Growth & Expansion During Recession
2009 has proven to be a year of significant change and challenge for the majority of people on this planet, but so have many found God to be dependable during times of transition – not least at Gateway Church in the Middle East
 Unbeknown to most people, God whispered into the heart of Clive Cernik on New Year’s Eve 2008 that the coming year would be one of significant change for him and his wife Heather, as his season of planting and establishing the church since 2005 was drawing to a close. As the year progressed, this bunch of 200+ people from over 25 nations became 300+ and continued to be blessed, blissfully unaware of what their leaders were weighing in their hearts.
Having lost its third set of premises with 48 hours notice at the end of the year, God miraculously provided the largest facility for Gateway in the centre of the metropolis. But as 2009 progressed we were rapidly outgrowing that. The crèche, the fastest growing part of the church, was in a hotel corridor on the way to the only two kids rooms, which had up to 70 “3-11s” crammed in. Youth met in a lobby, and sometimes in a food court! Another church met down the corridor in a smaller banqueting room. It was standing room only during worship in our main meeting hall, which was cramping Evan Roger style! “New members” courses were running monthly and many being added to the fellowship.
The recession in the northern Emirates was being felt. Those with small businesses were being squeezed. Some people lost their jobs. Much loved people were leaving to find work back in their home countries or to further their careers after only a couple of years sojourning in our fast and exciting city. Such is the nature of life here in this transitory place. Yet the church was growing and supporting three other fellowships directly across the MENA (Middle East & North Africa) region and partnering with a fourth. Why would any pastor in his right mind consider moving on, especially into the unknown and potential of unemployment?
 But God was at work. A brand new facility became available that seats up to 1,000 with six large rooms for kids and youth, and highly sympathetic management. Our teens came back from Newday blown away by all the God had done for them, and the culmination of Clive’s time here was to baptise many of them along with others totalling thirteen in November. The youngest person to be baptised could barely stand on the bottom and keep his chin out of the water at the same time! Husbands watched wives get baptized; dad’s baptised their offspring. Five different nationalities were represented even in this small baptismal group. Such is our cultural cross section. Whilst tough, God also met the financial needs of individuals and the church ended financially just in the 'black' too in one of the toughest years for all. This is a relief, as bouncing cheques can lead to jail sentences in this part of the world!
 God was also planning His next move with regard to the next leader. As soon as Clive and Heather stepped out in faith and announced they were leaving to go “who knows where”, God miraculously spoke to Steve and Heather Oliver about moving here. They arrived today as I write this! God honoured the faithfulness of the Cerniks and the Olivers for stepping out in faith in their momentous decisions as a result of the words of His prophets. Janet Bran prophesied there would be rain in Clarens and in our city on the day of their leaving. Well, rain in Clarens happened on the Friday the Oliver's left, but we had a major downpour here in the desert at Clive and Heather’s farewell! It started during their last church service, and six hours later had turned so torrential that for the first time ever we had to abandon their farewell picnic in the park early due to rain! Furthermore, we had rain and major thunderstorms and hailstones the size of large ice cubes every Friday from then on for a month. It normally only rains once a year here! Heard of signs and wonders following those who believe?
Human nature doesn’t often seem to relish change and transition, and recession always seems to bring hardship, but with God as our provider, His grace smoothes the path of growth to fullness of life. We have far more reason to praise Him than to worry, even during the toughest recession and circumstances of our lifetimes. We are facing 2010 with confidence that God is with us and He will never let us down.
Tim Goddard, a member of Gateway Church in the Middle East
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