CRT Magazine | Edition 001

What’s Inside?

Edition 001 | Spring 2019

New City Centre Resource Churches Church Plants Changing Lives Training Leaders for the Future

p. 4 p. 12 p. 16

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Welcome

From CEO, Sarah Jackson

News

Highlights from across the Network

City Centre Resource Churches Where we are

LOVECHURCH, Bournemouth Andy’s story of recovery from addiction

Harbour Church, Portsmouth From deathbed to life: Fran’s story of hope

Training Leaders

How innovative training is equipping future leaders

Transforming Buildings

Creating buildings fit for 21st century worship and mission

Contents Edition 001

Welcome

Welcome to the first edition of the CRT Magazine! We are delighted to be able to share with you some of the remarkable stories that are happening around the Network.

At CRT, we have a vision to play our part in the evangelisation of the nation, the revitalisation of the Church and the transformation of society.

Through the HTB Network, we are seeing faith-filled, thriving churches equipped to bring hope and transformation to cities across the UK. Like you, we long to see hope reborn, desperate lives restored, prisons emptied and families strengthened – the Church alive and reaching out to this generation in creative and innovative ways.

There have been so many highlights for us over the past year: three new City Centre Resource Churches in Swindon, Bristol and Southampton and an international church plant in Nairobi; a new cohort of church planting leaders on this year’s Accelerator Programme and the piloting of a new Peters Stream of Ordinands who are uniquely equipped to plant into areas of social deprivation – all these to name but a few!

Across the Network, we are so inspired to see this vision in action. These pages capture only a glimpse of what is already going on, but we hope you will be encouraged. Thank you for being part of the adventure!

Lots of Love,

Sarah Jackson CEO, Church Revitalisation Trust

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Planting News

Abandoned restaurant and former pattern store transformed into a place of worship On 2 December 2018, Pattern Church, led by Joel and Cath Sales, was officially launched as the latest City Centre Resource Church in Swindon.

Three hundred guests, including fifty children, celebrated the launch of Pattern Church with confetti cannons and balloons. The children were invited to a Christmas party and guests were treated to a hog roast after the service. Most importantly, five people gave their lives to Jesus during the morning!

This major initiative by the Diocese of Bristol was celebrated during the civic launch a few days before the Sunday celebrations by the Bishop of Bristol, Bishop of Swindon, Deputy Lieutenant and Chief Constable of Wiltshire. Over the two events, Pattern Church had coverage from Sky News, BBC Wiltshire and the Swindon Advertiser.

Joel & Cath Sales outside the Pattern Store 4

The transformation of the Pattern Store is well under way and the project team is working hard to create a space that is fit for 21st century mission and also respects the history and heritage of the building itself. Joel and Cath are keen to keep the history of the Pattern Store alive. patternchurch.org

Planting News

Saint Mary’s Southampton: A place of worship for over 1,000 years relaunched with fresh vision A historic moment took place when the doors to Saint Mary’s were reopened and the church was packed with lively worship and a message of hope for the city.

Jon & Hannah Finch with the team The launch celebration service saw over 400 people attend with one person coming to faith for the first time and another being healed during the worship. Since the September launch, approximately 230 guests have attended Alpha at Saint Mary’s.

Leaders Jon and Hannah Finch have a vision for Saint Mary’s to be a church for the un-churched, a place where they can share the gospel with those who have never heard it before.

Saint Mary’s church was bombed during the war but the small congregation and clergymen continued to worship there. It was evident at the launch service that the passion and excitement continues today.

Amazingly, a lady who had attended the first service after the bombing over 40 years ago, attended the launch in September and was deeply moved witnessing the revitalisation of Saint Mary’s. saintmaryschurch.org

Saint Mary’s launch celebration, 30 September 20185

Planting News

St. Nicholas Bristol: brought back to life after 65 years On 30 September 2018, Bristol witnessed the relaunch of St Nicholas with 400 people gathered under its once destroyed roof. The BBC was present to cover the launch service.

After being destroyed in a WWII bombing, the church has been brought back to life as a place of worship once again, led by Toby and Gill Flint.

Since the launch, they have welcomed over 150 guests to Alpha, over 300 at their carol service and the BBC covered their lively ‘Beer and Carols’ event in the market place.

