Romsey Baptist Church
Mission Directory
4/3/07
This is a guide to the missions, both far and near, supported by Romsey Baptist Church
ARC (Association of Christian Churches)
Samaritans Purse / Operation Christmas Child
SCRATCH / Basics Bank / Dorcas Project.
Romsey Baptist Church Outreach
Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship
3P Ministries |
3P Ministries brings together three agencies with a track record in church planting, prayer and helping the persecuted church. The three 'P's are Planting, Prayer and Persecution.
DAWN International Network is based in the UK. Its vision is to see whole nations discipled through church planting and represents the work of the DAWN partners with responsibility for the Arab World, Turkic World and World Prayer.
INTERPRAYER is also based in the UK, and provides a focus for the ministry of Brian Mills and his colleagues, in seeking to pray for, and stimulate prayer for, the nations of the world.
HMK (Hilfsaktion Martrerkirche - Help for the Persecuted Church) is based in Switzerland. They have projects in many countries where believers are undergoing horrific persecution for their faith.
Each of these agencies continues to operate in their own right, but by pooling their experience, giftings and resources, seek with 3P Ministries to strengthen the church in many nations in a way that could not happen separately. We also hope that we can be a blessing to other agencies working in similar fields by partnering together so that more can be done for the Kingdom of God.
Our work is mainly focused in North Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia and South East Asia - areas where billions of people have yet to hear and receive the gospel and lack churches within their own communities.
How can I support this work?
See website for information about news of projects and ways of helping with financial support.
Web Site
Alpha |
The Alpha course is an opportunity for anyone to explore the Christian faith in a relaxed, non-threatening manner over ten, thought-provoking weekly sessions. It's low key, friendly and fun. And it's supported by all the main Christian denominations.
Alpha is for everyone, especially: Those wanting to investigate Christianity; New Christians; Newcomers to the church; Those who want to brush up on the basics.
Romsey Baptist Church have run an evening Alpha course at the church during the autumn term for the last 3 years.
How can I support this work?
Each Alpha course needs speakers, small group facilitators and people prepared to cook a meal. A key aspect of Alpha is introducing newcomers into the life of the church and this requires people prepared to continue to work with the small groups after Alpha with the aim of helping them integrate into a house group.
The vision for Alpha is to develop a new alpha team each year working with an established leadership group - training is available for anyone interested.
Web Site
ARC (Association of Christian Churches) |
All the churches in Romsey are part of ARC, sharing in worship and special events, celebrating the Christian faith and working together in outreach.
How can I support this work?
See website for news of events, groups, youth activities and links.
Web Site
homepage.ntlworld.com/familyobrien/romseychristians.html
Baptist Home Mission |
Home Mission is the Baptist Family sharing together to enable mission throughout Great Britain. The Baptist family funds and supports mission both locally and nationally. The finance for this comes through Home Mission.
Home Mission helps churches in strategic mission situations, that could not have otherwise afford a minister, to have one. It funds chaplains working in education and industry. It supports evangelists, missioners and Associations.
Home mission is the way Baptist Churches do God’s mission together.
Romsey Baptist Church supports Baptist Home Mission financially, the money we give is used to support mission in a number of ways:
1. It is used to support the work of local Pastors where the church is unable to pay the full stipend. Around 400 local Pastors receive support through Home Mission.
2. It is used to support other front line ministries such as chaplaincies.
3. It pays for the Regional Minister and Association Team. Over 25% of Home Mission money goes back into our local association.
4. It pays for the national support network at Baptist House. They provide specialist advice on a wide range of subjects including finance, the law, child protection, dealing with the media and much more.
5. It is used to provide grants to evangelistic projects and projects aimed at alleviating poverty.
How can I support this work?
Please save all your stamps etc. for Home Mission
The web site contains details of how people can support the work of the Baptist Union Home Mission through financial giving or by becoming a Home Mission representative. Further details can be obtained from the church contact.
Web Site
www.baptist.org.uk/home_mission
BMS World Mission |
BMS World Mission is a Christian mission organisation, working in around 40 countries on four continents. BMS believes in holistic mission, an approach that stays true to the Christian call to evangelisation without neglecting the duty to take care of the physical needs of the poor. BMS works through long, medium and short term workers, teams and volunteers, as well as a large number of supported national workers around the world, providing people, funding, training and expertise in the core areas of our work: Church Planting; Development; Disaster Relief; Education; Health; Media and Advocacy.
Romsey Baptist Church supports BMS World Mission financially, details can be obtained from the church contact.
How can I support this work?
