Teamwork: reaching barren Britain - An interview with Andrew Setchell of TEAMwork

TEAMwork is an outreach project seeking to plant churches in the Midlands and the North of England. Andrew Setchell, one of the preachers involved, answers some questions about what they are up to.

EN: What are TEAMwork's aims?

AS: TEAMwork (Training Evangelism And Ministry) fulfils three main objectives. First, to plant and promote new Christian churches which are God-honouring, Christ-centred, Bible-based and gospel-preaching. Second, to train gospel preachers for evangelistic, missionary or pastoral ministry and third, to train those who want to be better equipped for personal evangelism.

EN: How did it get going?

AS: The vision for forming TEAMwork began with Dr. Gareth Crossley who has had, for a number of years, a concern to see churches planted along New Testament lines. Some men came together in September 2001: Dr. Gareth Crossley, Fraser Kay, Evan Richards, Andrew Setchell and Alan Stenfalt. In the current group, Gareth and Alan act as the team co-ordinators while Fraser, Evan and Andrew are the men in training.

EN: What are TEAMwork's methods?

AS: TEAMwork seeks to plant churches by preaching the gospel where Christ has not been previously named (Romans 15.20). Initially, by prayer and information gathering, we seek to determine where God would have us work. Then, we go to that area, conduct open-air preaching sessions and initiate contacts in public places. We offer evangelistic literature which has the TEAMwork contact telephone number and web address. Also, a Christianity Explained course is offered which is based on the book of Mark and which clearly presents the gospel to non-Christians. As and when God is pleased to convert sinners, we seek to disciple the new believers using a discipleship course ('Knowing and Living') which is currently being developed by members of the team. This helps to establish new believers in the faith. TEAMwork's responsibility over the new work continues until such time as elders are appointed. As this could take some time, TEAMwork sees that it is a biblical principle to remain in an area until a church is established with its own leadership. Once that has occurred, TEAMwork moves to another area to plant a new church, as God leads. TEAMwork would still be available for advice and support should the newly planted church require this.

EN: Why is TEAMwork involved in this work?

AS: First, and most importantly, there is the command of our risen Lord to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28.20). Secondly, there are large areas of the UK that are without such biblically-based and gospel-preaching churches. There is an urgent need to see evangelists being trained, appointed and then going out to make disciples and plant churches.

EN: Where has TEAMwork been working?

AS: So far there are two main centres, Lichfield and Scunthorpe.

Since October 2001, we have been working in Lichfield, a city in Staffordshire. Initially, we began by preaching two hours in the open air twice a week in the city centre and seeking to give out evangelistic literature. As a result of our time there, we made contact with a local newspaper seller and another man and started Christianity Explained with them. Only one of the men completed the series of studies but contact has been kept with the other also. Some time after finishing the Christianity Explained course, we had the joy of seeing the newspaper seller place his trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Since then, we have seen him growing as a disciple of Jesus Christ, being taught through the weekly 'Knowing and Living' sessions.

Under God, a centre for worship was established in the Guildhall in Lichfield in November 2001. Since the early beginnings when only three couples regularly met together, we have seen more people meeting with us each Lord's Day. Now, approximately 15-20 men, women and children meet in the Guildhall every Lord's Day. The ministry of the Word is usually provided by Evan Richards at the Guildhall while Alan Stenfalt usually leads the ministry at the home midweek Bible study and prayer meeting.

Recently, the group have decided to call themselves 'Grace Church Lichfield'.

Last August, John Blanchard came and spoke at the Guildhall on the topic of his recent book, Does God Believe In Atheists? A good number of people came to this, some of whom were followed up. The address was a real encouragement to Christians and a challenge to atheists and agnostics to think again!

Some men are coming to speak at the monthly Bible Rallies at the Guildhall this year, God willing. Please pray for Grace Church Lichfield.

Then there is Scunthorpe. For the past five years, a number of men in the North have had a burden for Scunthorpe, a town in North Lincolnshire. They have been preaching in the open air during that period because they were concerned that there was no Bible-based church in that area. Gareth Crossley had links with these men and had himself seen the need in Scunthorpe. In January 2002, some of the TEAMwork members joined these men in an open-air in the town. This led to the TEAM making a number of trips up to Scunthorpe to see if the Lord might open doors for the gospel.

We started in Scunthorpe in April 2002. Since then we have tried various biblical strategies to get the gospel to the people of Scunthorpe.

EN: Where does TEAMwork hope to work in the future?

AS: The TEAM has recently begun exploring the town of Tamworth as a possible new church-planting venture. We have preached there in the open air once and have tried, on a few other occasions, to engage folk in conversation about the gospel. TEAMwork have also received requests to 'come over and help us' from Christians living in other areas of the country where there is no Bible-based witness. We would value your prayers as we seek to know the Lord's will concerning these opportunities as well as the future of any work in Tamworth.

For more information please look at the website: http://www.teamwk.co.uk or telephone 07020 973438.