
7 minute read
Graciously giving us all things
The right moment in time in Ramsgate
Church Growth Trust’s vision has always been to support churches to help them keep their buildings fit for their God-given purpose while keeping gospel halls and chapels all over the UK in Gospel use. One of Church Growth Trust’s (CGT) properties in Ramsgate, the former Anath Gospel Hall, is now occupied by Kairos Church Thanet, who are breathing new life into the premises and meeting many of the needs in their neighbourhood through God’s grace. John Duffield, CGT’s Property Manager, has been involved from day one.
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“The property was built in the 1930s and is surrounded by housing. The property has been held by us for a number of years. When the Brethren assembly closed, we leased it to another church. They did a certain amount of building work during their tenancy, including an accessible WC and ramp, but sadly, a number of difficult and challenging situations arose. One of the members faithfully worked to keep it going, striving to serve God and keeping everything on an even keel. During lockdown, he contacted us and said that he simply couldn’t carry on. We honoured him for his faithful service to the congregation and his recognition that it was time to pass on the baton, and began to search for a new church to use the premises. God had just the right people in mind, as He so often does.”
And that is where Kairos came in. Originally Thanet International Community Church, they were meeting in a school in nearby Broadstairs and waiting on the Lord about finding new premises. Chris and Sara Young have been the Senior Pastors since 2020.

“We heard about the property through a friend and got in touch with John. For us, it was a huge answer to prayer. We had such a strong desire to reach out to our neighbourhood and we couldn’t do that without our own building. As soon as we got the keys, we started to modernise the hall, but without destroying its essential
character. We wanted to be respectful to those who had gone before us and worked so hard in the Lord’s service. The neighbourhood is mainly residential and we see people from all walks of life. There are a huge number of young single mums in our area. My wife Sara runs two toddler groups and a course for women to help them discover their self-worth through beauty and craft. They have been incredibly successful and are a safe place for women to talk, share and learn together.”
Chris has a particular heart for men’s mental health and has been horrified by the high rates of suicide in the area, especially in younger men. He runs a monthly men’s breakfast where relationships are built, conversations had and faith modelled. Part of the event is a cardboard craft club, which this year has developed into Robot Wars, something which everyone very much enjoys. Kairos also runs a dementia group, which has filled up so quickly that a second one is planned.

John works closely with Chris and Sara and from the first time they spoke has been impressed by their heart for the needs of their community and their loving respect for the work which has gone before in their new premises. “Most people would have got the keys and gone in to change everything. This was never the case with Chris. He rang me every time he was considering a change and in many cases left things as they were. He and Sara are incredibly people-orientated and have built strong relationships with several of the former congregation.”
The hall is small and in need of some improvements. Chris and Sara are keen to do it all in God’s perfect timing, and, having chatted with Jonny Heaney, CGT’s Architect, are looking at putting a small extension on the back. They have redecorated and refreshed the interior as well as installing new spotlights. For the first six months, the church had a sense of God “leading them into the land that was promised to them”. For now, however, Kairos are thanking God for the wonderful opportunities He has given them to share their passion for the Gospel and reach out to their neighbourhood. As Chris says, now they have their own base to call home, they can offer so much more.
“We run a drop-in centre after our Sunday morning service, providing housing application help, assisting with filling in paperwork and signposting people to help for drug or alcohol addiction. Food bags, clothing and a safe place at the heart of our community are key to this service. We couldn’t do anything like that before we had the hall. In a previous job as an outreach worker in Thanet, I met a homeless guy called James. I was struck by how emaciated and poorly he looked. I invited him to come and see us again the next week, which he did. Over time, our relationship grew and he began to accept
a little more help. Seeing the way he lived, as a hidden homeless person, broke my heart. God spoke so clearly to me. He told me not to put value food in the parcels, but to ask our clients what they really liked and missed. James loved tuna so I always included that in his food parcel. Over time, he was able to begin to trust again and after some time, he came to faith in Jesus. James went on to become the kitchen manager at the drop-in centre, and his example and lived experience was the key to many others finding hope. My vision for our premises is that we will be the safe place that everyone can come to, however broken they are. I know that there are so many more people like James out there and my heart is to offer them hope and healing. We can start to do that now with our wonderful building, thanks to CGT.”

Men’s Breakfast
I n addition to his experience with outreach work, which God has already used at Kairos, Chris has a professional background in facilities management which has made John Duffield a very happy man!
“Chris got all the electrical certificates for the hall without being asked and his professional knowledge has built on an already very good relationship. We work very well together and we are so happy to know that the premises are in exactly the right hands, with a congregation who truly know and love their community.”
Chris and Sara are equally loud in their praises of CGT.
“There is no way we would be able to offer so many groups and services to our community without our wonderful premises. John is a great guy to work with. He checks in on us frequently and is always there with advice and support if needed.”
Kairos pray together about the future of the neighbourhood and their premises, always waiting on God and listening out for that still, small voice. Chris feels that there is much to come.
“I frequently walk around the streets of our area, praying and asking God what He would like us to do. I often get a sense of Him telling me that He wants us to give families the gift of special time together. It may be that we offer to do gardening or wash people’s cars to free up much-needed time. It’s exciting not quite knowing what the future holds, but being absolutely sure that God has a plan for us. We feel so blessed to be able to further the Kingdom and show the amazing love of God through our groups. We continue to pray for the local and national churches and pray that you experience the amazing steadfast love of God.”