Extract from an essay by Alison John as part of a Diploma in Theology (Evangelism Track) at Spurgeon's College May 2006.
Church Planting Module: project – comparing two church plants. Alison John, May 2006
VOICE 1
‘Victory Outreach International Church England’
Peter Marchand was, until 2004, the leader of a Pioneer-linked church in Gillingham. In 1994 he met Milton Ogwal from Uganda, resulting in invitations to minister there. Peter set up a trust, ‘Inn Christian Ministries’, to oversee these trips.
In 1998 Milton and four other Ugandan pastors formed ‘Victory Outreach Ministries’ in Uganda2, and Peter now belongs to this team. 96 local churches form the network.
In 2003, the universities in Kent began a large programme of expansion into Medway3. The shared campus is very near to Peter and his wife Gill’s home. Peter felt compassion for the international students, far from home, out of their culture, and away from their distinctive churches4. He had ministered overseas to many people of these cultures.
Conception: In September 2004, Peter was in Uganda, praying. For three mornings he was disturbed by the calls of a bird. He asked the Lord to silence it, but heard Him say, ‘listen to the bird’. Peter did this, and also taped the calls. Nobody else recalled hearing the bird. It was saying, ‘Great Britain. Great Britain….”! Again the Lord told Peter to listen, and the bird began to say: “Great Britain. Victory...”
Peter shared this with the V.O.M. team, who subsequently commissioned him to lead a new church in England. On his return, he and Gill began to pray; after specific confirmation, they shared with the ‘Inn’ trustees, and local pastors, and were well received. In February 05 Milton Ogwal came to pray, and a small meeting affirmed and witnessed the birth of the new church. A local vicar welcomed it on behalf of local ministers and the church in England in general, and two of the V.O.M team, Pastors Charles Okwir and Robson Otoke, agreed to leave their families for a year to help.
Preparations: Much prayer ensured. Peter held individual discussions with ministers, the Student Affairs officer at the University of Greenwich and the Hospital Chaplain5. He oversaw the raising of finance and other practicalities6. The trustees of ‘Inn’ recommended that funds to cover the first couple of months be raised before Charles and Robson arrived. Peter talked informally with students during Freshers’ week, and produced a leaflet detailing all the North Gillingham churches, including the VOICE.
Birth: In May 2005 Charles and Robson arrived and the VOICE began Sunday meetings in a local community centre. At first only a few came, but students began to attend regularly, as well as other local people. They now meet in a ‘Gospel Hall’ that used to house a Brethren assembly and is near the university. The church is growing; by April 2006 about 40 were meeting on a Sunday, including about 10 students. The Brethren assembly, a local Baptist church, and the church Peter used to lead have all been very generous, and there are good relationships with local churches,
V.O.M. churches are self-governing, self-funding and self-propagating. Peter will remain part of the network leadership; he is accountable to them, and they pray for him; there is accountability among the VOICE leaders, and with local ministers. The ‘Inn’ trustees are supportive. Peter will oversee any further European church plant on behalf of V.O.M.
Their distinctives are threefold. Fervent, intense, prolonged and persistent prayer7; evidence can be seen in their weekly schedule8. Simple worship, often responsive, and without printed or projected words. Bold proclamation of the gospel – an appeal for salvation every week, and faith that people will be saved. People have become Christians already, seven being baptised recently. They reach out primarily to international students but are committed to sharing the Gospel in the area. At the opening celebration for the building, people from many nations were present9. A link is developing with Gillingham Youth for Christ. Giving: The church gives 10% to Victory Outreach Ministries, and 10% to mission.
Their ethos is clearly cross-cultural. As well as the prayer, worship and preaching, the dress code is smart, pastors are addressed as ‘Pastor’, hospitality and food are very important, and public affirmation is given. Offerings of time and talents are valued. Peter says, however, that when streams merge there is turbulence. A key scripture has been, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ Peter observed that we interpret what people do by our mindset. He found himself carrying much of the load while Charles and Robson spent hours praying and fasting. Emotional pressure was put on others to give money. The pressures on Peter were, and remain, considerable.
Changeover: Charles and Robson returned to Uganda in mid-April, and the leadership is in the hands of Peter, Florence and Sidney. Florence and Sidney are both of African origin, but married to British spouses. These mature and gifted leaders ‘emerged’ during this year. African style prayer, worship and preaching continues. Peter is keen not to revert to the western emphasis on ‘doing’, but to safeguard prayer. A young Brazilian hopes to join them and will help with youth work, and they have a young Ghanaian leading the worship team. A month on, the church is flourishing, with new people each week. The Elders Board has grown to six, with two deacons; Peter does not look to fill roles, but rather to honour and develop what is being done. He sees Charles and Robson’s input as like the initial booster rocket on a space mission!
Future: Peter does not see the relationship with V.O.M. changing significantly. A constitution will be drawn up and charitable status will be sought. Concerning membership, the plan is to use the Methodist covenant prayer annually, and invite those who have prayed to ‘sign up’ to the church for the following year.
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