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Son-shine on Tenerife ... Sam Gordon |
 South Tenerife Christian Fellowship (STCF), Los Cristianos, Tenerife. Some address, isn't it!
For me, I'd heard so much about the place ... so much, in fact, that when I received an invitation to be the guest speaker at the church's annual Bible convention in June that I quickly cleared the diary and headed across Europe and down to the Canaries. I was not disappointed!
The church celebrates 22 years this October ... it proves the point that small beginnings often have unbelievably happy endings. It was a bit of a struggle in those early years but it was obvious that the hand of the Lord was resting on the whole project. It's a success story, if ever there was one! Now, the church family meets each week in wonderful premises on the first floor of a local commercial centre. Seating around 400, the place is regularly packed to the rafters ... those who turn up on a Sunday can enjoy the rich biblical ministry of Pastor Adrian McBride, ably supported by his wife, Lorraine (see photo).
The photographs, I think, will give you a flavour of the place ... but you can't beat a personal visit! Why not check out the website: www.stcf.org. Actually, it's the only church I have ever been to anywhere in the world that advertises on the local waste bins (see photo) ...
The next few paragraphs are a series of one-liner reflections on my visit there ... a journal entry:
Beautifully bright blue skies. Incredibly warm sunshine. The odd cloud here and there. People - all shapes and sizes - enjoying a break from the rigours of life. A sense of getting-away-from-it-all. Such was Tenerife, June 2008.
Well, if the truth be told, that's only one side of the coin! The other side is this:
Los Cristianos. South Tenerife Christian Fellowship. Annual 4-day Bible Conference.
Wow!
Yes, unbelievable!
People enjoying the bright, cheery worship. People loving the verse-by-verse exposition of Scripture. People appreciating (most of the time!) the humour from Pastor Adrian McBride. People feeling at home ... so much so that time flew by.
A truly historic occasion on two counts - my first time in Tenerife and my first time to share the gospel at a baptism in the Atlantic Ocean! Well done, George. Memorable.
A scrumptiously delicious buffet on the last night ... sharing together in the Breaking of Bread on the last morning ... just a real sense of deep fellowship in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Hearts joined in sweet communion with the living Lord. Lives impacted by the power of prayer and the influence of the Holy Spirit.
Genuine examples of spiritual leadership. Servant hearts. Ordinary folks willing to go the third and fourth mile. Amazing commitment to the local church by those in membership. A welcome influx of visitors from near and far - they need the locals and the locals need them!
A doubly grateful heart is mine ... grateful to God that I'm part of an international community of believers and grateful to the folks at STCF for the inestimable privilege of sharing with them around the Word of God. Unforgettable, for all the right reasons!
'Thank you, Lord' ... and ... 'Thank you, STCF.'
Yes, the Son shines on STCF!
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