Barnabas Ministries UK

Rev. & Mrs. E. Anderson

THE WORTH OF A SPARROW

To continue the story with regard to Sue: after the decease of her husband and loved one, what was to happen to her now? Would the experience she had passed through so devastate her that she would have inner resentment towards God and life? Having passed through this trying ordeal would she make it with regard to the Christian faith. It was now time to give added spiritual care and see how she would fare with her new set of circumstances.

It is true to state that she did not find it a walk-over and that she had to battle with her thoughts and emotions but God has brought her into a large, healthy spiritual relationship with himself and she has made great progress in faith, gift and ministry. One has been pleasantly surprised by the growth that has occurred and the service she has been able to accomplish for the Lord. Alan’s death did not harm but opened up the way for her to find release in serving the Lord in a meaningful and profitable manner.

She did inform me that at a low point God met her and filled her with the Holy Spirit receiving the choice blessing of speaking with tongues. It was quite an inspiring and unique thing to hear her use this spiritual and supernatural gift. The language appeared to be of an Indian character because when she uttered words through the gift it sounded like an Indian squaw. We were so blessed when ever she employed this tongue through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

But something more was to occur that was quite unique and extraordinary. Although it appeared to be a simple thing at the first, it turned out to be an amazing blessing. She was looking into her airing cupboard where her clothes were when she noticed a little ball of what seemed to be fluff. Examining it further, it turned out to a be a baby sparrow. How it had got there she didn’t know. What she should do with it? Her first act was to contact outside authorities who dealt with animals, birds, etc., to see if they would see to this problem. They didn’t want to know and so she was stuck with this little bird!

She decided that she would keep and seek to nourish it in the hope that it would thrive and be fully developed. With great care she attended daily to its welfare and so the bird grew and she became closely attached to it. The sparrow seemed to know and so a lovely accord was brought about. It became so linked to her that it responded in so many ways and lit up that home. How excited she was when she chatted to us about this seemingly worthless creature. Only a sparrow! Oh what a difference it brought to her life.

My wife and I had the delight of visiting her and being introduced to this small, brown creature. We were in for quite a surprise when we arrived. The bird had a most beautiful brown coat, was quite tame and would come and perch on your shoulder. It had a cage and a place where it could bath and keep itself clean. Sue regularly fed it and it also had a good twitter plus the fact that when the phone went it would sound Brrr! Brrr! From all accounts, it seemed to understand Sue and proved a worthy companion.

As we left that home it was a tremendous sense of pleasure as we realised that the Lord had caused that little bit of fluff to emerge into a wholesome companion. Because this little creatures was not despised but cared for it turned out to be a source of untold pleasure. There were lessons to be drawn from this of an important nature.

Rev. & Mrs. E. Anderson

EXTRACTS FROM LIFE 

When you have lived a considerable number of years in relationship with God one gathers a tremendous amount in testimony to God’s grace and goodness in life. One discovers that He does some amazing things with ordinary people and through the course of this page I would share some of the wonderful and interesting experiences He has wrought. And all is to His honour and glory.

DIIFICULT DECISIONS

Within the context of the Christian Ministry there can suddenly be thrust upon you the need  to make difficult decisions as others come to you for counseling and advice. They are placed in predicaments and experiences not of their choosing that requires more than human wisdom, understanding and strategy. It is far from easy to provide the best and wisest course of action in certain moments. One definitely needs to take the direction of James when he wrote: ‘If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him’ – James 1: 5.

Whilst pastoring a Christian assembly it was my usual procedure on taking over to visit the people that belonged or where associated with fellowship. Sometimes I made contact with others who did not come but had some kind of connection from the past one way or another. I was hopeful to do some good even to and for those who had known some measure of Christian experience.

It was this kind of thing that led me into a close association with a couple that had both had some link with the church. At the time they were not married although they had co-habited for many years. How easy it would have been not to have formed some bond with them because of this situation! Over the first few years I dropped into see Alan and Sue and they were always pleased to see me and chat together. It enabled me to discover what had happened in their lives and to discover where they were. Gradually they opened up and shared some of their past. He had somehow been deeply affected by the legalistic approach that some Christians presented and such had switched him off to a certain extent.

