Welcome to the Alva Baptist Blog
Hello bloggers, this is the first post for this wee church in the Ochil hill foots region of Scotland. This is an exciting time not just because of this new blog but because God is definitely up to something in this wee village of Alva and the Alva Baptist Church.
About seven months ago Alva Baptist was seriously considering closing their doors as many other churches in Scotland have been doing recently. Right now there are on average two churches per week closing their doors in Scotland which is really sad considering the history of this once very great Christian nation.
Thankfully, that has not happened in Alva as David Barrie, youth pastor from Stirling Baptist sensed God had something else in mind concerning this church. David began the process through much prayer and consultation to encourage the believers at Alva in the faith and helping the church to move forward in many practical areas.
Thankfully, that has not happened in Alva as David Barrie, youth pastor from Stirling Baptist sensed God had something else in mind concerning this church. David began the process through much prayer and consultation to encourage the believers at Alva in the faith and helping the church to move forward in many practical areas.
In June a team from New Jersey came over to lead a holiday club in which as many as 35 kids showed up each day during the week. It was a major success and a great time for not only the kids but for the New Jersey team and the rest of those involved.
Since then, there has been a regular rota of preachers and worship leaders from different parts of Scotland and the regular attendance has gone from 6 people to around 30 for the Sunday morning service.
In November the church decided to hire Marc and Julie Hamer on staff as church workers. Marc will fill the pastoral position on an interim basis with Julie helping out in a number of areas including worship, events planning and Sunday school teaching among many other things.
Marc and Julie are originally from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, USA but have been living in Scotland with their three children for over two and a half years. Previous to their work with Alva Baptist, they helped in coordinating the 'Impact World Tour' evangelistic outreach in Kilmarnock, Stewarton, Ayr, Irvine and Tillicoultry. Prior to coming to Scotland, Marc served on staff with their home church in Pennsylvania as an assistant to the senior pastor for three years.
Stay tuned for other exciting things happening in the upcoming weeks and months ahead.
Since then, there has been a regular rota of preachers and worship leaders from different parts of Scotland and the regular attendance has gone from 6 people to around 30 for the Sunday morning service.
In November the church decided to hire Marc and Julie Hamer on staff as church workers. Marc will fill the pastoral position on an interim basis with Julie helping out in a number of areas including worship, events planning and Sunday school teaching among many other things.
Marc and Julie are originally from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, USA but have been living in Scotland with their three children for over two and a half years. Previous to their work with Alva Baptist, they helped in coordinating the 'Impact World Tour' evangelistic outreach in Kilmarnock, Stewarton, Ayr, Irvine and Tillicoultry. Prior to coming to Scotland, Marc served on staff with their home church in Pennsylvania as an assistant to the senior pastor for three years.
Stay tuned for other exciting things happening in the upcoming weeks and months ahead.
Comments
When can I come to the church!