'We would like to thank all those of you who have supported this work'

A message from David Buckingham, erstwhile secretary of BUild (Baptist Union Initiative with People with Learning Disabilities)

BUild2 As many of the readers of The Baptist Times will know by now, BUild (Baptist Union Initiative with People with Learning Disabilities) has now come to the end of its work after more than 30 years. During those years the members of the working group have sought to help individuals, families and churches with people with learning disabilities to include those with these special needs more fully within the life of the church, and especially to help them to understand what it means to love Jesus.

This has been done through various publications (notably the series of four Discipleship Booklets), regular newsletters, conferences dealing with particular areas of special need, personal contacts, especially at Baptist Assemblies, as well as responding to requests by letter or email. Much of this was only possible because our churches were generous in sharing the insights they gained through their various efforts and experience.

The members of the BUild Working Group would like to thank all those of you who have supported this work through prayer and encouragement, as well as through your financial gifts, over many years: this has been greatly appreciated. News of what churches are doing to help people with special needs has been an encouragement to our involvement in this particular area of the Lord’s work. There was a significant amount of money left in our accounts, which has been distributed prayerfully in different ways, especially to churches which are still involved in work with people with learning disabilities in this country, as well as to the work of Judy Cook with BMS World Mission in Thailand.

We believe that most churches today have a more positive approach to learning disability than was usual 30 years ago, in part thanks to BUild’s efforts, so the campaigning role should no longer be necessary. We hope that some of the BUild work will continue through the members of the Disability Justice Group, who will direct enquiries to the appropriate person, place or organisation.