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Crofts End Mission, St George, BristolDuring the past year at Crofts End we have seen further changes but there can be no doubt that we are moving forward into the new plan that God has for us as a Church. We have had a two-pronged strategy; to prepare for the future, and to start to move out into our local community. As a result there have been many physical changes to the building to equip us to meet the demands of a relevant church in the 21st Century including; the launch of a new Church website, the installation of new video & sound systems and upholstering the pews. We have also started a new midweek Bible study and Church members read ‘The Purpose Driven Life’ during Lent this year.
We have also undertaken a series of outreach initiatives the focal point of which was the first screening of The Passion of the Christ outside of a cinema in the city. We have also made great strides into our children’s work with growth in our midweek club as well as the Sunday children’s programme, ‘Searchlight’, all as a result of a highly successful summer ‘kids’ club’ and a Halloween alternative called ‘The Treat’.
Further afield, the church has also forged links with a small church in Cuba and as a result earlier this year the pastor, Andrew & his wife Melanie visited the church taking aid and money to help persecuted Christians in that country. It is hoped to make further trips in the future to help build a church building and provide further support.
We have seen growth both in attendance and Church membership, but probably more important has been the growth in the lives of individuals. We have seen prayer answered in amazing ways, which has encouraged our faith as a Church and has made us more dependent upon the Lord. To prepare us for future growth the leadership team have embarked on a training programme including attending the National Willow Creek Leaders’ conference in February.
We are looking to the year ahead with excitement, anticipation and expectancy. We are currently in the process of seeking the Lord to reveal a business premises in the area that we can take on to develop into a community ‘drop-in’ café, to take the gospel to those who would otherwise never come into contact with Jesus.
Andrew Yelland
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