In New Ground, we have a great desire to plant new churches and shape existing churches to make a difference to the communities in which God has called them to live. We want to see communities positively impacted through signs and wonders, social action, and thoughtful cultural engagement by local Christians. We believe that everyone in a community should be blessed by the fact that our churches are there.
Many of our churches are already very active in their towns and cities, running community groups that seek to bless certain estates or people groups, and social action projects that are making a huge difference to some of the poorest and most vulnerable in our neighbourhoods. We’re also beginning to increase in genuine influence with decision-makers in our areas – some of our church leaders are building relationships with their local politicians, while others in New Ground speak to local councillors and police about issues affecting the area.
Stuart Gibbs, of Emmanuel Church in London, adds, "We want to build churches that are not only full of life for the believer, but that actually overflows into the community around and sees lives changed, society impacted, communities, schools, colleges and neighbourhoods feel some of the impact of the church, so that they know that God’s doing something over there because they can feel the benefit and the blessing of it."