Archives for 2026

And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valour. (Judges 6v12 NKJV)

In scripture there are several instances in which men are referred to as mighty men of valour.  For example, the army of men defending Jericho (Joshua 6v2), Naaman the commander of the Syrian army (2Kings 5v1) or David’s army (1 Chronicles 12v8). Most people however are familiar with the story of Gideon when he is referred to as a man of valour.

The statement “mighty man of valour reflects the qualities of strength, courage, and bravery. These qualities are closely intertwined with the core characteristics of leadership, wisdom, and integrity. If we think about these attributes we can see that they are synonymous with the role that fathers are entrusted to undertake.

Fatherhood is not an easy role, it comes with the responsibility of men, nurturing, guiding, and providing for their child(ren). And for the Christian father it comes also with the profound responsibility of him leading and teaching his children in the things of God according to the Christian faith. “Train up a child in the way it should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22v6).

In the sphere of our homes, families, communities there are many men who take their role of fatherhood very seriously. These remarkable men are striving to be good fathers to their children and children entrusted into their care. Often they are undertaking the role in silence daily going about tasks and activities that will ensure that their children are loved, cared for and protected.

This Father’s Day we acknowledge and celebrate all the fathers who are striving to be good fathers. To the fathers who may not be biological fathers, but you have taken on the fatherhood role in the lives of children whether, stepdad, uncle, older brother, mentor this includes you.

As the declaration “mighty man of valour” has been declared and used to describe men in Scripture may these words resonate with every father reading this “you are a mighty man of valour”. With God’s help you are strong, you are brave, you are courageous, you can be the father God has called you to be. 

You may not feel that you have these attributes or are up for the role of fatherhood but take note of Gideon, when the Angel of The Lord spoke to him, he was cowering away living in fear of the Midianites and as some men do, Gideon struggled with fear and uncertainty. Despite this Gideon is referred to as being brave and courageous. As Gideon’s story develops we see how with God’s help Gideon became what was declared over him. He became brave and courageous going on to defeat the Midianites with a small army of men. Gideon’s story can be found in the book of Judges chapters 6-8

Fathers when feeling unsure be encouraged and lean into your heavenly father knowing that he loves you “The Lord your God is in your midst. The Mighty One will save. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will quite you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3v17).

As you lean into God know that God is with you, and He will instruct you on how best to raise your children. “Your ears shall hear a word behind you this is the way walk in it whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left” (Isaiah 30v21)

Dear fathers as you walk in your calling of fatherhood do so with God’s wisdom, strength and in the power of HIS might. Keep going!

Happy Father’s Day.

 (Nb Scripture references are taken from the new king James translation)

Lamentations 3 v 22-23

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed. Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning ; Great is your faithfulness.

God had graciously opened a door into new territory in Montenegro.

As our plane descended the scene before us was like a painting honed by a skilled artist, who had perfectly captured the iridescent beauty of the sea with it’s hues of azure, turquoise and deep blue. In the distance were the mountain ranges covered by lush green foliage and as far as the eye could see beyond that was green.

We were acutely aware of God’s providence and divine protection as our plane continued its descent. No more so, than when it failed its first attempted touchdown and had to circle the runway for several minutes before making a successful landing. We knew with certainty that we were being carried on the wings of prayer.

Pastor Dennis had sent a text message from Psalms 121, prior to the team leaving. The emphasis being on the God who keeps and helps. A song sung by travellers particularly relevant for the trust placed in God throughout the journey.

As the group disembarked from the aeroplane it soon became apparent that one member of the group was very unwell. He was unable to walk to the transportation provided. A local doctor at the airport was notified and an ambulance placed on standby. This however was declined as the person concerned chose instead to put his trust in Jesus.

The attending doctor was curious when she heard those around him calling on the name of Jesus for healing and questioned this. She was asked if she knew Jesus and replied that she did not. She was also asked if she would like prayer, she confirmed that she would. As prayer went forth asking God to show her His Salvation the doctor repeatedly said thank you.

On route to our destination God miraculously intervened and before we arrived our brother was completely healed. One of the driver’s was so moved by this that he asked the brother if he could give his testimony, to the church, after Sunday morning service.

On Saturday evening a concert was held in the town of Ulcinj, where we were staying. The town has approximately 20,000 inhabitants, mainly Albanian Muslims. We noted that there were a high number of mosques in close proximity to our accommodation. During the day and into the evening the sound of the muslim call to prayer could be heard.

