I noticed that I haven't given an update on my church for around 18 months, so here goes.
We have continued to grow, albeit more slowly. Our numbers can vary because we have a number of immigrants from Africa - Uganda, Zimbabwe and Ghana - who have been invited in to work in our care homes. These dear people have to work quite often on Sundays and in the evenings. So, while we have had days when we have had 78 and 79 people attending, which is really beyond our building's capacity, other days we are between 50 and 60. Our plant in Budleigh attracts between 16 and 20, and is not yet viable, but we are seeing new people coming in.
More excitingly, it seems that there is a genuine movement of God among Bible-believing churches. While the MSM gleefully report that the Church of England, Methodists, URC (no relation to the denomination in the USA) and even the Baptist Union are closing dozens of churches and their congregations are collapsing, independent churches and conservative Baptist congregations are seeing real growth.
The people most open to the Gospel are young folk in late teens and twentys, especially males. They have been taught that masculinity is toxic, that they can change to being female if they want and that the world is about to collapse because of Climate Change. As a result they are confused, anxious and depressed and can be reached with the good news of the Gospel. Many adults are also depressed. House prices have risen to ridiculous levels so that there seems no chance of buying. Even renting seems out of reach, and many people in their 30s are still living with their parents. They are desperate for some good news. Please pray that the churches can reach them with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.