Our Story
When we—Andy and Angie—were living in South Africa, we were asked to come back to the UK to lead Longton Church in Stoke-on-Trent.
We were told honestly—the church wasn’t doing well. In fact, there might not even be a church left by the time we returned seven months later.
So we began to pray.
One Sunday, we both felt God speak clearly:
“I will provide everything you need.”
Each day, we walked along the beach at Gordon’s Bay, asking a simple question:
“What kind of church do You want us to build?”
Over time, a few things became clear.
We were to build a church where, if Jesus walked in, He would recognise it as His church—and feel at home.
A church where everyone—older people, children, singles, families, and those from every background—would be welcomed and valued. And a church that would one day grow and plant others.
God Provided
When we arrived, things got worse before they got better.
People left.
And one Sunday morning, the treasurer told us,
“There’s no money in the bank—and we’ve got a £1,500 gas bill.”
But we held onto what God had said:
“I will provide everything you need.”
That morning, we shared the need with the church and trusted God.
Within a week, every penny had come in. The bill was paid.
And that became the pattern.
Again and again, God provided.
Slow Growth, Real Change
Growth didn’t come quickly.
People came—and people left.
We would grow to 30, then drop back to 15.
For years, we averaged around 20 people.
The vision of growth and planting often felt distant.
And yet, God was clearly at work.
- A man known locally as the town drunk gave his life to Jesus and was set free from alcohol addiction.
- A woman we prayed for in the hospital, close to death, is alive and well today.
- A struggling business in the church was completely turned around after prayer.
God was moving—one life at a time.
Holding On Through Challenge
Finances remained tight.
The church couldn’t support us, so Angie returned to work to provide for our family.
Before we arrived, the church had taken on a £50,000 loan to purchase the building.
But step by step, God provided.
The debt was paid off. The building was improved.
Still, at times, it felt like little was changing.
A Turning Point
Then COVID came.
And strangely, that’s when things began to shift.
Like many churches, we moved online—but because we were a small congregation in a large building, we were able to reopen early.
One Sunday, a woman saw people leaving the church and called to ask if she could come.
That one person became a trickle.
The trickle became a stream.
We grew past 30… then 40… then 50… then 60.
God Is Still At Work
During this time, Angie faced a personal challenge.
She developed long COVID, which later became ME.
Many of the dreams she had carried—serving together in the church, leading children’s work, building youth ministry—suddenly felt out of reach.
And yet, God was still at work.
Today, we have a growing children’s ministry that now needs to run in two age groups.
We have a young people's group.
We’ve created a dedicated youth space.
And we run a food bank, led by a wonderful team.
The very things Angie had prayed for—God has brought to life.
Praying for More
In the early days, we had no children and no young people.
So we put out six chairs and prayed:
“Lord, bring six people.”
When six came, we put out six more—and began to pray for families.
And God answered.
Where we are Today
Today, around 65–70 people gather on a Sunday.
If everyone were present, we would be close to 90.
More importantly, we believe we are becoming the kind of church where, if Jesus walked in, He would feel at home.
And the vision that once felt distant is alive again:
To grow…
And to plant.
Because after all these years, one thing has never changed:
God has been faithful.