CHURCH HISTORY

Over the years the church has met in homes, school halls and leased buildings to grow together in loving God and loving people. As the church grew, Phil was released into full time ministry. By 1990, the church had outgrown its leased property, engaged in overseas mission trips and city centre evangelism, developed leadership training, Connect Groups and had moved its Sunday services into a hotel suite.    

In 1991 the church became affiliated to Ground Level, an apostolic network of churches across the UK and had leased Cross House for smaller meetings and offices. Over the next four years, the church hosted Together for Jesus drawing nearly 2000 together from the region in a worship event, organised two regional March for Jesus events bringing together 2000 in the city centre, hosted a leaders forum called Together for Jesus, and began a homeless project called CityCare. Phil & Jo pastored a team leading a national youth worship conference in Poland and Phil was one of two key speakers at a mission’s conference at Grace Temple, Fort Worth, Texas, a 1000 member church. In 1994 the church moved into its current building and began negotiations to purchase it, finalising the deal in 1996. 

Over the next four years, the church grew in its influence both regionally and further afield including a Mission trip to Pakistan. It was in 2000, that the church planted out four congregations into Wymondham, Gt Yarmouth, Bowthorpe and Thorpe meeting Sunday mornings and in celebration Sunday afternoons and adding a fifth in 2005 in the City Gates Centre. 

Over the years the church has been involved in carnivals, winning first prize in Wymondham and first prize in Norwich, had started and regularly hosted the Wymondham Fun Day and along with some other Norwich leaders, began a regional prayer movement called Prayer in the Park attracting over a thousand people to pray together.  

The church continues to reach out to the community, the schools and local business, helping to build strong community relationships. The schools use Alive House for their Christmas Productions and in bringing Headteachers from across the city into our cafe for meetings, one of the city Malls partner with the church with annual toy appeals and Easter Eggs to distribute to families in need. Foodbank runs alongside our Community cafe where people are supported and feel welcomed and food parcels have been weekly delivered to families.

The church continues to be a family of people that love God and love people as it pursues its mission of Isa 58:12 You’ll be known as those who can fix anything, restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate, make the community livable again’ (Msg).