‘We can’t believe how quickly the last few months have gone’, reflected Toby. ‘In September, we started a morning service in All Saints church and since then we’ve launched an evening service, run two terms of Alpha including an Alpha day, started a social action group, met for monthly prayer, moved permanently into St Nicholas and started a vibrant and growing student ministry, including a weekend away. In 2019 we’re praying that God would help us build some firm foundations through teaching, worship and strong relationships with one another and that many more people would explore faith, encounter Jesus, and be transformed by Him.’

Toby & Gill Flint with the team 6

Toby, Gill and their son Barny relocated to Bristol in the summer of 2018.

They were warmly welcomed by the wider church community, city mayor and new Bishop of Bristol to join in being a blessing and beacon of hope for the city. stnicholasbristol.org

International News

New International Church Plant in Nairobi

300 new Christians baptised at Holy Trinity Bukit Bintang

In October 2018 Chris and Abi Arnold led a team of 30 volunteers to plant Renewal Church in Nairobi, Kenya. They launched their first Alpha course with 65 guests and began their Sunday services the following week.

Holy Trinity Bukit Bintang (HTBB) was planted four years ago out of an Alpha Course that a group of friends had been running in their workplace. HTBB is in the centre of Kuala Lumpur and meets in a converted former night club on the top of a shopping centre. Dan Millest shares their highlights…

Nairobi stands at a crossroad moment for whether it will be a Christian city in the next generation with only around 15% of people attending church in Nairobi and this figure goes even lower among the millennials.

Renewal’s heart is to reach out to a lost and disillusioned generation who have been walking away from the Church in their masses over the last ten years. The vision is simple: ‘to practice the way of Jesus and to see the renewal of our city’. renewalchurchnairobi.com

Over the last few years we have seen many people come to faith through Alpha and baptised over 300 people. Next week we start our 15th Alpha Course in English, 5th in Mandarin and 3rd in Myanmese.

Our biggest highlight has been the launch of our fourth Sunday service, but our first in Mandarin. We started running Alpha in Mandarin late in 2017 which has led to a new service which started at the beginning of 2019.

A hub of St Paul’s Theological College is now in its third year with 94 students studying towards a BA in theology and half of those are training towards ordination in their respective denominations. HTBB is also the home to the Alpha Asia Pacific Hub and we are about to launch Alpha, Sri Lanka. htbb.org

Chris & Abi Arnold with the Renewal church team

A Baptismal Service at HTBB

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CRT Highlights

Highlights

Local Press cover HTB’s Preston Plant Sam Haigh’s appointment as the new Vicar of Preston has been covered by the Lancashire Post ahead of its launch in September 2019. The HTB church plant is described as a ‘£1.5m faith revolution in the city which will see the historic Minster converted to host “contemporary” services’.

Tim Keller Network Event On 27th October, CRT were delighted to host a day for a selected group of HTB Network Leaders to hear from pastor, theologian and best-selling author Tim Keller. The event included teaching on how to grow an urban church whilst effectively engaging with its culture, Q&A opportunities and an in-depth look at Tim’s insights from over twenty years of ministry in New York City.

City Centre Resource Church Leaders Retreat The CCRC leaders gathered for their annual retreat in February. It was a rich time, from the nitty gritty of sharing best practice, to connecting with the national vision and future, alongside prayer and worship. The group comprised of leaders of first-generation plants, sent from HTB or one of the other resource churches.

CRT Bishops’ Drinks Lord Chartres, the former Bishop of London and Patron of CRT, hosted a drinks reception during General Synod for Bishops, friends and supporters of CRT. It was a wonderful opportunity to hear about the growing momentum of church plants across the country and the pioneering work of CRT in raising up future church leaders.

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HTB Network Leaders Retreat In January, 100 leaders gathered together for 24 hours away. The retreat involved ministry, input from Jane Williams on prayer and social connection opportunities, and teaching from Archie Coates and Sarah Jackson. It was an important time of encouragement, community and re-envisioning for the year ahead.

