Our church is called Goldthorpe Pentecostal Community Church. We’re situated in Goldthorpe; we are a Pentecostal church believing in the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit; we are a church because we ‘are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.’ (1 Pet 2:5) We also care about our community and are committed to working ‘with God in our community, with God for our community.’ We believe God has placed us here in this part of South Yorkshire and that He cares about the Dearne Valley.
This month, we’ll be praying especially for our community. Jesus told His disciples that they – we – are the salt of the earth, the light of the world. (Matt 5:13-14) Our job is be salt and light, doing good deeds which will bring glory to our Father in heaven. (Matt 5:16) Peter went on to say ‘live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.‘ (1 Pet 2:12) The way we live our lives matters enormously as we are called to ‘be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth…bringing out the God-colours in the world.’ (The Message)
This month, pray for:
- the witness of each church in the area to the local community through different outreaches and our Sunday worship
- all those working to improve our community (the local Council, residents, voluntary groups and businesses)
- economic, social and spiritual regeneration in our area
- God to prosper Goldthorpe and the surrounding villages and build up this place (see Ps 51:18, Is 58:12)
Think, too, about how you can personally be involved in helping our community. As well as our church outreaches involving young people (Monday nights), toddlers (Friday mornings) and the coffee morning (Saturday mornings), there are many voluntary groups seeking to improve our area, many of whom need help in ways that perhaps suit you:
- The Salvation Army runs a Job Club on Mondays (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.) and people who can help others write CVs and prepare job applications are always needed.
- The Dearne Area Team works with volunteers on litter-picking and improving how our local area looks
- Dearne hOurbank seeks to bring volunteers together to help each other and are organising local walks to help people get together and improve their health, amongst other things. They meet at Cherry Tree Court every Thursday at 10.30 a.m. if you’d like to find out more.
- Goldthorpe Development Group is working to improve Goldthorpe and is responsible for the Sunday Markets and fantastic Christmas Market last year.
- Big Local is made up of local residents in Goldthorpe, Bolton-on-Dearne and Highgate who are responsible for overseeing and funding projects in the community which can make a real difference to residents’ lives. Meetings are held on the 1st Tuesday in each month at 5.30 p.m. at Dearne ALC and all are welcome.