Edge Ministries is a rescue mission to the most hurting and broken people across the UK. From our Chesterfield HQ we have three Edge Centres that are run by our Faith Community and friends. From this base we catalyse and support mission to a national network of churches working alongside a coalition of ministries that have a special heart for the forgotten places in the UK and the most hurting, lost and broken people in our society. Our vision is to network together churches and ministries from all streams and denominations that are working to develop and grow in areas of rural and urban poverty. Our aim is to encourage prayer support, share best practice, train, equip and mobilise to see more people encountering Christ and making a decision for him.
Ministry Coalition. We are developing a coalition of ministries that will be able to resource churches working in the hardest places. From evangelism to alleviating poverty, tackling financial hardship to mental health issues. Our hope is that by linking expert ministries with churches that join the network, we will harness our collective expertise to make an even greater impact.
Church Network. The Church Network is based on relationship, values and vision.
Vision
To proliferate church planting and mission amongst the forgotten places such as poor and under resourced rural and urban communities. Typically these churches do not have the resources or specific training that they need in order to make the impact they so desperately want to see. This has been born out of Carl Beech’s experiences stemming back to the first church he planted in 1996 on an Essex council estate. Many years of ministry since has focused on the marginalised communities both within the UK and internationally. The vision is to build a team of practitioners and bespoke resources for working class communities. A brand new course exploring the Christian faith is already being produced. We also plan to launch a church-planting fund to enable us to deploy church planters into the toughest places and provide them with all the support that they need.
To work with affluent churches who need support and expertise to reach into the forgotten places near them via establishing projects, planting churches or deploying mission teams. If you are a church that has a forgotten estate near you, then we can help by connecting you to those who have journeyed through the challenges. It maybe that you are an affluent church that already has these ministries in existence but would like to network with like minded leaders, then our church network may well be for you.
Summary
Edge is for mission agencies and churches that are working amongst, or seek to work amongst those at or below the poverty line.
We are committed to seeing salvation and placing gospel proclamation at the heart of all we do.
Churches must be committed to church planting into the forgotten places whether rural or urban.
There is a commitment to attend and support EdgeFest as our annual family gathering for all those in the coalition.
Churches should consider seriously contributing to our church planting fund so that we can support and pioneer new churches.
There is a commitment to attend prayer gatherings and training events wherever possible.
We believe passionately in the work of the local church as God’s method of reaching communities.
Mission agencies will where possible prioritise supporting churches in the network.
All members of the network / coalition will seek to make training available and share best practice with other connected churches / mission agencies.
Our network/coalition is based firmly on shared values and relationship - and therefore we will prioritise spending time together as leaders.
The Edge Ministries Basis of Faith is as follows
We believe …
In one eternal God who is the creator of all things. He exists in three persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
That sin has separated each of us from God and his purpose for our lives.
That the Lord Jesus Christ as both God and man is the only one who can reconcile us to God. He lived a sinless and exemplary life, died on the cross in our place, and rose again to prove His victory and empower us for life.
That in order to receive forgiveness and ‘new birth’ we must repent of our sins, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and submit to His will for our lives.
That the Bible is God’s word. It is accurate, authoritative, and applicable to our everyday lives.
That we are able to live the holy and fruitful lives that God intends for us, by the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit.
That God has individually equipped us so that we can successfully achieve His purpose for our lives, which is to worship God, fulfil our role in the Church, and serve the community in which we live.
That God wants to heal and transform us so that we can live healthy and generous lives in order to help others more effectively.
That our eternal destination of either heaven or hell is determined by our response to the Lord Jesus Christ.
That the Lord Jesus Christ will return in power and glory.