Logo

 

Banner Image:   Baptist-Times-banner-2000x370-
Template Mode:   Baptist Times
Icon
    Post     Tweet

 
The authentic welcome was attractive

 

How students have grown in faith at Penrallt Baptist Church – despite it being in pastoral vacancy


welcome card2

“We don’t think these stories happen any more, that people just walk into church and find faith,” says John Thompson, “but they do and it happened here, and hopefully that’s an encouragement to others.” 

Church stories - Penrallt RyanJohn is currently the moderator of Penrallt Baptist Church in Bangor. In November he had the joy of baptising three young adults, all from different life situations and faith backgrounds. 

One of them was 24-year-old Ryan (pictured). Christened as a child, Ryan was a regular and independent church goer in his later primary years (his parents didn’t share his faith), and during this time he was given an Armed Forces Gideon Bible. Over time the churchgoing stopped, but the Bible remained on his shelf. 

He would pick it up again as a young adult dealing with a number of health issues such as anxiety and depression. “I noticed the question on this Gideon Bible ‘what to do when you’re feeling anxious’ and became interested,” he remembers.

“I realised I didn’t what know what I believed, and wanted to find out more.”

He began to explore, and his interest in faith grew again, as it had done as a child. After reading the Bible regularly, and listening to sermons and podcasts online, Ryan wanted to attend a church. He asked a local Christian bookshop for advice, which pointed him in the direction of the nearby Penrallt. 

“People were really friendly, and picked up that I was new. They saw I had questions, and slowly but surely helped me to find answers.”


He began to have regular chats with John, and joined a house group. 

“He found evidence of authenticity here, and it was attractive to him,” says John.

Ryan’s health was improving all the time. “I had tried a number of things over the years, but nothing seemed to click. It was only when I picked up the Bible. After 15 years of slow progress, I was finally becoming reunited with God.”

“I’ve seen Ryan grow in confidence,” adds John, “and there is a sense of peace and excitement about him. He’s thrilled with what he’s found in the Bible, and there’s a sense of him growing and maturing in faith.”

Ryan has moved to a degree in Philosophy and Religion, and is exploring a call to Baptist ministry. 

Two more young adults were baptised alongside Ryan in November. Bangor is a university city, and a number of students worship at the Baptist church. John describes Penrallt as a welcoming, contemporary evangelical church “with a really big heart for one and other”.  

“There is something about an authentic welcome,” he says. “All this has happened in a church with a pastoral vacancy.” 
 

This article appears in the Summer 2020 edition of Baptists Together magazine, which explores reaching and raising young adults


Welcome image | Tim Mossholder | Unsplash

Baptist Times, 29/04/2020
    Post     Tweet
SWaBA Home Mission Stories
Examples of how Home Mission funds are being used in the South Wales Baptist Association
SubArticleD2019
Faith and continuity in times of change 
The Revd Beverley Morgan is celebrating 30 years of ministry at Merchants' Hill Baptist Church in Pontnewynydd, Torfaen, after being inducted into the pastorate there in 1994
'Finding Jesus through social media'
The testimony of a young adult baptised at Magor Baptist Church, Gwent
Super Easter Sunday at Gilgal Baptist Church 
Easter day is a special day for any church but for Gilgal Baptist Church in Porthcawl it was super special with eight baptisms in all, writes Liz Rees
Return to Narnia… 
Bethel Baptist Church welcomed almost 1,000 children alongside teachers and parents for a dramatic presentation of the Christmas story using C.S. Lewis’ magical world of Narnia. Minister Jonathan Vaughan-Davies explains more
Grant will restore 'iconic' Welsh Baptist chapel 
The condemned building of a Welsh Baptist fellowship is to be restored thanks to a National Churches Trust grant, enabling the thriving congregation to increase its community activities and outreach
Celebrating 150 years witness in the town
Gilgal Baptist Church in Porthcawl hosted a series of events to mark its special anniversary, writes Liz Rees
     Regional News 
    Posted: 15/01/2024
    Posted: 14/03/2022
    Posted: 30/03/2021
    Posted: 16/10/2018
    Posted: 24/02/2018
    Posted: 23/12/2016
    Posted: 01/12/2015
    Posted: 17/06/2015
    Posted: 30/06/2014