We hope you are being blessed! Here is the final chapter 12 for 2025: our December newsletter.
Please let the editor know if you want to share something in the next edition.
 |
|
Strategic Steps for RCF in 2026 - Dave Food |
As we look ahead to 2026, we do so with gratitude for all that God has done and with a deep sense of dependence on Him for what lies ahead. At Runnymede Christian Fellowship, planning and strategy are never about control or ambition, but about stewardship. We want to listen carefully to God, discern His direction, and respond in faithful obedience.
The book of Proverbs reminds us that “in their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps” (Proverbs 16:9). This verse shapes our approach. We plan prayerfully, holding our ideas with humility, and remaining open to God’s leading. Strategy in the Kingdom of God always begins with seeking His wisdom rather than relying solely on human insight (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Our plans for 2026 are rooted in a renewed commitment to prayer, discipleship, and mission. We want to continue building a church that is grounded in the Word, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and active in loving service. Jesus’ call to make disciples of all nations remains central to everything we do (Matthew 28:19-20). This means helping people grow in faith, character, and confidence to live out their calling in everyday life, you will be part of this as we press forward together.
We are also prayerfully considering how we can strengthen pastoral care and deepen community. The early church devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer (Acts 2:42). That simple pattern continues to inspire us as we seek to create spaces where people are known, supported, and encouraged.
As we plan, we are mindful of the importance of equipping every believer (hence the RCF Academy). Paul writes that leaders are given to equip God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up (Ephesians 4:11–13). Our strategy for 2026 includes intentional investment in leadership development, spiritual gifts, and opportunities to serve both within the church and beyond, inlcuding a number of small conferences and an encouragement to join us at Wildfires in July 2026.
Mission remains a vital focus. We want to be a church that looks outward as well as inward, sharing the love of Christ through practical action and personal witness. Jesus reminds us that we are the light of the world, called to shine through good works that point others to God (Matthew 5:14-16). This will be both locally, regionally and beyond.
Ultimately, our confidence is not in our plans or structures, but in God Himself. We commit our plans to the Lord, trusting His promise that when we do so, He will establish them (Proverbs 16:3). As we step into 2026 together, our prayer is that we would walk in faith, unity, and obedience, ready for all that God desires to do among us and through us. |
 |
|
Filled with His Presence - The Power of the Holy Spirit at work - Dave Food |
|
At the heart of the Christian life is the living presence of God through the Holy Spirit. Christianity is not merely a set of beliefs to be held, but a life to be lived, empowered by the Spirit who dwells within us. At Runnymede Christian Fellowship, we are deeply grateful for the active work of the Holy Spirit among us, shaping our worship, strengthening our faith, and guiding our daily walk with Christ.
Jesus promised that His followers would not be left alone. He spoke of the Holy Spirit as the Helper, who would teach us, remind us of His words, and lead us into truth (John 14:16–17, 26). On the Day of Pentecost, that promise was fulfilled as the Spirit filled the believers with power, boldness, and unity (Acts 2:1–4). The same Spirit is at work in the Church today.
Being filled with the Holy Spirit is about surrender and dependence. The apostle Paul encourages us to be continually filled with the Spirit, allowing our lives to overflow with worship, gratitude, and love (Ephesians 5:18–20). At Runnymede, we see this lived out as people pray with faith, serve with compassion, and step out in obedience to God’s prompting.
The presence of the Holy Spirit brings transformation. He convicts, comforts, and equips. He produces fruit in our lives that reflects the character of Christ: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). These are not achieved by effort alone, but by yielding to His work within us.
We also recognise that the Spirit empowers the Church for mission. Jesus told His disciples that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them, enabling them to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8). As we seek to serve our community and beyond, we rely on the Spirit’s wisdom and strength.
Our prayer is simple and ongoing. Lord, fill us afresh with Your Holy Spirit. May we be a people who walk closely with You, attentive to Your voice, and confident in Your power at work in and through us. As we remain open to His presence, we trust that God will continue to build His Church for His glory.
|
 |
|
Words to Rekindle and Strengthen Your Faith - Dave Food |
Faith is not static. It can grow, deepen, and mature, but it can also become weary under the pressures of life. At Runnymede Christian Fellowship, we recognise that many believers walk through seasons where faith needs to be rekindled and strengthened. The good news is that God meets us in those moments with grace, truth, and fresh hope.
The apostle Paul reminds us that “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). When our faith feels thin or tired, we are invited back to the Word of God. Scripture realigns our perspective, lifts our eyes beyond circumstances, and reminds us of who God is and what He has promised.
Throughout the Bible, God’s people often needed encouragement. King David spoke to his own soul in times of distress, choosing to place his hope again in God (Psalm 42:5). This honest self-exhortation shows us that faith is sometimes a deliberate act of trust rather than a feeling. We speak truth to our hearts, even when emotions lag.
Jesus frequently encouraged His disciples when fear threatened their faith. He reminded them of God’s care, His power, and His presence with them (Matthew 14:27; John 14:1). In the same way, the Lord continues to reassure us today. Faith is strengthened when we remember that we do not walk alone.
