We hope you are being blessed! Here is the second chapter, number 2 for 2026: our February newsletter.

Please let the editor know if you want to share something in the next edition.

Stirred to Serve? - Dave Food

There are moments in the Christian life when something shifts within us. We move from being observers to participants, from attending to engaging. To be stirred to serve Him is to respond to the gracious initiative of God with wholehearted availability. Isaiah captures this beautifully in Isaiah 6:8 when he hears the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send?” and replies, “Here am I. Send me.” Service begins with a surrendered heart.

Jesus makes it unmistakably clear that service is central to discipleship. In Mark 10:45, He declares that the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. If we follow a Saviour who serves, we cannot adopt a spectator mentality. We are called to roll up our sleeves and invest our time, energy and gifts for the sake of others.

Yet Christian service is not driven by guilt or mere duty. It is fuelled by gratitude and love. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:14 that the love of Christ compels us. When we grasp what He has done for us, service becomes a privilege rather than a burden. We begin to ask not what is convenient, but what is faithful.

At RCF, this means recognising that every member has a part to play. 1 Peter 4:10 urges each of us to use whatever gift we have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace. Some will serve visibly, others quietly behind the scenes. Both matter deeply to God. The measure of service is not prominence but obedience.

There will be seasons when energy is low and the task feels demanding. In those moments, Galatians 6:9 steadies us. We are encouraged not to grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. As we keep our eyes on Christ and depend on the Spirit, He will continue to stir our hearts and strengthen our hands for His work.

If you see something that needs doing, then help us do it. If there is something God stirring in you to serve the King of Kings, then let's talk about making it happen. If you just want to serve but have no idea where, come and share with us your heart and availability. Let us know

Spirituality: The Key to a Deeper Relationship with God - Salma Qureshi

In our daily lives, we often chase recognition, approval, and love from family, friends, and even our superiors at work. We put in great effort to impress others, believing that their acceptance defines our worth. But how often do we pause to consider the importance of nurturing a relationship with our Heavenly Father? I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my story.

There was a time when I constantly sought validation from people. I believed that being loved and appreciated by others was the ultimate goal in life. Yet, despite my efforts, I often felt empty and unfulfilled. Everything changed when I encountered Jesus. Without me chasing after Him, He revealed His unfailing love for me.

Through prayer, worship, and quiet moments of reflection, I began to experience a peace and assurance I had never known before. God’s favour and mercies continue to leave me in awe. His love is constant, patient, and unconditional.

Through my experiences, I have learned that true fulfilment comes not from human approval, but from a growing, intimate relationship with God.

The power of The Word - Dave Food

There is a quiet authority in the Word of God that does not clamour for attention yet steadily reshapes lives. In an age driven by noise, metrics and instant visibility, it is tempting to equate impact with scale. Yet the Kingdom often advances differently. Over many years in leadership, I have observed that the most enduring transformations occur beneath the surface, where conviction takes root before behaviour changes. The same is true of Scripture.

Giving away Bibles may appear modest, even unspectacular. There is no immediate dashboard, no guaranteed response rate. Yet when we place the Word in someone’s hands, we partner with God in a work that exceeds our capabilities. The Bible carries within it truth, correction, comfort and hope. It speaks in the quiet moments: early mornings before work, late evenings after disappointment, times of questioning and times of gratitude. Long after conversations fade, the Word continues to speak.

Here in the UK, we are witnessing what I would describe as a quiet revival. It is not characterised by spectacle but by steady hunger. Conversations are deepening. Prayer is becoming more natural. Lives are being recalibrated around Christ. In many cases, the catalyst has been simple access to Scripture.

Working with God requires both obedience and trust. We sow faithfully, often without seeing the immediate harvest. Yet the Word does not return empty. As we continue to give Bibles, pray diligently and walk faithfully, we participate in something far greater than ourselves: the steady, gracious advance of God’s purposes in our community.

When we do our outreach, we will offer a bible for those who are interested, or an electronic one to download, or just survey people about their thoughts about the Bible?

Want to be part of doing what God is doing? Click here to help

Holy living - Dave Food

To live a holy life before God is not an optional extra for the especially committed. It is the clear and compelling call of the gospel. Peter writes in 1 Peter 1:15 to 16, “Just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” Holiness is rooted in the character of God Himself. It is both gift and calling.

