Gerald Coates Pioneer: A Biography

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Notice that change, miracles, experience and new thing s are at the epicentre of theNew Wine Movement. They talk about unity and diversity, continuity and change.... their hopes are centredupon a new thing, but this hope is not what God's Word tells us to rely upon. New Wine offers something apart from the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Proverbs 30:6). Gerald was a storyteller. Never a theologian, though widely read, it’s important to record that his seemingly off-the-cuff preaches were laboured over, well prepared and prayed through. Often hilarious and many times at his own expense, he captured the listener. That was Gerald and this first encounter with him made a great impression on me. Throughout my upbringing in a church environment, I had never known visiting preachers who displayed such a willingness to do something as mundane as putting out the chairs. The extent to which these subjective factors may have impacted the effectiveness of senior leaders and the effectiveness of accountability structures. Gerald was an eternal optimist. He tended to see revival where it wasn’t. He was ever hopeful, ever seeing the Spirit of God moving. He succeeded in building ecumenical bridges, regularly speaking at both denominational and inter-denominational conferences, and even becoming a friend and confidant to a number of Archbishops of Canterbury.

Fleming, John Bind Us Together: ...To Be the Church That Jesus Really Wants (Seaford: Thankful, 2007) The Ichthus Fellowship in South London under Roger and Faith Forster, whose theology is Arminian and Anabaptist and who was strong on church planting, rigorous in challenging the societal norms of the day and saw women as on equal terms with men. Both Forsters have played significant roles in the leadership of the Evangelical Alliance and Spring Harvest.Remembering that criticism is only noise is a great way to keep the main thing the main thing, avoid hurt and bitterness and maintain a clean heart.

Jesus goes on to speak about tribulation, apostasy, persecution, betrayal, false christs and falseprophets, lawlessness, false signs and wonders ,great tribulation culminating inthe appearance of the man of sin and the abomination of desolation. There is a bit of a downside though – and maybe another learning here. Gerald was largely unaware as to how upset others were with his seeming criticism of their traditions and practices. But this certainly affected others around him. Friends and fellow leaders were left to deal with denominational executives accusing them of error or exaggeration.

Yet it was Gerald, because he loved the Church, who built bridges ecumenically. He served the cross-denominational Spring Harvest event, was a regular speaker at many denominational conferences and even became a friend and confidante to a number of Archbishops of Canterbury. He sponsored sell-out events at the Royal Albert Hall, facilitated the global March for Jesus events and hosted the ‘Champion of the World’ event at Wembley stadium with his friend, Noel Richards. The fastest growing churches in Britain today are the 'new churches,' mostly independent charismatic churches, sometimes led by former Anglican ministers and forming loose associations. These have probably outstripped the classical Pentecostal churches in influence and extent. Gerald was part of a small group of dreamers and schemers in the 1960s who set out to ‘restore the church’ in the wake of charismatic renewal. He challenged the existing status-quo, the formal traditionalism of the mainstream evangelical church and preached a brand of non-religious Christianity that offended and delighted in equal measure. Key characters have included Terry Virgo, Barney Coombs (died 2018), and Gerald Coates (died 2022). Pioneer Trust and CSS are committed to following the evidence and considering any information that comes to light. We recognise that the wellbeing and safety of everyone who engages with Pioneer Trust is critical to our ability to serve our relational network. We are also committed to being accountable for any harm done and transparent about the review and any actions taken as a result. The appeal for information relevant to this safeguarding review will run until mid-November, and the trustees will publish the results when the report is ready (updates will be given in that regard).

Two older clusters associated with Pastor North and the town of South Chard, where baptisms were in the name of Jesus only.Billy Kennedy, Pioneer International Leader There will be a public celebration of the life and ministry of Gerald Coates on Saturday 23rd July. Mr Fahy’s decision to afford Mr Ellis anonymity is his personal choice but I feel under no obligation whatsoever to do likewise as this is yet another instance of those who claim to be Spirit-anointed departing radically from the truth as found in God’s Word. There is no doubt that now that the excitement surrounding ‘Toronto’ has begun to subside it will be necessary for the leaders in (the extreme) charismatic circles to be on the look-out for some new ‘spiritual plaything’ to offer their followers and I just wonder if ‘Celtic Spirituality’ might be the next course on the menu. There is a difference between Christianity and religion, and Gerald was hot on this. Spotting religious pretence at a hundred paces, he dealt with it ruthlessly. THE founder of the Pioneer network of churches and March for Jesus, Gerald Coates, has died, aged 78, it was announced last weekend. He was an author and speaker, and well known in Evangelical circles. His books include What On Earth Is This Kingdom?, Divided We Stand, and Non-Religious Christianity . Although some of his fans and friends announced and confirmed the news; however, Gerald Coates’ cause of death is unknown at this time.