A Surprising weekend of Outreach in Bath

The Go West initiative regularly hosts ‘Go West weekends’, gathering locals and anyone further afield for prayer and outreach to Bath and surrounding areas in the west of the UK. Recently, the Bath church plant hosted a weekend centring around a community fun day to reach the local neighbourhood. Ben Hazon, a recent addition to the team in Bath, was privileged to take part. Read on to discover his experience.

Bath from overhead (Photo credit: Ben Hazon)

What are your expectations when you are about to get involved with community outreach? For me it's somewhere between hoping for breakthrough and bracing for disappointment.

I have had the privilege of being involved with Go West weekends since they started in February last year - praying into how God wanted to plant churches into the West of the UK at the beginning, then planting a church in Bath, and now the most recent weekend, holding a local community outreach in Bath.

Up to that point, my experience of community outreach has been somewhat uneventful. Growing up in Sevenoaks, where the community has been somewhat closed, when I saw that the itinerary for the weekend was solely focused on leafleting to the local community and running a community fun day, I was ashamed to admit that my expectations were low!

A slow start

On the Saturday morning we prayed before heading out to the estates around the community hub where we meet on Sunday mornings. It was quiet, I think I saw no more than five people for the hour we went around, however I was still able to give out the hundred or so leaflets I had.

Go West: Team BBQ (Photo credit: Ben Hazon)

The rest of Saturday was relatively relaxed compared to other Go West weekends, there were no meetings or things to do for the rest of the day and that was good. As someone who likes to be doing something at every moment of the day it was a nice change of pace. In those moments I was able to connect with members of the church I had yet to properly meet, especially at the evening BBQ, which has made the transition to join Go West so much easier and more exciting.

Fun day

On Sunday, I had no idea how many people would show up; I just wanted to make it a great event and play my part. My part, as it turns out, was face painting - something I have never done before, but I was willing to give it a go! For three hours that's what I did, alongside taking some photos.

The day was incredible. There was no nervous wait for people to show up; from the outset, people flooded in. The day featured picnics, bouncy castles, food, face painting and deep conversations. You could feel the sense of community around - it was a success. I could feel my heart start to soften towards some of the visitors, especially some kids I spent the most of the time with, learning their interests, hobbies and what everyday life is like for them in Bath.

Go West Community Fun Day: Face painting (Photo credit: Ben Hazon)

Go West Community Fun Day: Bouncy Castle (Photo credit: Ben Hazon)

My low expectations were completely shattered! By the end of the day we had seen at least 200 people overall and were able to connect with many who we hope will return on a Sunday morning in the future. I am so excited to be joining in with this adventure - not just for a weekend every few months but everyday.

Want to join a future Go West weekend or a prayer Zoom? Whether you’re from the west UK or not, if you have a heart to see the gospel further planted in this part of the nation, your support would be welcomed! Stay updated via their Facebook page.