I have known Clifford since 1985. During that year a friend encouraged me to write to him as she had listened to a song I had written and recorded. She mentioned to me that Clifford had just written and published a book that bore the same title, ‘Tell my people I love them’, the people of whom we wrote being the Jewish people.
Clifford’s response to my letter was to encourage me to attend a Conference in Jerusalem (1986) which I did, with my husband. This was a time of wonderful teaching and insight that encouraged me, with my husband, and others living locally, to continue in this hope… that God is Sovereign Lord. Words were spoken at that Conference that I had heard spoken local to where I live in 1979 by a Danish minister, regarding ‘let my people go’; in the months following the Jerusalem Conference the Berlin Wall ‘came down’.
For me this was the beginning of knowing what God had revealed, to the small group of people I was sharing with at that time, was something we should pursue through our song, spoken word and action. We were blessed to come alongside others of the same mind, which gave opportunity for us to be encouraged in this understanding, as we encouraged others in their hopes, visions and dreams. Many, like Clifford and Monica saw ministry developing and moving forward from homes. Ministries were ‘born’ at that time, as with Clifford and Monica, which became world-wide ministries and still are to this day serving God. I was blessed then, and am blessed now, to live ‘at such a time as this’. What was prayed in those days was put into action regarding the Jewish people and Jerusalem, national Israel and ‘one new man’. We knew in our hearts and minds, whatever their sins, He, Almighty God and Father, has not ‘forgotten them’ nor ‘forsaken them’. For me, my husband and children, and others local to us, this message was and is good news, for we too have needed that same grace when we have fallen short.
I continued to receive updates from Clifford and others who had spoken at the Jerusalem 1986 conference. These updates were shared on a monthly basis with the small group God gathered. Our prayers, and at times presence at gatherings where they spoke, upheld us as we passed through difficult days, as people refused to acknowledge us or continue with us along the way we believed we had been led by God.
As time passed we became particularly interested in Clifford and Monica’s hope to purchase a ‘large house’ that God had given them insight regarding years before. Their hopes regarding this property were put forward to prayer partners and in due season Moggerhanger Park House and some of its grounds became theirs to develop what God had revealed to them. Once purchased the ‘large house’ proved to be within driving distance from our homes.
The small group of believers I was part of at that time, who had shared together following the Jerusalem Conference, were used to working from our homes. The concept was not new for we had heard and lived this way since the days we had attended the church where Colin Urquhart was vicar (’71-‘75), before he moved to Roffey Place and developed what became known as Kingdom Faith. My coming alongside Clifford and Monica’s vision, with this small group I shared with, was an act of continued belief that God was/is building His Church ministry outside structural denominational churches as well as within them.
In the years following the purchase of the House and some of the grounds, further land and a farm were also to become what God gave into Clifford and Monica’s (C&M’s) hands. I vividly remember a group of people, including nuns, prayer walking the land with flags, making request of God on this matter. God gave victory into the hands of those who oversaw Moggerhanger Park at that time, praise His Name. The building of a Housing Estate was prevented. Joy and rejoicing with my family and those I shared with often filled our hearts and
lives, and strengthened us to press forward in our personal hope of God’s unfailing love for Israel, the Jewish people and Jerusalem.
For me, my family, and the other families we shared at that time, gladness and excitement filled our lives as we worked as prayer partners, volunteers, and investors into Clifford and Monica’s vision. Hope accompanied us too, regarding the original purchase and purchases that followed, so that the House, the Farm and associated grounds can now be known as Moggerhanger Park Estate. From this base, established on God’s word to Clifford and Monica, their hope to impact the nation through the workplace and government, to spread ‘good news’ of salvation, to build up the Church, and declare God’s love for the Jewish people that He had not forgotten or forsaken them, was fulfilled.
There was much work to do in those early years related to the restoration of the House and grounds - volunteering as a group of people gave us much joy. Especially, I recall as I write, my husband and my 40th wedding anniversary at Moggerhanger House. The staff welcomed us into one of the B&B rooms, a room we had done restoration work in together, and served us an evening meal to remember, which I do with joy 15 years on. My husband died a few years later and Clifford’s prayers and words of encouragement have meant much to me, especially as my daughter had died of cancer as well, 10 years before. Moggerhanger House and grounds and all that Clifford and Monica offered others who gathered there (prayer partners and volunteers) gave so much joy, strength and peace for me and my family amid the turmoil of life.
I am indebted to them for their faith to step into the vision God gave them. I have so many memories: the monthly prayer time, packing Prophecy Today for ‘mail outs’, volunteer work in the House and the Farm were days filled with joy for me and my family. Sadly, times created change and in 2012 a gathering was called together and Clifford with Monica spoke of their moving on into work God was asking of them related to the Zong.
The transition was not easy and those who took over the position to oversee Moggerhanger Park did not hold to the original vision. Before Clifford and Monica left Moggerhanger Park Estate, an event known as Alight at The Park was ‘birthed’ at the instigation of a few people who had met for a work day on the Farm, and I was blessed to be one of them. The initial purpose was to celebrate The Feast of Trumpets and bring a message concerning God’s love for the Jewish people and the ‘whole House of Israel’. It was an amazing event held in a marquee outside the Café that is now open in the grounds.
The following year (2013), an Alight at The Park event was held on the front lawn, especially encouraged by lady Isabelle Erroll, chair of Moggerhanger House Preservation Trust and Charles Whitbread, Chair of Moggerhanger Park Limited. This sadly was the last time Clifford joined in as a speaker at one of these events. Even so, events continued to be held annually until Moggerhanger Park Chaplain, Trustee of both Harvest Vision (HV) and The Centre of Contemporary Ministries (CCM) based at Moggerhanger Park, died two years ago. Her love of Israel and the Jewish people was evident to those who knew her. Bringing this event was not easy without Clifford and Monica’s support and encouragement. We faced internal challenge as we pressed forward, at times encouraged only by those who prayed in faith for the organising team to ‘alight’ at The Park. Since Clifford and Monica left Moggerhanger Park, Monica has continued to encourage Alight at The Park events. Her love, prayer and encouragement have spurred the organising team to press forward and, hopefully, this year there will be an Alight at The Park event the 1st weekend in October.
Issachar Ministries continues to be part of my life, especially helpful to me when Clifford and Monica gave opportunity to gather by zoom each week during Covid lockdown.
I am aware, because I am a counsellor, that each person perceives people through their own experience and so not all people will agree with what I have written, nor the way I recall my memories of Clifford and Monica through the years. Also, my experience of Christian life has been that wherever God is at work there will be upheaval at times, and even harm to those we call our ‘brothers’ and ‘sisters’ in Christ. Lord have mercy on us all. It seems fitting therefore that my final paragraph is about a recent experience of sharing time with Clifford & Monica.
It was with joy, earlier this year that I, and others I have shared with over many years at Moggerhanger Park Estate, saw Clifford and Monica’s return to speak on two occasions at the invitation of Shalom Community Church, which meets each week at Moggerhanger Park. Initially this was an opportunity for humility, repentance and reconciliation regarding error through the years by HV and CCM, and then there was a further gathering at a later date to herald moving forward, holding in mind God’s original intent with reference to a letter that Clifford sent to ministry supporters in October 1986.
I thank God for Clifford and Monica’s diligence to pursue God’s call on their lives though the years, their work, words and love have inspired and blessed me through many years and ongoing… into the future.
Maggie Hodgson

Maggie Hodgson