Eventually he told be of how one minister when conversing him said that when he viewed him naturally he reminded him of a well-known murderer. I immediately sensed that this had not been a very wise expression to be made although it could have had some truth in it.  It seemingly had lodged in his mind and was not doing him a great deal of good either spiritually or psychologically. There was the necessity for me to deal with this unhealthy state of being. I was glad he was able to share with such a delicate, personal matter.

Later, maybe as a consequence of my spiritual input they got married and put things on a better basis. They appeared to feel that things were on a improved condition because of this step. During this time one kept up a regular accord with them

Never shall I forget one evening, after going to bed, to hear the telephone ringing and discovering the voice of Sue on the other end. Could I immediately go to hospital as Alan had collapsed and was asking after me.  When I arrived and I saw him one knew he was far from well. He thought at that time that death was just around the corner. Having prayed and assured him he entered into peace and was always glad of my visits. I am sure he was making his response to God.

Then a few weeks later the telephone went again, this time it was the hospital authorities asking me if I could immediately go and see them in the middle of the night. They wanted to transfer Alan to another hospital because he required renal treatment. They could not provide this urgent service and so the need to move him to where he could be properly treated. But Alan would not go unless he received the all clear from me, hence the phone call. He gladly submitted and so, along with his wife, I followed the ambulance to his new location.

For a few weeks he was on this machine daily that was able to cleanse his blood from toxic infection and appeared to be doing quite well. He was always glad of my visits and especially the prayers. Literally I thought he was doing fine when yet another call came one Friday afternoon from his wife. Could my wife and I go and give her some urgent counsel. The doctors had stated to her that an option was open to her with respect to her husband. If they continued the treatment it was more than likely that Alan would suffer a violent death. If they switch off the machine he would die quickly and peacefully. It was up to her to make a crucial decision. She called us to chat through this major problem. It was a difficult decision for anyone to make in these kind of circumstances.

We asked the Lord’s help and quietly affirmed to trust the Lord with the issue. If the machine was switched off then either a miracle would take place or it was time for Alan’s home-call. She decided what she would do and concur with the physicians.

Before leaving we visited Alan and chatted and prayed. He appeared to be okay and was in good spirits. In the middle of the night we were awakened again to be informed that he had quietly passed away to be with the Lord. Whilst the event really hit Sue, she spiritually recovered and has become an outstanding Christian expressing choice gifting which I will share in the next extract. All the labour that went into this couple was truly worth it.

Rev. E. Anderson

ENCOURAGING OTHERS

Throughout life it is not only a choice thing to be blessed and used by God, it is also a glorious thing to bless others by the means of encouragement, especially to the up and coming generation. It is to be a rewarding ministry and exercise. God said to Abraham – ‘you will be a blessing and many will be blessed through you’ – genesis 12: 1-4.

A great character and Christian believer and minister, Barnabas, in the New Testament, became renowned in the earl Church for this particular gift and service. Many were to appreciate the input of his life, words and deeds into their lives. Amongst them was the great apostle Paul, his nephew, Mark, the writer of the second Gospel,  the early believers, the church at Antioch, other churches etc.

Having had a long ministry for Christ, one has been enabled by God to serve and inspire others in some way, making a contributing to young men and women aspiring to Christian ministry and service. This has been a lasting blessing, to witness others impacted and inspired by personal love, care and spiritual input. Quite a number are now fulfilling a dynamic testimony for God and it is a pleasure to see them excelling in leadership and work. To know you have had a little part and role to play in their development and progress is gratifying.

It was whilst we were serving the Lord in a new challenging role at the Assemblies of God Bible College in Mattersey Hall that we were able to render some worthwhile service to the students who came from the UK and overseas to be taught and assisted in their divine calling. Well do we remember the day when Lawrence Livesey, a gracious, retired missionary from India brought a student from the place where he had formerly worked for the Lord in India. He was the son of one of his first converts. His name was david Prakasaam. How glad, grateful and rightly proud he was that day to see David enter our College.

His personal request to Joan and I was that we would seek to be parents to him seeing he was so far from home. It was to be a very challenging time for him coping with a new culture, weather conditions and food, plus the Bible course and teaching, and he needed fatherly and motherly care. Into our trust was put this precious life and ministry. A bond was created that has lasted for over thirty years. Investment into him has been worth all the commitment. At the time, little did we realise the latent potential that was to be break forth and become most patent.

