The Free Churches and the MPs

Leaders of the Free Churches crisis; gambling and alcohol were also among the faithful at addiction; how Christians can the Labour, Conservative and advocate for peace in a conflict- Liberal Democrat conferences ridden world; and ways that this year, making the most of churches can engage with and the opportunity to meet with influence politicians. October 16, 2014 • No.123 • www.baptisttimes.co.uk politicians before the general The Lib Dem conference in election. Glasgow saw the delegation Representatives of the Baptist, discuss with several government Methodist and United Reformed ministers and peers issues as Churches, the Salvation Army wide-ranging as localism, mental and the Society of Friends have health, climate change, legal aid, Bicentenary on R4 been visiting party conferences immigration, the situation in Iraq for several years now, talking and advertising payday loans on A GATHERING marking the 200 ‘This is going to be a unique collaboration, respect and with MPs – including ministers children’s television. years of the relationship between service, an absolutely brilliant continuity.’ – local councillors, MEPs and Faith and Society Team Jamaican and British is occasion where Baptists around ‘The Baptist Union and BMS party activists. The pattern at each conference Leader Stephen Keyworth set to reach a worldwide audience the world will be celebrating 200 are interwoven in much of our They’re a very visible was for the church leaders to (pictured top left at the Lib Dem on Sunday. years of partnership between story as a faith community and presence at these conferences, meet with individual politicians conference with MP Simon BBC Radio 4 will broadcast Jamaican and British Baptists,’ we are grateful that in recent years with their clerical collars, chains to explore issues of mutual Hughes, front right) said he was the early morning service at said Wale Hudson-Roberts, Racial this friendship has enjoyed a kind of office and uniforms – and concern. impressed with the willingness Cannon Street Memorial Baptist Justice networker for our Baptist of ‘revival’, primarily linked to deliberately so as they believe At the Labour conference in of politicians to engage with the Church in Birmingham live Union. the journey you have been on it’s important, especially at a time Manchester the delegation met churches, often at a deep level. at 8.10am, the first of three arising out of the Apology. when politics has a bad name, to with several shadow ministers ‘We had some very open and services that day celebrating the ‘We thank God for the demonstrate their conviction that and MEPs, raising with them honest conversations about nitty bicentenary. opportunity to accompany you the political process is important issues such as gambling, credit gritty issues both at home and There will be contributions on that journey in search of and Christians and churches unions, how to measure ‘well- abroad,’ Stephen said. from Lynn Green, General wholeness and harmony in racial should be part of it. being’ and the impact of the ‘Politicians clearly think Secretary of our Baptist Union, and multi-cultural relationships They also want, through Scottish referendum. churches are worth talking with David Kerrigan, General Director and pledge to be ‘as Christ to you’ these visits, to affirm those who In Birmingham the group and want us to engage with them of BMS World Mission, plus a in pursuit of that goal. live out their vocation through met with Conservative MPs and locally and nationally. And as one recorded message from Neville ‘There is no doubt in our political activity, and pray with councillors, discussing foodbanks MP said to us, they also value our Callam, General Secretary of ‘Two hundred years ago mind that God has been and will Christians who are active within and the causes of poverty; prayers for them.’ the . Karl George Liele went to continue to be with us as friends their parties. homelessness and the housing For more read: bit.ly/1sXulQl Johnson, General Secretary of the to establish churches. Soon after and partners and we can justly Baptist Union of Jamaica, will John Rowe was called to help and invite others to study and embrace preach at both morning services. develop these churches. our story as a template worthy of Karl Henlin, former President of ‘So now, we as Baptists, both emulation.’ Kerensa backs Christmas campaign the Jamaica Baptist Union, will Jamaican and British, feel it is ‘Let no one be a stranger’, is speak in the evening celebration absolutely appropriate to reflect the theme of the early service, An award-winning stand- a kneel-down stand-up, features daytime tabloid talkshows and at 6.30pm. The acclaimed Town and celebrate this very special and Bryan Scott, Team Leader up comic, Paul Kerensa, has as a number of character voices hopefully, these commercials Hall Gospel Choir, which sung milestone.’ at Cannon Street, described it as teamed up with the Christian on three new ads scheduled to hit will remind listeners that in the at this year’s Baptist Assembly, Mr Johnson said the the ‘guiding principle of the two communications network the airwaves in early December birthday party this Christmas, will perform, while the New friendship between Jamaican centuries old relationship between – ChurchAds.net – to raise as part of the Christmas Starts we shouldn’t forget the birthday Testament reading will be and British Baptists, which had Jamaican and British Baptists,’ awareness about the true with Christ Campaign. The boy,’ said Kerensa. conducted in both Jamaican Patois been forged through years of before adding, ‘We at Cannon meaning of Christmas. campaign is backed by all major and English. slavery, colonisation and the Street Memorial Baptist Church Kerensa, also a writer for Christian denominations. All churches can use the free It is hoped that Baptists around arrival of the Windrush from the hope and pray that this theme will sitcoms like Miranda and Not ‘For me, Christmas normally resources available at www. the UK and beyond will tune Caribbean to the UK, had stood be a value that is deeply imbedded Going Out, and author of books ends in a mess but this campaign ChristmasStartsWithChrist. into the early service, either as it the test of time and represents ‘a in our world at large. … Let no including So A Comedian Walks reminds us it starts with Christ. com happens or later on BBC iPlayer. powerful testimonial of mutuality, one be a stranger.’ Into A Church...Confessions of These excellent ads spoof the New appointments at HEBA BWA Congress Inter faith dialogue speakers A DAY seminar exploring inter How inter faith engagement he Heart of England Baptist London. She returns to the faith dialogue, and how we can can help us to grow in our own Association has confirmed Midlands after being at Yardley The keynote speakers for the make it fruitful for all parties faith; How can evangelicals take Tthree appointments to its Wood Baptist Church in the 21st Baptist World Congress to while remaining true to our faith, part in inter faith engagement and regional ministry team. 1990s. be held in Durban, South Africa will take place at Bloomsbury still be secure in their faith? Can Adrian Argile is to be the new She said, ‘It is with great joy next year have been confirmed. Central Baptist Church next inter faith engagement ever be Regional Minister-Team Leader, that I take up this new position as They are Peter Chin month. harmful? succeeding the Revd Keith Regional Minister in the Heart of from South Korea, Donald Hosted by the London Baptist The seminar is open to Judson, who left at the end of England Baptist Association. Ndichafah from Cameroon, Association during inter faith everyone, and will equip people September. ‘I am committed to active Dimitrina Oprenova from week, the event is called: How to engage with those of different Adrian has been a member of community involvement and Bulgaria, Anthony Carroll Can Interfaith Engagement Be faiths in a variety of contexts, HEBA’s Regional Ministry team have been grateful to serve as from the Bahamas, Luiz Soares Fruitful? including the workplace. since 2007. In a document sent a MET Police Chaplain, school Silvado from Brazil and Joel The Revd Nadim Nassar and It takes place on 22 to the Association’s churches, and bred in Wolverhampton to mentor, and founder trustee of Gregory from the . St.John Wright of the Awareness November, 10.30-3.30. There is he said, ‘I have been delighted Jamaican parents, I have been Leytonstone Youth Matters. I Chin is senior pastor of Foundation will be facilitating no charge. to be part of an Association that involved in the Baptist Church believe in ecumenicalism and the Global Mission Church in the day. has shared my heart for growing since I was five years old. finding creative and exciting Bundang-Suji district in South They will explore a