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Welcome to Churches Together in Folkestone
We hope that you find the website both useful and informative. Churches Together Folkestone consists of 25 member churches from across Folkestone Sandgate and Hawkinge. We seek to enable and enhance local church life in local communities around the area.
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From the Chairman
It was 7 years ago whilst attending the AGM shortly after arriving in Folkestone that I heard there was a place on the CTF Exec for a lay person. I heard too the calling of the Lord; something inside me responded and after a brief interview with the then Chair Gloria Guest I was voted onto the Exec at the next Ordinary Meeting. Within 18 months I became Vice Chair working alongside the new Chairman Capt. Mark Rose.
During Mark’s Chairmanship I witnessed a man who possessed not only commitment and immense enthusiasm for Unity amongst God’s people here in Folkestone but also a vision to facilitate it to become reality. Working alongside him was infectious! And his passion and zeal soon began to rub off on me. In June 2008 Mark was moved on to a new post by the Salvation Army and I was left with the daunting task of acting as Chair until the next AGM. At that meeting I was voted on as Chair and have served for 3 years.
It has been a huge privileged and honour to serve God and his church here in Folkestone as Chairman of CTF. It has been great to see what God can do when we each set aside our differences and traditions and focus only on his Son the Lord Jesus Christ. Fantastic projects such as the Winter Shelter are made possible, wonderful acts of mission and service are available through the Rainbow Centre and Operation Sunshine, heartfelt praise and worship take place when we meet together and raise the roof at our United Services but most importantly a real and genuine love is created between us. In The Message edition of the Bible the Apostle Paul writes in Colossians ‘…regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.’ I would dare to say that love is indeed the uniform of the Churches in this town. A love for one another that spills over into the lives of the unloved.
So it is with mixed emotion that I stand down as Chairman. I feel a twinge of sadness and loss because CTF has been such a large part of my life for the past few years but also a sense of excitement at what God has in store; for me personally but also for CTF. The incoming chair Mark Fletcher is the perfect man for the job. I see in him the same passion and energy for genuine Unity that I witnessed in the previous Chairman Mark Rose. Mark Fletcher has had years of experience working with the churches in the town and I look forward to being part of what God will do during his Chairmanship. I will continue to be involve with CTF (just try and stop me!) in my role as Church Rep for Harbour Community Church as well as having a place on the New Life action group.
Thank you to all on the Exec who have been such a great team to work with and thank you to everyone for your support, guidance and love in Christ.
Josh Carter
Outgoing Chairman, Churches Together in Folkestone
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