A Short History of International Christian Fellowship

The Elders of Woodcroft Evangelical Church (now International Gospel
Church or IGC), learned of an empty ex-Brethren Hall in Manor Way,
Borehamwood. Since one of its house groups lived in Borehamwood, they
decided to use the Hall for a Church ‘Plant'.

Under the leadership and vision of Paul Sands, one of the Elders, Graham
Mercer, from the Burnt Oak congregation was appointed to lead the plant.
Patrick Bateman, a fellow Elder, from the Grahame Park congregation was
then asked to join him.18 adults (plus 14 children) volunteered to create
the Borehamwood Christian Fellowship (BCF) ‘plant'.

BCF held its first service in June 1994. Although one outsider made a
commitment for Christ on its opening night, BCF failed to make much
impression on the Local community. Patrick and Ingrid, believing the Elders
had confirmed God's calling, moved house from Edgware to Borehamwood in
October 1995.

Late 1995/early 1996 the Elders, reviewing the ‘plant', decided to offer
the members of BCF the opportunity of joining a local church or returning
to the Burnt Oak congregation.

In December 1995 an Elder's wife, Jackie Smith, wrote to the Elders
suggesting Patrick & Ingrid lead a Cell at Borehamwood (in place of the
current congregation). In January 1996 Patrick read "Where do we go from
here" by Ralph Neighbour, a book about the world wide Cell Church movement.
He then attended the second Cell Conference hosted by YWAM in March 1996.
This led him to believe ‘Cell' was the right way forward for BCF.

June 1996 BCF Cell Church was formed, meeting in homes, but a year later
they moved back into the Manor Way building. In addition to Patrick and
Ingrid, the BCF ‘Cell' consisted of 5 adults and 5 children.

During the next 4 years two of the original members moved to Africa and
one to the south coast of England and the Sunday morning attendance grew to
an average of 10 adults and 1 child. During this time BCF met at IGC on the
first Sunday of the month.

October 2000 a team from IGC of some 10-15 adults, and half as many
children, joined BCF on Sunday mornings. This was to have been for 12
months but in practice they gradually moved away except for two families
who stayed and are still with us. This made a big difference to Sunday
morning worship and soon our numbers started growing, so that by October
2002 our attendance was averaging 36 adults and 18 children.

Currently we are looking to recruit a full time children/youth worker to
take the work forward. Our Kids' Club, e.g. has up-to 50 Kids on a
Wednesday evening. Whilst the numbers attending our Youth Cells are small
there is clearly opportunities for growth.

BCF changed its name to International Christian Fellowship (ICF) in October
2001 to reflect the fact that there are now more than a dozen nationalities
represented.

BCF/ICF has always had a good relationship with the other churches on the
town, indeed Ingrid was elected chair of the Christian Churches two years
running. One other church is a member of the Evangelical Alliance and their
(then) minister welcomed BCF on its open night in 1994.


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