In Depth:  Linda Allcock

The London Ministry Wives Convention in mid-January took place at Trinity Road Chapel in Tooting South London and, though illness caused a change to the programme, it was clear that the Lord was at work.

Carolyn Lacey spoke on 1 Peter about the living hope found in Jesus – a living hope that brings great joy, ‘although now, for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials’ (1 Peter 1.6). Carolyn reminded everyone that trials have a purpose.

The first blossoms on the trees even amidst the hustle of London traffic, is a vivid picture of the theme we explored at the London Ministry Wives Conference, which took place on 30 January. Will we be disciples that last? Even in the choking atmosphere of London?

One wife I chatted to said to me: ‘My oldest is 8. Hers is not a great school, but it’s better than the first one she went to. We moved her to this one. Though I’m still not sure it’s the right school for her’. This is a clear expression of the tension London ministry wives face. She is serving alongside her husband on a tough inner-London housing estate, and it hurts. London life chokes.

On January 25, Kath Paterson was moved to find herself back in the pulpit of Trinity Road Chapel, Tooting, addressing a church full of pastors’ wives from 70 different churches across the London area.

34 years ago she had stood in the same spot, promising ‘I will…’ to Andy. The subject for this year’s London Ministry Wives conference was… marriage! The subject was not only fitting, it was necessary, as participants were soberly reminded that at least one seat amongst us was vacant through marriage break-up.