Bedford & Inglewood Churches Join Forces

In a move to become more unified and become better equipped in working in the community, Bedford Baptist Church and Inglewood Church of Christ have announced that they will merge under the new name Inglewood Community Church, with the first service taking place on 6 July.
“Over a number of years, Bedford Baptist Church and Inglewood Church of Christ have discussed the possibility of merging into one unified congregation. The parallels in our culture and kingdom focus are obvious, as are the complementary nature of the two communities,” said Mark Edwards, former Bedford Baptist Senior Pastor now based at Inglewood Community Church.
He will be supported by Colin Craggs (Senior Pastor at Inglewood Church of Christ), who will take on the role of Associate Pastor until he takes on a leadership role in mission work in India early next year.
Inglewood Community Church will have an affiliation with the Baptist Union and will also honour its Church of Christ heritage. As per Church of Christ practice, communion will be celebrated every week.
Both congregations are unanimous in their support of the move, while also recognising their will be sadness at leaving behind facilities which have served them well for many decades. The new church will meet at Inglewood Community Centre, where Inglewood Church of Christ has already been meeting for two years.
It is expected that there will be a celebration service sometime in September when representatives from both denominations will be asked to attend.
Pastor Mark Edwards believes this is a model for not only sustainability, but also with a kingdom focus. Both churches have a culture of being outward focused and believe this merge will only benefit the long term work of causing community transformation.
Bedford Baptist Church are in the process of subdividing and selling their present facilities to enable them to build a Community Performing Arts Centre, containing a multi-media focused auditorium, a child friendly cafe and a dance floor. Eliot Vlatko will also continue as an Associate Pastor and Quentin Gribble will continue as children’s worker at the church.

Photo courtesy Inglewood Community Church