The GAP

Our Community Centre

Grace And Peace: Besides grace and peace The GAP represents the gap that exists between the world and the church. We want to bridge that gap by reaching out to our community with a helping hand, so that they not only hear about Jesus but they see Jesus at work through us.

The GAP's premises was originally a municipal swimming baths and was for many years a place of enjoyment for the people of Newport and surrounding areas. Eventually the baths were closed and the building was sold to Hill Management and refurbished to provide offices for their business purposes. Hill Management decided to move the business out of Newport and the building remained for sale for a number of years. Bethel’s involvement began during 2001 when the leadership had a vision to reach out to the community of Baneswell and the wider Newport area. The generous giving of members of the church enabled the deposit to be raised and the building purchased by mid December 2001. This marked the beginning of the realisation of the vision.

Vision for The GAP

The Christian message is one of loving relationship and community.

We believe Christianity is best taken into the community through involvement with people. Jesus Himself came to serve and His command to us is ‘follow Me’. Bethel’s vision is to reach out into Baneswell and the City of Newport in order to serve the community.

This will be through the provision of:

A Coffee Shop
A confidential support, advice and signposting centre
Activities which engage and benefit people of all ages, for example:

Parents and Toddlers
Homework Clubs

Courses and Learning Opportunities accredited through the Open College Network

Aim

Community Aims

To create a community facility where:

The individual is valued and where potential can be developed and realised.
Individuals and groups within the community can meet and participate in a variety of social activities and learning opportunities.
Individuals who need support and are vulnerable can find help and advice.
All are included and welcomed

To demonstrate the relevance of the Christian message by:

Strengthening the relationship between the Church and the local community.
Providing a facility that shows a Christian understanding of community. This will be reflected in all aspects of the Centre, in its management and organisation, its relationships and the quality of service given.
Valuing the uniqueness of each individual who is made in the image of God.

Objectives

Under the leadership of the management trustees, The Gap's policy of service to the community will be implemented.

The three main elements are:

Support / Advice
Training / Education
Relationship Building / Social Interaction

Support / Advice

The GAP will offer confidential support, advice and signposting. This will be staffed by trained personnel.

Training / Education

A variety of learning opportunities will be made available to children and adults of all ages. It is the vision of the Church to equip individuals to contribute to the community and other areas of voluntary sector work. Where appropriate training will be underpinned through recognised accreditation.

Relationship Building / Social Interaction

The GAP will provide the opportunity for children and adults to gather together to socialise and take part in various activities. The Coffee Shop will provide an informal meeting place where light refreshments will be served.

How do we build?

Exodus 35 v 29
‘ So the people every man and woman who wanted to help in the work the Lord had given them brought their offerings to the Lord. ‘

1 Corinthians 12 v 7 and 11
‘ A spiritual gift is given to each one of us as a means of helping the entire Church... It is the one and only Holy Spirit who distributes these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.’

The Vision is the heart of God, which is always to reach out to those He created in His own image. When He gave the instruction for the Tabernacle they were detailed and precise. He moved upon the hearts of His people to offer their gifts and talents. So today He will also give to us the plans and the detail of how He wants this vision to be implemented. He will also move upon our hearts to bring those gifts, which the Holy Spirit has already placed within this Church.

The Vision is alive and growing, it will be phased in over a period of time.