The paper and printing sector is one of the lowest industrial emitters of greenhouse gases. In 2016, it accounted for less than 1% of all EU greenhouse gas emissions. However, it is important when we are thinking about printing that we think about sustainability as much as possible.

And this includes our Foundations Magazine. CGT is taking significant strides towards sustainability by embracing environmentally friendly practices and responsible sourcing and production methods. We use FSC certified paper sourced from well-managed forests and ISO 14001 accredited printers.

ISO 14001 standard is relevant to all types and sizes of organisations – including private, non-profit and governmental. It requires them to assess environmental issues relevant to their operations, such as waste management, resource use and efficiency.

A notable recent initiative involves our printing partners, who have recently installed solar panels on their factory roof. This move towards self-produced solar energy marks a substantial leap in reducing carbon footprint. Furthermore, we are now printing the magazine on recycled paper, mirroring the quality while enhancing sustainability.

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Most properties that Church Growth Trust holds are architecturally simple and relatively modern (compared to some of the denominational properties in the country). This makes the Grade II star listed Great Warford Baptist Church near Alderley Edge in Cheshire an unusual challenge, as Church Growth Trust has been appointed sole trustee of the property Trust.

Giles Arnold, Church Growth Trust’s Chief Executive, comments, “The chapel is a beautiful and interesting building. It appears that when the Trust Deed was set up for the property in 1713, the trustees took on an old timber and brick barn with an adjoining cottage and converted the barn into a place of worship. The cottage was later added to the chapel, and some modern additions have been in keeping with the historic building. The chapel still has its box pews and raised pulpit, along with a small gallery and the two-storey converted cottage has several small meeting rooms. The existing fellowship has done an amazing job at keeping the property in good condition and negotiating its way through the listed building requirements of the local Council.”

There are however challenges ahead for Church Growth Trust. Firstly the fellowship is now down to five members, three of whom are in their 90s. Finding other believers in the locality or other churches to work alongside them to help the church grow will be challenging.

This is compounded by the limitations of the building. As attractive as it is, the lack of flexibility with the worship area (the box pews cannot be removed) and the limitations on the other meeting space, means that any Gospel work carried out at the building will not involve large gatherings but is more likely to be focussed on smaller meetings.

Giles Arnold again, “Although this may limit the churches that may be interested in helping with the work, it has the advantage of each meeting being small and therefore more intimate and relational. It brings a challenge for the church using the building to seek the Lord’s specific vision for them in reaching the local community and the activities, events and meetings that will be appropriate to do so. We look forward to seeing what the Lord is going to do in this situation. No challenge is too great for Him!”

Over the last few years Stewards Company Limited, a charity that Church Growth Trust (CGT) has worked closely with in the past, has given up the responsibility for holding church properties in the UK. They did not feel that they had the expertise to actively manage the properties and help the occupying churches. For this reason, they have transferred a number of the properties and trusteeships to CGT and the Western Counties and South Wales Evangelization Trust. CGT has been gifted or appointed as sole trustee for properties in Stockton-on-Tees, Edgware, Margate and High Wycombe and we have been working with the occupying churches to help them manage repairs and improvements. This has included re-roofing one building, rearranging the guttering, replacing the flat roof and improving the disability access to another and reviewing a major building project with one of the others.

The last but not least of the properties to be transferred to CGT is Malvern Gospel Hall. This is a small gospel hall that is currently occupied by Beacon Elim Malvern Church and their tenancy is being renewed. CGT’s architect Jonny Heaney has already carried out a condition survey and drawn up some sketch plans to show how the worship area can be enlarged and other improvements made.

One of the church’s pastors, Dan Bennett, comments “Although we have always had a good relationship with Stewards Company, we are already seeing the benefit of having CGT involved with the property. We see it as a dynamic relationship and one that will help to open up what God is doing in the future.”

Giles Arnold, CGT’s Chief Executive says, “We are delighted to be able to help Stewards Company with taking on a number of their properties and, as with all of our beneficially owned and sole trusteeship properties, we are proactively working with the occupying church to help them keep the property in good condition, compliant with legislation and suitable for modern church use. We also want to celebrate and give thanks to the Lord that rather exceptionally it only took a month from Stewards Company making the decision to gift the property to Church Growth Trust for the property to be transferred. I am also grateful to Stewards Company, our solicitors Ellis-Fermor & Negus and our great staff team for enabling this to happen so quickly.”

Clarence Road Evangelical Church, East Cowes on the Isle of Wight is a small but very welcoming congregation of locals who meet in a 1930s church hall with Victorian anti-rooms, a larger church building having been demolished and turned into housing some time ago.

