evangelical
As a Church we are passionate about promoting the good news about Jesus Christ. We believe that because Jesus came into the world, died on a cross and rose over death that all who believe in him are forgiven and will live forever with God. We believe and teach the Bible. It’s our authority for all of life and its teaching is central to our times of worship.
baptist
We believe that the Bible teaches that when a person hears, understands and believes the good news of Jesus Christ, they should respond by faith. This means turning from sin, trusting Christ for salvation and obeying Christ. One of the first steps is believers’ baptism. This involves immersing the whole person in water as a rich symbol of what has already taken place in their life.
INDEPENDENT
We are a local church, that governs itself under the guidance of the Bible. We have good relationships with many other Bible believing churches, but are entirely financed by the voluntary gifts of those involved in this church.
Introducing our new
home groups.
Three short courses from the Word Alive Conference 2021 to help you grow in your Christian faith.
New courses start from 11th May and will run for 5 weeks. If you’ve never engaged with our midweek groups before then this is a fantastic chance to start. Groups may run on different days of the week.
MISSION STATEMENT
PBC exists to glorify God by helping people to become Christians, and helping Christians to become more like Christ.
A church isn’t a building. Church is a gathering of people who want to learn about and follow Jesus Christ. It’s a network of relationships based upon our relationship with Christ. That means that getting to know a church means getting
to know the people who make up that church. It means getting to know the God who we worship and serve. That’s why we hope you’ll take time to get to know us at Prettygate.
We believe in every-member ministry; that every believer has a part to play in God’s church, by exercising the gifts and abilities that God has given them.
MIDWEEK ACTIVITIES
During lockdown, our weekly meetings have been streamlined into one meeting for the whole church: Church Family Together – every Tuesday at 7:30pm. You can find it under the ‘watch live’ menu at the top of your screen.
However under normal circumstances, our midweek meetings are more varied as you can see below.
Please ask any of the team if you are interested in joining a growth group.
CHURCH FAMILY TOGETHER
The whole church family is invited to join together in fellowship to praise God through singing, talking about God’s word and praying together.
(1st Tuesday of the month)
CONNECT 3
A chance to make your own plans to meet up with someone else, either someone from the church or perhaps a non-Christian friend, to build up friendships and to grow in God’s word.
(3rd Tuesday of the month)
GROWTH GROUPS
Meeting in people’s homes, growth groups often discuss the previous Sunday’s sermon, as we seek to learn how to live out the gospel. They are also a great way to get to know people and to provide pastoral support to one another.
(2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month
MEN’S AND LADIES PRAYER
If there is a 5th Tuesday in the month, we split into separate men’s and ladies’ prayer groups. We have found these to be incredibly uplifting evenings.
(5th Tuesday of the month)
Student Ministry
Over the past few years we have been very blessed to have a number of students join us. Even those only staying in Colchester for a short time can make a huge impact on the life of the church. We know that this year will look very different for all students at Essex Uni but we want you to know that we are here and ready to welcome you into our church family. Our church intern, Hannah, is particularly focussed on working with students.
Watch our welcome video below.
Take part
Be part of a growing, gospel-believing church. Learn more about our great God and grow in your Christian faith.
Hospitality
As a church family, we love to offer food and hospitality, especially to students!
Christianity Explored
Christianity Explored
NEW COURSE STARTING SOON
Christianity Explored is a seven-session course that gives people the time and space to think about the big questions of life and to explore the life of the man at the heart of the Christian faith.
As they explore Mark’s Gospel, people find out who Jesus is, why he came and what it means to follow him.
PREACHING SERIES
“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” 1:1
Join with us in our morning services, as we explore the Gospel of Mark, examining the evidence for the life, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Who is Jesus?
“You are the Christ.” Mark 8:29
Prophet, Priest and King. Jesus is none other than God’s own beloved Son.
What does it mean to follow him?
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Mark 8:34
What did he come to do?
