Terry Virgo
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Terry Virgo (1940-) is the leader of the Newfrontiers family of charismatic evangelical churches. Born and raised in Brighton on the English South Coast Virgo started a small church movement which has grown into an international group of churches in 29 nations. He is well known for his teaching on the doctrine of grace and is a leading Reformed Charismatic. He teaches a complementarian view of gender relationships. Many charismatics who believe in modern day apostolic ministry recognise him as an apostle.
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[edit] Ministry
As a young pastor, Virgo took part in the Charismatic movement. Having become disillusioned by his experience in traditional UK churches, he sought to direct his church toward what he considered its New Testament "charismatic roots." He was influenced in this pursuit by the teaching of the British Restorationist Arthur Wallis, who believed that a return of the charismatic gifts (such as prophecy and speaking in tongues) to the traditional denominations was not sufficient and that a more thorough restoration of church life to a New Testament pattern was necessary. Particular attention was initially given to the "Ephesians 4" ministries of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor/teacher, and over time a broader understanding of the nature of church life began to emerge.
during its beginnings] Virgo's restorationist network was strongly shaped through Downs Bible Weeks – conferences usually a week long which gathered those involved in the early UK charismatic/restorationist movement to hear preaching from its main leaders, known as the apostolic team. The Downs Bible Week ran for a decade from 1979 and gathered up to 20,000 people at its height. Expositional Bible teaching and lively worship were major features of the event.
Originally operating under the banner of Coastlands, the growing network of churches that related to Terry Virgo and the team he lead formed closer working relationships focused on missions, church planting, and church oversight. This developed into the network known as Newfrontiers today. As the leader of this network, Terry also hosted the well-known Stoneleigh Bible Weeks and the annual leaders Christian conference at Brighton.
[edit] Books
Virgo is the author of 14 books, including No Well Worn Paths, God's Lavish Grace, Does The Future Have a Church?, and The Tide is Turning.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Walker, Andrew, Restoring the Kingdom, London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1985, ISBN 034037280X.
