From launderette to Project 229!

Project 229 is an exciting community development in the Kempston part of Bedford which Grace Community Church (formerly Kempston Evangelical Church) has the privilege of being involved in.

Clifton Ibbett, a local Christian businessman, wanted to help promote community life in the town and came up with the initiative of turning a defunct launderette into an asset for the benefit of all. He offered to buy and renovate the premises if another organisation would be responsible for managing the centre.

In January 2002 a momentous meeting of all interested parties was held at the town’s Council Chambers. Several members from the church were present and were able to support the proposal that Spurgeon’s Child Care, a Christian charity working with children, young people and families, become the lead partner. After a lot of toing and froing in debate, it was agreed that they should take on the management of the building and proceed to get other groups involved. Project 229 was born!

To make a better community

A Christian architect and member of the church, Neil Hulse, was able to help draw up the plans for the new centre. Another member of the church, Sandra Rome, Spurgeon’s regional manager, kept pressing for this positive development to take place when protracted negotiations between solicitors nearly sank the whole thing. Eventually the builders moved in and did a splendid job. A building was transformed and then presented to the town as a facility that could provide community improvement if groups would only get involved. Thanks to the verve and sheer hard work of the centre’s manager, Rebecca Solesbury, activities began in the autumn of 2004, and now over 20 service providers use Project 229 to make ‘better community’ a reality in Kempston.

In any one week you can attend anything from family support groups, Pilates classes, and baby massage, through to kickboxing and street dance. Alternatively you can relax and enjoy the Fair Trade goodies and lunches provided in the internet cafŽ, providing work opportunities for adults with learning disabilities.

Blessing the church

The church has really been blessed in being part of this. Having always rented its premises (it still meets on Sundays at the town’s large Hastingsbury Upper School), it had been looking and praying for a ‘presence’ on the High Street. Project 229 has proved ideal. The Church Office is situated there, run by the church’s women’s worker. This provides a ready point of contact for enquiries, advice and help. It has also established a good working relationship with the other service providers.

All sorts of courses

The church rents available spaces to run some courses and groups for the good of the community. Some of these are of social benefit such as giving debt advice, running the How to Drug-Proof your Kids course, and Parent Talk. Others have a direct gospel aim and are run on a friendship-plus-make-you-think basis, such as Explore Christianity courses, and Tough Questions. Our teens’ group called KAOS (Kempston Adolescents On Saturdays — their name not ours) uses the hall regularly. Of special interest is a group called The Net, a mums and tots with a difference. Serving isolated women and their families that have been referred to us by health visitors, this provides a safe environment for women to make friendships and feel loved and helped.

The church has also encouraged its members to ‘get stuck in’ individually and serve their community using the skill, talents and opportunities God has blessed them with. One member runs Unplugged, an open mike evening for any budding musician to come along and have fun playing and singing with others. A lady has built up significant friendships from her interest in Arabic music and ran an Arabic dancing and coffee morning called Daughters of Abraham, which attracted interest from Iraqi, Iranian, Syrian, and Turkish women among others. Movies at 229 is run by a small group to help teenagers that were causing problems in the area. Every other Friday night the group meets in the centre’s lounge, watches a film and talks about how it bears upon life. Kids from off the street come along regularly. For older adults a member runs Creative Memories which helps people talk about their lives by building up folders of photos and life events.

Giving hope

Several members have started Gateway, helping people with addictive behaviour problems. Each Monday evening a meeting is held and is giving hope to some who feel, because of their problems, they can never have any. The meetings are confidential, accessible and non-judgemental; the kind of environment some need before they can make progress in their lives.

Some consequences

Through all this several things have happened. First, such activity is a reflection of the church’s outreach strategy. Members are prepared through suitable teaching and courses to go and tell — sharing their faith personally and positively. But also the church teaches a come and see approach whereby members are encouraged to bring people they know to meetings that are suitable for them. Some of these have taken place at Project 229 and have been very encouraging. We also believe that the Christians should be involved in care and serve and Project 229 has been one way of providing tangible Christian love in our community.

Second, the church has a higher community profile. We now meet many people who have become aware of what the church does and what it positively stands for. An increasing number of people from very varied walks of life are asking about the church, and the message of the gospel that is at its heart.

Third, involvement in the Project has directly provided opportunities for the gospel. In December 2005, the church was approached by local authority Street and Park Rangers to help organise and run an outdoor carol service in the town’s park. Were it not for the church’s involvement at the Project, it is unlikely that we would have received the invitation.

God’s kindness

We are truly grateful to God for providing this opportunity. At one time it looked as if nothing would ever come of the vision, but now, as we celebrate the Project’s first anniversary we look back and see his kindness to us, and to the town, in which we live and serve.

For more information about the Project, or Grace Community Church, please contact the office on 01234 851508, at info@graceinthecommunuity.org.uk or visit the web site, http://www.graceinthecommunity.org.uk.

To know how churches can work in partnership with Spurgeon’s Child Care, please contact Sandra Rome, southern divisional director, at srome@spurgeonssouth.org.uk.

Dr. Ray Evans,
one of the leaders of Grace Community Church, Kempston