In August 2022, Leatherhead parish church welcomed a new Rector and a new way of being Church.
The parish had become part of the Holy Trinity Brompton’s (HTB) 157 church network.
With an existing congregation of about 40 the Diocese of Guildford approached HTB about working in the St Mary and St Nicholas to help revitalise it and its outreach ministry.
The Revd Will Perry moved with his family and others from the HTB team to the town to work on the project.
“We see this very much as HTB and Leatherhead church having had a new ‘baby’”, says Will. “We’re proud of both parents. We want to retain and celebrate the old churchmanship, while fearlessly going out after what we feel the Lord’s doing,” he says.
A Book of Common Prayer early service and Parish Communion have been retained. But there’s a new service to reach the people who currently are not in church. “That’s been our focus,” says Will.
“Working with the vision statement of ‘Love God, Love People and Make Disciples’, we’ve been really intentional about going after the under-18’s,” says Will, of which 7,500 live in Leatherhead.
Following the big Christmas services, the church ran an Alpha Course in January. 80 people signed up. “Through the course, we had Fund Managers and people who struggle with addiction coming to know Jesus,” says Will.
The church now welcomes over 150 adults plus children and youth to its 10.30 Sunday service.
“We’re seeing people who previously thought there was a barrier to coming to church. We try to make sure the service is something people want to come along to,” he says. From good coffee, and a worship band featuring teens from the congregation, to a warm welcome where people feel encouraged. It all helps to break down those invisible but tangible barriers so that we can introduce them to Jesus”
“We believe Jesus is great news and the answer to everyone’s lives. Jesus and scripture speak powerfully today into people’s lives, and we want to help answer the questions so many have. How can I find contentment? How do I find hope? How do I conquer fear? We’re speaking to people about what’s going on in their day-to-day life,” says Will.