The web site contains details of how people can support the work of the BMS World Mission through financial giving or by working on a mission team or placement abroad on a short or long term basis.
Web Site
Bible Society |
Through an alliance of 140 Bible Societies around the globe, Bible Society’s charitable mission is to make the Bible heard everywhere. Bible Society wants to see the Bible's message of forgiveness, justice and hope available, understood and respected in every language and culture throughout the world.
For 200 years Bible Society has been the world specialist in Bible translation, distribution and education projects. Bible Society are also working to find creative ways to help people engage with the Bible through audio, video and Braille. Here in England and Wales, they are exploring ways to make connections between the Bible message and people's everyday lives through the arts, media, politics and education.
How can I support this work?
The web site contains details of how people can support the work of the Bible Society through financial giving or by volunteering to be a Bible Society representative.
Web Site
Christian Aid |
Christian Aid is an agency of the churches in the UK and Ireland. They work wherever the need is greatest – irrespective of religion or race. Christian Aid believes in strengthening people to find their own solutions to the problems they face, they support local organisations, which are best placed to understand local needs. They also give help on the ground through 16 overseas offices.
Christian Aid strives for a new world transformed by an end to poverty and campaign to change the rules that keep people poor.
Romsey Baptists support Christian Aid in particular because we believe in its aims and ideals. The local committee is ecumenical and active in the locality and all events are inter-denominational.
How can I support this work?
The web site contains details of how people can support the work of Christian Aid through financial giving or in a range of ways that don't necessarily involve cash donations.
The Church is happy to receive offers of help for various fund raising events in the town, either in prayer, time or gifts of products to sell for funds. In particular Christian Aid week (2nd week in May) needs many people to deliver and/or collect goods.
Web Site
CRUWYS |
Cruwys Global Trust is a registered charity. The trust operates in the UK and with local partners in Ethiopia and was the vision of Ann and Frank Rispin who are members of our church and who now live in Addis Ababa.
The objects of the trust are: The advancement of education within Ethiopia; The promotion quality English Language provision within Ethiopia; The promotion of international understanding of development issues in the UK and Ethiopia.
Cruwys Global Trust has been created in order to give opportunities for the less privileged to improve their lot in life through education. It also supports disadvantaged individuals in extremely practical ways. Thousands of books and educational materials have been sent to Cruwys partner organizations in Ethiopia. Educational resources have been donated to libraries, special needs schools, and other projects in the countryside as well as Addis Ababa.
When Cruwys works on professional development with its main partner institutions it ensures that local, less privileged schools are invited to send teachers and that those teachers leave with donations of appropriate resources.
How can I support this work?
The web site contains details of how people can support the work of Cruwys through financial giving, organising book collections or by working as a volunteer on a Cruwys project abroad. In 2006 a gap year student from our church spent 3 months teaching at a partner school in Addis. Another member of the church, a retired teacher, has spent some time in each of the last 4 years sharing expertise with both teachers and students. Others have run workshops, supported orphans and contributed in a variety of other ways.
Web Site
Evangelical Alliance |
The Evangelical Alliance was founded in 1846 and is the oldest alliance of evangelical Christians in the world. The Alliance is an umbrella group representing one million evangelical Christians in the UK and is made up of member churches drawn from over 30 different denominations, organisations and individuals. In its formative years the Alliance particularly stood for the victims of religious persecution and enabled evangelicals from different denominations to work together.
As part of a movement ‘uniting to change society’ the Alliance promotes unity and truth, acts as an evangelical voice to the state, society and the wider church, and works collaboratively with Alliance members and other evangelicals, to bring about social and spiritual transformation within society.
The Alliance speaks on behalf of its members and represents evangelical concerns to Government, the National Assemblies, the media and key decision-makers. In resourcing its members and encouraging Christians to fully engage in their communities as responsible citizens, the Alliance strives to make evangelical truths publicly accessible.
The Evangelical Alliance UK is one of a worldwide network of national alliances constituting the World Evangelical Alliance and is a member of the European Evangelical Alliance. In the UK, the Evangelical Alliance works in partnership with the African and Caribbean Evangelical Alliance and Global Connections..
How can I support this work?
In the world that we live in today and with the trend of dismissing Christianity as some outdated and irrelevant religion it is vital that we support the work of the Evangelical Alliance as they are a voice for the church of today.
The web site contains details of how people can support the work of the Bible Society through financial giving or by becoming a member of the Evangelical Alliance.
Web Site
Fair Trade Foundation |
The FAIRTRADE Mark is an independent consumer label which appears on products as an independent guarantee that disadvantaged producers in the developing world are getting a better deal.