CRTHighlights Highlights CRT

Bishop of London hosts Bishops’ tea at LC18

Network Leaders’ Lunch with John Maxwell

Global Leaders’ Network Gathering

Baptisms at St. Peter’s Brighton

Foodbank at St. Cuthman’s Whitehawk

Toby Flint & Bishop Lee re-open St. Nicholas

Tim Matthews publishes ‘LOVECHURCH’

St Matthias, Plymouth 2nd Year Anniversary

Church Plant Celebration at Focus 2018

Bishop Graham & Advisor for Prisons, Revd. Cowley

Peters Stream launches

Nicky & Sila Lee, Clergy Marriage Retreat

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City Centre Resource Churches

UK City Centre Resource Churches We believe that thriving, equipped and missional local churches are the hope of the world. This is why we are investing in City Centre Resource Churches (CCRCs) which are hubs for resourcing and planting other churches within the diocese. See where we are‌

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20 6 14 9 3

7 12

15 19 10

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17 18 16 11

1 13 2

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City Centre Resource Churches

1 LONDON

2 BRIGHTON

4 BOURNEMOUTH

7 BIRMINGHAM

5 HASTINGS

8 GATESHEAD

10 PLYMOUTH

12 COVENTRY

15 BRISTOL

18 ANDOVER

3 NORWICH

6 LINCOLN

9 NOTTINGHAM

11 PORTSMOUTH

13 CRAWLEY

16 SOUTHAMPTON

14 DERBY

17 SWINDON

19 EXETER

20 PRESTON

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Social Transformation

LOVECHURCH Bournemouth

Date Planted: 2014 Average Sunday Attendance: 620

Tim Matthews, Leader of LOVECHURCH

LOVECHURCH planted from HTB into St. Swithun’s Bournemouth - an empty church which had been decommissioned some years before - in 2014. The church grew quickly and began helping those caught in addictions. Since then, over 700 people have attended The Recovery Course.

Church Plants: LOVECHURCH Boscombe St Clement’s Church Courses: Alpha, Marriage Preparation & Marriage, Parenting Children, Parenting Teenagers, Divorce & Separation, Bereavement, Family Life, Discipleship, Theology Matters, Healthy Eating Social Action Programmes: CAP, Sleep Safe, Food Bank, Recovery from Addiction

LOVECHURCH Boscombe St Clement’s Church In 2016, St Swithun’s joined with St. Clements in Boscombe to relaunch the site for a similar mission to the local area. lovechurch.org.uk • Boscombe ranks in the highest 3% of areas of deprivation • Highest proportion of alcoholics and drug addicts on benefits in the UK • In 2017, 35 people died from substance abuse • Crime levels rank in the top 8% in England The Recovery Course is a twelve step programme which focuses on freedom from all kinds of addiction from alcohol and drug dependency through to gambling, sex addiction, pornography, self-harming and eating disorders.

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• Home to more than 60 drug rehab centres, despite a population of just 21,000 (Indices of Deprivation 2015; Bournemouth Borough Council)

Social Transformation

‘Out of the collapsed shell of a broken man, a new Andy began to emerge’ Andy, a former heroin addict, found healing, hope and restoration through the Recovery Course in Boscombe.

Andy attended Alpha and The Recovery Course in 2015 Andy was a typical teenager. He loved football and was working his way towards a professional sporting career until, at the age of 17, he snapped his cruciate ligament. He dropped out of his club football and fell in with a bad crowd, quickly becoming involved in a local gang. He began drinking and took part in drug-fuelled escapades that became increasingly illegal. He received a short prison sentence which did little to dent his enthusiasm for crime, most of which he hid from his girlfriend, with whom he had a baby daughter. Three years later, Andy had become addicted to heroin and was arrested again, this time for possession and intent to supply. He was sentenced to three years in prison and handed an order to pay £54,000.

Boscombe When Andy got out of jail he was clean from drugs and moved to Bournemouth with a new girlfriend. By December 2008 he’d been clean for five years. But as soon as Andy stepped out of his new flat in an area called Boscombe, he knew he was in trouble. The place was awash with drugs and dealers and soon he started using again.

In 2014 Andy’s body began to shut down due to the drug abuse and he began to suffer severe seizures. That winter, he had a seizure during which he ruptured his spleen and fractured his ribs. He thought he was dying and would never see his daughter again, who had been missing from his life for ten years.

