When asked to reflect on planting CCM at our 25th anniversary service, Richard Coekin answered, “God did this”. How fitting. Praise God for his work in starting, sustaining and multiplying Christ Church Mayfair over 25 years.
I joined CCM in 2021, a grateful beneficiary of those who laboured before me. Our focus on God’s word and culture of generosity has left a mark on me for the good, so it’s a joy to now give thanks.
God’s word has multiplied
Praise God for the multiplication that’s come from teaching and spreading God’s word. As Paul writes in Colossians 1, growth happens wherever the gospel is truly understood. I think it’s beautifully ironic, therefore, that CCM was originally called ‘The Bible Talks’ and grew to plant 6 more churches.
As I watched 20-30 of us depart to revitalise St Augustine’s Church in 2023, I was struck by their motivation to see God’s word flood Wembley. Some sacrificed by relocating, while others embraced the challenge of building new friendships. Others committed in costly ways that only the Lord saw. Yet the prevailing desire was, ‘Wembley Park needs God’s word’. May that dedication to the spread of the gospel continue to course through their veins and ours.
Femi Kalejaiye at the 25th celebration of Christ Church Mayfair.
God’s word is taught 1:1
As I settled at CCM our associate minister, Phil, invited me to read Colossians with him. I remember picking up invaluable tools that helped me as I opened up the Bible 1:1 with colleagues and friends. ‘What word does Paul repeat here? Why?’ I’d find myself quizzing them. Now consider that hundreds more at CCM have improved in reading 1:1 after being read with by another.
That’s not the only setting for training. Over the 25 years, 524 have completed our ‘Prepared To Serve’ pathway, a systematic theology study hosted by our minister, Matt. It’s been heartwarming to see many continue to encourage and equip others as a result of their training. A particular highlight was Dave and Cristyn Wakefield moving to Kenya in 2024 to train the next generation of pastors. Taking up roles at Moffat Bible College, they’re investing the knowledge they accrued.
God has caused generosity
God has also provided for our needs through the generosity of church members. Back in 2020 for example, some CCMers faced financial difficulty because the lockdowns brought their line of business to a halt. Our church family united to raise thousands of pounds to cover household bills and even rent and mortgage payments of those struggling. That’s testament to God’s work in our hearts, causing us to love one another in practical ways (Acts 4:34, 2 Corinthians 8:14).
We had the joy of hearing from Maggie Plant at our anniversary service, who’s been with CCM from its beginning. When asked, “What have you learned about God in doing this?” She answered, “He works through us together. We are family. [Agape is] supernatural. It’s God-love we have for each other.”
Richard Coekin (left) and Phil Allcock (right) at the 25th celebration of Christ Church Mayfair.
Praise and prayer
It was fitting that the doxology at our anniversary service, from Psalm 115:1, was “Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” May that be the doxology on our lips in 25 years time. May a dedication to spreading God’s word course through our veins, spurring us to consider ministry training or going on a church plant. And may we sacrificially love each other, remembering we are a family.