Mission Partners
As a church, we’re passionate about sharing God’s love not just in our local community, but across the world. We’re so thankful to partner with individuals and organisations who are faithfully serving in different contexts—supporting people practically, spiritually, and relationally.From local initiatives here in Bicester to global mission work in countries like Sri Lanka, Bolivia, and Kenya, these partnerships reflect our heart to see lives transformed through Jesus. We aim to support, encourage, and stay connected with our partners, building meaningful relationships that go beyond financial support.Take a moment to read about the inspiring work they are doing—we hope it encourages you as much as it does us.
Pastor Sriyamal and Doreen Fernando, Negombo, SRI LANKA
Pastor Sriyamal has a passion for reaching people with the message of being saved through Jesus Christ. He is based in a church in the large coastal city of Negombo. They have 2 services each Sunday lead by volunteer pastors, Children’s Church on Saturday evenings and Youth ministry. Recently they have been given permission to resume services in one of the local prisons. This year, Sriyamal is planning to spend more time training pastors in three branch churches in the rural areas. Ian and Erika visited Sriyamal and Doreen in April 2019, and since lockdown, they have had fortnightly Zooms, so our links are very close.
Marcelo and Silvana Vargas, La Paz, BOLIVIA
Marcelo and Silvana had the vision to set up a Training Centre for Christian Mission in Bolivia about 30 years ago in La Paz. Students came to live on the campus for a week at a time for each module. There were usually 10 modules a year. Since the start of the Covid pandemic, Marcelo and Silvana have started teaching the mission training courses on-line. This has meant that they can reach more students. Despite the limitations of this kind of learning, they have worked out ways to provide feedback and support each student. It is likely that they will continue on-line teaching in the future.
Christians Against Poverty
A team of people from Emmanuel church have been trained as CAP money coaches to deliver the CAP Money Course. This is done in 2 ways: group courses over 3 weeks, or in people’s homes/coffee shops on a one-to-one basis (this is always with people known to the coaches). The aim is to help those who are struggling financially to gain control of their money and free them from the burden of debt.
Bicester Food Bank
The Food Bank gives boxes of nutritionally balanced food and support to people experiencing emotional or financial crisis. The Bicester Food Bank has been running for over 5 years and has helped hundreds of families. Along with the food parcels, they get a cup of tea and a chat with volunteers. If required, they can also get more information about any appropriate agencies that can help them get out of their difficulties. For more information visit the Bicester Foodbank Website.
Compassion UK
We are proud to partner with Compassion UK, supporting their vital work in empowering children and communities around the world. Our partnership focuses on two key areas. Firstly, we sponsor three children at the Lakeside Baptist Church Child Development Centre on Rusinga Island, near Mbita on Lake Victoria in Kenya. This sponsorship provides the children with access to education, nutritious meals, healthcare, and spiritual guidance, helping them to thrive and reach their full potential. Secondly, we support the Development Centre as a whole, enabling it to continue offering a safe and nurturing environment for all the children in the community. Through this partnership, we are able to make a tangible difference in the lives of children and families, sharing God’s love in practical and meaningful ways.