The pioneering work in 2007
The Church of God in Nairn held its first service on Sunday 21 January 2007. Basically, it started as a pioneer church with no church members in Nairn. And the first services were held in the Little Theatre, on the site of a former Salvation Army hall. These services were attended by people mainly from Inverness and Elgin. However, by the summer months of 2007, there were only around six people in the services as support quickly disappeared from the supporting churches. Therefore, anyone doing a pioneering church work should be encourage by the way God moved in our situation. For example, many needs were met that only God could have met. By the autumn of 2007, the church was able to support its pastor and moved to Rosebank Hall. Over the year the church was grateful for those who came to support it. For example, Bible college students from ETS sung on the streets of Nairn; the Inverness and Elgin churches also played a significant role in many ways, too.
The healings and growth in 2008
During 2008, different people visited the church and different nationalities were in attendance. One of the major events was a local woman who visited the church, and claimed that God healed her during the service. Since then, the woman has become fully mobile. In fact, a Brazilian family also made similar claims of God healing the man's wife, who was seriously ill during this time. In general, the church saw a lot growth in 2008. And this was seen, when there were over 50 people, at the Nativity Play in December.
A time of building relationships 2009
At the start of the year the church welcomed more people into membership. Then the church had another baptismal service in February. In June, Dr Larry Hess (Field Director for Europe) ministered God’s word in our church. At the same time, the church continued to have fellowship with other local churches through joint lunches and services. The highlight of the year was another successful Nativity Play in December with a clear Gospel message being preached to around 70 people. It would appear that 2009, became a time of strong relationship building inside and outside of the church.
A time of fellowship & encouragment 2010
In 2010, the church had people coming forward to be baptised in water. In fact, the young and the old came forward to be baptised which was a great encouragement. At the same time, the church was encouraged by different speakers from the USA: Rev Chuck Duncan, Rev Mark Landon, and Dr Dwain Pyeatt. The church also enjoyed having church picnics which went really well considering the Scottish weather. Furthermore, the Sunday school children had lots of fun when they went to Landmark during the summer. In fact, the year ended with another successful Nativity play with over 85 in attendance.
A time of growth 2012
In 2011there were fewer church lunches because the church had to relocate to the Little Theatre for a few months. Dr Rob Kiff and his wife, Pat, pastored the church during July when the Grants were travelling abroad. At the same time, the church was blessed by Pastor Bruce Badder; Pastor Iain Gunn and his wife Michel; Pastor Jesse Duncan, and Walter Waheed. And the church also saw further growth in its numbers during 2011. The church managed to provide another Nativity play with fewer children, however, there were still over 75 in attendance.
The church continues to seek the Lord in prayer with the vision of growing stronger in our walk with God!
