2026 Easter Message

Dear Church Family,

 

It was such a joy to share the Easter season with you. There is so much to give thanks for, and I hope we don’t rush past that too quickly.

 

In the lead-up to Easter, we welcomed over 400 primary school children through our doors for Experience Easter—a series of stations across the church telling the story of Holy Week. It was a remarkable time. Many of the volunteers spoke of how struck they were by the children’s engagement and depth of understanding. It was a real encouragement. Huge thanks to Megan and her team for all the work that went into making that happen.

 

The following week, Megan and a (partly overlapping) team hosted our Easter Holiday Club, with over 40 children attending. It was wonderful to see new families connecting with church life, and new people stepping into serving within children’s ministry. Again, we owe a great deal to Megan and the team for their energy, faith, and commitment.

 

Then came our Easter services themselves—moving from the quiet depth of Maundy Thursday, to the warmth of our Good Friday breakfast, and into the sheer joy and energy of Easter Sunday, when we welcomed over 140 people. A particular highlight was baptising four people during our united celebration. God is good—and he continues to grow his church here in Blandford. I do hope we are allowing ourselves to be encouraged by that.

 

Whenever I have a little space to pause, I find myself reflecting on what the Lord is doing among us, and what he might be saying. Over these past weeks, I sense a gentle but persistent reminder: we have been given a clear calling as a church. We have a shared vision, and a direction of travel. Things may not always be perfect—or unfold quite as we expect—but there are real signs of life among us if we have eyes to see them.

 

I know how easy it is to become distracted or discouraged by what doesn’t go to plan. But God is still on his throne. He is still worthy of our worship. And he will not disappoint us.

 

One area I feel increasingly convinced about is our ministry to children and young people. This is not just one ministry among many—it is key to our continued growth. If families are to come and find a home here, we must be ready to receive them well. That means having something meaningful for children and young people as part of our Sunday life.

 

This isn’t something that can be left to a small group of people. It belongs to all of us. Every generation has a part to play in raising up the next. Whether through serving on a Sunday, helping midweek, or supporting in prayer, we all have a role. This is part of what it means to belong to BFPC—it sits right at the heart of who we are.

 

Looking ahead, this term sees the launch of our Youth Café project. We don’t know exactly what will come of it—but we are seeking to be obedient to what we sense God is calling us to. Please do be praying for this: that as we open our doors, God would be at work in the lives of young people in our town.

 

Alongside this, I am increasingly convinced that we need to create more space for the presence of God when we gather. I recognise that this language may feel unfamiliar—or even uncomfortable—for some. But I am convinced that God’s presence is the defining characteristic of his people. It is the thing that sets us apart.

 

In Exodus, Moses refuses to move forward without the presence of God going with them. For him, it was essential. Jesus, too, lived and ministered in dependence on the Father. This is not optional—it is foundational.

 

With that in mind, there are two invitations I want to put before us:

 

Prayer Ministry Training
This is not for a select few—it is for everyone. Every believer can learn how to pray for others in a way that is safe, wise, and Spirit-led. There will be two identical sessions: Monday 27th April and Wednesday 29th April at 7.30pm in church. I would really encourage you to come if you can. As we grow in this, we can begin to create more intentional space for prayer within our gatherings. Sign up on the links below:

Monday 27th Sign Up                 Wednesday 29th Sign Up

 

Holy Spirit Day (Pentecost Weekend)
We recognise that not everyone has had the opportunity to attend Alpha or an Alpha Day Away. So we want to create a space where everyone can have a shared foundation—both in understanding the Holy Spirit and in encountering him personally. This will take place on Saturday 23rd May (location to be confirmed). Everyone is invited, and everyone is encouraged to come if they are able.

 

More broadly, my hope is that we continue to grow as a people of prayer—not out of duty, but out of desire. A desire for more of God in our lives, our families, our church, and our community. As Oswald Chambers wrote, “Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.” Everything we do should be rooted in prayer—seeking God’s presence, his guidance, and his power.

 

There are several opportunities during the week to gather and pray, and I would love to see more of us making use of them. If you are able, do come and add your voice to what God is already stirring among us.

 

Some of you will be aware that +Stephen has temporarily and voluntarily stepped back from ministry while an audit is undertaken relating to certain funds. This may stir a range of emotions, which is entirely understandable. While I know Stephen a little and find it hard to imagine wrongdoing, we must also recognise that we do not yet know the full picture.

 

Please do be praying for him and his family, and for the diocese. In particular, pray for +Karen, who may find herself carrying significant responsibility in the weeks ahead. And in all of this, we remind ourselves again: Christ remains on his throne. His kingdom is not shaken by the circumstances of any one individual or institution.

 

Finally, a brief word about the building. As I mentioned previously, we are continuing to take steps—initially small ones—to enable our youth work, and in time, more significant changes that would allow the building to serve us more fully.

I recognise that even the idea of change can feel unsettling, and for some it may provoke real anxiety. But what we are increasingly finding is that the current layout of the building limits what we are able to do. In many ways, we have outgrown the Parish Centre—yet we cannot fully use the larger space we already have.

 

This journey is not about change for its own sake. It is about making space—for welcome, for hospitality, for community, and for the life God is calling us into. It flows directly from our vision: to be devoted to Jesus, formed by Jesus, and sent by Jesus. The changes we are exploring are about enabling that vision to take fuller shape among us.

 

With every blessing,

Chris