Bangor Elim

I hold my hands up, I don’t go to church or consider myself religious but I support anywhere that actively helps people weather its the local kids needing somewhere to go like a youth club or people living in horrible conditions throughout the world. Bangor elim hosts charity events that really attract and interest people to raise funds for good causes. Keep up the good work. Upcoming event is a car and bike show with stunt riders.

Superstitious nonsense for people suffering from the god delusion, as well as having single figure I. Q’s…fleecing the vulnerable out of their hard earned cash and laughing all the way to the bank… turn it into a soup kitchen to do society justice… it’s 2015 not 1215… your gods exist in your heads only. THINK!

I used to be lured to Elim every Saturday night with the promise of indoor football, a tuck shop and fizzy drinks.
I went week in week out and they would always end each youth club with a little bit if preaching. Now I didn’t really mind this, the thought of indoor football always kept me happy. But they often went a little far trying to get you to listen to their positive messages.
Despite this I always found Elim quite bearable and hospitable considering I abused their youth club without ever being a member of the church.

Ooooh la la, this church is rather snazzy. With its striking ‘Elim’ signage, complete with the flame symbol of this particular denomination, and expansive building, including a 1000 seater auditorium and top-​notch coffee shop, Bangor Elim certainly looks the part. Not that that matters of course.
Descending upon the Elim’s evening service at 6:30, myself, my sister and my other half were heartly greeted at the door by a rather eccentric looking old man, hand jangling up and down and grinning from ear to ear. I do appreciate a nice welcome.
Despite us being a good fifteen minutes early, the church was buzzing with people, from babies right up to pensioners; there was certainly a good variety. Amongst the hustle and bustle, we located a few friends, who, unbeknownst to us, had decided to come to the service too. We sat on the cinema style seats and took a good look around. Pleasant surroundings, without being OTT, and a massive stage which takes up the entire front of the church. Nice.
We were welcomed by one of the three pastors, and told that, due to this being the first Sunday of the World Cup, there would be a definite football theme that evening. By this stage, the huge band had taken their places on the stage, followed by a small choir who stood on the rafters beside the band.
The music was upbeat and cheery, much of what I am personally used to. The worship leader was fab, and had a great voice. The choir took a wee while to get into the swing of things, but they didn’t half do bad either. I must confess, I was rather enjoying the whole experience thus far.
I was later informed that the evening meetings are much more evangelistic than the morning services, so the topic of the World Cup took the format of idol worshipping and placing things over and above God in our lives. It was a good sermon, but not gritty enough for me. Definitely suited its purpose though.
A few more songs were sung at the end, and communion was served. Grappling with a bulky communion tray whilst singing required a bit of a hand, but apart from that the two intertwined rather well.
As soon as the service was over, another friend came over to speak, introducing her friends to my sister and I. One of the girls offered to give us a tour of the church, showing us the fab coffee shop, impressive youth centre and the various rooms used for different purposes.
We all had a brilliant night, and would undoubtedly return.