Mission

🌍 Mission Partnerships

Sharing in God’s work, near and far

At St John the Baptist, Wonersh and St Martin’s, Blackheath, we believe that God’s mission extends far beyond our church walls. As a church, we commit to supporting a small number of carefully chosen Mission Partners—organisations and individuals whose work reflects the values of God’s kingdom in practical and transformative ways.

We also recognise that many members of our congregation have personal connections with a wide variety of Christian ministries, and we celebrate those too.

✨ Why Mission Partnerships?

Our mission partnerships aim to:

  • Inspire us by seeing Christ at work beyond our parish

  • Help us focus collectively on outward-facing ministry

  • Support and enable Christian work locally and globally

  • Broaden our understanding of God’s kingdom

  • Encourage personal involvement in mission

  • Champion those working faithfully in challenging contexts

  • Model partnership, connection, and generosity

  • Engage with the diversity of God’s work around the world

🙏 How We Support Our Mission Partners

We offer support through:

  • Prayer

  • Financial giving from our annual mission budget

  • Joint activities and appeals (e.g. Harvest, Lent)

  • Mission-themed services where partners are invited to speak

  • Regular updates on prayer needs, news, and ways to get involved

Mission Partnerships are overseen by our Mission Partnership Committee, which maintains contact with each partner, recommends giving allocations to the PCC, and helps bring their stories into the life of the church.

🌐 International Mission Partners

Mim Friday – Viva Africa

Viva supports vulnerable children by empowering local networks of churches and organisations to work together. Mim is the Network Director for four Viva hubs in Africa, the largest of which is in Kampala, Uganda.

Together they support:

  • Education and safeguarding of children

  • Family reunification and care for street-connected children

  • Maternal and child health programmes

  • Economic empowerment for families

Tearfund

Tearfund is a Christian international development charity, working in over 50 countries to end extreme poverty. They work through local churches and partners to provide:

  • Emergency humanitarian response

  • Community development and self-empowerment

  • Advocacy for justice and systemic change

Local Mission Partners

Wonersh and Shamley Green CE Primary School

Our village school plays a vital role in the spiritual and educational life of the community. Under the leadership of Headteacher Tim Cheesman, the school nurtures over 200 local children in a Christian environment where they can grow, learn, and flourish.

 YMCA DownsLink Group

YMCA DownsLink works across Sussex and Surrey to prevent youth homelessness. They provide:

  • Safe supported housing for over 650 young people

  • Counselling and support services for thousands of others

  • A Guildford-based home for up to 34 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children

Their vision: that every young person can belong, contribute and thrive.

Guildford Foodbank

We support the work of Guildford Foodbank, providing emergency food parcels and support to local individuals and families in crisis. Donations can be brought to the church, and seasonal appeals (e.g. Harvest) often support the Foodbank’s work.

Mission Partnership Committee

The Mission Partnership Committee helps to:

  • Build and maintain strong relationships with our Mission Partners

  • Communicate prayer needs and news with the church family

  • Recommend the annual mission giving budget to the PCC

  • Propose partners and causes for special appeals

  • Inspire the church to participate in God’s mission

If you'd like to learn more or get involved, please speak to a member of the team:

Mission Committee Members:
Caroline Stearman (Chair), Alex Vinall, Keith Bateson, Alice Bounsall-Hughes, Anne Heine-Carmichael

 

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