Part of Something Bigger: KCC's Global Partnerships
Written by andy johnston
In October and November, I have the opportunity to attend two important conferences that reflect our Gospel partnerships, which have existed for many years for us as a local church. In October, I attended the Newfrontiers Global Conference, and in November, Janet and I will be attending the Catalyst International Leaders’ Conference.
King’s Community Church first became part of Newfrontiers back in 2000. The international ministry of Martyn Dunsford, who was leading KCC at that time, was growing at an incredible rate, and Martyn was keen to draw in others to work alongside him. At that time, Newfrontiers was an international family of churches led by Terry Virgo. In 2011, Terry handed on his leadership of Newfrontiers to David Devenish, who has since transitioned to Steve Tibbert. Newfrontiers is no longer a single family of churches but many families of churches, each led by an apostolic team. I have the privilege of being part of one of those apostolic teams—the Catalyst team—which is led by Simon Holley, who also leads the King’s Arms.
Why does any of this matter? It matters because, through Newfrontiers and Catalyst, KCC is caught up in apostolic ministry all over the world. When people think of apostles, they sometimes imagine individuals with long beards in first-century clothing, like the apostle Paul or the apostle Peter. But biblically, apostles are people graced by God to plant churches, lay doctrinal foundations in churches, care for churches, and involve churches in global mission—especially to the unreached.
The Newfrontiers conference is remarkable in its scope. It represents approximately 5,000 churches in over 70 countries on every continent. It includes both large churches and tiny church plants, sometimes in countries where, if discovered, following Jesus could result in imprisonment or worse.
God spoke to me especially at the Newfrontiers Global Conference this year about the joys and sorrows of multiplication. Alan Frow, who leads the Advance network of churches, delivered an outstanding message about Jesus multiplying the loaves and the fishes and then, immediately afterward, walking on water through the stormy seas. This year has been a remarkable year of growth and multiplication for us as a local church. We have planted a new church in Totton, and we have seen many new people join us in Hedge End. But sometimes church life, especially in times of growth, can feel like hard work. Church planting is costly. I, for one, miss Tom and Ali Williams and the other 100 or so people we have sent out to form Bridge Church. But you know what? It is so worth it! There is now, in another part of the Solent, a brilliant Gospel-preaching, Spirit-filled church reaching people whom we would never be able to reach from Hedge End.
Next month, we go to Albania for the Catalyst International Leaders’ Conference. There, I will spend time investing in friendships I have enjoyed for many decades with people who are leading churches in the most difficult of circumstances. The nations I am personally most involved with—Bulgaria, Tanzania, and Pakistan—all have significant barriers to Gospel advance. However, through equipping, resourcing, and training, we as a local church are able to serve and build up the body of Christ. This is a huge privilege, not just for me personally, but for us as a whole church family.
I love KCC as a church family very much, but I also love the fact that we are part of something bigger than ourselves through Newfrontiers and Catalyst.
King’s Community Church first became part of Newfrontiers back in 2000. The international ministry of Martyn Dunsford, who was leading KCC at that time, was growing at an incredible rate, and Martyn was keen to draw in others to work alongside him. At that time, Newfrontiers was an international family of churches led by Terry Virgo. In 2011, Terry handed on his leadership of Newfrontiers to David Devenish, who has since transitioned to Steve Tibbert. Newfrontiers is no longer a single family of churches but many families of churches, each led by an apostolic team. I have the privilege of being part of one of those apostolic teams—the Catalyst team—which is led by Simon Holley, who also leads the King’s Arms.
Why does any of this matter? It matters because, through Newfrontiers and Catalyst, KCC is caught up in apostolic ministry all over the world. When people think of apostles, they sometimes imagine individuals with long beards in first-century clothing, like the apostle Paul or the apostle Peter. But biblically, apostles are people graced by God to plant churches, lay doctrinal foundations in churches, care for churches, and involve churches in global mission—especially to the unreached.
The Newfrontiers conference is remarkable in its scope. It represents approximately 5,000 churches in over 70 countries on every continent. It includes both large churches and tiny church plants, sometimes in countries where, if discovered, following Jesus could result in imprisonment or worse.
God spoke to me especially at the Newfrontiers Global Conference this year about the joys and sorrows of multiplication. Alan Frow, who leads the Advance network of churches, delivered an outstanding message about Jesus multiplying the loaves and the fishes and then, immediately afterward, walking on water through the stormy seas. This year has been a remarkable year of growth and multiplication for us as a local church. We have planted a new church in Totton, and we have seen many new people join us in Hedge End. But sometimes church life, especially in times of growth, can feel like hard work. Church planting is costly. I, for one, miss Tom and Ali Williams and the other 100 or so people we have sent out to form Bridge Church. But you know what? It is so worth it! There is now, in another part of the Solent, a brilliant Gospel-preaching, Spirit-filled church reaching people whom we would never be able to reach from Hedge End.
Next month, we go to Albania for the Catalyst International Leaders’ Conference. There, I will spend time investing in friendships I have enjoyed for many decades with people who are leading churches in the most difficult of circumstances. The nations I am personally most involved with—Bulgaria, Tanzania, and Pakistan—all have significant barriers to Gospel advance. However, through equipping, resourcing, and training, we as a local church are able to serve and build up the body of Christ. This is a huge privilege, not just for me personally, but for us as a whole church family.
I love KCC as a church family very much, but I also love the fact that we are part of something bigger than ourselves through Newfrontiers and Catalyst.