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Several missions were held over these years. Two were led by that remarkable couple, Grace and Reg Tomlinson. Their first mission in October 1965 was a Children's Mission. They visited the schools with a "load hailer" attached to the car and gave out leaflets. They spoke at the Assembly at Rushmere Hall School, and consequently, dozens and dozens of children came to the "6 O'clock Special" meetings during the 2 weeks. At these Reg did the preaching with visual aids, Grace sang, and they both acted Bible stories. Over 250 children attended these meetings and there were many conversations (especially amongst children from church families) which have stood the test of time. Although no provision had been made for follow-up meetings, Joy Cousins and Janet Kippax, together with Mrs Maeers, agreed to continue the meetings once a week, for a month - a long month, for it extended 4 years! The numbers levelled to about 80 children but, when Brigades began 4 years later, the numbers began to go down and the meeting closed.
In May 1967, Grace and Reg Tomlinson returned to conduct a mission, which was aimed at the ladies of the district. They spoke and sang at house meetings, coffee mornings, afternoon teas, and evening sessions to which men were invited. In the over-ruling of God, the efforts of the ladies led to the conversion of two men!
Ipswich had an Inter-Varsity Fellowship Town Mission in 1968, 10 churches taking part with about 10 students in each team. The emphasis was on house meetings, with the Sunday Services being taken by team leaders. Clive Charlton led the team at Colchester Road, which was a time of great challenge and blessing in the life of the church. Members were generous in offering help and hospitality, and a great spirit of unity prevailed.
Two "Do-it-yourself" "One Step Forward" missions were held, one in January 1969 preceding the opening of the new church, the second in October 1971. These were used by God to encourage many to take that extra step forward in their Christian lives. Some were brought to Christ, some baptised, and Peter and Phyllis Mead, with their five children, stepped forward into the Lay Pastorate of Bures Baptist Church.
John Adcock of Evangelisation Society led a mission in October 1973. This also concentrated on house meetings, and there was at least one conversion.
Margaret Manning, a full-time worker with the Children's Special Service Mission and one-time Olympic runner, led another children's mission in September 1977. Numbers were much smaller than previous children's missions but God worked amongst the new generation of children.
Operation Mobilisation had a town mission in Ipswich in its early days (1974). This was organised by the Ipswich and District Evangelical Alliance, and again, about 10 churches took part, including Colchester Road Baptist Church - who hosted one of the teams. They slept on the floor of the hall (by choice, for they are encouraged to be spartan), and were fed by Church members. These young people concentrated on door-to-door evangelism, and made the presence of the church known throughout the district.
The gospel of Christ was taken in to the district in various ways through these missions, some people becoming committed Christians and others strengthened in their faith.
The Colchester Road Church was very involved in evangelical activities in the town, Alan Kippax being for some years chairman and secretary of the Ipswich and District Evangelical Alliance. Much of the organisation and many of the plans originated from Colchester Road. The church was involved in Billy Graham Relays, and later, with the Billy Graham Crusade in Ipswich, partly through his voice on area committee.
Two church weekends were arranged at Sizewell Hall. The first of these should have been led by Bryan Gilbert, founder of the "One Step Forward" Campaign, but he was in Canada taking special meetings, and sent David Greenaway as his substitute. The theme was "the marks of the early church" in the Acts of the Apostles. The second weekend at Sizewell was led by Stanley Voke, who spoke on "the marks of a Christian".