Thamesmead was the brainchild of the Greater London Council’s city planners: a new town on the south bank of the Thames estuary. Building on marshland east of Woolwich, developers initially experimented in the new urban architecture of the 1960s before returning to more conventional Barrett housing in the 1980s.
When phase two was built, Titmuss Avenue Baptist Church was planted, with a new building overlooked by high-rise homes and aerial walkways. The initial team under Michael Toogood established a small fellowship that then received wonderful pastoral care through the ministries of Derek French in the later 1980s and Robin Dowling in the 1990s. In the 2000s the church struggled for direction as Sunday attendance (paradoxically) increased.
In 2010, Barry King of Wood Green served a locum pastorate that helped to change the direction of the church. The membership was reviewed, renewed and refreshed with a new sense of purpose. In 2011, Derek Sewell became the new pastor as he and his wife Rachel moved from central London. What has followed has been a steady revitalisation.
Derek and the church leadership worked hard to give vision for the church around five core commitments: Christ-centred leadership; committed discipleship; comprehensive mission; compassionate church culture; and community action. Encouraging the whole church to live this out together has been a major focus. Derek says: ‘This remains an ongoing challenge, but we praise God that the Covid-19 crisis has shown fruit for our labours.’
Change in the church has reflected local population changes, including a significant Nigerian minority. Many come from a Pentecostal background, often influenced by the prosperity gospel. At a New Year watchnight gathering, one member stood up to give testimony, saying: ‘I want everyone to know that I wouldn’t have come near a church like this, but God has brought me here.’ The church also has members from Eastern Europe, Asia and the Caribbean. Reaching white British working-class neighbours with the gospel is an ongoing challenge.
Fruit from such investing led to two families leaving to serve other London churches: Chola and Eunice Mukanga to Bexleyheath in 2016, and Wale and Ibi Akinrogunde to replant Grace Church Walthamstow.
The church has worked to build links with two local care homes. Rather than just going in to hold meetings and then leave, Derek has been visiting regularly, providing pastoral care to people who have suffered trauma from head injuries. At the other care home, a team visits to sing songs and spend time with the residents. Other efforts have included a regular book table at car-boot sales and teaching members to be mindful of their ‘frontline’. The church youth group reached many unchurched teens until Covid-19 forced it to close. The church may look very different once restrictions end. Please pray that the congregation grows in commitment to prayer and mission – that with God’s help they will continue to pursue their vision of reaching Thamesmead for Christ.
