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| Alexander Roks |
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| Thapelo Mpai |
It was great once again to be in sunny Finchley for the Seminary end of year service. Seven students were leaving. We were particularly interested in the two shown above (with Vice-principal David Green, who perhaps could have given them a little more time) as they have been part of the congregation here since they arrived in London and it has been great to get to know them and benefit from their fellowship. Alexander from The Netherlands has been here with his family and Thepelo from South Africa on his own and so that with their very different backgrounds (they have tested how close Dutch and Afikaans and found it's not enough when English is ready available).
It is a great thing for a pastor to have ministerial students in the congregation as even when the numbers seem low and the progress non-existent one is at the very least modelling ministry . One can lean too heavily on that, of course, but it is a great encouragement, year after year, to have these men with us.
David Earl chaired and the preacher was Mark Dever from Washington DC. He preached a well tailored sermon, brief and to the point, which managed (from Mark 4) to address the students and everyone else (including any unbelievers present). It was nice to speak to him briefly after the service and to his assistant Jason Rivette bfore heading out on to the lawn for the traditional tea in glorious sunshine. It is always good to see old friends. There were about 14 of us present from Childs Hill which is also encouraging in its own way.
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