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Weekly Prayer Focus: Clare Baptist Church

Week 31

Clare Baptist Church is a community of ordinary people with a loving and welcoming spirit who strive to live out our faith in Jesus amidst the challenges of 21st-century life. The church was established in 1803 in Clare, a quaint rural town on the Suffolk-Essex border. The church is located in the heart of the town, and they have strong links with the other churches and community groups.

One of the key elements of our church is that they are a praying, active church. Their dedicated team currently runs ‘Allsorts’, our baby and toddler group, which is open in term time from 9 am to 3 pm, once a week. The more extended time slot allows families to drop in and out, stay for lunch or join around the school run. Many are involved in this outreach, including someone in their nineties who loves playing with the children! Alongside this is a prayer team that prays at home or in the church throughout this time, surrounding the next generation in prayer, and they have already seen results from this in a Bible study group (requested by some of the mums), which runs each Monday.

In addition to their Sunday services and various activities, they host a vibrant ladies’ fellowship that meets once a fortnight and often includes external speakers whose talks are advertised throughout the town, allowing them to welcome new faces. Another testament to the varied and inclusive ministries of the church is the running of a bereavement group, which provides regular support and comfort.

Clare Baptist Church recently said goodbye to Paul and Vicky Graham, who were called to Cheltenham. We now have a vacancy for a minister, but we firmly believe God has this in hand. Rev Simon Mattholie is serving as our moderator and, along with the deacons, is helping us prayerfully seek God’s guidance for the next chapter in the church’s life. The church is thrilled at Simon’s appointment, as they have worked with him before.

Please join Clare Baptist Church in praying:

For all those who attend or volunteer at their various activities, that God may speak into their hearts.
The delight of those exploring faith as a result of ‘Allsorts.’
That they may become aware of God’s loving nature as they investigate the next stage of their journey together.
That all may find peace in the balance between active outreach and home life.
For Simon and the deacons, as they guide the church over the coming months.