28 Nov 2025, 14:29Weiers Coetser, Beverley Anderson, Niyi AromokeyeAberdeen, Aberdeen City, Scotland, United Kingdom
From Breakfast to Benediction: A Full Day of Intercession at Aberdeen Church
Aberdeen Church experienced a moving Sabbath on 22 November 2025, as members participated in a special ‘Back to the Altar’ Prayer Ministries Day, spending the day in worship, intercession, and fellowship that renewed hearts and strengthened the church family.
Aberdeen Seventh-day Adventist Church experienced a powerful move of God on Sabbath 22 November 2025 during a special “Back to the Altar” Prayer Ministries Day led by Scottish Mission Prayer Ministries Coordinator, Beverley Anderson, and hosted by local pastor, Pastor Weiers Coetser. Departing from the usual Sabbath schedule, the congregation entered a full day of worship, intercession and fellowship that many members described as one of the most impactful services in recent memory.
A Different Kind of Sabbath
Instead of beginning with the traditional 10:00 am Sabbath School classes and 11:00 am worship service, the day started at 9:00 am with a prayer breakfast, organised by local Prayer Ministries leader, Niyi Aromokeye, and his wife Folashade. Members arrived to a beautifully prepared spread of croissants, cereals, fruit and other breakfast items, creating a warm and welcoming space for conversation and community. As people ate together, there was time for informal prayer and fellowship, setting a tone of unity and expectancy for what was to follow.
At 9:45 am, the congregation moved into the sanctuary, where the rest of the programme unfolded in what felt like waves of worship and prayer. There was no rush to “fit everything in” before a set finish time; instead, the focus was on creating space for God to speak, for hearts to be softened, and for the church family to meet with the Lord together.
Exploring “Back to the Altar”
The first segment of the worship service centred on the theme “Back to the Altar,” drawing from the biblical story of Elijah calling Israel — who had forsaken the worship of God — back to prayer, worship and covenant faithfulness. The message was clear: just as Israel was summoned to rebuild the altar of the Lord, families today are invited to return to regular times of prayer, worship and devotion in the home. The call to rebuild the family altar resonated with young and old alike, challenging members to place Christ at the centre of daily life, not just weekly worship.
Following this presentation, the church divided into groups to unpack the theme more deeply. The children moved to the church hall, where the Children’s Ministries team had prepared a series of activities and crafts exploring seven key principles of coming back to the altar.
Meanwhile, the rest of the congregation formed seven discussion groups, each focusing on one of these principles. After time in conversation and reflection, the groups reunited in the sanctuary to share insights and commitments with the wider church family.
A Sanctuary Turned Prayer Room
What followed was a season of intercessory prayer that transformed the sanctuary into a living room of grace. A single chair was placed at the front of the church, surrounded by the serving elders, Pastor Coetser, Beverley Anderson, and her husband, Owen. Church members were invited to come forward one by one, sit in the chair, state their name, and share one specific request for prayer.
The response was immediate and heartfelt. Individuals and entire families came forward asking for prayer: for healing, for couples longing to begin a family, for expectant mothers carrying children after previous loss, for guidance after difficult seasons, and for children to grow into the fullness of God’s purpose for their lives. Tears were shed as burdens were named out loud, and one after another, elders and leaders laid hands on those seated in the chair, lifting each request to God while the congregation remained in an attitude of worship.
By around 2:00 pm it was evident that there were still many who had not yet been prayed for. The elders made a simple but significant commitment: they would not leave until every request had been brought before the Lord. The formal service concluded and the church family moved to share a meal together, but in the sanctuary the prayers continued. Some individuals returned two or even three times, bringing successive requests as the Spirit prompted them. The final prayer of the day was offered at about 5:00 pm.
Lasting Impressions of God’s Presence
By the end of the afternoon, there was a deep sense that this had been more than just a special programme; it had been a defining moment for the Aberdeen congregation. Members left with a renewed awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit, a stronger bond as a church family, and a fresh commitment to rebuild the altar of prayer in their homes and hearts. The visit of Beverley Anderson and her family, together with the faithful ministry of the local leaders, helped to create space for God to move in a powerful and personal way — one chair, one person, one prayer at a time.
