From a handful of young people in the 1970s to the inter-generational, multi-cultural church we are today.

The story of New Community is part of a much bigger story. The kind of church we long to be – centred on Jesus, rooted in Scripture, and reliant on the Holy Spirit – has existed throughout Christian history. Our own local story began during the renewal of the Holy Spirit that swept through many churches across the UK in the 1970s. Out of this movement, Barnabas Community Church was launched in Sidcup in 1976 under the leadership of David Holden, becoming one of the first churches in what would become the Newfrontiers family of churches.

As the church grew, a remarkable opportunity arose when a local newspaper advertised a “redundant church in need of a Saviour.” In 1982 the congregation secured a lease on the building in Station Road, Sidcup; a step of faith that provided a permanent home and a base for the church’s growing life and mission.

During this period the church developed a strong culture of raising and releasing leaders. Teams were sent to plant new churches in places including Swanley, Orpington, Bexleyheath, Brentwood, and East London, establishing a pattern of multiplication that continues to shape our life today.

As the church continued to grow, it became clear that the call of God extended beyond Sidcup. Under the leadership of Matt Hosier, the church began meeting at Crown Woods School in Eltham and adopted the name New Community, reflecting a vision to serve communities across South East London.

During these years the church continued to grow in diversity and leadership. Multiple Sunday gatherings developed, leaders continued to be raised and sent, and the church strengthened its commitment to being a multi-cultural, inter-generational community centred on Jesus.

As the Newfrontiers movement grew around the world, its leadership transitioned from a single leader to several teams leading different families of churches. During this time, David Holden became one of the recognised apostolic leaders helping to serve and support churches, and New Ground began to emerge - a family of churches committed to raising leaders, planting churches, and reaching the nations with the gospel.

New seasons of leadership and mission brought further multiplication. James Silley became lead elder in 2015, followed by the launch of new congregations including Eltham (2016) and Welling (2017), expanding the church’s presence across South East London.

Like churches across the world, the Covid pandemic brought significant disruption. As the church moved online and adapted to new realities, it also became a season of reflection and renewal, helping clarify our calling and shaping a new eldership team for the future.

In 2025 David Holden passed the leadership of the New Ground family of churches to James Silley, marking an important moment in the life of our wider church family.

Today we sense God calling us afresh to be a sending church — raising leaders, planting communities and churches, and serving God’s purposes both locally and globally as part of the New Ground family within Newfrontiers.