Looking back 2008 was yet another busy and exciting year for BUGB Home Mission both nationally and locally at CPBC, all happening under the banner headline of HOPE 2008 the national ecumenical initiative to get churches involved in community action.

BUGB’s highlight nationally was in May with the Baptist Assembly entitled ‘A Hope and a Future – God’s promise for an uncertain world’ convened in Blackpool. The BUGB DVD entitled ‘A Baptist People - Transforming Communities’ was launched at Assembly, the final part of a three-part Home Mission resource demonstrating how we can impact lives by serving others where we live. 

BUGB Magazine’s May edition also started a new series ‘A Baptist People Transforming Communities replacing the earlier ‘A Baptist People United in Mission’.
The Assembly maintained the focus of HOPE 2008 and although this initiative has now officially ended the giant church banners are still there reminding us of the continuing needs of our communities both here in Weston-super-Mare and across the country.

Although already reported last month it’s really pleasing to confirm that despite the financial turmoil of the last twelve months, giving by the national family of Baptist churches to Home Mission rose by over 4% in 2008.  £3.853,402 was raised in 2008, only £146,000 short of the BUGB Appeal target of £4 million target.
Home Mission grants totalling around £1.8m have been given to churches and other organisations to help them in their mission.
BUGB General Secretary Jonathan Edwards greeted the increase with enthusiasm. “This is truly wonderful news! I want to thank all our churches for their contribution to this total.” Read Jonathan’s full statement at BUGB website www.bugb.org.uk

Regionally our local association WEBA reached its Home Mission target of £240,000 for 2008, actually achieving £246,774 which represents an increase of 11% over the target for 2008. 

Locally at CPBC everyone has continued to contribute to the overall work of Home Mission, which in turn supports projects throughout the country. Here at CPBC we raised a total of £3962.73 in 2008 compared to £3310 in 2007, an increase of just over £650 and more than the figure raised in 2006. Taking into account final contributions the actual amount sent to WEBA was recorded as £4090.68p.

Although our increase in giving to Home Mission has been achieved mainly through a larger church donation since 2006, as a church fellowship we have all pledged to support this increased giving through our church budget.  Church Meeting approved an annual % increases to both BMS and Home Mission  donations to compensate for a long period when these regular donations hadn’t been reviewed.

Looking ahead it’s worth noting that the Baptist Union is asking churches to give at least 5% of their income to Home Mission in 2009. The target set last November by Baptist Union Council for 2009 is £4.25M.

So as your Home Mission representative allow me to express a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported Home Mission through prayer and financial giving in 2008.  At CPBC we are really well blessed with sacrificial giving throughout the year as well as our regularly held events which support Home Mission such as the BUilD Group’s strawberry cream tea and the Christmas post box.

Although we have had no specific projects during 2008 it is with grateful thanks that we recognise the exceptional effort and the massive achievement both locally and regionally. And in all of this work it is vital that we do not forget to recognise God’s power in the midst working with and through His people including us all here at CPBC.

And so at the end of this annual report it is with mixed emotions to confirm that it is my intention to stand down from my role as CPBC’s Home Mission representative. It has been a privilege to manage the business side of Home Mission since September 2003. With my focus however with other leadership responsibilities and lay preaching ministry, I sense that 2009 is the right moment for someone to revitalize Home Mission work @ CPBC.
Everyone here @CPBC contributes to what is a brilliant Home Mission team!  If you feel you are being challenged to re-invigorate Home Mission  @CPBC then please do not hesitate to speak to me about the work and role of Home Mission representative.

BUGB Home Mission is about “Changing lives and transforming communities” – let’s get involved and together with God’s help we can make the difference and grow His church.  Please do continue to pray for the work of Home Mission, for direction, for the fun of fund raising and ultimately for the progression of the gospel message to all corners of the country!

Yours in Christ,

Kevin Speakman
Home Mission Representative

PS
News of the recently launched new WEBA website can be found at; www.webassoc.org.uk
WEBA’s regional ministry team of Nigel Coles,  Gordon Hindmarch and Alisdair Longwell continue to provide support and resources to the group of West of England churches which includes CPBC.