Pastor Timothy Wood
Rev. Timothy Wood has been our Pastor for 33 years, inducted in 1990. He has four children with his wife Susan, and enjoys sports such as Football and Cricket. He was born in 1962 to a Baptist minister, James, and housewife Ailsa, who both now reside in heaven with their saviour. You can read Timothy's conversion through his testimony here:
Rev. Timothy Wood has been our Pastor for 33 years, inducted in 1990. He has four children with his wife Susan, and enjoys sports such as Football and Cricket. He was born in 1962 to a Baptist minister, James, and housewife Ailsa, who both now reside in heaven with their saviour. You can read Timothy's conversion through his testimony here:
Bob and Paul (Elders)
Bob, joined Wigmore in 2016 after moving from Oxfordshire; Bob was called to be an Elder and is also the Church Secretary.
We recently welcomed Paul to the eldership, he was previously a deacon at Wigmore. They both assist Timothy in the ministerial matters of the church, preaching regularly as well as helping with Pastoral matters.
Bob, joined Wigmore in 2016 after moving from Oxfordshire; Bob was called to be an Elder and is also the Church Secretary.
We recently welcomed Paul to the eldership, he was previously a deacon at Wigmore. They both assist Timothy in the ministerial matters of the church, preaching regularly as well as helping with Pastoral matters.
Diaconate
The diaconate consists of 4 Deacons: Andrew (Treasurer), Nathan (Fabric), Jonathan and Rob. We currently have one trainee deacon.
The diaconate consists of 4 Deacons: Andrew (Treasurer), Nathan (Fabric), Jonathan and Rob. We currently have one trainee deacon.
History of Wigmore Evangelical Free Church
The Church Building today (2022)
Pastor Tim standing outside the entrance (1991)
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In 1942 a Baptist named Richard Jewell was called to plant a Church in the Rainham area, with original services being held in the house he shared with his wife. The first congregation consisted of 10 people, and this very soon increased. The Church had been meeting for four years when they decided to start raising money for a long-standing Chapel building.
The plan was to use disused Army Huts left over from the War, and after several failed attempts to find a temporary building, a member saw an advertisement for three army huts, in Cranbrook. The temporary Church building was erected and was opened on the 21st of June 1948. At this time, the small but growing congregation set out to evangelise to its newfound neighbours. The first Sunday School meeting was held, numbering 12 young people. Their presence was seen also at Sunday meetings, and midweek-prayer meetings. In the 1950s a new housing estate was being planned in the woodland abaft the temporary structure (The estate is nowadays known as Lyndhurst Avenue) and by 1958, the go-ahead was given for the current Chapel Building to be built. The Army Hut was 'bricked-in' and since then, a bungalow next door was acquired, and still to this day hosts our Sunday school, creche and Youth Group meetings.
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What does a typical service look like?
Going to meet with a new church typically can be a daunting experience, especially if you rarely or have never attended a church before. At Wigmore, we try to make visitors as welcome as possible, and all are invited to stay behind after the morning and evening services, for tea, coffee and fellowship with one another if you wish.
Our morning and evening services generally follow a similar pattern: Hymn, Prayer, Hymn, Bible Reading, Hymn, Sermon, Hymn.
A reading from the Bible is taken, and then expanded on and explained in a sermon; sermons usually last around 30-40 minutes.
Our morning and evening services generally follow a similar pattern: Hymn, Prayer, Hymn, Bible Reading, Hymn, Sermon, Hymn.
A reading from the Bible is taken, and then expanded on and explained in a sermon; sermons usually last around 30-40 minutes.
"We preach Christ crucified" (1 Corinthians 1:23)
We sing mostly from the Christian Hymns hymnbook but have our own supplement hymnbook, Wigmore Praise, which occasionally is used, along with others. Our Hymns are displayed on a screen in the morning, but the use of hymnbooks is still very welcome.
We ensure that all our hymns are biblically based and God honouring, and we aim to keep the original words of the hymn writer where appropriate. We have a mix of mostly traditional hymns along with some newer ones. Hymns are accompanied by a piano when possible.