Church Growth Trust (CGT) were gifted the building nearly five years ago and have worked closely with the church to make improvements to the building. Giles Arnold, CGT’s Chief Executive met with the church in 2018 and discussed possible ways that CGT could help with a building project. He says, “I was so impressed with their level of faith in God and His provision. Even though they are not large in numbers or a wealthy congregation, they believed that God would provide for them with the work that was required to the property. And their faith has been rewarded.”

The present project has grown out of the need for wheelchair access and a better entrance. When Giles first visited, he was presented with a problem with no easy solution. He and John Quinlan, a consultant architect who works with CGT, concluded that access had to be formed partway up the hill to enter the meeting hall at the right level. Initial ideas of providing wheelchair access throughout the building were found to be too costly, but an affordable scheme concentrating on the hall and entrance area has been designed.

John Quinlan states, “I am sure that the scale of project for such a small congregation has been daunting, and no doubt demoralising as we worked on scheme after scheme, reducing down from the first ideas. But I have seen Clarence Road Evangelical Church being constant in their faith that, with sensible stewardship, they can rely on God to provide. The value of CGT’s support to the church and to me, the architect, has been considerable.  Without it, I think the project would not have got off the ground.”

Funds for the project have come from sacrificial giving within the fellowship, help with architectural fees from Church Growth Trust and two sizeable grants from a closed Gospel Hall and another Christian charity. The unexpected timing and generosity of these has been such a blessing to the church.

After five years of planning, the project has started. A small firm of builders have been appointed; a firm where it is becoming apparent that the majority are Christians; another provision from God. The work started in January and will be completed in six more weeks. Not only will there be a new level and more welcoming entrance, fully accessible WCs, a new kitchen to serve the main meeting room/worship area and better lighting, insulation and carpeting in the worship area, but the rear three storey part of the building will have some essential repairs carried out as well.

You may have noticed that the emails we are sending to you have changed. We want to stay in touch with you, but it is important that we do this in ways that you find helpful.  

We want to give your more choice over the information you receive from us so, we have created a range of emails updates covering different topics: 

News update – about legal & charity matters 

Available properties – church buildings that we are letting 

Tip of the month – advice for managing your church building  

Church focus – to encourage and inspire 

Update your preferences from your email bulletin

Here is how you can choose which of these emails you would like to receive by updating your preferences in our preferences centre.

1. Open a recent CGT email bulletin

2. Scroll to the bottom and click ‘Update your Preferences’ (next to the unsubscribe link). This will take you to our email bulletin webpage 

3. Click the ‘Email me a link’ button  

4. A secure email will then be sent to your inbox containing a link to your details 

5. Click the ‘Update your preferences’ link in the email 

6. Select the information that interests you 

7. Use the ‘Update Preferences’ button to save your settings. 

You can update your preferences or unsubscribe at any time using the link at the bottom of every email we send to you. You can also change your preferences as many times as you like!  

In the heart of Lewisham stands Loampit Gospel Hall, a modest three-story testament to the Gospel and worship. Within its unassuming brick walls lies a history steeped in devotion, built for the Presbyterian Church of Wales in 1901 and then occupied by the Open Brethren since the 1920s. However, recent signs of wear threatened to compromise its integrity. Yet, in the face of this unforeseen challenge, Church Growth Trust (CGT), as the Sole Trustee of the building, took decisive action to secure its future.

A routine survey visit to the property unveiled signs of structural strain: cracks snaking through the parapet walls and the slow lean of disused chimney stacks. Swiftly, CGT enlisted the expertise of chartered surveyors to assess the extent of the damage and prescribe remedial measures. The verdict was clear: action was imperative to halt the progression of the issues and to make safe the building.

Initially, an alternative solution was considered, contemplating the removal of the parapet walls in favour of a more contemporary gutter detail. However, this proposal was met with resistance from the Local Planning Authority, citing the architectural significance of the parapet walls. Thus, the focus shifted to repair, ensuring the preservation of the building’s heritage.

CGT arranged the works, beginning with the preparation of drawings and a schedule showing the extent of the work required. The next stage was sourcing specialised contractors capable of executing intricate masonry repairs. Despite the challenges of finding suitable expertise, perseverance prevailed and collaboration was forged with a specialised yet competitively priced contractor.

Erecting an extensive scaffold spanning neighbouring rooftops required delicate negotiations with adjacent property owners. Yet, the spirit of cooperation prevailed, with neighbours giving CGT written consent that the scaffold could be erected.

As work commenced, safety considerations extended beyond the physical structure to encompass the well-being of occupants and passersby. Coordination with building insurers and adherence to regulatory guidelines ensured a comprehensive approach to risk management. The scaffolding design did not intrude onto or over-sail the public footpath or highway and as such a permit was not required to be sought from the Local Council.

Amidst logistical challenges and inclement weather, progress persevered. Frosty conditions threatened to stall momentum, yet innovative solutions and meticulous planning from the contractors ensured steady progress.

