Bishop Eric Brown, leader of one of Britain’s oldest and most well known black-majority Pentecostal denominations, the New Testament Church of God (NTCG), hopes that members, guests and the general public that attend the church’s 54th annual National Convention will be inspired and galvanised to make a spiritual and social impact on their communities.
He 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. With this fact in mind, the theme for this year’s convention is ‘Let the Fire Fall’. 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.”
The NTCG National Convention takes place at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham 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.
The NTCG in the UK was founded by a member of the Windrush Generation, Rev Dr Oliver Lyseight in 1953, and the first branch established in Wolverhampton. With churches now sited all over Britain, the NTCG has found that it’s not only black people of African and Caribbean decent that want to be part it. They have experienced some success in attracting 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, one of the most well known black church leaders in the Midlands, and a member of the NTCG Executive Council stated, “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.”
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