For a product to display the FAIRTRADE Mark it must meet international Fairtrade standards. These standards are set by the international certification body Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO). Producer organisations that supply Fairtrade products are inspected and certified by FLO. They receive a minimum price that covers the cost of sustainable production and an extra premium that is invested in social or economic development projects.
How can I support this work?
The web site contains details of how people can support the work of the Fairtrade Foundation through buying their products or getting them adopted in your workplace.
Web Site
Samaritans Purse / Operation Christmas Child |
Samaritan’s Purse is committed to meeting the needs of under-privileged people through the delivery of practical every day items and necessities. Samaritan’s Purse helps people throughout the year by providing practical gifts during times of war, disaster, famine, disease and extreme poverty.
Since 1990, Operation Christmas Child has brought the joy of Christmas to more than 47 million boys and girls. Last year Samaritan’s Purse in the UK sent out over 1.18 million gifts to children across Eastern Europe and Africa. This annual project enables caring individuals, families, schools, churches, businesses, and other organisations to fill ordinary shoe boxes with small toys, school supplies, sweets, and other gifts for hurting children around the world.
How can I support this work?
Each year (October to December) Romsey Baptist Church is involved in packing shoeboxes and collecting contents or money for shoeboxes.
Operation Christmas Child also needs volunteers to pack shoeboxes in the local depot and to collect and deliver shoeboxes from local collection points.
Web Site
SCRATCH / Basics Bank / Dorcas Project(Southampton City and Region Action to Combat Hardship) |
SCRATCH manages various social action projects that currently operate in Southampton and the surrounding areas of Southampton City, Eastleigh Borough, Waterside and Winchester city. SCRATCH aims to relieve the effects of poverty for families and individuals with needs recognised by approved referral agencies in Southampton and surrounding area.
The Basics Bank at James Street, St Mary’s, is a clothing project and emergency food bank with referrals made via a voucher system. Vouchers being held by approved referral agencies, so that having identified and assessed a family or individual with a particular type of need, they can make use of the project.
The Dorcas Project in Millbrook collects donated: furniture; household effects; small electrical appliances (kettles, vacuum cleaners etc.); cutlery and crockery; soft furnishings; bedding. These are passed on to individuals and families referred to us with recognised needs. Donations come from the general public, schools, churches and the corporate sector.
SCRATCH also runs other projects including the “White Goods Project”; “Removal Project”; “Repainting Scheme”; “Yes Youth”; SCM Foods (Fairly Traded) and the “Furniture Shop”.
How can I support this work?
Romsey Baptist Church supports the work of the Basics Bank in particular through the collection of appropriate items and the follow up visiting of people who have received items from the Basics Bank and or the Dorcas Project.
Scratch will accept old clothes, shoes, handbags, towels, sheets, blankets, upholstery and curtains. Textiles that cannot be put to immediate use can be shredded and recycled for use in the furniture industry etc. No longer should we looking at our worn out goods and chattels as ‘rubbish’ for landfill; in future treat them as a resource!
Basics Bank: Don’t forget to add a few extra tins to your shopping trolley from time to time. Examples of food needed are – tins of meat, spaghetti, ravioli, baked beans, soups, also boxes of cereal e.g. cornflakes or Weetabix.
Dorcas Project: Volunteers carry out follow-up visits to recipients of Dorcas or Basics Bank goods. These visits provide a wonderful opportunity to make contact with people in the community who are experiencing hardship.
The web site contains details of how people can support the work of SCRATCH through financial giving or by working as a volunteer locally.
Web Site
www.scratchcharity.co.uk (or call the SCRATCH office on 023 8077 3132)
Smile International is a charity dedicated to sharing the love of Jesus Christ by helping to relieve suffering and poverty through the distribution of humanitarian aid and long-term development projects. Smile International are presently working in the Balkans, Asia and Africa. Their aim is to put a smile on people's faces as they see the love of God in action.
How can I support this work?
The web site contains details of how people can support the work of SMILE International through financial giving or by working on a SMILE project abroad on a short or long term basis.
Web Site
Tear Fund |
The purpose of Tearfund is to serve Jesus Christ by enabling those who share evangelical Christian beliefs to bring good news to the poor.
- Proclaiming and demonstrating the gospel for the whole person through support of Christian relief and development.
- Working through a worldwide network of evangelical Christian Partners.
- Encouraging partnership in prayer and support from Christians in Britain and Ireland.
- Seeking at all times to be obedient to biblical teaching.
