AGBC
(S.E.) History
In November 1870,
"a strong desire for closer union among Strict
Baptist churches in London and its suburbs" led to
the formation of the Metropolitan Association of
Strict Baptist Churches (M.A.S.B.C.) in
1871. Initially there were 23 churches. Today the
Association, made up of 59 churches, is known as
the Association of Grace Baptist Churches (South
East).
From the beginning M.A.S.B.C. sought to preserve a
careful balance between the independence of the
local church and meaningful inter-church
fellowship. The affairs of the Association were
guided by a
Committee which met on the second Friday of each
month.
Prayer was an outstanding feature of early
association life. Before the end of the first year,
the ministers had resolved that each associated
pastor devote an half-hour (9.30 – 10pm) each
Sunday evening to pray for God’s blessing upon the
churches. Out of this grew the regular District
Prayer Meetings.
A number of funds were created to promote the
Christian Gospel and to assist Christians in need.
All these reflected the true nature of sharing
which gives Christian fellowship real meaning.
In 1889, the Sunday School Committee was formed.
This was followed in 1904 by the ‘Home Mission’
which was established to strengthen the work of
evangelism among the churches. In 1934 the M.A.S.B.
C. launched ‘Fellowship of Youth’.
The complexities of holding chapel properties under
Trust law and advising churches upon the many
problems of church-life and maintenance led to the
formation of the Association's Trustee Corporation
(Association of Strict Baptist Churches Limited)
which undertakes trusteeship of chapel property
throughout the country. Today this is known as
Grace Baptist Charities Limited.
Mr. John Hazelton, presiding at the Annual Meeting
in 1873, closed his address by naming four
blessings greatly needed:
(i) An outpouring of the Holy Spirit,
(ii) A spirit of real brotherliness,
(iii) Each accepting a greater amount of labour
(iv) More personal communion with the Lord.
He added, “Our guiding motto shall be, That God may
be glorified.”
May we know these blessings
today!