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By God’s grace and mercy, Christmas 2025 is upon us and is being marked by many people across the world.

The opening sentence of Charles Dicken’s classic novel, a Tale of Two Cities reads “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times……..” The statement summarises two very different experiences being lived by people in two different cities. In one city things are very good for the people while in the other city things are not so good. The Christmas season is like this for many people, for some it is great time as they connect with family and friends while for others, for a range of reasons, Christmas can be a lonely and sad time even when surrounded by others.

Christmas can also be a season when one can easily be swept into the world’s version of Christmas – consumerism, overindulgence, and the pressure for perfection.

This Christmas amid how you are feeling about the season, amid the busyness and distractions it is important to take time to pause and reflect on God’s precious gift to us– Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us.

Shortly after his birth as was the custom Jesus was presented by his parents to the Lord in the temple. On seeing and holding Jesus the godly man Simeon praised God and proclaimed “I have seen your salvation which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations and he is the glory of your people Israel!” (Luke 2: 31-32 NLT)

Simeon recognised the awesome significance of God’s sovereign plan of salvation that would be fulfilled through the birth of Jesus. We know from the New Testament narrative that Jesus grew up, became a man, and demonstrated to the world that he was indeed the light of the world, Jesus revealed God to the nations, through how he lived on earth, His death on the cross, and His resurrection.

While on earth Jesus clearly declared his purpose for us (the world) “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy I came that they may have life and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)” (John 10:10, Amplified)    

The most wonderful and gracious aspect of Christmas is to remember that Jesus is God’s gift to us. For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world, He even gave His One and only begotten Son so that whoever believes and trusts in Him as Saviour shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16, Amplified)

Jesus is alive and wants to have an ongoing personal relationship with us. He wants to give us abundant life, comfort, joy, stability, peace, whatever the situation or circumstance that we may find ourselves in.

“Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20 NKJ).

This Christmas season let us dine with Jesus so that He can minister to us and through us. And, as we reflect, ponder, and dine with Jesus individually let us also share the gift of Jesus with others as we meet and spend time with family, friends, and people we may not know so well. Let’s talk about Jesus and his faithfulness throughout 2025 let’s rejoice that Jesus is our Christmas gift remembering Jesus is the reason for the season.

What better way to share Jesus with people. than over a simple bite to eat. Here’s some inspiration.

Cranberry and Pistachio dip

Ingredients

• I small tub of soft cream cheese.
• 1⁄4 cup of cranberries (cut in half or quarters)
• 2tbsp of pistachio nuts (finely chopped)
• A handful of chopped parsley
• 1⁄2 a sprig of spring onion
• 1tbsp runny honey (you can add more according to your liking)

Method

Mix all the ingredients together and place in a bowl. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Serve with crackers.

Pomegranate and Brie on Crackers

 Ingredients

• x1 small round size brie cheese
• 1⁄4 approx. 50 grams of pomegranate 
• Optional handful of chopped walnuts 
• Crackers as many as you wish.
• Honey to drizzle over cheese

Method

• Slice the brie into small triangles or squares if that’s your preference.
• Place one slice of your cheese on top of your cracker.
• Drizzle a small amount of honey on the cheese.
• Top the cheese with several pomegranate arils.
• Sprinkle walnut’s if using.

Cranberry and Orange Cake

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (approx. 250grams)
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1tsp vanilla essence
• 1 ½ cups fresh cranberries (approx.200grams
• 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
• 1 cup white sugar
• ¾ cup orange juice
• ¼ cup butter, softened
• 1 large egg

Method

Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together in a large bowl.

Stir in cranberries and orange zest.

Place sugar, butter, and egg together in another large bowl. Mix until smooth.

Stir in orange juice.

Take the flour mixture and add it to the sugar and butter mixture. Mix until mixture is smooth. Place in a baking tin

Cook in at 175c for approx. an hour. Once cooked allow the cake to cool for approx. 15mintues. After this time, the cake should be ready to be eaten. It tastes grate with a cup of tea.

Mission Trip to Stroud 7^th -9^th November 2025

Remembrance Sunday Service.

