Back to Church Sunday is designed to encourage people to invite their friends and neighbours back to church on one specific day. It's based on research showing that between 20 and 30 per cent of the population would be open to such an invitation.

Experience shows that it works. Many Anglican churches have had excellent results, and in the North Western Baptist Association (NWBA) last year, participating churches saw an average increase of twelve in their congregations that Sunday.

The Mission Department will be offering posters, study material and invitation cards to churches that want to take part. Visitors to church on Back To Church Sunday will be offered 'Welcome' packs. More information can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions on the reverse of this letter.

There will also be a special edition of The Baptist Times on 1 May with a special focus on Back to Church Sunday. Our aim is to distribute this free to every church. It will have interviews, testimonies, background articles and resources designed to help everyone in your congregation see what can be achieved.

Back to Church Sunday this year is on 28 September, but if you would like your church to take part it's not too soon to start getting ready. We will need to have completed order forms no later than 31 May 2008.