Belle Vue Baptist Church seeks to be “a community of God, welcoming all and serving the world in Jesus’ name”

What does this mean?

“a community of God, welcoming all and serving the world in Jesus’ name”

It means we are not just a bunch of individuals, but a group of people seeking to support, encourage, watch over and walk with one another. That we are ‘a community’ means also that we are just one local part of the worldwide church.

“a community of God, welcoming all and serving the world in Jesus’ name”

It means we are not just a community like supporters of a football club or people who all go the same pub, we are about God and we seek to centre our lives on God. Who is this God? The God who raised Jesus from the dead and whose name is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

“a community of God, welcoming all and serving the world in Jesus’ name”

It means we are not a community that exists just for ourselves, but we want to welcome others into the church, in to a life of faith, and discover Jesus. Welcome doesn’t mean you stay the same, it means you will change (and so will we!).

This welcome is for everyone, whether you are young or old, male or female, black or white, rich or poor. The welcome of Jesus knows no exclusions.

“a community of God, welcoming all and serving the world in Jesus’ name”

It means we are a church that believes the key way we follow Jesus is to serve, to give ourselves away for the good of others. As God loves us, is committed to us, so we want to express that love and commitment to others.

It means we are a community that wants to serve the local community, but we also believe the good news of Jesus calls us to the ends of earth, and so we want to bless and serve the world wherever we can.

“a community of God, welcoming all and serving the world in Jesus’ name

It means that we don’t want to point to ourselves, but to Jesus. The name of Jesus is what we want people to hear about; the name of Jesus is what we want people to trust in.

It means also that we believe Jesus is alive and active in the world and in this church and we cannot be the kind of community that welcomes and serves without Jesus.