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Weekly Prayer Focus: Avenue Baptist Church

Week 36

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 also attended.

The church held a month-long celebration: 150th Birthday Party for seventy children enjoying a bouncy castle and party food, IDMC gospel choir came and AV4C contemporary gospel group sang, a concert by Jonathan Veira, a Christian opera singer; and a barn dance was held, Duggie Dug came to lead an All-age Sunday Service. Event tickets were sold for charity and the money raised went to Southend Foodbank, Southend City Baptist Church’s ministry to the homeless, Compassion UK and Avenue Contact Centre.

The church is on cloud nine praising their Wonderful Lord after celebrating! Everyone in the church pulled together as one body to make the 150th a success. The grace and love of God was beautifully seen through testimony of song and witness.

The busyness of church life continues, with a wedding and community funeral, four people coming into membership too since.

Prayers will be appreciated:

• For a new venture in summer 2027 where the church seeks to partner with TLG (Transforming Lives for Good) to cook and serve meals once a week in the school holidays for young families. Needed are volunteers and a cook.
• For the ability to balance the many blessings and richness of church life alongside the hardships of the times and the needs in the community.
• That they continue to be good stewards in the mission of Christ, reflecting His goodness and faithfulness as they seek to be people who ‘put courage into people.’

Supporting files

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