Mission

It has been a long established practice at St. Andrew's Marks Tey to set aside an amount each year to support Christian activities both locally and internationally outside of the parish (known as the tithe 10%). These activities usually have a personal link with the Church or individuals within the Church.

We currently support:

Locally

Christian Youth Outreach (CYO) whose aim is to help Colchester Children and young people to grow in life, hope and faith. It provides chaplaincy in schools working with local churches to share God's love unconditionally with young people and to help them understand who Jesus is, what he has done and the challenge he offers. Members of CYO have been involved at the village Primary School in the running of Soul Space where children are encouraged to reflect on their inner feelings. Also in On The Move for Year 6 helping children not only from St Andrew's Primary Academy but from several other local Primary Schools, prepare for the move to Secondary Schooling.

United Christian Broadcasters who seek to change lives for good by the power of God's word in a quarterly pamphlet Word for Today.

Open Door is located on Eld Lane, Colchester in the Baptist Church building. It has been the Colchester Drop-in Centre for 28 years. Since their opening in 1986, they have befriended many people and journeyed with them through the highs and lows of their lives without judgement or prejudice. We support this work, and the Food Bank, with our Harvest offerings.

Covenant Players who bring the gospel through drama to churches, school, prisons and the community. Debbie Allen, one of the UK directors grew up in Marks Tey and the family were leading members of St Andrews for decades.

Internationally

Nepal - St Andrews helps support a thriving church in Kathmandu, Nepal. Together with Aldham Church we have made a major contribution to the building of their main Church and orphanage which they run and to their outreach in the villages in the mountains. Both Churches made a direct response to the Church in the aftermath of the earthquake of April 2015.

Wycliffe Bible Translators funds the translation of the Bible into the local language. In 2008 St Andrews entered into a covenant for the translation, by local people, into the language of a people group codenamed the ''Flame'' people of West Africa. This has been accompanied by literacy classes which have been attended by people of other faiths.

Ad Hoc

In Addition to St Andrews ''tithe'' the Church provides ad hoc support to other Christian activities.

Tear Fund at Christmas time – church members refrain from giving cards to each other and instead have one card to the church. The money saved is donated to Tear Fund, a Christian Relief Agency that has the Bible and historic understanding of its central truths as its foundation.

Colchester Food Bank - donations are collected at the Harvest Festival and on other occasions to help families in need.

Bridgeway Mission are based in Colchester and support refugees and asylum seekers  Our support for Bridgeway started when there were Afghan Refugees housed in the local Hotel. Several concerts have been held and and one is on 8th December 2024.