Recovery Out of hospital and once more living on the streets, Andy turned up at the crisis homeless shelter that St Swithun’s hosted in partnership with other local churches. There he met a volunteer called Paul, who helped him move into local secure accommodation. Andy began coming to St Swithun’s, attending the Recovery Course to face up to his addictions.

Then he started Alpha. On Alpha, Andy discovered the God he never knew; he received forgiveness and began to live again. Out of the collapsed shell of a broken man, a new Andy began to emerge. He spent many evenings praying with his Alpha group and different members of the church. As Andy prayed, God helped him rebuild his life and he stayed clean.

He began to serve at church, joining the Alpha team and helping at the homeless shelter the next winter. One desire became stronger as he prayed it repeatedly, ‘God, I’d love to see my daughter.’ Sadly, there seemed to be no hope of that happening; Andy had burned the bridges with his own mother long ago, the only remaining link to his daughter.

Reconciliation In the summer of 2017 Andy received a message from his daughter’s social worker to ask if he could see his daughter, just once, as she felt she needed some answers to move on in life. He was elated. In the meeting Andy told her about his conversion and apologised to her. Nearly two years on, Andy is now in regular contact with both his Mum and daughter who, to Andy’s huge pride and with wonderful irony, is now at university studying for a law degree in Criminology. therecoverycourse.com 13

Social Transformation

Harbour Church, Portsmouth In 2016, Alex and Liz Wood relocated from St. Peter’s Brighton to plant a church in Portsmouth city centre. Immediately they were struck by the huge number of vulnerable women in the locality - women recovering from addictions, recently released from prison, or not able to afford to feed their children…

They’ve since grown from just 15 people to a community of over 600; opened Harbour Coffee, launched a project to support ex-offenders and begun to reach out to the many vulnerable women in the city. harbourchurchportsmouth.org

Date Planted: 2016 Total Church Community: 615 Social Action Programmes: Spa61: Outreach to women in the city, Prison Ministry, Safe Harbour Homeless Ministry

Portsmouth • 52% of children live in poverty • 47 men and women sleep rough • 200 asylum seekers live in the area • 1 in 4 women experience domestic abuse (Church Urban Fund; Stop Domestic Abuse; Red Cross)

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Alex & Liz Wood, Leaders of Harbour Church

Harbour Church

Social Transformation

‘Last year I was almost dead in hospital.

I came to Spa61 and they made me feel loved.

I now have a hope for the future that I never thought possible, it’s incredible’

In spring 2017, Harbour Church began a project called ‘Spa61’, a monthly pamper morning for local women to find community, and to experience love, hope and dignity.

They have since welcomed over 200 women. Fran tells her story.

I had been an alcoholic and drug addict for about 13 years. My life revolved around waking up, going out to get a drink, coming home and then drinking it. I was in rehab nearby, then housed in Portsmouth with a lady who came to church every week. She suggested that I come along to Spa61. I was nervous at first, but everyone was so kind. They made me feel special and loved. I’ve been through some difficulties in my life, so when someone shows you kindness, it’s really special.

Spa61 in Harbour Church After going to Spa61, I visited the Sunday service at Harbour Church and found something there that I didn’t know I was looking for. I visited Harbour Church a year ago and can honestly say that it marked an end to my even thinking about drinking or taking drugs. It’s not a part of my life anymore – it’s incredible.

My life has changed so hugely; last year, I was almost dead in hospital.

Since coming to church, I now have a relationship with Jesus and I know that I’m loved; it’s changed the way I think and the person that I want to be. It’s given me a hope for the future that I never thought possible.

Finding family The friends I’ve met here through Spa61 are wonderful and they’ve accepted me. I was a very shy person – that was one of the reasons that I started drinking in the first place – to give me more confidence.

Now, knowing God is with me has made me so brave! Even having the confidence to speak to other people is new. I never thought much of myself, but they’ve encouraged me and been a wonderful guidance in building my relationship with God. I now volunteer with a dementia charity, and Foodcycle – an organisation which collects food from supermarkets which would otherwise go to waste and gives it to those who need it the most. I’ve also started to do some computer studies to try and prepare myself a bit for getting some work. When you’re in addiction for so many years, you have to start again from scratch and I’m slowly building a life again for myself. Now, I’m grateful to open a bill, or have to decide what I want for supper – it’s a normality that I never had before. I’m so thankful to be here. If all these things have happened in a year, what could happen in another year? See, I’ve got hope and optimism now, it’s incredible!

