News & Events
Bradford and the Aire Valley
Stewart and Gaynor Morris have been church planting in Bradford & the Aire Valley since mid 2010. Gaynor shared their ‘story so far’ in the latest Connect Magazine. We caught up with her again recently and asked for an update.
Having become a Christian at Leeds University in the late eighties, I reluctantly left Yorkshire and in the mid-nineties married Stewart, knowing his heart was fully committed to The King’s Church, High Wycombe. Only a divine intervention would shift his focus!
Whilst attending the Together on a Mission conference in 2007, Jeremy Simpkins was leading a brief prayer time for church planting in the M62 corridor. At this time Stewart had a vision of being lifted up and transported to an area of green hills and valleys’ coinciding with the Holy Spirit filling him with God’s compassion and love for the people in this place. Stewart could not ignore this call, and following meetings with Steve Tibbert and Jeremy, was invited to church plant in Bradford and the Aire Valley. The journey to move north took three years in all! We were keen to be passed well, like a baton, from one region to another. There were many highlights’ particularly the support of the leadership team at King’s Church, and how we were embraced by the Yorkshire Team.
Now in Bradford, the cost of what we have left behind propels us onward. High Wycombe had been Stewart’s family and spiritual home for nearly 30 years, and he had been part of a church that grew from a living room to a large auditorium, from 40 people to over 500. Reflecting on the move, Stewart commented, “Giving up full time leadership of 12 years, at a very fruitful juncture, and taking up part time employment outside the church, was actually not that difficult. Unsurprisingly, the greatest cost has been relational, due to deeply forged bonds over many years and recent friendships with those new to the faith.” Leaving was never going to be easy! On our last Sunday morning, we experienced such a surge of strong emotions for this supportive spiritual home.
Fear of the future was a real challenge during those bridging months.
Moving our 10-year-old daughter away from extensive church youth work, a Jesus-centred C of E school and great secondary school options felt costly. We sensed the Holy Spirit speaking to us through the story of Abraham’s willingness to give up Isaac, and felt challenged to trust Natalie’s life into his care too.
So how about the first few months of being parachuted into a new city and life? As pioneers, we are celebrating the joy of the new adventure. The tough days are those where we feel isolated and unknown. On these days our minds are naturally drawn back to the familiar routines and the confidence of relationships back in High Wycombe. As the days have ticked on, establishing friendship at the school gate, seeing God’s provision of part time jobs for us serving the local communities, and the warm welcome from Gateway Church Leeds and Bradford Family Church have all helped steady the transition.
On a lighter note, home life has been full of food and visiting friends: we wonder what our neighbours think of our frequent visitors! Despite the occasional need to draw up the ramparts for vital recuperation, we are encouraged by the momentum in the church plant as others move from High Wycombe and as we gather more locally!
Six months has passed since this above section was written and it’s fascinating re-reading our reflections on the journey then. The article focuses much on the looking back, marking the initial stage of transition whereas, now & with these few months under our belt, our thoughts are rooted into the emerging life of a new church. We are loving the city & the area! With a home gathering having reached twenty adults this summer, we are currently extending our get-togethers’ to a local community hall in Bradford. Alpha was launched this autumn in a Saltaire café with about 15 guests including many students. We are praying as a team for doubling in numbers, salvation and a church plant launch in September 2012 – but ultimately for His leading.
If you’d like to know more about what is going on in Bradford & the Aire Valley, please contact Gaynor & Stew through their website.
Comments
By Helen O'Loan on 23/11/2011 at 19:17
Greetings from Saltaire
i have been reading about your story
it would be good if some of your team were able to come to the Pray for Shipley get togethers.
Church on the Way is meeting at Westcliffe Chapel this Sat eve 26 Nov.. 7 ish.
Shipley Christians Together meet a few times a year so we know what each other are doing… there are all sorts of projects..some things we work on together…
There are at least 2 churches which come to mind..where you could probably meet on a Sunday evening.
Saltaire United Reformed Church… we would obviously have to check this with the elders… we only have a morning service…
have recently started a toddler group on a Mon afternoon 1pm to 3pm to try and attract some younger families..
& Christchurch Windhill ...the only church and a struggling one in that area which has a morning service. ..with a community centre beside it.
With the Kirkgate Centre being right beside St. Paul’s and very close to other churches in Shipley, it does seem to me to be rather a strange choice of venue for a church plant?
We do pray that God guides you and that we work together for His Glory.
By Peter Shepherd on 11/12/2011 at 13:58
Greetings from Canada,
I have been in New Frontiers for more than 25 years and am now with a church plant in Canada but was raised in Shipley and went to primary school in Saltiare.
I can confirm the note from Helen O’Loan that there are many good churches in the area but there is always room for more churches especially those who are seeking the lost. I firmly believe that New Frontiers can bring something new and dynamic into the area but encourage you to be in good fellowship with the established churches (something another notable ‘house church group’ in Bradford failed to do to the detriment of the body).
I am very excited for you, go for it. My wife and I will be praying for you.
By Doreen Thompson on 11/04/2012 at 14:56
am interested in your vision for work in this area.my husband and I have a similar vision but currently have nowhere to worship in our hometown.. We will pray for God’s hand on all that you are doing and that you will be clearly led by His spirit . There are so many scattered sheep in this area ( and even more lost !!!!!! ) Success to you . In Him Doreen and Keith Thompson .