biblical For more on Inter Faith healthy churches. ‘I’ve had the privilege ways to do mission together. I Korea. He earned degrees from grounding for inter faith Week, visit ‘I am in full agreement of being the minister of two am passionate about matters of several schools in the United engagement, before exploring the www.interfaithweek.org/ with its mission, strategy and wonderful churches for 25 inclusion and discovering ways States. following questions: strategic objectives, although it years and served on a number that can allow all people to Ndichafah is a vice president is important to recognise that we of Baptist, ecumenical and encounter God’s love. of the All Africa Baptist This Sunday (19 October) is Freedom Sunday, a day of worship, are on a journey and each year community groups over the ‘I am really looking forward Fellowship, and was general prayer and action on human trafficking. Resources have been we need to review and renew the years. Currently I serve on the to coming back to the Midlands secretary of the Cameroon created by the Joint Public Issues Team. objectives. My hope, as Team Baptist Steering Group, the BU area, and getting to know the Baptist Convention. Oprenova For more visit http://www.jointpublicissues.org.uk/ Leader, is to build on this work Council and as a member of stunning scenery found here.’ is associate pastor at First freedomsunday/ and especially see a deepening Fresh Streams core leaders team. Together with current Baptist Church in Sofia, mission focus.’ ‘I am greatly encouraged by Regional Minister Barrie Smith, president of the Bulgarian Jobs There will also be two new our Association’s new two-year the Adrian, Dave and Alison will Baptist Women’s Department regional ministers. One is Dave vision with its focus on mission form the HEBA Ministry Team and a member of the Executive Parish Nurse, Loughborough Baptist Church Ellis, pastor of Small Heath and commitment to growth.’ with effect from January 2015. Committee of the European Regional Minister, East Midlands Baptist Association Baptist Church in Birmingham Dave will take up his post in Baptist Women’s Union. For more details visit: www .baptist org. .uk/jobs and a member of the Baptist January 2015. Also joining the The Commissioning Service Carroll is senior pastor of Steering Group. team then is Alison Mackay, who for this new Regional Ministry Antioch Native Baptist Church He said, ‘I am a pastor at heart has for the past 11 years been the Team will be held on Sunday in Nassau and former president death who loves worshipping the Lord, senior minister of Leytonstone 1 February 2015 at St Peter’s of the Bahamas National with a passion for mission. Born United Free Church in East Baptist Church, Worcester. Baptist Missionary and RAW, Margaret - died on 13 September 2014 . All are welcome to attend the committal at Randalls Park Crematorium on Thursday 6 November at 10 15. . Education Convention. This will be followed by a service of thanksgiving at 12 .30 at Sutton Baptist Silvado is pastor of Church From the www. message in First World War safe? Advice from Baptist Bacacheri Baptist Church commemorations Insurance for one of the biggest in Curitiba, Paraná, and baptisttimes.co.uk bit.ly/ZwhkjE causes of fatalities and major president of the Brazilian injuries Baptist Convention. Gregory Attleborough Baptist Church, Nuneaton, Warwicks: Gayle Ramsey. . . . 1 > Winning the battle for a better bit.ly/11uvkvZ is professor of preaching Colchester Baptist Church, Essex: Kerryann Jenkins, Prashanthi Recent stories and comment prayer life: Most of us would at Baylor University’s Perinpanayagam, Franka Ramkinson ...... 3 pieces on The Baptist Times agree that we need to lift our > Cuban pastor’s criminal Truett Seminary in Texas London Road Baptist Church, Lowestoft, Suffolk: Joshua Thompson & website prayer life to a higher level, but charges threat: Baptist pastor and distinguished fellow Hayley Webb ...... 2 how? and religious freedom activist of Georgetown College in Teddington Baptist Church, Middlesex: Eleanor Clark, Emma Wilkinson, > Churches and the First bit.ly/1wcFFYx told to break ties with “counter- Kentucky. Anna Wilson...... 3 World War? Exploring how revolutionary elements” For more visit http:// we can proclaim the Christian > Working at height - are you bit.ly/1wbsTb6 bwanet.org/congress Send notifications of baptisms, ministerial changes, deaths and testimonies to [email protected]