Weekly Prayer Focus

Avenue Baptist Church is an active and thriving City Church in the centre of Southend-on-Sea, Essex, with all the needs, challenges, and joys of suburban life. God’s faithfulness is ever present and was particularly evidenced in 2016 when all monies were raised for completion of a large-scale sanctuary refurbishment. On 8th June this year they joyfully celebrated their 150th anniversary of service to their God where their minister Jane Guest sensed the underlying theme of ‘Celebrating God’s Faithfulness’ through the years. On the anniversary itself Jonathan Edwards, former General Secretary of BUGB, spoke inspiringly on the importance of encouraging others, ‘to put courage into people.’  They were also pleased to welcome Claire Blatchford, Regional Minister and local Councillors, MP’s and the former Mayor of Southend…

People experience life-changing events every day within the NHS. Across the EBA, Baptist chaplains serve in a number of hospitals, providing pastoral, spiritual and religious care to patients, visitors and staff of all faiths and none. While chaplaincy is not a statutory NHS requirement, most hospitals provide chaplaincy services. Chaplains offer compassionate, person-centred support, listening to people’s stories, respecting their beliefs and helping them find meaning during difficult times. They may also conduct or facilitate religious rituals and acts of remembrance or celebration. Chaplains play a vital role in responding to crises and supporting people through traumatic experiences such as pregnancy loss, sudden death, mental health crises, life-limiting diagnoses and end-of-life care. They also support NHS staff, students and volunteers, contributing to wellbeing and resilience….

Elm Park Baptist Church sits right on the boundary line between Romford and Dagenham, in Essex.  Celebrating its 90th anniversary next year, the fellowship today comprises people of all ages and backgrounds, very different from the original, predominantly middle-class church established in the garden suburb of Elm Park Garden City.  Between 35 and 40 people worship together on a Sunday morning.  Though they lack musicians, they join in sung worship using online music videos and feel blessed by the ministry of two local preachers and one of its deacons. The church finds itself in a place of ‘taking stock’ following a period of mourning and transition.  Its once strong uniform organisations never reopened after the COVID pandemic.  They are also without a minister following the…

North Springfield Baptist Church lies northeast of Chelmsford, Essex, and recently celebrated their fiftieth anniversary last November. The church lies in the centre of a big housing estate. Over the years children’s attendance has fluctuated, but recently God answered prayer and they are welcoming new families with children. They used to be a mainly white church but are now increasingly multi-ethnic and are blessed to see this new influx as part of the life of the church. Regular activities throughout the week are: Happy Faces for 0-4’s; Haven Community Coffee Morning; Kraft Club; a Drop in at Church session; a youth group called God’s Royalty; regular bible study and a monthly praise and worship service, and prayer walks alongside weeks of prayer. The coffee morning…