Spring 2015 issue 004

Baptist churches can have a big impact on their local communities because they are working in some of the most deprived areas in Wales. This “presence” is a significant plus point as they seek to witness for the Lord Jesus Christ in these challenging days, according to the Rev Simeon Baker, Director of Mission at the Baptist Union of Wales. Simeon was the guest speaker at the Gwent Baptist Association’s Council meeting held at Bethany Baptist Church, Six Bells. Some 45 people, representing many of the Association’s 39 churches, were encouraged to think as well as act missionally – not just as individual churches but also as an association and as the Baptist Union of Wales. “Thinking missionally means changing the culture - ‘the way we do things around here’; changing the mission mindset – ‘the way we think about mission’; and changing the theological framework –‘the outworking of the things we believe’”, Simeon said. “Too often in the past we have allowed our traditional ways of doing things to dominate our views about mission and, perhaps, our understanding of Jesus and His mission.” In one sense, we had to let go in order to take hold of. All of us needed to ask ourselves the question: If we are in this together, what do I need to let go for the greater cause? This point was well illustrated in Paul’s letter to the Philippians: “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Phil.3 13-14 NIV) Simeon said analysis of some of the statistics relating to the Gwent Baptist Association showed that the Association was one of the strongest in Wales with 10 churches with more than 35 members (apart from other regular attendees) and, unusually, three with more than 100 members. This meant resources, leadership and the prospects for future opportunities were reasonably healthy. Simeon’s presentation was divided into two halves so that those attending could engage in a “feedback” discussion on how to better work together and support each other as Baptist churches in Gwent. The second half spoke about building stronger relationships, the need for greater releasing and resourcing with a challenge to reconsider mission within the Association. Others taking part were the Rev Olwen Clatworthy who gave a short presentation on how the Lord was continuing to bless them at Bethany Baptist Church and Association president Geoff Champion.

TAKE HOLD by letting go

Gwent Baptist Association // NEWSLETTER

Gwent Baptist Association’s

vital statistics

39 churches

1062 members

22 Churches with no children

1 Church with one child present

8 Churches with more than ten present

(Source: Baptist Union of Wales 2015)

224 Children in

Sunday Schools

Church sizes:

�

Grants for mission The Gwent Baptist Association is again

encouraging churches active in community outreach and mission to apply for a special Association grant.

Funds are available to support initiatives which are clearly based on mission - initiatives to go out into the world and spread the Gospel message. Grants are normally made for up to £1,000 in any one year.

Past experience has shown that people interpret “mission” in different ways so to help potential applicants the Association has an easy-to-understand Mission Grants Form. This form must be used to make the applications and it highlights the supporting information required before such grants can be approved.

The Association must have signed confirmation that the request for grant support has been agreed by a church members’ meeting and the completed

application form must be accompanied by the latest audited church accounts.

Copies of the application form can be obtained from the Association treasurer, Mrs Linda Price, on lkprice@sky.com Grant applications can be considered at any time of the year.

Among churches who have benefited from Association mission grants in recent years are:• Tabernacle Baptist Church, Penygarn

(projection facilities)• Oakdale Baptist Church (outreach work

facilities)• Upper Trosnant Baptist Church, Pontypool

(projection facilities)• Tabernacle Baptist Church, Newbridge

(equipment for new community luncheon club)• Ebenezer Baptist Church, Abertillery

( “Lighthouse” event).

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Update on Chad AppealIn the last issue of CONTACT we covered the decision of the Baptist Union of Wales to run an appeal to help fund the building of a new hospital maternity unit in Chad – a landlocked country in central Africa.

Chad has some of the worst maternity mortality rates in the world so BMS medical staff at the Guinebor 11 Hospital (G2) hope the new maternity unit will transform the h e a l t h p ro s p e c t s o f mothers and children.

P l a n s f o r t h e n e w maternity unit are going ahead. Baptist churches in Wales (BUW and the South Wales Baptist Association) have adopted the middle s e c t i o n o f t h e n e w maternity centre and they have been busy raising money so that the new ward can be built and equipped with facilities and staff.

