Canford Heath Baptist Church

A Message from the Elders

Sadly, our first minister, John Taylor and his wife Aldina (pictured here), left Canford Heath Baptist Church at the end of November for a new challenge. They have served God and the church most faithfully over the past ten years and been used greatly of God to build the church up and pastor the people. We thank God for their ministry and 'given-ness' that has been a good model for others and pray that God will bless them richly as they move forward into new spheres of service.    

In John's own words God has 'truly done amazing things' during these ten years. The church has grown from 25 people in 1997 to around 150 today. We have surely been blessed by God.

As we face the challenge of identifying replacements for John and Aldina, we are very conscious that God has begun something on Canford Heath and there is more to do. With 14,000 folks living here, and maybe only a few hundred attending Christian worship every Sunday, who could doubt that?

So we want to build on the solid foundation laid - those of good Bible teaching, sound and relevant preaching and of compassion for those who are hurting and needy. By God's grace we will continue to do that for any period we are without a minister. At the same time we will seek a replacement with a heart for building God's people up and for the needs of the community. We expect that s/he will have a strong desire to bring the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ both to those around us and others further afield.

Meanwhile, it's 'business as usual'! If you're reading this because you're thinking of popping round to visit the church some time, we'd like to assure you of a warm welcome. It'll be a great joy to greet you and we trust that you too will find you are blessed by the presence of God.

The elders, March 2008

pastor@canfordheathbaptistchurch.org.uk

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Latest Letter

Dear Friends,
 
I felt sorry for Daniel Flynn (New Zealand cricketer) when he mis-timed a hook and lost a tooth in the test match last week – it looked pretty painful to me.
 
There are lots of references to it on the internet, including an advert: ‘REPLACE A MISSING TOOTH – Prices 70% cheaper than in UK.” People can be so helpful…

Daniel’s shot nearly came off; a slight adjustment to timing, a little deftness of footwork and it could all have been so different. I hope for his sake that he heals quickly, gets back in the crease with confidence, learns from his mistake and smashes a few boundaries to restore his confidence.
 
It should come as no surprise that the ‘School of Hard Knocks’ is well used by God in shaping us and forming Christian character. The Apostle Paul knew all about it and had learned how to rest in God, believing that ‘in all things God works for the good of those who love Him.’ (Romans 8:28 NIV)
 
So when things go wrong whilst we’re trying our best for God, what attitude will help us learn from errors, mould our character, and equip us better for serving Him? Moaning about our mistakes? Moaning about how we’ve been treated? Feeling sorry for ourselves? Vowing to never try that again? I think not. Quoting the Apostle Paul again, he said ‘one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal.’ (Philippians 3:13-14 NIV)
May God develop such backbone and determination in all of us.                            
                                                                  
Paul Barnard, on behalf of the elders, June/July 2008.

^{Page last modified 4 July 2008}

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