Chris, it’s been a long time. How has lockdown been for you personally? What have been the highs and lows?
It’s been a profoundly challenging disruption to life as usual for all of us. I live in Cardiff and have been at home with my wife Annie for most of lockdown, and our youngest daughter Charlotte has been with us too. Of course, there were lots of things we weren’t able to do as a family but we’ve majored on the positives – more time together and still being able to work, albeit from home. It’s been a very challenging time. I’m an extrovert and love energising moments with people. But I have found that by spending time with family we’ve been really appreciative of the time we’ve had with each other. I want to take away from that a greater sense of care, love and thankfulness to God for the people who are in our lives.
How would you say Elim has coped during lockdown? What have been the biggest successes and challenges?
Like every sector of society, we didn’t see this coming. There have been huge implications and consequences of a global pandemic for Elim, but I’m so encouraged and pleased by the response of many of our leaders and staff. The danger is often to react to something but we’ve tried to take time to put in place levels of support and give connection to our churches and leaders and to offer operational support. Elim is a movement of local churches and this pandemic has affected every local church so it’s been our duty and role to serve them accordingly. We’ve tried to readjust to make sure we are there as much as we can be to support our churches and ministers on the ground, especially in terms of guidance and resources.
In the first few weeks of lockdown we were rushing to get online and make sure everything was accessible quickly. Of course, I’m used to travelling most Sundays to an Elim church so to not be able to do that has been challenging. I’ve been so excited at how churches have responded to lockdown. There were huge challenges as to how churches were going to connect, meet, do discipleship and mission with these massive restrictions, but we’ve seen genuine opportunities surface. In fact, the church hasn’t closed at all. We haven’t stopped loving Jesus and loving others and living our lives to the glory of God.
Continue reading your story on the app
Continue reading your story in the magazine
Man who has made waves for 42 years!
Peter Wooding caught up with Don Stephens to find out how he pioneered the work of Mercy Ships following a life-changing encounter with Mother Teresa, who asked him three questions...
I'm now responsible for the publication I used to hate...
Danielle Gault would get angry with her mum when she gave her copies of Word for Today – but she now heads the team that prints it
I feel a sense of privilege and of responsibility!
What’s it like taking over as an Elim Regional Leader in the midst of a pandemic and the Christmas season? James Glass is finding out
You have to move faster when leading in a crisis
A new job, a major event transitioned online and an events company to grow in a pandemic – it’s been a dramatic year for Phil Loose. Essential Christian’s CEO discusses the changing face of Spring Harvest
Life after lockdown...
Three Aspire team members look back at a year of ‘holy uncertainty’
Don't tell me it can't be done!
The African Children’s Choir has visited a number of Elim churches, but Covid travel restrictions have meant a quieter year for founder Ray Barnett. Peter Wooding talked to him
It's going to be different,but we need to adopt...
Life at Regents is all about social distancing and support bubbles but student numbers have increased despite lockdown
Elim at the forefront of response to pandemic
When Covid-19 struck, churches were plunged into an uncharted sea of new legislation. But a background in emergency planning for the NHS meant Elim’s Executive Director Olivia Amartey was ideally placed to guide them through it. She spoke to Chris Rolfe
4 missional lessons to learn from Christ
If we want to be effective in mission, it will cost us something, says Iain Hesketh. We must listen more than we speak, and serve more than we are served
12-day Christmas
How do you pray during a Covid Christmas? Creatively, daily, with a focus on God, our families, friends and our local communities, says Elim’s national prayer leader Sarah Whittleston
THE GREAT ATLANTIC GETAWAY
THERE MAY BE NO BETTER TIME TO PRESS PAUSE AND GO SAILING. ELAINE BUNTING MEETS TRANSATLANTIC CREWS DOING JUST THAT
AUNT NELLIE'S DIARY
MANY contemporary readers know Louisa May Alcott only as the author of the classic Little Women, the much-beloved story of the March sisters’ journey from childhood innocence to mature womanhood.
Giants iconic quarterback is enjoying his retirement
A content Mann is moving forward
Let's "Get Squared" With Jenny King!
In a previous In the World of Crochet article, I said that one of the many advantages of attending yarn shows such as Chain Link or sheep and wool festivals is meeting the dynamic people of yarn companies. Let me broaden that remark to include the great designers who create the patterns you love to make.
HOMETOWN GIRL
Using her years in retail and design, Annie Parker has created a perfectly curated shop.
A STAY OF DEMOLITION
Neglected and then damaged by fire, a historic Queen Anne house is rescued by Indiana Landmarks.
Modern Annie Oakleys
Firearms aren’t just for boys anymore.
Dan the Man
The second year signal caller is ready for the spotlight
MOVING FORWARD AS A GLOBAL COMMUNITY OF ARTISTS
Portrait Society of America’s International Portrait Competition represents some of today’s top artists from around the world.
Brush Strokes
Real-life twins Deidre Hall and Andrea Hall-Gengler share a passion for painting, and so much more