In Depth:  Joel Murray

Cross-country partnerships between very different churches are helping grow the gospel in the UK, a conference has heard.

The Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC) and Medhurst Ministries organised the event, Connecting Diverse Churches, so that churches from very different communities could consider what partnership might look like for them.

All of church leadership is shepherding, as men and women in the church lead, care for, and love God’s flock in all manner of ways.

That is why, at the start of November, Blackpool became home to more than 1,000 church leaders for three days of the 2024 FIEC Leaders’ Conference: looking to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and considering what it means to love like Jesus.

More than 100 women gathered in Derbyshire over a week in early May to be encouraged and equipped at conferences for women involved in church ministry.

Thrive (for women in ministry) and the Ministry Wives Retreat (for women married to men in ministry) are organised by the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC), held annually to enable women to connect with those in similar roles, situations, positions, and ministries in church life.

Nearly 1,000 church leaders from more than 500 churches across Britain have met at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool for FIEC’s annual Leaders’ Conference.

The theme for the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches’ 2023 conference was the justice of God: what it means to follow and love the God of justice as He ultimately brings all things under Christ, the just and righteous ruler.

Nearly 90 church leaders from across London arrived at Stockwell Baptist Church on for the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Church’s (FIEC) latest regular London Gathering.

The event is organised three times a year for church leaders (pastors, elders, women’s workers, and others) who are serving in FIEC churches and in other evangelical churches, groups and missions across London.

More than 60 men and women from across the UK have a spring in their step after gathering in the West Midlands for ‘The Hub’ – a conference for those considering, starting, or training for a role in church ministry.

The conference, organised by the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC), aims to help men and women navigate the journey into church ministry. People attended from a variety of backgrounds and situations: those considering working in a church, those currently in training, and those looking for a first role in a church context.

Nearly 1,000 pastors, elders, women’s workers, youth leaders, and others in church leadership gathered at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool in November for the 2022 FIEC Leaders’ Conference.

It was the first national conference for three years, due to the Covid pandemic, but came just in time to mark FIEC’s 100th anniversary.

The founder of the Newfrontiers network of charismatic evangelical churches, Terry Virgo, has addressed 100 FIEC church leaders.

He was speaking at the London Leaders’ Gathering of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC).

Aviemore is Scotland’s fastest growing town and the UK’s top ski resort. It’s also home to a new FIEC church.

Launched in August 2021, Hope Church Aviemore has just celebrating its first birthday. Since their launch, numbers have tripled and a man who has come to faith is due to be baptised. Pastor Kenny Rogan is really encouraged by all God is doing: ‘The team have been so enthusiastic and full of love as they have stepped up and worked hard to run everything and welcome everyone. Seeing folks grow in their faith has been wonderful.’

The Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC) is marking its centenary this year.

And to celebrate its 100th anniversary, the organisation has announced that it is gathering 100 gospel projects from around the country to enable church partnerships and fuel prayer for mission.