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Church Profile
 

This is an updated version of the profile authorised by the Church's Annual General Meeting in March, 2007, and is offered as a brief introduction to the life of the Church and the community in which it is set. Please follow the links in the text (shown in blue) to learn more about us and our involvement in our local community.   We are an evangelical church that is open to the leading of the Holy Spirit, situated in the area of north Swindon known as Rodbourne Cheney, consisting mainly of residential housing (both Council and private) with a number of small shops. In addition to the church building itself, there is a 4 bedroom semi-detached manse approximately 1 mile away from the church situated in a quiet residential area, which has been extensively refurbished which is currently let to a short-term tenant. The church has a current resident membership of 39. The congregation at Sunday Morning Worship numbers about 45 adults and 10-15 children of all ages. This service consists of lively worship, embracing both contemporary and traditional styles, led by teams of singers and musicians, followed usually by a time of open prayer, and with a sermon or other presentation for adults, while the children and young people have their own Bible School. Sunday Evening Worship is attended by a somewhat smaller number and is more reflective in nature. A Family Service is held on the third Sunday morning in every month and normally includes an all-age talk. Communion is observed on the second Sunday evening and fourth Sunday morning of each month, in which children are welcome to participate at their parents'/guardians' discretion. During the month of August the Bible School is on vacation, and there is an all-age service each Sunday. During the week home groups are held on alternate Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings. A Prayer Meeting is held on the first Wednesday evening of every month. The church runs a Pram Club on Tuesday mornings during the school terms, and a Coffee Morning for the local community together with a Table-top Sale  is held each Thursday morning. There is an early morning Men’s Prayer Meeting on Fridays from 6.00 – 7.00 a.m., and a meeting especially for women, under the name of Footsteps, is held most months on the last Saturday morning of the month. The church hall and meeting rooms are being put to good use, with several outside organisations and individuals using the premises, and the hall is a popular venue for birthday parties and other celebrations for members of the church.  In addition, a Passover celebration was held on Maundy Thursday in 2008. In 2007 we held an Art Exhibition/Open Day, affording the local community an opportunity to see what happens at their local Baptist church.  The church takes a keen interest in missionary work and supports several missionaries: two families working with  YWAM in the UK and Mexico, a couple with a young family serving in Ethiopia, and a midwife working wth BMS. Through the Thursday morning table-top sale we also support the work of Bishop Jeremiah Pallangyo, who, together with his wife, runs a home for orphaned and homeless children in Kenya. During the present pastoral vacancy, the spiritual and practical oversight of the church is entrusted to four deacons who, together with a number of co-opted members and an external Moderator, constitute the Core Group. The church has applied to the Baptist Home Mission for assistance with funding for a minister; this application has prompted the denomination to conduct a Fit for Purpose review, the outcome of which will not be known until late 2009 or early 2010. Meanwhile, we are most grateful to the visiting preachers who assist in maintaining the pulpit ministry on behalf of the church and congregation. Rodbourne Cheney Baptist Church is a place of worship within the local community and maintains strong links with other churches in the area. The church also has good relationships with the local Primary and Secondary schools and some members attend a prayer meeting held at one of the latter. If you have any enquiries about this profile, the Deacon concerned, Mrs Janet Clark, will be pleased to help you. She may be contacted on +44 (0)1793 724158. Return to top of page