A Cambridge God Adventure* 56) Springtime happenings.

(*please skip if you have not been following this story). On Pentecost Sunday (May 26th 1985) we celebrated the Church's birthday by taking another step of faith.  A second leaflet was printed: Something's happening in Cambridge. All the time new friends were joining the church and many shared a sense of urgency grew that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  A fresh opportunity was given for further gifts and promises in our Pentecost offering.

It was glorious spring time in the city.  I was Chair of the Cambridge Christian Festival which was supported by city churches in arranging a mission in a Big Top on one of our main commons - Midsummer Common.  With the evangelist David MacInnes, crowds came night after night with many coming forward in faith. It was exhilarating working with many other Christians.  Across the top of the tent a huge banner read: YOUR GOD REIGNS.  No one could doubt the message.

The Sunday before Pentecost we broadcast the BBC Sunday half-hour of hymn-singing. I couldn't help marvelling how our music had developed from the early days and I was greatly surprised at the numbers of letters we received from all over the world thanking us.  In so many ways church life was expanding.  In June we twinned with Oradea Baptist Church, Romania - quite a step in Ceausescu's time. This led to many adventures in communist Romania (and my father learned Romanian so that he could really relate - but that's another story). 

On Pentecost Sunday we received more promises and gifts amounting to £45,180.  Wonderful! £226,837 was assured already.  Even as we rejoiced however the planning authorities rejected some of the outline plans.  But it was Springtime!