He came to suffer and to die on the cross, to forgive sins and reconcile the world to God.
PREACHING SERIES
We began 2020 by studying Paul’s epistle to the Colossians, in which we are told the secret to living full lives: “therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:7
Rooted
As Christian believers, our entire lives must be rooted in the source of salvation: our Lord Jesus Christ.
Strengthened
As we grow in our faith we learn to lean on the Lord’s strength, not our own.
Built up
Our faith is built up by God’s word the bible, and dependence on the Holy Spirit
Overflowing
In response, we are overflowing with praise and thanksgiving to God for all that he has done for us.
Past Preaching Series
Catch up on some of our most recent preaching here
Selected Bible Verses
Parts of scripture that are very much on our hearts right now
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
Verse of the year 2020
Colossians 3:16 (NIV)
“Who do people say that I am?” 28 And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.”
Gospel of Mark
Mark 8:28-29
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory for ever. Amen.
God’s Sovereignty
Romans 12:36
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The Elders
The leadership team at PBC.
Peter Shirtcliffe
Lead Pastor
Peter trained as a graphic designer for the BBC, enjoys cycling and photography. Catherine works as an ultrasonographer.
Matthew Brabbs
Assistant Pastor
Matthew previously worked as a cabinet maker making bespoke furniture and kitchens. He is married to Joanna, who works as a singer and teacher.
Peter Tervet
Elder
Peter worked for BT and then as a Chief Executive of Christian charity, Pilgrim Homes. He’s now retired and he and his wife Jan sing in a local choir.
Justyn Calver
Elder
Justyn has a responsibility for the church buildings. He’s a bank manager. Justyn is married to Theresa.
Officers and Deacons
Supporting the Elders in the everyday running of the church
Simon Nobbs
Treasurer
Simon became treasurer of the church in 2020. Simon is married to Rosario.
Sharon Clayton
Administrator
Sharon is the Administrator of the church. Sharon is married to David.
Alan Roast
Practical Support
Alan provides support for many ministries of the church. He’s now retired and enjoys golf. Alan is married to Jean.
Les Clark
Finance team
Former treasurer of the church, Leslie continues to serve on the finance team. Having been a computer technician Leslie is now retired.
News and Events
What’s been happening recently at PBC
Contact us
If you are new, want to find our more about the church and what we believe, or to ask for prayer, please get in touch using the form below and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
contact information
write us or contact us on our social media
CALL US
01206 560310
OUR ADDRESS
25-27 Prettygate Road
Colchester
Essex
CO3 4EQ
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Our church is entirely financed by the generous giving of our members. Many already give regularly through standing order of direct debit, but we also provide the option to make one-off payments online.
Home Groups April-May 2021
A choice of three short courses to help you grow in your Christian faith. Together with your small group, you’ll be watching some of the excellent material produced for the Word Alive Conference 2021, covering a range of helpful topics.
1. Living with anxiety and fear (Steve Midgley)
When God says, ‘Do not be afraid’, what does he mean? As we consider what the Bible has to say about fear and anxiety and as we see the implications of the gospel for godly risk-taking, we will discover new ways of facing our fears and living boldly for Christ. Understanding fear / Resisting fear / Taking risks / The end of fear
2. Turning gospel roadblocks into signposts (Rebecca McLaughlin)
There are some questions we dread being asked by our friends or colleagues, some topics that seem too hot to handle. These sessions will help see how these can lead to real opportunities to talk about Jesus. Seeing the signposts in diversity / Seeing signposts in our sexuality / seeing signposts in science / Seeing the signposts in suffering
3. Is the word really alive (Garry Williams)
These sessions will look at the inspiration and authority of the Bible, seeking to strengthen our confidence in its character in the midst of a world which increasingly rejects it as morally suspect and churches that rush to embrace the world’s own thinking. Does it matter 1 / Does it matter 2 / The Bible is not inspired, so what is it? / Come Holy Spirit