His father and mother, Job, and Ruth, pioneered a tremendous number of churches in India. As David returned, he opened a Bible College, orphanages, a leper colony, churches etc., From the College hundreds of students have been trained and sent forth to open up new churches. He is now the director of the whole work and an excellent preacher/teacher. One can safely say he has apostolic vision, mission, passion and ministry that inspires and encourages countless others. His two sons, Chris and Terry are also now involved with him in the task along with a good and great wife, Ketzie.

It has been my privilege to visit India on at least 14 occasions and to relate to David and see the amazing things that God has wrought through him. One of the blessed experiences of my life is to preach with him being as interpreter. Somehow we just click and spiritually connect as we minister God’s Word. When I first went to the main church in Coimbatoire in the 1980’s there were 300 people, now they have a building that accommodates the congregation of over 3,000.

It has been a sheer delight to serve as an encourager to him throughout the years and to know that such has been worth it. There is so much more yet to be manifest through him and his two sons.

Take time out to look beyond yourself and see how best you get alongside someone else and give some positive assistance. You can be responsible in God for igniting, nurturing someone who is going to excel in their service for the Lord. As a consequence, you will have cause to thank God for giving your time, finance etc., in investing in lives and ministries that will advance Christ’s kingdom.

Rev. & Mrs. E. Anderson

EXTRACTS FROM LIFE  

When you have lived a considerable number of years in relationship with God one gathers a tremendous amount in testimony to God’s grace and goodness in life. One discovers that He does some amazing things with ordinary people and through the course of this page I would share some of the wonderful and interesting experiences He has wrought. And all is to His honour and glory.

THE ART OF MEDITATION

One of the things that God seeks to do in those who trust Him is to teach them the art of meditation. This means to know the advantages of serious, contemplative thought, using the mind a positive musing manner so that beneficial faith and understanding will be birthed and developed to immense profit.

This is not an easy factor for any individual to accept and adopt because of the nature of man. It seems he is born on a fast track and that everything should be speeded up and hastily performed. But this is not the way of God and so the need to be taught his ways and become familiar with His ideas, attitudes and workings. Divine meditation is one of the great secrets of dynamic and successful living.

Throughout my spiritual life and career one has sensed that this is what the Lord has been seeking to advance in Me. Whilst there has been a measure of success on this front there is still some way to go. However, what has already been achieved has served some purpose.

Last year, a friend of mine and a ministerial colleague was diagnosed as having prostate cancer. He had a rather tough and rough time but thankfully has come through the pressure and ordeal.

Mid 2007 I had to go and see my physician over the problem of gout. Seeing I was almost 75 I inquired about this matter of prostate cancer. Kindly he examined me there and then and came to the opinion there could be a difficulty there and said I required further tests. In going to seeing a specialist in these things, he came to the same opinion and so felt I needed to have a scan. I submitted to a physiological examination by a machine and it revealed that there were tokens of cancer in my prostate and that it was revealing itself in my pelvis.

The doctor assured that I did not require chemotherapy but must take tablets that would deal with it in a positive manner. They would prevent the bad testrones from getting through and feeding the cancer. Thankfully they had immediate effect and the blood count drop from 19 to 2-3. It was the kind of thing they sensed would happen.

But it was then put before me that I must have a bone scan to make sure that there was no cancerous factors there. Little did I realise what this involved until I arrived to have this crucial examination. It meant being placed in a very enclosed situation and where this machine would pass over my entire body. Many folk must find this rather intimidating and claustrophobic. The nurse stated to me that if I found the experience too daunting to press the bell she had given me and they would respond immediately. Certainly it presented a challenge to me. Whilst in preparation for the rather new and threatening situation the Lord reminded me of the art of mediation.

Now was the time to switch off to what was happening naturally and to be dynamically switched on to Him spiritually. I received the immediate inspiration and knowledge and began to put it into effect. The half hour simply slipped by as my mind was given over to God and to pondering on His Word and the immutable promises that the Scriptures contained. I feasted on His truth and such assurances as – ‘The Lord will perfect that which concerneth you’ and ‘He that hath begun a good work in you will perform it . . . .’ – Psalm 138: 8; Philippians 1: 6 filtered through and I was blessed and bathed with and in divine guarantees. It turned out to be a notable spiritual exercise.

