ABOUT US

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BRIDGE OF DON BAPTIST CHURCH

ABOUT US

Bridge of Don Baptist Church Bridge of Don Baptist Church is a group of Christians seeking to live out the great commission in our daily lives, whether this is at home, school, university, work or leisure. Our vision statement demonstrates our commitment to prayer, fellowship, discipleship, evangelism, world mission, social action, worship and church life. Our regular Sunday worship times are open to all ages and in addition we have a variety of groups and activities throughout the week which help to equip us, and give us opportunity to serve others.

Church Background

Bridge of Don Baptist Church began in January 1979, with fortnightly meetings in homes for prayer, Bible study and fellowship. Morning services commenced in a local school in May 1979, and we were formally constituted as a Baptist church in March 1980.

Our first full time pastor, Rev. Douglas Hutcheon, was inducted in August 1981, and in 1988 we moved into the purpose built Church Centre in Dubford Road. In 1992 the Pastoral leadership team was expanded with the arrival of the Rev. Martin Hodson to work primarily with young people. Following Douglas Hutcheon’s move in 1992 to be part of the core Baptist Union of Scotland team, the Church inducted the Rev. John Greenshields as its new senior pastor in 1995. Rev. Jarod Meenan joined John as the new assistant pastor in 1998. In 2007 John moved on from the fellowship to become the new Ministry Development Coordinator within the Baptist Union of Scotland. Following a short period of vacancy the church decided not to advertise for a new Pastor but to recognise Jarod’s skills and giftings by making him sole pastor to the Church.

During the life of the Church we have witnessed the beginning of 2 new churches by members of the fellowship – Ellon Baptist Church in 1984 (formally constituted in 1987), and gariochchurch in 2007 (formally constituted 2007).

Surrounding Area

Woodland behind the Church Centre Bridge of Don is situated on the outskirts of the city of Aberdeen and is reckoned to be the largest suburb in Europe with a population today in excess of 25,000 (1971 – 500; 1981 – 13,600; 1991 -18,400). The church centre is located in a mainly residential area, with an industrial estate and the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre close by. Other community facilities include 7 primary schools, 2 secondary schools, 5 shopping centres, 3 sports centres, 4 community centres, 3 surgeries/clinics, 3 sheltered housing complexes, 1 library, 7 churches or fellowships, and a number of public houses and restaurants.

The immediate area around the church is green and spacious with woodland adjoining the grounds, and just across the road is an access path onto Perwinnes Moss (a public amenity recreational wildlife area of special scientific interest). The housing in the immediate area is mainly residential, generally privately-owned, and with some properties that were originally built as public housing by the city council.

Population

At the last census (2001) almost 90% of the population were Scottish by birth. Over 30% of all households had dependent children, over 40% of the population were married or cohabiting with no children and over 25% were single occupancy households. Subsequent to the 2001 census, substantial new areas of housing have been constructed near the Church. A significant proportion of the population of Bridge of Don have responsible jobs, which make heavy demands in terms of time and the family unit.