Prayer Focus

Praying for churches across the South Wales Baptist Association

Prayer Focuse 89 Gendros Baptist Church, Swansea

Our friends from Gendros Baptist Church in Swansea write, "It was 70 years this November that our church, known then as Penlan Baptist Church was founded. From humble beginnings in 1953 meeting in a woman's hut on the building site of a new school for the recently built Penlan estate, to where we are located now in Gendros, God has been gracious to us and richly blessed us.

During that time we have had 5 pastors and many experiences of God's goodness. In our 70th year we are now without a pastor and seeking God's will and way forward for us. Please pray for the leadership team of the church at this difficult and uncertain time.

Our children's ministry which has faltered since Covid 19, needs prayer, that it will grow again under the guidance of our able and willing workers. Pray also that our midweek meetings, prayer groups, Bible study group, crochet club and coffee morning will be blessed.

Finally, please pray for Home Mission who have supported us when we needed them."

We thank God for all who worship and serve at Gendros Baptist Church. It's good to read that Home Mission grants have helped the church in the past but we thank the church for their generous giving to Home Mission too, so that others in our Baptist family can be supported in mission and ministry .

Prayer Focus 88 Griffithstown Baptist Church

Griffithstown is a large suburb of Pontypool in Torfaen

Founded in 1876, Ebenezer Baptist Church, more commonly known as Griffithstown Baptist Church, can be found in Commercial Street.

Sunday worship is very important to the community here, as stated on the church website, and the fellowship extend a welcome to join the service at 11am. Other discipleship and outreach activities take place throughout the week. A Renew Wellbeing space opened in the church in September 2022

The children and families of the church recently held a Messy Church in conjunction with Richmond Road Baptist Church in Pontnewydd.

Please pray for the church and its leaders during a time of pastoral vacancy that they will know the mind of Christ for the future direction of the church. Pray as they connect with their local community, schools, shops, residents and local people that they will be a beacon of light and hope.

Prayer Focus 87 Lisvane Baptist Church, Cardiff

Lisvane is a village to the north of Cardiff, surrounded by countryside. It has around 3300 residents, and is an active community of social groups, churches, a school and shops. It is in this setting that Lisvane Baptist Church is to be found, meeting in the memorial hall.

You can find out more about the church, hear recent sermons and see what's going on by visiting their website https://www.lisvanebaptist.org/. They say,

"As a church we're really focussing on where/what God is calling us to be, and what we need in order to fulfil that.

We've been hugely blessed by individuals within the church fellowship heading up initiatives, and by the rest of the fellowship supporting them in so many ways.

Prayer-wise, we're thankful to God for bringing us through really challenging times to where we are now, and looking forward to what lies ahead we would appreciate prayer for:

Wisdom and clarity to hear God's will for us as a church and in our community
Love and grace to work together in unity
Courage and confidence to step out in faith, and to invite people as God leads us
Direction and discernment as we seek to move forward with what employed 'role' we need to fill
Rest, equipping and energising, so that we can continue pulling together, supporting each other and keeping Jesus as the heart of everything we do

There's a lot of housing development going on in the area, and how we reach this extended community is a part of our prayers too.
As a fellowship we're relatively small, but quite active, and we need to make sure we're watching out for and being there for each other."

Prayer Focus 86 Bethel Baptist Church, Llantwit Major

You may have picked up from our recent association celebration and AGM that we have welcomed Bethel Baptist Church in Llantwit Major to the South Wales Baptist Association.

For this prayer focus we invite you to watch the video showing something of their church life, as Rob May, regional minister, speaks with Phil Hilbert, minister at Bethel.

The film will no doubt encourage us to respond in prayer in different ways, but particular items that are mentioned are

The church's welcome and response to refugees in their town
Work amongst the many schools in the area
Welcome to their new youth worker, Jodie
The practical help shown to people in need through Food Bank

Prayer Focus 85 Hope English Baptist Church, Gelli

Hope English Baptist Church is located in the village of Gelli in the Rhondda Fawr. Gelli is a former coal mining community and shares many of the challenges common to such communities.

The congregation is mainly elderly, but remains active and open to seeking opportunities for witness to the local community.

Following the departure in 2019 of our joint pastors, David and Mary Morgan, the church is without a minister. We are grateful for those men and women, both ordained and lay, who lead our services throughout the year.

Hope is an active fellowship. As well as our two Sunday services, there are a variety of activities taking place throughout the week. A weekly Coffee Afternoon is held every Monday, where members of the community meet to share fellowship and raise funds for various charities. On Tuesday, church members meet for Bible Study. Several years ago, the decision was made to change our mid-week fellowship from Women’s League to an open meeting for ladies and gentlemen. Every Thursday evening, Hope Youth Club meets (aged 9 – 14) for games, craft and plenty of fun. There is also a time of reflection on a Bible story and a prayer.

We give thanks to God for 125 years of worship and witness at the heart of the community of Gelli.
We give thanks for the opportunities we have to share our faith with members of the community, especially the young people of Hope Youth Club.
We pray that God will continue to guide and support us, that we may faithfully serve Him and let the light of The Gospel continue to shine in our community.
We pray that the church will grow in faith and service and that more will be drawn into the fellowship to share the love of Jesus with us.

Prayer Focus 84 Mount Calvary Baptist Church, Swansea

We are privileged to join with friends at Mount Calvary as they share prayer news with the association churches:

"We pray for God to revive his church in this nation, so that we as a small part of the wider church might share in the blessing of seeing people redeemed through God’s Salvation found in Jesus.

Also for the continuing growth of our youth and community outreach work, including:

Our Toddler Group, as we start a new year that local families will attend, to meet and make supportive friendships with others and as they hear the word of God through the songs and stories delivered, recognise the love of God for them shown through the people who lead the group.

For the development of the clothes and food banks, that they will further reach the families who need to access them and they receive the support required in difficult times. In addition, for the ongoing support and donations of clothes when needed and weekly food collection from people.

Pray for the increasing number of children attending on a Sunday morning, that they will have open hearts to learn about Jesus's love and sacrifice for them. We pray that they will focus on putting attendance on Sundays first and not be distracted by secular activities.

Pray for those facing health challenges, for God’s healing.

Finally, pray for all those who support the outreach work in the various ways of prayer, financially, ability and time. Asking the Lord for new people to come forward who are willing to support and join this work so it can grow in God's name within the community.

Blessings from Mt. Calvary Baptist, Swansea"

Prayer Focus 83 High Street Baptist Church, Merthyr Tydfil

High Street Baptist Church, as the name suggests, is situated on the High Street and right at the heart of the town centre community of Merthyr Tydfil, nestled just below the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog). The church was founded in 1807 but the present chapel was opened in June 1841, with the church hall being added in 1929. The church is made up of both young and old, from early twenties to mid-nineties, with a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures. We have recently restarted a Sunday school with creative activities based on Bible readings and themes for that particular week. We are fortunate to have a number of musicians, teachers, youth workers and even a stage and screen actress, all of whom bring something different to the life of the church.

Our Minister, David Powell has been with the church for nine years, firstly as an attendee, a baptised member, secretary and has just completed his second year of studies at the Cardiff Baptist College. David’s passion for hospitality and leadership has given the church a new lease of life, helped by a committed and faithful team supporting and working with him. David is also a chorister with Dowlais Male and Con Voce choirs, trustee and treasurer of the South Wales Baptist Association and is a keen football supporter, as well as Chaplain of Merthyr Town FC.

As a church we meet weekly every Sunday morning at 11am for Praise and Worship with Communion led by our Minister. We are fortunate too to have a number of visiting Ministers and preachers who cover the pulpit when needed. Although traditional in its setting, we blend old and new music from pipe organ to piano, and recently we have had a number of families attend, so we have been able to provide creative activities for the children. We also meet bi-monthly for a Bible study/ discussion group informally in the vestry.

Our church hall hosts a quite a number of local groups and organisations on a weekly basis, with two choirs, two slimming world groups, fitness classes, local history groups, health, wellbeing and mindfulness sessions, childcare activities, Women’s Institute and forums for cost of living/ funding advice. This brings much needed income into the church, but has proved a great way of building relationships, networking and extending the table for all who come through the doors. Complementing these activities, the church runs a Friendship Centre every Thursday where people living on their own or feeling lonely can make new friends whilst having a hot meal and refreshments. This and other activities have proved successful in terms of mission because we have seen people ‘cross the bridge’, as it were, from the hall to the church. Our weekly coffee mornings are also an opportunity for friends to meet up, providing a safe and warm space for anyone who might need a cuppa and a piece of toast to start their day.

Annually, the church is involved in the Mission to Wales, welcoming and hosting mission teams from New Hope Baptist Church, Atlanta, USA and Holland Road Baptist Church, Brighton to bring a message of hope to the communities they visit. In years gone by, over a hundred people each July have come to Merthyr Tydfil and South Wales to spread the Good News of the Gospel in schools, rugby and football clubs, churches and other community settings. This enables us as a church to link up with other churches and work together in seeking out the lost and bringing more people to Jesus.

Being the Chaplain of Merthyr Town Football Club, our Minister saw his vision of a Garden of Remembrance realised following the loss of a number of supporters during the pandemic. This has been a great way of connecting non-believers with the church, in the hope that a seed may be planted, and they may come to faith through nature, reflection and remembrance. David is also invited to lead funerals in the community and has established great connections with all denominations and their leaders.

For Prayer

We give thanks for God’s faithfulness. There were several times when the doors of the church could easily have closed, but thanks to faithful and committed members we have gone from a church on the brink of closure to being a healthy Christian community, inclusive and welcoming to all who want to know Jesus. We give thanks for the community groups and organisations that regularly meet in the church hall and for the community who support fundraising events, concerts and activities.

Prayers would be appreciated for our Minister, as he completes year two of studies and prepares for the final year. Prayers for a good balance of work, rest and play, as well as for the people he ministers to on a weekly basis.
Prayers for the children’s ministry, its leaders, the children and parents, that they may feel encouraged and blessed in their creativity and discussions.
Prayers for the Leadership team, for wisdom and guidance in the decision-making processes of the church, particularly when it comes to sometimes difficult and uncomfortable situations.
Prayers for church members who are experiencing ill health, at home, in care and in hospital.
Prayers for Mission to Wales 2023, particularly for those who will connect with the community, the primary and secondary schools' teams, music and worship leaders, men and women’s fellowship meetings, youth clubs, and all those who share the love of God with others. May hearts and lives be transformed!

