PFM Golden Jubilee Celebrations

Sunday 7th August 2005 was the PFM Golden Jubilee Day. It began with a service in the Methodist Church, which many which past connections to the mission were able to attend, In fact the church was absolutely packed, and there was a tremendous time of worship in the service.

In the afternoon we started with the Roadshow on the beach. No sand pulpits – but very much a 21st Century setting, with the audience cheering every time the word fifty was mentioned! Then it was up to the church for a splendid cream tea and cake, with ,many photographs of past missions featured on the walls of the church.

After tea we went outside onto the church green to hear a series of reflections from each decade of the mission, organized by Hugh Sturdy. We also sang choruses from those eras, using a prepared song sheet which had a selection of favourite choruses from down the years.

We started with David Bishop , who led the first mission in 1955. He told us how it came about and then Trevor Tuck said what it was like to be a child on the first mission. David said that on the first mission a boy called Justin came to faith.

For the decade 1965 to 1975 Paul Nicholl and Hillary Yard Martin gave the team member and child perspective. By this time the mission was getting well firmly established.

We then sang . “Wide, wide as the ocean”

For 1975 to 1985 Michael and Mark Christian-Edwards gave the leaders‘ perspective and Howard Cheswick told us how he came to PFM as his children wanted to come. Eventually he decided he wanted to become a Christian and made a commitment at a PFM mission.

For 1985-1995 John Hattam talked about his time as leader and Sarah Frampton explained how she came to the Swisher age group, but it was the Mali age group she found most helpful in her coming to a deeper faith.

We then sang the “Baked Bean Song”

For 1995 –2005 Geoff How, Phil English and Alison Withers brought us up to date with the challenges there had been in finding new accommodation and the move to a shared leadership. Phil and Alison explained what a privilege it is being part of the work God is doing in Polzeath and thanked God for all that he has done and continues to do. They talked about how exciting it is seeing the growth in children and team enabling them to go home so on fire for God. They also shared some of the vision God has given the team for PFM.

We then sang Faith as small as a mustard seed