The Early Days

For a year we plugged away...

...people worked hard at relationships, we put on a couple of jazz evenings, we talked endlessly about how to ‘do’ church in a household setting. But we saw little growth.

 

So in September 2001 we felt the need for a month of prayer. It was a reminder that, if we saw fruit, it was because of God’s gracious power, and not because of our innovative ideas about church and mission.

Before the month was out, we were finding we had many opportunities. We began holding evangelistic Bible studies, particularly with international students. The congregation grew.


As a result, in May 2002 we multiplied into two household congregations: ‘TCH Greystones’ led by Steve and Mark, and ‘TCH Sharrow’ led by Tim and Phil. We had also been helping Sharrowvale Christian Fellowship, a small, traditional congregation. Around this time we agreed they should join what had now become a network of missionary congregations.

Towards the end of 2002 we were holding three different evangelistic Bible studies with international students. So we decided to plant a new congregation from these studies with a special focus on internationals. This was overseen by Steve and led by Rob and Beth Spink. ‘TCH Crookesmoor’ was born.