In a display of unity, three churches in Worcestershire have overcome stylistic and theological differences to form a new church plant, recognised by the FIEC (Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches).
Set to officially launch in January 2025, the formation of the new Grace Church Kidderminster occurred after two churches in the Wyre Forest each approached the lead pastor of nearby Woodgreen Church, Richard Lacey, for help. With small and aging congregations, both Kidderminster Evangelical Church (KEC) and Christ Church Wyre Forest, (CCWF) had recognised a need for external assistance – they contacted Lacey within weeks of each other.
Seeing an opportunity, leaders from the three churches met to pray regularly and, as they did, a radical suggestion was proposed: that KEC and CCWF, along with a team from Woodgreen, form a brand-new church.
Is the dream of a diverse Western church fading?
I’m particularly struck at how much it feels like a significant season to write my first article for Evangelicals Now. …