In reflecting on the completion of the Loampit Gospel Hall restoration project amidst challenging circumstances, CGT Chief Executive, Giles Arnold, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Lord. He remarked, “The success of this project, achieved in the face of considerable challenges, is truly an answer to prayer. We are immensely thankful for the Lord’s provision with contractors and funds, as well as the dedication of the whole team, and the cooperation of the assembly who occupy the Gospel Hall and the neighbours.”

With this spirit of gratitude, Giles concluded, “As we witness the successful completion of this project at Loampit Gospel Hall, we give thanks to God for guiding us through every challenge. His grace has been evident at every turn, and we are excited about the renewed opportunities for the occupying assembly to serve and witness to their community that the restoration work will enable.”

By Giles Arnold, Chief Executive at Church Growth Trust

We are encouraged to keep in step with the Spirit, because life is a journey with the Lord. Giles Arnold, Church Growth Trust’s Chief Executive can testify to that, as he has seen the Lord lead him and Church Growth Trust (CGT) over these last 14 years. From working part-time from his front room to now having eight staff and offices in converted barns in Rutland, this has shown the blessing of the Lord and growth of the work and ministry of CGT. And now with Giles moving to Devon to look after his elderly parents he has experienced further change and another journey (literally). 

As Giles puts it, “This is a demonstration of the Lord’s goodness, to enable me to move to another part of the country, but for the work of CGT to continue to grow. There is a such a strong team with everyone playing their part so well. Over the years we have been able to offer more services to our occupying churches with regular visits by our Property Manager, as well as surveys and support with building projects from our Architect. Our Property Administrator is helping churches keep on track with compliance issues and our Admin and Operations team keeps us moving with the accounts, systems and admin support that we need. I remember our Architect saying some years ago, when I was taking her to meet a few churches, that it felt like visiting family. This of course is what it is, as we are all part of the Lord’s family. It also feels like a journey that we are travelling and picking up friends on the way, all adding their expertise to the team, enabling us to continue on this adventure with the Lord.” 

Giles continues, “Although I am now working four days a week, I am still visiting churches and trustees of church properties around the country helping them secure their properties for future Gospel use. The Lord continues to grow this ministry as we are taking on 10-15 new properties and trusteeships each year. Our Communications Manager is getting in touch with many churches to ensure they know about our services. She is discovering that many are struggling with low numbers, increased age and lack of trustees; so, our work is even more vital in these days. We are praying that more people who need our help will hear about us and join us in this journey.” 

Over the last 20 years Giles Arnold has been able to help many churches with advice on leases and purchases, as part of CGT’s consultancy services. This has now had to stop, due to him reducing his hours. “I have thoroughly enjoyed connecting with many churches around the country and helping them with negotiating leases; often seeing the same church taking a second or third lease or moving to a bigger building. I am sad not to be able to offer this service anymore, but am happy to recommend them to others who can do so.” Meanwhile, CGT’s architectural and surveying consultancy work continues to be available for independent evangelical churches. 

With the Lord, the journey is never boring, as He opens up new opportunities and connects us with new people. We are grateful to all of you for joining us on this journey of faith to see the Church in this country growing and buildings continuing to be used for Gospel purposes. 

It was six years ago that the leadership team of Northway Church, Oxford contacted Church Growth Trust (CGT) to ask for some advice on trusteeship matters. Giles Arnold, CGT’s Chief Executive, reviewed the property Trust Deed and advised on options available to the property trustees and on Land Registry issues. This was all provided free of charge.

It was then 2022 when the leadership team returned to CGT, asking for a meeting to discuss their situation. As efforts to work closely with another local church had not worked out as hoped, and with the key church leaders wanting to step down, Northway Church was likely to have to close soon. After a several meetings, the church asked whether Church Growth Trust could take on the property and find another church to continue the Gospel work, ideally with that church being suitable for the remaining members of Northway Church to join them.  

The Lord’s timing is perfect

There were a number of matters that the church and the trustees wanted to sort out before CGT could proceed. This meant that the search for a new church was only able to start in the summer of 2023. Giles Arnold stated “although our inclination is to get on with things, such as instructing solicitors to sort out the legal matters and start our search for a new church, we wanted to respect the timing that the church had in mind and not rush things. The Lord’s timing is perfect as always, so when we did start looking for a new church, it quickly became clear which was the right one.”

The timing allowed the two fellowships to get to know each other and work well together before all the legal transactions had taken place. Giles continues “Rivers of Life Church have now taken on the Gospel work from the building and most, if not all, of the members of Northway Church have remained and joined with them. CGT is now working with the new church to agree what alterations are required to the building to bring it up to date with current legislation.” 

By not rushing things, this gave the church leadership, trustees and members of the church time to prepare and adjust for the changes and has enabled the Gospel work from the property to continue.