Welcome!
We're a group of Christians who want to love Jesus more and more and help others to do the same. God's message to everyone is 'gospel' - good news - that is completely life-changing. If you'd like to find out more about who Jesus is and what he's done, please check out this short video. Or even better, come and meet us!
We are here because the God of the Bible is real and in Jesus we are a loved people .
And we are all about helping people love Jesus more and more.
Our vision for The Gate Church - we are becoming…
…A DIVERSE FAMILY
We are becoming a diverse church family of people who know and love God as our Father, having been adopted into his family. We want others from a whole range of backgrounds to know and experience God’s love like we have. We know our triune God delights in the diversity of those he has made in his image and so we want our church culture to grow to reflect the beautiful diversity in our local community. We will relate to one another as brothers and sisters, and as we grow in diversity we will safeguard the unity we have in Jesus Christ.
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1)
…A LOCAL REFUGE
We are becoming a place where local people find their refuge in Christ, as a community of people who have found our refuge in him. We will learn to love and care for one another well, following Jesus’ example of humble, sacrificial service of others. As we work out our faith we will also proactively engage with local people around us as we seek to serve them through the trials they are facing, bringing the hope and love of Christ. This will form us into a community of refuge amidst the harshness of life in this world.
Jesus says: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
…A SHINING LIGHT
We are becoming a shining light as we live by the Spirit and are sent out by him on his mission into the world around us. We will live distinctive lives in 21st century Birmingham that spread the fame of Christ, by helping each other follow and obey Jesus in all of life and humbly admitting where we struggle to do this.
“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25)
Pastors
Jonny Richards
Jonny works as TGC’s full time pastor and has a passion for people living in inner city Birmingham hearing the awesome life-transforming news of Jesus. He’s an adopted Brummie, having made the city his family home with his wife, Anneli, and their five kids. When he gets the chance Jonny likes to get out to watch sport with friends, or when the weather is good escape to the coast to camp and surf.
Jonny Ivey
Jonny moved to Birmingham in 2011 and loves the city. He lives with his wife, Joanna and three children, Josiah, Halle and Lois. Jonny loves learning more about God and seeing God's word change people's lives. He earns a living as a Civil Servant and a labourer on a building site, and relaxes by eating peri-peri chicken.
George Kawalek
George is married to Bex and they have two children (Ophelia and Atlas). George is a jack of all trades, and alongside his love of studying God’s word, he is a keen carpenter and musician. He also serves as the Deacon of Worship.
MICAH DEEGAN (Also, works as gospel worker for local outreach)
Micah moved to Birmingham over a decade ago to get involved in its bustling music scene and study music. Now he can’t imagine living anywhere else. He is passionate about connecting people with the great news about who Jesus is and what He has done, which he is able to do through his job as an Outreach Worker for TGC. Micah is married to Eleanor and they have two children (Róisín and Ezra). When he finds himself at a loose end, he’ll usually spend it nerding out over coffee and obscure hip-hop.
