UK OVERSIGHT: NEW COMMUNITY CHURCH, SOUTHAMPTON

New Community began when two ´house churches´ joined with a university student group to become Southampton Christian Fellowship. The first meeting took place in March 1975. Just over 50 attended that first meeting but there was rapid growth. By 1977 a close link had developed with West End Evangelical Church and the two fellowships merged to form Community Church. The church´s ministry was soon in demand from other small groups who wanted to establish new churches and a network of relationships soon began to develop.

The church had a vision to reach beyond themselves and the 1980s developed many projects and mission initiatives including the establishing of The King´s School, a Christian day school, Firgrove, a crisis pregnancy centre, Groundswell, an initiative to support those who are HIV positive.

The 1990s began with the acquisition of Central Hall and its development as a centre for worship, prayer, training and mission. The work overseas developed with key mission centres established in Asia, Africa, USA, Spain (in partnership with the Fellowship of The King) and France.

The 1990s also saw the development of the evangelistic ministry Miracle Street, the Central Counselling Service and the School of Ministries. The work among young people took great leaps forward during this time, developing the Cutting Edge events that launched the band Delirious?, and the establishment of Sublime, an innovative youth congregation. In 2004 the church developed into the present New Community.

In specific terms, Allan Cox (Missions Director of the New Community Network) together with Iain and Pat Anderson (who are part of NCC, Southampton) give a practical, human face to the oversight exercised from the UK. The senior leadership of the Fellowship of The King are accountable to these representatives of NCC and there is frequent contact between them all.