Rev. & Mrs. E. Anderson

EXTRACTS FROM LIFE  

When you have lived a considerable number of years in relationship with God one gathers a tremendous amount in testimony to God’s grace and goodness in life. One discovers that He does some amazing things with ordinary people and through the course of this page I would share some of the wonderful and interesting experiences He has wrought. And all is to His honour and glory.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

Viewing and studying the lives and works of some of the choice people of the past who have greatly contributed to the cause of God and humanity, it is apparent that they had very humble beginnings. Their start in life was of a lowly order so that they could not boast of some distinctive and important family or circumstance. They were very much non-entities but by the grace and favour of God rose to fulfil a post and service that was most profitable and honourable.

After all, David was only a shepherd boy prior being called, equipped and appointed by God to be Israel’s great king. His brothers did not entertain kind thoughts towards him and never thought that he would rise to such a status. God found him amongst the sheepfolds to become the shepherd and sovereign over His people.

Joan and I could not boast of a great heritage of the past although we had good parents that we respected a great deal. She was from farming stock and I from a mining community in South Yorkshire, England. We both had a common and ordinary education, never graduating to Grammar School or university. We came to know one another as we worked on the farm and eventually married in humble conditions.

It was in those modest and unassuming conditions that we learned to love and trust God. He became the priority of our lives and we looked to Him to govern, lead and inspire our marriage in a spiritual and positive manner. In those earliest years of married life we looked to Him to develop our characters and abilities so that we could serve Him in the best possible manner.

Our first home was certainly of an unpretentious kind. The farmer that we worked for was kind at the outset of our union together. He had a former cowshed converted into a home for us so that we could move out on this new venture with our own premise. It was not situated in salubrious surroundings but it became a place where our love blossomed and roots were established with God and each other. Looking back on that short period in that lowly residence, it was a venue that lives and lingers in our memories in a precious way. It was where we started out life together with God and became the foundation of much greater and significant things. The place no longer exists having been removed for more up-to-date dwellings but such can never be removed from our minds and testimony.

From there we had to move on into the call and purposes of God. We were in that place for fourteen months and then the summons to go and be taught and trained for the ministry. It was not an easy decision to leave that humble circumstance and step out into a new way of life and service. The job and bungalow may have been of an humble order but it meant security and provided a real comfort zone. Joan loved it and made the place special by her capabilities and industry. But such had to be vacated to make room for something that God wanted of a greater order.

Fifty four years have speedily hastened by and the Lord has wrought some choice things within our service and ministries. Having been in charge of six churches and also resident in a Bible College teaching and working with students, visiting various countries and raising finances for missions, involved in various forms of other Christian leadership etc., one is amazed at the goodness and ability of God to take hold of two ordinary people and bless in such a beautiful manner. He has honoured and blessed us beyond measure and lifted us into fruitful service.

Never did we think in our earliest years, in those humble circumstances that the good Lord would so lift us into a life and lifestyle beyond our wildest dreams. Now we are in our mid-seventies and the Lord has not finished with us yet or terminated our services. He has not served notice on us but still wills to anoint and use us within His kingdom both at home and abroad. The latter years has found us fulfilling things beyond our wildest expectations but we never can forget where we have come from and we are most grateful to God for His major input into our lives on a regular basis.

Know, the humble beginnings must not be despised but appreciated. God does not intend we should stay there but they are a good starting and learning point. It is there that God reveals that he has great destiny to fulfil and as we maintain a spiritual humility all will come to pass.

Rev. & Mrs. E. Anderson

EXTRACTS FROM LIFE  

When you have lived a considerable number of years in relationship with God one gathers a tremendous amount in testimony to God’s grace and goodness in life. One discovers that He does some amazing things with ordinary people and through the course of this page I would share some of the wonderful and interesting experiences He has wrought. And all is to His honour and glory.

ON TO A NEW LEVEL OF TRUST

When we first entered into the Christian ministry, the two churches that we first assumed leadership were unable to fully support us financially. They were not large congregations and so the amount of monies in the offerings was not enough to provide an adequate income on which to exist.

