Verse of the Year

Be Transformed

At Yardley Baptist Church, each year we take a Bible verse as a theme to guide and inspire us in our life together. For 2026, our focus is on Romans 12:2, with particular emphasis on the words:

“Be transformed.”

Transformation is at the heart of the Christian faith. God loves us as we are, but He does not leave us as we are. Through His Spirit, His Word, and our relationship with Jesus, He continually renews us from the inside out.

As we allow God to shape our thinking, our attitudes, and our actions, we become more like Christ. This transformation affects not only our personal lives but also our relationships, our church family, and the communities we serve.

Our Journey

Over the past few years, God has been leading us on a journey:

 

2024

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”
Psalm 119:105

We focused on learning to trust God’s Word as our guide and foundation.

2025

“Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.”
Matthew 11:29

We explored what it means to walk closely with Jesus and learn from His example.

2026

“Be transformed.”
Romans 12:2

As we walk with God along the path illuminated by His Word, we are changed by His presence. The natural result of following Jesus is transformation.

What This Means For Us

As a church, we want to be a community where lives are continually being transformed by God.

We value:

  • Growing deeper in our relationship with Jesus.
  • Being shaped by God’s Word.
  • Worshipping with authenticity and joy.
  • Serving others with compassion and generosity.
  • Building meaningful relationships and community.
  • Sharing the hope of Christ with confidence and grace.
  • Seeking God’s transforming work in our neighbourhood, our city, and the wider world.

Our Prayer

Our prayer for 2026 is that God would transform us personally and collectively as a church family.

As our minds are renewed and our lives are shaped by Jesus, we pray that His transforming love will overflow into our local community and beyond, bringing hope, healing, and new life wherever He leads us.

As we follow Jesus together, God is renewing our minds and reshaping our lives.

God is changing us

Following Jesus together

Shaped by God’s Word

Living differently because of Jesus

Sharing hope with others

Click on any of the icons to read more about each of our values

God is changing us

From the inside out

None of us arrive finished. We are all in process.

God is gently at work in us—healing what’s broken, renewing our hearts, and shaping us into the people we were created to be.

We are learning to follow Jesus

In everyday life.

Faith was never meant to be walked alone.
As we follow Jesus together, we learn, grow, stumble, and discover new life in Him—step by step, day by day.

We are being formed by God’s Word

Shaping how we think and live.

God’s Word isn’t distant or outdated—it speaks into real life.

As we read and listen, He reshapes how we think, helps us see clearly, and guides the way we live.

We live differently because of Jesus

With love, grace, and purpose.

Jesus changes how we see people—including ourselves.

His love reshapes our relationships, softens our hearts, and calls us into a better way of living.

We share hope with others

In our communities and beyond.

When God changes us, it doesn’t stop with us.
We are invited to carry hope into the world around us—through kindness, action, and sharing the good news of Jesus in everyday life.

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Heather Kelcey

I was brought up in Suffolk, moving to the Midlands to study Pharmacy then coming to Birmingham to work once qualified.

I came to faith in stages during my teen years: I’d always felt sure there was a God and had an internal ‘hunger’ to know him. Beginning to read the Bible, and listening to Christian friends sharing their experiences of faith were instrumental for me in coming to know this God for myself. I was baptised at YBC more than 35 years ago and I’ve been here ever since!

In my leisure time I enjoy being outside, walking in the countryside or doing battle against slugs and the eccentricities of the British climate in my garden. I love trying new craft activities, but particularly enjoy sewing and making new clothes for myself.

This or That?

Cats or dogs?

Dogs- much as I love cats, I am allergic to them

Football or rugby?

Neither, if I’m honest. If I appear to be listening intently to a conversation about any sport, in my head I’m probably planning my next sewing project 

Tea or coffee?

If I’m out at a cafe, then decaf americano with soya milk. Otherwise, decaf tea. Or green tea. Or peppermint. Sometimes I skip the tea and just have hot water with milk. If I’m at work I skip the milk as well. The temperature has to be above 30degrees before it enters my head to drink something cold.

Sunday Akinlabi

I’m an electrical engineer with over twenty years’ experience. I’m married with three children.
I am a Christian with passion to serve the Lord and be a blessing to others.

This or That?

Cats or Dogs?

To be fair, I have no preference, but for my younger son’s sake I’ll go for dogs 🐕

Football or rugby?

Football

Tea or coffee?

My preference is green tea!

Laura Williams

I was born in Edinburgh but have spent the majority of my life in Birmingham!
I currently work as a teacher but have held a variety of jobs over the years.
My passions are encouraging and supporting people to be the best they can be and music; listening to it and playing it.
I am married to Steve and we have three grown up children.

