Pastors Annual Review 2024

So much life in so many directions

With Thankful Hearts

As we draw 2024 to a close, we have so much to thank God for and celebrate together. This year has been a testament to His faithfulness and your dedication as His hands and feet in our community. Across our three locations, we have seen lives touched, relationships deepened, and seeds of the gospel sown in new and exciting ways. Whether in Sunday worship, prayer gatherings, or quiet acts of service, it has been a joy to witness the heart of Christ shining through each of you.

Building UP - Reaching OUT

One of the year’s highlights for me has been the Xplorers youth work for 10 - 14 year olds. Through this we are trying to bridge the gap between ‘contact’ and spiritual ‘connection’ with early highschool children. As with many of our fringe activities, we are prayerfully seeking to share Jesus with a new generation. My hope and attention in 2025 will be directed at strengthening the children’s work on Sundays to develop a great place for families on the Christian journey to join and belong and, in time, become part of our mission to other fringe families.

Likewise, our established contact groups - like Little Wellies, the Well Community Café & Hub, the Lighthouse group, and our arts and crafts groups need to continue to flourish by offering spiritual connection, creativity, and care.  A warm welcome and invitation to Sunday need to be integral.

Messy Church over 2024 has also been a good way to contact families, providing a fun event where through the crafts and activities we try to share Jesus with children and start meaningful conversations with mums & dads. This year we have sought to bring the gap between real faith and entertaining children activities by experimenting with a ‘Family Connect Group’ for church families.  This is in its earliest stages of gathering socially, but I hope to work with Rick and Gill to shape this become a valuable way to disciple and help families grow in their own mission to other families in 2025.

Through our Well Centre, we have extended Christ’s love to refugees, supported local good causes and building bridges with those in need.  There are now two Bible based connect groups running alongside the Cafe on a Wednesday and Friday. These ministries are not just activities; they are lifelines, reflecting the heartbeat of Jesus to our neighbourhood and it has been great to see the cross pollination between our worshipping congregation and some of these groups.  Knowing Jesus and making Him known.

Building for the future

This year has also seen continuing progress on the renovation of our Grade II-listed church building in Lytham St Annes. Thanks to God’s provision through you His people and Rick Hooke’s patient search for grant funding, we have been able to make significant strides, but much work remains. These efforts remind us that we are not just repairing an old structure - we are building a legacy and maintaining a presence in this part of our coastline. By laying strong physical and spiritual foundations, we are preparing this building to serve future generations in the cause of Christ and the spread of the gospel. As we invest in bricks and mortar, let us be inspired to also invest in the living stones - people - who will use this space to glorify God in the years to come.

Fuelling the Fire

As we look ahead to 2025, I want to personally thank you for partnering with our Well Church family  generously and faithfully as we continue to extend the work God has called us to. The advancement of the gospel depends on the sacrificial giving of His people, and your generous financial support enables us to not only sustain but expand our gospel ministry into new places. As we seek His face, His Spirit, and His leading, let us trust that He will do immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine. Together, we can see the gospel flourish in our community, our nation, and across the world.

Thank you for your faithfulness, and may God bless us all as we walk together in His kingdom purposes.

See you in 2025!

Rick & Julie Oldland \o/

Senior Pastors, The Well Church