Prayer Focus 82 Ebenezzer Baptist Church, Llanbradach

Ebenezer, Llanbradach was founded in 1905 as an offshoot of Mount Carmel to enable English speaking Baptists to worship in their own village rather than walk the 3 miles to Caerphilly 2 or 3 times on a Sunday. Ebenezer is now the only Church in the village still open. We have welcomed folk from the other churches as they have closed due to problems with their buildings or lack of members. We now have 25 members, several of whom are housebound, but have many others who come along regularly to share in the church’s life and ministry. Pastor Clive has ministered here part time for 9 years, although he supported the church in an unpaid capacity for 5 or 6 years before that. Under his teaching the church has flourished and last year we were led to call a Youth Worker, Wynford, to restart the children’s and young people’s work that was closed during Covid. So successful has this been that the 5 to 11 group may have to close their books to new members due to lack of space. The 11+ group which started in January now has 14 members who come along on a Saturday evening for games, refreshments and to hear the gospel and discuss its impact on people’s lives.

We would ask you to pray for our leadership team, Clive, Wynford and the deacons as they steer the church in the direction God wants us to go: to help us use our resources fruitfully and shine in our village. We would also value your prayers for our children and young people and those on the fringes of the church that they may come to know Jesus as their own personal Saviour and confess him as their Lord.

Prayer Focus 81 Greenfield Baptist Church, Llanelli

Greenfield has been part of the community of Llanelli since 1858 when two Welsh language churches saw the need for an 'English cause’ for those who came from the West Country and Midlands seeking work in the highly industrial expanding town of the nineteenth century. By today Greenfield remains at the heart of the community with a congregation made up of all ages and backgrounds. We have an active Youth Work on Sundays and in the week at our mother church at Bethel led by Lisa Isaac, who is in her second year of training for Ministry at the Cardiff Baptist College, and the Junior church team at Greenfield.

For the last five years our weekly ‘Soup Station’ has welcomed over thirty ‘guests’ who are homeless or sofa surfing. Many are now our friends and with such relationships comes the opportunity of sharing the good news of Jesus. With most local churches no longer having a Sunday evening service we regularly welcome friends from those churches to our evening service. Coming mainly from Welsh language churches our Sunday evening services are often bilingual and this has added a new and welcome dimension to our worship. We thank God for those new to the church who have joined with us since the Covid lockdown, one who was recently baptised. Like many other churches we upload a weekly Sunday morning service and Tuesday ‘thought’ on YouTube and Facebook.

Please pray for:

Lisa’s youth and mission among young adults at Bethel and the ‘Junior church’, that our children and young people may come to know and trust in Jesus.
The ‘Soup Station’ which is increasing in numbers that we may continue to have the resources as we seek to meet the needs of those who rely on us for help and support.
The future ministry of Greenfield. That we may always seek the Lord’s will as how best to serve and share the good news of the Gospel in an increasingly changing community.

Prayer Focus 80 Ely Baptist Church, Cardiff

Ely, in Cardiff, has been in the news this week following the tragic deaths of two teenagers, Harvey Evans and Kyrees Sullivan, following a crash whilst riding an electric bike. Rumours on social media suggested this happened following a police chase and this led to ‘large scale disorder’, with vehicles set on fire and people throwing fireworks and missiles.

New Ely Church - a Baptist church located on a roundabout – was mentioned in the Police timeline of events leading up to the accident. Dave Pritchard is the pastor of New Ely Church and we met with him to see what impact the events of recent days have had.

On Tuesday, the day after the accident, they held their weekly youth club. Thirty eight young people attended and it was an opportunity for some of them to be able to work through some of the emotions they were experiencing. A toddler group took place on the Tuesday morning and was again a place for local people to be together and to share their feelings.

Ely is an area of low income and Dave has many plans about possible ways to impact the community. First, though, there is a great deal of building repair that needs to be undertaken. In fact when we met with Dave, he was busy alongside a couple of other volunteers in extensive repairs and renovations to the building.

Please pray for:
Those who are mourning the death of Harvey and Kyrees
The community of Ely as they seek to come to terms with the events of this week.
New Ely Church and Dave Pritchard as they seek to share the love of Jesus with the community, and for God to send a 'worship leader' to serve in the church.
The weekly youth club and toddler group – that they will be places where people discover who Jesus truly is.
More volunteers with DIY skills – Dave is aiming to get more of the building available for use as soon as possible. The church cannot afford to pay someone to do the work and is relying on the good will of others.

Prayer Focus 79 Eden Church

Eden Church is committed to serving its local community in a friendly and relevant way. It shares a building with Stanwell Road Baptist Church in Penarth.

The leaders ask for prayer for

Our growing partnership between Eden and Stanwell Road Baptist Church
Wisdom to know how to serve our community effectively
‘Spice of Life’ - our outreach ministry to older people. Pray that they have a great time as they meet on Saturday afternoon and experience fun, friendship and God’s presence
Our Alpha course
Our Youth Ministry run in partnership with other churches in the town
Our Ministry to Parents and Toddlers

Thank you, God, for Eden Church, for the plans and purposes you have for the believers there. May they serve you faithfully in Penarth and beyond, bringing Good News in Jesus' name. Amen.

Prayer Focus 78 Ebbw Bridge Baptist Church

Ebbw Bridge Baptist church finds itself next to the Ebbw River and the grounds of Tredegar Park, in Newport, to the East of the M4.

It is a small fellowship seeking to faithfully meet and show Christian care.

Please remember them in prayer as they worship and pray together.

May God give then the strength to support older members
May God show how they may effectively serve him in this part of Newport

Prayer Focus 76 Ebenezer Baptist Church, Neath

Ebenezer Baptist Church is situated in the Melin, a disadvantaged area of Neath. There is a lot of social housing, significant social deprivation and hardship. Ebenezer has a history of pastoring in the community as well as the church, and this is done through the support of families and the local school, which has been led by our recently retired Pastor Lynn Maddocks. This has resulted in a renewal in church life and it is now normal to see new people join our congregation on a Sunday and during the week. A normal Sunday congregation is at least 35 and sometimes 40 plus. Sunday worship is lively and involves the participation of all ages. Lynn has been part of the church for many years and became our pastor after the retirement of our previous minister, Reverend Cliff Thomas. Even though Pastor Lynn Maddocks has retired he is still involved in some of the services and Sunday School. He has also been nominated to become a Deacon of the church.

Our Sunday Service is followed by cakes, tea and coffee served at beautifully laid tables. Virtually everyone stays, as we all enjoy being together.
On Mondays we hold our weekly Breakfast Club/Warm Hub. Everyone is welcome. This week as well as the usuals attending we also saw children calling in before school with their mums, a local councillor holding a meeting around one of the tables and a man who arrived in great distress. We were able to warm him up, offer him food and then contact people who were more qualified to help him. The needs are always there, just present differently each week. We also have a small food bank which we share with our guests if they are in need.
We are currently running a weekly Alpha course on a Tuesday. On Wednesday evenings we see the building jampacked for Kids club. There is no room for everyone that wants to come so we have to have a waiting list.
A sewing club brings people together and is held on a Tuesday and Thursday. The sewing club raises a lot of money for the Community.

For Prayer

Please pray and give thanks for our Pastor Lynn Maddocks. We are grateful for his leadership and example. Please pray for him and his wife Anita as he retires and for us as we face the next phase in our church life.
Please pray and give thanks for our growing congregation and may God continue to bless us.
Please pray that we will be aware of all the God given opportunities that keep bubbling up and give us the courage to respond.
Please pray for our church as we consider future ministry.
Please pray for all our children who attend our Kids Club, that God would guide them and protect them.

Prayer Focus 75 Corporation Road Baptist Church, Newport

Corporation Road Baptist Church in Newport was formed in 1896, as a branch of Summer Hill Road Baptist Church, to meet the great spiritual need of the many people moving into the area towards the end of the 19th century. At one time, in the 19th century, there were three chapels on the present site. The current church was initially the church hall, built by its members at the end of the 1950s. It contains a baptismal pool , which both of the current leaders were baptised in over the years.

Toilets were added to the building by friends of the church in the 1990s.

Though many of its members lived on into their 90s, slowly over time the numbers receded. Again, over the last few years, none of our members contracted Covid, though remaining open throughout the pandemic, when legal, with a few people passing away and another few having to move away, numbers fell.

We continue worshipping week by week, at 11am, with a faithful congregation and a good supply of lay preachers. Despite the number of people professing to be non-Christian in the latest census, we earnestly pray that we could grow our numbers. Over the last year or so God has sent a few children to attend and we pray that from this their lives may be turned around and that they will come and support the gospel message in our area.

So we ask that Christians may pray for us so that the gospel message will continue to be preached in our locality and the church may continue to have an influence. We also ask you to pray for those attending that they may grow spiritually and be emboldened in sharing Christ’s message wherever they may be.

Prayer Focus 74 Croes y Parc Chapel

Croes y Parc Chapel can be found in Peterson super Ely in the Vale of Glamorgan and was first established in 1776. A lot has changed over the years, as you would expect with such a long history. In recent times the chapel has seen growth and has welcomed a number of young families.

The pastor at Croes y Parc is Tom Pridham and he has served the community here for 18 years. With his team, a lively worshipping community fellowship has developed. Messy Church is a feature in the church's schedule, and a crafters group. A Wellbeing Journey is due to start later on in March.

The church meets for worship at 10.30 am on Sundays and house groups meet throughout the week.

For prayer

Give thanks for the encouragements the church has seen - baptisms at the end of last year, a wide age-range of people attending, and positive engagements with the community.

Please pray

For a funeral of a long standing member this coming week, that it will be a great celebration of his life
For the forthcoming Wellbeing course, that it will connect with people in need
For health and strength for leaders and workers in the church, as they serve Christ.

Prayer Focus 73 Crane Street Church

Crane Street Church is in Pontypool and was founded in 1836. It has a non-stipendiary minister, Revd Avlan Richards Clarke who has been the minister of the church for over 20 years.

The church meets weekly for worship on a Sunday and they are very much a community church. They support the community through a food bank and providing warm clothing. They run a craft group and have coffee mornings on Wednesdays. The church is very much a place where people can come during the week and sit in a quiet place. Crane Street church enjoys good relationships with the other churches in Pontypool.

