Everyone is Invited in Foxton

Amazing things are happening in Foxton! Not just the confirmation of a new motorway, or the opening of Robert Harris Café in town. No, God is working in people’s lives and Foxton Corps is reaping the benefits. ‘Every week new faces are calling into the Hub at Foxton Corps to enjoy a cup of coffee and a chat,’ says Major Steph Herring, corps officer at Foxton Corps.

Anita Goode, corps sergeant major and Community Ministries mission coordinator, who has been involved the development of the Hub since the beginning, is excited to see more and more people accessing this community resource. ‘It was three years at the end of February since we started the Hub and we are starting to see the fruit,’ says Anita. ‘Initially we were responsible for starting conversations with the newcomers, but now people engage in conversations with one another and have forged their own connections. They know it’s a safe place,’ she says.

Through the Hub, Foxton Corps has become more connected to people of all walks of life and many groups in their community. The Cancer Society Support Group, a stroke support group, and Community Law facilitators are a few of the organisations who operate out of the Hub. Anita has observed people coming in for one service and then staying to talk with others or attending corps events, such as their monthly dinner and quiz night. In addition to this, they hold a quarterly Community Information Day where businesses and organisations around Foxton gather to inform the community about available resources and services. In the winter months, they offer the opportunity to come and enjoy soup and a bun.

Major Paul Herring took seven people through information classes in 2023, with all seven expressing a desire to join The Salvation Army. ‘We were delighted and encouraged when they were enrolled as adherents on 10 December last year,’ says Anita. ‘God is working in people’s lives. He is working in our Hub.’ Anita is hopeful that God has more in store for the Hub and the Foxton Corps, and she asks a very good question: ‘If being part of this makes my heart smile, what does it do for Jesus?’

Photo – left to right. Corps officer Major Stephanie Herring, the seven new adherents with Anita Goode, corps sergeant major and Community Ministries mission coordinator and corps administrator.