Missionary Links

Shrewsbury Baptist Church is privileged to be partnering with the following missionaries:

Matthew and Esther
WEC International

Matthew and Esther are living and working in inner city Birmingham. 21% of the population of Birmingham was born overseas and about 30% identify themselves as Muslim. Birmingham also has the youngest average age of any city in Europe.

Esther and Matthew work with people from the Middle East, Pakistan and other nationalities in established communities, but also with more recent arrivals. They are involved in presenting and explaining the gospel and helping to disciple new believers and also helping individuals and families through friendship, prayer, practical help and support. They help run a food pantry and warm space for those on lower incomes.

They are also part of an intercultural church with about seventeen different nationalities.

Jon and Elise Fletcher
UNOH and Church Mission Society

Jon and Elise left England in 2014 with their two young sons to live in the slums of Bangkok, immersing themselves in the life of that vibrant community, sharing Jesus’ love with their neighbours. Their heart is to see the hope of the gospel transform communities struggling with urban poverty. They are now a much loved part of that community, and their work has developed in ways they would never have thought possible when they first left England.

Jon is a doctor working with Alternative Care Thailand (ACT) to have a voice with the Thai Government about the urgent need for child care reform; the dangers of institutionalised care and viable alternatives and also the importance of child protection. Elise is working with the Keeping Families Together team identifying families which will most benefit from the 18 month programme. Six years ago Jon and Elise adopted a very lovely Thai girl who had been living at Hope Home, Chiang Mai for special needs children and young adults, and she is thriving in their loving home.

Over these past 11 years they have empowered people who have been pushed to the edges of life, to release their God-given potential, and have many stories of changed lives through Jesus. They are grateful for the privilege of simply being in the country that they love and have put down deep roots that have held them steadily through all seasons.

Compassion asks us to go where it hurts, to enter into the places of pain, to share in brokenness, fear, confusion, and anguish… Compassion means full immersion in the condition of being human. _{Henri Nouwen, “Compassion: A Reflection on the Christian Life}

Judy Cook
BMS World Mission
Judy is a qualified nurse and worked in Birmingham until she went to Thailand in 1999, serving with BMS World Mission in several contexts and with different groups of people. With her nursing skills, she started work in a community health project for people affected by HIV. She also helped at Agape Home for children and parents living with Aids.

In 2007, Judy set up and remains nurse manager of Hope Home in Chiang Mai for special needs children and young adults. Alongside this role, she supports the Social Development Services Unit, a team of social welfare workers in the Church of Christ in Thailand.

Judy attends a Thai church, with children from Hope Home when possible, and feels very loved and welcomed there, as it is a unique congregation, fully accepting all people from all walks of life.

Judy wrote these words recently in her monthly ‘Judy’s Jottings’:
God is good, and He is seeing us through these times, and we are confident in His care for all our needs, whether that be practical, social, financial and protection – He never fails. He is with us through the storm.

Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Visitors click here.

Planning your Visit

New to Church? A Warm Hello

The following information is specifically for those planning a visit, so that you know beforehand, what to expect on a Sunday morning.

Where and When

We meet at Crowmoor (details here) for our Sunday Service starting at 10:30am. When you arrive, you will be greeted by someone on our Welcome Team, who will introduce themselves to you.

We serve tea, coffee and biscuits from 10am, before the service begins. It is a great way to meet people, or simply take time to find your bearings. All refreshments are free.

Accessibility: There is wheelchair access, and a sound loop for anyone who needs it. Please let one of the Welcome Team know on your arrival and they will help you to get set up. There are disabled toilets in the rear of the main auditorium and in our annex building.

Our Service

The main service begins at 10:30 am. We share items of news and other notices, usually about what’s going on in the life of the Church. We will have a time of sung worship, led by our worship group. We typically have 2 or 3 songs lasting approximately 20 minutes. We usually have an all age talk before the children go out to their groups, when there is a time of prayer and intercession, followed by a Bible based sermon that we can apply to our everyday lives. There will be prayer during the service and on the 1st Sunday in the month we share communion together. The service finishes with some more worship songs. There is an opportunity to receive prayer at the end of the service.

What about my children

Children stay with their parent or grown-up at the start of the service for the welcome, songs and notices. We really value worshipping God all together as a family and there is often an all-age talk before the children leave for their groups. At some point in the service it will be announced that it’s time for the younger members to go to their various groups. You will need to go with your children to their groups and register them as part of our child safety policy.

The children's group activities vary depending on their age. There is a creche and junior church for primary school aged children, with a friendly welcome, bible stories, testimonies, praying, craft, and games. Please pick your children up as soon as the service finishes.

Getting Connected

Small Groups

While Sundays are a great way to meet new people, it is often in smaller gatherings that you can really get to know someone. Being part of one of our small groups allows you to make new friends, share together and support each other. We have a variety of groups that meet throughout the week, some afternoons and some evenings. Check out Small Groups and see if there’s one that you could join, or we can put you in touch with a small group leader who will be more than happy to invite you along to their group.