I'm new here
Stepping into a new church can sometimes be a bit daunting, so here's a few things that describe what happens here on a typical Sunday morning. If you have any questions then just get in touch.
Welcome
Whoever you are, wherever you’re from, please know that you are warmly welcome here at Market Harborough Baptist Church. We want to provide everyone with a genuinely warm welcome, be that on a Sunday or at one of our events, activities or groups throughout the week. We want to be a blessing to all our community.
- Revd Christopher Brown
Hospitality
When you arrive on a Sunday you will be greeted at the door by one of our church family, who can help you with anything you need, just ask. After the service we meet in our halls and lounge for refreshments and a friendly chat, where we can all catch up with one another. Our leaders and our pastoral team are always about so please just ask for one if you want to talk about anything.
Church Service
Our 10am family-friendly services begin by spending time connecting with God in worship, which usually includes music, singing (if you want to), and prayer. Then, after our Bible reading, the children and young people go into our halls for creche (0-3yrs), Lighthouse (4-11yrs) and Lighthouse Youth (12+ yrs), which are all about supporting our children and young people in their own journey of faith.
Back in the Sanctuary the adults then hear a relevant message that will aim to encourage, challenge, and build us up in our journey of faith with God and our everyday lives. We usually spend some time then reflecting on this, asking the Holy Spirit to help apply what we've heard to our lives and our relationships. We then spend time praying for our world, our nation and our, before closing with a song or two and a blessing. We then all come back together for refreshments and a chat in our New Horizons Hall.
On the third Sunday of each month we celebrate Holy Communion (Eucharist) together, which is a special and sacred time of worship and encountering Jesus and his grace.
Growing Deeper
Our church family has a number of Small Groups which meet during the week, either during the day or in the evenings. These groups of 6-10 people provide folks with real Christian community, where life and faith are shared in a safe and friendly environment, where we can explore faith and discipleship, study the Bible, pray together and grow spirituality. These groups are open to all. We also run Life Explored and Christianity Explored courses for those wanting to explore life and faith.
Associations, Charities and Support
BUGB
We are members of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, and we abide by their Declaration of Principle, which can be read here: www.baptist.org.uk. We are also members of their East Midlands Baptist Association: www.embaptists.co.uk, and we support Home Mission.
BMS World Mission
We support the work of BMS World Mission, who strive to transform lives through the church, through supporting poor communities, education, healthcare, justice, leadership and relief. Find out more here: www.bmsworldmission.org. We particularly support their work in Thailand and France.
Operation Agri
Operation Agri is a sustainable development charity which supports Christian-led rural and urban projects in three continents with people living in poverty, regardless of their religious, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Find out more here: www.operationagri.org.uk
Spurgeons Children
Spurgeons Children’s Charity is a Christian charity that aims to transform the lives of UK children, young people and adults living in poverty, providing care, protection and the opportunity for a hope-filled life. Find out more here: www.spurgeons.org.