About
Foundations is an annual day conference of the Grace Baptist Association uniting churches from across the region for a time of Bible teaching, worship, fellowship, prayer, and encouragement.
We would love you and your church family to join with us this year as we welcome Jamie Southcombe to explore what the bible has to say about the church – both its nature and its glorious purpose.
We also have a great programme of teaching and activities for children and young people lined up.
Programme
- Saturday 27th
- Main Room
- Trinity Room
- Youth Room
We often think of the church in terms of what we do or where we meet. But before we can understand our purpose, we must first understand our identity. In this session, we will dig into the biblical foundations of the church’s nature. Together, we will explore what it means to be God’s people, and discover the beautiful design for how we are meant to live and relate to one another.
Tea, Coffee and Cake will be served in the Main Center and in the Trinity Rooms.
Please ensure that you collect your children promptly from there sessions, thank you!
The Gospel on Display Every Sunday
Sunday gatherings are more than just a routine; they are the central time when a local church comes together—a time when the uniting power of the gospel is put on public display. Join Tom Fenning (Pastor at Beccles Baptist Church) as he explores how we can make the most of this weekly rhythm, moving from passive attendees to active participants in the gathered body of Christ as we read, preach, pray and sing the Word of God each week.
Gospel-Centred Mercy in a Fallen World How do we care for the vulnerable in a way that flows from and points to our mission of making disciples through the gospel? Drawing on decades of experience leading Caring for Life, and as a Pastor, Jonathan Parkinson provides a practical roadmap for mercy ministry that remains tethered to the Cross. This session will equip you to reach out to the marginalised with a love that is both practically life-changing and wholly gospel-centred.
Having established our identity, we turn our gaze outward to our glorious purpose. The church is not merely a social club or a place to gather; it is an active, vital force in God’s redemptive plan for the world. This session will unpack why the church is indispensable, exploring our high calling to reflect His glory, share His hope, and impact our community for the sake of the Gospel.
Tea, Coffee and Cake will be served in the Main Center and in the Trinity Rooms.
Please ensure that you collect your children promptly from there sessions, thank you!
Maintaining Our Identity in the Everyday Our identity as a church doesn’t pause when the Sunday service ends. Join Tim Mawson (Pastor at Laxfield Baptist Church) as we explore how to practically love and support one another in the places we live and work. From the simple beauty of midweek prayer to the intentionality of one-to-one discipleship, learn how we can continue to encourage, serve, and honour one another even when we are miles apart.
Gospel-Centred Care in an Everyday Church A diverse church family requires intentional, gospel-hearted care to thrive—but how can we be most effective in supporting and encouraging one another? Lois Newcombe (Care & Support Coordinator at Grace Church Guildford) shares practical insights on how to carry one another’s burdens in the midst of ordinary life. Discover some of the “do’s and don’ts” of life-on-life ministry and how to use Scripture to anchor your relationships in the gospel.
Tea, Coffee and Cake will be served in the Main Center and in the Trinity Rooms.
Please ensure that you collect your children promptly from there sessions, thank you!
Setting the Example (1 Timothy 4:11-13) You don’t have to wait until you’re older to be a vital part of the church family. Tom explores how you can be an example to believers of all ages right now. Discover what it looks like to serve wholeheartedly today and make the gospel visible through your life and your relationships within the body of Christ.
Setting the Example (1 Timothy 4:11-13) You don’t have to wait until you’re older to be a vital part of the church family. Tom explores how you can be an example to believers of all ages right now. Discover what it looks like to serve wholeheartedly today and make the gospel visible through your life and your relationships within the body of Christ.
Jamie worked as an accountant for several years in Surrey before training at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky and spending some time at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington D.C.. Jamie is married to Gracie and they have four children. He has developed a love for good coffee, enjoys playing any sport with a ball, and supports Liverpool F.C.
Jamie worked as an accountant for several years in Surrey before training at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky and spending some time at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington D.C.. Jamie is married to Gracie and they have four children. He has developed a love for good coffee, enjoys playing any sport with a ball, and supports Liverpool F.C.
Lois moved to Guildford in 2007 as a Psychology student at the University of Surrey. Having been made to feel so welcome on her first Sunday at Grace Church she decided to stay and has been involved mostly ever since. Prior to working for the church full-time, Lois spent a year as a UCCF Relay Worker in Brighton, and worked for the Probation Service and Youth Offending Service. Lois loves rugby and serves part-time as a rugby coach at the University of Surrey.
Lois moved to Guildford in 2007 as a Psychology student at the University of Surrey. Having been made to feel so welcome on her first Sunday at Grace Church she decided to stay and has been involved mostly ever since. Prior to working for the church full-time, Lois spent a year as a UCCF Relay Worker in Brighton, and worked for the Probation Service and Youth Offending Service. Lois loves rugby and serves part-time as a rugby coach at the University of Surrey.
Jonathan has been serving the Lord at Caring For Life since the inception of the ministry back in 1987, when the need grew in his father’s church to share the love of Jesus with hurting and struggling young men and women.
His initial role was to manage the farm project, as his background was in agriculture, on the farm where the ministry was based and then, over the years, his role has developed within the mission to become the CEO in 2014.
Caring For Life is a Christian charity seeking to "share the love of Jesus" with at-risk and hurting people, including those who are homeless.
Currently, he also serves as pastor and elder of Grace Community Church Leeds which he, along with a few others, helped found in 2009, reaching out to the Holt Park and Cookridge communities in Leeds.
Jonathan is married to Pam, and they have two daughters, one of whom is married. All are involved in Christian ministry.
Jonathan has been serving the Lord at Caring For Life since the inception of the ministry back in 1987, when the need grew in his father’s church to share the love of Jesus with hurting and struggling young men and women.
His initial role was to manage the farm project, as his background was in agriculture, on the farm where the ministry was based and then, over the years, his role has developed within the mission to become the CEO in 2014.
Caring For Life is a Christian charity seeking to "share the love of Jesus" with at-risk and hurting people, including those who are homeless.
Currently, he also serves as pastor and elder of Grace Community Church Leeds which he, along with a few others, helped found in 2009, reaching out to the Holt Park and Cookridge communities in Leeds.
Jonathan is married to Pam, and they have two daughters, one of whom is married. All are involved in Christian ministry.
Tom is married to Elly and they have two young boys. Tom began as full-time pastor of Kesgrave Baptist Church in 2021, before which he was a maths teacher. Elly is a Primary School Teacher.
Tom is married to Elly and they have two young boys. Tom began as full-time pastor of Kesgrave Baptist Church in 2021, before which he was a maths teacher. Elly is a Primary School Teacher.
Tom serves as pastor of Beccles Baptist Church in Suffolk, the county where he grew up.
He is married to Emily and is a dad to three boys. He enjoys running and cycling - and endures supporting Ipswich Town.
Tom serves as pastor of Beccles Baptist Church in Suffolk, the county where he grew up.
He is married to Emily and is a dad to three boys. He enjoys running and cycling - and endures supporting Ipswich Town.