Tearfund was founded as part of the UK Evangelical Alliance and still uses the EA Basis of Faith as the common understanding of the faith that unites staff and overseas partners in the service of Jesus Christ.
Tearfund is a Christian charity which seeks to help as well as to preach.
How can I support this work?
Through buying items via the Tear Craft catalogue (see church contacts) or holding a TEAR Fund Sunday morning (this can be arranged by the church contact). The southern England rep is happy to take a Sunday morning service, especially a family service.
The web site contains details of how people can support the work of Tear Fund through financial giving or in a range of ways that don't necessarily involve cash donations.
Web Site
Short Term Mission Support |
Stop the Traffik
STOP THE TRAFFIK, is a global coalition of organisations working together to fight against people trafficking; by raising awareness on a subject that is little known or understood STOP THE TRAFFIK will call for change and freedom. The four key areas on which STOP THE TRAFFIK is focused are: advocacy, education, fundraising and freedom day.
Through advocacy and education, STOP THE TRAFFIK will demonstrate to the public ways in which they can get involved and help change peoples futures. At the heart of the campaign is the Global Declaration Card, thousands of cards signed worldwide will be delivered to the United Nations; these aim to pressurise the U.N and individual governments to bring about a change in legislation and policies, resulting in protection from people trafficking.
The initiative climaxed on March 25th 2007 ‘Freedom Day’, with local events worldwide, the day will celebrate the anniversary of the end of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade; yet more importantly the challenge for the future as we work towards freedom from travesties such as people trafficking.
How can I support this work?
The web site contains details of how people can support the work of STOP THE TRAFFIK through signing the Global Declaration, fundraising or by getting involved in a local project.
Romsey Baptist Church needs a STOP THE TRAFFIK champion to raise awareness of the issue of people trafficking.
Web Site
Youth with a Mission
YWAM England wants to play a part in seeing a new wave of British missionaries going out across the world with the love of Jesus. YWAM England seeks to follow the command of Christ in Matthew 28 to go and make disciples of all nations and peoples – to know God and make Him known.
YWAM do this by providing training and by ministering the love of Jesus in four different settings: Global - around the world; Urban - in our cities and towns; Youth - among our young people; Marketplace - in our 9-to-5 existence.
Romsey Baptist Church has a youngster on a gap year placement from Sept 06 to Sept 07. See church contact for details.
How can I support this work?
YWAM offer: Summer Outreaches to give a short blast of frontline missions; Discipleship Training Schools (DTSs) to go deeper with Jesus, and provide opportunities to know God more and make Him known and Gap year placements.
The website has details of how to support the YWAM work through financial giving or working as a volunteer on a YWAM placement.
Web Site
Romsey Baptist Church Outreach |
Toddlers Group
For: Mums, Dads, Grandparents and carers plus infants (0 - 3+ yrs)
On: Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 am
At: Romsey Baptist Church
Support: Assistance always welcomed with running the group
Football Fellowship
For: Men and Youths (14+)
On: Alternate Fridays (www.romsey-baptist.org.uk for dates)
At: Romsey School
Youth Group
For Youngsters (11 – 15 yrs)
On: Fridays at 7.30 pm
At: Romsey Baptist Church
Support: God inspired leaders to help who are committed and enthusiastic for the job.
For Girls (5 – 16+ yrs)
On: Tuesdays
At: Romsey Baptist Church
Coffee Mornings
For: Anyone
On: First Thursday of every month except August
At: various places
Support: Those present are invited to leave a gift for Home Mission or the Baptist Missionary Society. People prepared to host an occasional morning are always welcome.
Thursday Fellowship
For: Mainly older age group whether belonging to a church or not
On: Third Thursday of every month at 11 am.
At: Romsey Baptist Church
The Church Tent
For: All Romsey showgoers (refreshments and entertainment)
On: Second Saturday of September each year.
At: Broadlands, Romsey
Support: A welcome in the name of the Lord is key to the work, and volunteers to help by serving at tables and in the kitchen are always welcome.
Outreach Links in Romsey |
Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship
For: Christian Business people and guests
On: See website or Church Notice Sheet for details
At: See website or Church Notice Sheet for details
Website: www.fgbsouthampton.net
Contact: See website or Church Notice Sheet for details
The Hub
For: 14 – 25 yrs (Multimedia presentations, Live Music, Chat, Chill Out)
On: First Saturday of each month at 7 pm
At: Romsey Christian Centre
The Bus Project
For: Romsey Street Youths
On: Wednesday, January 10th at 7pm (more dates to follow)
At: Cupernham Primary School on the Great Woodley Estate