The Lord is at work in schemes (social housing estates) across Scotland. Here is the latest news from just two schemes in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Barlanark, Glasgow
Hope Community Church, Barlanark, saw three baptisms this Easter Sunday. The first baptism was of a local man who took a considerable amount of time to count the cost of following Jesus, but has now followed Him in baptism. The second was a teenager who has grown in their faith over the past year and wanted to be obedient through baptism. Lastly, there was a woman from Nigeria who has just been given asylum in the UK. It was such a privilege to see three very different individuals all profess faith in the same Jesus.
The team in Barlanark is also happy to see a number of mature Christian families join the church. One family has just bought a home in the scheme and are now in the process of moving in. Please pray for more houses to come on the market since more families are wanting to move into the area to help with ministry.
The church holds Sunday services and their weekly café in a community centre in the heart of Barlanark. They have also just moved their toddler group to another community centre within the scheme and have met many new families as a result. This partnership with local facilities has been a blessing and a provision from God. Ultimately, the Barlanark team hopes to have a building of their own someday. Please pray that the Lord will provide either land or an existing building, along with the finances needed.
The Lord is at work and there is much to be encouraged about. However, the spiritual ground of Barlanark is still hard. Please join the team in this scheme by praying for God to soften hearts and save souls.
Bingham, Edinburgh
The church plant in Bingham is located directly across the road from the local doctors’ surgery. Since the planting team has started a weekly walking group, the doctors’ surgery has been keen to refer patients to join. As time has passed, the surgery has begun to refer patients to use the café that is in the church as well as other various groups that meet there throughout the week. The team is making many connections with people from the community that they would not have made otherwise and the gospel is being shared.
Every Wednesday there is a community meal held at the church followed by a Bible study. An average of 40 people attend the meal each week, with a number of them staying for the study afterward. The team is beginning to implement an evangelistic talk during the meal so those who don’t stay for Bible study will still hear the gospel.
One of the most encouraging things in Bingham is to see some women, who were new converts at the beginning of the church plant, now maturing in their faith and taking ownership of different ministries and discipling new Christians.
Ministry is beginning to take off at the local high school, meeting with 13 teenagers each week during club time. Please pray for the students who are interested in following Jesus, but are facing persecution at home because of it.