During the Covid pandemic the church lost members to illness and some others have not returned. A few new people have started attending, but numbers are still lower than previously. There's a desire to restart the Bible study and prayer meeting again, but there are not enough people at the moment.

Give thanks

For those who take care of the building and provide a warm welcome, during the week
The committed workers who serve so faithfully
The long ministry of Revd Alvan

Please pray

For new people to commit to serving in the church
For favour with grant applications to repair the building
For fruit from the church's witness in the town.

Prayer Focus 72 Cross Hands Christian Centre

Cross Hands is reputed to get its name as the place where prisoners intended for jail in Swansea and Carmarthen were exchanged and is to be found 12 miles east of Carmarthen. Cross Hands Christian Centre has a mainly elderly congregation with a few younger adults also in attendance with their families.

Although Cross Hands Christian Centre doesn't currently have a pastor, that doesn't stop the members from having a big heart for the local community. Thanks to the faithfulness of God, they've almost finished the ground floor annexe to the rear of the main church building and are looking forward to providing facilities for a community centre for Cross Hands.

The church meet every Sunday morning from 11am for worship and monthly on Wednesdays to pray for the community.

Please give thanks for:

* God's protection during COVID. Despite a number of vulnerable member's catching COVID, everyone has returned to corporate worship.

* God's provision for the building project. The community centre is three fire doors away from being able to open to the community.

Please pray for:

* Opportunities to be "salt and light" in the local community.

* Clarity and wisdom in how best to serve.

* Favour from the local authority in seeking to sign off the building project.

Prayer Focus 69 Coedpenmaen Community Church, Pontypridd

Coedpenmaen Community Church is located in the town of Pontypridd, specifically the area of Trallwn. There are a mix of ages in the church, from young families to the elderly. A few children attend on a Sunday morning but more come along to the Tuesday night Youth Club.

The current ministers are Meilyr Rees and Laura Barnhouse (who is currently on maternity leave).

The church currently has 2 Sunday services – An all age service in the morning and a traditional service in the evening. As part of our weekly schedule we have a weekly prayer meeting, youth clubs, Bible study, and toddler group.

We also seek to serve our community and so as part of that we run a café on a Wednesday lunchtime where people can get a cheap 2 course meal and a hot drink – this is quite popular!
We’re also currently offering a Warm Welcome Space on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays in the afternoons.

For Prayer

Give thanks for the love and unity of the church at this current time.
Give thanks for seeing a steady stream of new people attending the church throughout the last year.
Pray for the safe delivery of Laura’s baby and to bless her time on maternity leave.
Pray to protect the unity of the church moving forward.
Pray to be able to reach more people and to see others come to know Jesus for themselves.

Prayer Focus 68 Central Baptist Church Tredegar

Central Baptist Church can be found in the town of Tredegar in Blaenau Gwent. Tredegar is a former industrial town of around 16,000 inhabitants. Christian Jones has been the pastor at the church for around 8 years in total, and is encouraged that the congregation in the church is growing. At the moment they have about 40 people gathering together, of different ages, and they were pleased to welcome 11 new people into membership at the close of 2022.

The Church is active in outreach and works with the Open Air Mission team once a month on the streets of Tredegar. It's fruitful work as they discover people who want to know more about the Lord Jesus and how to follow him.

They having an active children's ministry which has seen effective outreach with puppets, especially at Easter, Christmas and in holiday clubs.

The church is about to relaunch its regular coffee mornings as 'Coffee & Company', being a Warm Hub, but also a place where the church can build some good relationships with its neighbours.

New Facebook and website pages are about to go live, and it is a busy season in the life of the church.

For thanks

New life in Jesus, and new people joining the fellowship
People willing to help out and use their skills in the ministries of the church
The launch of the new Warm Hub

Please pray

For Pastor Christian as he manages mission and pastoral care in an increasingly busy church
For loving discernment to know what is best
For protection for the whole fellowship as they step out in faith

Prayer focus 67 Canton Uniting Church, Cardiff

Canton Uniting Church can be found in the bustling suburb of Canton in West Cardiff, on the corner of Cowbridge Road East and Theobald Road. It is an ecumenical church formed from Baptist and URC traditions. Today the church community is more diverse incorporating many traditions and backgrounds. It is part of a pastorate of 6 churches in Cardiff and Penarth, which are served by the URC ministers Revd Martha McInnes and Revd David Dean.

The church meets for worship on Sundays at 10.30 am. A key part of church life is the church's worship music group. Those who are rusty can come along and practise together with others, or even learn an instrument for the first time. This enriches worship, and also is a good way for members of the fellowship to get to know one another better.

The church has a garden which produces flowers and vegetables. Vegetables are free to those who pass by, in need of fresh produce.

We give thanks

For the gifts of music and art that enrich the church and build community.
For those who use the building - youth groups, musicians, speakers, and this 'wider fellowship' .
For a sense of God's presence seen in other people and in nature.

We pray

For guidance as the church buildings are redeveloped with the needs of the community at the centre.
For a renewed garden space, providing a place of peace for passers-by.
For the leaders and ministers who serve the church, that they will be sustained and guided in the year ahead..

Prayer Focus 66 Christchurch United Church, Llanedeyrn, Cardiff

Christchurch was founded in the late 1960s to provide a Christian presence in the new Llanedeyrn estate from its inception. The Hall was built first and for some time was the only community facility in the area; it was heavily used by the church and Council and even housed the local Post Office for a while! The church building followed in the late 1970s. Llanedeyrn is a mixed development of social and privately-owned housing; after 50+ years many of the properties are showing their age although significant regeneration has been taking place in the last five years; this includes a new shopping centre, a library and community hub, and a health and wellbeing centre, together with some new housing. The area is blessed with green space and wooded areas but it is by no means wealthy and includes several pockets of high deprivation. Its road layout means that it is relatively cut-off from other parts of north Cardiff although well served by buses.

The congregation is varied; many members are now in the older age bracket but we have recently been delighted to welcome an influx of younger families, mostly African. Covid inevitably affected our life and work although we managed to reopen earlier than most churches, which helped to keep the congregation together. A typical Sunday morning sees a gathering of around 45 adults with 10 children and young people although this can vary widely! Worship might be described as “informally formal” and still includes an interactive “children’s talk” before the young people leave for Junior Church (they return to “report back” at the end of the service). We don’t have any musicians so must use recorded music – not ideal but we’re used to it!

Since its foundation Christchurch has been determinedly ecumenical, playing a key role in the “East Cardiff Ecumenical Mission Partnership”. This began in the 1970s and was seen as a model for the future but changing circumstances have made it increasingly fragile in recent years. However the church still maintains strong links with the local Church in Wales Ministry Area – it was happy to host the congregation of All Saints’ Church during the pandemic while their normal school venue was unavailable, and a joint Communion service has recently taken place.

The Minister, Andrew Kleissner, arrived in April 2017 after missionary service in West Africa followed by ministry in London and Ipswich. He and his wife Moira, a former Primary School teacher, were rather surprised to be moving to Wales as it had never figured on their “radar”, however they have been very happy to make it their home!

The church is involved in several different activities beyond Sunday worship. A well-established Playgroup with paid and volunteer staff opens every morning during term-time; this has recently transitioned to being a CIO although care was taken to make sure that it remains under the church’s control. A small Parents and Tots group, run by church members, has recently restarted on Wednesday afternoons.

Work among children and young people has always been a key feature of what we do, and we seem to have been fortunate in retaining connections with many of our teenagers. As well as Junior Church we run a noisy and hectic ‘open’ Youth Club on Friday evenings for about 30 children and young people of upper Primary and Secondary age. Many of those who attend go away for an Activity Weekend in May at a Christian centre in Gloucestershire.

Tuesday evenings see our “Players” group rehearsing. Not only are their January Pantos and smaller-scale summer performances highlights of our church year, but this activity has proved to be a “way in” to church for a number of people over the years. Our hall is also used by thriving Scout and Guide groups; these are not ‘sponsored’ by the church but do maintain reasonably good links – we were delighted to hold a Parade service in October.

A major “all hands on deck” event each August is our Holiday Bible Club, attracting over 50 children for five mornings. This has often included a visit to the beach at Barry Island and culminates in a zany Sunday service followed by a shared lunch. Obviously the pandemic heavily impacted the Club although we did manage to run a limited online version in 2020 and a smaller-than-usual live event in 2021 before returning to normal this year. However we are becoming increasingly “stretched” for volunteers and may have to trim our programme in the future.

Our annual Christmas Market not only raises funds but has become an important community event: one local Councillor describes it as “the traditional start of Christmas in Llanedeyrn”! However it isn’t our only Christmassy activity as for several years we have collaborated with our Anglican friends in a Christmas appeal, buying supermarket vouchers that are distributed to needy families through local schools. We also run “Carol Aid” when we invite the choirs from two or three local primary schools to sing to us, join together in other carols, and raise funds for two charities. This year’s event – the first for three years – will be on December 9th and we’ll be highlighting the work of Tŷ Hafan and the Cardiff Foodbank.

Christchurch is a warm and happy fellowship. However it does face significant challenges, especially as it is highly dependent on a small group of hugely dedicated volunteers. They do get tired and it would be wonderful if other helpers could step up and take a share of the load.

And finally … The Minister takes occasional Assemblies at the nearby Primary School. He loves it when children see him at the shops or bus stop and say, “You were at our school and you talked about Jesus”!

For Prayer

We are thankful for those who have joined our church family in recent months and hope that they will become integrated into the fellowship.
We are thankful for our young people and would love them to make a definite Christian commitment.
Many families in our neighbourhood will struggle with the costs of Christmas; we hope that our Appeal will ease the burden for some.
We don’t find it easy to share our faith with the wider community, and need a renewed vison and fresh ideas for doing this.

Prayer Focus 65 Beulah Baptist Church, Dowlais

Beulah Baptist Church is found in the village of Dowlais in the County Borough of Merthyr Tydfil.

Dowlais is best known for its industrial heritage, particularly the ironworks and associated industries.

Beulah Baptist Church is a friendly Christian community where all are welcome to join in worship and service to God. The emphasis is on learning and understanding the Bible and following the example of Jesus and his followers.

The current congregation is small, of around 10-12 people, and is mostly made up of older people. Those who gather together have formed a really close bond and do their best to encourage one another to 'keep on keeping on'. They meet up if anyone in their fellowship has a birthday, to make sure that all are valued and celebrated.

