Coventry Branch at 40

Coventry Branch at 40

Members of the Coventry branch pose after a Celebration Meal to mark 40 Years of the Gideon Ministry In Coventry. Four founder members, who were also present at the first meeting, are seated on the front row:- Ken Neilson (founder Chairman), Agnes Neilson, Stan Grundy and Peter Prideaux (present Chairman).

 Ken, Peter and Brian Hickford (Headquarters) spoke of their recollections of how God led and envisioned, particularly through the Zone Trustee, Bob Jennings. The new Branch covered almost the whole of Warwickshire including 63 Schools, and was in effect a “green field site” (some schools needed 1400 Youth Testaments).
The verse from Rev. 3:8 “See, I have set before you an open door that no one can shut” was in effect a challenge and also a promise. In believing that God keeps His Promises, the 1973 targets were set in faith and generated a budget of £56,000 in today’s money! New Branches in those days were supported on a 1 for 1 basis by Headquarters, leaving the Branch to trust God for only £28,000! Praise God! The money came in, and still comes in, enabling us to place Scriptures in all avenues of distribution. Praise God! a school closed to us for many years has just become an “open door” once more, and Youth Testaments have been distributed to years 7 and 8.

We serve an Amazing God Who “is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Cor. 9:8.
To God be the Glory - great things He has done!

Peter Prideaux

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