Plants: Cross Hands

Hi Gareth and Lydia! Could you introduce yourselves - who you are and where you're from. And also how did you end up planting a Church in Cross Hands? How has God led you here?

Gareth is from Newport (Gwent), and Lydia is from Kidwelly. We met in Cardiff in 2005 where we were both living at the time and it’s where we got married and had our three lovely children. We moved West in 2021 during Covid when God spoke to us about starting a new work in rural Carmarthenshire. We left behind all that was comfortable in order to embrace God’s call - it hasn’t been easy at times, but we’ve known God’s leading in it all. We really sought God and His will for the area and for us as a family and long story short, He led us to Cross Hands! God repeatedly put Cross Hands and the surrounding towns and villages on our hearts and kept drawing us to the area. We believe He loves the community here and we really see Him at work. We are so excited to be a part of what He’s doing in this county.

Tell us a little bit about your plans for Freedom Church Carmarthenshire!

We believe God is doing a new thing in this generation in Wales and we’re thrilled to be a part of that by starting a new life-giving Church here. We believe it will be a place where people will know God, find freedom, discover purpose and make a difference. We’re planning to launch officially on 1st March 2026 – St David’s Day! We’re part of Freedom Church’s wider network. You can find out more details on our website: freedomcarmarthenshire.church

Its very early days, we know, but can you share a little about how God has been at work during the planning stages?

We’ve started to host social nights to meet with local people. It has been so, so encouraging. We have loved starting to get to know new people here and we just love the stories of their lives that we have the privilege of hearing. And it really does feel like such a privilege. Some people already believe and have faith but have never really been part of a church but would like to be. Others used to be and now feel God is calling them back into Church community. Still others have come along not really knowing why they’ve come as they don’t yet know what to believe about God, but knew they somehow needed to be there! We love it! There seems to be a common thread with many people – they knew of someone praying for them!

We'd love to encourage our readers to pray for the work in Cross Hands.  Could you give us 5 prayer points to fuel our prayers?

• To give PRAISE and thank God for the work already done here by others – we know of others who have worked in this area in the past for the sake of the gospel. Many we have met with, prayed with and felt such a heart connection with. We are so grateful for their faithfulness and all the seeds they have sown. They were not in vain!
• For God’s PROTECTION over us as a family. For wisdom to lead, intimacy with the Holy Spirit, and hearts that continually trust in His strength and not our own – we can’t, nor do we want to, do it without Him!
• Pray for the PEOPLE that will join us in the work, and the people that God wants to reach. Ultimately for salvation, freedom from the things that currently hold them back, and the John 10:10 fullness of life that God desires they know and experience.
• Pray for the PRACTICALITIES like a team to serve God alongside us to build His house, the venue, equipment, and the funds to make it happen.
• Call on God to bless us with his PRESENCE – more than anything, we’re crying out for Him to presence Himself through His Spirit with us and with this generation.

Diolch! Thank you!