Our Sunday School for children is held during the morning service after the third hymn; a creche is also available for those with babies. There is a speaker and video relay in the creche room so you don't miss any of the sermon.
At the end of the first Sunday morning service of each month, we honour the Lord's supper. All are welcome to stay and witness this part of the service however we ask that only believers take part in eating and drinking the bread and the wine. (1 Corinthians 11:27-29)
We ensure that all our hymns are biblically based and God honouring, and we aim to keep the original words of the hymn writer where appropriate. We have a mix of mostly traditional hymns along with some newer ones. Hymns are accompanied by a piano when possible.
Our Sunday School for children is held during the morning service after the third hymn; a creche is also available for those with babies. There is a speaker and video relay in the creche room so you don't miss any of the sermon.
At the end of the first Sunday morning service of each month, we honour the Lord's supper. All are welcome to stay and witness this part of the service however we ask that only believers take part in eating and drinking the bread and the wine. (1 Corinthians 11:27-29)
Statement of Faith
Wigmore Evangelical Free Church is a member of the FIEC and our beliefs are summarised below. We also affirm the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith.
1. God
There is one God, who exists eternally in three distinct but equal persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God is unchangeable in his holiness, justice, wisdom and love. He is the almighty Creator; Saviour and Judge who sustains and governs all things according to his sovereign will for his own glory.
2. The Bible
God has revealed himself in the Bible, which consists of the Old and New Testaments alone. Every word was inspired by God through human authors, so that the Bible as originally given is in its entirety the Word of God, without error and fully reliable in fact and doctrine. The Bible alone speaks with final authority and is always sufficient for all matters of belief and practice.
3. The Human Race
All men and women, being created in the image of God, have inherent and equal dignity and worth. Their greatest purpose is to obey, worship and love God. As a result of the fall of our first parents, every aspect of human nature has been corrupted and all men and women are without spiritual life, guilty sinners and hostile to God. Every person is therefore under the just condemnation of God and needs to be born again, forgiven and reconciled to God in order to know and please him.
4. The Lord Jesus Christ
The Lord Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, and lived a sinless life in obedience to the Father. He taught with authority and all his words are true. On the cross he died in the place of sinners, bearing God’s punishment for their sin, redeeming them by his blood. He rose from the dead and in his resurrection body ascended into heaven where he is exalted as Lord of all. He intercedes for his people in the presence of the Father.
5. Salvation
Salvation is entirely a work of God’s grace and cannot be earned or deserved. It has been accomplished by the Lord Jesus Christ and is offered to all in the gospel. God in his love forgives sinners whom he calls, granting them repentance and faith. All who believe in Christ are justified by faith alone, adopted into the family of God and receive eternal life.
6. The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit has been sent from heaven to glorify Christ and to apply his work of salvation. He convicts sinners, imparts spiritual life and gives a true understanding of the Scriptures. He indwells all believers, brings assurance of salvation and produces increasing likeness to Christ. He builds up the Church and empowers its members for worship, service and mission.
7. The Church
The universal Church is the body of which Christ is the head and to which all who are saved belong. It is made visible in local churches, which are congregations of believers who are committed to each other for the worship of God, the preaching of the Word, the administering of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper; for pastoral care and discipline, and for evangelism. The unity of the body of Christ is expressed within and between churches by mutual love, care and encouragement. True fellowship between churches exists only where they are faithful to the gospel.
8. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper have been given to the churches by Christ as visible signs of the gospel. Baptism is a symbol of union with Christ and entry into his Church but does not impart spiritual life. The Lord’s Supper is a commemoration of Christ’s sacrifice offered once for all and involves no change in the bread and wine. All its blessings are received by faith.
9. The Future
The Lord Jesus Christ will return in glory. He will raise the dead and judge the world in righteousness. The wicked will be sent to eternal punishment and the righteous will be welcomed into a life of eternal joy in fellowship with God. God will make all things new and will be glorified forever.
Click here for the full Wigmore Evangelical Free Church Articles of Faith and Rules of Practice
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