The Baptist Union of Wales set itself an appeal fund target of £25,000 and it is now confident of reaching that figure with £18,000 already having been raised by January. “A very big thank-you to all who have contributed so far” said Menna Machreth, mission co-ordinator for BUW and BMS World Mission.

The Rev Marc Owen, minister of Moriah Baptist Church at Risca travelled with Steve Sanderson from the Baptist Missionary Society to the Guinebor 11 Hospital near N’Djamena in Chad. He saw how BMS staff in the hospital are saving lives and improving the quality of life of people.

“The vast majority of the people are clearly battling against poverty, making ends meet as

best they can”, said Marc. “Whether it i s t h e j o y o u s celebration of a new baby being born safely or the t r e a t m e n t o f m a l n o u r i s h e d malaria sufferers (and everything in between), BMS p e r s o n n e l a r e making a huge difference to that

area of Chad.”

Marc believes his visit to Chad underlined three fundamental facets of our Christian faith – obedience, practical service and mission.

“When God calls or asks us to do something, it’s all too easy to come up with a myriad of excuses”, Marc said. “BMS personnel have left the security and comfort of the UK and humbly responded in obedience to the call of God. That’s challenging!”

Despite having to cope with the most basic of equipment, the skill and dedication of the health team (BMS and Chadians) was fantastic. They are making a huge difference to people’s lives.

Underlining the role of mission, Marc said: “The opportunity to share Jesus one-to-one, for example through prayer, and more publicly was awesome. But, equally important, was the quiet witness of being ‘salt’ and ‘light’ and ambassadors for Christ.

“This health ministry reminds us that we are following the example of Jesus, who, in caring for people’s physical needs, was also able to address their deeper spiritual needs.”

Pictures and copy source: courtesy of the BMS Cymru Chad Appeal Newsletter December 2014.

Seeing the need first hand

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Meet…

The Rev Dr Peter Baines is the Minister at Llanwenarth Baptist Church in Govilon. Married to Frances (the Abergavenny Mural artist), the family moved to Llanwenarth 20 years ago. Prior to coming to Wales, Peter was a research biochemist with Wellcome Foundation Limited, working on pesticides research for what was then Coopers Animal Health. After 10 years as a lay preacher, he trained for the ministry, serving in a group of village churches before coming to Wales.

How did you become a Christian? I had no church background until I was in my last year before going up to college to study biochemistry, and first went along with my girlfriend – who was a regular church goer. I made firm friends there, and finally made a commitment to Christ at the Sunday School Anniversary.

How did you become involved with the Association? Association life has always been an important part of my Baptist life. Before retraining for the Ministry I was the Bedford Association Lay Preachers’ Secretary, and that involvement had continued throughout my

life. Within Gwent I have always been involved with the Association, and have served as both Secretary and President in the past.

How has your faith helped you? My faith in Christ has enabled me to find meaning in the world, as well as giving me strength in times of difficulty. Trying to follow Christ has led me into areas of social and environmental

concern – after all, this is God’s world, and we act as stewards within it, and it was for love of this world Christ came, and we need to show that love to all.

What do you do in your spare time? Walk. I am an assessor for the Brecon Beacon’s Panel for the Duke of Edinburgh Award, giving me a perfect

excuse to spend time on the hills. I also like gardening, and grow a very good crop of weeds.

What are you good and not good at doing? I am not too sure what I am good at, but I know what I am not good at – organization. I always get things done, but it usually involves a last minute panic. I think I am good at cooking, and I especially like the Caribbean recipes of Levi Roots.

What are you reading at present? Oddly enough, I am not reading any theology at present. Instead I am nearly through Leonardo Padura’s crime novel Havana Blue (recently on Radio 4), and reading Jared Diamond’s Gun’s, Steel and Germs.

Are you interested in music, films or sport? Very much so. I love rugby – England, of course; which I played for some time after leaving college. Sadly, at theological college I had to play football – we did not have enough to put out a rugby side. My music passion is folk, which is a major part of my very basic flute playing. And I enjoy films – I loved Lord of the Rings, but found The Hobbit too long.

