Crossways Community Baptist Church

Dorking, Surrey

Having been convicted by the Lord of the need for a ministry designed to bring support to those individuals in the community with spiritual, mental, social or physical problems in July 2004, after much prayer, “Project 61” began.  This was an umbrella organisation, taking as its commission Isaiah 61: 1-3, and able to respond to needs as they arose.  As time has gone on it has become apparent this is so much a reflection of the church that we now consider this to be the community ministry of the church and are no longer calling it “Project 61”.  We have also rewritten our vision statement as follows:  Our Vision is to be an inclusive church that encourages all to grow into relationship with God and presents Jesus in a way that all people can understand and respond to.

At the moment there are five different groups within the ministry:

1. Crossways Praise Club:  A monthly cell group for adults with learning disabilities.
2. The Sunday Club:  A monthly social activities group for adults with learning disabilities.
3. Top Tots:  A twice weekly toddlers group.
4. The Women’s Friendship group:  A support group, for women finding life particularly difficult, which meets once a week.
5. Time Out:  A once weekly coffee shop/drop in, open to all, with opportunity to talk, get prayer or counselling, or just read the paper and drink some of the best fair trade tea, coffee or hot chocolate in town - all for which there is no charge.

The church was built in 1876 with a variety of different floor levels and, consequently, was not built with disabilities in mind.  Because of this we have carried out a number of alterations to the building, putting in new, wider, exterior doors and ramps and changing floor levels, all of which has made the majority of the building accessible to all.  We also have an easy access toilet designed with wheelchair users in mind - this toilet has facilities to cover all toiletry needs including support rails, disposable gloves and disinfectant wipes.

Approximately three years ago we had our song book produced in Braille.   Although at present we don’t have anyone in the church that has a need for this,  should there be a need at any time it is there and will be kept up to date with any changes to the song book in the future.

Whilst we use a video projector in church during worship and presentations in sermons, were we to have someone with sight problems we have a policy in place to have someone sit alongside and quietly describe what is going on.  We  held a training day for the church to learn Makaton signing (used by some people with learning disabilities, as well as some children)  to give an overview of signing for the church in general, whilst one of our members is more fully trained in Makaton and signs at our regular monthly inclusive services as well as other services when possible.

Members of our Learning Disabilities Team have been to other local churches to help lead their disabilities celebrations and in June ‘09 we hosted the first of a series of quarterly celebrations for learning disabilities groups from across Surrey, lead by our team.

Our Services normally include; large print projection, iInduction loop amplification, easy read Bible and New Testaments, appropriate teaching materials and access to appropriate seating; on occasions we have Makaton signing as well. The church is blessed because everyone taking part receives back far, far more than they give and all have grown in faith as a result. We will continue to adjust and adapt as needs arise.

Happy Birthday DCF

Disabled Christians Fellowship formed in 1959, when Frances Poole started a group in Bristol. DCF has kept growing, with groups around the country, accessible holidays, tape and CD ministry and support through prayer and friendship for disabled people and those affected by disability. This year, DCF reaches its Golden Anniversary, and as part of the celebrations for this great big number we’ll be holding two events.

Coming soon: DCF 50th Anniversary Celebration!

Sat 12th Sept 09, Burton Town Hall, Burton Upon Trent, Staffs, DE14 2EB

If you would like to join us in celebrating 50 yrs with DCF, please contact Jenny or Margaret to register for a place. A buffet lunch will be provided for members of DCF at 12.30, and the service of celebration with speaker Jennifer Rees-Larcombe will begin at 2pm. This event is open to all and the afternoon will conclude with tea and cake at 3.30pm.

To find out more, or to register to attend, pleasefollow this link to email Margaret at Through the Roof.

The first was held on June 6th with speaker Max Sinclair at the King’s Church, Epsom. Max Sinclair was paralysed in a car accident but made a substantial recovery and walked out of Stoke Mandeville Hospital. Max and his wife Sue are in demand at seminars and conferences, speaking on such issues as marriage and family life. They also teach the bible and share their experiences of handling life’s crises. They have three grown-up children and five grandchildren. Max is an author of four books, including ‘Stairway to Heaven’.

