After the launch of the Pioneer Collective in December, Baptists Together and BMS have been swift in giving financial backing to the vision of releasing 400 new Baptist pioneers.

The Light Project, which employs the Revd Chris Duffett (National Evangelist and former Baptist Union President), will receive a grant of £12,000 each year for the next three years to enable Chris to spend a day and half each week for the Collective. Chris will work alongside the co-ordinator, the Revd Simon Goddard, helping to turn the vision of releasing 400 Baptist pioneers in the next five years into a reality.

Baptists Together and BMS are each providing £6,000 per year to enable Chris to spend this time in a variety of ways:

1. Being an ambassador for the Pioneer Collective, raising its profile through networking, teaching and training opportunities amongst Baptists Together.

2. Working with Associations and Partnerships helping them to develop unique strategies for identifying, training and release pioneers within their contexts.

3. Working with Regional Ministers to identify a ‘Pioneering Champion’ within each Association to be an advocate for pioneers and help see these strategies implemented.

4. Providing 10 days of training each year for Baptist churches and leaders helping them to engage with pioneering projects and release the pioneers within their own congregations.

5. Arranging short gatherings twice a year for the growing cohort of pioneers to share stories and mutual support.
 
'I am delighted that Baptists Together and BMS have been able to support the vision of the Pioneer Collective in this way,' said Simon. 'Releasing Chris will significantly impact our ability to identify and encourage these new Baptist pioneers and, we pray, also contribute towards renewal in the wider life of our Union.'