by Abby Harris, St Hild Centre for Church Planting Progect Manager
The beginning of Acts 2 tells us that at Pentecost, the disciples were all together in one place. “Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting…. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit”. This was the fulfilment of Jesus’ promise that he wouldn’t leave his followers to be alone but that an advocate would be with them forever. What a powerful and life-changing experience that must have been.
But the gift wasn’t just for those in the room that day. As they met together and worshipped, more people heard the good news and were saved. Peter told them “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38). They received the Holy Spirit not just for themselves, but for a purpose, so they could be sent out to share the good news of Jesus with those who were far off.
This Pentecost Sunday, our church, St Peter’s Morley, sends out a church plant team. The vision came as we met together and prayed, inspired by the Holy Spirit. We sensed that we were being blessed to bless others and that God had called us to gather people to send out. They go to the neighbouring church, St Andrew’s, to plant an 11 o’clock congregation. I enjoy that they are St Peter’s and St Andrew’s, like Peter and Andrew, brothers, called by Jesus, chosen by Him and sent out into the world to call others to follow Jesus.
It’s a wonderful thing, but it is costly. Having been part of a church plant team for ten years, I know the cost. Leaving behind established relationships, the comfort of your home church, and stepping into the unknown. We can only do it in the power of the Holy Spirit. For the first time, I am experiencing it from the other side, the sending side. That is also costly. My friends are going, people I love seeing each week. There are also the practical costs, gaps in rotas and in roles, and financial costs. We can only send them with the power of the Holy Spirit, knowing that God is gracious, and that they are taking the beautiful, good news of our Saviour Jesus with them.