Weekly Prayer Focus

Rayleigh Baptist Church is in the centre of Rayleigh, Essex, not far from Southend-on-Sea.  Rayleigh is a vibrant, professional town which is experiencing growth through new housing developments and schools.  Rayleigh Baptist Church is similarly a vibrant church with a strong focus on family and community work.  Following a period of mourning for a number of folk in its fellowship who died, the church is in a season of joy as it sees the green shoots of God’s blessings emerging, through its growing outreach into the community.  Just over 15 months ago, the church welcomed a new Community Minister, Michelle, to serve alongside Ricky, the Lead Minister; its Alpha and Begin with Jesus courses have created new disciples; the church held a baby blessing service…

Vicky Baker, Children, Youth & Family Networker writes: I have the great privilege of supporting children, youth and family ministry across the EBA and if you are involved in this ministry, you don’t need me to tell you this is a busy term! Whether you are a volunteer or are the paid ministry lead in your church, you are probably up to your eyes in planning a summer camp, or maybe you are putting together the annual holiday and that’s alongside all the regular activities that happen for children and young people across the region. I would like to draw particular attention to two areas in this prayer focus, both of which are happening in June. Toddler Groups – The National Month of Prayer This…

Trinity Free Church is on the edges of Oxmoor and Hartford in Huntingdon, about 20 miles from Cambridge city centre.  The original church (with steeple) was in Old Huntingdon, then a rural market town.  With the development in the 1960’s of a new housing estate in Oxmoor to provide overspill from London, the church responded to a vision to be part of this new community. It is a prayerful, worshipping church and members and visitors are assured of a warm welcome.  While the congregation is not as large as in the 1970s, today’s regular 30 to 35 worshippers are joyful and prayerful.  In recent months, 3 younger people with no previous experience of church and who described themselves as ‘feeling lost’ have joined the fellowship. …

Stoke Green is a community church, located in south-west Ipswich. – The church moved to its current location in the 1950s with the intention of serving a new housing estate that was in the process of being built. Over time, the estate has evolved into a diverse community, which is now reflected in the fellowship of the church. The church has 56 members, and between 50 and 70 gather to worship on a Sunday. The church has been without its own minister for three and a half years, with Rev Aubrey Cardy acting as moderator and providing pastoral support to the fellowship. However, the church is moving forward, with young families attending, and two young people have been baptised recently. A Community Café runs on…