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GOD’S SOVEREIGN TAPESTRY
Paul writes in Ephesians 2:10 that we are God’s ‘poema’, His workmanship, master-piece or tapestry of grace, wherein He not only saves us by grace (vs 1-9) but also weaves us together within His divinely orchestrated plan to come together for His pre-planned works of service, through which we bring Him great glory.
None of our lives are random; rather, as a bright display of grace, God calls people and churches into an inter-weaving that unfolds like a craftsman’s tapestry. Each thread (church/person) on its own may seem like a meaningless straggling wisp but when woven together we see Divine forethought, planning and destiny that only He could wisely and perfectly interlace. God is the master craftsman, we are His material; He is the Artist, we are the humble, yet beautiful artwork. This is such a story where Father weaves the journeys of three couples and two churches together for His glory and His fore-ordained good works ...
JOURNEYING UNDER GOD’S VOICE
Keath and Michelle Gaitskell - Our Journey
In light of the significant changes taking place, we have felt that it would be a great idea to document what our journey has been in this process. Apart from being helpful to Michelle and me as a reminder of God’s hand in leading us to where we are, we also felt that it may come in useful to others as they try to work through the changes taking place. I am not going to put every detail down as some of them are personal but if anyone has any questions they are always welcome to chat with us.
Background
On May the 8th it was the 16th anniversary of Michelle and my arrival in the UK. If you had said to us when we arrived at Heathrow that we would permanently settle here, have all our children here, change our careers radically and be leading a church in London I think Michelle and I would have laughed at you! A proverb that I try to keep at the front of my mind is “Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21.
Michelle and I had been part of Glenridge Church in Durban, South Africa for about one and a half years before we flew over to the UK for what we thought would be a fun excursion for a couple of years. We came over to make money so that we could travel and see the world a bit but about five months into our time here we got a letter from Nigel saying that they were looking at coming over to the UK to plant a church. We knew Nigel and Melita from Glenridge where they had been on eldership and so we were keen to help them where we could with their relocation. As it turned out, Nigel and Melita planted in Richmond, which was near where we had been living, and so we decided to become part of this fledgling church – christened London Church International. Michelle has the honour of being one of the seven people at the very first meeting that was held in our old bed-sit!
When we had those first meetings in the bed-sit, Michelle and I had no idea just how much this church was going to become part of our lives. I do think that we had some sense that God had prepared a way for us to come over to the UK. Looking back I can see God’s fingerprints in how we got over and settled into UK life, but at the time I don’t think we really appreciated what God had in store.
In March 1997 Michelle and I returned to the UK after a six-month tour through America and Australasia. It was at this time that we made a conscious decision that we wanted to settle in the UK. Upon our return to England God began to deepen our affection for LCI. Without really noticing it we were getting involved more and more in the life of the church and in 1998 we were asked onto the deaconate. At this time Michelle and I were leading a home group (which included Amber Chandler and Rob and Laura Mussel!) and I was leading worship in the church. LCI was becoming much more than just a church but our family. In 2000 Nigel asked us to come onto the Eldership at LCI, and after being market place elders for three/four years Michelle and I went full time in May 2004.
People often comment on what a change it must have been to move from investment banking to being a pastor. It certainly was a change, but it felt like I had put on clothes that I had always meant to be wearing. When I had first got saved, the minister at the Methodist church became a bit of a spiritual father to me. One day he said to me: “Keath, I don’t know how it is going to work out but one day you are going to be in the ministry” and he was right! Michelle and I had also received a number of very powerful prophetic words over us before we even came to the UK and before I even really understood the significance of the prophetic. It is when I look back now at those words that I feel so encouraged and excited about the future. There is one prophetic word that I think is worth mentioning in light of what is being discussed tonight. When we were ordained as elders Meryl Wienand had a prophetic word for us that said that Michelle and I were going to be like oxen in the church and that we would bring stability to LCI and bring constancy to the church. The prophetic word over Guy and Steph was that they were going be eagles – at the time that sounded a lot more glamorous!
The last four years
I would like to jump ahead a little bit now to when Ryan came to visit LCI in 2008. By the time Ryan came over in that February, Michelle and I were starting to feel like God was stirring something inside of us but we weren’t really sure what it was. Michelle and I were beginning to lose vision doing what we were doing and we had started to stop dreaming – both of us wanted something new, particularly a new challenge.
Well the new challenge came with Ryan’s arrival! Not so much with Ryan as with all that was going to take place over the next two and a bit years. The hand over from Nigel to Ryan, the name change, the purchase of the venue and the replanting of the church certainly kept us busy, but it didn’t remove this dissatisfaction inside of us, as well as a desire for more of what God had for us. During this time there was much praying, many long walks asking God what on earth was going on AND where he wanted us to go. The result of all these walks and prayers was no direction at all only an assurance from God that he was there and in control. If I asked God once where he wanted us to re-locate to I must have asked him 500 times! So in summary Michelle and I were righteously frustrated, lacking vision and direction and getting no indication from God of what the way ahead looked like. Coming back from Israel, Michelle turned to me on the plane and said “I really believe that God has got us in a holding pattern” and looking back, that was exactly what was happening.