Please give thanks for faithful witness over many years, and for strength in the face of challenging times in the lives of individuals and the church community.

Prayer Focus 64 Bethel Baptist Church, Cardiff

Bethel_Baptist_Church,_Whitchurch,_Cardiff_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1725286.jpg

bethel:whitchurch

Who we are:
Bethel is a Baptist Church in the village of Whitchurch, in the North of Cardiff. We’re just over the crossroads after the main row of shops, so we’re pretty central geographically – but spiritually too, seeking to be right at the centre of the community is really important to us!
Core to our DNA as a fellowship is being a welcoming church to people of all ages, and the congregation is a great mix of different ages!
Our minister is Rev. Jonathan Vaughan-Davies, who joined as a student from the Baptist college in 2002, and was called to be assistant minister back in 2004! He is now our minister, and we are really blessed to have a part-time Church Support Worker (Lorraine Vernon) who looks after administration, a full-time Youth and Schools Worker (Tim Barker), as well as a cleaner (Janet Baker). Together they make a really great team!

What we’re up to these days:
Like other churches, Covid-19 gave us an opportunity to stop and take stock of where we were going as a church. We have tried to take the time to prayerfully reflect, and discern together where God might be leading us.

- { bless } – Discipleship groups
One of the things we believe God has been calling us to focus on as we are seeking to rebuild is discipleship. Our minister, Jon, has created some new resources called { bless } seeking to explore what it means to follow Jesus, with accountability and honesty built into the fabric of them. We have now run that course three times, and 40+ people (of all ages!) have journeyed together towards deeper and deliberate discipleship!

- Free-food Market
Once a month we clear the church of chairs and set-up a free food market for people to come and collect whatever it is they need. The food is donated by both local supermarkets and members of the congregation. There are 20+ people who access that service regularly, and conversations are deepening, and relationships are growing. There is also a simple prayer space that may be accessed for people while they are there. At a time when the cost of living is so high, it is such a blessing to provide a shame-free place where love and support can be expressed practically.

- Chatty Crafters
A new group, which began life on zoom, has been blossoming in-person. It is a space for people to come and share in hobbies and friendship together. This too has seen growth – in frequency, in numbers attending, but more importantly in depth of fellowship. Loneliness and isolation are sadly big issues in our day, and to see people connecting deeply together is a beautiful thing!

- Youth and Schools Work
During the pandemic, Tim (our youth and schools worker) created some online resources for schools to use in lessons and assemblies and these were really well received!
Even when restrictions were lifted, schools were naturally still cautious about returning to post-pandemic patterns. But increasingly we have seen confidence growing, and it has been great to be able to be back in schools seeking to share something of love and hope of Jesus with children and young people!

What we’re praying for:
We give thanks for:
- The goodness and faithfulness of God to us over the years, God of Blessing - we bless You!
- The people who have joined us during and since the pandemic, God of Love - we love You!
- The opportunities God gives us to serve others, God of Hope – we put our hope in You!

We pray for:
- Jon, our minister, who is currently seconded for a day a week to the Association and is exploring areas of digital mission and online communication with them. God, lead and guide him for Your glory.
- Our staff as they explore creative ways to share in the work of Jesus and support the work of the Church. God, fill and use them for Your glory.
- Our leadership team as they continue to seek God’s will and serve faithfully among us. God, inspire and encourage them for Your glory.
- This Christmas, and the opportunities for mission (Pantomime, Carol concert, Schools Work, Local Art Collection) – God, stir and send us for your glory.

Prayer Focus 63 Bethlehem English Baptist Church, Thomastown

Bethlehem English Baptist Church is one of just two churches operating in the ex-mining village of Thomastown (lower Rhondda Valley). Planted originally by the nearby Tonyrefail Welsh Baptist Church in 1910/11. As the coal mine and the local community expanded God gave to the local Welsh speaking church the vision of a local church for the Thomastown / Coed Ely community. In 1911 the Tonyrefail congregation marched the mile or so to Thomastown and held its first service in an upper room.

After a little while the church had grown sufficiently for the congregation to move to a purpose built, wooden frame, corrugated iron sheet chapel. With the closure of the local coal mine and the accompanying economic decline the community contracted and slipped into poverty and deprivation. The classic Welsh valley story. Twenty years ago the present modern building was opened. The church is in a great position, directly opposite the local school and surrounded by houses. The local community has expanded dramatically over the last twenty years with the development of a number of new housing estates. The population has grown considerably and has changed into something of a green space commuter hub.

Today the church has a worshipping community of approximately twenty five. The departure of the previous Pastor after eighteen years quickly followed by the Covid pandemic had serious implications for the church. A very familiar story, members dying, members leaving and some not returning after the pandemic.

The 2022 congregation is predominantly retired but there are a few green shoots. Easter 2022 saw the present Pastor, Andrew Hubbard, baptise two new Christians and welcome in five new church members.

Following on from the Covid lockdowns the church is just beginning to re-establish its weekly programme. Two Sunday services, a well attended prayer meeting and Bible study (over half of the regular congregation attend), a Craft Group and the most recent activity, ‘Coffee, Chat and Play’, a drop in group for parents/carers who have dropped off their children at the school.

Prayer Requests -

We give thanks -

For the connections that are being built with the local nursery and school. Also, the great building/facilities that we have.
For the growing desire within the congregation to reach out into the local community.

We pray for -

Blessed conversations as the nursery and school use the church for their Christmas celebrations.
The launch of a new Christmas Eve candlelit service.
An increase in the number of parents and toddlers attending ‘Coffee,Chat & Play’.
Wisdom and guidance as the church develops a new midweek group for young people.
A pianist - presently we have no musicians and have to rely on CD accompaniment.

Prayer Focus 62 Carmel Church, Blaenllechau and Ferndale

At our recent AGM and celebration we were delighted to welcome Carmel Church to the Association. We watched a video about the life and ministry of the church, which we share with you here.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFDr2AKVB6g

Carmel is a small valleys church, and their minister is Revd Owen Griffiths. They are a smallish congregation of around 20 people, with an average age of 40. They are passionate about serving their valleys community.

Please pray for them as they respond to a community struggling with poverty, especially with their amazing clothing bank.

Give thanks for their counselling service and the new Sunday evening faith discussion group.

We look forward to getting to know Carmel better and working together in the association for God's glory.

Prayer Focus 61 Carmel Baptist Church, Llanharan

Carmel Baptist Church is located in Bridgend Road in the village of Llanharan.

The congregation is a mix of ages, with a few children, through to senior citizens.

Rev Stephen Pare is the minister and has been since March 2021.

We share Sunday Worship at 11 am and then on Wednesdays we have informal worship with coffee/tea and a chat and shared contributions from many of those present.

On Friday we have ‘Fun time’ for parents and toddlers at 10am, part of our outreach, another part of which is our Foodbank outlet which also operates on Friday from 10:30am - 12noon. This also involves providing free meals during school holidays for children eligible for free school meals, for those from the three Primary schools locally.
Part of our outreach has been providing local Primary Schools with suitable materials at Christmas and Easter.

For Prayer

Thanking God for our continued witness in the community and through members' lives despite Covid
Also for a Fellowship that shows a love for their Lord and for the new folk who have joined us in worship since 2021
Something to pray for is a return of friends who have been absent because of Covid and for a growth in children and young people sharing in our faith life.

Also for Stephen and the Deacons as they continue to support and help the fellowship grow and understand and live out their faith day by day

Prayer Focus 60 Bethel Central Church, Maesteg

Firstly we would all like as a fellowship to praise and thank God for His faithfulness and provision. During the Covid pandemic and for several years, the fellowship was burdened with financial and resource issues. However, since November 2021, we have decided to return to our Baptist roots and take a different direction in many ways. Furthermore, we have appointed a new Minister, Cory Stuart Price, who has worked closely with the fellowship and has patiently implemented a culture change.

Changing the culture within any organisation is very difficult, yet the membership has embraced change and has actively participated in each area with youthful exuberance. Despite the advancing years of some of our congregation, it is quite astonishing what we have achieved together with the right heart for change. The eldership and members are thankful for the achievements, including painting the main chapel, vestry, hall, office and the upstairs conference room, which also had five new UPVC windows. We plan to renovate our church in incremental steps, room by room.

We would be grateful if you would join us in prayer for wisdom, humility and discernment, for all the Lord has done and all that He is going to do to facilitate these blessings!

We also continue to look to him, like many association churches, for financial resources, musicians and equipment.

Prayer Focus 59 Alfred Tilly Memorial Baptist Church (Rumney Baptist)

Our church is located in the old village area of Rumney to the East of Cardiff. We are in a predominately residential area. The area has expanded over the last century to become a major suburb of the city. Our church buildings are on a residential side road not a main thoroughfare.

Our congregation is middle-aged to elderly, however we are delighted that one of our younger attendees is to be baptised in the coming weeks.
No doubt like many churches we have come out of Covid very slowly with many housebound or still not having the confidence to mix in public. We keep in touch with them via our Website, the Tilly Times (our regular newsletter) which is posted to all, and we have a member who makes regular phone calls to those not attending to have a chat and see if they would like a visit from one of our deacons/members.

We have been searching for some time for a replacement full-time Minister. We have a very active Ministerial group comprising of our Deacons and members of our congregation.

We have recently re-commenced a monthly coffee and fellowship morning, where we hosted a member from London City Mission, who shared with us his work at the LCM Corner House Project.

Our recent Hymns of Harvest service to which attendees were encouraged to bring friends and family was followed by a two course home cooked lunch and dessert prepared by three of our Members.

Jelly Beans, our Parent & Toddler group, meets every Friday in term time and has a very good attendance, which provides a mission base.

We have extensive hall buildings within our grounds and these were refurbished prior to Covid. All of our original users returned, plus many more, so much so that we have a footfall to our buildings of 400+ per week. We see this as the base for our future mission into our Community to rebuild attendances. We just need the Lord’s leader.

With Christmas fast approaching we are preparing for Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes, an activity that many of our members enjoy putting together. We are looking forward to once again being able to welcome Rumney Primary School back into our buildings for their Christmas carol concerts.
Following last year’s success we are also hoping to build up our presence within the community with our Family Carol’s by Candlelight service.

