‘Growing in faith, hope and love’ was the theme of this year as hundreds of people joined for the face-to-face meetings from 3-7 July.
The strapline of the Bournemouth Bible Week is 'Gathering the Churches, Preaching the Word.' It was encouraging to see larger numbers meet together this year than has been possible since 2020.
Our speakers were Colin Smith – Senior Pastor of The Orchard Evangelical Church in Chicago and Paul Coulter – Head of Ministry Operations for Living Leadership. Colin is also the founding president and teaching pastor of 'Open the Bible', which was highlighted in our programme by John Martin, its recently appointed UK Director.
Colin spoke winsomely from the Gospels on five scenes from the life of the apostle Peter, from his calling by Jesus in Luke’s Gospel to his restoration and commissioning in John’s Gospel. Colin encouraged us this week to ask God that we would see the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, confess our need to Jesus, find living hope in Jesus and become closer followers of Jesus.
Paul spoke engagingly three times from Peter’s second letter on ‘Living by Faith’, showing what Peter wants us to remember in his letter about the precious faith which Jesus gives and how its fruitfulness, foundations and fulfilment can be found.
The ministry from both speakers revealed challenges from Peter’s life with Jesus and reminders of what he had learned from these experiences, as in his second letter, ministering truth with tenderness, Peter reminds his readers, strengthening their faith, hope and love in the Lord Jesus.
There was much for those who gathered to reflect on great adventures of faith, on subduing spiritual pride, on guarding against temptation and fulfilling the mission Christ has given each of us.
Recordings are available from bournemouthbibleweek@gmail.com