We are made holy through the finished work of Christ. Hebrews 10:10 tells us that we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. That is our position. Yet there is also a daily pursuit. Paul urges us in 2 Corinthians 7:1 to purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. Grace does not lower the standard. It empowers obedience.

Holiness is not cold moralism. It is white-hot affection for God that displaces lesser loves. When our hearts treasure Christ above all, sin loses its appeal. Psalm 16:11 reminds us that in His presence there is fullness of joy. The holy life is truly joyful because it aligns with our deepest purpose: to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

This has practical implications in our speech, our thought life and our conduct in the workplace and at home. Philippians 2:12 calls us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, knowing that it is God who works in us to will and to act according to His good purpose. We strive because He is at work within us.

At RCF, holiness must begin in the secret place. It is formed in repentance, shaped in prayer and sustained by the Spirit. As we fix our eyes on Jesus, and as we confess quickly and walk humbly, we will increasingly reflect His beauty in a watching world.

A Passion for Mission - Dave Food

To be passionate about mission is to share the heartbeat of God. Mission is not a department of the Church. It is the very reason the Church exists. From Genesis to Revelation, we see a God who reaches out, who calls, who sends. In John 20:21, Jesus says, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” That commission rests not only on apostles and missionaries overseas but on every believer.

Passion for mission begins with understanding the heart of Christ. In Luke 19:10, we are told that “the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” If we are serious about being disciples, then His priorities must shape ours. We cannot claim to follow Him and remain indifferent to those who do not yet know Him. Paul expresses this urgency in Romans 1:16 when he declares that he is not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for salvation. There is conviction there, but also deep gratitude.

Mission is both local and global. In Acts 1:8, Jesus speaks of being witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth. For us at RCF, that includes our families, our neighbours, our workplaces and our wider community. It also includes praying, giving and, where God calls, going beyond our immediate context. Passion is not measured by volume but by faithfulness. It is seen in prayerful dependence, courageous conversations and consistent love.

We must also remember that mission flows from relationship. In Matthew 9:36, Jesus looks at the crowds and has compassion on them because they are harassed and helpless. Passion without compassion becomes activism. True mission is rooted in love for people made in the image of God.

As we seek to walk with Christ, let us ask the Spirit to enlarge our hearts. May we see what He sees and feel what He feels. Colossians 4:5 urges us to make the most of every opportunity. Each day presents moments prepared by God. If we are attentive and willing, our lives can become living testimonies to the grace and truth of Jesus Christ.

Equipping also means trusting. Leaders must be willing to release responsibility, even when outcomes are uncertain. Paul reminded Timothy to entrust truth to “reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2). Healthy leadership always thinks in generations.

Our prayer is that Runnymede Christian Fellowship continues to be a place where people are formed, released, and trusted — equipped not just to serve the church, but to carry the Kingdom wherever God has placed them. Because the work of the ministry was never meant to sit with a few hands, but to flourish through many faithful lives.

Being a little more like Christ, everyday Dave Food

To be a little more like Christ every day is both the simplest and the most demanding calling of the Christian life. It is simple because the invitation is clear. Jesus says, “Follow me” in Matthew 4:19. It is demanding because following Him requires daily surrender, quiet obedience and a willingness to be changed from the inside out.

Spiritual growth is rarely dramatic. It is usually incremental, formed in the ordinary rhythms of prayer, Scripture and faithful service. Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 3:18 that we “are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory”. Transformation is ongoing. It is not a single moment but a lifelong process of becoming.

To be more like Christ is to cultivate His character. It means choosing humility when pride would be easier, recalling Philippians 2:5 where we are urged to have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. It means extending forgiveness when we feel justified in holding back, remembering His words in Luke 23:34, “Father, forgive them”. It means loving not only those who are easy to love but also those who test our patience, in obedience to John 13:34, “Love one another as I have loved you”.

In the marketplace, in our homes, and within our fellowship at RCF, Christlikeness is expressed through integrity, compassion and faithfulness. Micah 6:8 calls us to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God. These are not abstract virtues. They are practical decisions taken day by day, conversation by conversation.

We will not do this perfectly. Yet 1 John 1:9 reassures us that when we confess, He is faithful to forgive and restore. Each morning is a fresh opportunity to align our hearts with His. By the Spirit’s help, and through steady obedience, we can indeed become a little more like Christ today than we were yesterday.

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.

