IEcclesiastes 3 reminds us that there is a time for everything and that God makes everything beautiful in its time. Church life is never static. The Lord continually brings fresh challenges and opportunities before us. With Bush Hill Park Community Church now constituted as an independent local church, the Lord seems to be opening up the opportunity of working in partnership with Causeway Free Church in Potters Bar.

The members of Causeway Free Church approached us in 2008 and asked if we could help them. Initial discussion led to our preachers’ group helping them on Sundays and us getting to know them, and them us.

In the Spring of 2009 we embarked upon a 3 stage process of exploration to investigate if Peter Maclure should become the Part-time pastor of Causeway Free Church, taking with him a group of members from EEFC to partner with them in reaching their community with the gospel.

Stage 1 (April to July 2009) is now complete. During that time Peter and Sally, with David Williams, have run a Christianity Explored Course at Causeway enabling the members there and Peter and Sally to get to know each other. The end of July 2009 was set as the time when both the members of Causeway and Peter and Sally would indicate whether they thought it was right to proceed to the next stage. They both believe it is right to proceed.

We have now embarked upon Stage 2 (August – Dec 2009). During this period we want to pray that the Lord would move the hearts of some in EEFC to join with Peter and Sally at Causeway from January 2010 in partnership with the members of Causeway Free Church. We will share further details of how we will go about this in due course.

This is likely to be costly for EEFC in terms of personnel and finance; especially for those whose hearts are moved. The idea is that Peter will be employed part-time by EEFC (as part-time pastor of Causeway), and accommodation will need to be found in Potters Bar. Causeway Free Church will make a contribution to the costs, but the lion’s share will need to be initially met by EEFC. It is good to remember that our Lord Jesus says:
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35).

This is an exciting and challenging opportunity for EEFC. It is for this reason that the day of prayer on Saturday 10th October will be split between the Emmanuel Centre (morning session) and Causeway Free Church (afternoon session). This will give members of EEFC the opportunity to see the Causeway premises.

In addition to the opportunity being investigated at Causeway we will also be praying about the continuing development process with the likelihood that building work will be starting in early 2010. We need to look to the Lord about how He would want us to use the new premises He is providing for His honour and glory.

Ezra 8: 22 says: “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to Him .”

Trusting God’s promise we do hope that all connected with EEFC and Causeway will feel able to join with us at some point on Saturday 10th October.

Jonathan Prime (Pastor - Enfield Evangelical Free Church) - September 2009