The two-day gathering at the Bethel Convention Centre in West Bromwich will explore how Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus can inspire our worship, understanding and mission today.
‘It’s easy to put ourselves at the centre of all we do for God – our vision, our service, our mission,’ wrote Baptist Union General Secretary Lynn Green and BMS World Mission General Director David Kerrigan in a joint message for the Assembly handbook.
‘Yet Scripture calls us to see God at the heart of everything, to make sure that our picture of God is big enough, that our experience of grace is deep enough and that our understanding of the Holy Spirit’s work is wide enough.
‘It begins and ends in worship – but in between the journey takes us to the hidden depths of our hearts and the furthest reaches of God’s world.
‘As we reach higher, we are empowered to dig deeper and inspired to go further with God.’
The first session on Sunday morning is dedicated to mission, and will be an opportunity to explore our part in God’s mission together.
The following session, entitled Your Deepest Longing, has a major focus on prayer.
The Revd Dr Chris Ellis, who will become President of our Baptist Union at the Assembly, will preach on Ephesians 3:14-21 on Saturday morning, the particular section of scripture which inspired the Assembly theme
Higher, Deeper, Wider.
The Saturday evening address will be given by Jack Sara, President of Bethlehem Bible College. Jack works extensively in the areas of peace and reconciliation. Saturday evening will also include the recognition of ministers transferred to the accredited list and the valediction of mission personnel. Communion will take place on Sunday afternoon, led by Lynn.
There will be a diversity of worship, as well as poetry, art and drama to help encounter God afresh.
Once again the children’s programme B:ace is being run by Arise Ministries, for children aged from three months to Year 6. Viz-a-Viz Ministries will lead the young people’s programme Innovation, in Warley Baptist Church.
‘We hope that you will have a refreshing weekend, and that you will return to your church fired up with a new determination to serve God as part of this amazing Baptist movement,’ added Lynn and David.