East Sussex network
New Hope Baptist Church
New Hope Baptist Church, nestled in the heart of Eastbourne's residential housing area and just a short walk from the beach, has become a vibrant and dynamic centre of faith, growth, and community engagement. Since its founding, the church has transformed significantly into a modern and welcoming place of worship and fellowship.
Originally known as Ceylon Place Baptist Church, the congregation faced the challenge of an aging building that no longer served the needs of a growing community. To redefine its mission and identity for the 21st century, the church sold its old property and embarked on a journey to find a new home. This led them to purchase the former Naval Club building, which has since been transformed into a contemporary church space to accommodate their expanding ministry.
Rev. Peterson Anand, who accepted the position of pastor in 2021, has been instrumental in steering the church's renewed vision. With a heart for the community and a focus on spiritual growth, Pastor Anand has embraced the church's mission to be a happy, healthy, and Holy Spirit-filled congregation. At the heart of their mission is the belief in unconditional love through Jesus Christ, which is extended to all, regardless of background.
"Our vision is to create a church where everyone feels welcome, and where the love of Jesus is experienced by all who walk through our doors," Pastor Anand shared. "We are committed to reaching out to our community through evangelism, discipleship, and outreach."
The church's dedication to growing its faith community is evident in its recent baptisms, new membership, and increased attendance. Sunday worship at 10:30 a.m. is a lively and spirit-filled experience, with the congregation coming together to celebrate their faith. In addition to the weekly Sunday services, New Hope Baptist Church hosts various events encouraging connection and spiritual growth.
Every Sunday at 6:30 p.m., we gather for Praise and Prayer for Revival, offering a powerful time of prayer and worship. On Tuesdays, the Friendship Hour invites community members to enjoy fellowship, listen to different speakers, and participate in entertainment and annual events like meals and parties. Wednesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. are set aside for the church's popular Coffee and Chat time, where members and newcomers alike gather for tea, coffee, and a light-hearted devotional. Thursday mornings feature a Bible study group that dives deep into scripture.
Perhaps one of the most exciting developments is the newly launched Youth Meeting on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. This initiative follows the completion of a successful Youth Alpha course and provides young people with a dedicated time for learning, fellowship and growth. The church seeks to appoint a part-time Children and Youth Leader to further support this thriving ministry.
In addition to its weekly events, New Hope Baptist Church has been involved in courses such as Alpha, Evangelism, Discipleship and Mental Awareness, all aimed to enrich the congregation's lives. Worship is led by a rotating team of passionate leaders, incorporating live instrumental music and using the iSing worship tool to enhance the experience.
Recognising the need for pastoral care as the congregation grows, New Hope Baptist Church has appointed several pastoral coordinators to oversee small groups and ensure that members receive the support they need. The church has also formed a prayer ministry team dedicated to providing prayer support for individuals and the broader community. We are also developing our House Group meeting in the last week of every month.
A unique feature of the church is its Café Church, which takes place every fourth Sunday. This relaxed, family-friendly gathering encourages creativity, with participants engaging in Bible study through art, crafts, and informal fellowship. It's an opportunity for the community to experience church in a laid-back atmosphere, fostering deeper relationships and creating lasting friendships.
"Each Sunday worship service is different, as we strive to keep the experience fresh, engaging, and led by enthusiastic leaders," Pastor Anand explained. "We believe that this diversity and energy are key to creating a welcoming space for all."
As the church grows, New Hope Baptist has become a multi-national, multi-cultural congregation, united in its mission to spread the love of Christ. With a commitment to unity and pastoral care, the church is expanding in numbers and deepening its impact in the community.
"We are thankful for God's blessings and the growth we've experienced," Pastor Anand concluded. "As we look to the future, we are reminded of Jesus' promise: 'I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.' Amen."
New Hope Baptist Church is a beacon of hope, faith, and fellowship in Eastbourne. Its growing community of believers is dedicated to spreading the love of Christ and building a stronger, more united church family.
Points of Praise & Prayer
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Praise God for Growth & Diversity
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Pray for God's guidance and provision as the church seeks to appoint a passionate part-time Children and Youth Leader.
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Prayer: For unity, love, and wisdom as the church expands its pastoral care and community connections. For God's healing touch upon Barry Martin — may the Lord restore his health, strengthen his spirit, and surround him and his family with peace and comfort during this time.
West Kent network
Paddock Wood Baptist Church
Paddock Wood Baptist Church is a very small church that meets at Paddock Wood Community Centre on Sunday mornings at 10am, led by the Pastor, Jennifer Roberts. The worship is café style with lots of opportunities to ask questions and join in our services.
We give thanks to our heavenly Father for providing us with a Minister in Training, Jo, who specialises in evangelism, spending 4-8 hours each week in the town, talking to people and handing out postcards of hope and encouragement.
We also give thanks for Ben, who has offered to come to us once a month to play guitar, sing and lead worship for us. We believe the Lord is resourcing us, slowly preparing us for the future of His Kingdom in Paddock Wood.
I write this during Easter week. On Palm Sunday, we had a short communion service, then took to the streets to hand out bags holding palm crosses, Easter eggs and postcards with simple information about Jesus. On Good Friday we will join with other Paddock Wood churches, leading the ecumenical Walk of Witness through the town, sharing the story of Jesus’ death at four ‘stops’, and hand out hot cross buns with a leaflet explaining their relevance at Easter time.