Church by the Bay sends Church planters
By Ben and Caz Petersen, 28 Aug 2024
We are sending Ben, Caz and Anna Petersen to Trinity Church, Chester to build a team to plant a church in Buckley, Flintshire, Lord-willing in September 2025. Here are some reflections of theirs on their time with us at Church by the Bay here in Morecambe.
Caz
Training
As I think back on these past seven(!) years one of the big things that stands out is how the training I received has shaped and benefitted both myself and how I’ve been able to train others, both while I was Families Worker at Church, and now in my current role with Growing Young Disciples. It’s been a privilege to be a part of a Church that values training so that we might grow as Bible teachers.
It’s really exciting to think how my time at Church by the Bay has informed my ministry practice and theology and I’m able to pass that on to other kids, youth, and families workers around the country. There’s lots of Church by the Bay DNA going into what the next generation of church workers are being taught!
Life Milestones
Time in Morecambe has been formative for all sorts of reasons. In many ways it’s formed us as the people and parents we are today. We’ve shared in some significant life milestones while we’ve been here. We had the joy of getting married here with so many of the church family helping make it happen and a special day for us. Fast forward to March 2022 and it was while living here and serving at Church by the Bay, that we became parents to Anna. Around these huge life moments there have been input, counsel, encouragement and many examples to follow as we’ve tried to honour the Lord Jesus through them. We are the people and parents we are today, in no small part, because of our Church family at Church by the Bay.
Times with Church Family
Some of my most fond memories have been special times shared with Church Family. The Reformation Parties, Good Friday walks, and other times where we’ve been able to enjoy the people God has joined us to in Christ.
Ben
Training
First up, I’m really thankful for the training I’ve received at Church by the Bay. It’s been a wonderful to have responsibility for teaching God’s word, putting into practice the things I’ve been taught, both at Bible college and before. I’ve benefitted massively from regular feedback on that teaching along the way, and I hope that’s begun to show through in my teaching. Having Gerry’s insight on how to communicate God’s word clearly and engagingly has been a real gift as I look forward to – Lord willing – a long time preaching that word to the world and the church.
Visiting and one-to-one work
One major highlight from my time has been the time I’ve been able to share over the Bible with individuals. That’s mainly been through a few ongoing relationships with people reading through a Christian book or a Bible book, occasional pastoral conversations for a specific issue, and visiting our sick and older church family.
These have been rich times, where encouragement has gone in both directions, and we’ve helped one another see new depths of who the Lord is. I remember one day where I popped round to an older saint who had been having a miserable day, and with just a short time looking at Psalm 24 their spirits had lifted! I’m hugely grateful for the privilege of being a part of these meetings.
Farsi (and Azeri) speakers
How could I speak about our time here without mentioning the year-and-a half-whirlwind from June 2022 to December 2023? In that time we were able to be a home for 22 (regular) men from a local hotel, many of whom had fled Iran seeking a better home. We had the joy of baptising I think 14 men in that time, and seeing more grow in their grasp of God’s word and the English language. Our time serving them was a real taste of how church life can be both chaotic and joyful in intense ways at the same time!
We’re both more grateful to our great God and Father than we can possibly express for our time here in Morecambe, at Church by the Bay. You have been a wonderful Church family with whom to share life in Christ. We leave with a real sadness over saying goodbye, and a real gratitude both for our time here, and our future gospel partnership.