for approval later of course. We seek Him first and formulate plans around our worshipful-life in Him, but plan we must to be good stewards of our time and resources.  If we can learn to live in the moment though without sending our minds off on long journeys I beleive we will find more joy, more peace, and more satisfaction, because we will find more of Him! 
So "Happy Christ Mass"; let me be the first to greet you so, and also excuse myself in the same breath if I don't 'post' again before then! 

October 4th, 2009

I arrived back just over a week ago, and am busy catching up. Our Casita on the campo at Pego almost became a boat (an ark?!). At 2:00am it was surrounded by 6 inches of water thanks to the torrential rain and amazing thunderstorms.
So mud rules, although it's drying out a little now.... from extreme heat to extreme wet.
Thanks to all those who looked after us in the UK, and those who are still looking after Lyn for the next few weeks. It was wonderful to spend time in Bristol and see my granddaughter for the first time - Mia - she's a treasure.
This morning I spoke on "Loving God" - a great challenge to us all to do right by a wonderful Father. He's worthy. If anyone wants the notes be sure to ask. We haven't quite got round to putting  our sermons on the website yet, but maybe the winter will allow more time for such things. 

Sept.10th, 2009
Nigel's Baptismal service went very well. He was delighted to be baptised in his own new pool, and quite a few of the congregation were able to attend. We shared a fellowship meal together afterwards at the house. Thanks to Niki and everyone else who contributed.
I had the privilege of conducting a wedding service last Saturday at Café Del Mar on Moraira beach. Carl and Adele seemed delighted, and Annabel took her part too. I've been promised pictures by the official photographer - Richard Embeary - so we hope to post those when they arrive. I'll post his contact email if they show my good side!
We're leaving the congregation in the Assistant Pastor Jenny's hands for a couple of weeks from Friday, and Jacque is preaching this Sunday.  Watch this space in case I manage to 'post' whilst on our UK visit.

Aug 25th, 2009

We are still sweltering from the summer heat, but coping as usual. Lynette and I are making a trip to the UK on the 11th September, so despite my best efforts the new site will go a little quiet again. Chris however has been adding material to our Fellowship and Men´s Meeting areas so go have a look at what we've been up to.
We had a great time down at Moraira Beach having a fellowship meal ... a short movie .. 33 seconds!
Our Men's group decided to get together and put our 'donated' new kitchen units together. We now have a little servery at the rear of the building.
We have a Baptismal Service this coming Sunday. We will have a short service in Benissa, and then move over to Parcent to complete the  celebration. Please come along and join us.

Aug 14th, 2009

Hello everyone out there who follows our work for the Lord here in Benissa. You must have noticed that we have moved and updated our website!
Please be patient with us as not all of our pages are as we would like them to be. Have a good look around and feel free to leave comments in our Guestbook. The link is to the bottom left of this page.
Thanks to Chris Followell who has been extremely helpful in getting us online.
We hope to have our Prayer Request pages up soon. Keep your eyes on the Gallery pages. We will get most of our old pics up and some new ones. If you are a member on your travels you can always email us your latest pics for us to host here so that the 'team' can see what you are up to.

Apr 14th, 2009

OK, I’ve just checked the uploads for the AGM minutes and Finances for 2009. All looks well, but please contact me if you have difficulty accessing the pages or downloads.

We are also considering uploading some sermon material, and maybe even recordings of some of our praise and worship. On our first test run this last Sunday Chris successfully recorded the whole service in very clear MP3 format. Watch this space ….

Apr 14th, 2009 

We had a visit recently from the Rev. Nathan Williams from the south of Spain. He has settled with his wife Alham in a small village called Riogordo, just inland from Malaga. He is drawing a small congregation together there, and came up to see how we worshipped. Check out his web site, and maybe pay them a visit if you are down south. http://www.riogordochurch.com/

Apr 14th, 2009 

We are very sad to announce that our belovéd Bishop Josep has decided to resign his post in the King’s Family of Churches. It is as hard for us to understand, as is it for him to explain. He has encouraged us that all is well, and it only a pause in his walk to re-focus himself on what God has called him to. We are all still in contact, and we take this opportunity to declare our love and continued support for him, and to ask for you all to pray for Josep and his wife Patrice for their future direction, and for clarity.
As a consequence of this Bishop Tomás Kennedy will now be our sole oversight. We are hoping for a visit from Tomás and his wife Lynne some time soon.

Apr 14th, 2009

I can’t believe how much time flies … here I am again anyway. Our AGM was well attended, and we heard a number of short talks on our main activities. I’m going to post the Minutes and our Finances on the Member’s area right now … or at least I’m going to try! If you are affiliated to the King’s Church then you will be privy to the password … if not, but you would like to be, please email me.
We thank God that our first Alpha Course is going quite well …. more news as things develop.
We sent a working party over to Nigel and Niki’s villa a few days ago to have a massive clean up … they had been badly let down by their builder’s, and have been finishing the job themselves with the more than able assistance of their friends Ian and Jane. Niki and the children were due out for a break in Spain … and it needed a little more than tidying! We had a great day, and though not a completed work … it was looking habitable when we’d done. It’s great when the church family pull together .....

Jan 27th, 2009

We have now appointed our first Church Council to assist the Pastoral Council in all manner of practicalities in the running of the King’s Church. We have called it the Interim Church Council (the ICC) as  ’constitutionally’ at present we would have to have 30 members to call a full Church Council. We are in the process of updating our Constitution to reflect the current state of the King’s Church, including the appointment of an ICC, and we feel the amount of work and activities warrant an ICC. We, the Pastoral team, are glad to have willing hands to support the work here in Benissa.

