Kilmarnock is a town of around 50k people. Being a typical working class town in Scotland, it boomed with industry from the mid 19th century to the mid 20th century. However, the major decline in industry in the 2000s now means limited opportunities, lower local investment and all the social issues of unemployment.
This is a place of real community; people are great and warm, with many born and bred here, having large family connections.
Yet Kilmarnock is now best described as a poorer town with some nice areas. Shortlees, the scheme where the church is now meeting, is in the bottom 5% of deprivation in Scotland, with 48% income deprivation and over 33% unemployment. This is the home to some of the worst drug and alcohol issues in Ayrshire and beyond. There has been no healthy, gospel-centred church in Shortlees for 20 years. And, in the South of Kilmarnock – home to 25k people – there has not been one for many years.
Hope for Kilmarnock
KBC was planted in 1860 to reach the poorest people in the town centre. It did that for many years but in recent times lost its way a little. A string of short and often damaging pastorates led to a church with few active members who had suffered from inconstancy in teaching and little encouragement to grow in word and prayer.
David Hannah started 3 years ago – the plan was to teach the bible and pray together, and then after a few years of they would start outreach. However,
they grew from 20 to to around 80 regularly attending people in 2 years.
Some were saved, and some were coming back to church.
Pray that God would provide mature, godly believers to serve this church in discipleship and outreach, and that God would raise up men to serve as elders.
ENQUIRE ABOUT GOSPEL OPPORTUNITIES IN KILMARNOCK
Current needs for prayer:
- A building in the scheme itself.
- Unity around core convictions.
- Unity and a passion for planting across Ayrshire.
Will you support the team serving God in Kilmarnock?
Pray
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COME
Kilmarnock desperately needs mature Christians to come and make Jesus known. Whether short or long-term, is God calling you to serve Him in the schemes of Scotland?