A journey that gave our church a renewed focus

Hearing a missionary couple talk had a massive impact on John Young who leads Leigh Elim church in Essex

In October 2023, by God’s plan, I heard Alan and Alice Osborne talk about serving as Elim missionaries and moving to Estonia to support the Estonian Christian Pentecostal Church movement. That day, I heard God say to me that I was to take a mixed team from our church and the Believers in Recovery group that we host to Estonia for a ten-day mission.

It was the first mission for all of us, aged from 16 to 75 years, and with a variety of backgrounds and skills. An immense amount of pre-trip planning and administration was needed but help came from the Elim Missions department from the start.

After enjoying our first day looking around Tallinn, and hearing about a revival in the 1970s, we ministered in three churches on the first Sunday. Afterwards we travelled to the Village of Hope, where addicts go to find the love of Jesus, gain valuable skills, and find acceptance and self-worth. We took part in their meetings with worship, Word and ministry. The leaders there had practical jobs for us, which enabled them time to do other things. We also held a water baptism in the cold, deep river for one of our team, cheered on by members of the village.

It was sad to say goodbye, but Alan and Alice took us to the islands of Muhu and Saaremaa, where we stayed for five nights. We ministered at three different churches and a care home, and did street evangelism and leaflet-drops in two towns – helping a new church establish its presence in one town.

Many people came out for prayer, and we know some new people came into church for the first time. There were healings and people coming to faith.

We witnessed the Holy Spirit move in power, not just amongst the Estonian people but also within our team. Each of us experienced something new, and we grew in our relationship with God and each other as we worked as a team.

We made new friends, laughed and cried together, and were welcomed everywhere. Iréne, our worship leader, was blessed by leading worship in eight locations and even sang in Estonian. We preached in many locations, with the team serving, praying with people, flag waving and giving multiple testimonies.

It was all made possible by our excellent, supportive hosts: Alan and Alice, the Estonian churches, as well as our prayer partners and team back home at church who prayed for us every evening.

This exciting journey certainly gave our church a renewed focus on how everyone can play a part in the Great Commission, whether they are going on mission, helping raise funds or with prayer support.

There has been so much to testify, and we’ve noticed an increase in encouragement, teamwork, inclusion and financial giving from the congregation.

More people are interested in going on mission in future than signed up this time. We look to God for what he has planned for us next, at home and abroad.

This article first appeared in Direction Magazine. For further details, please click here.