2019 New Year Message from Chris Cartwright

2019 New Year Message from Chris Cartwright

As we enter a new year, Elim's General Superintendent Chris Cartwright shares a message, especially to our Elim family. This greeting was shown in Elim churches on the first Sunday of 2019.

Video Transcript

Hi. My name is Chris Cartwright and it's my joy to wish you a very happy and blessed New Year on behalf of the whole Elim family.

New years are amazing things, aren't they? They cause us to reflect and in so many ways to look ahead.

In Galatians 5:25, there's an amazing verse that Paul brings to the church. He says, "Since we live by the Spirit, let's keep in step by the Spirit."

My prayer for us this year, right across our churches and as individuals, is that will do just that. That we will be in step with the Holy Spirit. And as I've been seeking God for this year, I really believe that God is wanting to reposition us this year for the decade of the '20s' to come.

So 2019, we have an opportunity in our individual lives for personal renewal there are three aspects that I would encourage you to think into and to pray into over the coming days and weeks and months, as we seek to align ourselves with the purposes of God and the plans of God and the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. (Read this feature article for further details.)

Firstly - personally that we would be renewed. Personal renewal is the will of God in every season. That we just know His love and can come fresh in a new year to Him.

Secondly recommitment. As we get closer to Him this year in that sense of renewed encounter it stirs up in us those desires, those plans and purposes that God has for our lives. We get the opportunity this year to say 'Lord, here we are. We're available. We're not just bystanders or spectators. We want to be serving with you, Holy Spirit.'

And then thirdly, finally this realignment that goes along with that. To keep in step with a Spirit this year we will need to make some moves some adjustments perhaps. Some of them small, but some of them could be really significant and maybe even costly to get in line with Him.

What could it be if every Elim church, every church community, every family, every individual decides this year that they're going to get in step with the Holy Spirit and together for us to step in?

I pray that that will be your experience and that shared experience of us together across our churches and across our communities will be this year to see the repositioning work of the Holy Spirit, taking us forward with hope and fresh faith for all that is to come.

God bless you have a wonderful year.