Thankfully, at Lincoln, early in 1958 I was able to pass my driving test after only six lessons at a driving school. My brother kindly provided the finance for these and it did make it possible for me to have a part time job for a fruiterer delivering orders in a van through the city. They eventually purchased a lorry and I was required to load it up at the docks with various fruits etc. . The extra finance did help us to get essential things for our home.

Moving to the next fellowship, whilst it was numerically stronger, it did not have the monies to give a big wage and so there was a need for further income. At that time, providentially, a driver was required by Louth Education to bring in to a centre, children who were gravely affected mentally, to give respite to the parents and to help them.  They also had to be taken home in the afternoon. I applied for this job and got it and it served a two-fold purpose. I was able to learn and get along with this needy part of society and it supplied additional funds for our existence. They were lovely children and I formed a good association with them.

But the Lord began to bless the church and numbers and finances increased. The Lord favoured us and so we rejoiced to see the hand of God upon us in bringing new folks to the church and witnessing their spiritual birth and noting the increase in the weekly offerings.

Then the challenge came. Whilst attending a General Conference of Assemblies of God I heard a preacher say how he was seeking to help God out in his own personal circumstances by selling ties. He felt rebuked and the need to trust God completely with all his finances. This spoke to my heart and I sensed that God wanted me on a new level of trust in this area. It was now time to move up another gear of faith and believe the Lord so that I would no need to supplement the income from the church.

In returning and sharing my thoughts and conviction with the local oversight, the brethren were right behind me. We trusted God and so I gave up the job and went full time and never looked back. The Lord abundantly met the financial requirement and the numbers grew and so did the income.

During our ministerial stay in Louth in the early 1960s, a beautiful Salvation Army Officer from the Corps came to visit me. He came with spiritual burden and desire. Having heard of the blessing of the baptism of the Holy Spirit with speaking with new tongues, he was anxious about knowing more. I spoke with him, sharing my testimony and the Scripture concerning the same. Then I told him to go away and think, pray and consider the issue further and if he felt this was what he needed, to come back and I would pray with him

Fred had an unquenchable thirst and spiritual desire. It was not long before he was back and so I arranged a day and time when we would meet in our church building and pray together. A pastor from Grimsby, Rev. Robert Kay, a good man of God was to join us as we prayed and laid hands on him. We met and sought the Lord for over an hour and the time had almost reached mid day. Robert suddenly cried out: ‘Fill him by 12 o’clock, Lord’, and within the next few moments Fred was rejoicing in his Holy Spirit baptism. His wife, within the next week or so received as she was putting the children to bed.

It presented a problem at that time as this was not an acceptable belief and practice amongst the Salvationists and so Fred and Sheila Smeeton graciously resigned and were called to trust God with their future with a Pentecostal ministry. They accepted the pastorate at Spilsby, Lincolnshire, close by, but the work was small and could not support fully financially. Our church in Louth rose to the occasion and kindly gave assistance in the early part of their ministry there.

What a fantastic spiritual relationship we had going at that time and we were bonded together with divine love! There was more than me now on a greater level of trust! For over 40 years one has had the privilege of witnessing this lovely couple blessed along with their family fulfilling a Pentecostal ministry. Their faith and ministry grew and led them into an effectual role of service for the Lord.

One has discovered over the years that this is a major procedure with God. He ever wants to expand our confidence so that we trust Him for more and see greater things outworked in our lives and ministries. Do not be afraid when God challenges you to believe Him whatever He calls you to do: do it, and see His amazing goodness and intervention.

Rev. & Mrs. E. Anderson

FINANCIAL SUPPLY

One of the things that I have rejoiced in over many years is in the way that God has bountiful worked in relation to my financial requirements. In later life, this has been manifest in many ways especially in my ministry trips abroad with respect to travel and raising monies for various Christian projects.

Well do I recall in two instances when visiting South Africa how the Lord providentially saw to it that this need was met.

The first time I required  nine hundred pounds to cover the whole trip and it was rather unique in the way the amount came in.

As I was situated in the fellowship I attended the missionary treasurer came to me after a service and said that the decision had been made to assist me on this occasion with the sum of £200. I was sincerely grateful for the token that was to be the forerunner of further gifts. The church treasurer also came and stated that the leadership were giving me a gift of £200 to aid in the cost of travel. This was most encouraging and I sensed the Lord would make sure that the rest would also come.