Aberdeen Church experienced a moving Sabbath on 22 November 2025, as members participated in a special ‘Back to the Altar’ Prayer Ministries Day, spending the day in worship, intercession, and fellowship that renewed hearts and strengthened the church family.
Aberdeen Seventh-day Adventist Church experienced a powerful move of God on Sabbath 22 November 2025 during a special “Back to the Altar” Prayer Ministries Day led by Scottish Mission Prayer Ministries Coordinator, Beverley Anderson, and hosted by local pastor, Pastor Weiers Coetser. Departing from the usual Sabbath schedule, the congregation entered a full day of worship, intercession and fellowship that many members described as one of the most impactful services in recent memory.
A Different Kind of Sabbath
Instead of beginning with the traditional 10:00 am Sabbath School classes and 11:00 am worship service, the day started at 9:00 am with a prayer breakfast, organised by local Prayer Ministries leader, Niyi Aromokeye, and his wife Folashade. Members arrived to a beautifully prepared spread of croissants, cereals, fruit and other breakfast items, creating a warm and welcoming space for conversation and community. As people ate together, there was time for informal prayer and fellowship, setting a tone of unity and expectancy for what was to follow.
At 9:45 am, the congregation moved into the sanctuary, where the rest of the programme unfolded in what felt like waves of worship and prayer. There was no rush to “fit everything in” before a set finish time; instead, the focus was on creating space for God to speak, for hearts to be softened, and for the church family to meet with the Lord together.
Exploring “Back to the Altar”
The first segment of the worship service centred on the theme “Back to the Altar,” drawing from the biblical story of Elijah calling Israel — who had forsaken the worship of God — back to prayer, worship and covenant faithfulness. The message was clear: just as Israel was summoned to rebuild the altar of the Lord, families today are invited to return to regular times of prayer, worship and devotion in the home. The call to rebuild the family altar resonated with young and old alike, challenging members to place Christ at the centre of daily life, not just weekly worship.
Following this presentation, the church divided into groups to unpack the theme more deeply. The children moved to the church hall, where the Children’s Ministries team had prepared a series of activities and crafts exploring seven key principles of coming back to the altar.
Meanwhile, the rest of the congregation formed seven discussion groups, each focusing on one of these principles. After time in conversation and reflection, the groups reunited in the sanctuary to share insights and commitments with the wider church family.
A Sanctuary Turned Prayer Room
What followed was a season of intercessory prayer that transformed the sanctuary into a living room of grace. A single chair was placed at the front of the church, surrounded by the serving elders, Pastor Coetser, Beverley Anderson, and her husband, Owen. Church members were invited to come forward one by one, sit in the chair, state their name, and share one specific request for prayer.
The response was immediate and heartfelt. Individuals and entire families came forward asking for prayer: for healing, for couples longing to begin a family, for expectant mothers carrying children after previous loss, for guidance after difficult seasons, and for children to grow into the fullness of God’s purpose for their lives. Tears were shed as burdens were named out loud, and one after another, elders and leaders laid hands on those seated in the chair, lifting each request to God while the congregation remained in an attitude of worship.
By around 2:00 pm it was evident that there were still many who had not yet been prayed for. The elders made a simple but significant commitment: they would not leave until every request had been brought before the Lord. The formal service concluded and the church family moved to share a meal together, but in the sanctuary the prayers continued. Some individuals returned two or even three times, bringing successive requests as the Spirit prompted them. The final prayer of the day was offered at about 5:00 pm.
Lasting Impressions of God’s Presence
By the end of the afternoon, there was a deep sense that this had been more than just a special programme; it had been a defining moment for the Aberdeen congregation. Members left with a renewed awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit, a stronger bond as a church family, and a fresh commitment to rebuild the altar of prayer in their homes and hearts. The visit of Beverley Anderson and her family, together with the faithful ministry of the local leaders, helped to create space for God to move in a powerful and personal way — one chair, one person, one prayer at a time.
