Meet the Christian Ministers introduced by Rev. E. Anderson

March 9, 2008 at 10:38 pm (Meet the Ministers)

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Rev. & Mrs Ray Graham 

It was last June, 2007, that Doreen and I celebrated our Ruby Wedding Anniversary. She originally came from Manchester, the North of England , and I was born and bred in Farhham, Surrey. 

I had been previously trained for the ministry in Kenley Bible College for two years under the watchful eye of its principal, Donald Gee. 

From there I took on a pioneer work in Lichfield, Staffordshire, my first church. We held meetings in Frank Halfpenny Hall which was rented until we possessed our own new church building in the new estate within the city boundary.  

On sharing ministry at the church where Barratt and Williams were situated in Old Trafford, Manchester for a week-end special, I met Doreen for the first time in her training nurse’s uniform where I stayed for the night. Nine months later we had married with Aaron Linford convening the service in Manchester. 

Both Doreen and I resettled at Lichfield and we had two girls, Catherine and Polly, while we were there. 

We then moved on to Welshpool, Mid-Wales, after building up the cathedral city congregation to a membership of 100 people. Three years later in Powys ‘or paradise’ in our English dialect, Doreen and I moved on again after considerable growth in the Welsh market town and settled in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire where we had been voted in by 100% of the church membership. 

God mightily blessed us with miracles and commitments that put pressure on the church to rebuild again as they had previously done before under Ron Beardsley their pioneer pastor. After purchasing the house next door to the church, we used up its garden for the extension and had a new building put up twice the size of the original one and we will soon be looking for further development wherever we can find suitable land to build upon.  

I have now officially retired from the local ministry as senior pastor being 70 years of age, but Doreen is still being used in worship ministry within the church, while I play the trumpet within the church band. 

We thank God for His mighty blessing upon both of our lives in the past. Now we are looking for fresh openings for ministry within the future which will keep us happy serving the Lord. I am still making regular visits and sharing in different peoples lives for their healing etc., and the Lord still blesses us in the gifting he provided when we were young.  

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Christian Prime Timers constituted by Rev. E. Anderson

March 9, 2008 at 10:24 pm (Christian Prime Timers)

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Rev. E. Anderson

A PRIME TIMER WITH IMMENSE COURAGE 

READING    2 Kings 11 

Listed in the many characters of the Old Testament is a man by the name of Jehoiada and he played a significant role in the purposes of God for the benefit of His people, Israel. He knew his calling and gifting and what was required of him at a critical time in the life of the nation. He was not found to be wanting. He was not a young man but one experienced in many things and was duly primed by God to play a vital service at a needful time. 

One of the outstanding qualities of this man besides others was his courage. The times were evil and it demanded someone in a good position to act with true wisdom, strategy and a great deal of audaciousness, fearlessness and resolution. It was not a period for faint heart or minds but for a person and leader who could and would seize the initiative and opportunity to save the situation. He saw possibilities when a six year old was rescued death had the right to be the future monarch of his people and so did something about. It is worth noting the tremendous function he fulfilled in connection with this lad and prepared for the salvation and blessedness of God’s people. 

  1. HE WAS EVIDENTLY A MAN WHO HAD A SENSE OF COMMITMENT TO THE LORD – V4

He was a priest of the Lord and took his calling as being sacred and seriously worked at the task assigned to him. He must have been galled in spirit and being as he saw the sinful state of the nation headed by a vile queen who was self-appointed. Within him was the desire to see things change for the better and in a manner that put \god into the place where He should be. The fact that a covenant was made in the Lord’s house showed the motivation of his life. 

    2.  HE WAS READY TO PLACE HIS LIFE ON THE LINE TO SECURE THE WELL-BEING OF ONE DESTINED TO BE THE NEXT RULER –V4

He knew that a great amount rested upon his leadership at that time and must have sensed that if he was discovered he would soon lose his life. Athaliah was merciless and he would have not received any favours from her. Being in a principal position it was necessary that he give a lead in terms of moral and spiritual strength and daring so that everyone would be heartened by his leadership. 

    3.  HE WAS CAPABLE OF ORGANIZING PERSONNEL WHO WOULD UNITE WITH HIM IN THE DIVINE PURPOSE – VV5-11

There was an awareness that everything must be wisely prepared and arranged so that all would run according to God’s plan. Other people had to become involved and be integrated in bringing into being a real change at the top and he was able to do it. In a discreet and sensible manner he detailed a watch and prepared for the coronation of the Joash. 

    4.  HE WAS SENSITIVE TO THE MOMENT WHEN DECISIVE ACTION MUST BE TAKEN TO PROMOTE THE BOY TO BE KING – VV11, 12

The exact and opportune moment must be taken when this young boy should take charge and rule and Jehoiada was primed for it. He must have been conscious in and through God that the right hour had arrived for his revelation and promotion to lead. To delay any further may well have jeopardized everything and so the importance of right timing. What occurred showed he had got it right. 

    5.  HE WAS IMMEDIATE IN DEALING WITH THE WOMAN WHO HAD WROUGHT SO MUCH WICKEDNESS AND FOLLY – VV13-16

There was no parleying with the source and cause of all the evil that had been practiced. The wicked woman had to be severely dealt with and put out of the way. Her presence and influence would not be allowed to go on a moment longer and so she was quickly disposed of without sentiment. 

    6.  HE WAS INSTANT IN SETTING UP THE FUTURE OF THE KINGDOM IN THE WAY THAT GOD DESIRED – VV17-21

Being in the strong position that he held, he did not abuse his privilege but used it to promote God and all that was right and good. The summons at the outset was ‘that they should be the LORD’S people, and also between the king and the people’ – v17. If the king and kingdom was to be saved and be blessed then this was top priority. 

    7.  HE WAS TO FULFIL A POWERFUL MINISTRY IN TERMS OF INSTRUCTION TO THE MONARCH – 2 Kings 12: 2

What a good influence he was in relation to the king and the monarch and kingdom benefit from his constant input. Jehoiada was not only right himself! he had the capacity in and through God of creating and cultivation this factor in others of note. He realized that his major assignment was to spiritually prime the nation from the top and throughout. 

    8.  HE WAS FINALLY HONOURED AT DEATH BECAUSE OF HIS CONTRIBUTION TO THE CAUSE OF JUDAH – 2 Chronicles 24: 15-16

It appears that he never deviated from this assignment but was true to God, the king and nation until his decease. The Lord granted him length of days so that he made full use of his life in the sacred interest of all. There was to be no relaxing of his standards or commitment and as a consequence he was ascribed an honourable recognition at death – see v16. 

CONCLUSION  This man did not seek for personal prestige or plaudits but gave himself fully to what the Lord desired and destined for him. He was ready to play ‘the second violin’ well and put in a great performance.   

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