The next source was to come from my oldest son. He, along with his wife, had made up their mind to bless his father-in-law who I was taking on the venture and myself with a monetary contribution. Lo and behold, it was to be another £200. It was quite amazing and amusing that the donations would come in similar amounts.

But the next bestowment came in an unusual manner. Whilst tending my front garden a woman Christian believer was passing by that belonged to the church that I had previously led. I made inquiry as to how she was going on. After her reply I felt the need to invite her in for coffee and a chat with my wife and I. How she appreciated those moments of hospitality! Before leaving I said I would pray for her and her future as she had been bereaved of her husband. Whilst praying I sensed the Lord was going to bless her and then the conviction arose in my heart that she was going to do the same for me.

A couple of days later a letter arrived at our home from this dear sister expressing her gratitude for time spent with her. A cheque was also enclosed for a further £200.

We went and had a tremendous time of ministry and fellowship.  Our final meeting was at the Assemblies of God Conference and I was due to speak before leaving for home. They had kindly provided accommodation for us during those few days and the spiritual accord was simply was great. I mused at the time and thought, what I require is a further £100 to cover the cost of the whole trip. The chairman of the Conference came to say farewell and gave me this amount of monies thus sealing the whole provision.

I was to go again on my own this time a few years later. Staying in the home of a good colleague and friend, on the first morning as I was kneeling by my bedside in prayer just prior to going to a Prayer Breakfast at his church, I sensed from the Lord that in no way would the churches supply my expenses. I replied simply to Him I was on His business. But He assured me the need would be met.

The first Sunday evening as I was in Cape Town preaching in a large church of which a friend of mind was its minister, the Lord blessed in a beautiful manner. It was good to see people saved, healed and blessed. In his office afterwards he said that they had an American brother attending the fellowship and he believed God wanted him to bless me financially and he waved this envelope before my gaze. On leaving the office it was given and he said it contained 3,000$ equivalent to over £1,700 at that time.

We were due to celebrate our Golden Wedding Anniversary in a few months time and so my wife and I were able to make a trip and holiday to Israel, a place where she had always wanted to go. We are sure of the words of Paul: “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” – Philippians 4: 19

Rev. & Mrs. E. Anderson

THE BLESSING OF A GIFT

It was in the early 1980’s that the United Kingdom was hit with the Miners Strike that was to result in a great deal of conflict, grief and the closing of many mines. Margaret Thatcher was taking a very firm stand against this working community which was headed by a fiery leader known as Arthur Scargill.

We were located closely in the area at the time, leading a church in Chesterfield. Our eldest son, Philip was much involved with the situation as he was a policeman in the South Yorkshire Constabulary. A lot of fierce talk and strife was in existence, but in the main, the miners were a good company of people who felt they were up against the political leaders who were set on mine closures.

Being out of work over a considerable period of time meant that many families did not find it easy to exist and were dependent on the kindness and generosity of other people who were sympathetic to their cause. They felt the strain of day to day to living and every pound was of value to them.

Because the mines were closed as a result of the strike, it also meant that other men who worked at the pits doing essential work like the electricians, joiners etc., were without employment and finance.

In our church at Chesterfield we had a woman come to us who was a choice Christian. Her name was Sandra Creswell. She loved the Lord and was very committed in serving him and faithfully attended the services. Sandra had a warm, glowing disposition and was not afraid to share her Christian faith and testimony with others. In conversation with her, she loved to talk about Christ and the things of God.

Being a Christian minister, it was my practice before retirement, to visit the church members in their homes to meet other members of the family. It had been a choice experience over many years to pop in and encounter new people in this way and to establish some healthy and meaningful relationships. I entertained the idea, that if people could come to church and give of their time, energy, gifts and money to Christ and His kingdom, I could also meet and minister to them in their homes. It has been one aspect of Christian ministry that has brought some welcome experiences that have led on to other things.