Then at the end of August during Dwell we received two prophetic words:
- Chris Jungles (who I didn’t know from a bar of soap at the time) came up to me and said “You and your wife have been asking God the answer to a question. God wants you to know that something has shifted”. A number of months later when Ryan was talking to me about his decision he mentioned that it was during Dwell at the end of August that he felt something “Shift” and “lift” off him and that it was as if he knew his time at KingsGate had come to an end.
- Mark Elliot came up to me at Dwell and said that he had been praying for us and he saw a lock. There were a number of keys but none of these opened the lock. Then God applied pressure on the lock with his fingers and then the lock just opened.
I felt a weight behind both these words and both Michelle and I felt excited that God was speaking but we still had no idea about where to go.
After speaking to a few friends about where we were at and the prophetic words we had received, we were encouraged to pursue (in the absence of any other clear words) what had always been a dream on my heart – America.
Consequently we started pursuing a number of avenues in the USA – one of which seemed to indicate that a door was opening for us there. We were really excited that something was starting to happen. The church in America seemed very keen to have us and relationally there was a strong connection in a very short time. In November 2010 I went over to the States with a view to explore ways of getting over there. The trip was great from one point of view in that relationally I really connected with the guys there. On the other-hand it was really frustrating, even though they wanted us to come over, there were no means for us to get in. Getting in on a working visa seemed to be getting more and more unlikely by the hour, the church itself couldn’t sponsor me and there were no churches looking for a lead elder!
When we spoke to Ryan about our visit, Ryan suggested another option. Ryan’s idea was that maybe KingsGate could sponsor Michelle and I i.e. pay us the salary that we would need in the States. In one way that excited me as that was now a real option – on the other hand it did feel a bit like we were trying to make something happen rather than allowing God to open the doors.
The last four months
When Ryan took me for lunch after I had picked him up from the airport I was anticipating him letting me know about opportunities for the States – particularly the possibility of being funded by KingsGate/Glenridge. Imagine my surprise when Ryan told me what the real news was! After speaking to me about the possibility of them going to take over Glenridge, Ryan mentioned that Chris Wienand, Rory and himself had all felt that Michelle and I were the right couple to take over from Ryan and Melissa here at KingsGate. Chris, Rory and Ryan all said that they hadn’t heard a word from God on this but that it seemed to be sanctified common sense to them. After the lunch I went home and told Michelle and there we sat, both stunned together!
My initial response was feeling exceptionally honoured to have been asked to take over KingsGate and by men who I had looked up to for many years. However I didn’t want to take the position because it is a great church and a great privilege and I didn’t want to take the position as captain of this eldership team because it was a good career move. I wanted to take up this role first and foremost because this is where God wanted Michelle and me and this is what God wanted me to do. I also wanted to settle in my own heart whether America was what God wanted for us now and the other elders needed to know this as well. I didn’t want to lead this church with my heart and my dreams in America and I wanted the elders and the church to be convinced that that was not the case.
As a result Michelle and I said that we were not going to make any decisions until we had gone to the States. The trip was already booked as a “fact finding mission” and so it made sense to use the trip to clarify a few things in our hearts.
During February and March, we as an eldership talked, prayed, fasted and worshipped our way through this decision. One of the things that was essential was that the eldership made this decision as a whole – this was not something that was imposed in any way shape or form. The eldership decided whether this was right in God for the church; the eldership discussed what the new captain of the team should look like and the eldership decided who that captain should be.
Another thing to mention was that up until February, God had spoken to Ryan clearly about the rightness of this decision to take over Glenridge but Michelle and I still had not heard a yes from God. The eldership was clear that they wanted us to hear God on whether this was right for us and until March we weren’t hearing much. Then in March a number of people in the church started bringing Michelle and myself prophetic words which were quite uncanny given the context of our situation of which they knew nothing. By the time we left for America I was pretty certain what our decision would be but we still wanted to give God every chance to speak differently to what we anticipated. Our trip to the States was helpful in that we had some distance from London and time on our own although it wasn’t altogether relaxing. We spent quite a bit of time thinking about the question at hand and the significance of it. By the time we left though, we knew that the right decision and what God wanted us to do was to lead KingsGate. I didn’t see an angel nor did I get writing on the wall but what I got was peace about the decision which is what I had been looking for. From that vantage point of God’s peace, I could look back at the prophetic words over the last year (particularly the last two months) and see that God had been leading us to this decision.
When I got back from the USA I got a text from Mike Hanchett who is a prophet and a friend of mine. I hadn’t spoken to Mike since early January and he knew nothing about what was going on. This is what his text said: “Hi Keath, thinking about you a lot. Feel you are in a decision making mode. Praying for wisdom for you. This is a strategic time for KingsGate. Your plans are going to merge into his plans and you will be surprised at what God does. He has prepared you for such a time as this. I have a real excitement for you.”
