Windrush Generation Church hopes to make spiritual, social impact

The leader of one of Britain's oldest and most established black-majority Pentecostal denominations, the New Testament Church of God (NTCG), hopes that delegates at the Church's forthcoming 54th annual National Convention will be inspired and galvanised to make a spiritual and social impact on their communities.

Bishop Eric Brown commented, "The NTCG has 130 locations, serving 40,000 people across Britain. We want our churches to be places where people can find spiritual inspiration, social and emotional support and for our congregations to be making a positive difference in their community."

Hence the theme, 'Let the Fire Fall', for this year's convention at the Birmingham National Indoor Arena from 18-20 July.

Over 4000 people are expected to attend the three day event and special guests include Pastor Nims Obunge, CEO of the Peace Alliance, Rev Katei Kirby, General Secretary of the African Caribbean Evangelical Alliance, Rev Agu Irukwu, leader of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Dr Paul Dhinakaran, a preacher, humanitarian and Educationalist, and Evangelist Jonathon Earl Zeigler II, a dynamic and profound speaker from the USA.

"We hope that after attending the convention people will be spiritually revived to share the gospel message of hope and make a difference in their localities," added Bishop Brown.

The NTCG in the UK was founded in 1953 by the Rev Dr Oliver Lyseight, a member of the Windrush Generation - the name given to the generation of migrants who in 1948 came to the UK from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and other Caribbean islands on board the SS Empire Windrush.

The first branch of the NTCG was established in Wolverhampton. Today, churches are sited all over Britain, attracting not only black people of African and Caribbean descent but also more recently members of the Tamil community, Eastern Europeans and Romanians.

Bishop Brown stated, "Whilst our churches were initially started to meet the spiritual and social needs of the Windrush Generation, our remit has changed over the years as we want our churches to be places where people of all cultures and races can find hope, understanding and help."

During the three-day event, delegates will get the opportunity to attend dynamic services, teaching sessions and a special concert, featuring leading American Gospel Artiste, Martha Munizzi, with support from British Gospel outfits, Ekklesia, Ian Pitter with the NTCG praise and worship team.

Bishop Derek Webley, a black church leader in the Midlands, and member of the NTCG Executive Council said, "It's great that the NTCG have decided to hold their National Convention in Birmingham for a second year.

"We are a church that is keen to engage with the communities we serve, and having our National Convention in the Midlands enables us to do this.

"It is our belief that the effect this convention has on peoples lives, will remain long after the event has ended."