Return to top of page

Church Profile
 

This profile is an updated version of the one 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 blue) to learn more about us and our involvement in our local community.   Rodbourne Baptist Church is an evangelical church open to the leading of the Holy Spirit and is situated in the area of north Swindon known as Rodbourne Cheney, consisting mainly of residential housing (both Council and private) with a limited number of small shops. In addition to the church building, there is a 4 bedroom semi-detached manse approximately 1 mile away from the church situated in a quiet residential area . The church has a current resident membership of 39. The congregation at Sunday Morning Worship is about 45 children and adults of all ages. The service consists of lively worship, embracing both contemporary and traditional styles, led by teams of musicians and singers, followed by a time of prayer and 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 includes an all-age talk. Communion is observed on the second Sunday evening and fourth Sunday morning in which children are welcome to participate at their parents'/guardians' discretion. During August the Bible School is on vacation, and there is an all-age service each Sunday. There are currently four deacons, who together with an external Moderator, are responsible for both the spiritual and practical oversight of the Church during the present pastoral vacancy. The Church has applied to Baptist Home Mission for assistance with funding for a minister. During the week three home groups are held on alternate Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings. A Prayer Meeting is held on the first Wednesday of every month and a Bible Fellowship on the third Wednesday. The church runs a Pram Club on Tuesday morning (term time only), and a coffee morning for the local community together with a table-top sale  is held each Thursday. 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 rooms were put to good use in 2007 and this pattern is being repeated in 2008, with several outside organisations and individuals hiring the premises. Swindon Youth for Christ have held their monthly 'Live and Loud' event here, and the hall is a popular venue for birthday parties for members of the church. In addition, a Passover celebration was held on Maundy Thursday. We have also had an Art Exhibition/Open Day to provide the local community with an opportunity to see what happens in their local Baptist church. A majorette group uses the hall regularly on Friday evenings when it is not required for other purposes. The 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 local Primary and Secondary schools and some members attend a prayer meeting held at one of the latter. The church takes a keen interest in missionary work and supports several missionaries: a family involved in YWAM in the UK, a couple with a young family serving in Ethiopia, and a family working with YWAM in Mexico, as well as the Baptist denominational missions. Through the Thursday morning table-top sale we support the work of Bishop Jeremiah Pallangyo in Kenya, who runs a home for orphaned and displaced children. 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