We in WEBA increasingly value the benefits that come from working in partnership. So too do our friends at Melksham Baptist Church, one of our churches who currently receive a Home Mission grant. As well as partnering with us, they are currently partnering with Corsham Baptist Church, several organisations and groups in Melksham, and are exploring the possibility of partnering with other Baptist churches who will begin our missional learning community Re:Imagine, in spring 2020.
Several years ago, Melksham BC became increasingly challenged to be active ‘outside the walls’ of the church. In order to achieve this, they made a definite decision not to do outreach alone, but to do so along with other churches in the town, especially via Melksham Family of Churches, and began to explore a supportive partnership with Corsham Baptist Church. They prayerfully considered the future with my colleague Gary Woodall, explored and applied for a Home Mission grant and then called Joshua Parmar to be their minister in training.
Josh and his wife Alanna, are already connecting with their neighbours and are helping the church to more effectively reach out into their local community.
The congregation actively engage in several partnerships within the town – for example Melksham Foodbank and associated Lifeline drop-in; Melksham Messy Church; Bless Melksham Choir; Children’s Holiday Club and Light Party; The Turning; and weekly prayer in the marketplace.
It is early days for Josh and our friends at Melksham BC, as they increasingly live with an outward-facing posture and explore how they can more effectively introduce people to the person and message of Jesus.
Thank you for supporting them through your giving to Home Mission and through prayer. Please continue to pray for them – that they will see more people beginning to follow Jesus and becoming his ambassadors and ministers of God’s reconciling love in Melksham.
Thank you for your partnership in the mission of God.
Alisdair Longwill.
