Rushden Life 2026 Mission

We are excited to run a series of events during June and July this year with an evangelistic Christian message at the heart of each event. There will be opportunity for people to receive prayer and follow-up from local Churches.

As I am writing this, we are just finalising details with Doug Horley known for his national Christian children’s ministry. Dougie Dug Dug will run crazy science shows in four local primary Schools, each leading towards a family bubble show. We’ll be joined by Catherine Porter, harpist and missionary, and James Carey, an actor who will perform God, the Bible and Everything in 60 Minutes. We are also planning a Toddler Fest and senior’s event, a live band concert, church BBQ and a member of the Rushden Historical Society planning a talk on Christian philanthropists that have shaped the boot and shoe industry in our town. There will be so many opportunities to reach the people of Rushden with the Gospel.

Local churches are developing a follow-up strategy to build upon these connections and invite them into Christian community. These events will include sessions of Hope Explored - including curry, pizza, cake and puddings. We’ll also run Alpha, Christianity Explored, 321 Speak Life, and the Bible course.

This process has enabled us to continue to build upon the Christian unity within the town. The E-Team represents half of the local churches and is made up of a blend of lay and full-time leaders. We have the blessing from the Council of Churches that acts as a catalyst for churches to be supportive and praying for the local mission. Sometimes it’s felt like we have thrown all our ideas up in the air and seen which ones would land. But the program is coming together, and our prayer is to engage with most of the town’s demographic across Rushden and Higham.

My personal hope is the journey inspires and motivates some of our young adults to become evangelists. Not necessarily the traditional view of street preachers but using modern skills for spreading the Gospel such as event planners, social media and marketing specialists, pastoral care coordinators, and so much more.  

I can’t wait to see what the response will be during the mission week in Rushden. Across the UK, we're hearing encouraging stories of people from all walks of life becoming curious about Jesus, asking deeper spiritual questions and searching for truth in the Bible. We’re praying that many in Rushden and Higham will begin that same journey of discovery.

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Rushden E-Team Leader, Matt Croxton