Our members and friends are always very generous in gifting much needed finance for improvements to our infrastructure. A new sound system has been installed in our sanctuary together with a much needed organ deck with the IT requirements for modern worship. The existing organ console and pipes will be retained as it is an important part of our building. The new technology is to be incorporated within it, with the assistance of some expert tradesmen, to whom we are very grateful.

For Prayer

We give grateful thanks for:

Our church family, members and friends
The blessing of our wonderful hurch buildings & facilities
Those who give up a lot of time in the background to deal with the admin and paperwork required to keep the church running
Our many hall and facility users: Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Adult Guides, Taekwondo, Zumba, Healthy Hearts, Wine Guild, Health Care Training, Slimming World & Towns Women Guild, Children’s Birthday Parties.
The potential to be hope & light within our community

We pray for:

All those of our church family who are unwell, lonely or struggling in some way, may our God bring them comfort & peace
Guidance, strength and encouragement as we wait on the Lord for His person to lead us
Opportunities to open up with our users and the community around us, may we be guided in the right way to welcome them and make a difference
Help and patience, when it comes to technology and the ongoing maintenance of our buildings

Prayer Focus 58 Calfaria Baptist Chapel, Nelson

Calfaria Baptist Chapel can be found in the centre of the village of Nelson. The chapel congregation is faithful, friendly and welcoming. It is made up of a combination of older ladies and gentlemen with some middle-aged adults. We have a morning service only on a Sunday due to the falling numbers attending the evening service. We have Bible Study and Prayer time once a week which gives us the opportunity to study the Bible and learn more about our Saviour. It is also a time when we can pray for the future of the chapel, its growth and opportunities to witness to others. We are blessed to have a small group of children attending Junior Church and we relish the time they spend with us at the beginning of our Sunday service. The children have not been able to perform a Christmas nativity since before the coronavirus pandemic so we are looking forward to it this year, as it is always a delight. Since lock down our youth work has ceased.

We have an exceptionally good pulpit secretary who invites visiting ministers to lead our weekly Sunday service.

We were very grateful for the support we received from the Baptist Association during the pandemic when the chapel deacons had to make difficult decisions.

We run a Coffee Morning which members of the congregation enjoy and it attracts people from the community who will hopefully one day join us in worship. As a way of reaching out to the community each year we design and print a chapel calendar which is delivered to all the residents of Nelson.

For Prayer

That God would be glorified in all things
For the gospel to be preached
For the whole congregation to be witnesses to the love, hope and salvation of God
For the community to respond to a call to worship
For the deacons to meet the spiritual as well as the managerial needs of the chapel
For the deacons to have wisdom as they carry out their duties
For God’s guidance and protection

Prayer Focus 57 Calvary Baptist Chapel, Cefn Cribbwr

Calvary Baptist Chapel is located in the village of Cefn Cribbwr just a few miles west of Bridgend. It began as an outreach from Carey Baptist Church, Tondu, Sunday services were held in a cottage in the village and Sunday School was held in the local primary school. The chapel was built on a freehold plot of land in 1904. The formation of the chapel took place on Good Friday April 21 1905 and the first communion service on Easter Sunday 23 April 1905.

The present membership is small and elderly but warm and faithful in the love of the Lord Jesus.
Calvary is involved with the activities of three other churches in the village, namely Pentecostal, Welsh Baptist, and Methodist.

At Easter we are all involved in the planting of the cross on the common which takes place on the Saturday prior to Easter week. At one time the cross was carried through the village before being planted, but due to elderly members this is not possible.

Calvary is also involved in "Open the Book" but sorrowfully due to the pandemic we no longer have access into the schools.

On 5th Sept 2021 at the communion service we received a member into fellowship giving thanks unto the Lord.

The Minister is Pastor Ken Adams.

Prayer :---We thank our Heavenly Father that he meets the needs of the fellowship, physically, financially and spiritually and for his presence and blessings every Sunday afternoon.
We continually pray for the time when we are able once again to take the message of the Lord Jesus into the Cefn schools through "Open the Book".

Prayer Focus 56 Bryn Sion Baptist Church, Trecynon

Bryn Sion is located in the centre of the village of Trecynon, in the upper Cynon valley.
Our church family is made up all ages from newborns to those in their nineties.
Ian Ross is our pastor who serves along with the church Leadership Team. We have a youth and community missioner, and in recent years have run internship and gap year programmes.

We have a good connection to local schools, and our pastor and youth team lead assemblies. Our youth and community missioner along with two of our young leaders are about to launch a project delivering wellbeing sessions in local schools. Our Open the Book team, made up mainly of some of our retired members, is a big hit with the children at Aberdare Park Primary School. Other community activities include Coffee Mornings, Toddlers, Kids Club, and After School Family Fun.

We run Alpha followed by another group we call Getting Started, and then run preparing for baptism sessions. God in his grace continues to add to our number people coming to saving faith in Christ, and we have had the joy of celebrating baptisms year in year out for the past 7 years. Last Saturday another 6 were baptised at a beach baptism. It was a wonderful public witness with lots gathered for the baptisms and many others who joined the crowd to listen to the testimonies and the Gospel being shared. We will be planning another indoor baptism soon.Those who come to faith are encouraged to join a connect group. We have groups starting with those in school years 5 and 6, through to our youth groups and ‘twenties table’, and other connect groups. We want to be a church family that is plugged into Christ’s life, connected up in Christ’s love, and shining out Christ’s light.

We were recently presented with an open door to extend our mission and ministry to the village of Hirwaun (a large village at the head of the Cynon valley). Zion Baptist Church was on the verge of closing and our members unanimously agreed to establish a missional team to continue the work there. There is a small church building which the team can use. We are currently in a season of prayer about the future of the mission there.

Prayer – One of our biggest challenges is our building. We are unable to use our Trecynon chapel building due to deterioration in its plaster work ceiling, and we want to redevelop the building for mission. The building is grade II listed and this is making the whole process very slow. We are quickly outgrowing the community centre we currently meet in on Sundays. Prayer would be appreciated.

Prayer – Please pray for the new opening in Hirwaun.
Thanks – For those who have put their faith in Christ and recently been baptized.
Thanks – For open doors in local schools, people’s hearts, and in Hirwaun.

Prayer Focus 55 Orchard Place Baptist Church, Neath

Please pray for our church fellowship at Orchard Place, Neath.
We are now in our 4th year without a pastor.

We have been blessed with many wonderful times of worship and visiting ministers throughout this time. Our thanks in particular go to our retired pastor, Rev Dr Karen Smith, who supported us through the COVID crisis by providing worship material which we were able to distribute to our congregation and friends during that time.

We are still searching for Our Lord’s next steps for us in terms of pastor and ministry as we have entered the post-COVID era.

We are currently holding 2 Sunday services with Junior Church in the morning. Now the summer holidays are over we will be re-starting our ‘Little Steps’ parent &toddler group on Monday and Tuesday mornings. A women’s meeting will be held on Thursday afternoon, Bible study and prayer meeting on Tuesday evening and another opportunity for Bible study in the form of ‘Issues of Faith’ on another morning during the week.
We are looking for more opportunities to serve the Lord in this community but must admit to being tired and jaded after all this time. We are stable and ‘treading water’ but this is not enough for us.

We seek ‘help from Macedonia’ or anywhere else for that matter to help us in leadership and direction.
Please pray for us as we continue to seek next steps in Our Lord’s ministry here.

May God’s will be done we pray – but soon!

Prayer Focus 54: Broad Haven Baptist Church

The congregation during a ‘Haven Sunday’

Love your Neighbour Sunday 2022

Broad Haven Baptist Church is the most westerly church in SWBA and can be found in the heart of the Pembrokeshire seaside village of Broad Haven.

The church is made up of a range of ages, with some members living in the village, and others travelling a short distance to the church from Haverfordwest or from neighbouring villages. We have full membership with both Baptists Together and the Baptist Union of Wales and enjoy the fellowship and support of both Unions and regional teams.

Helen Dare has been our minister since October 2011.

The church has been well embedded in the community for many years. We have strong links with the local primary school and playgroup and we enjoy welcoming both groups to our church building as well as the weekly opportunity our minister has to visit the school.

In recent years we have started a Christmas Eve event for the village (The Broad Haven Stable Trail) which now sees around a hundred people from the community meeting for craft and food before setting off around the village to ‘discover’ the characters from the nativity and tell the Christmas story as we go. As we restarted this after Covid, our good relationship with the school meant we could host this on the school playground, which meant we were able to share the Christmas story safely, but also with some people we’d never met before, because the route was shorter and more accessible. We are grateful for the ways in which things develop in ways we could never have envisaged!

During 2022 we have opened a weekly Renew Wellbeing café called ‘The Haven’. We have been encouraged by the way in which it is already making a difference in the lives of those who come: some from the church, and other people from the locality who haven’t previously been part of our church. We’ve also developed this to shape our Sunday worship pattern and now, the fourth Sunday of the month is ‘The Haven Sunday’. We expand our space into the village hall, and add some tables with opportunities for Bible Study and prayer as well as the usual ones with games, jigsaws and art. Just like on Mondays we drink good coffee and have plenty of cake, and then close our time together with fifteen minutes of worship and a very short reflection. We hope that this will help us as a fellowship grow in our relationships with each other and in our discipleship, but also that this will be a more accessible way of experiencing church for those who might be new. We’ve loved our first few experiences of this as young and old have spent time together getting to know each other and share what is important to them with others.

When there are five Sundays in a month, we hold ‘Love Your Neighbour Sunday’. On this day, our worship is our action rather than our songs and prayers. This year we cleared the primary school garden ready for the children to develop it into a Wellbeing Garden. We also delivered small gifts of cake to the businesses in Little Haven and Broad Haven, and small edible ‘survival’ kits for those stewarding at the Little Haven Regatta that day. We love blessing our community in this way and the conversations that it opens up!

For Prayer

Give thanks for the people coming to The Haven on Mondays
Give thanks for the connections we have with businesses, community groups, school and playgroup.
Pray for our upcoming official ‘launch’ event for The Haven at which we hope to meet community stakeholders, and representatives from GP surgeries and the local mental health team.
Pray that our connections with people in the village would lead to conversations about Jesus and a growing interest in why we do what we do locally.

Prayer Focus 53: Bethel Baptist Church, Pontyclun

Our church building is located in Pontyclun in the county of Rhondda Cynon Taff

Bethel is a lovely mix of age, gender and nationalities, with people from India, Philippines, Mauritius, Nigeria, Syria, USA and South Africa.

