Mission Partners at St John’s
Through the generous giving of the Peasedown St John church family the Mission and Outreach committee of the PCC have the hard task of allocating a significant sum of money on behalf of the church family, a responsibility given to the committee by the PCC. We aim to give wisely, and build an on-going relationship with those we support, attempting to have some local giving, some national and some international. St John’s mission partners are listed below with a small amount of information. Our partner organisations are those who have a clear ‘christian’ emphasis in what they do (whilst not always ‘preaching the gospel’ as such).
We give away one-tenth of the income we receive from the previous year.
In 2025, our income was £120,000.
Our Mission giving for 2026 is therefore £12,000.
The committee wish to support some organisations that are local, others that have a national emphasis and also those that have an international impact. As well as these listed, we are also supportive of the Somer Valley Foodbank, although we have not given as currently the food bank is well provided for. The Diocese of Bath and Wells promotes mission giving (in the form of “a tithe of the tithe”) but has some very clear guidelines for parishes, to ensure transparency and propriety. The Mission and Outreach committee welcome suggestions for organisations to support, which should have as part of their explicit aim the “promotion of the Christian message” – which can cover a broad range of organisations.
FAST (Romania) - FAST is a Romanian organisation established in September 1998 by Daniel and Ema Hristea. FAST’s aim is to help marginalized children, youth and families through educational, vocational and community development projects in the area of Brasov.
Flame International - Organisation with a message of reconciliation, having mission trips to many troubled or previously troubled area of the world. Jan Ransom has just returned from Armenia and there has been another recent trip to Georgia. They have also been working in Poland assisting Ukrainians.
Tutela Africa - Charity headed up by Jonny and Becky Wakely, formerly from the Bath area, who now have two foster homes set up in Maputo, Mozambique. Jonny is currently trying to sort out documentation for a visit to Mozambique which is proving troublesome. They are running the charity from the UK.
SAT7 - Charity with an international impact based in Chippenham, broadcasting a clear Christian message into MENA countries (Middle East and North Africa). They take “Go and make disciples of all nations …” to countries where it is at best ‘hard’ and at worse illegal to follow Jesus – using satellite TV and digital media
Redeemer Primary School Bagdad - built on the excellent foundations of the popular Nursery School, in St George's Baghdad, currently accepts 5 – 9 year-olds, but hoping to expand as funds allow. The school is a beacon of hope and quality education in the midst of what has been a hostile and dangerous city, bringing those from different communities together in an atmosphere of Christian tolerance and co-operation.
Bibles for Children - very local basis, and through Bibles for Children, we place a bible into the possession of every year 3 pupil at Peasedown St John school, and this is currently being arranged with the school. This is in conjunction with the Methodist and Catholic churches in Peasedown. St John’s now has responsibility for a whole year-group at Shoscombe school receiving a Bible each, probably appropriate as many pupils at that school live in Peasedown!!
The PCC has delegated this responsibility to the Mission Giving Committee, whose members are Claire Mitchell (Chair), Jo Vening, Alona Zubko, and Rachel Howlett.
Why have we chosen to support these projects?
Our projects have been chosen on the following criteria:
• They are Christian charities/projects helping to further the growth of God’s Kingdom.
• We have direct links with them – there are able to give us feedback on where our money is going.
• We have given on a local, national and international basis.
How much money do we allocate each year?
We give away one tenth of the income we receive from the previous year.
Who decides how we should give this money?
The PCC has delegated this responsibility to the Mission Giving Committee, whose members are Claire Mitchell (Chair), Jo Vening, Alona Zubko, and Rachel Howlett.
My favourite charity isn’t represented, why not?
If you would like money to be given to a particular charity and you feel it fulfils the above criteria, please put your case to the Mission and Outreach Committee who will consider it.