Prince Charles Visits London Pentecostal Church on His Birthday for Special Thanksgiving Service

Dan Wooding : Nov 16, 2007
Excerpts from ASSIST News

"I can't tell you what a joy it is to worship with you today. All I can tell you is that there is nowhere I would rather be on my birthday. You have given us both such a wonderful, warm and happy welcome and all I can tell you is that we shall leave here with our spirits well and truly raised."

(London, U.K.)—Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall attended a special thanksgiving service at one of London's largest black majority churches, Jesus House, where he paid tribute to the contribution of black churches to their communities.

The service, which took place on Wednesday, November 14, also marked the Prince's 59th birthday, acknowledged the work done by Jesus House in the local community as well as the growing contribution made by Pentecostal and black majority churches in the UK," said Daniel Blake in a story for Christianity Today.

"Other attendants of the service were the Mayor of Barnet, the leader of the local council, local MPs and the Bishop of London, the Rt. Rev Richard Chartres."

Prince Charles began by thanking Jesus House for the welcome he received, "I can't tell you what a joy it is to worship with you today. All I can tell you is that there is nowhere I would rather be on my birthday. You have given us both such a wonderful, warm and happy welcome and all I can tell you is that we shall leave here with our spirits well and truly raised."

During his speech, the Prince of Wales praised the work of Jesus House and of the black majority churches in the UK.

"You are all a marvelous example of how so many people whose families originate from the Commonwealth, have yourselves brought new life into the Christian church in the United Kingdom thereby completing the cycle started by missionaries from Britain so many years ago. So we have that to thank you for," he said.

Prince Charles said he was "so impressed" by Jesus House's active involvement in the local community. Members of the congregation run yearly free car wash events and the Spreading Christmas Cheer program, where they work in London Underground stations giving away hot drinks and mince pies. They also visit the elderly and drop-in centers.

"I must also say that a huge positive contribution to British society is made by a great number of church-going black people," he continued. "I want you to remember that it is highly appreciated by me and more and more by other people. Too often, it seems that the media are interested in the negative and stereotypical but you, if I may say so, are a wonderful and shining example."

The Prince of Wales concluded, "I wish I had known about this church long ago. I pray, ladies and gentlemen, that you continue in your wonderful work for the Spirit and that you are inspired by our Lord for many years to come."

Jesus House Youth Pastor, Bajo Akisanya, told Christian Today that the visit had been "momentous". "He acknowledged some very unseen work and I think that’s one of the most wonderful things," he said.