We have a ministry team, which includes Alex Brown, John Hall and Kyle Parry.

At Bethel the ministries vary from Bethel Babies to Silver Lining for seniors, with a variety of Youth and Children’s groups, sports and crafts, to outreach and evangelism.

Our Pastoral care ministry has grown significantly since the pandemic. A new branch of care is the Blue Skies café which exists to support people who have been bereaved.

The main backbone of Bethel is our Life groups which start with children from year 5 and 6 to our seniors, where our eldest participant is 92

Most of all we exist “to make Jesus known” and to do our best as a Church to “Love God and Love others”

For Prayer

We thank God for His transforming presence, moulding and shaping us to be his reflection in our families and communities.
We thank God for constantly building His church, in the past, today and the future.
Please pray for the “Ablaze” Holiday Club that runs from 16th-19th August for 4-11’s
Please pray as we begin a significant 40 days of prayer season, which commences on 31stAugust; That the Holy Spirit speaks and moves in us as individuals, for the sake of His church and that we would act on what we hear, in Jesus name.

Prayer Focus 52: Bethel Baptist Church, Hawthorn

Bethel Baptist Church is located in the village of Hawthorn, just a few miles from the centre of Pontypridd.
The church was initially “planted out” from Calvary Baptist Church, Treforest, in December 1903. The current chapel was built on a freehold site purchased for £176, and the total cost for building the chapel was £420. First services at Bethel were held on Sunday 14th and Monday 15th April 1907. In July 1910, 39 members of Calvary, who lived in the vicinity of Bethel were transferred to Bethel.

Like many chapels, Bethel has experienced much over the years. The current membership is small in number but big in faith, comprising largely of elderly people, but with a few slightly younger members. The recent Jubilee Celebrations has seen a renewed interest in the chapel and it has been good to welcome new attendees at services as well as those returning after lockdown. Sadly, the Sunday School and midweek children’s work ceased pre-COVID lockdown and has not recommenced, largely due to lack of interest within the local community. Hawthorn has seen new housing being built over recent years, but attempts to reach new residents have proved unsuccessful, thus far.

The current minister is Rev Andrew McLaughlin who came to Bethel as a Lay Pastor in 2009 alongside his work at the Welsh Assembly Government. After a period as Minister in Training whilst he studied at the South Wales Baptist College, he was subsequently ordained in 2014. Andrew also oversees the work at Beulah, Cilfynydd.

Still recovering from the period of lockdown, regular weekly Sunday Services, Bible Study and Prayer Meetings are held. The local Hawthorn Pensioners Group and a community Knitting Group also make use of the premises during the week.

Bethel supports the local Pontypridd Foodbank, as well as Operation Agri, BMS World Mission and other BUGB led work. It has also been actively involved with the local community and local churches in various Platinum Jubilee events held over this past year, including hosting the Service of Thanksgiving followed by a Jubilee tea and assisting at “The Teddy Bears’ Picnic” amongst them. October will see a week of “Remembrance”, in conjunction with Rhydyfelin Methodist Church, to remember those lost through bereavement over these past two years, culminating in a Service of Remembrance. Additionally, following the success of last year’s Community Christmas Carols, there are plans to hold another event this year.

For Prayer

Thankfulness to God for His faithfulness, protection and guidance over these past 115 years, and especially throughout the past 2 years.
Thankfulness for the positive signs of interest over these past few weeks especially, and for the determined enthusiasm of a church body that will not give up or give in, and thankfulness for involvement in local community events.
Praying for further opportunities to reach into the community with the gospel in very relevant ways.

Praying that Bethel continues to be a prayer-filled church with prayer-filled and spirit-led lives. We pray that He will lead us and guide us, so that we might be His ambassadors in this community and the world. We look forward, prayerfully, to great blessings from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Prayer Focus 51: Castleton Baptist Church

Castleton Baptist Church can be found in the village of Marshfield, between Cardiff and Newport on the A48. As such it is considered a Village Church with many of our members being long standing members of the communities of Castleton and Marshfield and the surrounding areas. We have a range of folk that participate in worship with us. Currently our youngest member is 2 years old whilst our oldest is well into their nineties. We have a range of people in between from working folk to a great group of energetic retirees.

The current Minister is Reverend Rafael De Lima, and he has been in post since 2017. It has been a bumpy road navigating the last couple of years through the Covid Pandemic, but the congregation is finally settled back to normal worship and re-starting engagement with discipleship and evangelism.

For a little village church we are very busy in engaging with all sorts of activities. Most recently we have been able to re-start our Chat & Craft and Coffee Morning Groups which are very well attended by both community and church members. Since the Pandemic we have also started a Sing & Play toddlers' group which has been a great way to serve the community and to engage with people that feel the last few years have been increasingly hard.

Most recently we have been able to receive a group from North America that came to help us with our Holiday Club initiative. It was great to serve the group and allow them to engage in Mission whilst coming even closer to the community to serve them and bring Jesus into the conversation.

For Prayer

We give thanks that the church has returned to normal public worship post Covid and is starting to show signs of growth both spiritually and physically.
We are thankful for our Holiday Club and the contacts that were made during the week.
Pray for those who have not yet returned to worship after the Pandemic, that we will be able to re-engage with those who are struggling and draw them back into the fold of the church.
Pray for a renewed sense of focus for the Collective and all the individuals amongst the Church community.

Prayer Focus 50: Beulah Baptist Church, Cilfynydd

Beulah Baptist Church is located in the village of Cilfynydd, in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, just a mile north of Pontypridd and 13 miles north of Cardiff. It is a former mining community – Albion Colliery - and suffered three mining accidents in the space of 10 years – March 1886 (2 fatalities), November 1886 (4 fatalities) and then on 23rd June 1894 (290 men and boys and 123 horses amongst the fatalities). The mine was closed in 1966.

Founded by Rev J Bosher (Abertridwr) and Mrs J Canning (Abercynon), Beulah was originally a church plant but not from any “mother church” and held its first services on Sunday 14th April 1889. Building began on the current site on Wood Street in 1890 and opened on Sunday 12th April 1891. Like many chapels it has seen days of rich blessing as well as days of challenge. The current membership stands at 17, most of whom are more senior in years. Sadly, the children and youth work had to stop a few years ago due to lack of personnel to help.

In addition to his responsibilities at Bethel, Hawthorn, Rev. Andrew McLaughlin provides pastoral support and leads services on the last Sunday of each month, as well as the weekly Bible Study / Prayer Meeting.

Beulah regularly supports the Pontypridd Foodbank, as well as supporting the work of BMS World Mission and Operation Agri. Currently, the building is in use by the Cilfynydd Community Foodshare Hub whilst the local Community Centre is undergoing renovations. Just this week saw the restart of the Coffee Mornings after being closed for the past 2 years and there are plans to develop this as a “drop in” centre with knitting, crafts and activities being arranged.

For Prayer

We give thanks for the fact that the chapel is open and functioning.
We give thanks for the faithfulness of the local leadership, as well as the membership of the chapel in their worship and continued support of the chapel.
We pray for further opportunities to reach into the community, and the development of the recommenced Coffee Morning and the desire to see it as a place where people can come and spend time together and to try and tackle the loneliness felt by so many.

Ultimately, we pray to see people won for Christ and to see lives changed – dispelling the feeling of hopelessness with hope.

Prayer Focus 48: Bethel Baptist Church, Church Village

Bethel Baptist Church serves the community of Church Village which is close to Pontypridd.

It seeks to be a loving, friendly community that worships God, and serves others. The church places a high priority on teaching from the Bible and following the example of Jesus.

The church was founded in 1917 and Huw Wakefield has been the pastor there since 1996.

The church has around 20 adults gathering for worship with a few children.

Church Village is home to The Lifelong Learning Centre opened in September 2006. It is part of Gartholwg Community Campus, that also includes:

•Ysgol Gyfun Gartholwg
•Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Garth Olwg
•Garth Olwg Nursery
•Church Village Community Library
•Gartholwg Youth Centre

We give thanks to God for

The faithful service of pastor Huw and his family over many years
The caring fellowship at Bethel
The great community facilities that exist in Church Village

For prayer

That the church will see growth
That they will find ways to have a greater influence in the community, so that Christ might be magnified.

Prayer Focus 47: Bethel Baptist Church, Penyrheol

Bethel Baptist Church in in Penyrheol, which is located a couple of miles from the centre of Caerphilly, close to three quite different communities and estates.

We have a range of people who are part of our church, from those in their 30s to a few in their 80s, and we also have a few children from time to time.

Andy Ralph has been minister of the church for 23 years (and a member for 32 years).

The vision of the church is to be a blessing to the lonely and needy in our community. We run social gatherings and Kintsugi Hope Wellbeing Groups. We work closely with other churches in Caerphilly in mission projects, such as Club 707 (the joint churches’ youth, children and schools ministry) and Caerphilly Street Pastors. We have a large ‘Musical Tots’ group, and lead joint Bible Study groups with other churches. We are involved in outreach into the neighbouring village of Senghenydd.

For prayer

We give thanks for –

New Christians and baptisms in the last 12 months;
The love and care shown within the fellowship and beyond;

Please join us in praying for

The families involved with Social Services who meet in our building;
Our vision to increase the community involvement of the fellowship and use of the building.

Prayer Focus 46: Bethany Baptist Church, Risca

Bethany Baptist Church is situated on the main street of Risca. We were established over one hundred and sixty years ago to meet the needs of the then growing English speaking community. Today, Risca itself is quite a vibrant busy town. Although being on the M4 corridor with easy access to Newport, Cardiff, and Bristol, the town itself and the large housing estates on the periphery have become dormitories with many commuting out of the area daily. It is fair to say that we are a smallish church fellowship in a huge expensive to maintain, listed building which because of restrictions is difficult to adapt for modern worship. These days our congregation is made-up older people, although just recently we have started to attract one or two younger folks

Like many churches we have suffered as a result of Covid. Prior to the lock downs we had a number of meetings which at the moment have been difficult to re establish including our very successful mothers and toddler’s group.
Our minister the Revd. Ian Waugh has been with us now for coming up to twenty-one years.

