Full PBC Diary and Calendar - click here

Church Diary and Calendar Front Page - Front Page diary and calendar

Pastor Dave Baxter's New Year Message

  • Jan 10, 2012

Pastor Dave Baxter welcomed in the new year in the PBC News with a story of Hans Nielsen Hauge.

'Dear Friends,

On the 5th April 1796 a man called Hans Nielson Hauge was ploughing a field on his father’s farmland. He was singing a Norwegian hymn, ‘Jesus, I long for Thy Blessed Communion’, containing the lines: ‘Mightily strengthen my spirit within me/that I may learn what Thy Spirit can do.’ Hauge had been seeking a deeper walk with God. He had been praying, ‘If Thou, my Father, wilt give me power, create Thy love in my heart and preserve me in humility, then I will serve Thee with all my strength. I will sacrifice everything, even my own life, as did the early martyrs, rather than depart from Thy commandments.’

As Hauge was ploughing the field, he came to the end of the second verse of the hymn, when something deep happened, ‘my soul experienced something supernatural, divine and blessed; that there was a glory that no tongue can utter.’ From that day on everything changed.  I love that testimony. I love the fact that whilst Hans was ploughing a field, he was worshipping God and was suddenly overcome by His power. My prayer for each one of us this year is that whatever our field, we would encounter God in our daily lives.  Why not dare to pray Han’s prayer today? God Bless, Dave'

That touch of God's hand and answer to prayer was the start of Hauge's God-driven mission to the whole of the Norwegian people.  It was a time when Norwegians were emigrating to America and consequently, Hauge's teaching on repentance and salvation went over to the US with the Lutherans.  What a wonderful encouragement as we start this year.  What are we praying for?

News & Announcements

HOPE Pembury Churches Together Sais Mandi Masquerade Ball

30th January, 2012

HOPE Pembury Churches Together's year of fundraising for the flood torn Sais Mandi region continues with a Masquerade Ball on Saturday 18th February, being held at Pembury Village Hall from 7.30pm to 11pm. There will be live music, a curry banquet, other fundraising opportunities and great fun as well as a licensed bar. Tickets are fifteen pounds each and are available from the PBC Church Office on 01892 825590 or from St Peter's Pembury on 01892 824761. There is a limited number of tickets so please book your place as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Thanks: Blythswood Shoebox Appeal

23rd January, 2012

We have received a letter of thanks from Blythswood Shoebox Appeal and a little detail and photos of the handing out of shoeboxes, some of which you donated before Christmas to be taken into Eastern Europe and India. You can read it by clicking on the header then clicking the link in the article.

Pastor Dave Baxter's New Year Message

10th January, 2012

Pastor Dave Baxter welcomed in the new year in the PBC News with a story of Hans Nielsen Hauge. That touch of God's hand and answer to prayer was the start of Hauge's God-driven mission to the whole of the Norwegian people. It was a time when Norwegians were emigrating to America and consequently, Hauge's teaching on repentance and salvation went over to the US with the Lutherans. What will God do in our lives this year? What are we praying for? Click on the header for the story and our Pastor's welcome in full. Happy New Year!