This year our Christmas offering will take place at the Carol service and will support two organisations.

The first is Open Doors, and in particular their work with persecuted Christians in India.

Every Christian child around the world should be protected, provided for and given an education to give them hope for the future. That hasn't always been the case for children like Roshan* in India, who faces persecution from family and community. Our gift offering will help Open Doors fund their projects which help support the next generation of the global church.

The second is Shelter, and specifically their support of homeless families.

Over 131,000 children will wake up on Christmas morning without a place to call home. Forced to stay in cold shipping containers, badly converted offices, cramped B&Bs (sometimes with six people to a room), or in places where the locks don't work properly. Yes, we are outraged too. This is not a home. A lack of affordable homes in the UK means the housing emergency is spiralling. More people are struggling in temporary accommodation or being forced onto the streets. This is unacceptable. We must act now. Your donation today could help Shelter be there when it matters most.

Gifts can be made by cheque (made payable to Bentley Baptist Church and marked "Christmas" on the back) or by cash. If giving by cash and you wish your donation to be gift-aided, please place in an envelope and include your name, post code and house number. Alternatively, gifts can be made by online bank transfer to the Church's bank account (details can be found on our Giving Page) - please use reference "Christmas".