DCF - A brief history

Disabled Christians Fellowship was formed in 1959, when Frances Poole, a woman of vision, started the first group in Bristol following her involvement with friends who had a disability. In the following years, others caught the vision and the work grew from the one group to around twenty groups in Great Britain, with a lively holiday programme, a popular audio resource ministry, & regular prayer support. There are still DCF local groups around the UK.

In 1994, the vision of Bristol supporters for a local Day Centre came to fruition. Haven Day Centre (legally named DCF Premier Workshops) provided a stimulating environment, offering various activities, and day-care or assistance, to adults with restricted mobility, sensory impairment, or who had learning support needs. All this took place in a caring Christian environment. It was based in Filwood Park, Knowle West, in Bristol. For over 30 years, the DCF centre in Bristol helped many hundreds of people to know a new sense of belonging, and of being valued. Many other Christian organisations carry on this essential work, such as those who are part of the network Churches for All: including us at Through the Roof. 

DCF has been changing the lives of disabled Christians through support and fellowship it provides for people with a disability for over sixty years!

The original vision continues: to be a conduit through which those with a disability might get to know the love of Jesus Christ. DCF is now part of Through the Roof, and the main office is based in Morden, Surrey. People continue to come to faith and trust in Christ through the ministry and by knowing the love and care of other Christians.

Through the Roof offers accessible holidays in the UK and online retreats and resources, providing both practical and spiritual support to all who need to know there can be a future and a hope. Our 'Together fellowship' programme includes many pastoral, prayer and fellowship opportunities, including online groups: the Lounge and Together at Home which meet regularly on Zoom. The aim of each of these is to introduce those with a disability to the love of Jesus, and for those who are already believers to strengthen their faith and aid them to grow in their walk with God.

Jacky returns from Kenya

Through the Roof’s CEO, Jacky Oliver, travelled to the Nakuru region of Kenya in the second half of July to run some training sessions for pastors. Jacky spoke about the inclusion of disabled people, an idea which was particularly challenging to those working in an area where disabled people are often seen as cursed and are usually hidden away. Jacky also took the opportunity to include mental health issues in her training - the pastors had never heard teaching on this topic before. Those attending were very responsive to Jacky’s message of inclusion, and this will hopefully have far-reaching effects on the lives of disabled people in the area.

Unfortunately, Jacky’s hotel room was broken into while she was in Kenya, and her wallet, camera and other items stolen. A local church took up a collection and presented the money to Jacky - an amazing kindness from people who have so little themselves.

Carol Mills

Carol Mills is Through the Roof’s Northern Ireland Co-ordinator and a teacher at Fleming Fulton school, Belfast.

Linda Head

Linda Head joined Through the Roof in the summer of 2007.  Linda comes in two mornings a week, writing and despatching the weekly prayer email and helping process incoming finance .

Helen Goddard – Finance and Admin Assistant

Helen Goddard is our longest-serving volunteer, but has taken on an extra day working on book keeping, processing donations & Thank You letters and admin for the Vital Link newsletter. She also fulfils all our shop orders.

Anita Alner

Anita Alner puts Vital Link on tape, reading from her braille version. She is another key cog in the Come Fishing machine and does many jobs that her sighted colleagues are delighted she takes over!

Touch Down

Touch down at London Heathrow after a smooth journey home. Glad to see our families. Fantastic trip + excellent team. 480 trained. God was in all we did.

Before we Left...

Before heading to the airport we took a quick trip to the America Latina school in the city. We saw Jose, a young man with learning disabilities who graduated from the school the previous year, and now has a paid role at the school. His co-workers say he has been transformed, just like that caterpillar I saw on our first day. We have trained 480 people and been blessed so much and pray that the seeds of what we have sown will be watered and will grow and bear fruit in the years to come.