As time went on a few local “house churches” started asking Terry for input.  These grow to approximately ten in Sussex.  And soon each month about a thousand people would gather at Hove Town Hall, for celebrations and instruction.  From time to time Terry would gather the leaders of these churches for prayer and instruction.   As his influence grew as some churches leaders in the South of London asked for his input.  These churches had their own history, and were looking for help as they were transitioning into fully established charismatic churches.

Gradually the number of churches he worked with grew and grew.  Though at this time there was no thought of there being a recognised group or of having a title.

On one occasion, as they prayed together, one of the leaders had a prophesy, stating that:

They were as a herd of elephants that would break through and make a path where there was no path.

He said “there are no well worn paths before you”. (Later to be the title of a book written by Terry Virgo, telling the full history of Newfrontiers, up to the year 2000). This prophesy led to the churches beginning to be formed up as one group.

Newfrontiers from the year 2000.

The story of Newfrontiers can be read in the book, No Well Worn Paths, written by Terry Virgo and
published in 2001. Following its publication, the Stoneleigh Bible Week was concluded and replaced by an annual leaders conference, which gathered Newfrontiers leaders from all over the world, plus leaders from within the UK and also students and twenties, who ran a parallel conference. This was entitled Together on a Mission and was held at the Brighton Centre, gathering approximately 5000 people each year.

Apostolic Spheres 

During this season the number of churches planted grew within the UK to about 230 and internationally, to some 800 churches in over 70 nations. The movement, which had been centred on Terry Virgo in the UK was redefined as a network of apostolic spheres worldwide, and in 2011 the baton was passed on to fifteen apostolic leaders at the final Leadership Conference.  The men appointed to lead these apostolic spheres already carried much spiritual responsibility among the churches. But in this act they were released to take responsibility for the sphere of service in which God had given them.

Find out more about the different Newfrontiers apostolic spears here

As a result, each of these leaders is free to develop his own strategies, training programs, and gospel advance. This has led to multiplied church planting, training and increased expansion. At this time David Devenish was appointed head of the Newfrontiers Together Team who’s goal was to offer support and gather the new apostolic spears together for prayer and fellowship.  This role passed to Steve Tibbert in 2020.

The prophetic call on Newfrontiers to go to the nations with the good news of Christ Jesus, to plant grace filled, word and Spirit church is now in the hands of these apostolic leaders and their teams.  Working together to advance God’s kingdom by planting more churches in more nations.  To find out more about Newfrontiers go to newfrontierstogether.org.