AN OKEHAMPTON church is continuing to build links with other countries with its international focus currently on Ireland, France and Bulgaria
Inspiration (Church of the Nations) also recently welcomed the Rev Keith du Plessis, from Port Elizabeth, South Africa, to Okehampton.
The South African rector spoke to a large gathering at Charter Hall, Okehampton, and was joined on the trip by his wife, Shelley, and children, Sarah and Emma.
Keith spoke about his fondness for the south west of England and said he hoped to be able to visit more often.
He was initially ordained as a Baptist minister and spent many years as the senior minister at Trinity Baptist Church, Port Elizabeth.
He is now a minister within Church of the Nations International and is travelling to various countries to assist with apostolic input.
Before arriving in Okehampton, Keith had spent nine days in the German town of Waldshut. He is also working with churches in the Ukraine and Ireland.
As well as having the responsibility to support various churches internationally, he is also part of the ministerial team at Harvest, Church of the Nations, Port Elizabeth, a church with several thousand members.
Inspiration?s the Rev Mike Davies said: ?We are endeavouring to bring calibre speakers into the town and it was good to have Keith with us, although only for a short time.
?We have also managed to arrange for Bobby Ball of comedy double act Canon and Ball to visit Okehampton in November.?
Mike and Justine Davies were invited and visited a new church in Dublin at the weekend. It is hoped that Okehampton?s Inspiration will be able to assist this new church work.
Mr Davies said: ?Although Okehampton is a small town we seem to have a great deal of influence in the south west of England, which now seems to be spreading through the nations.?
The Rev Chris Bourne will be leading a team to prayer walk in France in August and Mr Davies will be speaking at two churches in Aberdeen. Mark and Judith Stanbury have just returned from a mission trip to Bulgaria where they assisted in building work at local orphanages.
Mr Davies confirmed that the international focus from Okehampton, was currently on Ireland, France and Bulgaria and in itself this had presented a big commitment for the Okehampton Church.
?We are having to turn down many preaching appointments, but by far the most exciting but challenging will be the visit of myself, Chris Bourne and Simon Bourne to Nairobi, Kenya in August,? he said.