South Tenerife Christian Fellowship

The Pastor's Letter

Feliz cumpleanos Tenerife!

I quote the introduction from what is purported to be Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1863

“The year that is drawing towards its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.”

We have come to a great milestone in our history here, South Tenerife Christian Fellowship has just marked its 21st year serving Christ on this Island. As you will know from previous letters I have been unable to understand why times like these in Churches are called Anniversaries and not Birthdays?
Well I changed that this year…Happy 21st Birthday…STCF! and in keeping with the tradition we were handed the KEY well keys! Keys of two more locales that have been necessary for us to buy to meet the growing needs of the church. You can read all about this exciting development on the 20/20 update page!

I know you keep hearing me say this but I just can’t help it, Great is the Lord and He is ALWAYS worthy to be praised. There is so much going on here that I could take up the whole of our website telling you about it….Oh, but that’s already happened to some extent as we have added some pages, just click on the links in this letter to read more, Hallelujah!

We are seeing people saved and added to the Church. Those people are growing in grace and in obedience to their Lord and were baptised and have made it clear they want to get involved in the Church and its Ministries. Read of two such people in "Geoff's"and"Helen's" testimonies. The Ministries too continue to grow especially among the children and young people. And to all of this we are thrilled in the church with so many brothers and sisters from those different parts of our world, outside the United Kingdom that have added something wonderful to the life of this Church. One of those people is the lovely Misa whose voice has brought us nearer to the heart of God. You can read more of "Misa's story" on another page.

Oh, I could go on, but please do take time to look through the pages of our website and rejoice with us as we do of you for it is your support and prayers that have seen us get to this place, winning souls for God’s Kingdom I want to say therefore at this point, that in consequence of all that is going on, you would not be surprised to learn that the people of the church have been encountering great attack from the devil who does not like what is going on here. I don’t think it is necessary for me to put into print all that that entails, but, we fight against principalities and powers that are real and strong, the battle goes on beyond the shores of the Island and our wider family circles are also facing great difficulties. We have been weighed down by sickness and every conceivable problem and we do need your prayers right now. We know that the Battle is not ours, it is the Lords and He is the Almighty one and through Him we are more than conquerors. We, like the early church are rejoicing in everything, yes to be counted worthy to even suffer for His sake (Acts 5:41) and we can do so too, knowing that we have a band of brothers and sisters praying for us right around the world….I finish with the words of one of Robin Mark’s best known songs…And though these are days of great trial of famine and darkness and sword….WE are a voice in the desert crying..Prepare ye the way of the Lord.

We will and we trust you will too…..