The Journey

2012 Launch

When Newfrontiers was redefined as a network of apostolic spheres worldwide, David Devenish began to gather a team for the sphere that would become known as Catalyst. Over 70 UK churches committed to Catalyst and David outlined his prophetic vision to raise up a generation of younger leaders.

2013 Generosity and Diversity

It was agreed to decentralise funding; a radical step in which central costs were halved to enable churches to be more engaged with mission through direct funding. We had a strong sense that this new step would reap massive benefits in terms of global outreach and catching all our churches up in apostolic mission. At our first festival, the strength of our diversity was displayed in the zones. People began to see their potential as world changers in many different spheres of influence.

2014 Creativity, Multiplicity and Togetherness

God loves the artistic community, and we felt that, for too long, artistic gifts were only being valued for use within church. Sputnik was established to encourage creative artists who take Kingdom values into the secular worlds of music, television, theatre, art and writing.

The concept of hubs was also born. Simon Holley delivered a key prophetic call to avoid the ‘lethargy of bureaucracy’ as we grow. There is always a temptation to move towards top–down structure, but we felt called to develop a model that operated in the opposite direction.

We believe that God is glorified as men and women work and lead together. We recognised the importance of valuing everyone for who they are and releasing them to be all that God has called them to be.

2015 Multicultural and Multigenerational

A review of overseas relationships revealed rapid growth. We were now connecting churches in 49 nations. It became imperative for more churches to catch the vision for overseas mission. During this year many stepped into new relationships across the globe. David Devenish also delivered a key word at the festival on being a multigenerational movement.

2016 Called to Influence

At our 2016 festival, Alan Scott shared his church’s experience of ‘loving a city to life’. Churches were challenged to love their ‘cities’ rather than simply running programmes to draw people in. This led into Catalyst4theWorkplace, a oneday event that drew together Christians working in all areas of life. Many felt truly valued for the first time and were inspired to bring the Kingdom of God into their workplaces.

Another key prophetic message was a fresh call to UK church planting. Phil Wilthew prophesied that we were to believe God for 400 churches in the UK. Simon Holley’s message on the focus required to make disciples who make disciples resonated across our churches.

2017 Handing on the Baton

2020 The Word of God is Not Bound

Simon Holley began to lead the team, taking over from David Devenish. Church leaders continued to gather within hubs, and there was a fresh emphasis on church planting. We ran a successful festival in 2018 and several non-UK conferences.

The Covid pandemic meant we moved our gatherings online, including running a 48-hour online festival that included non-stop prayer around the globe. Gathering online had the unexpected benefit of strengthening our global relationships.

2023 Onwards

There will certainly be challenges ahead but we seek to be guided by God in everything we do. We are excited about the future, anticipating the fulfilment of prophetic words, and much more to come.

Apostolic Hubs

We strongly encourage you to relate to one of our apostolic hubs. Each hub is led by a team of men and women called to serve multiple churches around the world. Each hub team is committed to apostolic ministry, which means being responsible for breaking new ground for the gospel, helping churches to build healthy foundations, providing ongoing care for churches and leaders, and helping to raise up leaders for translocal ministry. Our hubs are built primarily around relationship rather than geography.

The next page shows who is leading a hub and where they are based. Hub gatherings are a mix of in-person and online.

TEAM LEADER

Matt Hatch LEEDS, UK

Connecting churches and ministries in the north of the UK, US, Africa, Middle East and New Zeland.

TEAM LEADERS

Martin Tibbert & Sam Amara

BEDFORD, UK & LAGOS, NIGERIA

Connecting churches from 10 different nations.

TEAM LEADER

Phil Wilthew BEDFORD, UK

Connecting churches in the UK, Europe and New Zealand, working into dozens of nations around

TEAM LEADERS

Tim Simmonds & Richard Thomas

MANCHESTER & WORCESTER, UK

Connecting churches in the west of the UK, reaching into nations around the world.

TEAM LEADER

Matt Partridge

OXFORD, UK

Connecting churches in the UK and impacting the nations; particularly the Middle East and the Russian-speaking world.

TEAM LEADER

Andy Johnston

SUSSEX, UK

Connecting churches in the South-East of England and reaching out internationally into East Africa, Europe, and South-East Asia.

TEAM LEADER

Michael Feulner

YALOVA, TURKEY

Connecting churches across Turkey, as well as Farsi and Turkish speaking churches in Europe.

TEAM LEADER

Richard Wightman

MILTON KEYNES, UK

Connecting churches and ministries in Southern Europe, Kenya and Asia, in addition to the UK

As part of the Catalyst Network of Churches you and your church will benefit from support and encouragement through relationship with leaders of other churches with a common vision. You will have opportunities to connect with others who are passionate about God and his Kingdom across the globe, engaging with and supporting those who are pioneering around the world. Through the hubs and our larger events you can receive apostolic insight, teaching, coaching and mentoring.