Newquay
Believers from Cornwall and beyond gathered recently at Newquay Reformed Baptist Church to give thanks to God for two blessings – the church’s new extension and the 30th anniversary of Pastor Alan Mace. The service was led by Rev. Hywel Roberts, formerly of Penzance Baptist Church and a long-time friend of the Newquay church.
Those attending heard how the side extension has been a wonderful answer to prayer. The Lord provided through substantial help from the Grace Baptist Trust Corporation. The Corporation designed and built a compact two-storey extension that includes toilets, a kitchen and a second Sunday school room.
The promise of Matthew 19:26 – ‘with God, all things are possible’ – has been much in church members’ thoughts. The thanksgiving service also focused on the 30th anniversary of Pastor Mace.
Hywel Roberts talked of valuable fellowship with Alan at ministers’ fraternals in Cornwall. Mr Roberts preached on Acts 20:17-38 on how the gospel had ‘turned the world upside down’ and how similar preaching was needed today. A reception followed in which church members presented Alan and Wendy with a gift and bouquet.
Alan joined the church in the late 1970s, having been a Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Scripture Readers Association evangelist at Aldershot. Initially funds were short, as the Baptist church only had a dozen in the congregation, and Alan worked part-time for the church. However, he was able to go full-time when the Baptist churches at Penzance and Tuckingmill provided financial help.
Over the years, numbers attending Newquay have grown steadily and the church now has a Sunday school, youth club and web site. Its outreach includes leaflet distribution, and sometimes a bookstall in the precinct and open-air preaching.
In summertime, the pews are packed, as holiday-makers return each year, despite the chapel possibly being the hardest-to-find church building in Cornwall! However, the church does have a very helpful map on its web site: http://www.newquayreformedbaptist.org.uk
Looking back on his 30 years, Alan said, ‘We are grateful to God for enabling us to preach the Bible and the good news of Romans 6:23 at a time when so many churches have emptied or closed across Cornwall. Our philosophy has been: Only one life, it will soon be passed, only what’s done for Jesus will last’. Alan is continuing as the church’s pastor.
Steve Fountain