Spa61 has a vision to unite the women of Harbour Church to bring love, hope and dignity to the women of Portsmouth. Running monthly pamper mornings, the church is transformed into a spa and offers beauty treatments, a delicious brunch and a warm welcome. Spa61 has now made connections with the Red Cross, hostels, Portsmouth City Council, Stop Domestic abuse, carers and recovery centres and many other services; they love that their ladies can attend and be reminded, in amongst whatever battles they may be facing, that they are worthy of unconditional love.

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Training Leaders

New Peters Ordinand Stream The Peters Stream was born from a desire to raise leaders from under represented backgrounds, particularly in relation to educational, social or minority ethnic categories. Ryan Rodrigues shares what the training has meant to him…

I didn’t grow up in a Christian home; I’m 24, born in south-London to an Indian dad and Sri Lankan mum. After my parents divorced, I became a Christian at university. I began to attend a number of Anglican churches, but there was one thing they all had in common; there was just nobody who looked like me. From preaching, to hosting, to worship leading, I began to feel that Church was a spectator sport; I could attend, just not participate.

This was widespread – 3.4% of clergy are from BAME (black, Asian and minority ethnic) backgrounds, and only 1.9% currently in training are BAME. That doesn’t sound like the Kingdom of God to me, but that narrative is only going to be reversed if we are intentional about it, and that’s why this stream is so wonderful!

By raising up clergy from historically excluded and underrepresented groups ethnically, socially and economically - like Peter on the day of Pentecost - we are uniting every tribe, and every tongue to play a part in the Body of Christ. I’d love to be a role model to the next generation, re-write the narrative, and show them that in a divided world, our God is a God who welcomes everybody in.

Four ordinands currently on the 2018/2019 pilot training course at St Mellitus Theological College, sponsored by CRT.

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(From left to right) Ryan Rodrigues, Gavin Cutler, Julian Powell & Joe O’Sullivan

Training Leaders

Church Plant Celebration at Focus 2018

The Accelerator Programme The CRT Accelerator Programme is a one-year intensive training course designed to provide C of E Planters with the best possible support, resource and equipping to lead a vibrant CCRC in a strategic location.

Modules

1

The Accelerator Programme is custom-made to complement the leader’s experience and skill sets in three areas:

Leadership Development

Module 1 develops personal areas of integrity, resilience and vision. This is coupled with pastoral, team building, leadership coaching and 1-1 mentoring.

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Module 2 will provide experiences and best practices on running social transformational ministries such as Alpha, The Marriage Course and other social action projects.

Module 3 is designed for practical ministry and operations training. It will equip you with best practices on the running of daily operations such as IT, HR, Finance, Legal, Safeguarding and Media.

Ministry Toolkit

3 Operational Toolkit

‘CRT’s programme equipped me with the tools to plant in St. Werburgh’s, Derby. During that one year, I was able to spend time immersing myself in the life of HTB, serving and learning from great people around me; as well as really getting to know the DNA which I then hoped to carry with me to Derby.

I would never have got to where I am without all the support, encouragement and learning that I have received and keep receiving from HTB and CRT. You guys are amazing.’

Phil Mann, Leader of St. Weburgh’s Derby

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Training Leaders

‘We want St Ma pumps life aroun

Andover, the home growing towns in H different to most o a growing resour look like? Chris an passion and hopes

After completing the Accelerator Programme at HTB, Chris and Nai Bradish will begin their ministry at St. Mary’s Andover - at the invitation of the Bishop of Winchester - in 2019.

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Training Leaders

ary’s to be a beating heart for Andover which nd the town’

e of Army HQ, is one of the fastestHampshire, but in many ways, it’s other CCRC contexts. What would rce church in a mid-sized town nd Nai Bradish share their vision, s for St Mary’s, Andover.