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… the Association Superintendent

You can now view this and all previous issues of CONTACT online. Simply visit www.issuu.com/gwentbaptist

Christians need to practise their faith “on the outside” by engaging with people where they are in their lives and not just by praying inside the four walls of a church that God will send them in, the Gwent Baptist Association’s 2014 annual general meeting at Abertillery was told. “God is interested in people’s lives from Monday to Saturday and not just on a Sunday”, said the Rev. Dr. Craig Gardiner, tutor in Christian doctrine at the South Wales Baptist College, Cardiff, who was giving the keynote address.

“It’s time we Christians turned ourselves inside out…into our cit ies, towns and local communities so that worship becomes as relevant in public houses, shopping centres and other public places as in our chapels”, Dr. Gardiner continued. “We are commanded to go and make disciples just as Jesus did. The real challenge is to take the Gospel message out by living it in our everyday lives”.

The other guest speaker at the AGM held at Blaenau Gwent Baptist Church was Menna Machreth, mission co-ordinator for the Baptist Union of Wales and the Baptist Missionary Society World Mission.

Association president. Geoffrey Champion formally welcomed two new ministers: the Rev. Jonathan Forman who was to be inducted into the pastorate at Blaenau Gwent

Baptist Church and Pastor Huw Stephens, a long-serving figure in terms of the Association and its work, who has been ordained and inducted as a second minister at Bethesda Baptist Church, Rogerstone.

The following Association officers were appointed: president: Mr.Geoffrey Champion; vice president, the Rev. Olwen Clatworthy; secretary, the Rev. Liz Squires; treasurer, Mrs Linda Price; superintendent, the Rev. Dr. Peter Baines and the following co-opted members: the Rev. Richard Harrison, the Rev. D. Marc Owen, Mr. Ron Spillards and Pastor Huw Stephens.

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TURN YOURSELVES INSIDE OUT

“It’s time we Christians turned ourselves inside out… into our cities, t o w n s a n d l o c a l communities so that worship becomes as r e l e v a n t i n p u b l i c h o u s e s , s h o p p i n g c e n t r e s a n d o t h e r public places as in our chapels”

Welcome to this fourth issue of CONTACT – the newsletter of the Gwent Baptist Association. Our aim is to open up communication between the churches in our Association and to encourage one another by sharing ‘good news’ stories about what God is doing in this part of His vineyard.

If you have a story we would love to hear from you. Please contact Geoff Champion.

geoffrey_champion@sky.com

07751 897755

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Farewell The Rev Elizabeth Squires has recently left the pastorate of Zion Baptist Church, Cwmcarn, to become minister at Pennar Community Church, Pembroke Dock.

Elizabeth was inducted at Zion in June 2010 and she had the privilege of leading the church centenary celebrations over the weekend of 26-27 April 2014. For the

last two-and- a- half years she has also served as the secretary of the Gwent Baptist Association.

We wish Elizabeth every blessing as she begins a new chapter in her service for the Lord at Pembroke Dock. Her induction service will be on Saturday 11 April (3pm).

My name is Ruth Thomas and I am the proprietor of CRT Training.

CRT Training was established nearly 10 years ago to provide training (In food safety, first aid, nutrition, manual handling and management courses) to those involved in the catering and hospitality Industry, voluntary, care sector, churches and

local authorities. I am an active church member in Bethesda Baptist Church, Rogerstone where my husband Mark Thomas is the pastor. My background is in human resources and retail management training and I also have a great deal of experience catering in the church situation so I am able to advise churches with regards to requirements and current legislation in food safety and first aid.

Training courses are taking place in Bethesda Baptist Church, Rogerstone on the following dates:

CIEH Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Catering: • Sat 25th April 2015 • Sat 2nd May 2015 CIEH Level 2 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work: • Sat 6th June 2015 • Sat 13th June 2015 The cost is £50 per person (usually £75 per person) or £40 per person if two or more attend the training.

