Jesus said
"The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath"
Mark 2 v 27
DayOne helps Noah's Ark
This is a church – but for many of us, not quite as we know it.
Howdenclough Methodist Church in Birstall, West Yorkshire has undergone a transformation in the last two years.
Located at the edge of a former textile village near the M62 in West Yorkshire, the chapel could look back on better days. Before the Second World War the village boasted a woollen mill, coal mine, railway station, post office, shops and public house. Even as late as the late 1960’s chapel members recall substantial congregations and a successful evangelistic mission with Cliff College evangelists which saw conversions. The chapel became almost the last institution to face closure in the village. The decline of the area is symbolized with the location of the Council tip which is around the corner from the Chapel.
Three years ago the church was down to 10 members with little meaningful contact with its surrounding community. It was under pressure to close and sold for other uses.
But over the last 12 months, there have been 12,000 people of all ages coming through the doors.
The huge 40’ high Noah’s Ark now dominates the chapel. It has become the medium for a remarkable enterprise.
The project has taken the title “The Wesley Playhouse”. The Ark has slides, climbing ropes, ball pools and tunnels. Parents can sit in the café area to watch their children play. There are beautiful pictures of animals. A party play area is also provided.
The result has seen hundreds come through the doors each week. And a unique evangelistic opportunity has been created.
There are colouring sheets, books, jigsaws about bible stories for children. Christian booklets for adults are placed on dining tables and in a literature stand. Opportunities for personal evangelism abound and visitors can ask for prayer and help.
The church has made good us of DayOne materials – distributing Living Word calendars and Day One Diaries.
They recently took delivery of 2000 scripture text pencils from DayOne. Each week they host several children’s birthday parties. Every child is given a Party Bag to take home – which included sweets, the story of Noah’s Ark on a bookmark and a pencil. Coordinator Caroline Holt said it was a way of getting children (and their parents) to read scripture texts. Instead of ‘Happy Birthday’ on the edge of the pencil they now read such texts as ‘Trust in the Lord’!
Caroline went on to say how the church was grateful to DayOne for its support in providing quality evangelistic materials at affordable prices.
An evangelistic service is held once a month on a Sunday afternoon aimed at parents with young children. It now attracts 19 adults and 15 children.
The original congregation continue to meet every week in a newly created small worship area downstairs in the two storey building. Despite being well over 70 years of age – most of them volunteer time in the week to help out in the Playhouse.
It has also assisted other churches in their evangelistic endeavours. Long standing Day One supporters, Morley Community Church, just two miles up the road took it over for their summer children’s mission. They transported children in minibuses for several afternoons to enjoy bible stories, chorus singing, craft and play on the Ark.
Sunday for many families has become party day for kids birthdays here in the UK. The church has taken a firm stand for the Lord’s Day. Right from the start they have remained closed on Sundays to play or parties. Caroline Holt said, “This is a Christian project. Sunday is a day for rest and worship. It is important to be seen to be different. On Sundays the only activity is worship and evangelistic services on these premises.”
Surprisingly, staff have found that their policy regarding the Lord’s Day is both known and respected by people using the Playhouse, who now arrange their parties on other days of the week.
This is a large building that was on the verge of extinction and neither vibrant or rich. They have seen remarkable answers to prayer. Over £150,000 came in from a variety of sources to set the project up. The local probation service helped to paint and decorate. Even IKEA donated chairs for the café.
Coordinator Caroline Holt is passionate about reaching people with the gospel. But she is not a Yorkshire woman. Originally from Three Bridges FIEC church in Sussex she moved north for study and work 20 years ago. She completed Bible School and considered overseas missionary work. However the widespread spiritual barrenness of the Yorkshire area challenged her. The plight of many small towns and villages and dying churches and little gospel witness became her burden. She found an avenue for service. The Lord gave her a vision. The Wesley Playhouse has been brought to birth.
In the most unexpected place and in the most unexpected way people are being touched with the gospel.