The Black Church: Making a Difference, Having an Impact
Britain’s Black Christian community, and the Black Pentecostal Church in particular, are key pillars in the African and Caribbean community. The Black Church has been described by some as the Black community’s ‘4th emergency service’.
Since their formation, our churches have provided hope, given support, and have run vital services for those who need it. They have also served as transformation centres by preaching the Gospel and, in the process, enabled people to turn their lives around and become the people God called them to be. They have also helped fuel the rise of the Black middle class.
There are some churches and denominations that have had a major impact not just on their members’ lives, but also on the wider church and society. Keep The Faith has identified a few of them.
NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH OF GOD
The New Testament Church of God (NTCG) is one of the oldest and largest Black Church denominations founded by Caribbeans here in the UK. Jamaican-born Rev Dr Oliver Lyseight organised the NTCG’s first UK service in 1953, when a small group of Christians met together at the YMCA in Wolverhampton. From those humble beginnings NTCG has grown to over 130 congregations across the UK.
NTCG members who have made an impact on the spiritual and civic life of the UK include Bishop Derek Webley OBE, who served as the Chair of the West Midlands Police Authority; Bishop Eric Brown, who was the first Pentecostal Bishop of Churches Together in England and the subject of a BBC documentary; and the late Rev Dr Joel Edwards, who was an ordained NTCG minister, made history when he became the first Black man to be appointed General Secretary of the Evangelical Alliance. Claion Grandison is the current Administrative Bishop of the denomination.
Visit www.ntcg.org.uk
CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST UK
COGIC UK was started by Jamaican-born Mother Mary E McLachlan, who travelled to the UK on the HMS Windrush, the ship that brought the first contingent of Caribbean migrants to Britain in 1948. She held the first-ever COGIC UK service in Stoke Newington that same year. It was incorporated into COGIC International in 1952 and has greatly impacted church culture – especially via music. COGIC member, the late Lavine Hudson, was the first UK gospel singer to sign a record deal with a secular record company. Respected gospel musician, producer and songwriter Nicky Brown learned his craft in COGIC and was joint musical director of legendary gospel show People Get Ready. He has also worked with numerous UK artists and remains an in-demand musician. Ordained COGIC minister, the late Rev Carmel Jones, founded the Pentecostal Credit Union, which recently became Britain’s first Black-owned community bank. The COGIC Choir also appeared on a groundbreaking episode of Songs of Praise. Filmed in Southwark Cathedral, it was the first Songs of Praise to feature Black congregational worship.
Visit www.cogop.co.uk
THE REDEEMED CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GOD
The largest and fastest-growing Black Pentecostal denomination here in the UK is the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). It currently has more than 820 branches across Britain and Ireland, and is part of an international movement with over 50,000 branches worldwide. Twice a year, RCCG UK hosts the UK’s largest in-person prayer service, the Festival of Life event, where up to 40,000 people gather to worship and pray for the nation. Key people of influence who have spoken at the event include former Prime Minister David Cameron and the Archbishop of Canterbury. Its branches across the UK engage in community action. RCCG has members who have played a key role in the national life of Britain, such as Pastor Agu Irukwu, who served as Senior Leader of RCCG UK for several years. He is Senior Pastor of Jesus House, Brent Cross – a church that hosted former British Prime Minister Theresa May and CalledOut Music, one of Britain’s most popular gospel artists.
Visit https://rccgcentraloffice.church
CHURCH OF GOD OF PROPHECY
Founded in 1953, the same year as the NTCG, the Church of God of Prophecy (COGOP) has played a key role in the wider church community and has served as a launchpad for organisations/charities that have aided the progress of Black people in the UK. Two of Britain’s most well-known Black Christian artists – Noel Robinson and Karen Gibson MBE – spent their formative Christian years in the Church of God of Prophecy. COGOP is the place where they honed their giftings: Noel as a musician, and Karen as a singer and choir director. Organisations that have been launched and/or supported by COGOP include EXCELL3 (formerly known as Black Boys Can), which works to increase the educational attainment of socially disadvantaged young people; RAFFA International Development Agency, which supports the delivery of social action initiatives; and Nehemiah Housing, which provides quality affordable housing in the West Midlands.
Visit www.cogop.org.uk
RUACH CITY CHURCH
Ruach City Church (RCC), founded by Bishop John Francis, is an independent Pentecostal denomination that has impacted people’s lives both spiritually and otherwise. RCC celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2022, and its first branch (in Brixton) won over the local community in its early years by holding open air meetings, which saw people from all backgrounds – professionals as well as ex-offenders – get converted. It also played host to numerous events of national prominence. For instance, in 2006, Tony Blair visited RCC, and in doing so, RCC became the first Black church to host a serving British Prime Minister. The church’s profile also grew when it started broadcasting its service on Christian TV. The church runs community initiatives, including a food bank, and last year announced that they had joined forces with Portobello Trust, a housing association, to build over 200 affordable accommodation for the local community.
Visit www.ruachcitychurch.org
KINGSWAY INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CENTRE
Often simply referred to as KICC, Kingsway International Christian Centre, led by Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, is a church denomination that has blazed a trail for other church leaders. Pastor Matthew – a leader of leaders who recently celebrated his 50th year in ministry – raised the bar for church leaders across the board in 1998, when he opened a 4000-seater church in Hackney called the Miracle Centre. He was one of the first Black church leaders to heavily utilise marketing and PR to evangelise and promote church services, and use Christian TV to build his preaching ministry. His annual Gathering of Champions Conference brought together some of the world’s most popular church leaders to preach and teach. The land the Miracle Centre was on was sold to make way for the 2012 Olympics and KICC Headquarters is now based in Chatham, Kent. The church also has church plants across the UK, Africa, two in Ireland, and one in Canada.
Visit www.kicc.org.uk
