ALMOST HERE!

The long-awaited day is almost here. On 2 September 2007 at 10:00am Rehoboth Church (Angel) will hold its first service. The building on Chadwell Street will be open at 9:30am. If you plan to attend please arrive as early as possible to give us the opportunity to greet you personally before the service begins.

LORD, DO IT AGAIN #2

The predecessor (Mount Zion Baptist Church later called Angel Baptist Church) of Rehoboth Church (Angel) in the chapel on Chadwell Street had a rich and varied history. In the first 100 years of her history 10 men were called out of the church to serve the churches of London and the surrounding area as lay preachers. During the same time frame another 23 men were called out of the church to serve as pastors. One of these men (Mr. Hutchinson) left the church at Chadwell Street in 1901 to serve as pastor of the Strict Baptist Church on Park Ridings, Wood Green. This is the present day location of Rehoboth Church (Wood Green). In addition, the church sent out 10 missionaries to serve on the foreign mission field. Truly this church had a profound impact on the spread of the gospel in London and beyond. Lord, do it again.

THANK YOU AIME

For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. Hebrews 6:10

For the past several weeks Aime Patrick has faithfully served the Lord as a member of the Rehoboth Church (Angel) Church Planting Team. As he prepares to leave London for a well-deserved break tomorrow, it's only fitting for us to pass along our thanks to this fine young man. We look forward to his return and to continued service together in Rehoboth Church (Angel).

Q&A: What Are Some of the Hymns You Will Sing?

Rehoboth Church (Wood Green) is a singing church. We pray the new congregation in Angel, Islington will be as well. Though we sing a variety of music, our favorite hymns would include:

Amazing Grace How Sweet the Sound
Before the Throne of God Above
Great is Thy Faithfulness
Holy, Holy, Holy
I Cannot Tell Why He Whom Angels Worship
O Lord My God, When I in Awesome Wonder
To God Be the Glory Great Things He Has Done
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
When Peace Like a River Attendeth My Way
When We Walk With the Lord

We trust you are planning to come and worship the Lord with us. The first service is 2 September 2007 at 10:00 am.

PARTNERS IN THE GOSPEL

Rehoboth Church (Angel) desires partnership in the gospel with like-minded believers in the United Kingdom and beyond. We look forward to visits from special guests such as Geoff Gobbett (Islington Gospel Outreach) on the 30th of September at 7:00 pm, David Chapman (Association of Grace Baptist Churches / South East) on the 4th of November at 10:00 am, and David Higham (Grace Baptist Mission) on the 9th of December at 10:00 am. Hopefully, these meetings will help the new church establish vital links with these ministries committed to the proclamation of the gospel in Islington, the south east of England, and around the world.

Q&A: What Bible Version Will You Use?

The readings will generally be from the English Standard Version. The explanation of the reading will include occasional references to other versions as well as to the original languages (Hebrew and Greek) in which the Scriptures were written. If you do not have a copy of the English Standard Version, you can feel free to make use of one of the church Bibles.

WISDOM FROM ABOVE

On a daily basis the Rehoboth Church (Angel) Church Planting Team is working in Angel, Islington. As they interact with all kinds of people from all different sorts of backgrounds, they need wisdom from God in order to minister appropriately and effectively. Thankfully, God has said in the Bible if we lack wisdom we can ask him and he will give it to us. Would you consider making a commitment to pray regularly for this team of workers? If you are willing to do so, please email Barry King at barry-king@ukonline.co.uk and he will pass your message along to those who are involved in this effort.

REGENT'S CANAL

Thousands of people live along the Regent's Canal between Islington Tunnel at Angel and Kingsland Road, De Beauvoir Town. They live in converted Victorian warehouses, purpose-built flats, council-owned tower blocks and even in narrow boats on the canal itself. As the Rehoboth Church (Angel) Church Planting Team strolled along the tow path tonight they marvelled at the number of people living in the area. They also were humbled by the realisation that God has called them to proclaim the gospel to the people living in this unique area. Pray that they would have wisdom to know how to do this most effectively.

WHAT WE REALLY NEED

Barry King (pastor of Rehoboth Church) and Kester Putman (team member of Islington Gospel Outreach) have been meeting this week to discuss the items that need to be purchased and the things that need to be done in preparation for the planting of the new church at Angel, Islington. The list, as one might imagine, is quite extensive. However, at some point you have to ask what do we really need?

As important as equipment, furniture, publicity, and supplies may be, a church can be successfully planted without them. There are some things, though, which are indispensable. These things are what we really need.

First, we must have seed. Thankfully, God has graciously provided the incorruptible seed of His Word. Second, we must have sowers. Workers must go forth sowing this precious seed wherever they go. Again, we are fortunate to have a group of dedicated workers who take seriously the task of sowing the seed of the gospel in Angel, Islington. Third, we need soil. By God's grace we have been given the soil of the hearts of people living and working in Angel, Islington as a stewardship from the Lord.

Fourth, and most importantly, we need the Spirit. Indeed as the old hymn writer put it, "all is vain unless the Spirit of the Holy One comes down." Paul may plant. Apollos may water. But God's Spirit still must give the increase. Finally, we need suffering. Surprisingly to some, suffering is a means ordained by God for the progress of the gospel.

