BBQ and the Bible
Hope is Here - Mexborough Baptist Church.
Adam Lynch writes: Over the summer, we decided to do something different. Rather than gathering on Sundays as usual, we paused our regular programme and met together on Wednesday evenings for an all-age family service built around barbecue, Bible teaching, and fellowship.
Our vision was simple: to create a space where the church family and those on the fringes of church life could come together, helping to break down the sacred-secular divide that is often so common. We wanted people to experience that faith is not confined to a church building or a Sunday morning, but is something that shapes everyday life and relationships.
Each week began with food, games, and fun. As people gathered around the barbecue, conversations flowed naturally and friendships developed. We then moved into a shared meal and a time of Bible teaching, exploring topics such as why the Bible matters, what it means to be made in the image of God, how God demonstrates His love for us, and ultimately asking the question, “What does this mean for me?”
It has been a beautiful season of welcoming people from the wider community into the life of the church family. Alongside the good food, prayer, and meaningful conversations around the tables, we have had countless opportunities to share the gospel. One of the greatest encouragements has been seeing people who first joined us on a Wednesday evening now wanting to come on our church camping trip and beginning to attend Sunday morning services as well.
We recognised that everyone needs to eat, and many people enjoy being outside during the summer, but not everyone feels comfortable walking into a church service. So we asked ourselves: why not try something new? Why not create a welcoming environment where relationships can form naturally and conversations about faith can happen around a table?
The answer has been remarkable. It has been a joy to see God at work in the hearts and lives of those who have come, many of whom would never previously have considered attending church on a Sunday. Through these gatherings they have found acceptance, belonging, and a place where they feel comfortable exploring faith.
One of the highlights has been watching people who were not originally part of the church take ownership of the evenings. They have helped with cooking, serving food, washing up, and clearing away. Even more encouragingly, they have begun speaking about the building and the church community as their church.
What started as an experiment to try something new has become much more than that. We believe God has used these evenings to build relationships, strengthen community, and create opportunities for people to encounter Jesus. As a result, this is not simply a summer programme that has come and gone. It is something we are excited to see become embedded in the life of the church for years to come.
You can find out more about the ministry of Mexborough Baptist Church-Hope is Here on their Facebook page here.