As individuals and a fellowship we underwent a refining process.  This was not easy, and some members of the fellowship left, but the conviction that the church should survive and should build a church building remained.

Suddenly, as another sign of God’s timing (and the fellowship being nearer to being ready), after years of blockages, we were able to buy the land – and it is very near Cabin Lane road, the community centre and the school!  The money was available because years before a ‘building fund account’ had been started.  Small amounts were paid in from time to time – sometimes donations, sometimes a surplus from the church’s finances.  In addition we had two ‘gift days’ when the church were specifically asked to think and pray about what the Lord would have them donate.  It was quite exciting, and very faith building, to see how much money came in on those occasions!

Interestingly the community centre also undertook a building programme and that in turn has released more rooms which have been invaluable for the Sunday school, as it was beginning to struggle in the rooms which had been available.

Eventually the decision was taken to advertise for a new pastor.  To begin with the results were not encouraging!  The original group of candidates were all dear men of God who obviously loved the Lord, but did not seem to have a burden for running an expanding church which had a belief and a vision that God wanted them to build a church building!  Subsequently David Morris applied and he was invited for an exploratory chat, and then to ‘preach with a view’ followed by a fairly vigorous question and answer session after a buffet lunch.