Rising Brook Baptist Church is serving a community in Stafford, part of which is identified by the Government’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) as being in the lowest 10% in England for income deprivation, employment, education, skills, and training.
The team at Rising Brook, led by pioneer Charlie Hutton, shares how God has been guiding their efforts and the impact of the £2,000 grant from the Baptist Insurance Grants Programme in 2024. ‘I’m amazed by God’s grace. When we began, we had ideas about connecting with people in Highfields, but it’s clear God has rewritten the script. We’ve been transformed through the process as we serve and love people!’
During a prayer walk, a breakthrough moment revealed that many people in Highfields might not have experienced the Kingdom of Jesus' view of ‘family’. This view is centred on unconditional love, trust, transparency, good food, acceptance, wisdom, creativity, and a sense of fun. It also emphasises being a community where people care for one another, grieve together, and face life’s hardest challenges, such as addiction or mental health struggles. In this community, people walk alongside each other, grapple with issues, and occasionally overcome hurdles together.
Charlie is cautious about gentrification and imposing culture on others. Reflecting further on the nature of the Kingdom of Jesus, Charlie notes: ‘It’s transcultural, transformational, and heaven-breathed; it cares more for others than for self, it doesn’t strut and never forces itself on others. This has helped shift perspective towards focusing on drawing people into the Kingdom of Jesus as a family rather than ‘just into a church'.
Rising Brook is grateful for the £2,000 grant. Charlie said, ‘The support from the Baptist Insurance Grants Programme is a vital resource that enables Elevate Highfields to continue making a lasting impact in one of Stafford’s more deprived areas.’
The team encourages other churches to apply, highlighting the simple process and the benefit of funds to support the broader Baptist community.
'The family is under attack from all sides, and Rising Brook’s work to support families in Highfields is inspiring. We’re delighted to have been able to help.'