Please contact me for further details or to book places. 07786627335 crt-training@hotmail.com www.crt-training.co.uk @crt_training

Catering for your needs

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The Rev Olwen Clatworthy, of Bethany Baptist Church, Six Bells, has become the new vice president of the Gwent Baptist Association. Olwen was born in the village of St. Illtyd which is situated on the mountain between Pontypool and Abertillery. After three years as a student and teaching in Essex and at Chepstow, Port Talbot and Cwmbran, she and her husband, Gareth, returned to her home village. They built their home and brought up their four children there. Olwen was among the first graduates of the Open University. As a mother with three children under four years of age it was a gruelling but immensely satisfying achievement. Olwen and Gareth were members of Glandwr Baptist Chapel and faithfully attended three times on a Sunday. Olwen was a Sunday school teacher and Sunday school superintendent for a number of years. A preaching ministry began later and she was on the Methodist circuit. After a life-threatening illness in 1999, she became convinced that she did not want to continue her teaching career and waited upon God to use her in whatever way might please Him. In these years she also served as an advocate for Compassion. In 2004 Gareth and Olwen had a call to Bethany Baptist Church, Six Bells. “It was quite frightening!” she said. They both put up objections but God graciously and firmly overruled them all! Initially, they went as missioners to the church and they were ordained as pastors in September 2006. As well as pastoral work in the church, Gareth and Olwen work on a farm with folks with learning difficulties. They teach life skills such as building, gardening, stonewalling, animal care and other crafts. The work requires a lot of patience, love and dedication. Yet it is very rewarding. Another gift from a gracious God. Olwen said: “The journey has been one of the greatest privileges of our lives. The church building was in a desperate state of repair and the small number of members discouraged and fragile; into this God breathed His life, goodness and mercy. It

was and is an adventure with Jesus at the helm. Like the disciples we sometimes fear the storms but He is there to still the waters and remind us ‘O ye of little faith’. We have proved the truth of God who dwells unconditionally in the midst of His people. The great ideal of our ministry is that we and our people shall focus always and only on Jesus – that, individually, and in all things we seek His face and His will through the Holy Spirit.” Olwen and Gareth believe that outreach to their community, conversions and compassion to the world will follow naturally as the love of Christ in them flows outwards. “We love the mountain - top experience where we see His Glory but we serve Him in the valley, and it is there that we long for the world to see Him in us”, said Olwen. “Jesus’ people bring glory to Him, not so much by what they do but by what they are.” Jesus said: “He who believes in Me…… out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:38)

An adventure with Jesus at the helm

In Concert

Kick off your summer with a fully-fledged Gospel Choir evening.

Friends from Atlanta (USA) are coming back to South Wales in July, and we have an opportunity to link up with them in mission, and hear their amazing inspirational Choir.

It’s a memorable Gospel evening.

7.00pm on Wednesday 1st July at Mount Pleasant Baptist, Blackwood More info from Rev. Mark Thomas: 07530 055440

7.00pm on Thursday 2nd July at Ebenezer Baptist, Abertillery More info from Rev. Andy Ladhams: 01495 213284

There are also other ‘special events’ for the Ladies on Tuesday 30th and the Men on Wednesday 1st July. Give Andy or Mark a ring for more info.

The Risca & Distr ict Cr ime Prevention Panel is spearheading a new initiative in Risca. Its aim is to help support and resource parents to defend their children from exposure to drug use. Rev Marc Owen has been serving on this panel alongside other community figures. So Moriah Baptist Church has had the opportunity to host the first event which was a free screening of the South Wales produced drug awareness film called ‘The Good Drug Dealer’. The target audience were parents of older primary school children and so it was promoted in the community with the support of all the local schools. Marc believes this is a great way that churches can support community projects. Not only was the church able to provide a suitable venue it was also able to recommended the services of a church member, Andrew Carey (who also designs this newsletter) to develop the promot iona l mater ia l to get the message communicated effectively. 

Drug proofing families

For more information contact: Mike Parker | Risca & District Crime Prevention Panel

riscacrimeprevention@gmail.com Andrew Carey | Cuckoo73 Creative Designs

cuckoo73@me.com