CPCC History

Lester and Louise Bullen

We had attended Gorleston Baptist Church since we were both about fifteen, so by 1999 we had been church members there for over twenty years. When the idea of a church plant, together with St Andrews, onto the Cliff Park area was first talked about, we were less than enthusiastic, even though we lived on Cliff Park. We had been involved in children's work and as is often the case, had struggled to get others to join the team. We felt that if we were to ‘lose’ fifteen members to Cliff Park, it would be even more of a struggle.

After a few bad-tempered church meetings, the date was set for a vote. I asked the minister, at the Baptist Church, Rick Hughes, what he would do if the vote to plant a church did not go through. He said, in no uncertain terms that he would resign! His surety that it was truly Gods idea and leading bought us up short. It was as though we had a lightbulb moment and we knew we had to be part of this exciting new work.

One of the huge draws was that we had a blank canvas – a fresh start to do things ‘a bit differently.’ Meeting the core team from St Andrews was both exciting and daunting, wondering whether we’d ‘get on’ with these Anglicans! We needn’t have worried as we have made lifelong deep friendships.

Our children, Sam (15), Joe (13) and Katherine (10) at the time attended Gorleston Baptist Church with us. We felt they were old enough to be given the choice as to whether they wished to stay at the Baptist Church (and we would drop them off and pick them up every Sunday) or whether they would like to be part of this new church on Cliff Park. They all chose to be part of Cliff Park, and so we began the adventure as a family.

Lester remembers conversation with Paddy in which it was decided that Jamie be in charge of the worship band with Lester as second in command. They had never met before the two core teams got together, but they gelled immediately and complimented each other, particularly as Jamie played acoustic guitar and Lester likes to play electric. The band had to get the equipment out each week, set it up, rehearse, play and then put it all away. For one of the first schools carol service at St Andrews church, they took along the whole PA system, just for one song! ‘Heaven Invites you to a Party,’ became a sort of CPCC anthem song for the first few Christmases! Part of the ethos at Cliff Park was that everyone was encouraged to be involved.

By letting people use their gifts and abilities, doing so alongside Christians, we believed and prayed that a personal faith would come. Sam and Joe were both musical. Sam keyboard and bass guitar and Joe drums. They both loved playing in the worship band and I believe this had a big impact on their coming to faith.

It felt as though everyone was pulling in the same direction. There were no ‘passengers,’ everyone was mucking in. Katherine decided she didn’t want to be left out, that she also wanted ‘a job.’ She took over sorting and changing the overhead projection song sheets during the service. (This was in the days before computers were used!)

As we were a ‘church for the unchurched,’ we wanted people to feel relaxed and not intimidated. For many months, the Sunday morning services were followed by coffee and donuts. After Paddy had delivered the sermon, he always asked if anyone had any questions about what he’d said. There were occasionally some lively discussions!