A new church plant in what was the third most deprived estate in England last year is growing rapidly – however, gang activity is making it dangerous.
Founded by missionary Jônatas Bragatto just before Easter 2021, the Word and Spirit Church in Thorntree, Middlesbrough, is a small independent Reformed church which began with just three members. The last evangelical church in the area had closed 14 years earlier.
The church meets in a local community hub and has, said Bragatto, ‘seen miracles’ each month since it started. There are now 18 official members and Sunday congregations are in the thirties. Eight new people attended the Christmas Day service, including six from Hindu backgrounds.