The day before the concert we handed out leaflets with information about the event. These were readily received with many people confirming that they would attend.

The shops around where the concert was held were predominantly muslim. As customer’s came in and out, they were able to hear the Gospel message in Word and song. Some of these were Muslims who sat at the tables outside the shops, seemingly in no hurry to leave, as they listened to the music and a message delivered by Reverend Taylor under the divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

At the end of the concert three people, who didn’t know about the event stated that they had heard the singing from their home and just had to come. They stayed to the end and said they were grateful that the team had come to Montenegro. As a result, a member of the choir was able to share a testimony of salvation.

In addition, a group of young people on a mission trip from Liverpool were very excited to hear the choir and see the outreach that was taking place. One of these young men shared his personal testimony, at church the following day.

As Sunday morning dawned we awoke to the fragrant smell of baking from local shops, combined with the fresh smell of the sea and fragrance from local blossoms. We travelled from Ulcinj to Budva to a small church plant where we attended Sunday service with the believers there. This was just over an hour’s journey from where we were staying.

During the journey one of the drivers of the minibuses engaged in conversation with Elder Chris. The driver expressed his desire to receive the Holy Spirit, God had impressed on Elder Chris and Minister Jenny to travel in this minibus which provided the opportunity for the driver to hear the true message of Salvation and teaching on the Holy Spirit.

When we arrived at the church we were warmly greeted by the Pastor and his wife.

As the service begun Minister Jenny and the choir ministered powerfully in song. Hearts were touched as the words of “I just want to speak the name of Jesus,” and ‘Jehovah Rapha’ rang out.

Reverend Taylor, spoke a sobering Word in season, from John chapter 4 on the importance of being honest with ourselves before God. Getting rid of all religiousness that impedes us from true relationship with God.

Lives were touched as those present allowed the spotlight of God’s Holy Spirit to search and cleanse hearts and renew spirits.

After the service one of the men from the local church came over to a member of the team and introduced his wife. In conversation and reflection about his wife’s miraculous healing from cancer he asked for prayer for both of them. The Holy Spirit led this sister to pray very specifically about something she knew nothing about. They subsequently both started weeping. This sister didn’t know why.

At the end of the prayer the man shared that she had prayed into something that confirmed God’s direction for them. The sister informed them that it could only be God! They thanked and praised God together and marvelled at how precise The Holy Spirit is!

In Montenegro there is only a small number of believers who had become weary. God in His infinite mercy used Minister Jenny, Reverend Taylor, Elder Cris, and the team to bring life, encouragement, and hope.

We thank God for the opportunity to be the feet of those that bring the good news of the Gospel, a message of hope and deliverance.

To God be all the glory!

1st – 4th May 2026

Reported by Janet Handy

Psalm 63:1–4

So, I have looked for You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.
Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You.
Thus, I will bless You while I live.
I will lift up my hands in Your name.

Our first meeting in Chalford saw a wonderful move of God. Much prayer had gone out from the team beforehand.

As we entered the small stone 19th-century church ahead of time to prepare for the Gospel concert, there was a sense of peace and a sense of us being exactly where God wanted us to be: “The right place, at the right time, with the right people.”

As the sanctuary began to fill, Minister Jenny prayed that the Shekinah Glory of God would shine through the choir. News of the concert had gone out into the local area through word of mouth and leaflets pushed through doors.

As the first song rang out, “All Because of Jesus”, the presence of God filled the house. The gentle caress of the Holy Spirit tenderly ministered to hurting, wounded and broken spirits. Some may not have fully understood what they were experiencing but wanted to remain in that atmosphere. Feet began tapping, hands clapping, while others lifted hands in the air, moving them in time to the music.

Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Brother Sean shared his personal testimony in a powerful way.

Two women with children gripped by drug addiction came after and spoke of the pain, despair and hopelessness they experienced as a result of their children’s drug addiction. They expressed the new hope that they now felt after hearing Sean’s testimony. If God could do it for him, save and deliver him from drug addiction, God could also do it for their children.

Reverend Taylor delivered God’s rhema Word for the hour. The Lord Jesus, who knows the hearts, minds and needs of people, used Reverend Taylor in a very special way to speak to the needs of those present. A hush fell upon those present as they listened intently to every word being spoken.

