A QUESTION OF FAITH

With Reverend Steve Smith, Hinckley Baptist Church HAVING arrived in Hinckley at the end of January, as the new Minister for Hinckley Baptist Church, it feels like it never stops raining here; the sky is grey and the ground is wet; not a particularly inspiring start for a move to a new town. BUT of course the weather, while something we all talk about, isn’t what makes a town, there are many more important things to consider. We have been delighted by the warmth of welcome and friendship we have received, not just from people in the church, but from everyone we have met and spoken to all around town; it really is a pleasure to have moved to Hinckley.

My wife Caz and I have embraced with enthusiasm our new start here. So, over the past few weeks we have tried to explore a bit of the town; to find the supermarkets, the post office, the best takeaways, all the important stuff like that.

I have also been getting to know my way around as I visit people in the church community.

Waiting patiently (or not) at the multiple sets of traffic lights; discovering the frustration of one-way streets and dead-ends; realising that if you’re heading for the town centre it doesn’t matter which road you take as they all end up there eventually; and of course, enduring the multiple sets of roadworks. All part of finding out the personality of a new town.

Of course, our experience moving here is one we share with many people who move house at some time; and in many ways it is no different to the challenges we all face as we encounter changes in work, school, relationships, and a host of other areas of life.

I believe the important thing to remember in times of change is the need to stay grounded; knowing who we are, what we believe, and what is truly important.

Being secure in ourselves in this way means that, whatever changes and challenges we might face, we can cope; because we have a firm foundation.

My firm foundation is having a faith in God, believing that He cares for my wellbeing and about my future and has called me to take this new position in Hinckley Baptist Church.

Caz and I have enjoyed meeting people from the town in the main Church Services, in the activities of our Pathways Centre, and in the normal routines of life.

But it is always good to meet more local people, so please do drop by the church sometime and say hello. You can be sure of a warm welcome from us, and from everyone else who is part of our church family.