The 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

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Planning your Visit

Why not plan a visit to try us out?

Whether this is your first time visiting a church or you’ve attended another church for years, we understand that visiting a new church can be a bit overwhelming. To help make it a bit easier, we’ve done our best to answer some questions you may have, so your first experience is a little less overwhelming.

Runnymede Christian Fellowship is a church based in Egham but serving a much larger geographical area. Those who call us home come from Egham, Virginia Water, Staines, Englefield Green, Egham Hythe, Pooley Green, Maidenhead, Ascot, Camberley, Sunbury, Heathrow, Slough, Ashford, Sunninghill, Sunningdale, Thorpe, Windsor, Woking and beyond.

Our church is a community of believers who gather regularly to share life and demonstrate God's love. We do this by encouraging and serving each other and the community. We believe in the power of prayer and are always happy to pray for you.

Church - What to expect

Our Sunday service is available to stream online at 11 am. You can join us on Livestream or via Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube or X.

The Sunday Venue is Coopers Hall, Strodes College, Strodes College Lane in Egham, open to all, so if you would like to join us, please feel free to do so. If you have any questions, please call us on 01784 637010.

We run a physical Sunday School most weeks. If you would like your children to receive a weekly Sunday School teaching pack that you can do from home, please email us at admin@e-runnymede.co.uk so that we can send you the materials.

Sunday Venue at Coopers Hall, Strodes College, Strodes College Lane, Egham

Our Sunday service starts at 11.00 and typically lasts about 90 minutes.

We begin each service with lively worship, featuring songs from around the world, followed by inspiring, Bible-based teaching. All our sermons are recorded and are available as a podcast after the service.

We have a monthly cycle of Sunday services, with our Communion Service on the first Sunday of each month and an All-Age All-Nation Service on the second. Our other Sunday services include a Lingering (spirit-filled) and Teaching service.

We have consciously adopted being a blended church, that is, both online and face-to-face. You are welcome to join us on Livestream or via Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, or X, or catch up with the recordings later.

Joining us in person

Visiting a new and unfamiliar church for the first time can be intimidating, but we want to ensure you feel welcome and enjoy your time with us. A friendly face will be waiting to meet you at the entrance and welcome you.

Doors open at 10:30 for coffee and prayer.
Our Sunday Service starts at 11:00 and typically runs for about 90 minutes, normally followed by tea and coffee.

Driving and Car Parking

Our Sunday Venue is Coopers Hall, Strodes College, Strodes College Lane, Egham, TW20 9DR, which has ample parking.
Click on the link for directions to RCF.

We have plenty of parking spaces right outside the building. Spaces are reserved near the entrance for anyone with mobility issues (those with a blue badge). We also have step free access to the hall. Please let us know if you need to use one of these spaces, have any special needs, or require any assistance.

The car parking area is a public area, so please ensure that your children are under your control and that, for their safety, they do not run around in the car park.

Public Transport

Our Sunday Meetings are in Coopers Hall, Strodes College, Strodes College Lane, Egham, TW20 9DR.
It's just off Egham High Street, so if you have found Esquires, then you are nearly there.

We are very close to bus stops in Church Street with buses to Slough, Windsor, Staines, Heathrow, Sunbury and beyond.
Our Sunday venue is less than a 5-minute walk from Egham Railway Station.

Visiting with children?

Everyone is welcome at RCF. We encourage everyone, regardless of age, to join the service. We offer Sunday School, which begins after worship and runs concurrently with the sermon for 30 to 40 minutes, serving children aged 4 to 12. On the second Sunday of each month, we have a shorter All-Aged All Nations Service, where the children stay for the worship and the sermon.

After Church

We chat over coffee and biscuits after church on the first, third, fourth and fifth Sundays. If you want to get to know us better, why not join us for Sunday lunch with some of our members? The first meal for students is on us (Voucher provided). Please contact us and let us know. We would love to share a meal and get to know you better!

Fellowship Feast

Want to connect?
If you're interested in connecting with us, whether to join our online community or attend our Sunday gatherings, please use our connect card.

Any Questions?

If you have any questions, please review our FAQ page. Here, you’ll find answers to many common questions. If you still have questions or concerns, please contact us; we’d love to hear from you.

We look forward to welcoming you to RCF

To contact us or see a map, click here.

Our admin address and Mid-week venue is Virginia Lodge, Heritage Court, Egham