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Knowing God, Showing God, Sharing God |
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OVERSEAS MISSION LINKS
The church has connections with the South American Missionary Society and Mid African Missionary Society through our link missionaries. Who visit the church when on furlough, and who are prayed for and pray for us regularly. As well as the above we also financially support the Church Army, Tear Fund, and CMS through our annual tithes and gift days in addition to special appeals. A couple who originally met through the church fellowship and went on to marry are now with an organisation in China. We continue to have links with them financially and in prayer.
LOCAL OUTREACH
Financially we support Linx which is a Christian outreach to the secondary schools in the bay. Over the years the church has been involved in many missions both independent and jointly with other local churches. Individually we have hosted events such as free barbecues in the church car park, with epilogues and music. Additionally we have held an open-air service on the wide expanse of paving in front of the Town Hall.
Evangelism has been tried in a variety of ways ranging from “Good News Down the Street”, “The Jesus Video Project” to probably the most successful “The Alpha Course” In the past many young people have been sent, and helped financially by the church to go to organisations like YWAM, Youth for Christ, Lee Abbey. Others, now ordained, have been sent to Bible Schools. We have seen ourselves very much as a sending church. Jointly we are part of the Christians Together in Torquay and Torbay Evangelical Fellowship, where like-minded churches from varying denominations meet and pray together regularly and plan mission events in the bay area. On Good Friday we join with the congregations from other churches to walk together in witness through the town and finish with a short service on the harbour side. On the two Saturdays preceding Christmas a group of singers, having been issued with a licence from the local authority, sing carols in the town centre and give away sweets and Christmas cards incorporating the church service times for the Christmas period. These cards are also delivered to homes around the parish in the run up to Christmas. This year saw the start of our meal scheme, where a daily hot meal is delivered by a church member for a period of a week or two. The scheme is open to all who were ill or convalescing from a hospital stay, it is seen as an opportunity for outreach and through it the church has reached out into the community. We have also begun a regular car wash outreach which is all about building relationships. The Innovation Centre starting in 2009 should also open up opportunities for outreach in the heart of the community.
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EVANGELISM & OUTREACH |
