How I established my own church

By Richard Gregg

Richard Gregg left his high paying job in the city to set up his church

Richard Gregg gave up a well paid job in the city to establish a new church in Wilmington.

I first felt that I should work full-time in Ministry in 1991, having come back to faith after 2 years away from church. In finding God's forgiveness and acceptance I felt a strong pull to give whatever talents and abilities I had to build the church. I had just finished a stint as Stage Manager for a touring theatre company which was the path I had expected my career to take, to change direction was a big decision. I spent the next 10 years working in a variety of jobs whilst leading worship across a group of 4 churches.

Leading worship seemed to be an obvious choice for me, combining my love for the arts with my rediscovered faith, but it wasn't to be the fulfilment of what I felt was my calling. Two things changed where I was going, 1 was the book "The Purpose Driven Church" and the other was the album "Divine Exchange" which introduced me to Abundant Life Church in Bradford. Both of these birthed a passion in me to establish a church in the local area that engineered it's services to make them relevant to those not currently in church, and which was active in helping those in the local community in a tangible way.

Despite years of leading worship, involvement in the local church and building a successful career in business, I felt inadequate to start a church. I was married with 4 children and a large mortgage and this meant putting everything on the line. In July, 2002, I stepped out of my comfort zone, secured the lease for a derelict old ambulance station and set about with a small team of friends to convert it to a modern auditorium, offices and youth facilities.

One With Grace

One with Grace was born in my heart many years before but opened its doors to the public at Easter in 2003. What I thought was a big step of faith to begin the church began to pale in significance to the challenge of running a growing church with an extensive programme of community activities. My faith was tested each month as we had to pay the high rent and running costs for the centre, and keep things fresh and relevant. We established a youth theatre which grew to 120 members in just over a year and I began to see how God was going to use the gifts and talents he had given me.

Faith is at the very core of everything I do, not an abstract or intellectual faith but a faith based on having to rely on God for provision and a faith that has been tested and proved trustworthy. This faith has left me with a passion to translate the bible into practical action and relevant teaching which will impact the lives of those in the local community and maybe bring them to a point of faith.