The Aylesbury church building and training for the future

This year has seen major changes for Limes Avenue Baptist Church in Aylesbury, Bucks.

Building project

First, the church has been living in exile in a local school because of a £1.3 million building project which is due to be completed by the end of this year. Matt Benton, senior pastor since 2017, says the church has been amazed by how the money has been provided.

Some parts of the building were torn down, the main auditorium has been turned and reconfigured, and a large glass-fronted concourse has opened up the whole building to view. A more spacious and accessible building that reveals itself to passers-by is a big gain. More than half the cost has been raised by congregational giving, along with legacies and grants, such that no loans have been needed.

Matt said: "The aim of the building project has been to create a space that facilitates gospel community. We are thinking about how to use the building going forward, particularly with the Passion for Life mission next spring."

Training scheme

Alongside a major building project, the church has also been piloting a training scheme that aims to combine ministry experience with mentoring and in-house study.

Phil Stock joined them in June, from a background as a school headteacher. He has just finished the part-time Cornhill Training Course in London, and now has two years serving with the church as pastor-in-training. Partly funded by the Grace Baptist Association, the church has developed a programme for Phil that includes regular preaching and pastoral ministry, as well as being mentored by (former en editor) John Benton and following wider theological and pastoral reading.

Phil says: "This is an ideal situation for someone with plenty of work and life experience. To be mentored by godly men and develop preaching and pastoral gifts is a real privilege."

The Association hopes to roll out similar training opportunities in other churches in the years to come.