'Come, let us return to the Lord'

You are invited to join the Hope Countryside partnership for our annual 'day on the farm' on Saturday 28 June 2025, hosted once again by John and Betty Plumb at Southfields Farm.

This year's theme is 'Come, let us return to the Lord' (Hosea 6:1). Through presentations, conversations and prayer, we shall seek to 'examine our ways' (Lamentations 3:40; Haggai 1:5) and consider how we respond to the call to return to Him (Hosea 6:1; Joel 2:12).

As ever, the gathering will also be an opportunity for fellowship and sharing news, joys and concerns, and to pray for one another.

The centre of the Gospel message is that we have all 'gone astray and turned to our own way' (Isaiah 53:6), but, through Jesus, the Lord has made it possible to return to His way. There are, however, many specific ways that we, as God's people, in our time and culture, have strayed from God's word and God's ways and need to return to Him. As those concerned with the countryside, farming and the land, our particular focus will be on how the prevailing ideologies related to 'environment' and 'climate change' run counter to the wisdom and knowledge of God and to His word and truth, and how we are "not to be conformed to the world, but transformed by the renewal of our minds" (Romans 12:2).

The morning session will open with praise, prayer and introductions. We shall then set the scene by reflecting on God's creation and provision as set out in the first two chapters of Genesis. This will be followed by an examination of the phenomena of 'climate change' and 'net zero', and their impacts on farming, food production and security, business and daily life, from a biblical and prophetic viewpoint, ending with Q&A. We shall then turn our reflections into prayers.

Over a picnic lunch, there will be time for conversation and fellowship, followed by an optional guided farm walk or time just to be quiet.


In the afternoon, we will look more broadly at issues in farming and food production. This will lead into discussion in response to all we have heard, and a time to be still and listen to the Lord and to stand together in prayer.

The afternoon will conclude with a review of what we have learned and a closing time of prayer and worship. The day will end with tea and cake!

Book places by clicking 'get your ticket' opposite.

Speakers & leaders

The day will be led by by members of the Hope Countryside team and our guest speaker, Helen Bagwell. Helen is from a farming family with a long heritage in Somerset. She is a mother of two 'farming-obsessed' teenage boys. Helen is passionate about her Christian faith, family and the countryside and farming, She has a strong interest in the culture and the great questions of our day, believing that the Bible has much to say about all these things. Helen is a trustee of Village Hope. 

Venue & arrangements

There is plenty of parking available. Please drive slowly when you enter the farm!

Bring your own picnic lunch. Hot and cold drinks and afternoon tea and cakes will be provided.

In case of inclement weather, remember to bring suitable footwear and rainwear for the farm walk.

There is no charge for the event, but there will an opportunity to give on the day, for those who wish to do so.

Coffee will be available from 9.30 AM. The programme will start at 10.00 AM.

Hope Countryside

Hope Countryside (originally Hope for the Countryside) is a partnership between Agricultural Christian Fellowship, Village Hope, World Prayer Centre and others. 'Hope Countryside' expresses our growing vision of beacons of prayer lighting up across rural Britain, bringing hope both to the countryside and from the countryside to the whole of the nation. Our aim is to promote understanding of, and prayer for, rural life and communities, rural church and mission, and farming and the land.