If this is church, count me in

First published on: 27th September 2018

St Helen's Parish Church was filled with balloons, joy, and worship as over 250 adults and children came to launch Transform NW.last Saturday.

Bishop Paul was on hand to commission and license the leadership team empowering them as they interpret our diocesan vision to build a bigger church making a bigger difference in a new context for a fresh generation. Emphasising his support for Transform NW the bishop developed a football/rugby analogy urging all present that "it is high time we tried something different”. 

Joined by Archdeacon Roger, the Project Team and representatives from local deaneries, the bishop licenced and commissioned Rev Gaz Tracey as Senior Lead, with Pete Atkinson as St Helens Lead, Greg Sharples as Widnes Local Lead, with Paul & Sarah Harris sharing the Warrington Lead role.

Senior Lead Gaz Tracey set out the Transform philosophy as he stated: "Transform would be learning a new language to communicate Good News to a new generation."

Ahead of the formalities the congregation, which included several passers-by who dropped in to see what was going on, were led in worship by Chip Kendall followed by Joe Bright's Soul Survivor Band, The whole launch created a positive reaction with a frequent comment being "if this is church, count me in!"

Finance and Operations Director, Richard Bennett added- “We couldn't have done this without everyone pulling together, especially our volunteer stewards and hospitality teams helping with parking, hosting and welcoming.” 

 

What's next for Transform NW?

With the launch and commissioning completed the team are now getting to work developing their vision for St Helens, Warrington and Widnes developing churches in each of those areas. Local launches and programmes for young people are happening across the area.

Find out more on their Facebook page www.facebook.com/transformnorthwest/

 

Bishop Paul on Transform NW

"Here in the Diocese of Liverpool we are asking God for a bigger church so that we can make a bigger difference, and we say: “more people knowing Jesus, more justice in the world”.

This fresh approach to using the resource-church model of mission in industrial towns and areas of deprivation builds on our existing projects in Transforming Wigan and in the Joshua Centre for congregational multiplication. The present development, over the next five years, will develop this work in three major strategic locations and will then plant out six new churches with the same “planting to plant” vision"

www.transformnorthwest.org.uk

"if this is church, count me in!"

 

About Transform NW

Transform North West is about creating a movement at the heart of three great towns. A movement that is willing to try new things that will help people discover God and to serve. We want to see lives transformed, communities renewed and bring together inspiring people with a heart to love and serve our towns.


Their vision is to 

  • create a Resource Church Network: one church with three locations
     
  • bring afresh the knowledge and love of Jesus to Warrington, Widnes and St Helens;
     
  • help transform the culture of the towns towards Kingdom values.
     

Find out more and how to join the growing movement at www.transformnorthwest.org.uk

 

#BiggerChurch

#BiggerDifference

#TransformHere

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