Bethel Baptist Church

The Leadership Team at Bethel has responsibility for the general running of the church and for spiritual and practical oversight of the various groups and activities that take place.

The Church Meeting is the main forum through which the church is governed. Church members meet together quarterly to seek God’s direction for the church, to make necessary decisions and to share testimonies.

Church Membership is open to anybody who professes faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour and who has been baptised, or who has made a commitment through another Christian church tradition.

Find us

Jason — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 19:09:45 +0000

Bethel Baptist Church (CB24 4RP) is located in the village of Swavesey. Which is about 10 miles north west of Cambridge up the A14 and turn off at Cambridge Services Junction.

There are three Churches in Swavesey and we are the first Church you will meet from the A14 on the right and if you are coming through from the village of Over then we will be the third Church on the left.

We are also known as “The Church by the pond”.

History of the Church Building

Jason — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 19:03:11 +0000

Our Church came into existence in 1840 with a handful of people meeting in a home in Swavesey village.

In 1868 the building was built as a meeting place for the Church and today we still use these premises albeit they have been extended and refurbished several times since first coming into use.

Over time there have been changes made to the interior of the main church. This has involved the removal of the imposing pulpit from the platform together with the fixed wooden pews. More recently we have removed the stage and replaced this with temporary staging and joined the AV and Sound desks together. This allows a much more flexible use of the church, especially on Sunday mornings.

Housegroups

Jason — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 20:03:24 +0000

There are a number of House Groups that meet during the week, both in the daytime and the evening.

House Groups provide an opportunity to gather in small groups for fellowship; discussion, study and prayer.

All of the groups have study notes which are linked to the themes of the current sermon series, although the way in which the groups approach the studies varies.

There is no fixed model or structure to the House Groups. We believe that they should evolve to meet the needs of each group.

Above all we see House Groups as a place where we can support each other, laugh with each other, and sometimes cry with each other. A place where we can strengthen our faith, and grow our relationships with each other and with GodThere are a number of House Groups that meet during the week, both in the daytime and the evening.

House Groups provide an opportunity to gather in small groups for fellowship; discussion, study and prayer.

All of the groups have study notes which are linked to the themes of the current sermon series, although the way in which the groups approach the studies varies.

There is no fixed model or structure to the House Groups. We believe that they should evolve to meet the needs of each group.

House Group Meetings:

Hilton House Group: Meets at the home of Dave & Heather Chambers on a Tuesday evening from 8pm.

CHEW-IT House Group: Meets at the home of Jason & Becky Dear on a Tuesday evening from 7:30pm. A House Groups for Teenagers.

The Manse House Group: Meets at the home of David & Lucy Mann on a Wednesday evening from 8pm.

Thursday House Group: Meets at the home of Tony & Jenny Miles on a Thursday afternoon from 2:30pm.

Friday House Group: Meets at the Manse on a Friday morning from 9:15am.

Activities held in the church building

Jason — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 20:03:03 +0000

MONDAY

EXPLORERS – 6pm to 7pm

Key Stage 1 - a blend of fun and games, craft activities and some Christian themed activity or story.

ADVENTURERS – 6pm to 7pm

Key Stage 2 - a blend of fun and games, craft activities and some Christian themed activity or story.

SURVIVORS – 6pm to 7pm

Key Stage 3 - a blend of fun and games, craft activities and some Christian themed activity or story.

ESCENTIAL FITNESS – 7.15pm to 8.30pm

Fitness classes for women.

TUESDAY

COMBAT FITNESS – 9:15am to 10:30am

Fitness classes for women.

KIDS KARATE – 3:30pm to 4:30pm

Karate class for children of all abilities.

THURSDAY

COMPASS CAFE – 10:30am to 12:30pm

A weekly Fairtrade community coffee bar. Come and share a good cup of tea or coffee, some good company, and have a good chat!

WORSHIP GROUP PRACTICE – 7:30pm – 9:30pm

The worship group get together to practice material for Sunday.

FRIDAY

WILLOWS LUNCHEON CLUB – 12 Noon to 2:00pm

Lunch is prepared and served by members and friends of the church for a number of local residents

Community

Jason — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 19:58:01 +0000

We like to think our ourselves as one big family!

We come from a variety of denominational backgrounds and experiences, and we believe that this helps us to be an open, friendly and welcoming church.

Find out how you can get more involved with us:

Church Membership

Church Membership is open to anybody who professes faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour and who has been baptised, or who has made a commitment through another Christian church tradition.

We believe that Church Membership is an individual response to God’s sovereignty and Lordship.

We believe that it is by God’s will that we are led to worship at Bethel and that God’s leading is one of purpose – That He calls us to be a fully active part of the family that He is building up in this place.

When we become a Church Member we acknowledge and declare God’s sovereignty in our life and we commit ourselves to His purpose and to the fellowship.

Individuals wishing to become a Church Member should speak with one of the deacons or the minister.

Discipleship Courses

As Christians we recognise that we always have something new to learn; about God, ourselves and the call to mission and evangelism.

At Bethel we provide opportunities to grow in our discipleship through Sunday worship, House Groups and through short courses.

In 2008 we ran an Alpha Course and in 2010 we will be running a Simply Christianity course. More details about the Simply Christianity course will be coming soon!

Pastoral Care

At Bethel we recognise the importance of pastoral care within the fellowship and beyond.

Through the Pastoral Care Team we aim to maintain contact with all of the members and friends of the church and to offer practical help and assistance where possible.

Each week there is a designated member of the Pastoral Care Team who is ‘On-Call’. This person oversees the pastoral care for the week, and keeps in contact with the Pastoral Care Co-ordinator and the minister.

The Pastoral Care Team are ready and willing to visit individuals in their homes, and are able to provide Communion at home when requested.

Please use the Contact Us page to get in touch with us if you would like one of the team to visit or contact you.

Activities

Jason — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 19:57:47 +0000

There are a number of regular, established meetings that provide for different groups within the community, and we are regularly considering new opportunities.