Continuing to be Church in a New Way

Along with many others across the world we have had to make some difficult decisions in regard to the way that we meet together. As disciples of Jesus Christ and responsible citizens we want to play our part in protecting the vulnerable in the fellowship and in society and to help slow down the spread of the COVID-19 virus. That is why we are responding positively to the government’s request for social distancing by suspending most of our face to face activities.

We are still a dynamic, caring and connected fellowship who are now finding new ways to be church and express our faith together. Our purpose as a church has not changed and we remain committed; to being witnesses to the life-giving Gospel of Jesus Christ, to making disciples, to helping each other grow in discipleship and to expressing the compassion of Jesus by relieving suffering around the world.

One of our ongoing prayers is that, in spite of the physical restrictions, God by his grace, will continue to build His church and draw us all closer to Himself and to each other during this challenging time.

AGM - Pastor's Report

Here is our Pastor's Report which he shared at out recent AGM on 17th November 2016

Philippians 1:3-6 (NLT)

Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy,  for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.  And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Paul is thankful when he thinks about the Philippian church and joyful when he prays for them. He gives two reasons for that. Firstly, they have partnered with him in spreading the gospel and secondly, he is convinced that God will continue to work in them until his work in them is completed.

I am thankful when I think about this church and joyful when I pray for each one of you. God has called us to be partners together in declaring the good news about Jesus Christ and he will continue his work in us and through us until that work is complete.

What a thrill it has been to see so many people in the fellowship wholeheartedly serving God in so many ways using the various gifts God has given them during the year. That gives me cause to be thankful and joyful.

The year started with the fellowship emerging from a very painful time. But, I was so encouraged to see how members looked to God for strength and guidance and emerged with great dignity and greater unity. As the months have passed it has been encouraging for me to see the trust and confidence of the fellowship growing.

As the year has unfolded we have been blessed by many signs of God’s gracious hand upon us and his continuing work in us and through us. There have been a number of people coming forward to be baptised, new people joining the fellowship and starting to help out, new contacts being made and people asking questions about their faith and growing in certainty about what they believe.

The love of God has been evident in a number of ways. We all felt the great loss of Ivy Hardy who died on 24^th May. But, what a wonderful display of love and unity there was at her funeral along with a powerful witness to the faithfulness of God. Members have supported each other in emotional, practical and spiritual ways and have also reached out to the needs of those outside of the fellowship (most notably with the homeless in Leicester on Monday evenings). We have a lot to be thankful for.

As we continue to journey together through the coming year the specific things we do may change. But, I hope and pray that our focus will remain the same as Paul’s. Let us always be thankful to God for each other and joyful as we pray for each other. Let us commit ourselves to loving and supporting each other as we work together to proclaim the good news about Jesus Christ in various ways with both words and actions.

There will be challenges as we go forward but as we renew our commitment to the purposes of God we can be certain of God’s commitment to us. The one who started a good work in us will continue working in us and through us as individuals and as a fellowship. I look forward to seeing what he will do in us and through us in this coming year and beyond.

With love in Christ,

Pastor Chris

Our New Pastor

Sunday 10th April saw the church welcome into his full-time ministry with us of our new Pastor, Reverend Chris Williams. 

Having been visiting and ministering for a number of Sundays in the months of February and March of this year, the church family were overjoyed to have him and his family at last become part of us, and move into the church house close by the church.

Chris is a family man, married to Sarah, who works for Heartland Youth for Christ  in Coalville.  They have three children, the two eldest being sons both studying at Nottingham University.  Their daughter is studying still at school.

Holding a Diploma in Theology from his years at Birmingham Bible Institute 1992 to 1995, Chris actually worked as a leader in this church for some years, widened his knowledge and qualifications into teaching, moving for some years as a missionary to Senegal for Worldwide Evangelisation Crusade . 

Five years pastoring a church in Tyne and Wear came as a return to the UK, and was then followed with his family ministering in Indonesia for some years.

Chris is a keen and accomplished musician, loving to lead worship on occasion whilst playing guitar. 

The wide experience in Christian leadership and his heart for Coalville and for reaching people for Christ in whatever circumstances they may be, fits well into the ethos and vision of and for this church, The Full Gospel Pentecostal Mission, James Street, Coalville.

Chris and the whole church family are ready to welcome you to the events and services of the church, as we enter this next exciting phase in the life we enjoy in our Lord Jesus Christ.