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02 March 2015

Baptists and the Evangelical Alliance - a historic relationship

The Evangelical Alliance is encouraging more Baptist churches to take up membership as a demonstration of the decades-long history between the two.

Baptists currently comprise the largest grouping within the Evangelical Alliance, with some 690 Baptist churches having taken up church membership.

"My wife and I have been supportive members of the Evangelical Alliance for more than 10 years. We believe that the Alliance provides a constructive and relevant voice for Christians within an increasingly secular society, emphasising the love and compassion of Christ. For Christians the Evangelical Alliance provides an invaluable resource, helping us to understand our role, relevance and purpose in the midst of a rapidly changing world."

Rev Robert Atkins, Chief Executive of Castleoak Group and a leader of Raglan Baptist Church, Wales

With around 3,500 church members from across 80 different denominations, it's an exciting time to be part of the Evangelical Alliance.

The Alliance is the largest body serving evangelical Christians in the UK. For more than 168 years, we have been bringing Christians together and helping evangelicals listen to, and be heard by, the government, media and society.

Historic relationship: Baptists and the Evangelical Alliance

Edward Stearne – a Baptist who was a founder of the Alliance and went on to be its first honorary secretary – also led one of the Alliance's religious liberty commissions in the 1850s and 60s.

Around 80 of the delegates at our inaugural congress in 1845 were Baptists.

Charles Spurgeon

Slightly later on the Alliance's history came the great Baptist preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon who was an alliance member and spoke at some of the Alliance annual council meetings.

Once churches were able to become members in the 20th century, hundreds of Baptist churches joined up and were for many years one of the largest groupings in membership before becoming the largest.

Several Baptists have led the Evangelical Alliance council and/or board including Robert Amess and former presidents of BUGB Derek Tidball and Kate Coleman. David Coffey was a council member while he was general secretary of BUGB in the 1990s and at the same time Michael Quicke was also council member whilst he was President of BUGB.

We believe the Church is key to long-lasting change in our country - and that by working closely with our amazing members, we can transform our communities with the good news of Jesus.

So come with us. Because we're better together.

Applying to join the Alliance is easy - just fill out the form below.

Baptist leader? Why your church should become a member.

Church membership application form

Page 1 of 7

Church Details
Representative Details
Minister/Leader Details
Further info
Referees
Criteria for membership
Thanks

Church Details

(at least 2 years)

(including children)

           

You can contact the Churches Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS) for help in creating a safeguarding policy.
New church and organisational members of the Alliance can join CCPAS for a 20% discount on their usual fee.

e.g. Elim, Baptist, New Frontiers, Partnership

  • Association of Vineyard Churches
  • Church of God of Prophecy
  • New Testament Church of God
  • The Church of Pentecost
  • New Covenant Church UK
  • Salt & Light Churches
  • Apostolic Church UK
  • Elim Pentecostal Church
  • Foursquare Church
  • Calvary Church of God in Christ
  • Redeemed Christian Church of God
  • Assemblies of God
  • Newfrontiers
  • The Ground Level Network
  • Korean Church Association in the UK (KCA)

* = Required information

If you need any clarification on the process or would like to discuss any issue related to membership, please do not hesitate to contact the membership team, on 020 7520 3838, info@eauk.org

Keeping your data secure is very important to us. By providing your personal details you agree to allow the Evangelical Alliance to contact you either on the basis of the consents you have given us or for our Legitimate Interests in accordance with current data protection regulations. We will never make your personal data available for marketing purposes to external individuals or organisations. For more information email info@eauk.org.