You will always be welcome at our meetings and we would hope that you will feel relaxed and at home amongst us. This section will help you to have a basic understanding of who we are and what we believe as a church. If you want to know more you may contact us by telephone on +44 (0)1873 853126, or e-mail us on enquiry@gatewaycentre.org.uk If you come to our meeting, why not pack a picnic and make a day out of it. There are many excellent walks in the hills and valleys around Abergavenny. Some of these are described and detailed with maps in Paul Benham's Excellent Abergavenny Walking Guide. Paul Benham has kindly given permission for photographs from his site to be used by us. All rights are retained and the photographs are electronically watermarked. If you want to find out WHERE the photographs were taken, go to Paul Benham's site. We are building together on the principle of cell church. Our church is about 150 adults in number, most of whom are members of home groups (cells). The church has about nine home groups who meet in homes during the week, commonly on Wednesday or Thursday evenings. Home groups are geographically based in Abergavenny and the surrounding villages and countryside. They contain between six and fourteen people and have vision for reaching Christ in their own local areas. Home groups are places where the needs of the people are met in small close groups. Spiritual Gifts are developed and the movement of the Holy Spirit is expected. A whole church meeting takes place on Sunday mornings for praise and worship. More general information can be found on home cells elsewhere in this site and several useful links to home cell resources are available. How did Abergavenny Family Church begin? Abergavenny Family Church began in 1984 when a group of Christians, eager to develop their relationship with God, started to meet together in their homes to worship. After a short while the group increased in number and started to meet in a village hall on the Mardy estate in Abergavenny. The group became known as 'The Mardy Fellowship'. In 1992, being now known as 'Abergavenny Family Church' the group joined with many other churches world-wide who had the same vision and values as ourselves under the umbrella of 'New Frontiers International'. In 1994, the church purchased it's first building, the 'Rehoboth Centre' in Castle Street, Abergavenny. 'Rehoboth' was the name of a well that Jacob dug in the days of the Old Testament. It can be translated as 'place of enlargement' and it is a promise that we believe God has given to us, that as we are obedient to Him, so He will cause us to grow. In 1999, having decided that the existing building is too small, we bought an old cinema building in Monk Street, Abergavenny. This building needed significant restoration and renovation, and was ready for use in late 2001. In early 2001, the decision was made to leave the umbrella of NFI and concentrate on liaisons with other churches in Wales, especially South Wales. Why 'Family Church'? We chose the name 'family' because that is how the Bible describes the church as a whole; a body of people in close relationship to God and to one another, just like a family. That is why the Bible refers to Christians as 'brothers' and 'sisters' and to God as 'Father'. The closeness comes from the fact that each Christian has asked Jesus to become central to their lives and that they are living in relationship with Him. What Do We Believe? We can be described as Evangelical, which means that we believe the Bible to be the trustworthy word of God; the Maker's instruction book for mankind. It also means we believe that the only way to God is through faith in Jesus Christ. We can also be described as Charismatic, which means that we believe God gives supernatural gifts to Christians, which are to be used to encourage and build others up. These gifts are described in the bible and include:- Prophecy: Speaking a message to the church which is inspired by God. Tongues: Where God enables an individual to speak in a language not known by themselves, enabling them to pray or to worship outside the confines of the English Language. Dreams, Visions, Pictures: God can also speak to people though a picture in their mind, or a vision, or even an dream, which they can use to give a message to the church. Healings and Miracles: Just as Jesus performed many healings and miracles when He walked the earth, so also today He continues to perform these activities through the church. What Happens Within The Service When we gather to worship God together we have an expectation that He will speak to us and therefore allow Christians within the service to contribute by praying, reading from the Bible and prophesying. This is largely spontaneous but is overseen by leaders within the church. One of the ways in which we my differ from a more traditional type of church is in our use of modern instruments and music; we believe that this is in keeping with the Bible, which commands, " everything that has breath praise the Lord". (Psalm 150). On some Sunday mornings we have communion (breaking of bread), which is available to anyone who has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Usually after the time of worship we will have a sermon and at this time also, a creche and various Sunday School groups are running within the building. During the service there is often an opportunity to receive prayer for specific needs. After the service tea and coffee are served; all are free to stay and chat. If you have questions about the service you may ask one of the leaders, whose pictures are just outside the hall. They will be pleased to answer your questions.