Ryan and Melissa Matthews - Our Journey
In January 2009, while on a 2 week holiday in London, God spoke to me clearly regarding 3 key matters for KingsGate’s (then known as LCi) future. This ‘download’ from God was in response to my questioning of Him as to what He wanted for the future of this amazing community. The first two were exhilarating, while the last was daunting to say the least.
Firstly, He made it clear that I was to mobilise the elders and push strongly for the church’s new facility. That was easy to respond to as it was abundantly clear that the church could not continue much longer in the school hall. My response in prayer was ‘Lord, I trust you that we will be making moves in this direction by the end of the year!’ True to God’s goodness, this indeed happened, with the fulfillment of this promise coming to pass in our ‘Year of Possession’! The Empire building is continuous evidence of His ability, provision and faithfulness, regardless of our shortcomings and lack as leaders.
Secondly, He made it clear that I was to identify and release the mighty ‘general-like’ leaders in the church and endorse their unique gifting under God and let them flourish. This is what I live for - the success of men and women under God that brings glory to God and breakthrough for His church. I made a commitment to intentionally do so, starting with the elders, the leaders and the rest of the church. To date, God has been causing these people to flourish and step into their calling at greater measures with the examples being many!
Then the third, which totally caught me off guard. Nearly a year before this, Melissa and I, together with Zoe and Gabriel, left the land of our birth, family we loved, church we were saved and released in, after selling our home, spending our life savings, to live, love and lead in the most remarkable city on the planet, London! We left Durban, South Africa, completely to live completely in London. After a relatively short space of time, London was home. A place of deep friendship, team, exciting adventures and a church with God’s hand on it. To say that the last three years of our lives have been the best yet is an understatement. From our marriage to ministry, this has been true to date! Nevertheless, this was not stopping God as He said : ‘I have called you and Melissa to be midwives here. You will bring LCi (now KingsGate) into the birth of its new day then hand it over to the couple I have called to lead the church. In this I am preparing you to lead Glenridge.’ WHAT? You can imagine my shock and surprise at this news from Heaven. I was delighted at the prospect of parts 1 and 2, but 3 was too much. My response was to bury this and put it completely out of mind as this was home for us and I did not want to live, love and lead with my ‘head’ elsewhere. I did not even speak to Melissa about this for many obvious reasons; in fact, I spoke to no one!
(Aside - Heavenly information from out of left field seems to be God’s modus operandi, as in this case. I cannot imagine what a virgin teenage Mary must have thought after Gabriel’s little visit!?)
Well, after this interesting devotion in January 2009 I (we) have wholeheartedly pursued God’s plan and purpose for this house, KingsGate. I have been excited to watch the elders, many of the leaders and saints step into more of their unique calling within KingsGate with much fruitfulness resulting (as per no. 2 above). Moreover, we have seen Father perform miracles in our midst as He delivered the most remarkable facility into our hands in the early part of 2010. As He said, it was indeed a Year of Possession which began toward the end of 2009 (as per no. 1 above).
However, post exchange and completion for the 14000sqft that KingsGate calls home, God began to resurface His statement from January 2009. This began to unfold around July 2010 while I was walking around the building during the latter stages of the fit out. While walking around, marveling at ‘my new building’, the Lord dropped into my heart ... ‘this is your building but it is not’!! Amazed, He continued to say, ‘these are your people but they are not your people’. With these jolting statements He began a process of shifting and loosening my heart here at KingsGate. As of yet I had said nothing to Melissa nor anyone else. During August, and heading into the official opening of the facility, this ‘shifting’ and ‘loosening’ became so real that I began to feel what I can only call ‘third party-ish’, and it was during this time that God dropped into my heart that Melissa and my task at KingsGate was complete! Our ‘job’ was done ...
Now, this ‘shifting’ continued and increased deep into the end of 2010 where I finally asked Julian Adams, a prophet with New Frontiers, to do me a favour ... I asked him to ask God regarding my and Melissa’s future without saying anything to him about what I had been sensing and hearing of course! I needed external prophetic input. Interestingly, at the first ‘Unlimited’ evening, while Julian was ‘reading peoples mail’, he began to prophesy over KingsGate saying that, amongst many things, God was changing and shifting seats of authority in the house and bringing a fluidity to the leadership. This caught my attention in the light of what God was doing in my heart till that point.
Then, I received an email on the 8th of December 2010 from Julian in which he submitted what he felt God was saying. In this he said he felt God was repositioning and relocating us into a larger apostolic ship (which he later described as a church) in order to play a part in ‘turning the ship into revival’ as well as helping to establish and lead new apostolic ministry connections among nations. He said this door of opportunity was opening and we were to walk through it. In so doing we would stand on the shoulders of another man to break open a new season in the church. (Wow, very clear!)