We regularly have around twently people attending services, and often many more. Our Bible Studies and Prayer meetings recently have been very well attended, and we look forward to continued growth as God draws more people towards us, and into His kingdom. Many thanks to all those who have out their hand to the plough, and faithfully serve our great King. To Him be the glory forever and ever!!

 ALPHA COURSE

Jan 27th, 2009 

We now have a date to start our first Alpha Course. We are excited to announce that on the 1st of April (no really!) we will be having our first meeting at our building in Avenida D’Alcuida No. 10, Benissa. Everyone is of course welcome to attend but please contact us if you would like a place to make sure we don’t overstretch ourselves! We will be placing adverts in local papers etc. but please feel free to spread the word if you see this ‘post’ and know  anyone who may benefit from attending. Please see our ‘Contact’ tab above, and either email or call Jenny or Lynette to secure a place.

 MEN’S MEETING

Jan 27th, 2009 

We finally got around to having our first Men’s Meeting! About 9 of us gathered to discuss what we would like to spend our time doing, and lot’s of ideas were put forward, and Chris Followell kindly offered to act as coordinator. In fact a group of us met to climb the Ifach rock on Calpe seafront only yesterday. We forgot our ropes and climbing gear though, so we left a small group at basecamp just through the rock-tunnel at about 5000 feet (well, it felt like we’d climbed that far!) and the rest of us battled slippery rocks and a band of mocking gulls (it really sounded like they were laughing at our feeble attempts to make progress) to go another several hundred metres of treacherous rocky path. Exhausted after a slow descent we collapsed into a nearby café where we recovered slowly being consoled by good company and old jokes. Fergus looked disdainfully on, as he had virtually run up and down the Ifach, listening patiently to our groans. Then he had the audacity to sleep during the jokes!

Fergus is Arthur’s faithful dog …. who had accompanied us and made light of our ascent …. hopping easily over the rough terrain, and giving us all a smile.

 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Feb 19th, 2009

It’s that time of year again, and we will be having our AGM at the Church building in Benissa on the 5th April after the morning service. It seems like a long way off to be announcing it, but it was a little earlier last year, and I know people want to make the opportunity to attend. The earlier we can tell you, the earlier you can book your flights!
We apologise to those who will miss the meeting due to your annual migration to the frozen wastes of the north.

 EVERYTHING WORKING AGAIN!

Feb 19th, 2009 

We now seem to be up and running again smoothly. Many thanks to those who have ably assisted. If anyone wants access to our Members area, please email me for the password. I remind you that if you have any particular prayer requests, or if there are things you would like to see on the website, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

 OOOPS! SORRY .. WE’RE BROKEN!

Feb 12th, 2009 

Now I know that you know I don’t get round to many updates these days, although I do my best, but this wasn’t my fault …. we just ‘upgraded’ …. and things went not quite right.  No names of course, and love my computer-pal as I do, I would never implicate him in the bringing down of our website when he was supposed to be upgrading us, so of course I won’t be mentioning that.

Anyhow, I’ll do my best and quickest to retore our links and photo galleries, and our Google Map API …. please be patient. Thanks ….

 THE NEW YEAR

Dec 23rd, 2008

We are already planning for the new year, so please keep an eye on the site for events coming up. We are planning to start a Men’s Meeting soon, and also an Alpha Course, and other things too! We hope to restart our Sunday Evening Worship events very soon, and we will post dates here once we have firmed them up.

 WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS SEASON

Dec 23rd, 2008

Greetings to all our distant brothers and sisters in the Lord! We have had a full week, with two Carol Services in the week in Calpe, and our Sunday Evening Service here in Benissa was our regular Carol Service. It was very well attended, with many people participating in different ways. We even had about 8 people from the local Rumanian community who have been making contact with us recently. One took a Bible home ….

We will be having an hour long (approximately!) Christmas morning service at our usual time of 11:00am - everybody is welcome.

 MEMBERS AND FRIENDS CHRISTMAS MEAL

Nov 24th, 2008 

We will be gathering together in a restaurant in Parcent on the 14th of December for our Christmas meal. Barry and Barbara have kindly organised this and we already have quite a list of folks planning to come along. If you’re ‘away’ from us but planning to be here over the winter period including this date please put it in your diary, and perhaps email Barry and Barbara (or me if you don’t have their email address … mine is on the Contacts page) to get your name on the list. The menu shown to us on Sunday looks great!

 CAROL SERVICE

Nov 24th, 2008 

We will be having a Carol Service on the evening of Sunday the 21st of December. Everyone is welcome to join with us to celebrate the coming of our Lord Jesus. Whether you have ever met with us before or not, please come along and enjoy the gathering of God’s people.

We will begin at 6:30pm, and end later with refreshments and a time of fellowship. Why not use this opportunity to come and get to know us, or at least have a look around our ‘new’ building?

 ONE CHURCH!

Nov 18th, 2008 

We have been blessed and encouraged to be enjoying fellowship together on some Sunday evenings with Diego and Loli (see post below) and although last Sunday evening was their 4th Anniversary we discovered that they had chosen actually not to celebrate it that particular night! We nevertheless had a good meeting with them, and look forward to celebrating again with them soon God’s work among us.

I have been having some email contact recently from a Minister in a town called Riogordo (40 km north of Malaga). He is called Nathan Williams, and with his wife Elham is seeking to do a work for the Lord there. They have seen God moving on their behalf and have hearts to reach the English speaking ex-pat population. Nathan is an ordained minister ‘in the episcopal tradition’, and is currently working as a Geologist to support themselves. Please pray for them - finances are of course always a big issue especially in this time of international financial insecurity, and for many opportunities to reach those whom God has put on their hearts.

Remember - there is only one true Church - it is only us who have divided it through our misunderstanding, prejudices, preferences, and failings. Let’s look to overcome those things and work together the way God would want us to!