The month of June marked the start of a new era in the life of Lansdowne Baptist Church (LBC) in Bournemouth, as Peter Baker took over as senior minister.
More than 400 people gathered at LBC from all over the UK to attend the official welcome service for Peter and his wife Siân on June 8. A further 120 also watched online from 12 different countries.
The couple have previously served at the Above Bar Church in Southampton, Romford Evangelical Church and Highfields in Cardiff. Representatives from all three churches attended the service, and some of those who couldn’t be there in person sent greetings via video, including former ministers Harry Kilbride, Steve Brady, Chris Kelly and the daughter and son-in-law of Francis Dixon.
Jenny Rote, who worked with Peter at Highfields, said: ‘Lansdowne Baptist Church was overflowing with visitors from Highfields, as well as friends from other churches around the country as Peter was newly inducted into the role as senior minister.
‘Lindsay Brown added to the Welsh flavour as he encouraged the church forward into their new era with passion and energy. The welcome and hospitality from Lansdowne was clearly expressed with an immense spread of food, which they are probably still eating!’
Mike Reynolds from Lansdowne and Phil Jenkins, associate minister at Highfields, told the story behind Peter’s appointment.
Preacher Lindsay Brown then spoke about the six signs of a growing church as LBC prepares to embark on an ambitious £3 million rebuilding project.
The audience was shown a video of the new building concept for Lansdowne which is due to be launched in the autumn.
The congregation will have to find rented premises for 18 months during the rebuild.
Same vision
Talking about the project, Peter Baker said: ‘A new generation faces the same challenge as those whose vision built this strategic church 137 years ago. Times have changed since then, but not the vision to create in this central location, among office blocks, student housing, shops and hotels, a centre for Christian witness and mission’.
During Peter's 18-year leadership in Cardiff, the fellowship grew to 800 adults attending on a Sunday plus 200 under-18s, with a church staff of 16, several church plants, along with a theological training programme and global partnerships in Korea and the US.
As Lindsay Brown summed up: ‘Highfields has sent its best’.
