Concern about Todd Bentley's ministry

I have seen the You Tube videos and looked into the ministry of Todd Bentley. I have also followed discussions on Christian web forums. I am concerned about this ministry, and I would therefore recommend the books and You Tube videos by Andrew Strom on this controversial matter.

To view the Andrew Strom videos:
Pt. 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-Y5R_raf6M
Pt. 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyW1UFzS2LY
Pt. 3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaNiuRWHZrY
Pt. 4 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyqA7vr-4p8
Pt. 5 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fjRv1AcgiQ

These videos are challenging. Andrew Strom comes across as a sincere and sensible servant of the Lord who is concerned about genuine revival and biblical Christianity.

Bradwell Pilgrimage 5/7/08

On Saturday 5 July 2008 the weather was fine at Bradwell. It was a perfect day for the pilgrimage. Oh what a lovely Summer's day! The clouds were magnificent. I arrived later than usual and enjoyed a peaceful walk from Bradwell village to the ancient chapel by the sea and the site of the pilgrimage. I stopped for lunch at the pub en route (The Cricketers). I took many photographs and I have attached some of them to this blog. I hope that they will bring pleasure, and happy memories to those who attended the event.

Bradwell Pilgrimage 2008

This year the pilgrimage to Bradwell will take place on Saturday 5 July. It will start with an open air service outside St. Thomas's Church, Bradwell-on-Sea at 11 a.m. After this short service the pilgrims will walk two miles to the chapel of St Peter-on-the-Wall. Many pilgrims will be taking picnic lunches but there will be refreshments available in the tent area. Some lunches could be provided at the Othona Community by advance booking arrangements (01621 776564).

Pilgrims are invited to wear something blue as water is the theme. There will be a variety of presentations and activities on this theme throughout the day. There will be a service of renewal of baptism on the beach.

The pilgrimage will conclude with an open air corporate act of worship at 3.45 p.m.

Please visit http://www.bradwellchapel.org/ for more information. Below there are three photographs from last year's pilgrimage. Please scroll down to see them.

Praying for Peniel Church

Prayer changes things. Some put answers to prayers down to coincidences, but more coincidences happen when I pray. God answers prayers. We may not fully understand how the mystery of providence works or how exactly God intervenes in human life and history. God moves in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform. Prayer is a mighty weapon and brings divine power to destroy strongholds and to extend the kingdom of God. The prayer of a righteous man is great in its effects. We can ask, seek and knock. God opens and closes doors. He guides and directs our paths.

Christians have been praying for Peniel Church, especially since the resignation and downfall of the infamous Michael Reid. Prayer meetings were prevented in his day. His ministry seemed to rely on public relations and advertising rather than on prayer. The fruit is now plain to see.

However, there is a new era at Peniel Church. It is hoped that fellowship in prayer will be on the new agenda and that there will be joy and freedom in Christ Jesus. The Christian life is to be celebrated, enjoyed not endured with a heavy heart. In the past folk were burdened and heavy laden, but now they can come to Jesus, whose yolk is easy and His burden is light. They can discover that the joy of the Lord is their strength. They need to be strong against the dangerous wolf that worried the sheep and allegedly fleeced the flock. They can stand with the armour of God. Praise God for those who are interceding and bringing their supplications to God for the future of Peniel Church and the defeat of the troublemakers.

I believe that there is more to be revealed concerning the bleak days of the former ministry. Financial irregularities and further moral failings will come to light. They are already coming to light, as I expected. I also expected a move to re-establish the old ministry and a fight to regain some level of leadership. But toothpaste is out of the tube. There is no going back. Much of the damage has been exposed and the wounds have been seen. It is therefore important that we pray for those who have suffered. There clearly needs to be accountability and responsible leadership. This was so patently lacking under the old regime.

I am glad that there are those who have been faithfully praying for Peniel over many years and continue to pray for peace, harmony, repentance and restoration of broken relationships. God is answering prayer. Blessed are the peacemakers.

West Wales

At last I have posted some pictures of Wales. I rejoice in the beauty of West Wales. I particularly love the coastal scenery and have spent many happy hours walking the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path. One of my favourite walks is from St Bride's Haven to Broadhaven. The inns of Littlehaven have provided good food and drink. I love the beaches at Marloes, Broadhaven, Druidstone, Nolton and Newgale. They are outstandingly beautiful. Sunsets at Broadhaven have been memorable. The coastal scenery around St David's Head and views out to Ramsey Island (Ynys Dewi) are wonderful.

I have just visited West Wales and enjoyed walking along the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path again. I have inserted photographs of some of my favourite places in West Wales. I hope you enjoy looking at the photographs of Pembrokeshire and Cardiganshire.

St David's Cathedral was built in a valley, so it was not seen from the sea by the Vikings and other invaders. It has been a centre for faith and culture for many years and a place of pilgrimage.

The decline and fall of Michael Reid Ministries (2)

There are fears that Michael Reid Ministries or Michael Reid (MR) will attempt to make a comeback after the recent dramatic fall. Although MR is held in considerable contempt by some of his Peniel flock, former members and Christians in local churches, there are genuine concerns that he will make efforts to return to the pulpit to preach and exercise a ministry. According to a reliable source, there is now a court order preventing MR from having access to church or school property. Such is the level of concern about his return.


MR clearly loved an audience and he enjoyed the acclaim, the status and the glory of his bishopric. MR was in his element when he was leading services, healing campaigns and special conventions. There seems to be no doubt that he will miss all this and will want it back. Is he now a fish out of water, struggling to survive? Or will he become a big fish in a little new pond? While some believe that his disgrace and fall are terminal, others are no so sure after previous comebacks following alleged serious failures in Liverpool and Ripon.


It will now take a miracle for him to regain and exercise his ministry in the Brentwood area, but he may move on to start a new ministry elsewhere. MR probably has the financial resources and the backing of some loyal followers who believe in his claims to work wonders. He can therefore obtain a new building, employ some talented but enterprising people and charm others to launch a new ministry. Archbishop Earl Paulk managed to survive scandals, revelations of sexual misconduct and moral failings at his Atlanta church. Jimmy Swaggart made a comeback of sorts, but the old glory and following did not return. Jim Bakker wrote a book about his downfall, imprisonment and subsequent change of heart. Perhaps MR will write a book to help his cause, but I expect, that if he does so, he will look for willing and hardworking people to assist him. If MR mentions in this book his shortcomings, failures and faults, which would be very doubtful indeed, then he should find plenty of source material in the Reachout Trust discussion forum posts and help from the Michael Reid Miseries website. www.michaelreidmiseries.org/

The decline and fall of Michael Reid Ministries (2)

There are those who now fear that in some way Michael Reid Ministries or Michael Reid (MR) will attempt to make some sort of comeback. It is reported that he has comeback before from disasters in Liverpool and Ripon. There are reports that MR is back in this country having returned from the USA. Although he is held in contempt by some members of his flock and certainly by quite a number of former members, there are concerns about that he will want to be in the pulpit and in control again. Is he now a fish out of water? Can he survive and return to being a large fish in a rather small pool? Or is he now finished as a church leader?

From my observations, MR loved an audience and evidently enjoyed the acclaim, the status and the glory of his bishopric. He probably has the financial resources, the connections and loyal band of followers to start a new ministry. Archbishop Earl Paulk managed to continue after serious sexual misconduct and moral failure. Jimmy Swaggart make a comeback of sorts, but the old glory never returned. Jim Bakker wrote a book about his fall, imprisonment and change of heart. Perhaps MR will write a book, but I believe that if does then he will get plenty of assistance. There will be lots of source material in the Reachout Trust discussion forum posts.