With this I then began to speak to Melissa about what I had been feeling God say since Jan 2009, and she confirmed that she too had been feeling a shifting in her own heart simultaneously to mine. Her words were: ‘I have been feeling like an outsider the last while’. This is not to say that she was not well loved and knitted into the family of KingsGate, but rather that she was feeling strangely separate for some reason. She further mentioned that she had had a strong sense of our future involvement in Glenridge. The was the first time we chatted about such things.
On the eve of our departure for our family holiday in South Africa I had a clear God dream. In this I was holding onto a big red weather balloon and I was rising higher into the air. In front of me was a large mountain range and the sun was setting behind the mountains. I remember thinking that this was so beautiful. I love sunsets the most! I then traversed this mountain range and landed at a train station, but instead of landing on a platform I landed on top of a large moving train. At this the dream ended and I awoke shortly thereafter. Well, this dream was/is clearly about transition (traversing mountains, sunset, train station) and that the Holy Spirit was taking us higher into transition. The train, according to dream language, is often about a large ministry or church, and with me landing on such, the dream was suggesting that this was a transition where we would be shifted to a large church/ministry. It was clear from this and Julian’s prophetic mail that God had us in serious transition and this had to do with KingsGate and Glenridge. This completely daunted and overwhelmed us to say the least.
During the first week of holiday in South Africa God began to repeatedly prompt me that I needed to approach Rory (leader of Glenridge along with his wife Melanie) and tell him all that God had been saying to me and Melissa. Now this was crazy to say the least! How could I approach the leader of an established church and tell him that God said I was to lead that church? Arrogant and presumptuous to say the least!! However, God continued to urge me to the point where I finally arranged a moment to chat to Rory in person. By this stage I figured in my head that this would simply be a moment of closure for me so that I could get on with God’s exciting adventure with KingsGate in London. I most likely had got this all wrong and this was where I could close the door on what I had felt prophetically before.
So, I sat with Rory and for an hour and a half told him the whole prophetic journey (which even included parts from my early 20’s), every detail, also saying that I was very happy to be wrong and return with my tail between my legs to the most rocking city and the most exciting church in the world, KingsGate! This was about to be the end of our much needed holiday ...
Rory and Melanie Dyer - A brief recounting of their story as told to Ryan in early January 2011
After recounting my journey to date Rory went on to explain what God had been doing/saying for some time regarding his and Melanie’s role in Glenridge and that their season in actively leading such an amazing house was clearly coming to an end soon and that they felt that we were the couple under God to lead Glenridge going forward. This resulted in us together beginning a process of consultation with apostolic men and the Glenridge elders which led to the moment where we returned to London to lay the prophetic whisperings of Heaven at the feet of the KingsGate elders for their prayerful and careful processing as a team. Here, there were and are many prophetic promptings concerning Rory and Melanie and their role that led up to the moment of our discussion, as well as thereafter.
THE PROCESS AS KINGSGATE ELDERS
Regardless of an overwhelming confluence of prophetic threads, words, and journeys from many people it was essential that we respond in a Biblical manner that honours God and all involved.
Firstly, all prophetic words need to be weighed up before Scripture and in team (1 Corinthians 14:29); secondly, any future sending/commissioning is done in consultation with elders and apostolic/prophetic gifted persons. (eg. Acts 13:1-3)
The framework for the unfolding process which began in the first weeks of February were the following:
- Submission to the Word of God
- In open, honest partnership as an eldership team
- In clear consultation with Apostolic fathers and voices
- Submission to the Word
The Word of God is the highest authority in our lives, inextricably linked to the Person and character of God. All prophetic nudgings, no matter how prolific and clear, are to be filtered through the Scriptures.
Furthermore, ‘All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.’ (2 Timothy 3:16) The Word, being a lamp to our feet and guiding every step forward, would help dramatically in this process. Beyond this, the KingsGate eldership firmly believes in the Word of the Spirit and the Spirit of the Word and that this needs to be modeled in every way, especially this.
In submitting to the Word, it was essential that this was done in team in order to eradicate subjectivity, suggestiveness, text shaping and the like. A team pursuit of this would allow for greater honesty, objectivity and integrity required for such an important discussion.
In submitting to the Word we asked the following:
- Is such a transition in leadership after a seemingly brief period of time i. Biblical (ie. is this Scripturally viable and is there evidence to inform us in this process?) and ii. Beneficial for all involved?
- In the above we were also asking ... Is this God? Is this good for KingGate? Is this what Ryan and Melissa are called to?
- Further critical questions we asked were : are Keath and Michelle the right couple to lead into the future? What is the ‘shape of the captain to come’? What does the ‘shape of the team to come’ look like in KingsGate’s future?
During this process, we took much time in prayer together to discover Biblical perspective. Here is a summation of some of the collective findings that answers its Biblical base and how Beneficial it is:
Submission to the Word:
Choice of the New Testament -
Simply because it expresses God’s will and ways for the church within the Church Age wherein we find ourselves, as well as the early Church apostles’ practices and perspectives.
Chosen examples -
Jesus : Head of the Church, ultimate pattern of Kingdom Christianity and pre-eminent example to follow.
