The "Pentecost 100" Celebration

A very unique service was held on Sunday 21st January 2007 to commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the British Isles. Special guests for "Pentecost 100" included former members of the church going back to the early 1930s. Capturing the early days of Pentecost, the congregation sang some of the old hymns, including "Power in the Blood"; "To God be the Glory" and "Oh for a thousand tongues"!

Mr George Howe (above, right) is the nephew of Frederick Smith, the first Minister. In the service, he testified to how his head was damaged in an accident and he was given three hours to live. The news reached Mr. Smith who came to pray for his dying nephew. In the name of Jesus, he regained consciousness and the doctor who was caring for him was left with no other explaination than answered prayer! "Don't thank me. Thank those who prayed. I have done nothing", the doctor said.

This is Mrs Leroy who joined the church back in the early 1930s during the revival. Graduating from the Sunday School she became a Sunday School teacher. At Pentecost 100, she testified to how her late husband, Cyril Leroy, was once moved upon by the Holy Spirit to bring an utterance in tongues  which was understood by a visitor to be fluent Chinese! Cyril, of course, knew no word of Chinese!

Our honoured guest was Pastor Ralph Inskip (above, right), who pastored the church for over twenty years. He told of how the Tenison Road building was purchased and was then invited to pray a blessing over the current leadership. Mrs Howe also testified to how God healed her slipped disc through the prayerful hands of Mr Inskip. The service concluded with Mr Inskip receiving a standing ovation and a significant financial gift in due recognition of his many years of ministry in Cambridge.

It was a joy to have Glenn Balfour (above, right) with us for the service along with his family. Glenn served the church for over seven years as leader before handing the baton to Peter Cavanna. At Pentecost 100, Glenn encouraged the church to look forward, rather than backward, as it sought to face the challenges of twenty-first century ministry. "The glory of the latter house shall be far greater than that of the former".

With thanks to everyone who attended this unique service.