Well do I recall visiting the home of Sandra during the pit crisis? Her husband, Keith, was a joiner at a pit and at that time was out of work. He was and is a charming man and it was a pleasure to meet and hold meaningful conversations with him on many things. He gave me a kind welcome which I appreciated and I respected the difficulties that this couple had to face at this time. It was not something that they had chosen but they were caught up in the matter through no fault of their own. There was no complaining spirit but a quiet resignation of being; trusting things would speedily draw to a satisfactory conclusion.

Before leaving I felt that I should personally leave a monetary gift to help them a little. It wasn’t much but at least it showed some care in their situation.  Little did I know what that small contribution was to trigger off?

Keith apparently was inwardly and profoundly moved by the kind gesture, that a Christian minister should act so.  He made up his mind that he would attend our Christian fellowship. Any barrier that had been there previously was gone and we were delighted to welcome him. The greatest thing of all, he came to personally own Christ as his Lord Saviour and was baptised in water in confession of faith in Him

It is good to report that he has never looked back and has gone on as a Christian believer and quietly lives out his commitment to Him. From that visit, a close and warm bond was introduced between us that lasts to this day. Keith looks back on that occasion, when the divine change began to take place that led to his Christian conversion. A loving monetary gift started things off! To God be all the glory!

Rev. & Mrs. E. Anderson

EXTRACTS FROM LIFE  

When you have lived a considerable number of years in relationship with God one gathers a tremendous amount in testimony to God’s grace and goodness in life. One discovers that He does some amazing things with ordinary people and through the course of this page I would share some of the wonderful and interesting experiences He has wrought. And all is to His honour and glory.

CALLED TO BE A PATRIARCH

Being in the Christian ministry for over 50 years I thought that there were five main-fold ministries as expressed in Ephesians 4. This is what I had taught throughout my ministerial career and rejoiced that I had been able to play some role within the Church of Christ for a significant period.

It was whilst I was in South Africa just a few years ago that the Lord challenged my thinking and changed my considerations especially with regard to later life and calling.

Throughout my life I had been greatly challenged by the adventurous life of Abraham the Old Testament saint. It inspired me to think that God could and did lay hold of a man at 75 and commenced a powerful work in and through him. Although late in life, he became an outstanding individual who knew the favour of God on many fronts. In particular, he was not a father at that time but God assured him would become a father of nations. He is recognized in both the Jewish and Arab world as being their patriarchal father.

The spiritual revelation came home with some force to my spirit that the greatest calling in life was not to be an apostle, prophet, pastor, teacher or evangelist good and essential as these vocations are in the Christian Church, but the noblest was to be a spiritual father and patriarch. These are quality men with longstanding experience of God, life and many other things. Paul made the point to one church that they hadn’t got many ‘spiritual fathers’ – Corinthians.

It came through to my mind and heart that the greatest of all was God the Father and Christ paid deference to His Fatherhood. He is the ageless One and the Supreme Patriarch of all. Surely the finest calling of all was to attain this stage and to be able to exercise a role and ministry in this connection. Patriarchs do not retire but have a definite, worthwhile task to perform for God. He, above all, would honour the same and fulfill a service through them. It is one of the things that the Christian Church somehow fails to recognize and employ.

One of the choicest and memorable moments of my life was when in South Africa at a ministers’ conference. It happened as I was about to leave after ministering God’s Word. The chairman sensed it would be good for the brethren to pray over us before returning to the UK.

Inwardly I desired that he would ask Brother Bond the retired and senior leader and pastor amongst them to pray over me. How I valued and appreciated that man’s inspired prayer! I knew it would be answered and it has over the following years. Knowing his favour with God assured me that his prayer would find fulfillment.

In my early seventies I received the conviction that I was now in the patriarchal period of my life and that by faith I had something to convey to this generation. It was to be a new phase that would be owned by God if I was prepared to receive and enter into it. I shared with a very successful pastor in South Africa, in whose home I was staying this fact,  and he was delighted with it and called his wife and three big sons together to allow me to pray and lay hands on them all for God’s blessing. What a pleasure it has been to see God’s grace and abundant goodness being poured out upon them and the assembly he leads. They have just moved on in God.

I now live with and in this conviction that I possess the divine right to place God’s benediction upon His people. There is the special and unique prerogative to represent all my family to God and to command His favour upon them. Within the Christian community one is able to render a positive ministry and see God’s family blessed through spiritual fatherhood. God the Father through the spiritual fathers He has created and established would further His Fatherhood and make evident His incredible kindness and goodness.

