Pastor’s Annual Report 2021-22

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.”

Dear brothers and sisters,

Please join with me in giving praise and thanks to our God for his steadfast love and faithfulness to us over the last twelve months. In a world full of uncertainty, fear and darkness, knowing our heavenly Father stands sovereign over all the circumstances of our lives and that he is for us, gives us a peace that surpasses all understanding and enables us to stand firm as we await patiently the return of our Lord Jesus.

I have included two passages from 1 Corinthians 15 (above and below) as a reminder to us of what God himself has declared to be of primary importance, namely the death and resurrection of his Son. In a world that can easily distract us and calls for our attention to be focused elsewhere, may we ever remind each other and the world of what Christ has done and where forgiveness and new life can be found. May we be like the apostle Paul and see everything as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!

I would like to thank God for all those who over the last 12 months have served our congregation in a variety of ways.

A big thank you first of all to the IC deacons: Tee, Wilson, Neil, Chiyan, Henry, Gavin, Will and Bo. These brothers have worked faithfully, often behind the scenes, to facilitate much of the ministry that happens in our congregation. You are a blessing to us brothers 😊 May God’s grace and peace continue to be upon you.

I am also very thankful for all those who have helped to make our Sunday morning services such a blessing. Thank you to the ushers, music leaders, musicians, sound and audio people, communion helpers, bible readers and everybody else that makes our Sunday morning corporate worship so enjoyable. By God’s grace you are helping us all to keep the faith and run our race with joy.

I also wish to thank those who oversee our community groups. These groups are a wonderful source of grace and strength for our church, allowing us time to interact with one another and to further dig into God’s word. A special thanks to those who open their homes for our community groups to meet in. Your hospitality is greatly appreciated!

One of the highlights of the year (again!) was our church camp. It was fantastic to see our sister Val get baptized and to spend the weekend together. We are already planning for next year’s camp (thanks Wilson) with the theme to be that of holiness. May God help us to see his awesome holiness and to stir a greater desire for holiness in our hearts and lives too.

In May we began a university-aged community group which meets on Sunday mornings. Please be in prayer for both the participants in the group and those who are leading it. May God use it to birth faith in some and to see others grow in their walk with Christ.

Into the future my prayer is that our Lord will continue to grow us in our love for him and for each other and that he will draw others to himself through us. If the last two years has taught us anything, it is that we can make our plans for the future, but only God knows what will come to pass. As such, may we recommit ourselves to trusting and obeying our risen King Jesus whatever the future holds, knowing that whatever we do for him lasts for all eternity.

God bless brothers and sisters. It truly is a joy to be able live this life of faith with you all.

Your brother in Christ

Pastor Dave 

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain.