A Home Mission Grant Story from Hope is Here Church

In early 2024, Hope is Here Church was awarded a Home Mission Medium Grant by the YBA Grant Group, a lifeline for churches looking to do mission in ways they couldn’t afford alone. These grants are typically given over three years and are designed to support outreach, church planting, replanting, and new expressions of faith in local communities.

For Hope is Here Church, the grant came at a turning point. Formerly known as Mexborough Baptist Church, the congregation was navigating the possibility of closure but with God’s guidance and the support of the YBA, a new vision took root. And one year later, that vision is flourishing.

A Church Reimagined

Founded in the 1980s, Mexborough Baptist Church had faithfully served its community for decades. But by 2023, numbers had declined, and closure was under discussion. Seeking clarity, the church turned to the YBA for prayerful guidance. Through this process, a new vision emerged - one rooted in existing local mission and looking to the future.

That vision was shaped by Love Mexborough an outreach initiative started in 2018 by church members Adam and Becks Lynch. With children’s Bible clubs, family worship in a soft play centre, and a strong community presence, Love Mex was already connecting with people not typically reached by church. Its success revealed new possibilities for the church and ultimately inspired the transition to Hope is Here.

With support from YBA regional ministers, Nike Adebajo and Alex Harris, the church reimagined, rebranded and relaunched. Their goal: to become a network of missional communities rooted in authentic connection, alongside a renewed Sunday gathering at their longstanding church building. The Home Mission grant has been pivotal in enabling this transition. It has allowed Adam Lynch, who was prayerfully appointed as the church’s pioneer leader, to dedicate one day a week to ministry alongside his secular employment.

The Impact of the Grant

• Over the last 12 months, Hope is Here Church and Love Mexborough have achieved one of their most significant goals, becoming fully integrated as one church family. This integration of a traditional church congregation and a pioneering missional community hasn’t just been symbolic; it’s reshaped the church’s life and leadership in deep, meaningful ways.

• The church has grown numerically, with new believers coming to faith, and deeper discipleship taking root. The leadership has also transitioned significantly: all previous deacons stepped down to make space for a new leadership format. Remarkably, those former leaders continue to worship regularly within the new structure, a beautiful demonstration of humility, unity and shared vision. This posture of mutual honour and openness has been foundational in moving into the church’s new expression as Hope is Here.

Highlights of the Year

Launch of the Community Kitchen:

One of the year’s standout stories has been the launch of the Community Kitchen, led by two new believers, Craig and Sam. Craig’s love for cooking and Sam’s passion for reducing food waste came together in this weekly ministry that offers warm meals, welcome, and dignity to residents.

Partnering with a nearby foodbank, the initiative uses surplus food to serve dozens each week. More than just a meal, the Kitchen has become a gateway to community and faith, with attendees now exploring Jesus, and one person preparing for baptism after encountering the church through this ministry.

Tennessee Mission Week:

For the third year, Love Mexborough welcomed a mission team from Hope Fellowship Church, Smyrna, Tennessee, who delivered a full week of outreach at no cost to the church. With 16 team members, it was their biggest visit yet and drew hundreds of people into the church for the first time.

The week resulted in two baptisms, and a new family, including a 14-year-old boy recently baptised who has since joined the church. An Alpha course followed, with seven new believers and one seeker now exploring faith. Earlier in the year, the church also hosted a mission intern (Jan–March) as part of this growing partnership.

Partnering with the Local School

With the additional time made possible by the grant, Adam has nurtured a growing relationship with the neighbouring primary school. From leading RE lessons and festive assemblies to distributing Bible Society resources and hosting the school choir for a carol service attended by over 100 people, the church’s presence in the school community has expanded significantly.

The school now actively shares church events with families through their parent app, opening new doors for connection and invitation.

 Developing Young Leaders

This summer, the church welcomed four student interns through its partnership with Ten2 - Greater European Mission. Over eight weeks, these interns brought energy and creativity to local outreach, led Youth Alpha sessions with eight young people, and supported essential DIY and maintenance work around the building. Adam's ability to mentor and guide them was directly enabled by the grant, adding to the church's capacity to raise new leaders.

Rekindling Church Unity in Town

Another encouraging development has been the church’s role in working to revive unity among local churches. Over the past three months, Hope is Here Church has hosted joint prayer gatherings and worship evenings with plans to formally relaunch Churches Together in Mexborough this September and Adam is taking the lead on reigniting this as a prayer gathering through the capacity the grant funding has given him.

What’s Next?

Adam is now pursuing training and ministerial accreditation and he’s forming wider church networks to support the growth of Hope is Here. The church is exploring long-term financial sustainability beyond the grant through hall hire and events.

Above all, they remain committed to following God’s lead, pressing into what bears fruit, letting go of what doesn’t, and trusting Him to provide.

Why This Matters

This is exactly what Home Mission is about. It's about believing in churches and leaders who see the need, hear God’s call, and act. It’s about resourcing the kind of mission that isn’t safe or easy but is Spirit-led, rooted in community, and transforming lives.

Thanks to faithful giving and prayer across our Association, Hope is Here Church is more than a name, it’s a living testimony to what happens when a church rediscovers its call.

Let’s continue to give, pray, and cheer on churches like this as they plant hope across Yorkshire and beyond.