Barnwell Baptist Church has been exploring and praying about its response to the Marleigh development for a decade, with members united in a desire to grow a Jesus-worshipping community there.

Marleigh is a short drive from church’s location in the east of Cambridge which will eventually grow to 1300 homes. Currently around 160 homes are occupied.

In 2021 the church appointed Catrin Horrex as pioneer minister-in-training to lead this missional opportunity, thanks to the support of an Eastern Baptist Association Home Mission grant and the Baptist Insurance Company. In 2022 the church was also raising funds to buy a house there.

It has been encouraging for the church to connect with other pioneers and practitioners up and down the country who have shared their experiences and helped shape its local response.  Catrin says, “It’s still very early days, but it’s so interesting watching the community grow.

“Currently there’s no community space, apart from the primary school, but there is a hunger for community. When we surveyed them, residents said they simply wanted a place to meet and get to know each other. We’ve been building relationships, doing a walking club each week, gathering a small community of young families via whatsapp and growing links with the new primary school.  

 “But we can’t wait to live onsite. The vision for the house is that it will be a place of hospitality and stories. We want to welcome and host people, but we also want to listen to their stories and to see what God grows. So the house is key - this will be a home and a place of welcome.”

Minister Stuart Wood says, “We want to encourage other churches – new builds are a great way for churches to grow.

“But more than that, this a story of audaciously asking for God’s provision. Barnwell is one of the poorest parts of the city and we are not a big church – around 50 members. Historically Baptist churches don’t plant when they’re this small, but this is what’s happening here.

“God has called us to this and we trust him to provide. People here really have a heart for planting and growing. It’s about God and vision and stepping out in faith. It’s very much a kingdom story, and we want to share that.”