‘God can do great things through the people of CBC!’
Talking with Rev. John Pulford
prior to his Induction and Ordination service on 20.05.2023
Q: How do you feel about beginning your full-time ministry here at CBC?
A: It’s really exciting … CBC’s been part of my life for nearly thirty years and being able to become a minister in this family that I love and care about, whilst being part of Colchester, where I have always lived, is a very exciting prospect!
The Ministry Team with their families
Q: Do you have a certain approach to prayer?
A: Usually when I am out walking in the countryside is when I personally feel closer to God and He is speaking to me.
Q: Does the church have an active role to play in impacting the lives of our young people?
A: Absolutely! As a city centre church, offering a safe drop-in space between 3-5p.m. for them so they can maybe have someone to talk to or hang out with their friends and have something to eat perhaps could make a difference! This could benefit even university students, who are away from home, so building ties with the university chaplaincy is important.
John’s special ‘milestone cake’ - carefully designed and prepared by Dave Stockwell
Q: What would you like to see change and improve in the life of CBC?
A: I would like to see the prayer life of the church grow - I believe that through prayer so much is possible, and we should be more vigilant as groups as well as a whole fellowship. I would also like to see small groups grow as they get to know each other more outside of a church setting too. God can do fantastic things through us!
Rev. John Pulford and his wife Rebecca
Rev. John Pulford and Mike Baker,
Church Secretary
Q: In 3 words, where do you see our church in 3 years?
A: Christ
Being in the
City!
Q: What do you think are the main challenges the younger generation are facing?
A: I think it’s really tough to be young at the moment! It is not just coming out of the pandemic and three-year fallout that ensued, but they are faced with so many pressures and expectations! Being told at fifteen that if they do not perform well in their GCSEs they will not be able to build a good life, added to the peer pressure even social media pressure! The latter one causing them to be in constant contact with each other and that is not necessarily healthy, as it does not allow them the time and space to just be themselves or to pick up some of the social skills they missed on during the pandemic, while constantly thinking:
‘Am I successful ?’
‘Am I a good enough person?’
Rev. Terry Tennes, Rev. John Pulford, Minister Lee McDade
The Ministry Team at CBC (from left)
Rev. Graeme Ross from the Eastern Baptist Association conducting the Ordination and Induction Service