Assembly 2009: Welcome to Bournemouth Welcome to Bournemouth, a popular tourist destination situated on the south coast of England. The town is a regional centre of education and business, and forms the main part of the South East Dorset conurbation, with the adjoining town of Poole and its magnificent harbour.   Assisting the Baptist Assembly project team, Southern Counties Baptists are delighted to welcome you as the Assembly returns to the Bournemouth International Centre. This is a great facility for the Assembly, and it will be augmented by many extra venues for the various meetings and seminars which add to the inspiring experience of the keynote gatherings.

The town bustles with life, and with the need to experience the reality of God in Jesus Christ. The theme for this year, Who do we think we are?, helps us to explore our identity, stretching back 400 years and pointing forward to who we should be in God's purposes, living by the power of the Holy Spirit. Such identity enables us, as the Southern Counties Baptist Association says in its mission statement, to build strong relationships and healthy churches, resourcing effective mission and lifelong discipleship to Christ.

We will do all we can to make your stay in Bournemouth a meaningful one, as we continue to celebrate and explore God's will and purpose for us as a Baptist family. In a 2007 survey Bournemouth was found to be the happiest place in Britain with 82% of people questioned saying they were happy with their life. We hope the Assembly will make visitors and locals alike even happier! See you at the Assembly!   Grenville Overton Southern Counties Baptist Association Regional Minister Team Leader