Welcome!

It is stating the obvious: we live in interesting times! Life seems to be like a hamster spinning on a wheel, going nowhere; all momentum, no motion!  

A presidential visit, party elections and a new Prime Minister soon to be installed, 75th D-Day anniversary celebrations, Her Majesty the Queen’s birthday and Trouping the Colour pageantry, all seems to be spinning away in the background, but taking us nowhere!  

The Church, like the world around it, is populated with three kinds of people, pioneers or trail blazer pushing the limits of human achievement, explorers who find thrill in tracking down and unearthing the extraordinary, the unusual and the exceptional; if it is out there, the explorer is set to find it, and the squatters and the settlers, for whom the routine and regularity of life is comforting and satisfying.

Some churches have more of one kind than others, but healthy Churches build a culture of encouragement, by which all three types of people “do their thing”, while serving the Church.  
It is the spirit of encouragement in the Church, among God’s people, which God honours and blesses. 

One of the most powerful examples of encouragement is found in Paul’s second letter to his “son”, Timothy.  Paul is a trail-blazer and pioneer, and Timothy is an explorer. 

Paul encourages the young man in two things: First, “continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it.”

Armed with a strong faith-foundation given by his mother and grandmother, and aware of the purpose and plan of God, Paul also encourages Timothy “What you have heard from me through many witnesses, entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach oth­ers as well” (2 Tim. 2:2). 

The excitement grows as we watch our new Church building take shape and form. People from all walks of life ask if we are excited, because they are! 

But is not the building which is God’s blessing to us; it is the way God will bless the community around us, through us, which is most exciting! God wants us to engage with people in our community, who need to hear, learn, and above all, experience the love of God through Christ! 

Who among us are the pioneers and trail-blazers, who are the explorers, and who will stay and keep the home fires burning? Will we all rise to the challenge and opportunities God is opening up for us? 

Yours in wide-eyed anticipation!
Kalyan

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If you are new to Botley, North Hinksey, Cumnor (and surrounding areas) or to Botley Baptist Church, or have been worshipping here for a long time and wish to explore more about Church life, Baptist beliefs and how you can participate in the life of the Church, you are most welcome to join us on Wednesday 5th June, 2019 at 7:30 pm at the Das' home.