We have thought, O God, on Your lovingkindness, in the midst of Your temple. According to Your name, O God so is Your praise to the ends of the earth. Psalms 48:9-10

Sunday was our last day in Chalford, in such a short period of time we had formed a strong bond with our brothers and sister at Chalford Baptist church.  We knew that God had ignited a spiritual fire, and the green shoots of revival were already sprouting. As we reflected on what God had done the previous day our hearts were overwhelmed.  We entered the sanctuary encouraged in the knowledge of this but also conscious that today was Remembrance Sunday.  Many would be grieving the loss of loved ones as a result of war and the on-going conflict in many countries across the world,

There were less people in church than on the previous day but many more than would normally attend on a regular Sunday.  Around the interior of the church was inscribed in large lettering the words from Psalms 122: 6

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, may they prosper who love thee.”

David one of the leaders opened in prayer and led the first part of the Service of Remembrance concluding with the poignant words: 

“They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old.  Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.  At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.” 

As Sincere Praise sang, we could feel the sweet presence of God in that place and the gentle caress of the Holy Spirit surrounding each person present.      

Reverend Taylor delivered the message: ‘What it means to be lost’, taken from Luke 15. A wonderful word of encouragement to the church.  She thanked God for those around the world who laid down their lives for us. More than that she said, “We thank Jesus for laying down His life for us that we might have life.” 

 She went on to share Luke 19:10 ‘For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.’  ‘Lost ‘in the context of this verse means ‘to be wasted.’ A life apart from God means that one’s life is being wasted. She also shared that to be lost means not being where you belong, to be going in the wrong direction, and to be defiant of God himself.

To be found means to be where you belong, to be going in the right direction, and to be submissive to God.

It was such a blessing to hear people sharing how the Lord had ministered to them through the Word and Songs sung by Sincere Praise over the weekend.

Our grateful thanks to all at Chalford Baptist church for their warm hospitality.

To God be all the glory for all that He has done.

As the Psalmist declared in Psalms 48:9-10 we can also declare:

We have thought, O God, on Your lovingkindness, in the midst of Your temple.  According to Your name, O God so is Your praise to the ends of the earth.

Prayer for the following requested by one of the leaders:

• That the church will be aroused to meet together to pray, worship and study the Bible.

• God’s strength for Robert who believes that he has been instructed by the Lord to make the big hall “fit for the King” with two prayer rooms.  

• A disabled toilet is desperately needed.

• For the baptism of the Holy Spirit, for the stirring of ‘spiritual gifts’ in the church. If something doesn’t happen, they believe the church will die as each one dies.  We need action!!

• New management with God ordained, righteous, spirit filled leaders.

Mission Trip to Stroud 7th – 9th November 2025

Saturday 7^th Gospel Concert.

I am the vine; you are the branches.  If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing. John 15:5 (NIV)

We were on home territory again. After a year of missions abroad, Sincere Praise, Reverend Taylor and the team were departing to minister in Chalford, a small village nestled in the beautiful Cotswold Hills, in Stroud, Gloucestershire

As our two minibuses inched their way out of central London, through the Friday evening rush hour traffic, there was a sense of relief as we left behind the sounds of emergency sirens and horn blowing motorists.  It wasn’t long before we were proceeding along quiet country lanes and experiencing a more calm and relaxed pace. 

It was late evening when we arrived at the accommodation where we would be spending the next two days.  Some of the group, had come straight from work, having taken their cases with them in the morning.  Nevertheless, spirits were high and there was an eager anticipation of what God was going to do. 

The following day, early afternoon, we left to go to Chalford Baptist Church, a small congregation of approximately fifteen people.  After a week of rain, shafts of golden autumnal sunshine radiated down from a clear blue sky.  We could see as we approached the church, that a large poster had been erected outside, announcing a Gospel concert, featuring Sincere Praise.  As we stepped out of the minibus we were enveloped in warm embraces, there were no formalities, we just felt as if we were among close friends we had known all our lives.

The church, built in the 1800’s, was situated on a hill, all around us was the most stunning panoramic views. The whole setting from the traditionally built local stone church with its wonderful architecture was a snapshot of quintessential England.  

We noticed as we entered the church that there were rows of empty seats. There were a few people scattered around, some seated, others standing talking to each other. The small group of believers from the Fellowship had worked hard dropping leaflets provided by Worldwide Mission Fellowship, through doors, into shops or handing them directly to the locals.  They had been praying and desperately believing God that the usually empty church would be full, that God would bring in people from outside.  We also knew that Pastor Dennis and the church back home was praying,

After the opening prayer and introductions, Minister Jenny led the choir in song.    Each song was hand-picked by the ‘Holy Spirit’ for a specific purpose.  The almost empty church was now packed, with people also standing at the back.  As God used Minister Jenny as the conduit through which He would powerfully flow, each member of the choir moved in perfect harmony with that flow. The usually reserved English demeanour dispersed as people stood up, waved their hands in the air and begun dancing.

