New Life Church, Wembley

A small church with a big vision committed to moving from an inward to an outward-focused church

 New Life Church is a lively, mainly African/Caribbean church in the shadow of Wembley stadium, with 35 members.  A few years ago, Pastor Terry Springer started to get frustrated that the church was doing very little in the community and sought to do something about it.

Early on, the church struggled to know how to be more connected to their neighbours.  They longed to get to a point where they were among the first places that thost in need would go.  They were also aware that no-one was addressing the needs of the young teenagers in the area, and they were determined to change that.

Along the way, the church has been supported by groups such as Churches Together Brent and Ambassadors in Sport.  Now, despite facing obstacles and setbacks, the church runs a summer holiday club for 300 children, has a recording studio and youth club for local young people and has recently taken control of the local non-league football team.  The church really has become a place that supports local people.

Pastor Terry advises other churches that are ready to take the same journey to take time to know the heart of God for their community: "I believe it must be Christian mission, not secular social action - ie the gospel in word and deed together, not just good deeds or just words of witness on their own.  It is not an easy road, but people have grown in God and the congregation is looking now looking forward to further engagement."