Christian Life is an Affiliated Elim Church. We are proud of the relationship we have with one of the leading Pentecostal movements not only in the UK but worldwide.
The Elim Pentecostal Church was founded in 1915 by a Welshman in Monaghan Ireland. George Jeffreys was an outstanding evangelist and church planter. He had a Welsh Congregational background, was strongly influenced by the Welsh Revival of 1904, and was introduced to Pentecost by an Anglican vicar, Rev Alexander Boddy of Sunderland. Between 1915 and 1934, George Jeffreys conducted some tremendous evangelistic missions. This unknown preacher would commence a mission with a mere handful of people, and by the end of the week, thousands would clamour for a seat. Amazing miracles of healing had taken place. After the mission, very large churches were established.
The name 'Elim' was taken from the book of Exodus where the Israelites, exhausted and dispirited en route from Egypt's cruel bondage to the freedom of Canaan, came to Elim, an oasis in the desert where there were twelve wells of water and seventy palm trees. Exodus 15.27.
As the Movement grew with amazing rapidity against the background of dramatic decline in the historic churches, it proved to be a fitting symbol of spiritual refreshing. Elim continued to grow despite the ravages of World War two and other difficulties and soon established itself as a Pentecostal power in the evangelisation of the United Kingdom. Today, there are over 500 churches in the home land, and nearly 9000 world-wide.
Ministers are trained at Elim’s National Training Centre based in Nantwich, Cheshire. A range of training opportunities exist at the NTC. Regents Theological College, accredited by Manchester University for the B.A. and M.A. degrees offers a broad based theological and practical curriculum; The Elim School of Ministry offers a one year course designed to give a rounded biblical and practical training programme for those wanted to step out further in ministry; Serious4Youth Ministry, lead by Elim’s National Youth team is for those wanting equipping to reach and disciple today’s generation of young people.
Elim’s global thrust is spearheaded by the International Missions Board, which operates in 35 countries, with orphanages, hospitals and schools as well as churches. Elim also has a vibrant Home Missions policy and is committed to the evangelisation of the UK with the planting of new churches and the equipping of churches with contemporary evangelistic skills and strategies
The Elim International Offices, located in Cheltenham, along with Regent's Theological College in Nantwich will relocate to Malvern in 2009. The new Elim International Centre, which was a former girl's college, will accommodate both Elim's offices and college in the same building. The new centre is based in a 32 acre site, including accommodation and teaching facilities, along with large woodlands and sports fields. It's situated on the west side of the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire and will be refurbished during 2008/9.