2024 UKGA Newsletter – Cambridge
By God’s grace, the congregation of forty-three members in Cambridge, half of whom comprise RE students, has experienced changes in pastoral infrastructure, evangelism approach and our physical building.
In 2023, we refreshed our fellowship sessions, encouraging greater engagement and attendance. New initiatives include Mandarin fellowship, Manna class, workshops for parents and workers, and testimony sharing. To enhance sermon clarity, we introduced an anonymous feedback form. We are currently training four new sermonisers.
A heart-warming highlight in recent years was the return of two of our four lost sheep. One was a brother working in catering, who was encouraged to take time off to attend Sabbath services, despite having a non-believing employer. After returning to church for several months, he received the Holy Spirit; truly an uplifting testimony for our congregation.
To hold onto our youth and nurture their faith, we’ve included more fellowships and outings. We’re giving the youths more responsibilities, such as handling audio-visual equipment, leading hymnal and saying grace, fostering a sense of duty and belonging. We launched a weekly Junior Youth Fellowship for all RE students, allowing parents to focus on the adult fellowship while strengthening student-teacher bonds.
Inspired by Jesus’ ministry of connecting with non-believers through shared meals and personal interaction, we’ve shifted our evangelism focus towards personal outreach and building relationships. We invite friends to regular gospel tea meetings in members’ homes, mirroring Jesus’ approach of dining with sinners and engaging with social outcasts. Follow-up involves Bible studies, weekday meals and serving truth-seekers through practical support, such as providing food, interpreting and helping with daily challenges. Since 2023, God has moved over 15 truth seekers each year to join our gospel tea meetings or attend services.
Since 2019, we’ve worshipped in a former Methodist chapel, in the village of Dry Drayton, five miles northwest of Cambridge. Built in 1866, this building– though charming–is 825 sq ft, seating a maximum of fifty. Our chapel is stretched when visitors join our services and we are required to hire the local school’s car park and hall. We desperately need parking, a larger chapel, additional classrooms, proper toilet facilities, a working kitchen and accommodation for visiting ministers. In 2023, despite strong opposition from the Parish Council, thank God, we secured planning permission for much-needed expansion.
A financial hurdle now awaits. Though we have just eighteen working adults, we raised £260,000. Yet, we face a potential shortfall of £340,000 to create the welcoming, functional space we envision for worship and fellowship.
Though Cambridge is small, we strive to proactively fulfil the dual call to propagate the Gospel and nurture our flock. Our building project requires the support of our local and UK family. As Paul exhorts, the abundance of one may supply the lack of another (2 Cor 8:14). We trust that God, who provides the seed to the sower, will also increase the fruit of our righteousness (2 Cor 9:10). May the Lord stir hearts, near and far, to remember this project and contribute as they are able.