The Growth of Service to God

In today’s episode of Church Talk, amidst us is Elle Limebear from the United Kingdom. Tune in as she converses with Pastor Priji on the growth of service to God. Let us be blessed and know better ways to serve the Lord.

Transcript:

Pastor Priji: We would love to begin with your journey? How was it for you to encounter God? When did your life with God begin? How did you get saved and how did you experience the transformation in your life?

Elle Limebear: I grew up in a Christian family. We would go to church every Sunday, we would never miss a Sunday. In our local church, my grandpa was the pastor so all the family would go. From a young age, seeing what God can do, praising God and singing, listening to messages in kids church and also travelling with my dad. My dad is a worship leader and a musician. We have toured to different countries. Seeing what God can do with my own eyes, different healing, people being delivered out, redemption so many things I saw and heard that I truly believe that I just cannot believe because of what I have seen and heard from a very young age. I was around seven years of age when I gave my life to Jesus. I have seen God’s faithfulness and goodness throughout and how He has protected me and covered me. When I was thirteen I was filled with the Holy Spirit. Seeing how the Spirit can continually renew all of Jesus’ teaching, is beautiful. Walking with Jesus is never boring, there is never a dull moment. When you surrender your life to Jesus it is never boring, it’s an adventure. It’s one of the best adventures, you are not in charge, you are not in control, you just have said yes and keep saying yes even when it is terrifying. I have seen God do some amazing work when I have simply said yes. God loves our obedience and sacrifice. He is the best dad, He is loyal, He is never gonna leave you, He loves you. I don’t want to live my life without that, without His presence.

Pastor Priji: What a legacy that your grandfather was a pastor. And I have not mentioned this but your father is Martin Smith one of the lead vocalists of the band Delirious. We all have been blessed by his songs and worship. And now you are serving the same King and God, with the same passion and intensity, what a legacy! We would want to know all the ministry that you and your husband are doing in your local church. Could you give us a glimpse of everything you are involved in? Some of it can inspire and equip other people as well.

Elle Limebear: Well we are a part of a different church in a different city. Not the church that I attended when I was a kid.
I met my husband Tom in a youth group. He was eighteen at that time and I was fifteen. My husband became a Christian at the age of eighteen. We started working for the homeless ministry. He was doing night shelter, detoxing addict, he was just being a friend, that’s what he was doing, being friends to the poor and addict. So much of our hearts want to be with those people. Another area we are a part of is youth. We have got a big heart for youth. I love young people. I have been the eldest of six kids and I probably feel like I have been a youth leader my whole life. I love young people and my heart is so much for this generation and for the generations to come and I believe what they can do at this age not when you become an adult when you get a good job and a house. I am also in the worship team leading with our worship team. I love the team. The church is a great place for a team, there are so many different things you can serve, give your time, money, gifts. That is something so peaceful about the church, all ages, no one is disqualified.

Pastor Priji: I really liked what you spoke about the church. The church is a place where we can work in a team and know one another and serve one another. You have travelled around the globe with your father and you have seen the church and you are also locally committed to a church, so you have had both a global as well as local influence. So, I would like to know that how has your global exposure influenced and given a perspective of your local church better?

Elle Limebear: That’s a great question because I see how the global church has had its impact on our local church. I do count it as a blessing that I got to see the global church because not everyone gets that opportunity. I’m so grateful for that and from a young age to see what God can do and how people talk about giving, Father God and Jesus, it is so diverse and beautiful. How I see the local church and how my exposure has impacted is yes, God is bigger than our church, it’s not just about our church and everything related to our church like different groups and programs. There is so much going on, so much need. But also God really loves our city. I love the city I live in Brighton. I have a heart for the city and I really want the city of Brighton to change. I wanna be here when revival is here. I wanna be a part of it. This has really made me appreciate the small, people who are serving the church each and every week. My mom and dad, even the people at Delirious they knew the importance of the local church. Wherever they are they would be back on a Sunday. But yes it’s also important to go out. It’s definitely a balance.

Pastor Priji: What would be your advice to young worship ministers and songwriters in the context of a church, how can they serve in a way that is towards the vision of the church or towards what God is doing in that city and nation? How can the worship team, singers and songwriters begin to think like a visionary?

Elle Limebear: First thing is to talk about it. We are prophetic people, we have a prophetic God who gives us the vision and dreams. Talking with the team is really important. The first thing would be you talking to God, asking God what is it that you want me to do to, how is the best way to serve? I would encourage the singers and songwriters to just know why you are doing what you are doing. Know that God is present in your heart and that you have a place here on earth for a reason and you have something to say. It might be for a million or maybe for your family.

Pastor Priji: I would like to know from your perspective, what were your inspirations, how did you manage to bring out your personal, intimate encounters with God into a place where it can be experienced by others and they can take partake it?

Elle Limebear: The album “Lost in Wonder” took three years to write and record. I wasn’t planning about writing my own songs but God was so particular about me writing songs. Personal revelation has helped me to write these songs to help people, people who have not known Jesus still. People to experience Jesus through my music, to experience freedom. My vision in life is for people to know Him, whether through songs or through conversations. When the Holy Spirit prompts you to do something, just do it. And you will see what God can do and it is so much exhilarating.

Pastor Priji: What would be your word of caution or warning to worship ministers?

Elle Limebear: What the world tells us to do is to hide a lot of our feelings, questions, doubts and struggles. But it is so important as worship leaders to have someone to go to, someone to be accountable to. It is always good to have someone mentor, someone with whom you can go and share if you are struggling with pride or ego or jealousy. If we hide it, it festers and grows and shows up. That’s ugly! My caution would be don’t bury things, don’t hide things. Just be accountable to one another.

Pastor Priji: What are the ways through which people can receive and connect with you and all that you are doing?

Elle Limebear: I’m on all social media Youtube, Instagram, Facebook. If you wanna chat DM me. I would love to chat. Know that you are not alone, there are others running the race. I’m here in Brighton, the UK cheering you up.