Rhosgoch

16 February 2024

Taken from an article in the Powys County Times, with kind permission:

Rev Gordon Bingham and Helen came to Hay with their 3 eldest children, David, Bekah and Hannah in, 2013, Gordon was inducted as Pastor of Bethesda Evangelical Church, Hay-on-Wye in November of that year. Their 4th child, Keziah, was born the following year.

Gordon quickly involved himself in the local community, he takes regular assemblies at Hay and Clyro Primary Schools, he served for several years as Chairman of Hay School governors and he is involved in the running of Hay Markets. He also takes regular services at Cartref Care Home.

One of Gordon’s first projects at Bethesda Church was the planning and facilitation of a complete renovation of the building. It has been transformed from one room to a modern church with 2 floors, full disabled access and facilities including disabled toilet and passenger lift and a kitchen.

The church under Gordon’s leadership has become a community hub with 2 services plus Sunday School every Sunday and regular weekly meetings including youth groups, Tea and Chat, prayer and bible study and Hay warm welcome every Thursday when free meals and food parcels are offered to anyone in need of them. There is also a week long Bible club for children during the school Easter Holiday held at the church and children connected with the church are given the opportunity to attend Summer Christian camps in other places.

As well as his work at Bethesda Church Gordon also takes regular afternoon services at our local chapels including those in Rhosgoch, Newchurch and Llandeilo Graban.

He is seen at a service at Hermon Chapel Rhosgoch where safeguarding was introduced. This is being supported and encouraged by the Church's affiliated body, the Congregational Federation (CF). Chapels and churches, like other places of worship are expected to be covered by the relevant safety regulations that keep us safe from fire and structural damage. With the support and prayerful encouragement of Revd Sara Iles, who is our delegated safeguarding checker for the CF in Wales, it is planned that each chapel will work towards appropriate safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure best practice is initiated and maintained for the wellbeing and safeguarding of all members, church adherents and groups from the wider community.