Quedgeley Baptist Church
A wonderfully festive induction service and harvest celebration was held by Quedgeley Baptist Church (QBC), near Gloucester, on Saturday 26 September. This was to welcome Philip Grubb as the new pastor, along with his wife Elaine and their three teenage children Thomas, Sophie and Emma.
A crowd of 200 people attended, with many residents from the area as well as friends from across England and Wales. The guest list included many evangelical churches and pastors especially Trinity Baptist Church, Gloucester, which gave much help for the day (and through the years) to QBC.
Representatives of the city and parish council attended, including local MP Mr Parmjit Dhanda, along with his wife and family. Other people came on behalf of area churches, care centres, civic organisations and schools in which the church has had an active part since its inception in 2001.
Pastor Grubb was led to the Quedgeley pastorate after serving as a founding elder and pastor at Broadlands Evangelical Church in Bridgend. The members voted unanimously to extend the call to him in June. Such oneness of spirit and co-operation between the two churches was a precious evidence of God’s will in this transition.
The service was led by Pastor Doug Wilson, who with his wife Linda has served with QBC from its inception, and is associated with the UK Association of Baptists for World Evangelism.
Other participants in the service were Pastor Jonathan Stephen, an elder of Broadlands Evangelical Church (BEC) and also serving the Lord as principal of Wales Evangelical School of Theology in Bridgend; and Kevin Green, an elder of BEC.
Mr Green delivered the message, from 2 Corinthians 3, entitled ‘Ministry by God’s mercy’. He has been closely associated with Pastor Grubb through the years of starting and nourishing BEC.
After the service, a light buffet meal was served to the guests and a great time of fellowship enjoyed by all who attended. The harvest theme continued through the weekend as QBC celebrated God’s bountiful provision, collecting food to be donated to the needy in the community.
We are looking forward to seeing the work of Christ move forward in this rapidly growing community.
Doug Wilson