God gave Reverend Taylor a life changing Word for those present.  As she prepared to speak the ‘Holy Spirit’ instructed her to change her prepared sermon for the Salvation Message.  When she opened her mouth God took the words and combined it with the anointing that He had placed upon her and it became spiritual dynamite, demolishing demonic strongholds and melting hearts. Tears ran down people’s faces as they openly wept, healing took place, hope replaced despair and lives that didn’t know Jesus was submitted to him.

There were numerous testimonies as people eager to share what had happened to them waited to tell someone .  One young lady asked, “What must I do to be saved?” and was led in the Salvation prayer as she submitted her life to Jesus. 

Someone who was passing by the church came in and gave her life to the Lord. A member of the church who led her to the Lord  wept as he did so, amazed at what God was doing!

How do we adequately capture and describe such a divine move of God?

Only God could do this!  Only He has the power to make what seems impossible, possible.  Only He has the ability to truly transform lives. 

To Him only be all honour and glory and praise!

1 Corinthians 2:9, (Amplified Version)

But just as it is written [in Scripture],  “Things which the eye has not seen and the ear has not heard,  And which have not entered the heart of man,
All that God has prepared for those who love Him [who hold Him in affectionate reverence, who obey Him, and who gratefully recognize the benefits that He has bestowed].”

Scripture Reflection

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” – John 7:37-39

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Early Morning Departure

It was still dark as members of the group awoke and got ready to meet the coach to Nicosia where the team would be ministering. As we walked to our meeting place the normally bustling harbour was silent.

We sat and talked quietly amongst ourselves while we waited in the crisp morning air for the coach to arrive. Some of the group had returned home. God had used them in a tremendous way!

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A Significant Day in God’s Calendar

We came to Cyprus just before the start of Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles, tomorrow would be the last day of Sukkot and today our final day of ministry. God had allowed us to be in Cyprus at this very significant time.

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Ministry in Two Fellowships

When we arrived in Nicosia, one half of the group went to a small church led by Pastor Marcela, (Church of God World Mission) where the Pastor and most of the congregation were from the Philippines.
The other half went to the Sri Lankan Christian Fellowship.

At both churches there was a dynamic and powerful move of the ‘Holy Spirit’ through praise and worship and the inspired Word of God delivered under the anointing by Rev Taylor and Elder Chris.

As the invitation was given to those who didn’t know Jesus, Praise God, there was a wonderful response across both fellowships.

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United Praise Service in the Afternoon

In the afternoon the whole WWMF team came together to attend a praise service at the Church of God World Mission. The event was also attended by other churches in Nicosia.

God used Rev Taylor as His chosen vessel to bring forth a word in season. She exhorted those present to let their faith in accordance with God’s will, release from His kingdom what they needed from Him.

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Heaven Came Down in Worship

As Sincere Praise ministered in song led by Minister Jenny, the praises went up and heaven came down. It was as if the flood gates of heaven had opened! Just as on the last day of the feast when Jesus cried out! “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in me out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” Living, rejuvenating, refreshing, spiritual water was poured out all over the sanctuary.

As Every Praise to our God was sang, the whole sanctuary erupted in rapturous adoration as people jumped, danced and clapped their hands in jubilation and in the liberty and the freedom that only Christ can bring.

We can truly say, “Lord God you are worthy of all the praise! The glory! and the honour! It all belongs to you.”

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A Spirit of Love and Hospitality

The team received such warm hospitality given with a depth of love and generosity from the Fellowship that was truly humbling. The Fruit of the Spirit was manifest in its entirety.

We know that nothing worthwhile can be achieved without prayer. It has the power to change circumstances and transform lives. We want to thank everyone who prayed for this mission trip to Cyprus. May God continue to bless you and renew your strength as you wait upon Him.

We want to give God the highest praise from grateful hearts that are overwhelmed by all that He has done and continues to do.

Sri Lankan Christian Fellowship – Morning Service, Nicosia

Church of God World Mission – Afternoon & Combined Praise Service, Nicosia

Reflections of Praise – Testimonies from the Cyprus Mission

On Monday 6th and Wednesday 8th October in the morning we had times of fellowship and testimonies, at the Avanti Village conference room Paphos. Here are some of the testimonies shared by members of the team.