We have several exciting ministry opportunities at Oldham Bethel Church. For those wishing to join us as a ministry trainee for September 2017 the role includes theological training through the North West Partnership training scheme. The deadline for applications to the course is 8th August so there is only a few weeks left to sign up and join us.

Our church

Oldham Bethel Church is an FIEC and North West Partnership church in the Glodwick area of Oldham. Oldham was recently dubbed ‘most deprived town in England’ and is both physically and spiritually needy. Glodwick is a residential area on the edge of the town centre overwhelmingly populated by Pakistani and Bangladeshi Muslims. The area houses the borough’s largest mosque and was the epicentre of the 2001 Oldham race riots.

The church has around 25 members and a regular congregation of c. 40 people. We are a
multicultural church with people from the UK, Europe, Caribbean, Middle East, Africa and Asia. We have a number of members and adherents from Iran so translate significant portions of our church service into Farsi. We have had the joy of seeing many Persian people come to know and love the Lord Jesus personally, subsequently going on to be baptised at the church. Many of our members and adherents are asylum seekers and thus have significant financial, emotional and practical needs.

Our Aims
We exist as a church of disciples who make disciples of Jesus Christ by allowing God’s word to work by his Spirit. We are committed to four fundamental values: Gospel, Bible,
Community and Mission. We are also committed to training a new generation of church
leaders, pastoral workers and theologically grounded, thoughtful church members.

Our immediate mission-field is predominantly, though not exclusively, Muslim people. In our context, these may be first generation Pakistani and Bangladeshi Muslims, British born Muslims of Asian descent and Middle Eastern Iranians. Nonetheless, we are also reaching the indigenous white British population by engaging in care home outreach within Glodwick and Open Air preaching in the town centre.

Further to this, we are also conscious, due to the racially segregated nature of the town, that many of the indigenous white British population are not going to come to Glodwick. For this reason, Oldham Bethel Church has long-term plans to plant churches on nearby unreached estates that have no credible gospel witness in their midst. We have, thus far, identified four areas within a 15-30 minute walk of our church that are ripe for planting and in desperate need of a gospel witness on their estate.

The Opportunities

Ministry Trainee: We are currently seeking a Ministry Trainee to join the church in September 2017. The role will include a year of theological training through the North West Partnership training scheme, with the option of a further year extension by mutual agreement. The role will offer opportunities to develop skills in evangelism and children’s ministry as well as offering structured support in planning and delivering Bible studies as well as learning to prepare and deliver sermons/talks. You will gain experience of building the church in a deprived community as well as develop apologetic and evangelistic skills for cross-cultural mission.

No prior experience in reaching Muslim people is necessary. However, the successful applicant will have a desire to see lost people won for Christ and the local church built up through faithful preaching of the word. They will also be able to demonstrate a track record of service within their home church.

The deadline for applications to the North West Partnershing Training Course is August 8th and so applications must be received for this role before this date.

Church Planter: We are currently seeking Church Planters to join us, learn our context with a view to planting churches on nearby local housing estates. Prior theological training is not a necessity as we are able to offer on-the-job training through partnership with the North West Training College. Depending on prior experience and training, we envisage a two to three year placement at Oldham Bethel Church whilst a planting team is drawn together. Over time, we would expect the team to begin meetings, with increasing independence, such that a phased-in approach would lead to an independent church on the estate within no more than three years.

Prior Bible College training would be helpful, though not essential, given the ability to train on-the-job. The successful applicant would have a clear heart for either Muslim-majority ministry or mission to the white urban unreached. There must be a good track record of active service and roles of responsibility held in previous churches. The candidate must also come with the support – both financial and prayerful – of a sending church.

Church Members: We are also in need of gospel-hearted workers who will simply move to Oldham to work and serve in the church. There are currently £25,000 tax-free bursaries available to teachers that wish to train in Oldham. The area is also in need of doctors and dentists who will commit to the area as well as much available work in the social services and other public sector areas.

Oldham Bethel Church is seeing conversions and baptisms. We are involved in exciting frontline evangelism and seeing fruit for our labours. Unfortunately, we simply do not have the workers needed to maximise the opportunities available. Could you consider committing to this needy area of the country and supporting the work at Oldham Bethel Church?

If these roles are of interest to you, please do get in touch at info@oldhambethelchurch.org.uk