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Weekly Prayer Focus: Bishop’s Stortford Baptist Church

Week 19

Bishop’s Stortford Baptist Church is a church that has gone through much change over the last few years. They are now a church which has over 31 nationalities attending! Much of this diversity has been created since COVID, as many people relocated out of London to this town near Stansted Airport. Also present are asylum seekers who were housed in a nearby hotel.

Bishop’s Stortford Baptist church also have the bridge. Here you can find Exchange, which is a place where people can leave things they don’t need and gain things they do – from clothes to refrigerators! Whilst there, they can also enjoy coffee and cake from Breaking Bread Cafe. The church has found this to be an incredible ministry offering so much to people, whilst making sure people understand that these activities are an expression of faith. In June the church is hosting a conference called ‘Confident Christianity’

Alongside the regular Sunday service, the church has seen a rebuilding of young people’s work and a regular monthly Portuguese service which caters to Portuguese and Spanish speakers.

Another change that the church is facing is the retirement of their current lead minister, Rev John Walford next year after 25 years. This, combined with seeking a Youth Worker will change the shape of the ministry team. To reflect after 25 years, John offers this wisdom to those that come after: “Don’t be afraid of what the Bible teaches, no matter the culture around us. Truth and hope only lie in one place.”

Please join Bishop’s Stortford Baptist church in praying:

For the next year of leadership changes, especially for the imminent youth worker interviews.
For the asylum seekers, as they move onto longer term housing, that they may find new churches in their new communities.
For those currently in the church, that they may continue to offer new people a home, but also learn more about God from the different cultures arriving.