Churches bridging the north-south gap

A partnership between two independent churches – one in a middle-class southern area and the other on a Yorkshire council estate – is bridging the north-south divide and advancing the gospel.

Banstead Community Church lies 13 miles outside central London in leafy Surrey which, along with Sussex, is the wealthiest part of England according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS). ‘Average wealth’ is said to be £263,000 by the ONS.

New Life Church, Middlesbrough is 280 miles north. The area is part of Tees Valley, where the ONS says average wealth is £77,000.

Dan Green, pastor at Banstead, explained: ‘The partnership came about after [our] members became aware that there were a number of forgotten places in England where there was little or no gospel witness and how these were in places of deprivation.

‘In the providence of God, I was at a conference run by FIEC that Ian Williamson (then pastor, now an elder of New Life Church) was present and an initial conversation grew into the partnership between the two churches today.’

They were clear from the start of the link, now four years ago, that they wanted a two-way partnership, ‘not just the wealthier church sending money to the poorer church’ (though financial support has been given to New Life Church.)

Green said the two churches have taken an active interest in each other, the ministry itself and their areas; and they regularly pray corporately for each other (and together on a monthly joint Zoom meeting).

Friendships have been formed between the members, who visit each other; the two churches help each other at outreach events; and a trainee pastor at Banstead has benefited from ministering to the New Life Church.

Green encouraged other churches to consider similar partnerships. ‘It’s been a great blessing to us as a church. ‘Also, by means of this partnership,’ he added ‘we see part of our mission as a church as making disciples in Middlesbrough as well as in Banstead.’

The churches continue to support each other. Green said: ‘One of our members has just returned after spending a few days in Middlesbrough to help with a Christmas Outreach Event.’ In February, one or two of their members will come down to Banstead to help with the Holiday Bible Club.

The ONS assesses ‘average wealth’ by adding up financial indicators including property, household contents, vehicles, private pensions and savings – while deducting financial liabilities such as debt.

Other churches who might be interested in seeking a similar partnership with churches in ‘forgotten’ places where there is economic and spiritual poverty can contact the Medhurst Ministries church network at medhurstministries.org