At Runnymede, we encourage one another to engage with God’s Word personally and together. Reading Scripture, reflecting on it, and praying it back to God builds spiritual resilience. The writer to the Hebrews urges believers to draw near to God with confidence, holding firmly to the hope we profess (Hebrews 10:22-23). Community plays a vital role in this, as we remind one another of God’s faithfulness.
Faith is also strengthened through obedience. As we act on what God says, even in small steps, trust grows. James tells us that faith becomes complete as it is expressed through action (James 2:17). Each step of obedience reinforces our confidence in God’s character.
If your faith feels fragile today, take heart. God is patient and faithful. As you return to His Word, open your heart in prayer, and walk alongside others in fellowship, trust that He will renew your strength. “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31). Our prayer is that your faith would be rekindled and firmly rooted in Him once again. |
 |
|
Arise and Shine - Leticia Hermoso |
As we stand at the threshold of a new year, we pause to give thanks for God's faithfulness that has carried us through every season of 2025. Each joy, each challenge, each quiet moment of surrender has shaped us into stronger, wiser, more compassionate women of God. We celebrate not only what we have accomplished, but who we have become through His grace.
Beloved Sisters, as we look toward 2026, let us step forward with renewed faith & courage. The world may shift, circumstances may change, but the promises of God remain unshakable. He goes before us, He walks beside us, and His goodness follows us. We are never alone.
May this new year be a canvas for God’s creativity in your life. May He open doors that no one can shut, restore what was lost, and breathe fresh vision into every dream He planted in your heart. May your homes be filled with peace, your relationships strengthened, and your ministries expanded in ways that bless many.
Let us continue to uplift one another, to pray boldly, to serve joyfully, and to shine the light of Christ wherever we go. Together, we enter 2026 with expectation, confidence, and unshakeable hope.
May the Lord crown this coming year with His goodness and surround you with His unfailing love |
 |
|
Corporate Fasting and Prayer - Dave Food |
Throughout the Bible, times of corporate fasting and prayer often mark moments of renewal, repentance, and fresh direction from God. When God’s people intentionally seek Him together, He promises to respond. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, the Lord declares that when His people humble themselves, pray, and seek His face, He will hear from heaven and bring healing.
At Runnymede Christian Fellowship, we see fasting and prayer as a shared spiritual discipline that draws us closer to God and to one another. It is not about performance or endurance, but about dependence. Jesus reminds us that apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:5), and fasting helps us acknowledge that truth in a very practical way.
A key rhythm in our church life is the First Tuesday, one day of Fasting and Prayer. On the first Tuesday of each month, we pause to seek God together, beginning and ending the day at 7:30 on Zoom together. Many choose to fast from food, while others fast from media. The focus is always prayer, listening to God, interceding for one another, and aligning ourselves afresh with His will (Matthew 6:16-18).
In addition, we observe three-day fasts in January and July. January is a time of consecration, committing the year ahead to the Lord. July provides a moment to reflect, reset, and seek renewed clarity. These extended fasts reflect the practice of the early church, who fasted and prayed as they sought the guidance of the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:2–3).
Corporate fasting strengthens unity, cultivates humility, and sharpens spiritual focus. As we draw near to God together, we trust His promise that He will draw near to us (James 4:8). Our desire is to remain a people who seek God first, together, and with expectancy. |
 |
|
Sharing my faith one person at a time - The gift of personal evangelism Dave Food |
Sharing our faith is both a privilege and a responsibility entrusted to every believer. At Runnymede Christian Fellowship, we believe evangelism is not primarily about programmes or platforms, but about people. It happens most powerfully one conversation at a time, shaped by love, prayer, and attentiveness to the Holy Spirit.
Jesus modelled personal evangelism throughout His ministry. He spoke with individuals in ordinary settings, meeting them where they were and addressing the deeper needs of their hearts. From the Samaritan woman at the well to Zacchaeus in the tree, Jesus showed us that transformation often begins with a simple, sincere encounter (John 4:7–26; Luke 19:1–10).
Personal evangelism begins with compassion. We are called to love people as Christ loves us, not as projects, but as individuals made in the image of God. The apostle Peter encourages us to be ready to give an answer for the hope we have, doing so with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15). Our tone matters as much as our words.
At RCF, we encourage one another to see everyday life as the context for witness. Conversations at work, with neighbours, friends, or family often open natural opportunities to share what God has done in us. Evangelism is not about having all the answers, but about sharing our story and pointing to Jesus. As Paul reminds us, it is God who gives the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6).
Prayer is central to personal evangelism. We ask God to open hearts, to give wisdom, and to prompt us when to speak and when to listen (Colossians 4:2-6). Trusting the Holy Spirit allows us to speak with confidence rather than pressure. We also have regular corporate evangelism times (typically the first Saturday of the month), and we train people through our RCF Academy to deepen their understanding and confidence.
Jesus’ final instruction to His disciples was to go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). That calling remains today. As we share our faith one person at a time, we participate in God’s redemptive work, trusting Him to use our obedience, however simple, for His eternal purposes. |
Some key links
Link to subscribe to the blog so it comes to you rather than you having to go and find it (now available in 10 languages). This is available to both visitors and members.
You can access all our past sermons here.
A Conferences we have hosted or been part of here.
We would love contributions to the newsletter from all those involved at RCF.
If you have something you would like to share in the next newsletter, or want to help us to improve it please email theeditor@e-runnymede.co.uk |