Mission field: Clapham
Courland Grove is a Grace Baptist Church in a run-down part of inner London. Our congregation is mainly some of the poorest members of society: single parents, the mentally disadvantaged and unemployed.
Among these needy folk are some with extreme problems: alcoholics, schizophrenics, drug addicts and the psychologically disturbed. Many members lack either a paid job or a normal family background. Many are damaged by broken relationship situations.
The blessings
Yet within this environment, the Lord is working. Many of these people have a genuine love for the Lord Jesus and are keen to be baptised. While many of our churches are struggling to maintain numbers, we have plenty of friends as described above who keep dropping in off the streets. The membership is 55 and about 80 attend on Sundays. How do we account for this blessing? By the goodness of Almighty God; the faithfulness of our pastor, Paul Reed, who has laboured here for over 20 years; the church trying to respond to the actual needs of the locality.
A key feature has been the introduction of a 'Drop-In' on Wednesdays, when the church is open to all comers: anyone with a problem, bored, lonely people, unmarried mothers, pensioners, etc.. About 40 people drop in for life-enrichment activities (learning to read, cook, do artwork, glass-painting, aerobics, etc.), companionship, devotions and a cooked dinner. Clothing is provided for those who need it. The day ends with the weekly prayer and Bible study meeting where there is no shortage of people wanting to pray.
Another useful source of contacts is a 'Parent and Tiddler' Club that meets on Fridays.
The problems
When Jesus said it is hard for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, he must have known that it is relatively easy for a poor man to enter. It is perhaps easier to forsake all and follow Jesus when you have few worldly goods to forsake! The problem is that the poor man often comes bringing a background of addiction, being abused and hurting from a broken home background. Though he may be saved, he will have a harder task than most to find his way up the hill of sanctification - learning to live like a Christian. To watch over an increasing number of such people, helping them to live steady lives and grow as Christians, is a time-consuming pastoral task.
This brings us to our other problem. When most churches increase, their financial position improves. In our case, the needs grow, since several of the church members are on social benefits or in low-paid jobs. It is hard to run the normal church activities (including Sunday school and youth groups), let alone provide for the growing family on Wednesdays and maintain a run-down old building! Our building is listed and dates from the first half of the last century. With help from other churches, we have been able to renovate the chapel but the premises at the back are very inadequate. Toilets are semi-outside and the kitchen is very small and unhygienic. We have become used to keeping mice at bay, but recently a rat was seen in the kitchen. It's good to be a bit mucky so that our visitors find it homely, but with the roof leaking as well, it's all rather beyond a joke!
The plans
An ambitious plan is in hand involving selling the manse and using the money to purchase additional land at the back and build additional accommodation behind and above our existing building. This will include a flat to serve as a new manse.
We are also trying to support an assistant pastor in his training with us. He is Eddie Campbell, one of our own members. Having spent all his life in the district, he is well able to identify with our church and neighbourhood!
Our church has an evangelistic outlook. We do not see our work as primarily social, nor is it one of handing out charity in a condescending spirit. Rather, our aim is to provide an environment in which everyone feels special in the sight of God and comes to understand and receive the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
If any reader or church would like to assist us financially, our account name is 'Courland Grove Baptist Church' and gifts may be sent to the Building Fund Treasurer, 65 Rook Lane, Chaldon, Caterham, Surrey CR3 5AQ.
Ian C. Brown
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