Those involved in the planting of Rehoboth Church (Angel) are aware of the probability of suffering as they fulfill their ministry. They, however, are resolute in their conviction that even those things meant against them for evil God will use for good. Suffering will not separate them from the love of Christ but will bring them into a deeper experience of his love as they enter fully into the fellowship of His sufferings.

So then, seed, sowers, soil, the Spirit, and suffering are what we really need to plant this new church. No doubt, we will be able to get some of the other things as well as to do some of the other things on our list. Regardless, we are encouraged by the realisation we already have everything we really need.

LONGEVITY AND PRODUCTIVITY

The first sixty years of Baptist ministry on Chadwell Street, Angel, Islington were years of remarkable productivity. Many came to repentance and faith, a new building was built on nearby White Lion Street to house the Sunday School, and at least one new church was planted. The fact that during this period Mount Zion Baptist Chapel only had two pastors is more than coincidental. The longevity of pastoral tenure under John Hazelton (36 years) and Edward Mitchell (24 years) was undoubtedly a major factor in the growth and progress of the new church. As Rehoboth Church (Angel) is planted in the same building where the Mt. Zion congregation worshipped for so many years, would you pray with us that the Lord would be pleased to send us a pastor whose tenure will be characterized by longevity and productivity?

A WORKING CHURCH

The Rehoboth Church (Wood Green) Clean Team has set their sights on Rehoboth's new Chadwell Street location in Angel, Islington. They plan a massive workday on 1 September 2007, the day before Rehoboth Church (Angel) holds its first service. The team will clean the chapel, move in furniture and equipment, and tidy up along the street itself. It promises to be great fun. Also, on 1 September 2007 members and friends of the church will blanket the area with reminders about the 2 September 2007 service. If you're in the area, drop by. We'll have a mop to fit your hand or a map to guide your feet as you distribute leaflets.

GETTING TO KNOW KESTER PUTMAN

RC(A): Tell us a little bit about yourself.

KP: I live in Highbury, and have been employed as a church worker by the Association of Grace Baptist Churches (SE), since 2000. Prior to that I spent three years in full-time theological training in S. Wales (where I met my wife, Nicola). Before then, I worked for around a decade in the finance industry.

RC(A): When did you become a follower of Jesus Christ?

KP: Although I had received a New Testament when I was at school, which I avidly read, I didn't begin following Jesus until I was around 19/20 years old. A work colleague, from my home town, began to invite me to the youth group of a local church(http://www.akemanstreet.org/). There I heard simple but profound teaching, explaining the Bible clearly to me. Over the course of a few months I became convinced I needed to take seriously the claims of Jesus Christ. I responded privately, then asked to be baptised, as a public demonstration of my trust in Jesus.

RC(A): You belong to something called the IGO team. What is it? What is your role?

KP: As mentioned earlier, I am based in Highbury as a church worker. This is part of an outreach team called Islington Gospel Outreach, which has been sponsored by the Association of Grace Baptist Churches (SE). My role is mixed and varied; I have responsibilities as an evangelist (in direct, public outreach and in small-group work), as a Bible teacher (to children and adults), and as an administrator (doing accounts and other paperwork for my home church, (http://www.highburybaptistchurch.org/).

RC(A): You have had some experience ministering in Angel, Islington. Tell us about it.

KP: Yes, during my early years of working in N. London, we relocated some of our outreach work to the Angel area, whilst our own church building was being redeveloped. Specifically, we ran a mid-week drop-in and led Sunday meetings at the premises of Angel Baptist Church, and spent some time handing out Christian literature in nearby streets. I was also privileged to attend and occasionally lead meetings for the nearby branch of "Christians in the Royal Bank of Scotland" (http://www.cirbs.org.uk/).

RC(A): How can friends of this effort pray for you?

KP: I would welcome specific prayer support for the month of August; during this time I aim to help Barry King (pastor of Rehoboth Church) with planning of the overall work, and hope to give some guidance and hands-on support to the team who are daily working in the Angel.

ARE YOU JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES?

One of the most commonly asked questions of the Rehoboth Church (Angel) Church Planting Team is whether or not they are Jehovah's Witnesses. In fact, some people automatically conclude they belong to the sect simply because they are visiting people door to door. Though the Jehovah's Witnesses do have a presence in Angel, Islington (as indicated by the above photo), the Rehoboth Church (Angel) Church Planting Team is not connected to them in any way. Our team is comprised of evangelical Christians with a passionate desire to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. They go door to door not because of the influence of the Jehovah's Witnesses but because of the example of the early churches. They desire to share with everyone the good news of what God has done through Jesus Christ. Thank you for spending a few minutes of your time talking with them.

KNOCKING ON DOORS

The Rehoboth Church (Angel) Church Planting Team continues to knock on doors in Angel, Islington. Their purpose is really quite simple. They want to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and the news about the new church plant on Chadwell Street with as many people as possible. These volunteers are selflessly giving their valuable time day after day that this new church might be successfully planted. Those who come to faith in Christ through this new church will owe this team (most of whom may be unknown to them) a huge debt of gratitude. Please pray for the team and please make plans to come to the first service 2 September 2007 at 10:00 am. That will make all their work worthwhile.