Paul : After Jesus, one of the greatest apostles and certainly the greatest exponent of planting and establishing churches, and raising and releasing leaders therein.
Part 1 : Jesus’ Transitional Leadership - from Jesus in person to the the Spirit in and over men.
- John 13 - 17 ... Jesus was preparing His disciples and apostles for His departure and transition from ‘Jesus of Nazareth’/God incarnate leadership to Holy Spirit-led leadership after 3 years. From flesh and blood to Spirit.
Centrally - John 16:7 ‘But I tell you the truth: it is for your good that I am going away ...’
Jesus is not speaking specifically here concerning His crucifixion (which was and is indeed extremely beneficial); rather, He is referencing the coming leadership and dispensation of the Holy Spirit in and over men.
Basically, according to His perspective His departure was good regarding the change of leadership and Kingdom governance, as well as the fact that His task in redemptive history was about to be fulfilled before His return at the culmination of the ages.
Importantly - Jesus placed major stakes of security in the hearts of His nearest during a period of change and uncertain future:
- Emulating servant leadership brings present blessing (13:12-17)
- Love counts greatest (13:34-35)
- Trust in God (14:1)
- Abide and you will be fruitful (15:1-17)
- Protected by The Name (17:11)
- Sanctified by the Word (17:16)
- Acts 1-2 ...
‘The coming of the Spirit on the group signified the creation of the Spirit-endowed, Spirit-empowered, Spirit-led community.’ Stanley Grenz
- 1:3-8
- Between resurrection and ascension there was further preparation.
- The absolute priority is the Kingdom of God in its ways and lifestyle.
- Before the return of the King the Spirit’s leading and empowering is essential and primary.
- 1:12-14
In transition prayer together is key.
- 1:15-26
In transition responding to the Word is key.
- 2:41-47
The result of transition was dramatic with several thousand salvations and the welding together of God’s kingdom community called the Church.
Aside - It is important to note that there could not be a more unexpected transition of leadership than this. After 3 years Jesus said it was time to go and hand over the baton to men governed by the Spirit. These people were thrust into the uncertainty of the unknown; yet, He said it was/would be good and indeed it was good with the result being the birthing of the Church with great salvations and a remarkable community life!
Moreover, Peter was the initial key leader. He had just renounced Christ three times yet was graciously re-instated by Jesus and powerfully enabled by the Spirit to lead the team that led the early church.
In answering the question regarding whether a transition in leadership after a seemingly short period of time is both Biblical and Beneficial -
This most dramatic and unexpected transition from the flesh and blood leadership of Christ to the invisible leadership of God the Spirit over and in men reveals that there is Biblical evidence for a seemingly swift transition of leadership and that in God it is indeed Beneficial for all involved. This example of Jesus’ transition is clearly informs the process and is great, glorious and compelling!
Part 2 : Paul’s Transitionary Leadership
- Thessalonica ... Acts 17:1-10 and 1 Thessalonians 1:1-8
This is Paul’s shortest tenure of leadership and that being 3 Sabbaths which was basically 3-4 weeks. After such as brief period Paul moves on in the midst of serious persecution and his leadership is ‘handed over’ to ‘the brothers’. You would imagine that this fledgling church would fizzle and fade incredibly quickly; however, Jesus is indeed the head of His church and the church in Thessalonica more than flourishes!
We see such evidence in 1 Thessalonians 1:1-8
**NB : 1vs1 ‘the church of the Thessalonians in God ... and the Lord Jesus Christ’ This was Paul’s theology regarding the foundation and root of Kingdom success for every church, that the church is rooted in God not men!
1vs2-3 : The key fundamentals to a flourishing church after transition are simply FAITH, HOPE and LOVE
1vs4 : ‘He has chosen you(pl)’ ... Again, Paul’s theology on who presides over a faith community - God first, a leader(s) a distant second.
1vs7-8 : This church, seemingly ‘abandoned and left to the wolves’ after 3-4 weeks, became a church of great influence and example, and a launching pad for the Gospel into the surrounding regions because God the Spirit presides over His church and leads leaders in the way they need to minister for the glory of God and the good of His people!
Again, coming back to the question of Biblical evidence and its Benefits, we see that even a transition of leadership from Paul to the brothers in the midst of persecution after 3 weeks or so will never stop God from causing His church to flourish!
ii.Ephesus ... Acts 19:8-21, Acts 20:17 - 21:1, Rev 2:1-7
In comparison to Thessalonica this is Paul’s longest stay in a given region. He spent 3 years in Ephesus and then simply decided to leave while the church was just beginning to explode into another level! He hands the church over to the elders, and then after many tears they tear themselves away from each other and he heads to Jerusalem to face an uncertain and dangerous future. Please make note of the following verses :
19:8,10, 21
20:17, 22, 25, 28-31, 36-38
21:1
We then see that many decades after Paul’s swift and decisive departure from a church of great influence that the church is still going strongly and that Jesus, the Head of the church, is still deeply at work in their midst in order for them to continually flourish! Note Rev 2:1-7!
