Weekly Prayer Focus

Norwich Central Baptist Church is, as its name implies, centrally placed in Norwich and is a lively, outward-looking fellowship led by Tom Madders, their minister.  The fellowship is a mix of families and individuals who reflect the ethnic diversity of the city.  They also have a thriving Portuguese congregation led by Paulo and Claudia, and joint services are held regularly, which promote a one-church philosophy. The church’s regular activities are many and cover the full breadth of life both within the church and within the surrounding community, including a women’s ministry programme, regular men’s ministry events and a lively children’s and youth programme. The building is also a food bank distribution centre, and 12-step support groups also use it.  Excitingly, there are three baptisms planned…

Whenever we feel overwhelmed with the stresses of life, it is natural to want to spend some time in nature to help restore a sense of balance in our wellbeing. Being in lovely woodland hearing the birds sing, or watching waves crash on a beach can be wonderfully restorative. Medical research studies show how being in green spaces helps us as human beings lower our blood pressure and heart rate, reduces heart disease, diabetes, stress, anxiety and depression, and encourages an appreciation at whatever age for the natural world around us. The environment in so many ways takes very good care of us as human beings. I believe God created it as such, and knew we would need such spaces to help us restore wellbeing….

Perry Baptist Church is situated on the “Western Frontier” of the E.B.A. Perry is a village of around three hundred homes, situated between Huntingdon and St Neots, on the edge of Graffham Water. Perry Baptist Church is the only church in the village, and under the leadership of their Minister, Jon Magee, this small, but growing fellowship seeks to serve and build relationships with the local community, organising events and services around national and local events; the anniversary of V.E. Day being a recent example, as well as last year’s General Election. Jon joined the Church five and a half years ago, and, despite the pandemic, he has seen the fellowship grow to a close community of believers with a heart to serve the village…

Neatishead Baptist Church stands outside the village, in the Norfolk Broads, surrounded by fields.  A small, faithful, generous, welcoming elderly congregation, strong in faith, is made up of villagers and a gathered congregation from around.  Some have worshipped at NBC all their lives, some have longstanding family links, while others have retired into the area. After their last part-time pastor left three years ago, the decision was taken to trust in God and become self-supporting ministerially.  A ministry team was formed, which has links with the Iona Community, and this, together with visiting worship leaders, has given them a variety of services which challenge, encourage and demand a response from the fellowship. They meet every Sunday and have coffee and a ‘mardle’ afterwards. Although they…