(my tribute to KLC)

I smile at this title…. I have heard a LOT of preachers use this phrase as they allege to come to the end of a sermon and, to be honest, it drives me a bit crazy! Only because it’s become a cliché and no longer original. I wonder who the first preacher was to use it? I’m sure it was cool back then! If you use it, don’t be offended –  I’m sure I say things that drive you crazy too!! 

“So why are you using it for this blog title?” I hear you ask.. Are you sitting comfortably? then I shall tell you….

In December 2019, we were staying in a lovely cottage in Llangranog, in West Wales. Our base was Tanzania, but we were beginning to feel some stirrings that it was maybe time to come back to the UK. We drove around Wales, praying, thinking, wondering if we could do 3 months in Wales and 3 months in Tanzania, wondering if we should church plant in Wales.. so many thoughts. However, all of those thoughts were interrupted by a phone call. 

One Monday of that December, we received a call from Paul Hudson – Elim’s regional leader of the North East and Midlands. He asked us if we would go and pastor Elim’s church in Newcastle Upon Tyne.  It’s no secret what I said as John put his hand over the receiver to share the news with me. I may aswell write it on the record! “Tell him (Paul) to take a long walk off a short pier” I can’t quite believe that’s what I said, but we were and still are great friends, so I knew I’d get away with it! Why was that my initial response? Newcastle had NEVER been in our hearts, (then again, neither had Wales or Tanzania) I thought it would still be too far away from our family. To cut a long story short, we prayed, we had a family meeting, we went back to Tanzania earlier than anticipated to pack up shop to hopefully (interview pending) move to Newcastle! 

We left Tanzania after 6 years on February 15^th, 2020, had our interview a week or so later, we were accepted and we began our new life and ministry on May 5^th 2020.

Our last Sunday was just last week – September 7^th, 2025. One of our elders was praying before the meeting and he started to use the plane analogy. (this is why I’m using the title!) He thanked God for the way in which we’d ‘piloted it’, obviously meaning lead KLC. He talked about the cabin crew, I got to thinking down this way too, the journeys, the ups and downs, the turbulence, etc.. and then Enock, our beautiful elder talked about how we landed it. We landed it and now it’s time for a new captain to climb aboard and take it to its next destination. 

I LOVED this analogy. 

The ‘plane’ that we climbed aboard back in May 2019 needed help. It needed direction. It needed some new cabin crew and passengers who wanted to sign up to a destination that would include Agape (the only firm foundation), Prayer, Kingdom, Fun and Adventure. And it needed those who would ‘allow’ John and I to change into different people than we were when we first stepped aboard flight KLC 2019. We like to believe we influenced and helped many people during our ‘flight’ – our leaving weekend overwhelmingly confirmed that – but it’s also true to say, we changed and grew too! I arrived as an ops manager (shortly after departure) but left as an ordained minister (an amazing story in itself) John arrived as a pastor but left as an apostle (thanks to Mark Pugh for allowing that word to be used more freely) Titles don’t mean anything if no one follows you or if no one can see it in you, but we know what we mean. What he is going on to do now in Wales will need him to step up into a more apostolic role – those of you who know him, will vouch for it. 

Back to flight KLC.

What an incredible 6 plus years. It’s impossible in one blog to capture it all, and only truly possible for those who have been on the ‘flight’ with us to understand how incredible it has been. Let me highlight a couple of areas and one dream that came true for me. 

Prayer

Very quickly after departure we put a program of prayer into the rhythm of KLC. Weekly evening, (7.00pm-9.00pm) weekly early morning (7.00am-10.00am) and weekly Sunday morning (9.45am-10.15am). We did many half nights, and full nights. And, when Covid struck, that didn’t stop us, we just moved it all to Zoom!  

Why do I highlight that? 

1. Because we did LOADS of things, some things stuck, some were just for a season, some didn’t work so we knocked them on the head – this thing called Prayer never stopped. We did all those meetings for the entire time. 
2. It was and will always be our engine room. Nothing spiritually powerful can happen without it. (I’m convinced that’s it’s because of our own private prayer that John and I are still standing strong after 36 years on the battlefield of ministry) 
3. If your church or you don’t have a prayer life, maybe it’ll encourage you to start
4. To say thanks to the core of KLC who came every week without fail (barring holidays or sickness) to pray – thank you. 

The Cabin Crew

I don’t even know where to start here. It’s impossible to name everyone who was cabin crew on our flight. Elders, leaders, office manager, Grocery/café manager, finance officer, our teams – BRAVE (women’s ministry), STRONGER (men’s ministry), Limitless Kids, Limitless Youth, Golden Years, CGS and Café, Cleaning, Street outreach, Life group leaders, Worship, Sound & Media, Hosting, (I hope I haven’t forgotten anyone! Please forgive me – Agape!! ) What a flight you gave us! We had some turbulence at times. We had to land to let people get off which sometimes caused sleepless nights and many tears because of the pain caused. Some we didn’t want to see go, others, it was right for them to get on another flight, and they went with our blessing. The highs so magnificently outweighed the lows. We’ve soared much more than we’ve mourned that is for sure. ‘Thank you’ seems such an inadequate word but know that we are saying it as loud as we can for all to hear, from our hearts to ALL our cabin crew – THANK YOU. You were and still are amazing and, although we’re on different flights, for now, you will forever be in our hearts, and we trust our paths will cross a lot in the future. 

Joseph

I’d had experience of directing pantomimes in our previous church in Porth, South Wales, always loved doing it but hadn’t done it for years! So, when I asked the question at KLC, ‘anyone up for panto?’ I was surprised to see how many turned up for auditions in the autumn of 2019. Our first show was Aladdin! It was great and we created so many wonderful memories! What next? I thought out loud one day in the office, ‘what about Joseph?’ Leanne, office manager, could hardly contain herself as it’s her favourite musical! One of my dream roles has always been the narrator in Joseph and so, I made an executive decision and cast myself in that role! It lived up to it. I absolutely loved it. We had a brilliant musical director who put together all the backing tracks herself – thanks Sarah Johnson! – especially because she pitched the narrator songs for my voice. If you’ve ever heard the original, you will know what I mean! Why is it soooooo high? Sharing the stage with Thom Potts (Joseph) and the rest of the KLC players will forever be an ultimate core memory of my time at KLC. We also did, Peter Pan, Robin Hood, and A Christmas Carol. In July of this year (2025) we put together a Pantomash. Some of the cast put together a fab mash up of the songs and scripts of the last 6 years. We couldn’t get through many rehearsals without crying but we did manage the actual show until right at the very end!! Thank you Jesus! Precious times. 

We had our final weekend last weekend (6^th & 7^th September 2025). It was incredibly honouring. We laughed and cried a lot. Many beautiful, heartfelt words were spoken over us and by us. We decided it was easier to say, ‘see you later’ than ‘goodbye’. We have made friends for life; there is no doubt about that. Flight KLC 2019-2025, you were an absolute delight to pilot. We hand you on to your new captains, Paul and Hannah Barrett and we wish you all a very pleasant flight! 

So, what’s next??

We have 2 planes right now – one is Kidderminster Elim Church, and the other is the Church planting academy in Wales. We’re recruiting for Cabin Crew and passengers. All interested people, feel very free to get in touch, all applications will be prayerfully considered.

John & I are also both available to come and speak at your church or event. Again, just ask!

Debbie.bullock50@outlook.com

All aboard, let’s go!!

Until next time, D xx