Again, in this instance Paul departs from a church in revival on a whim and hands the church on to the elders under God and His Word of grace and the result is, wait for it, continued blessing and increase. This is further evidence of the Biblical example as well as the fact that it is always beneficial in answering this critical question.
In the pursuing of God’s Biblical perspective on these critical questions it is simple to see from both Jesus’ and Paul’s examples that God moves swiftly many times in leadership matters and it is indeed Biblical, and it is indeed always beneficial regardless of the genuine heartache of the goodbyes.
- Open, honest partnership as an eldership team
It is important to note that this whole process of responding in a Godly fashion was entirely done in team. The last 3 years together as an eldership has been an adventure in so many ways and one of the most exciting aspects of this has been the genuine development of teaming together as an eldership. It has not been a term we have paid lip service to, but rather something God has graced us to become. We celebrate and endorse each others gifting and roles within the team and are quite delighted with the fact that not one single man has the whole package and that we are in desperate need of each other.
This pursuit of team came to the fore in a whole new way on our return to KingsGate in early February with the intent of beginning the journey of responding to God’s prophetic promptings. It is essential that this is understood that Biblically the elders are the highest governing authority under God in any given local church and that these elders direct the affairs of the church at any given time (1 Timothy 5:17). On our return we did not approach the team with our prophetic directive sanctioned by the apostolic body demanding each elder agreed with this directive as if it was already decided for them. Not at all - we arrived back to lay the evidence of God’s internal and external prophetic words at the feet of the elders for their prayer, consideration and response, making it clear that we will not move a step unless, under God, there was a ‘yes’ from the team!
So not only has this process be one of submitting to the Word of God in response to the array of prophetic words, but it has, moreover, been one of submitting in love to each other as a team in response to His whisperings (Ephesians 5:21). This was indeed a very radical process with very little precedent to lean on around the world. In this the elders need to be commended for their purity of heart, genuine desire to honour God and His ways, their willingness to lay aside their emotions and their genuine quest for relational integrity in weighing up an unfolding future that had huge implications for themselves, Keath and Michelle, KingsGate, Ryan and Melissa and Glenridge.
iii. In clear consultation with Apostolic fathers and voices
We, as a team, have not only journeyed under the Word and in genuine partnership in response to God’s prophetic initiation, we have from the outset diligently consulted Apostolic men who have walked closely with KingsGate, and Ryan and Melissa, over the last 3 years specifically. Men who have insight into who we are as a church in varying degrees, men who are objective and have nothing to gain in this process, and men who will speak honestly for the good of KingsGate.
We have consulted with the following for their prayers, insight, honest perspective and advice :
Chris Wienand
Paul Tothill
Rigby Wallace
Peter Howard-Browne
We have asked these men for their insights on whether they believe this is of God, is this right for KingsGate, and is this God’s plan for Ryan and Melissa and their honest assessment of Keath and Michelle.
From the outset their was unanimous consensus that God is in this, Ryan and Melissa’s call is to be at Glenridge and that Keath and Michelle being the couple with the gifting and quality to captain the team that leads the church. Now, this consultation is not a game-breaker, but it is critical for making objective steps forward. It has added further confirmation that God is in this and that the future is indeed bright for KingsGate.
Further External Prophetic Confirmations during the Process
February 11th, 2011 - Derek Andrews, a pastor from Adelaide, Aus, called me out of the blue. Till this point we had not spoken for at least 2 years. After 30mins of a conversation he asked me out right what Rory had asked me in South Africa. At this I was extremely agitated and confronted him as to whether he had spoken to Rory at all. In asking this I realised he couldn’t have considering the fact that I had approached Rory and not the other way around. He then went on to say that he had not spoken to anyone but that around September last year while praying for Glenridge (he was an elder there many years ago) God ‘dropped’ into his heart that Rory and Mel would imminently hand over Glenridge and that Ryan and Melissa would move from London to lead Glenridge. He said he wanted to chat to me on a few occasions last year but felt restrained, and that only then (Feb) did he feel able to!
February 22nd, 2011 - Francis Agbana, a prophet and church leader with whom I have been building a friendship with over the last 8 months, told me of what God had said to him while he was at a Revival Alliance Steering Group meeting at the KingsGate building on November the 24th, 2010. I had gone over to pray for him and lay hands on him and he said that as I did that God showed him my future. He said that he saw me moving to South Africa and that God was relocating me there to be part of establishing a new apostolic network. He said he saw me on a speed boat traveling from SA to Australia, Europe, UK and the United States.
Here, it is important to note that God has been speaking both internally (in my personal capacity as a son with God) and externally (through Julian Adams, Derek Andrews and Francis Agbana), and that the Word of God has clearly shown that this is not only Biblically viable but also Biblically frequent and beneficial.
THE CALL
Before we discuss the importance of what Keath and Michelle are called to, what their unique gifting is and how this will add to this house going forward, as well as what we are called to going forward, it is essential that we understand how God builds from one tenure of leadership to another.
