Ga†eway’s Sunday meetings are in Town and New Lodge which are central gathering points, seeking to welcome new people. Mottram Hall is a unique setting, on the edge of the town centre, but also on the edge of a local community. We are not far from the famous Oakwell Stadium of Barnsley Football Club, where we first launched Gateway on Easter Sunday 2011. Over many years, heroes have been cheered from the stands and wonder goals scored on the pitch. At Ga†eway we take a look at a unique CHAMPION, and encourage Barnsley people to consider their GOAL. There is a Romanian congregation too, which also meets at Mottram Hall, with its start time and own style. Our fourth church, is new at Lundwood, currently a church plant.
The New Lodge congregation meets at the Outreach Centre, a 5 minute drive from town in a well-known area called New Lodge and Athersley (where part of the famous 'Kes' was filmed).
The Ga†eway meetings are straight-forward in style seeking to make clear the ‘Good News’ of Jesus. It’s sometimes chaotic and never perfect, but Ga†eway, across our venues, is a growing crowd of Barnsley people.
Our afternoon meeetings usually get under way about 4.00pm every Sunday afternoon with a cuppa available before the start. So feel free to come a little earlier as the meeting begins at 4pm (the church plant in Lundwood begins 9.30am and the Romanian church at Mottram Hall begins at 11.00am).
After the welcome, with the children joining in, we have a short time of singing and praying to God, seated or standing around tables. You don’t have to join in if you are not used to this - you may just listen.
After the first 10 or 15 minutes, the children attend their own groups called ‘Shine’.
Sometimes, we have ‘One-to-One’, which is an informal 'interview' with a Christian who shares their ‘story’. What follows next is a talk, based on a passage from the Bible, seeking to explain the meaning and relevance of it. Usually the Bible passage is on the screen if you wish to follow. Of course, you are welcome to bring your own Bible (if you have one). Some even bring it on their mobile devices. After a quick break and stretching of legs, we often conclude the meeting with a brief discussion based on the talk and ‘Any Questions’, followed by a prayer and a song.
But Ga†eway does not finish then! At about 5.15pm we have a simple buffet meal, and a chat, and people can go home when they are ready. So that’s the game-plan, but anything can happen!