Merged churches becoming stronger together

Merging congregations was a step into the unknown for King’s Gate Church and Bognor Elim, but now the blended congregation is focused on prayer and community and is preparing to buy its first building.

For years, the King’s Gate Church (ECI) and Bognor Elim Church had happily been neighbours, meeting in a community centre and school nearby and holding the occasional joint service after King’s Gate affiliated with Elim in 2016.

But as they emerged from lockdown, they knew things needed to change.

Not everyone had returned to church after Covid and other factors with Bognor Elim meant the idea of joining forces made sense.

After much discussion, prayer and the Holy Spirit’s guidance the two churches merged in October 2023.

Two-and-a-half years on, King’s Gate pastor Ben Leney says it’s proven to be a brilliant move.

“We’ve gained on every front by coming together,” he says. ”It was God’s timing that Bognor Elim joined us when they did.”

Jon Adair, who was minister of Bognor Elim, wholeheartedly agrees. “We had considered approaching Ben about a merger some time before, but the timing wasn’t right.

“It really became a possibility when our worship leader James started practising regularly with people from King’s Gate. This encouraged him and started the process of coming together.”

When the decision to merge was made, Jon chose to step back from a ministerial role, but Ben is thankful that he has remained actively involved in church life.

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