Pastor Timothy Wood
Timothy Wood has been our Pastor for 32 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 minister, James, and housewife Ailsa, who both now reside in heaven with their saviour. You can view Timothy's dramatic conversion through his testimony here:
Timothy Wood has been our Pastor for 32 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 minister, James, and housewife Ailsa, who both now reside in heaven with their saviour. You can view Timothy's dramatic conversion through his testimony here:
Dr Robert Winston and Bob Pritchard (Elders)
Dr Robert Winston is a retired pastor and father-in-law to Timothy. He holds his doctorate in theology and joined the eldership when it was extended to three members two years ago, along with Bob Pritchard, who joined Wigmore 5 years ago, he is a retired power station manager.
They both assist Timothy in the smooth running of the church, helping with services every now and then as well as Pastoral matters.
Dr Robert Winston is a retired pastor and father-in-law to Timothy. He holds his doctorate in theology and joined the eldership when it was extended to three members two years ago, along with Bob Pritchard, who joined Wigmore 5 years ago, he is a retired power station manager.
They both assist Timothy in the smooth running of the church, helping with services every now and then as well as Pastoral matters.
Deaconate
The deaconate consists of 2 Deacons: Our treasurer and longest standing deacon, Andrew, and Nathan, our Fabrics Deacon.
The deaconate consists of 2 Deacons: Our treasurer and longest standing deacon, Andrew, and Nathan, our Fabrics 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, decided 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 advertisment for three army huts, in Cranbrook. The tempoary Church building was erected and was opened on the 21st June 1948. At this time, the small but growing congregation set out to evangelise to its new found neigbhours. The first Sunday School meeting was held, numbering 12 young people. Their prescence 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 nowdays 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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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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