On a chilly October evening, the Area 5 pastoral team enjoyed a celebratory gathering full of fun and fellowship. This formal dinner, hosted by Dr Patrick Herbert at the University of Birmingham, was an opportunity to appreciate the efforts of the Area 5 pastors and bible workers over the past year.
Attendees dressed up and prepared themselves for an exciting evening. They were welcomed with a round of humour as they participated in an icebreaker, shared a meal, and recounted fond memories. Words of poetry were shared by Jemima Nambo in her inimitable style, which humoured the group and lightened the mood. The theme 'Ministry, Pastor’s Wives, and Area 5 Pastors' resonated well with everyone present. The attendees were also treated to musical performances by Imani, a local male quartet whose name means “faith” in Swahili. Pastor Herbert and his wife, Ann-Marie, then presented tokens of appreciation to each pastoral couple represented, a fitting conclusion to the evening.
Especially given the demands of ministry, the Area 5 pastoral team were grateful for the time to reconnect with one another. Such evenings underscore the importance of investing time in strengthening our bonds of fellowship to unite us in our God-given ministries. Moreover, the evening marked the conclusion of Dr Herbert’s tenure as Area 5 Ministerial Field Secretary as he transitions to his new role as NEC Personal Ministries Director.
