YBA ASSEMBLY & AGM 2025
How can churches move beyond simply providing support to truly transforming their communities? What does it look like when outreach isn’t just about meeting needs but about inviting people into something deeper?
For 2025, our Assembly and Annual General Meeting will focus on the theme, “Connecting Well with Our Communities”. We want to explore how diverse projects, ranging from food and clothing banks to practical support, educational programs, and social care, can be offered transformatively to local communities and become even more impactful when rooted in a clear and compelling invitation to explore Jesus. Our goal is to empower our churches to strengthen their connections with their communities while helping those communities discover a transformative connection with Christ.
We know that many of our churches are already well-loved in their communities, but it can still be a challenge to balance mission and identity, to serve in ways that stay true to who we are while still making a real difference. That’s what we’ll be diving into together. Expect practical insights, inspiring discussions, and plenty of opportunities to share ideas and experiences with others who are on the same journey.
And the best part? You’re invited!
Date: Saturday, 28 June 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Venue: Bingley Baptist Church
We’re expecting 120-150 attendees; ministers, deacons, and leaders from churches across Yorkshire. Whether your church is already deeply engaged in community outreach or you’re wondering where to start, this day is for you.
This year, we are pleased to be able to provide bacon sarnies and pastries on arrival plus a light lunch of soup, bread, cakes and fruit during our lunch break - all courtesy of Bingley Baptist's hospitality team!
Meet Our Keynote Speaker: Tom Grant
We’re excited to welcome Tom Grant as our keynote speaker! Tom is the Head of Proximity (proximityhub.org), an urban mission resource hub that equips churches and leaders for grassroots ministry. He’s also the minister of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Bootle, North Liverpool, where he has lived for the past decade with his wife, Emma, and their three children. Tom is all about community engagement and seeing God at work in real, everyday life, so expect a talk that’s both practical and inspiring!
Breakout Seminar Sessions
We’ve got an exciting lineup of breakout seminars featuring Transforming Lives for Good, Proximity, and Christians Against Poverty. These sessions will dig deeper into how churches can connect well with their communities in sustainable and meaningful ways.
Transforming Lives for Good (TLG)
We’re are so delighted to welcome Tom Kirkby from Transforming Lives for Good (TLG) as one our seminar speakers.
TLG is a Christian charity organisation that helps churches to bring hope and a future to children facing heart-breaking challenges. They exist because across the UK today, there are thousands of children who are struggling to cope. Poverty, trauma and exclusion cast long shadows, and for too many the future feels hopeless.
Christians Against Poverty (CAP)
We are also excited to welcome Steve Haines, Partnership Development Manager, Christians Against Poverty as one of our Speakers.
Christians Against Poverty exists to inspire and equip churches to help people out of debt and poverty and to see them become followers of Jesus.
Seminar Tittle: Good News for the Poor - tackling poverty and making disciples in our communities
Proximity
In addition to delivering the Keynote address, Tom Grant will also lead an engaging seminar session in his role as the Head of Proximity.
Proximity is the urban mission resource hub, equipping churches, leaders, and those on the ground through online content and in-person community. Through raising awareness of the gap between the Church and low-income communities, Proximity encourages a missional focus on the margins of society and celebrates how God is at work in our urban communities.
And because no gathering is complete without a bit of fresh air, there will be an opportunity to take a 30-minute walk to explore the beautiful Bingley Three and Five Rise Locks. It’s the perfect chance to stretch your legs, chat with others, and enjoy God’s creation.
So, if you’re looking for inspiration, fresh ideas, and a renewed sense of purpose for your church’s mission, this is the event for you. Come expectant, leave encouraged!