The third anniversary of the founding of Sunderland Free Church was quite a day. Such an opportunity could not be missed and the mid-week Bible Study was turned into a night of praise and sharing as members related their experience under the title of ‘These Three Years’.

Those three years have been eventful, with some elements of sadness, but much cause for joy. After ten years of ministry in a large church in the town the Rev. David T. Jones felt that he still had a calling from God to minister the gospel in Sunderland. Numbers of Christians felt the same way and consequently he and other like-minded Christians founded what has, since August 17 1975, been known as Sunderland Free Church.

Since that time the church has proved the Psalmist’s confident assertion: ‘I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me’. The scope of God’s providence has been remarkable. For example, within a very short space of time not only was a home found for Mr. Jones and his family, but the church enabled him to take out a mortgage in it himself. Then, when a place to hold services was needed, the fellow-ship was able to obtain the use of a local YMCA hall. At that time the congregation amounted to little more that 50, but that number has been almost doubled both through Christians who moved into the area and through genuine conversion-work.

Undoubtedly the greatest practical matter has been the question, of a permanent site the church. The YMCA hall is quite adequate for its purpose, but it soon became clear that church premises would be far better as a venue for preaching the gospel and for conferences, and would also give the church a more flexible base from which to mount evangelistic outreach. Further, from time to time weekly Bible School is provided with redoubtable opposition by the ladies Old-Time Dancing Club in the adjoining hall!

The quest for a permanent home for SFC, as t tends to be known, has occupied much time, energy and prayer on the church’s part. One of the greatest providence’s for the church is the indefatigable work of the Deacons, who is a Master Builder by trade.

Numerous sites were looked into and finally, this year, a strategic plot was leased from the Borough Council. It is the former Eye Infirmary site and stands very close to the Town Centre on one of the main roads into town and a mere 200 yards from one of the chief bus stations. The terms of the lease have been a source of delight for such a central situation.

The church is grateful to the Borough Council for all its helpfulness and particularly Councillor Tom Bridges, who was Mayor during the most crucial part of the proceedings and displayed a keen interest in the work. The church thanks God for such co-operation in a day when the concerns of the gospel are too frequently given little weight by men in secular office.

The demolition work on the old Eye Infirmary has commenced. On two nights of the week and on Saturdays the men and women of the church can be found clearing rubble, emptying wheelbarrows (or, as a change of routine, filling them!), sweeping up, dismantling the old structure and doing many other kindred tasks. The centrepiece of the hole operation is an old but doughty diesel-operated brick crusher.

Members prize the increased fellowship that this work has engendered. Naturally a great deal of work lies ahead and members are thankful for the various testings before the site was given, when the Lord taught valuable lessons of patient faith and persevering prayer. These are qualities which the future will require as the financial strain will be large. Even here the Lord has been very kind, for the people of SFC have given with great generosity and occasionally Christians else where have given splendidly.

Tower Street Baptist Church at Hartlepool has proved a good neighbour in the loan of their baptistery and buildings on two occasions and relations between the churches are more than cordial. The church has set aside five deacons to its service. The quarterly church meetings have been happy times when members have shared in fellowship as well as planning, under the Lord’s hand, the SFC of the future.

The church is glad to have links with its missionary couple, the Rev. and Mrs. Dick Bulmer, whom it seeks to support in their work in Nigeria. Increasingly happy relations are enjoyed with Mr. And Mrs. Barrie Williamson, working with the New Tribes Mission in Indonesia.

It is heartening to see the Lord equip His church that diversity of capacities needed for its work and witness. The church prays that the initials SFC will become as well known on Wearside for the gospel as the other SFC (Sunderland Football Club) is for soccer.