The new pastor at a Lincoln church said he was shocked to see the building used as a drugs hotbed and is on a mission to turn around a community dogged by deprivation.
Ross Ferguson left the banking world in London to become a pastor at Lincoln Baptist Church on St Rumbold’s Street.
He started the new role just five weeks ago, but has already seen groups of people dealing and taking drugs outside the church and the effects that they have on people.
The pastor has a new vision for the area and wants to transform the church into a place where everybody is welcome.
When The Lincolnite went to interview the new pastor about his role, there was a group of people outside who appeared to be taking drugs.
People can be seen openly taking and dealing drugs. Photo: Connor Creaghan for The Lincolnite.
The new leader of the Lincoln Baptist Church, Ross Ferguson, told The Lincolnite: “Until we started working here, we didn’t realise just how bad it was.
“Problems with drug abuse, alcohol abuse and homelessness have been widely reported in the main streets.
“But the truth is we are probably seeing the worst of [the drug problems] in Lincoln here.
“There are people who are trying [to help], it’s just that we are not quite yet at a solution where it is changing yet.”
Ross believes that more can be done to tackle the core of the issue, by helping people with their mental health issues and welcoming them into church.
Lincoln Baptist Church hold a number of projects including homeless outreach, a youth club and the worship team which people can get involved with.
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