Our Story

Church in the Barn is a Bible-believing independent church. We have been active in Penrith for over 30 years, with a big focus on youth and children’s work and host a wide variety of speakers in addition to our regular church activities.

We have unintentionally become a very international church and love to celebrate and support brothers and sisters from around the world, and love to incorporate aspects of their worship and culture within our church.

Our expanding children’s ministry runs all the way through the week, with activities during the morning service, and various groups led throughout the weekdays. All our activities are overseen by DBS checked leaders and members of the church, and we tailor sessions in a creative manner to an age range from 0 to 18 with older ones free to join the service when they feel ready. Babies are welcome to stay in church but we also have a crèche facility available. We encourage all children to engage in worship and hear from God’s Word for themselves.

Throughout the week there are House Groups and Bible Study hosted in locations across Eden and Carlisle, and anybody is welcome to get involved!

We are led by our pastor, Graham Emerson, who is supported by a team of Elders, Deacons and a Support Group; plus lots of volunteers, children’s workers, youth leaders, worship team and welcome team – who all work hard to help make church and various activities happen!

 

WHAT HAPPENS ON A SUNDAY MORNING?

 

Each Sunday we gather at our 10:30am and 6:30pm services, to worship, fellowship and celebrate our amazing God! Our services are relaxed and informal, incorporating music of all kinds (old and new!), sharing communion (morning service only), teaching from the Scriptures and more fellowship. A service usually lasts around an hour and a half.

After communion, the kids and teens are free to break into their led groups to engage in age-appropriate activities – but they are free to stay in the main service too!

After the service, we encourage those who want prayer and healing to meet with our Prayer Team, who will be more than happy to pray with you. We do not believe that ministry is exclusive to the leadership team, encouraging the whole church to exercise spiritual gifts under their supervision and discernment.

Leadership and Support Team

Graham Emerson

Pastor

Brian Littleproud

Elder

Mervyn Richmond

Elder

Ben Jackson

Elder / Worship Leader

Martin Hall

Treasurer

Clare Emerson

Sunday School Leader / Worship Leader

Jonna Healey

Deacon / Worship Leader

Rachel Emerson

Worship Leader

Rob Jackson

Deacon

Jari Burnard

Youth Pastor

Helen Jackson

Sunday School Leader

Lauren Jackson

Sunday School Leader

What we believe

We believe in God, existing as 3 distinct persons: Father, Son & Spirit.

We believe Jesus was born of a virgin, led a sinless life, performed genuine miracles, physically died to pay the penalty God sets for our sins, physically rose again from the dead, and is really coming back again.

We believe Heaven and Hell are real, and we are required to preach the Good News of the Gospel to everyone.

We believe God created a perfect world, which man spoiled with sin, and that repentance through faith in Jesus Christ is the only thing that can save us.

We believe that the Bible is true from beginning to end, was inspired by God and shows us how to live.

We believe we should follow Jesus’ example in baptism by full immersion in water and the Holy Spirit and use the spiritual gifts He gives us. We should ask for, and expect, to see miracles today.

We believe that as a church we should take communion regularly together to remember what Jesus has done for us until he comes again.

We believe the church should be overseen by Elders & Deacons, Pastors, Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists.

More History

Church in the Barn was originally set up in the 1980’s. It started with a few families who were travelling to church in Carlisle having a weekly Bible Study in Penrith.

Some time later, when having a sale ring set up at Pembroke Farm, it was decided to hold a special evangelistic Christian meeting. From this monthly Saturday night events were started. The church in Carlisle supported the planting of a new church and the original barn (a former muckheap!) was given to the church and converted.

In 1997 the church became independent until in 2001 when we formed an association with the group of Christian Centres begun in Windermere – Lakes Christian Centre.

Throughout this time the church had a strong evangelistic and youth focus, holding Christian summer camps in the field and renovating another large barn for the use of young people, with the youth club growing to up to 80 coming on a Friday to skate, chill out and hear the gospel.

In 2006 the farm was put up for sale and the church moved temporarily into “The Garage”, a former car showroom which is now part of a new development, but which the development company kindly allowed us to use until they needed it, to enable the youth work to continue.

In May 2008 we moved out of the garage and met for church and youth groups at Wetheriggs Pottery at Clifton Dykes with other meetings held in our homes.

We then finally began work on our very own church building, on the outskirts of Penrith centre. Whilst this was in progress we temporarily moved to Castletown Community Centre for regular meetings on a Sunday.

Now, many years later, Church In The Barn meet in a purpose built building, allowing us to expand our various ministries and outreach opportunities and is used every day, meanwhile God continues to grow His church and expand the fellowship! We’d love it if you visited!