Upon his arrival at the church in 1998 the Pastor, Revd Jeremy Newson, introduced a Mission and Social Engagement ministry calling for the church building to be opened up for community use and for God's people to go out on mission to the neighbourhood around us. The Kiddie Kapers play group that met in the church was very successful but unable to take all the children it might due to lack of room. Following a successful application to the Neighbourhood Nursery Initiative over £500,000 was awarded for expansion. This was an amazing thing in itself and would have enabled the playgroup to have a new building put in the church garden to provide extra space, however, what happened next was seen by the folk here at South Ashford as an amazing gift from God. Who would have thought that as we entered the new millennium, such a small church would find themselves prayerfully engaging with Sure Start, a Government Early Years Programme, to plan and build such a wonderful community resource as the Willow Centre. Well as they say that's now history and we now own and operate the building through Beaver Community Trust (BCT), our Church Company. Amongst many other exciting opportunities such as running the Light Bites Cafe, it has enabled the play group to move into a purpose built nursery providing full day care for up to 69 children. There is not enough room here to list the blessings we have experienced throughout this amazing journey to date! That said we have also had our fair share of scary moments as well!! Through it all though we have known of God's love and grace and have always been guided by our own watch words... 'to never do anything that might compromise the gospel' which of course we take in love to our neighbours as we engage with them through the Willow Centre on a daily basis.
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