Many were reluctant to leave as the meeting drew to a close, lingering in their seats to talk to Reverend Taylor, Minister Jenny, Elder Chris, members of the team and those from the local church.

A family who had attended last year to hear the choir visited again this year. Their daughter committed her life to the Lord last year after listening to the choir and the salvation message by Reverend Taylor. Her parents returned this year, much to the delight of those who met them last year. They brought with them their other daughter, grandmother and godmother.

A Christian lady known to the Chalford fellowship spoke to Minister Jenny after the meeting. She told her that, as the choir sang, she saw a light radiating out from them and the immediate thought that came to her mind was God’s Shekinah Glory. It was truly wonderful to witness how God confirmed His Word to Minister Jenny and answered her prayer.

There were numerous testimonies. One such testimony was from a young woman who was in hospital during the period that the World Wide Mission Fellowship team was ministering in Chalford last year. She was critically ill in intensive care. The doctors were uncertain as to whether she would live. They were unsure of the underlying problem. Her mother attended the concert in 2025 and asked Reverend Taylor to pray for her daughter. God revealed to Reverend Taylor that her daughter had sepsis. Prayer went forth and her daughter was healed.

One week ago, this young lady had a major operation but came to the meeting on Saturday. She said that while she was there, she felt something happening in the area where she had received surgery, and she was completely healed. Only God could do this.

Our God is truly awesome! Great and mighty things He has done!

Mark 10:27

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”  Matthew 11:28-30 (The MSG)

For many people life is busy, busy with family life, busy with work, busy with ministry, busy dealing with the pressures of an illness, the loss of a loved one or the cost-of-living. The list could be endless. “Life is lifing” is a phrase that seems to be becoming more and more popular. It is a colloquial phrase that means life is happening, often with overwhelming challenges that are at times unpredictable and beyond one’s control. This is why the verses of Matthew 11:28-30 are very apt. The verses are a beautiful and wonderful invitation to us from Jesus, the Messiah, Son of the Living God. 

Jesus asks the question, as translated in the Message bible, are you tired? worn out, burned out on religion? This is then followed by the simple yet profound statement “Come to me – Get away with me and you’ll recover your life”.

The statement is a call to action, it is the action of giving our life to Jesus, it is the action of giving our cares and worries to Him. It is the action of finding spiritual and mental rest in Jesus and as we do these things our life will be “recovered”. Isn’t that awesome! Have you ever been unwell and started to get better? or have you been in financial hardship and provision has been made and you have started to make a financial recovery. Isn’t it a great feeling? Imagine how great the feeling would be if we whole heartedly come to Jesus and have all areas of our life recovered by Him.

The word recovered carries the meaning of restoration, renewal, and healing. When we actively come to Jesus restoration, renewal and healing can come. Think about Psalm 23:1-3 (AMP) says.

“The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me], I shall not want. He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still and quiet waters. He refreshes and restores my soul (life); He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”

By coming to Jesus, with our daily worries we can find stillness, peace, and joy.

Currently, in many countries around the world, people are observing the season of remembering and reflecting on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is a meaningful time to pause, be still, and reflect on the work of the cross and the invitation Jesus extends to us.

As bible believing Christians we recognise that Jesus was the Passover lamb for humanity. Through His sacrificial death on the cross Jesus took on the sins of mankind. Jesus took on the weight of our wrongdoing, so that we could be forgiven of our sins and have a pathway back to GOD. By repenting of our sins and asking for forgiveness through Jesus Christ individual restoration and reconciliation to GOD happens.

Significantly and amazingly the work of the cross does not end with Jesus’s death it continues pivotally with Jesus’s resurrection and ascension to heaven. Hallelujah, Jesus is Alive in heaven (Mark 16:19, Hebrews 10:12, Acts 7:55).

The work of the cross gives us (humanity) the opportunity to access eternal life. The work of the cross brings redemption, freedom, and liberty. Ultimately the work of the cross gives us LIFE.

So dear reader with this in mind, during this Passover season here is something to think about. Regardless of what situation you find yourself in, whether in the grips of the busyness of life or weighed down by the cares and burdens of life, whether you know Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour or are yet to make that decision, Jesus is inviting you to come to Him. Jesus wants to show you how to have real rest in Him, Jesus wants all your worries and cares. Jesus wants to walk with you, Jesus wants to work with you, Jesus wants you to be free. The question is will you accept?

(The biblical accounts of Jesus’s death and resurrection can be found in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.)