No Christian minister should be redundant when reaching late life because there is this new calling and dimension to be embraced and a service that is utterly invaluable to others.

Rev. & Mrs. E. Anderson

EXTRACTS FROM LIFE  

When you have lived a considerable number of years in relationship with God one gathers a tremendous amount in testimony to God’s grace and goodness in life. One discovers that He does some amazing things with ordinary people and through the course of this page I would share some of the wonderful and interesting experiences He has wrought. And all is to His honour and glory.

MATTERSEY BIBLE COLLEGE

Quite a lot of people in the UK have become familiar with the place called, Mattersey Bible College, because over the past years many students from many parts of the world have come to study and be taught there and have advanced in their Biblical Studies and spiritual education. It has become a seat of learning and a large number of people have obtained their degrees and profited enormously from its tuition. It has become a place of renown amongst Pentecostal groups. The College is owned by Assemblies of God and its purpose is to prepare and train people with the call of God upon their lives for the ministry.

The place ‘Mattersey’ was not so well know amongst Pentecostal Christians. The denomination’s Bible College was once situated in Kenley, Surrey and I had the privilege of being a student there from 1955-57 and benefited greatly from my tutors and teaching. But it was in the early 1970’s that the property was sold and so search and inquiry was made for a new location. I never thought that I would be somehow slightly connected in this.

However, David Powell, who was the minister of the Rotherham Pentecostal Church, phoned and asked if I would go and view a former private school situated at Mattersey with the purpose of recommending it to the Board of Governors of the Assemblies of God Bible College. My wife and I joined him and together we looked around the premises and thought them ideal for Bible College purposes. Mrs. Sourbutt was the owner and accorded the opportunity of viewing them. The upshot of it was the Board proceeded and purchased them for a new beginning in the student tuition.

Little did I realize at the time that I would be closely associated with it in a personal way, along with my wife, Joan.

The College was in need of a new principal, and at the next General Conference, David Powell was elected to the astonishment of quite a few people. Joan and I gladly assisted when the move took place, helping primarily in the gardens to make them something presentable for the opening. At that time we were overseeing the large assembly at Doncaster but found some moments to assist in this connection. When the opening took place Joan took charge of the catering to relieve the situation.

David asked me to assist in lecturing by taking the Minor Prophets, a course that I enjoyed doing. So over the course of the months I frequented the place with ministry to the students. Prior to this, the Lord had placed a burden on my heart that this is where He wanted me to serve and I endeavoured to dispose of it, but it would not leave.

Six months later, after lecturing on the subject of the Prophets, I was conversing with the principal and he mentioned that the dean was leaving the College. It took me by surprise at the time but then I simply mentioned to him what had been taking place in my heart. We prayed and left the matter in the Lord’s hands.

Within two weeks we were approached by him with the backing of the Board of Governors to take up residence and be responsible for many things within the College activities. Joan assumed the duties of matron, looking after the material needs of the students and catering for their physical needs, and I the spiritual factors.

It was a challenging and demanding period of our lives. One can state it was not an easy phase of our ministry but a necessary one in the developing of one’s gifts, character, and relationships and so on. Working with a principal with a complex character and with a variety of students from various parts of the world was rather difficult proposition but it created and cultivated something in us that has been invaluable. We laboured very hard there (possibly the hardest stage of our lives) but it was worth it because of what it produced in us. We never gained any earthy honours or degrees but sense we passed some enormous spiritual tests that made into better people capable of doing much more for the Lord in terms of leadership. The Bible College became an immense training ground for us and many lessons were duly learned.

We left this area of ministry and service how we had commenced, in the will of God, having gained invaluable experience for even greater things.

In seeing how the Lord has blessed and prospered it and is still doing so in the present, we are most grateful and glad that we had some small part to play in its foundation. Having done what was required of us, we were able to move and achieve other things for God in other fields of service and ministry. Others have taken over and are leading the work on to greater things, and that is how it should be.

In the final analysis and judgment, we are workers together with Christ, building His kingdom in the sphere He wants us to be in at various stages of life. We have to learn to do all we can whilst and where we can and then move at the Lord’s direction.