`Where there is no vision, the people perish.’ (Proverbs.29:18)
A Message From Senior Pastor Andy Dilnot
Dear Church family, Welcome to the future...2032
When we returned from our sabbatical in 2023, many people asked me the following questions: “What did you do with your time away and what were your thoughts over this period?”
Thankfully, I found these questions easy to answer when I shared with a number of people that during my time away, I reflected upon my 22 years on the Church staff as Youth Pastor, Assistant Pastor and Senior Pastor. I also found that during this time it brought into focus the thoughts of what legacy I wanted to leave for my children and for New Horizon Church which would impact future generations. As I reflected, I was taken aback at how quickly the past 22 years have flown by and it made me realise that God willing the next 22 years will soon flash by too.
When I joined the Church staff in 2002, I felt privileged to be a part of a rich Pentecostal heritage and legacy left by previous generations. I’m sure we are all thankful for our founding Pastor Ron Beardsley who in 1956 started our Church above a shop in Eastwood and then Pastor Graham who led the Church for 30 years before handing the baton onto myself in 2008. I’m sure you would agree that we are all indebted to these godly men and previous congregations for leaving a legacy of faith, which is still impacting lives today.
During my 15 years as Senior Pastor it has been my great joy and privilege to witness God’s grace, mercy, faithfulness and power repeatedly as we have resolutely followed the Lord's leading. At times our journey has been very costly however I hope like me you feel the cost has been worth it, seeing New Horizon in a season of abundant health and strength even after a global pandemic, for which we give the praise and glory to God.
Recognising and celebrating our rich heritage and history I now feel we are in the season, both individually and as the congregation of 2024, that we ask ourselves the important question of 'what will we pass on to the next generation and what Kingdom legacy will we leave after us?’
With two young boys Timothy and James who are growing up fast, as a father it gives me great encouragement, strength and comfort knowing that one day, God willing, our sons will inherit all of mine and Becky’s possessions and resources resulting hopefully in them having a better start than we did.
It is important to state that I feel the same way for my New Horizon family, which has been and is continuing to be one of the greatest loves of our lives. Therefore, I feel encouraged and determined to leave a great spiritual and resourceful legacy for our children, grandchildren and the generations after us.
Taking inspiration from our vision text in Isaiah 60:1-3, my dream for the long-term future of New Horizon is that we will pass on a debt free building that will propel and empower the leaders of tomorrow to have the greatest Kingdom impact possible in their generation. Thinking about my dreams and hopes for the future: I’m believing for a Church that is known by the local surrounding communities as a place of help, hope and compassion; a Church where the gospel message will be preached accompanied with signs and wonders; that New Horizon will be a prophetic voice into every sector of society including governments and royal households; that we would see the Ephesians 4 giftings of Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Teachers and Evangelists being raised up to impact the world. I dream that our Church would be a mission sending church that both encourages and resources; that we would be an apostolic centre which grows future Church leaders and to possibly planting other Churches, whilst providing existing Churches with advice and encouragement; a Church that is a beacon of righteousness, truth, power and glory whilst existing in our increasingly dark world. I dream that we would continue to be an unapologetic Pentecostal, Evangelical, bible believing, Jesus centred Church, that would start a fire of spiritual zeal which influences and changes the social landscape.
Some of the above I may not witness in my lifetime; however, I dare to dream that the future generations will stand on our shoulders envisioned to outwork the limitless possibilities that God will lay before them. I appreciate that you might find these dreams to be outlandish and over exuberant, however looking at our current world with all its sin, pain and trauma we need to see an acceleration of God's purposes on the earth as we come closer to His glorious return. (1 Corinthians 15:52)
Someone once described that leaving a legacy is to have the opportunity to live for a purpose that’s bigger than us, where it allows us to influence our family tree, not just for our children, but for generations to come!
To understand the important principle of legacy we can also reflect on the powerful words of Jesus in John 17:4, I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. Wow what a legacy Jesus left us and how indebted we all are to our miraculous and magnificent Lord and saviour Jesus Christ to whose kingdom shall never end! (Isaiah 9:7)
Therefore, to encapsulate and embrace the dreams and vision for the future I am delighted to introduce you to our new LEGACY VISION 2032 with the goal of one day purchasing our building and handing it over to the next generation debt-free.
Our current Position
Through the miraculous hand of God back in 2017 we agreed a 15-year renting lease that will
finish in 2032. You may be aware that it took us 2 years to receive planning permission and to
undertake the building work, which resulted in the official opening of our building in March 2019.
Currently our annual rent including business rates is £49,500. (£4,125 per month) This amount will stay the same until the end of our current lease.
Our Goal 2032
Our goal is simple, that in 2032 when our current lease expires, we will be in a position to offer and purchase the building at market value with either a cash deposit plus a mortgage arrangement or preferably to purchase the building outright. A current rough estimate would be a value of £1.2 million. (This figure is likely to increase over the next 8 years given market forces and inflation) I understand that this amount might seem high but with God’s help it’s certainly not out of our reach.
How can you get involved and what’s the strategy?
Starting in March 2024 and continuing every year in March/April up to 2032 we will hold a special Legacy Vision weekend which consists of Prayer, Fasting, Worship and Vision presentations.
There is no pressure to give
There is no pressure or coercion in any way from the Church leadership to give into the Legacy
Fund. This is a decision which is between you and God.
Therefore, you may want to pray for the Lord's leading and guidance on this important matter. In 2 Corinthians 9:7 it reads `Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.’ Also in Exodus 35:20-23 we find the passage that states `Then the whole Israelite community withdrew from Moses’ presence, and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the tent of meeting.’
Our prayer is that as you understand our legacy vision, God will move your heart to respond to his
gentle leading.
It will be a restricted fund
The Legacy Fund will be a restricted fund which means all donations to this particular fund can only be used for the long-term building facilities of New Horizon Church.
It does not help the New Horizon Church Charity if people switch their regular general giving into the Legacy Fund as these funds would lie dormant until a building for New Horizon Church is secured.
We would advise that any giving to this new Legacy Fund would be in addition beyond your normal giving into the General unrestricted funds that are used for the outworking of our Church vision on a weekly basis so that the operations of the Charity that generate ministry and growth are not impacted. (Remember there is no pressure to give)