All we live in now - by way of revelation, understanding and freedom - as a church throughout the world is due to men and women laying down their lives for the sake of key truths that have needed to be restored to the church. It was only a matter of centuries after the birth of the early church that critical aspects Kingdom understanding and Biblical truth began to be eroded and eventually lost to church as we know it. For example, it did not take long for the Biblical way of the priesthood of all believers to be rendered useless as power became centralized in the bishop and all matters of Christian life were required to be ‘passed’ by and through the bishop. This was in the early 4th century! This is one example of many, but since then God has been systematically restoring lost truths back to the church in order for the church to live in its fullness.
The most well known restoration happened under the watch of men like John Huss and Martin Luther (et al) in the late 1400’s and early 1500’s. The most wonderful truth of salvation by faith in the faithfulness of Christ to justify man completely sparked a world wide reformation which has forever changed the church and the world. This truth has triggered and authorized many other revelations that have been required for the church to flourish (such as Believer’s Baptism, Priesthood of All Believers, etc); however, all such subsequent truths had to be built on the previous one. Every present understanding owes its existence to the previous revelation, and it should be honoured as such!
Now this is all said because this is especially true of how God establishes a church. God will initiate a church through His chosen vessel(s) in order to bring about His plan and mandate for that given church. God will put in place those essential ingredients that are required then through that given man/couple/team. Then, because no one person has the whole package, God will release another man/couple/team to build upon what has previously put in place, and take matters further. Phase 2 of building can only take place if phase 1 has been put in place. And so this continues through the life span of a local church. Although the leader may move on, what God has deposited through that leadership remains in the DNA of the church and never changes and only continues being transferred into the next.
This is true of KingsGate. All that we have been able to do in this last phase of the church, all that we have been able to go for and put in place, is because of what Nigel and Melita sowed and deposited as grace gifts to the church. Nigel and Melita’s hard work under God has authorized the great things God has done under Ryan and Melissa’s tenure. The Nigel and Melita phase gave permission to the next and we have been able to stand on their shoulders reaching into new heights.
As KingsGate looks forward to this third phase, this principle continues. The new day for the elders with a new captain couple carries with it all that Nigel and Melita were called to deposit, and all that Ryan and Melissa we graced to install. Nothing is lost but is only built upon. This is the glorious artwork of God, unfolding with every layer and stroke of paint on the canvas, giving life and texture to the next.
With this having been said, Keath and Michelle, with their unique gift mix together with the elders, have a resident spiritual DNA imparted from previous phases under God upon which and from which they have the privilege of building.
Here is something of what makes them key for the future ...
- As I have studied church history I have become more convinced that powerful, Gospel centered, Kingdom focused, revelatory preaching will ignite hunger in hearts that will result in a faith that brings heaven to earth! Keath has this gift all over him! He carries within him the seeds of such preaching ability under God that will be essential for KingsGate’s unfolding future in the UK, Europe and the world.
- His strength and security as a leader to release and celebrate gifted elders, men and women around him. This is critical for KingsGate’s future considering that God has given this house many men and women with mighty calls and this requires a leader who will open doors and celebrate the flourishing of others around him. This is a special and much needed requirement going forward.
- Besides Keath and Michelle having a bench mark marriage, they carry and embody a father and mother heart. This is so critical for the UK going forward and they carry a strong desire to do such in a fartherless generation.
- Keath is passionate, first and foremost, for the glory and presence of God. Both of them carry this. They are worshippers and lovers of God! Keath has a strong desire to build around God’s glory and this is something that God has put into the heart of this church.
- Keath is a vocal promoter of a church that reflects Jesus increasingly in grace and truth, and Word and Spirit. Again, I believe this is a hallmark of KingsGate and they are both desperate for this to increase, together with the elders.
- They both have the ability to engage people from all walks of life, from the young to the old, to the advantaged to the less fortunate etc. They both have a hugely pastoral heart in this respect.
- Keath, although born and raised in South Africa, is more ‘British’ than typically South African. From his sense of humour, his engaging style, to his knowledge of this nation, he will be able to bridge gaps to local people as well as many others. KingsGate’s future is vastly multicultural and Keath has a remarkable ability to engage many different people groups.
- A very important aspect is that Keath and Michelle are both ‘sons of the house’. Due to them being in the church from its very inception, they carry the very heart and culture of this church. This is essential in them being able to foster God’s intent for the future without compromising on what God has put into the fiber of the church since its beginnings!
- According to Paul’s instruction to the Ephesian elders, as well as Timothy and Titus in their respective leading within their contexts, the guarding of doctrine and truth was an absolute priority. One of Keath’s major strengths is his gift regarding the priority of Biblical integrity in its preaching, teaching, and pre-eminence in the face of subtle heresies which have plagued churches throughout church history. He is indeed a guardian of doctrine and this is critical for the church in a post modern and increasingly pagan era world wide.
