Most readers will be aware of the healing and deliverance work of Ellel Ministries, and many will have attended some of their conferences and workshops in different parts of the UK. Many highly commend their work, others cast doubt on certain aspects of their theology or practice. Having little personal experience of the ministry, I offer this review based mainly on the reading of the book. It is the life-story of Ellel’s founder, Peter Horrobin: in truth, not a biography as such, rather a succession of testimonies of how God leads “men and women in the fulfilment of His purposes for their lives” (p.xix).
Early adventures
Essentially, it is a story of two halves; comprising first, the years of Peter’s upbringing, academic and business life, which preceded the launch of Ellel ministries in 1986. Secondly, the remarkable 30-year adventure of faith which embraces the subsequent journey of Ellel through the decades since that inaugural year.
It’s a phenomenal story, very well told, of God’s dealings with him and others. Peter was a somewhat precocious youth, with an enterprising and entrepreneurial mindset from an early age. This saw him, among other projects, dealing successfully in foreign stamps, lecturing in maths, and researching and co-writing The Complete Catalogue of British Cars, published in 1974. From these unusual beginnings, Peter moved into the business world, launching what became a very popular bookshop in the north of England (still in business to this day).
All of this, and much more (including being behind Mission England in 1984, and the publication of the Mission Praise songbook), helped prepare him for his future ministry. For he long had a distinct calling to be a healer of broken hearts, and after many arduous years of waiting (not always patiently), he sensed the time was approaching.
Ellel begins … and quickly expands
Feeling around for a suitable property, Peter was led to a large manor house, with grounds, near Lancaster. He went to visit, and got shown around, even though the property wasn’t for sale. Peter knew in his spirit that this was ‘the place’. Sure enough, he was given first offer on Ellel Grange soon after; only problem being – he had no money to buy it with! The funds came through in a series of remarkable ‘co-incidences’, so that, come the deadline date, his team had reached the necessary £457,257, with exactly £6 to spare!
The purchase of every building proved to be a journey of high spiritual adventure, of complete reliance on the promptings of the Spirit, and of astonishing breakthroughs.
This set a pattern for the purchase of further eloquent Victorian properties as the ministry quickly expanded: Ellel Pierrepont in Surrey, Glyndley Manor in East Sussex, and Blairmore House in Moray, Scotland, all still busy Ellel centres today. The purchase of every building proved to be a journey of high spiritual adventure, of complete reliance on the promptings of the Spirit, and of astonishing breakthroughs. In that sense, this page-turner of a book reads like ‘Rees Howells, Intercessor’.
Soon, invitations were coming in for Ellel to start up ministries in various overseas nations; Hungary, Canada, Australia, Israel, America, the Netherlands among many others. Every story is well worth the telling. Ellel is now a global ministry, employing hundreds of staff and engaging countless volunteers. Numerous testimonies of people attending Ellel courses and receiving striking physical, emotional or spiritual healing, are shared.
Obeying the vision in faith
Throughout the volume, Peter comes over as a man of faith, accompanied by decisive thinking and bold action. He speaks of his previous struggle to understand why so many people around the world pray regularly for revival, yet so few witness its reality. Through prayer, he realised three elements were necessary; 1) a Vision from God as to what was necessary 2) Faith – absolute trust that what God says he will do; and…
3) Obedience. There are more scriptural references to obedience than vision and faith put together. “Visions don’t get fulfilled as if by magic. They require human participation”, Peter shared. “I saw that the journey from vision through to faith, and to obedience was a hallmark of those who were at the heart of the major moves of God’s Spirit throughout history” (pp.183-5). Peter saw God move again and again in his life’s circumstances, because he was willing to step out boldly in faith each time he received a vision from the Lord.
Trustworthy God
Despite the victories experienced, these stories are not told with any air of triumphalism. The author regularly admits his own weaknesses, sharing the tough period he went through when separating from his first wife (could he perhaps have been a little more candid here?). Looking back on his adventurous life, Peter reflects, “I am totally and utterly amazed at what, in spite of being myself, God has done” (p.383), seeking ever to bear witness to God’s glory and goodness.
Peter saw God move again and again in his life’s circumstances, because he was willing to step out boldly in faith each time he received a vision from the Lord.
He succeeds marvellously in such task. ‘Strands of Destiny’ is an engaging, faith-building and fascinating account of what can be achieved through bold, stubborn faith in a living, personal and fully trustworthy God.
‘Strands of Destiny’ is published by Sovereign World, and is available from Eden Christian Books or second-hand from Amazon