Although Covid brought some difficulties which we are still working through, the Covid experience has not however been totally negative, it has caused us to move out of our comfort zone and start to re-examine mission and ministry for the twenty first century. So, having an inkling of what was coming, prior to the first lock down we established our weekly online service, prayer meeting and Bible Study, something we would have never considered before. These continue complementing our normal services and allowing us to not only to minister to the needs of those from the church who are ill or housebound, but to a world-wide fellowship which at the height of the Pandemic reached during one particular month half a million people. Seeing this obvious opportunity, we have converted one of the rooms within the church into a permanent “green room” studio. On Mothering Sunday, it was fantastic to do an “Afternoon Tea Service” in Bethany, which enabled people from both our online community and our church congregation meet in person for the first time. Another huge step forward brought about by the pandemic was the introduction and installation of a multi-media system within the church. As soon as the lockdowns eased our Friends Together Group, which is a weekly social gathering for those who are lonely within the community was quickly re-established, together with our coffee morning and opening the church for private prayer and reflection. As I have already stated some meetings that took place within the church prior to Covid have not been re started, this in itself is a great opportunity to re imagine those meetings and look at alternatives more relevant to today’s society.

For Prayer

For God’s continuing blessing on our church and fellowship.
For bringing us through the Pandemic in such a way that our ministry has grown and as a church for the first time we really are going out to the whole world as Jesus told us to.
Pray for guidance and discernment as to how to re imaging and re-establish groups especially our mothers and toddler’s group but also how to attract children and young families into the church.
Pray for resources both in the shape of finances and people to enable us to widen our vision for the future of the church, its outreach and the upkeep and maintenance of the building which is desperately in need of a new roof.

Prayer Focus 45: Bethany Baptist Church, Swansea

The church is in the Swansea suburb of West Cross next to Mumbles and has an elderly majority.
The church appointed a new Pastor, James Scott, in September 2021 having come to Swansea from South East England with his wife and 3 children.

We have the pleasure of hosting a 'Forget-Me-Not' Dementia Day Club each week in the church hall, hosted by volunteers from the church. The club welcomes people with dementia and their carers from the community to come and meet in a social environment, to enjoy friendship together.
As a church, we also partner with other local churches to run a branch of Christians Against Poverty in Swansea, to provide free debt help and support to the local community.

For Prayer

We thank God for new people who have been coming regularly in recent months.

We thank God for technology that is allowing ill and frail church members to access our meetings and still receive regular Bible teaching and talk with each other.

We pray for more links with our local community, that God would guide us in outreach opportunities and give us boldness to proclaim the gospel.

We pray for continued growth and unity of the church as well as for younger families to be drawn into fellowship with us.

Prayer Focus 44: Mount Carmel Baptist Church, Caerphilly

Photos from a Valentine's family celebration service

Mount Carmel English Baptist Church was founded in 1874 when certain members of the sister Welsh Baptist church at Tonyfelin (established 1784) had felt the need of an English Baptist cause in Caerphilly. They were supported by Doctor Davies, the famous blind preacher from Swansea (Y Pregrthwr Dall). The project was placed in the hands of Rev Alfred Tilley of Tredegarville, Cardiff (a famous organiser of new churches) and the Rev W Morgan of Maesycwmmer. The Church was eventually formed on 23rd September 1874.
We currently have 45 active members who meet regularly, and we have contact with about 30 children who meet in our weekly Wednesday children’s club as well as 20 young people who meet each Friday in Youth Group.
Our Minister is the Reverend Rhiannon Francis who came to us many times as a student while in college many moons ago, and we were glad to call her as our Pastor in July 2021. She was Inducted to the Pastorate in October 2021 when she began her ministry with us.

As Covid restrictions started to lift, we, like everyone else, were able to restart some of our meetings, groups, and missional activities. However, the time when everything stopped has also given us an opportunity to look at the activities we have done in the past, and discern whether we want to restart them. So at this current time, we are trying to discern what we should restart, what we should stop, and what avenues we would like to explore for future missional activities.

At this time, our Ladies Fellowship Group meets every Monday with various inspirational speakers each week. Carmel Kidz meets every Wednesday, and Youth Group meets on Fridays. We have restarted Family Celebration Services each term where we have welcomed families who are involved with the children’s and youth activities.
We support the work of Christian Aid through our joint Lenten Lunches as well as collecting money outside local supermarkets. This year, we were encouraged as we collected more money on a wet and cold day outside one supermarket than we had ever done before.

Give thanks for the amazing way that God has led us through the past few years with many a hiccup to delay seeking a Minister, then bringing us to a point right in the middle of the global pandemic, to reveal His plans for to fill our pastoral vacancy. So many things came together at the right time it could only be God's plan for both us as a church and Rhiannon.
We give thanks for the ongoing children’s and youth work
We give thanks that the church is seeking the future position in the community and what role we need to support.

Pray for the resources both personnel and financial, for the future work Mount Carmel will be involved in.
Pray that we might recognise the needs and create new opportunities to serve the community in which we are placed.
Pray for help so we might “look outside the box” to face the challenge of bringing the young and old together as one fellowship.

Prayer Focus 43 Bethany Baptist church, Rhiwbina, Cardiff

Bethany is a historic Cardiff Church, having been founded in the centre of the city in 1806. The congregation moved to the garden village suburb of Rhiwbina in 1964 and still occupies a prominent location in Heol Llanishen Fach. We have always been known as a community church and offer traditional worship which is based around a warm welcome for all and weekly Communion. Our buildings are large and well maintained and offer a resource to many community activities and a twice weekly drop in coffee shop. Recent years though have been marked with decline and the church has struggled to reach out to a younger audience. Rev Phil Dunning has been the minister here since 2004.

During COVID we embraced the online world far more than ever before and have consistently offered uploads of services and are now installing live streaming facilities. As well as our traditional morning services, we provide ‘Lighthouse LIVE’ fortnightly which is currently on Facebook and links worship with live teaching ‘from home’ aimed at youth and families. Our drop in coffee shop links with our mid week worship on a Thursday and a vibrant karate group who use the church hall on a Saturday morning. We have been able to chat with the parents and promote Jesus and the church’s work. We have recently begun again our successful ladies afternoon fellowship group on a Tuesday afternoon and our Wednesday Toddler group – reaching out to the children and parents of the local school. We are prayerfully moving these activities forward and looking to begin to experiment with new and more effective forms of worship and outreach. We meet for prayer and Bible study ‘hybrid’ each week.

For Prayer

We give thanks to God for the consistency of our life together and ministry, and the faithfulness of church members in supporting our work, in-spite of lockdowns.
We give thanks for new initiatives we have begun again, and a far more intentional engagement with many who use our buildings each week.
We pray for a better use of technology, in both of the styles of worship we offer, and that this will be consistent and professional.
We pray for our mostly elderly congregation, many of whom are now struggling and receive care at home.

Prayer Focus 42 Cwmmera Baptist Church, Llanvetherine

Cwmmera Baptist Church is to be found on the Old Ross Road in Llanvetherine, near Abergavenny.

Llanvetherine is also near Whitecastle, one of three important border castles built by the Marcher Lords after the Norman invasion, to control this sector of the Welsh Marches.

Offa's Dyke long distance footpath passes through the village, which is a very rural location, but has some camping and caravanning sites in the vicinity.

The church has a small congregation made up of mostly older people. They are always glad to welcome visitors.

Give thanks for a recent visit from a Cardiff Baptist College student to lead the worship - the church were delighted to share fellowship and hear from God's word together.

Please pray that others from the village would join them, especially some younger families.

They send a warm invitation to their Sankey evening on 13th June at 7pm, and best wishes to all in the South Wales Baptist Association.

Prayer Focus 41 Belmont Tremorfa Family Church

We are a church in the heart of Tremorfa, an estate in Cardiff. We are a family of people from all ages (0-101) and from diverse backgrounds.

We are called to embrace our name as a 'family church' by being a loving community for those within and outside the church. We have a heart for the lonely, lost and least and want to share the good news of Jesus in word and in deed through the power of the Spirit.

We are currently led by a team of 3 elders (Ken Bell, Geraint Probert & Matt Nicholas), with support from deacons and ministry leaders. We are blessed to have Matt as our Youth and Community Pastor who is employed full time by the church. We also have many dedicated members who serve the church and the people of Tremorfa with faithfulness and love.

We are grateful to God that he has been growing our church family, especially amongst children. God has been sending us these children and we pray that whole families would come to know the Lord and become a part of our church family. What a privilege it is to share Jesus with these little ones and their families.

To give you a flavour, regular ministries include:

Girls' Brigade and Boys' Brigade. The girls have recently celebrated their 40th anniversary!
A toddler group connecting with local parents;
A bible-based youth session that reaches local unchurched young people;
Summer Holiday Bible Club;
Men and women's groups;
Prayer ministry, including a monthly whole-church prayer meeting
Weekly chaplaincy in a local High school and regular assemblies in a local primary school

We are entering a season of desperate prayer for God to break through and provide for his kingdom to take root and flourish in Tremorfa. As we reach the end of ourselves, he has shown us that Christ is enough.

Please give thanks for:

Baptisms: 2 people baptised on Easter Sunday, as we celebrated the risen Jesus. It was a wonderful occasion hearing stories of lives changed by God.
God's faithfulness to us. We have had difficult seasons, but we are seeing God move amongst his people and in our area of Tremorfa. We take the opposition we encounter as encouragement that we are doing something right!
Growth: in numbers and in loving community.

Please pray for:

Workers for the harvest field: As we see the church grow, we ask that the Lord of the harvest call more people to serve shoulder to shoulder with us for the Gospel.
Partnerships for the Gospel: the blessing of unity for the churches of our area, our city and beyond, with spiritual and practical support.
Finance: we are not called to self-sufficiency, but to God-sufficiency. The Lord will provide for all our needs as we seek, in faith, to advance the light and life of the Gospel of Jesus the King.
Power: an increase in spiritual gifting, boldness and breakthrough.

Thank you and be blessed in the name of Jesus. Peace, grace and love from your brothers and sisters at Belmont Tremorfa Family Church.

Prayer Focus 40 Ararat Baptist Church, Cardiff

Ararat Baptist Church is in the large village of Whitchurch, to the north of Cardiff.

The church family is made up of a good range of ages, from young families and children to more elderly people. Some live in Whitchurch itself and have attended the church for a long time, others travel in or have only recently arrived in the Cardiff area.

Gethin Russell-Jones is the minister and has been at the church since 2018. Rachel Powell is the children and families worker in the church.

