A CELEBRATION service took place at Bude Methodist Church to mark the bi-centenary of the Bible Christian Movement.

The service was conducted by the Rev Steve Wild, the current president of the UK Methodist Conference, and attended by clergy from local churches, along with Cllr Lea Deely, the mayor of Bude and Stratton.

The church was full to capacity, with people from Bude and Holsworthy Methodist Circuit, and the Camelford and Week St Mary Circuit, plus visitors and friends.

Opening worship was led by Lorna Cox and Sarah Riviere, both members of Bude.

The Rev Martin Keenan, of Chilsworthy, gave a prayer and a welcome to the Rev Steve Wild, who had travelled from Truro for the occasion.

He gave an account of his recent work and experiences, showing a set of pictures to complement his words.

His recent trips had taken him the length and breadth of the UK.

Two days previously he had visited the Isles of Scilly and in the forthcoming two days, he would be travelling to Hong Kong.

There was a sense of real expectation as the service continued, and for his message, Mr Wild talked about God’s love for all human-kind.

His shared stories from his own meetings with strangers during his travels, and encouraged the congregation to be passionate about their faith in Jesus.

A faith lunch was held in the church hall, and an afternoon meeting followed, called ‘Mission in a Rural Context’.