Inn Christian Ministries was conceived in 1989 by Peter Marchand and became a Registered Charity (no.1009911) in January 1992. Based in Gillingham, Kent, England, Inn was established to serve the body of Christ locally, nationally and internationally - the Judea, Samaria, ends of the earth principle.

The three main areas of service are based on the three Go's of Jesus - "Go and make disciples" (evangelism), "teach them to observe all that I have commanded them" (education), and "Go and do the same" (social action).

The name Inn Christian Ministries comes from the parable Jesus told about the Samaritan. We seek to serve anyone we may encounter at the side of life's highway and to do our best to meet to their need, whether it is physical, spiritual, social, emotional or whatever, with the often limited resources we have, and then to put them in touch with those who can look after them.

Between 1992 and 1996 Inn travelled with the gospel to Ukraine, Spain, Portugal and Uganda, by invitation of Christians in each country. Much follow-up support in the form of teaching materials (Bibles, books and cassettes), and practical aid, office equipment , medical supplies , public address system etc) was sent. In the UK camping holidays were provided for people who otherwise could not have afforded them, and many small gifts were distributed to assist people to complete their training, to attend courses, and to help in a variety of ways.

A Bible School was set up in Gillingham to serve people in the Medway Towns. Pastors and church leaders from different local churches contributed their expertise, and the Medway Bible School became a meeting place for Christians from other churches and backgrounds, exposing them to a broader and deeper understanding of the Kingdom of God and the Body of Christ.

Seminars were held, inviting well-known national speakers to bring to Kent specifically what their contribution was. Subjects included "Facing the Facts - a follow-up to the English Church Census of 1989", "Reaching and Keeping Teenagers", "The Challenge of Europe", all with Dr Peter Brierley, Executive Director of the Christain Research Association, and Patron of Inn Christian Ministries. Also, we hosted Ishmael for a sminar entitled "The Rôle of Children in Today's Church".

Evangelistic events were also arranged, including a day with Ishmael, geared especially for families, and an evening with Nicky Cruz . On such occasions many people made commitments to follow Christ. More recently we initiated a visit by Martin Smith and Delirious?

Other public events were arranged and organised, including March For Jesus and A Medway Towns Church Family Festival.

A handbook of local churches was compiled - A Medway Towns Church Handbook - which included details of local churches who wanted to be included, copies of which were distributed to surgeries, schools, hotels and guest houses, information bureaux, local government offices, funeral directors, and as many public places as would receive and display them. This has continued to be updated and published every other year to the year 2000.

From September 1998, dovetailing with the Uganda ministry trips, we focused our attention and efforts on Priestfield 2000, the Medway Towns single joint Millennium celebration of thanksgiving to God for two thousand years of Jesus Christ. The event was held on Sunday 21st May, 2000, at Priestfield Football Stadium, home ground of then Second Division Gillingham Football Club, subsequently promoted and currently First Division.

Director Peter Marchand was invited to be the Project Manager and our offices and staff were wholly dedicated to this project. Click here for report, comments and pictures.