Lancaster → Morecambe → London → Morecambe → ?
Paul writes in 2 Timothy: 'And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.' (2 Timothy 2:2). Paul passed on the gospel baton to Timothy and was instructing Timothy to pass on that same baton to others. Preaching the good news of Jesus Christ is so important, but it's too important to only preach the gospel: we must train up the next generation of gospel preachers.
The best possible gift that we can together give to Christ’s church is this: more gospel preachers. So at Church by the Bay we're committed to training the next generation of gospel workers. That’s why we’re thrilled to have supported Steve and Erin Sammons.
We sent Steve and Erin Sammons to Oak Hill Bible College in September 2021. Previously, Steve had been in training with us here in Morecambe in a whole host of ways for three years – one year as a Ministry Trainee and two years in the workplace serving Church. We sent him away for three years to set him up for, by God’s grace, a lifetime of serving our Lord Jesus in his Church.
And now it has been brilliant to welcome Steve back as our Assistant Pastor to continue his training and experience. Would you be able to support his training?
Here’s Steve, introducing himself, explaining what he’ll be doing, why and how you can help.
"Hi, I'm Steve and I was a member of Church by the Bay from September 2018 until August 2021. I got married to Erin in October 2020 (with 15 masked guests)! I came to truly grasp the good news of Jesus at Lancaster University, and from September 2017 - August 2019 I was a Ministry Trainee, firstly for a year at Moorlands Church, Lancaster, then I was sent over the River Lune for a different experience of ministry here at Church by the Bay. I loved the time it gave me in God’s word and surrounded by God’s people, and I’m thankful to God that I was able to stay in Morecambe and continue to serve at church by getting a job locally. I expressed my desire for further training for ministry and the elders and Church family sent me to Oak Hill Theological college. 
I studied a full-time 3-year BA (Hons) degree. This course provided a biblical, theological and practical grounding that has equipped me for ministry. My hope under God is to spend the rest of my life preaching and teaching the Bible, so I wanted the best possible training I could get! (After all, if it takes at least 5 years of full-time training to be a doctor to heal our physical bodies, is it not of greater importance to take years to train to heal immortal souls by the grace of God)?
And now I’m back in Morecambe to continue my training as I serve as Assistant Pastor. Being on the staff team here is giving me plenty of opportunities for preaching and teaching as well as working with the elders and learning about people and decision-making. I continue to be formed and trained through regular feedback and study.
Erin and I are very excited to be back in Morecambe for several years and committing to the work here as I continue my training.
In good time, I would love to be sent to lead a church plant or a revitalisation in or around the North West of England. The harvest is plentiful - only 8% of Britain’s population of 68 million people attend any sort of church[1], so the task we face to reach our nations is large and urgent, and I would love to be a means God uses of reaching that harvest.
Would you be willing to support our work and training?”
Supporting Steve
The Church family give very generously to support our work as a staff team, but there is a shortfall, which isn’t surprising given the area, demographic and age of our church.
We would love your prayers! Would you also be able to help support my work at Church by the Bay financially? If you are able, please email the address below. We and the elders and Church family would be very grateful indeed. Thank you!
Please let our finance team know on:
[1] https://comparecamp.com/church-attendance-statistics/