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We were reminded this week that we have to keep things real. To build an ‘authentic and vibrant’ church which is part of our vision – we certainly need to keep it real. Lynda ministered to us this weekend and shared her reality and her story. If we can be honest with God and with one another then God can take any life from a place of self-dependence and confusion – to one of freedom, wonder and adventure! Being a disciple of Jesus is not always easy but it really is the only way to true peace and joy even when we find ourselves in the middle of difficult circumstances. Ready to walk this life?

It was so wonderful to have our first water baptisms since becoming the Pastor at Elim Oasis Church in Broadstairs. Ben and Mandy have been raised to new life in Christ, having accepted Jesus’ offer of salvation they decided to be obedient to the great commission and to follow his example by being baptised by full immersion in water; and what better day could there be in the Christian calendar than Easter Sunday to do so as we celebrated Jesus resurrection to life.

Water baptism was a very special and significant moment when Jesus himself was baptised in this way, with the Father speaking out his pleasure of his Son and the Holy Spirit alighting upon and affirming Jesus. A real Trinitarian moment in scripture. It is also a special and significant step in one’s discipleship growth today. So if you are a disciple of Jesus and have not been baptised in water what is stopping you?

Those of us who have been through the waters of baptism then what a blessing and encouragement to us to witness such wonderful services and moments. It is also a reminder of the step we took and the promise we made to follow Jesus. He is ever faithful and continues to walk with us through the love and power of the Holy Spirit. So let’s be disciples on his mission!

Well done Ben and Mandy. Thankfully the water was nice a warm!

Blessings,
Alan

Reflecting on some of the stories from around the world that were shared with us at church today by Elim’s International Mission Director, Paul Hudson, I was left wondering afresh what real life is. As we heard about lives that had been broken and destroyed by the sins of others, it is good to know that in many parts of the world Christians never have to ask why? Their faith in God is never doubted and no matter how horrific life’s circumstances may become, they have total confidence that God is with them through it all. Many Christians in the Western World question everything and especially so when life gets tough or we don’t understand a situation. Real life will be tough but our response needs to mature to the wisdom of those who often have nothing.

We had an amazing day at Elim Oasis Church on Sunday. Almost record numbers came to worship Jesus at our morning service and we held an evening service too – both with the worship ministry provided by 5 amazingly humble yet talented ladies. Helen, Elesha, Tania, Nadine and Leanne – whom we have given a nickname of the Godly Spice Girls – were such a great team who brought us an incredible blessing as each one gave their all for Jesus. Thank you. It is a wonderful thing to see ladies rising up to be all they can be in God and to minister in ever more glorious ways and with widening influence. All ladies be encouraged that you are called to be disciples and to grow in him, to serve him and to radiate him to others. Men let’s be humble and stand with them, support them and learn from their example as we too seek to do our best for our King!

Reflecting upon what God is doing in our midst as a church we really are in an exciting new season of ministries. We were so blessed to have had Dr. Keith Warrington come and minister to us through his Word & Spirit ministry. A real call for everyday Christians to get back to Bible reading, devotions and studying the word of God. As a church we are running our first Alpha course which has started wonderfully and I’m seeing so many people serving Jesus by serving our guests. In a couple of weeks time we have Helen Yousaf and an anointed team of musicians coming to Broadstairs for ministry in song and word. I’m sure God is going to release a new prophetic call to our wider area of Thanet through Helen and her team. We really are being blessed – thank you Father, thank you Jesus and thank you Holy Spirit.

Our Values set out the principles of our local church expression. They intentionally create a culture of expectation for God to move amongst us, they set out how we intend to behave, and they demonstrate God’s love to one another and to those in our local community.

Knowing
When we grasp how much God desires to know us and the lengths he has gone and still does go to, to make himself available to us; then surely we must long to know him and desire to encounter him. We are to love God first, above all things, by simply spending time with him.

