A CELEBRATION of the birth of the Christian Life Church in Hedon took place on Saturday evening. It was twenty years ago on Sunday 11th September 1994 that the founding of the church – then known as the Hedon Pentecostal Church – took place in the Scout Hall on Sheriff Highway. Ray Redmore was at that first event with his wife Florence (Flo) and described the first Pastor, Lesley Bellerby, as “the Church Planter”. The term ‘planter’ is wonderful; with all its connotations of nurturing, laying roots, growth, bearing flowers and fruit and achieving potential. It is a word that perhaps captures the pioneering nature of those involved in the Christian Life Church as they seek to provide a wonderful and friendly environment for people to worship – “Starting where the people are!” as Pastor Bellerby put it.
The 20th birthday celebration at the Scout Hall re-united some of those involved in the first ever meeting of the church alongside those who have significantly made a difference and contributed and continue to contribute towards its development. For Pastor Bellerby (1994-2006) and Pastor Jim MacKenzie (2006-2013) it was a night of good-humoured reminiscences and marking some of the significant milestone events that have taken place.
Current Pastor Dave North listed some of those events; a programme of uplifting speakers at breakfast events, visits from the healing ministry, nights of song, poetry and gospel music, involvement in Churches Together, participation in Hedon’s civic-services and Christmas lights switch-ons. He praised the work of his predecessors and gifts were presented thanking them for their ministries; a silver clock for Paster MacKenzie and a silver jewellery box for Pastor Bellerby.
The gathered guests enjoyed a buffet-meal in an evening that included a special 1994 quiz, songs of praise, and key speakers. However, the centre-piece for the evening was a wonderful 20th birthday cake baked especially for the occasion by Annette Jarvis. Significantly, iced in silver letters on the cake was the forward-looking legend “Chapter 21”.
The 21st chapter in the story of the Hedon Christian Life Church has begun! The church worships in the Scout Hall, Sheriff Highway, Hedon on Sunday mornings at 10.30am.
All welcome.
