White River Community Church

White River Community Church commenced in June 2022, being the amalgamation of the St Austell Baptist Church and South Coast Church. We are passionate about being rooted in God's Word and we welcome the varied expressions of the Holy Spirit in our midst. We are located in the Baptist Church buildings in the centre of St Austell, from where we operate a Family Centre and the Ark Coffee Shop on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Our church vision is described as "Joyfully living for the glory of God as we share the heart of Christ in the heart of Cornwall."

Through our Family Centre we run toddler groups for pre-school children and parents on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Our aim is to introduce Christian values and faith to these children and their parents through crafts, song, stories and games.

On Sundays we have children's ministry (Bible lesson and activities) for primary school children, and a youth ministry for secondary school children.

Our youth group currently meet once a month on a Friday evening as well. We would like to increase the frequency of this Friday gathering, and would seek the trainee's support in facilitating this.

In addition, there is a primary school social gathering every Friday in a nearby fishing village, Mevagissey. This group is led by a young Baptist pioneer couple, with whom White River Community Church are in close relationship. Part of the trainee's responsibility would be to assist theh pioneer couple with this group of primary school children, particularly in possible new groups focusing on discipleship and faith-based teaching.

Saint Austell and Mevagissey are located on the south coast in central Cornwall.

Saint Austell is a town of approximately 30 000 people, and Mevagissey is a small fishing village of a few thousand.

About two-thirds to three-quarters of the trainee's time would be spent in Saint Austell, with the balance in Mevagissey.

There is great natural beauty in the area, despite a fair degree of economic deprivation.

The primary school children's social group in Mevagissey is currently meeting every week (5o-55 children each week).

The secondary school youth group at White River Community Church in St Austell meets weekly on Sunday mornings and monthly on Friday evenings (15-20 youth).

The primary school youth at White River Community Church in St Austell meet weekly on Sunday mornings (10 children).

The Family Centre pre-school toddler groups operate three days a week.