The Accelerator Programme (AP) and our time at HTB have been essential training as we’ve prepared to move to Andover. We have been so inspired by the energy, sense of fun and joy we have seen close up at HTB and around the Network. It’s been astonishing to see hundreds of people queuing to get into Alpha, people returning to God in prayer and worship and the church’s heart for social transformation through its homeless shelter.

It’s given us such a thirst to share faith with those around us and a renewed vision to play our part in the purposes of God to revitalise his church in mission, and evangelism.

The AP provides a framework which enables you to think clearly about a number of areas of church life.

Every resource church has to respond to a different context and the AP creates space for this in positive ways. There are visits to other Network churches where you get to see how theory is worked out on the ground and a mix of practical and spiritual input. There have been some brilliant sessions on church operations, team recruitment and social transformation ministry. All this happens with others in the same boat so you get to bounce ideas off each other and build friendships which carry you into your move and beyond. As our time in Andover kicks off, we wouldn’t be without the friends we’ve made both on the AP and at CRT – it really feels like we’re in it together.

Andover?

The question we’re always asked is: where’s Andover?

It’s just over an hour from London Waterloo and sits between Winchester and Salisbury in the beautiful Test Valley. In size and make-up, however, it’s unlike many other places where resource churches have been established. This is one of the most exciting parts of the vision because we carry the same heart for our town as any other CCRC, but we will need to think

St. Mary’s Andover

innovatively about how we reach out. There are so many towns around the UK like Andover, perhaps a little bigger or smaller, which might be great places for future resource churches; whilst we have it all to learn, we hope our learning might help others one day.

Our prayer is for St Mary’s community to be a beating heart for Andover which pumps life around the town – that means throwing some great parties - but it’s also about the simple witness of everyday discipleship, opening doors for others and sharing new stories about our lives and the difference Jesus makes.

Andover is a multi-generational town, but growing younger as new families move onto the major development areas – and, of course, it’s also home to Army HQ. We’re passionate to see our young people come to faith and to support all who serve us in the Forces. The evening economy is also important and we’d love to re-imagine spaces for music, conversation and food. We seem to think about food a lot – maybe we should feed 5,000 people in Andover – that would be fun!

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Transforming Buildings

Transforming Buildings

CRT works in partnership with the di centrally located, ‘iconic’ building whic fit the needs of 21st century worship an of the buildings that have been brought

Trinity Church Nottingham

The landmark late 19th century building was one of the oldest auction houses in the Midlands and had stood empty since 2009. Now known as Trinity Church, the building is home to a growing congregation that seeks to serve the city of Nottingham.

Gas Street Birmingham

In 2015, after a comprehensive refurbishment, St Luke’s was launched in what was once the gas works which provided gas to light the city of Birmingham. Gas Street now has a vibrant congregation, and planted into St Mark’s Coventry in 2017.

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Transforming Buildings

iocese to identify a ch can be adapted to nd mission. See some t back to life…

Pattern Church Swindon

St Mark’s Coventry

In 1972 St Mark’s Church was closed for worship and deconsecrated.

The building was divided up, used as consulting rooms for a GP surgery, and the main fabric of the building fell into disrepair. Forty-five years later, after a major programme of refurbishment, St Mark’s opened its doors once again and is now a thriving church in the heart of Coventry.

St Matthias Plymouth

The congregation at St Matthias had dwindled over many years. In September 2016, it was relaunched as an HTB City Centre Resource Church and now welcomes approximately 600 people every Sunday.

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Some say the Church is in decline...

We believe it’s poised for growth.

crtrust.org

Visit us to learn more about the work of CRT and how you can play a key part in the re-evangelisation of the nation, the revitalisation of the Church and the transformation of society.

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CRT Magazine Edition 001 Spring 2019 Printed in the United Kingdom Š 2019 Church Revitalisation Trust All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying or other electronic or mechanical method, without prior written permission of the editor, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, please write to us.

Church Revitalisation Trust is a charity registered in England and Wales (no.1174882) and a private company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales (no. 10754427).

The registered office is at HTB Brompton Road, London, SW7 1JA Contact contact@crtrust.org www.crtrust.org Sarah Wynter Editor Zadkiel Yeo Creative Design Cover Image by Nadia Meli - St Peter’s Brighton

Accelerating Church Growth