Serving
It is not about the quantity of serving that we do but it is entirely about the quality of our service. It is out of knowing him and receiving from him that we are empowered to serve where he has placed us, by bringing our resources through wholehearted and loyal commitment. Humble service should be constantly applied across every aspect of our lives.

Encouraging
All it takes to ignite fresh hope and purpose within us is some encouragement. It’s important to recognise when someone attempts to put their faith in God and to encourage them regardless of the result. Mistakes are allowed, they are part of discipleship after all, and are not failure. Failure is to not get up again after a fall! We can all be encouragers of others in their walk with God, lifting each other up so we can become all that we are meant to be.

Honouring
Things that are worthy deserve honour. As we honour Jesus and his Kingdom then we create space for his life and for heavenly things to dwell amongst us. As we honour each other by recognising individual calling we can equip and release people into the destinies. This will enhance our lives and enable the Kingdom of God to expand. God honoured us by sending Jesus and so we must also learn to honour. Therefore: everybody is welcome and nobody is judged!

Blessing
The beatitudes are a pronouncement concerning those who are blessed and this is true despite what circumstances may say. We must therefore also demonstrate this to others by being a generous blessing to them. We replicate the blessings that God shows to us by offering mercy, by living in purity, by reconciling, by refusing to compromise from God’s standards and by calling God’s favour upon people.

Excelling
As we grow spiritually and mature we are to excel in character and behaviour. God loves us too much to leave us the way we are and he uses the pursuit of excellence to progress us. Without excellence life would be rather ordinary. Excelling is not competition but rather it means being the best you that you can be.

This attached picture on this blog introduces some new friends I made this summer. They are all handicapped and have been placed into a remote outcast village in India. One has a leg missing, another has stumps for fingers after suffering from leprosy, one has a withered arm and the other 2 are blind. It was both humbling and a privilege to have visited then in their homes which are little more than rundown sheds for us in first world countries.

The team I travelled with took medical aid and practical hands on nursing to these poorest of people. The whole village of 72 dwellings were offered spiritual help through prayer and a gospel message of hope in Jesus, and physical help through a food that we supplied as well as blankets for warmth as the colder weather approaches. Sounds like the gospel to me!

They sang a song during a time of worship which when translated for me had the lyric “without Jesus we are poor”. Makes you think doesn’t it. Please pray for them and the great work that the Church of Pentecost is doing in India.

Impact England took place from 18th-26th June with a team of 8 coming from Texas on mission to St. Peter’s, Broadstairs. The team was led by Carl and Carly Osborn who did a great job in organising, directing and encouraging not just the missions team but also those who were involved from our local churches.

Kay was a steady rock and prayer warrior who led some worship and participated in School assemblies.
Scott helped mentor another on the team and served with great effort and humility.
Liza stepped out of her comfort zone continually a grew much in the process.
Brandon came out of his shell and blessed many with his humour and violin playing.
Heather sacrificed by being away from her young family and served with great joy and enthusiasm.
Leanna served diligently and blessed us with her humorous personality.
The team was also joined by Missions Pastor Steve Samamiego who spoke at an inter-church service and also did a radio interview.

Locally Elim Oasis Church worked with 4 other local churches – St. Peter’s Anglican, the Baptist Church, Beaconsfield Fellowship Church and Karios Church Thanet – to host, feed and work alongside the team from Texas. This was a first in local church history! Also this is the first time since potentially AD 600 when St. Augustine came on a mission to England and became the first Archbishop of Canterbury; that a mission team had come to spread the good news of Jesus home by home to the village of St. Peter’s.

Local schools were impacted with the gospel through school assemblies. Around 700 bags of blessings were given away. Much worship and prayer took place. We gave away around 200 meals to the community at our In/Out BBQ and we also hosted a play with actors from Searchlight Theatre Company and Regents Theological College. Many fruitful conversations were had in the community and bridges were built.

All glory to Jesus as he begins to ignite the churches to work together to continue what has been started!