About Us

Our Story of Faith and Growth

The Macedonian Call – Early Beginnings (1981–1988)

Mr and Mrs Sullivan (affectionately known as “Mother May”) were members of the New Testament Church of God in Jamaica. After moving to England, they longed for the vibrant worship they had known. Despite visiting several churches, they still felt something was missing. In late 1980, through a friend, they contacted Pastor Nelson of the Brixton New Testament Church of God, who travelled to Rochester to meet them. After prayer and planning, arrangements were made with Rev. B. Jewis, a Church of England Vicar, to rent a hall on Castle Avenue. Members from the Brixton church came regularly to support this new work.

The early congregation met at Matthew Hall and included Mr and Mrs Sullivan, R. Whitaker, E. Solomon, G. Hall, L. Thompson and Mr and Mrs Gallagher. Mrs Whitaker served faithfully as church secretary. The name “Matthew Hall” means “given a reward”, and truly reflected the blessing this work became to the Medway area.

We are deeply grateful to the late Rev. and Sister Nelson for their love and dedication. They supported Rochester as though it were a newborn child, encouraging others from Brixton to help. They even donated a minibus and 50 chairs. Soon, Rochester experienced a powerful revival. Our first concert saw over 1,000 people march joyfully to Rochester Cathedral with tambourines, singing “Church of God March Forward”.

Over the next two years the church grew. A young Bible college graduate from Germany, Michael Shawsmidth, became our first Pastor. He established Ladies, Youth and Evangelism ministries, confirming that the church was here to stay. Brother Sullivan also formed a choir, enriching our worship life.

Carl Simpson later joined the church and eventually became Pastor after Pastor Shawsmidth moved to Peterborough NTCG. Under Pastor Simpson, more ministries were formed, including Prison Visitation, Men’s Fellowship, and early morning prayer meetings. We remain thankful to those who travelled faithfully from Brixton each week to support the work in Rochester.

What We Believe

In the verbal inspiration of the Bible.

In one God eternally existing in three persons; namely, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

That Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of the Father, conceived of the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary. That Jesus was crucified, buried, and raised from the dead. That He ascended to heaven and is today at the right hand of the Father as the Intercessor.

That all have sinned and come short of the glory of God and that repentance is commanded of God for all and necessary for forgiveness of sins.

That justification, regeneration, and the new birth are wrought by faith in the blood of Jesus Christ.

In sanctification subsequent to the new birth, through faith in the blood of Christ; through the Word, and by the Holy Ghost.

Holiness to be God’s standard of living for His people.

In the baptism with the Holy Ghost subsequent to a clean heart.

In speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance and that it is the initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

In water baptism by immersion, and all who repent should be baptised in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Divine healing is provided for all in the atonement.

In the Lord’s Supper and washing of the saints’ feet.

In the premillennial second coming of Jesus. First, to resurrect the righteous dead and to catch away the living saints to Him in the air. Second, to reign on the earth a thousand years.

In the bodily resurrection; eternal life for the righteous, and eternal punishment for the wicked.

Bishop William Strachan

(1988–1990)

Rev. William Strachan became Pastor in 1988. He worked closely with Mother Whitaker to build a strong Sunday School and cared deeply for the spiritual and social wellbeing of the congregation. Under his leadership the church continued to grow, and although his time in Rochester was short, he left a lasting impact before moving to London in 1990.

Bishop Deverton Douglas

(1989–1994)

Pastor Deverton Douglas arrived in 1989 and gave dedicated pastoral care to both church members and the wider community. He ensured transport to church, visited prisons and hospitals, supported the elderly, and passionately invested in the youth. Under his leadership the church grew spiritually and numerically, becoming increasingly diverse.

Bishop Desmond Williams

(1994–2001)

Pastor Williams encouraged the church to see itself as part of the wider body of Christ. He strengthened church leadership, appointed ministry leaders and built relationships with local churches. Following a disruptive incident at a hired hall, he reminded the congregation of God’s vision for a building of our own.

In 1995 the church purchased St Mary’s from St Nicholas Parish Church. The congregation continued to grow, and through Pastor Williams’ engagement with Medway Council, funding was secured for the St Mary’s Project summer school. By the time he left in 2001, the church had truly moved forward in God’s purpose.

Rev. Jancie Johnson

(2001–Present)

Rev. Jancie Johnson became Pastor in November 2001, along with her husband Norman and their daughters Liah and Sophia. Early in her ministry, she led the church through seasons of prayer, fasting and solemn assemblies, seeking God’s direction. Her vision has been for the church to shine as “a beacon on a hill”, bringing hope and transformation through the Gospel.

In 2008, working with Minister Norman Johnson and Grace Bally-Balogun, the church launched Pathway To Excellence (PTE)—a ministry framework to support leadership accountability and growth. This remains in use today. Annual Leaders’ Retreats also brought spiritual renewal and revival.

A major restoration project saw the church raise £283,044 to repair the roof and stained glass windows, with £206,000 funded by English Heritage and the remainder raised by the congregation and supporters.

Under Pastor Jancie’s leadership, many ministries have flourished including Women’s, Men’s, Youth, Children’s, Praise & Worship, Music and Prison Ministry. The church has honoured and released several ministers into ecclesiastical roles and remains grateful to faithful retired clergy who continue to serve.

Community outreach has remained central, including social events, radio ministry, food support, Street Pastors, Medway Night Shelter and “Come Taste & See” open-church events.

The church has also completed multiple refurbishments, paid off its mortgage, and continued to support wider church ministries.

During the 2020 national lockdown, services moved online via Zoom, reaching new audiences and strengthening fellowship. More recently, the church launched the Alpha Course to support outreach and discipleship.

A Continuing Story of Faith

From small beginnings in 1981 to a thriving, multicultural church family today, Rochester NTCG continues to serve God, each other and the community—standing as a testimony of God’s grace through every season.

Plan Your Visit