The church has many spaces into which the community are invited throughout the week. In 2018 the Ark Community Cafe was opened which offers hospitality and friendship to hundreds of local people every day of the week. This is the site of a Renew Wellbeing cafe where 'It's Ok not to be OK' . Many local groups use the facilities in the Ark on their way to health, hobby and craft groups in other parts of the church building.

Story telling sessions are held here, where local people can explore life and faith through shared stories, songs and creativity. The recently launched 'Common Men' and 'Common Ground' groups share faith and activities together.

Parent and toddler groups are very busy, along with a thriving Messy Church programme, Brigades and holiday clubs.

Older folk are invited to a midweek meal preceded by a short message and time of worship.

The church is seeking to reach out into the community in many different ways, and give a warm welcome to all, whoever they are and wherever they come from.

Please give thanks for

A healthy children's ministry at the centre of the church, where children and young families feel welcome and can grow in faith
The Ark, which gives space and hospitality to so many throughout the week

Please pray for

Conversations around the use of 'the sanctuary' and how it can become more accessible for worship and prayer for a wider group of people
The development of a ministry for youth and young adults

Prayer Focus 39 Ainon Baptist Church, Cardiff

Ainon’s ‘Seniors’ Lunch Club

Ainon Baptist Church is located in the village of Tongwynlais, on the northern edge of Cardiff. Tongwynlais is close to the old villages of Whitchurch, Rhiwbina, Radyr, Morganstown and Gwaelod y Garth, which all form part of the wider North Cardiff area.

The Church attracts around 80 people on a Sunday, with a balance of ages and mix of families and our Sunday and mid-week ministries reflect this diverse age range.

Our minister, Phillip Lloyd, has been here since July 2019. In 2021, in pursuing God’s call on the Church, we embarked upon a building project to extend and refurbish the building, giving us more space and better facilities to engage with our community. After meeting on Sundays in the local village hall for nine months, we finally re-opened the building in February 2022.

Our vision is to impact our community, declaring the gospel in word and deed, speaking about Jesus and showing what He is like. Our heart is to be an ‘inside out’ church, or a ‘church without walls’, removing barriers so that broken people can be made new and whole again through the power of the Holy Spirit at work amongst us.

Currently, our Ainon community hub runs a Foodbank Centre, Lunch Club for Seniors, Parent/Toddler Group, Youth Club, a Wellbeing Session, a Children’s work and in partnership with Cardiff Council, a range of advice and support services accessed in the Church Building throughout the week.

For Prayer

Give thanks to God for the new building and facilities, enabling us to extend existing and offer new ministries
Give thanks for the impact the outreach and ministries are already having; we see God at work!
Pray for souls to be saved and lives to be transformed, all for the glory and honour of His Name
Pray for wisdom and guidance from the Lord, that we only do what He wants us to do!

Prayer Focus 38 Ainon Baptist Church, Bryncoch

Ainon Baptist is located in the heart of Bryncoch, a small village on the outskirts of Neath. It is a relatively affluent area and most of the congregation commute from areas outside the immediate village. The village has two primary schools but is not too far from a large comprehensive and the areas further education college.

Since Covid the Church has looked afresh at what, how and when it does things. This has resulted in the mid-week Bible study remaining online and the decision to hold only a morning service (previously we met in the morning and the evening). This has freed up space and time to move the youth fellowship from a Friday to Sunday evening.

For Prayer

Give thanks for the new youngsters coming on a Sunday evening
For the existing links Ainon has with the wider community through its Wednesday night men’s group and the Knitters and Natters outreach activity
That the right person would become available to help lead the youth and outreach activities of the Church
For those that have found it difficult or have lost the desire to return to Church and other activities following the pandemic

Prayer Focus 37 - Aenon Baptist Church, Morriston

Building Old / New

Refurbished worship area / new welcome area / new hall

Aenon is situated in Morriston, a bustling town of approx 17,000 people, steeped in industrial history, and is about four miles north of the city of Swansea. The Church premises have recently undergone a huge building transformation, with the demolition of the old hall, and rebuilding with a new fit for purpose hall, kitchen and welcome area, and a refurbishment of the worship area.

The Congregation has 37 members, and a number of regular additional attenders . The congregation is mostly female, and the ages range from late teens to much older. We also have some young children who attend regularly, and participate in Sunday School activities.

The Minister is Rev Phil Denyer, who was inducted on March 5th this year (2022). The previous minister, Keith Evans, retired from Aenon at the end of January, having served 11 years, and overseeing the new build project.

The Church runs a weekly Toddlers group, and also a weekly Bible study, and from the first Sunday in April will be returning to two services on a Sunday (since the pandemic only morning services have usually been held).

There is a Prayer Station held in the mornings during the week when the building is in use, and this welcomes people passing by to receive prayer, or to come in and reflect, or just enjoy a cup of tea.

The premises are also used by outside Community organisations, as well as the Local Indian Church (Pentecostal).

For Prayer

Something to give thanks for:

The New building;
That the congregation is being blessed in the early stages of a new Pastorate.
That people have returned following the pandemic, and they are excited to be worshipping.

Something to pray for

A number have recently contracted Covid (including the Pastor and his wife Elaine), so please pray that God will bring swift healing and restoration in Jesus’ name;
That those who have not yet returned will be encouraged and moved in the Spirit to return;
That God will pour out His Holy Spirit upon Morriston and open doors of opportunity for us to bless Him.

Prayer Focus 36 - Mount Zion Baptist Church, Glascoed

Mount Zion Baptist Chapel is the oldest surviving place of Christian worship in Glascoed, having been built in 1810. The minister here is Rev Bev Morgan who has served Mount Zion and Merchant's Hill Baptist Church in Pontnewynydd for well over 20 years. Derek Crump has been the secretary since 2007.

The fellowship meet together for worship at 3pm on Sunday afternoons. They are a small rural congregation of 10+ people, who are always keen to welcome new friends, and be inclusive and accessible. They also hold a monthly coffee morning. Until recently this welcomed a completely different group of people to those who attended on Sunday, but they have since seen people from the coffee group coming along to worship too, which has been a great encouragement.

Please give thanks for

New people coming to worship
Answered prayers for healing for friends in the fellowship
Good relations with the nearby Anglican Church
Fun family services once a month
The life of a well-loved member, Roger, of 90 years of age, sadly missed

Please pray for

The message of new life in Jesus to be clearly shared
Health and strength for Bev and Derek as they serve the church
Good connections with local people

Glascoed is a village in Monmouthshire. It is 3 miles east of Pontypool and 3 miles west of Usk. It is mostly associated with the former Royal Ordnance Factory, now BAE Systems, Glascoed. This factory provides employment for around 500 people, largely from the local area and produces approximately 80 per cent of the ‘general munitions’ consumed by UK Armed Forces for training and for front line operations.

Prayer Focus 35 - Elkington Road Baptist Church, Burry Port

We are based in the seaside towns of Burry Port and Pembrey, 5 miles from Llanelli, 12 miles from Carmarthen in West Wales. The growing population of 7000 residents is served by a number of Christian churches going back to the 5th Century. We were established over 120 years ago by the Welsh Baptists.

Most of the congregation are over 55 and determined to ensure the future witness in this lovely place. We rely on faithful lay preachers to ensure that the Word of God is preached publicly every Sunday.

A Prayer Group, a Ladies (BWL) group and ‘The Sunbeams’ (7-11yr olds) meet regularly having survived the lockdowns and our monthly ‘Family Services’ involve every group in worshipping and having fun.

The Sunbeams group has been serving 7 – 11yr old children for nearly 20 years and a reunion is planned.

For Prayer

The faithfulness of our older prayer warriors that they may continue and be valued.
The future plans for young people’s work and linking with our local high school
Clarity on the effective use of our Church and Hall
That our local streets will be touched by the love of Jesus
That our praise and worship will be free and unhindered by the restrictions of age.

Prayer Focus 34 - High Street Baptist Church, Abersychan

High Street Baptist Church, Abersychan was founded in 1827, and has use of a Grade 2 listed building, in well-kept grounds. Abersychan is to the north of Pontypool, in Torfaen.

Mrs Barbara Tucker has been church secretary for over 20 years, and the church does not have a minister. A small ageing congregation meet together on Thursday afternoons and the 2nd Sunday of the month.

The church gives thanks for support from local preachers who have helped them to be spiritually well-fed, and they are very faithful in prayer for the world, the local community and their fellowship.

They hope to improve disability access to the church with the installation of a ramp in the near future.

Please pray

Give thanks for faithful service over many years
Pray for the future. They would love to see new people with appropriate gifts become leaders in the church
Pray for the town of Abersychan - it's comprehensive and primary schools, and the witness of the other Baptist and Methodist churches in the town.

Prayer Focus

For Prayer

For prayer

The church is in the Swansea suburb of West Cross next to Mumbles and has an elderly majority. The church appointed a new Pastor, James Scott, in September 2021 having come to Swansea from South East England with his wife and 3 children.

For Prayer

Prayer Focus 44: Mount Carmel Baptist Church, Caerphilly

Prayer Focus 43 Bethany Baptist church, Rhiwbina, Cardiff

Prayer Focus 42 Cwmmera Baptist Church, Llanvetherine

Prayer Focus 41 Belmont Tremorfa Family Church

New people coming to worship

Answered prayers for healing for friends in the fellowship

Good relations with the nearby Anglican Church

Fun family services once a month

The life of a well-loved member, Roger, of 90 years of age, sadly missed

Please pray for

The message of new life in Jesus to be clearly shared

Health and strength for Bev and Derek as they serve the church

Good connections with local people

For Prayer

The faithfulness of our older prayer warriors that they may continue and be valued.

The future plans for young people’s work and linking with our local high school

Clarity on the effective use of our Church and Hall

That our local streets will be touched by the love of Jesus

That our praise and worship will be free and unhindered by the restrictions of age.

Prayer Focus 34 - High Street Baptist Church, Abersychan

Please pray

Give thanks for faithful service over many years

Pray for the future. They would love to see new people with appropriate gifts become leaders in the church

Pray for the town of Abersychan - it's comprehensive and primary schools, and the witness of the other Baptist and Methodist churches in the town.

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The church is in the Swansea suburb of West Cross next to Mumbles and has an elderly majority.
The church appointed a new Pastor, James Scott, in September 2021 having come to Swansea from South East England with his wife and 3 children.