- In as much as there are many facets to Keath and Michelle’s key positioning for the future of KingsGate, the rise and fall of a given church is never dependent on one man or couple. God has never and will never allow this, but has always called the church to function as a body in order for it to flourish in health. In this, the strength and breadth of the KingsGate eldership team in its quality, character and diverse gifting bodes incredibly well for the future increase of KingsGate and its growing reflection of the ‘all-ness’ of God (Ephesian 4:10-16)!
- There are many others that may be added here, but the last is that God has called them to captain the team that leads the church, and that is vital!
THE FUTURE
What lies ahead for KingsGate. To say that the future is bright is an understatement. God always moves His redeemed community from one place of glory to another. This is always His way, and regardless of challenges that may arise, the future is always better and bigger than the past or the present! It is so important to note that each and every decision made to respond in obedience to God always results in increased favour and fruitfulness!
Regarding the call, mandate, mantle and God-given vision upon KingsGate, nothing changes within this new leadership tenure. God’s plan and purpose has always and will always be linked to His ability and not ours. His purpose predates and surpasses a given leader/leadership/personality/gift and this is easily seen in the change from Moses to Joshua (Deut 34, Joshua1 ... ) as well as Paul to the ‘brothers’ in Thessalonica, and the elders in Ephesus by way of three examples.
Having said this, much changes. Whenever we step into greater levels of obedience, whether as a community or as an individual, God releases much greater levels of growth, fruitfulness and influence. And all of this is change, for the better. In this, the subtle methodologies of ministry and applications of truth may need to adjust, but never the majors of truth, mandate, purpose and vision. Whenever we remain inflexible on matters of methodology and application we open the door to the religious spirit in its form without power; however, if we remain passionate and precious regarding truth and the related majors, while remaining simultaneously flexible and relaxed around its application, much grace, life and colour is released. And this is the future of KingsGate!
OUR RESPONSE AS BELIEVERS AS THE JOURNEY PROGRESSES
Without pinning success singularly on the mast of people, because it is God who has initiated and He will complete, how we as believers process such momentous news is absolutely essential in facilitating the increased momentum and success of a church in change.
Here are some keys...
- Spiritual Before Emotional Process. Without a doubt, any change in leadership that requires saying goodbye to loved leaders is always sad and emotional. However, it is essential that emotions remain subservient to the will and directives of the Word and the Spirit. Such a moment requires the bridling of the emotions in order for the Spirit to prevail in such a way as to bring His life and breakthrough. If this is not the case, any emotions left unchecked and not submitted to the Word and the Spirit will open the door to emotionalism which then cripples, or at least applies brakes, to the movement of God and the Kingdom in a given context. So as leaders we are to bridle any unhelpful emotions and lead under His grace. Having said this, we do not negate the importance of processing emotions, but this needs to be done in a Godly fashion before God and in fellowship.
- Matthew 16:13-28 (especially vs 21-23) Beware Carnality. Whether we like it or not, unchecked emotionalism opens the door to the enemy, who is the arch-enemy of God’s purposes for His people. Jesus’ forthright statement and rebuke of Peter, who really thought it was helpful to say what he felt to say, reveals the danger of operating out of the Mind of Man without gaining the Mind of God. So, it is essential that we prize the mind of God at all times.
- Keep The Unity Of The Spirit (Ephesians 4:3-6). God blesses and moves upon and within UNITY (Ps 133). It is essential at this time that if there are any key matters that need discussion around this process it is done face to face with the elders/men of faith, and not with ‘grumblers’ in the car park. In the safety of a face to face discussion one can be honest while remaining in unity; hence, we need to ‘make every effort’ to guard against anything that would erode loving, faith-filled and honouring relationships. Furthermore, we all have a common responsibility to focus on what is good, uplifting and faith-filling and therefore situations may require you to speak up so as to steady ‘grumblers’ who have found their comfort zones now uncomfortable within this season.
- Faith And Courage. It was said to me that no one remembers or names their children after the spies who lacked in faith; rather, many children are named Joshua and Caleb. And for good reason, because it is only such men that deserve emulating and remembering! All such change requires Joshua and Caleb faith and courage in order to inherit the greater promises. It requires a heavenward gaze, a Christ-filled perspective, a worshipful heart and the trust that whenever God calls us into the deep there is indeed a great catch! It is essential that we all look upward, lift our hands upward, lift our voices heavenward and a culture and disposition of faith will naturally be cultivated inwardly and outwardly, governing every aspect of our lives, loving, language and leading.
FINALLY
We began this with God’s divine tapestry of grace. It is clear from the direct and detailed, internal and external, prophetic words from many sources that God has spoken; it is clear from the evidence of Scripture that God has done and always will do swift and seemingly surprising Kingdom moves for His glory and the good of His people; and it is clear through a process of diligent consultation with apostolic men that God is indeed the initiator of this exciting unfolding of KingsGate’s future! Although sad in some respects, God’s future for His people is always better than the present or the past and His hand of favour will rest on those who obey His call. These are indeed great and exciting days of God weaving further strands of His tapestry of grace for more extravagant works of service intended for KingsGate.
‘Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.’ 1 Timothy 1:17
