Thanksgiving Sunday
On Sunday 9th August we will be holding our Thanksgiving Sunday celebration at Brighton Road. This is the third year that we have held this event. It represents an opportunity to make financial gifts which will be used directly to support organisations with links to the church which are engaged in furthering God’s work in different ways in the UK and in many parts of the world.
We recognise that many people already support the church regularly, and we are very grateful for your generosity. The church already gives 10% of its regular income to support external causes, and the Thanksgiving Sunday collection is an opportunity for those who wish to give additional donations to those causes to do so. Details on how to give will be in the Bulletin for the next two weekends. Last year the total amount given by the church to missionary causes was £29,481.
The biggest share of our support goes to two Baptist charities - BMS World Mission and the Home Mission fund. BMS operates in over 30 countries bringing medical, practical and missionary support. Through BMS we have close links with Claire Bedford in Chad, Louise and Peter Lynch in Bangladesh, and Genesis Acaye in Uganda.
The Home Mission fund is operated by the Baptist Union and focuses on supporting churches and initiatives in the UK. This includes grants to local Baptist churches, and specialist support for churches, such as legal, finance, and safeguarding advice.
BRBC also supports a number of other charities. Tear Fund is a Christian relief charity operating across more than 50 countries. SAT-7 produces Christian television and media programmes for the Middle East and North Africa. The Eagle Project works with young prisoners in Brazil, leading to a significant reduction in re-offending. Christian Solidarity Worldwide operates across over 20 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, supporting the right to religious freedom. The Leprosy Mission does valuable work with those affected by leprosy, especially in Asia and Africa. Closer to home, Horsham Debt Advice Centre offers support to people in financial difficulty, and Oasis Pregnancy Crisis Centre provides support to people facing an unplanned pregnancy.
It is a real privilege that we are able, out of God’s generous provision to us, to support these activities. I thank God that we are able to share His generosity and pray that we may never forget to do so.
Adrian Rudd