In days of short pastorates and heavy-handed shepherding, it’s good to rejoice in a long and fruitful ministry. Gareth Lewis, senior minister of Christchurch Harpenden and a long-time director of en retires from his ministry in Hertfordshire this month after 31 years of service.
In those years the church has grown considerably and blessed the wider Christian world extensively, especially through the training up and sending out of men and women into Christian service, whether at home or abroad.
Gareth and Cilla will be moving to South Wales and taking up a part-time role with the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches, where I also serve. He will be Director for South Wales, serving and helping churches in that geographic area.
What’s your church like? I mean, really like?
I don’t mean, where it is or what kind of building and programmes you have. Or even why you exist …