This or That?

Cats or dogs?

I like both! If I could I would have dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles… 😁

Football or rugby?

I again enjoy both and I am an avid follower of Scotland when either team play. I am ever the optimist and will be found shouting at the TV when the national team are in action!

Tea or coffee?

Neither of these drinks will be requested by me. I have the unusual hot drink, it seems, of water and milk (tea with no tea, coffee with no coffee!

Hannes Gouthwaite

Hannes’ bio here

This or That?

Cats or dogs?

Only a dog can be your friend, cats just see you as employee 😜

Football or rugby?

I’m afraid neither sport is of interest to me. I am very fond of (and have played) handball, but that is not a popular sport in England

Tea or coffee?

Tea – without milk. Adding milk is something I still have not gotten used to.

Isobel
Easton

Born in Bradford Yorkshire and raised in Bristol, I came to Birmingham to train to be a primary school teacher back in the day. After accepting Jesus as my saviour and being baptised at what was then Bordesley Green Baptist Church I attended various churches and even helped start one! There were many adventures, far too many to detail here. I got married along the way and had two sons, and have since been widowed. I lived and worked and ran a charity in Small Heath for a combined total of 42 years, and then in 2016 made the move to Yardley to support YBC and to live nearer to my friendship group during my old age.

I currently serve YBC to the best of my creaking ability in a variety of ways and echo the words of verse three of Amazing Grace : 

Through many dangers, toils and snare, I have already come; ‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.

This or That?

Cats or dogs?

Cats please – they don’t need walks 🤣

Football or rugby?

Neither!

Tea or coffee?

Coffee please!

Giving

Ways to give

Standing order or bank transfer:

Yardley Baptist Church B26 1AT
Lloyds Bank
Sort code: 30-97-78
Account number: 03298954

Cash, cheque or card

Place cash or cheque into the bag provided on Sunday mornings, or give by a direct payment using the church’s card machine.

If you have any queries, please contact the church treasurer via the contact form.

If you are a UK taxpayer and are able to gift aid your donation this will make your giving go further. Please speak to the church treasurer about how to set this up.

Yardley Baptist church is a registered charity No: 1158755

Contact Form

58th Birmingham BB & GA

Friday (During term time)

Anchors : 6pm-7:15pm – Reception to yr 3

Juniors : 6pm-7:30pm – yr 4 to yr6

Company : 7:15pm-9pm – yr 7 to yr9

Seniors : 7:15pm-9:30pm – yr10+

For more details contact Alex Rogers or Steve Green:

bb@yardleybaptist.co.uk

How to create an Encounter Group

First : you will need to find some other people to gather with and think about how often you plan to meet, whether weekly, fortnightly or monthly.

Second : you will need to choose a group coordinator who will organise the group meeting and be the link contact to the leadership team.

Third : you will need to make some choices

  • where and when to gather
  • how are you going to share fellowship
  • pick prayer mission focus
  • adopt a prayer style

Once you have made these choices…

Let Danny Sinnassamy know your rough plan, who is part of your group and who will be the group coordinator.

Once you have your group going it will be advertised in church so that others can join.

Rev Ali Taylor

I grew up in Blackheath in South East London before moving to Gloucester in 2005. After a time working as a teaching assistant I then was appointed as Minister-in-Training at Kendal Road Baptist Church while I trained at South Wales Baptist College in Cardiff.

In 2018 I moved to Stevenage to become the Associate Minister of Bunyan Baptist before moving to Yardley and taking up the role of sole Minister at Yardley in January 2023.

I’m married to Andy and we have three grown-up children. In my spare time I love to journal and enjoy having a go at all things creative. More recently on Saturday mornings, as long as it’s not too cold or wet, I can be found at my closest Parkrun and, as and when time allows, I like to get out for a walk or explore National Trust properties.

In 2026 I published my first book entitled ‘Through the Valley: a modern lament on love, loss and relationship breakdown’.

This or That?

Cats or dogs?

I’m allergic to furry animals so despite loving cats I can’t have one – boo! I am thinking about getting a small dog one day that doesn’t shed its fur – but only when I’m retired and have a bit more time for walks!

Football or rugby?

Rugby all the way – I an ardent fan of the Cherry and Whites (aka Glawster!) 

Tea or coffee?

Tea is my preference. If you’re asking – I take it strong, white and no sugar thanks! But I am also known to enjoy a caramel latte or cappuccino around 11am.