Index
Shiloh Park
The Shiloah Community
Future Trends
Contacting this ministry
Shiloh or Shiloah. What is the difference?
Shiloh:
means
"a place of rest or peace".
Shiloah: means
"sent out"
The
Vision for Shiloh
Park:
The
Lord has laid on my heart a piece of land in the
East Midlands of England, which has lain derelict for many years.
This site has along frontage to the river/canal system, and would
make an excellent base for the Waterways Pastorate. I
have a vision for this work to expand to include a number of people
going out in their narrowboats (or evern using road transport) serving the people who use or work on
the Inland waterways. This team of people could also serve, as well,
the communities close by the Waterways. To do this the work needs a
base which includes moorings etc.
The vision for the rest of the land is convert it into a nature reserve with a visitor centre. I believe this place could become a place where folk from around the East Midlands, and indeed further afield, could find rest and retreat. Indeed one envisages running retreats on a regular basis for those who have a Christian faith. The premises would be open to the public, so anyone can come and enjoy the quiet, and the other resources.
The visitor centre would include a lecture theatre, library (for reading and research) and a small chapel. It would also include displays about the fauna and flora of the site, the waterways, and of course the Christian faith. It is indeed to be useful as an educational centre, with the nature reserve providing insights into not only the land based fauna and flora, but also the waterside flora and fauna as well. One anticipates that the visitor centre would include a video unit, so that local school and community groups can come and learn by making videos: besides the lectures in the lecture theatre.
Of course the facilities will be there for use within the context of the Christian faith, and maybe the making of suitable TV programs.
It must be stressed that one does not envisage the Christian faith being "thrust down people's throats" the two aspects of the work will be there side by side.
The idea is to have moorings, (about 60-70 boats) to provide a revenue flow so that site is self sufficient financially.
I am currently waiting on the Lord to provide the funds to buy the land and establish the site. The estimated cost is about £1.5 million pounds sterling (about $2m). The Lord has promised the funding, I just wait for the King to provide.
The
Shiloah
Community
The
vision is not for a "church" as such but much more that of
a Christian community. Its members would be either resident on their
narrowboats, or lived in their own homes. It would be a sharing
mutually supporting community running Shiloah Park and the various
ministries there.
It would also be very much a "sent out community, of people gifted as pastors and evangelists (and other support workers) working as or with the "Waterways Pastors" serving those who work on, and those who use the facilities provided by the Inland Waterways in the UK. So many people use the Waterways in one way or another, for fishing, walking and of course boating. There is a need in a lot of small rural communities for people who can visit and provide pastoral care, so one envisages that this would also be part of the ministry.
What is not generally known is that there are over 2000miles of navigable waterways in England, and that about 50% of the population live within 3-4 miles of such a waterway. There is a massive work that can be done not only in the rural communities, but in our town and cities. A good number of English cities are served by the canal system . Birmingham is reported to have more canals than Venice. A Narrowboat team can visit a locality or city and stay there for 14 days with no mooring charges. It provides a wonderful base from which England can be reached with the Gospel: not only in word, but in practical ways as well.
In the coming years life is going to get increasingly tough. I foresee an increase in discrimination (if not outright persecution) for those who love the Lord Jesus Christ. This vision, is I believe part of the (then) much needed support for those who are having a tough time. I can see the need for an ability to bring in food supplies and other necessities to local Christian groups. The Inland waterways will provide an excellent, inexpensive way to distribute help and aid.
If you are interested in any aspect of this vision or want further information please contact me by email
I shall add further information as time goes on, I do not want to go into too mcuh in the way specifics until such time as the land has been acquired.
Rev. Dorothy Hyde.