The founder of the Pioneer network of churches says that it's absurd to suggest that churches should be told by government who they can and can't marry, and he says that his view is shared by the vast majority of Christian leaders. Understand the culture across Pioneer Trust activities with specific reference to the safeguarding culture and how safeguarding is embedded into the ministry culture.

Gerald leaves behind the love of his life, Anona, along with three sons and their families. He loved well. In an age when leaders fall, Gerald stayed faithful. Jesus warns his followers explicitly about false teachers,false Christs and falsesigns and wonders three times in Matthew 24! On Sunday 27 th November 2011 the BBC 1 Television programme ‘Songs of Praise’ began the first in a series of ‘Advent’ programmes in the run up to Christmas. The theme for this particular programme focussed on Old Testament ‘prophecies’ that foretold the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. The extent to which their approach to safeguarding reflects and has been shaped by biblical values and beliefs. My wife, Caroline, and I had only known of Gerald from a distance until 2007 when we were invited to do some work with the Pioneer team. We worked with them for 18 months helping them restructure for the future. At the end of the process, Gerald announced that he didn’t feel equipped to lead the network into the next season. The group began to discuss leadership options but no conclusions were reached. Towards the end of the conversation John Noble suggested: "Why don’t we invite Billy and Caroline Kennedy to lead the network?" We laughed. They all laughed. Later, at dinner, Gerald turned to Caroline and I and simply said: "When John Noble mentioned your names something leapt in my spirit. I think you are the next leaders of Pioneer." That was our ‘Gerald moment’. Our lives haven’t been the same since.

Gerald Coates Funeral Service

It was this clear understanding of reaching every area of society that caused him unashamedly to pursue friendships with the rich and famous. He was criticised for this, but lives were changed because of his persistence. That same ‘never say no’ attitude brought him to worldwide influence, particularly with March for Jesus. One example was in New Zealand during Easter 1984. We were participating in a conference there, which went really well until the Sunday morning.

Understand the scope and prevalence of past or current harmful experiences, or poor safeguarding or ministry practice, resulting from the activities of Pioneer Trust or individuals who have acted on their behalf. As Gerald’s biographer I learned to appreciate a man who gave everything to the cause of Christ, uncompromising and generous hearted in equal measure. THE Bishop of Birkenhead, the Rt Revd Julie Conalty, has been appointed a deputy lead bishop for safeguarding. She succeeds the Bishop of Southampton, the Rt Revd Debbie Sellin. Bishop Conalty’s brief will focus on engagement with survivors of abuse. She will also be a member of the National Safeguarding Steering Group. Although some of his fans and friends announced and confirmed the news; however, Gerald Coates’ cause of death is unknown at this time.On Sunday 3rd April, Gerald Coates, founder of the Pioneer network of churches, passed into glory. For more than 50 years Gerald blazed a trail in ecclesiastical circles that have significantly influenced and shaped the church in the UK and beyond. He wrote numerous articles and authored eight books between 1983 and 1995, including What on earth is this Kingdom?, Divided We Stand and Non-Religious Christianity which carried his influence to many emerging leaders in the mainstream churches and beyond the shores of the UK. The early 1970s saw leaders such as John Noble, Gerald Coates, Terry Virgo, George Carleton and David Mansell, who not only started a series of house churches (each of which were later called “streams,” although in most respects they were like small denominations), but began to meet together. Independently, a former Guyana missionary, Bryn Jones, started a “community church” in Bradford. A series of Bible Weeks began (initially at Capel and then in 1976 in Harrogate). These events drew thousands of people and many of those attending enjoyed their vitality and exuberance without embracing the Restorationist philosophies of “covenant relationships” and “apostolic ministries.” Assess the current safeguarding arrangements and culture and identify any deficiencies and required improvements.

Restoration 2" ('R2') took a more relaxed view of cinema, popular music, and ‘secular’ culture, were generally less separatist, (contributing significantly to the resurgence of the Evangelical Alliance), and encouraged the leadership ministries of women. This stream included the ministries of Gerald Coates, John and Christine Noble, and others not now associated like Maurice Smith, Dave Tomlinson and George Tarleton. There are times when watching ‘things Christian’ on TV that I cringe and think to myself ‘what must the unsaved think as they watch this’? Such an occasion occurred whilst watching ‘Tonight’ broadcast by ITV on 15th July 1999. For almost 15 minutes the latest ‘charismatic craze’ was exposed and examined in front of millions of viewers. Restoration 1" ('R1') followed the more conservative teachings of Arthur Wallis, Graham Perrins and Bryn Jones, and included such figures as Terry Virgo, founder of the Newfrontiers network of churches, Barney Coombs of Salt and Light Ministries International, and Tony Morton, formerly of Cornerstone. Andrew Walker distinguishes Roger and Faith Forster's Ichthus Christian Fellowship from the rest: "perhaps the most significant house church organization that lies outside Restorationism is the Ichthus movement." [4]

UK

Many have testified over the years to Gerald’s prophetic gifting – being called out in a meeting or receiving a ‘word’ in a church foyer that significantly altered the course of their lives. Among those whose lives were shaped by a ‘Gerald word’ were Noel Richards (prominent worship leader with Pioneer for many years) and Steve Clifford (former leader of the Evangelical Alliance). Provide an independent and safe channel for anyone with safeguarding concerns related to Pioneer Trust or individuals who have acted on their behalf. Gerald’s passion was the Church and the kingdom of God. His longing was to see the Church become all that Christ intended it to be – a Church that leads, that speaks out, that heals, that reaches out. A triumphant, pioneering Church, demonstrating the supernatural, life-changing King of Kings. John McGinley quotes Isaiah 43:18-19: Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing, do you not perceive it? "He (God) is teaching them about continuity and change. 'You need to forget what I did in the past because I am going to do it in a new way.' We need to be willing to let go of how we have done it in the past and to seek the new things that God is calling us to. ..hold together these values of continuity and change." {6}

I don't know how many have signed the Campaign for Marriage petition but on Monday this week there were over 100,000 signatures. And a letter has just gone out to every Roman Catholic church in the country. Key characters have included Terry Virgo, Barney Coombs (died 2018), and Gerald Coates (died 2022). THE deputy chair of the Archbishops’ Council’s Finance Committee, Carl Hughes, has resigned from the board of En+, a mining company part-owned by Oleg Deripaska, a Russian oligarch, The Guardian reported last week. Mr Hughes, who is a lay General Synod member for Southwark diocese, had been an independent director on EN+’s board since January 2019, the newspaper reported. Coates, 67, says that he believes the debate could become the issue which undermines David Cameron's premiership, his statement came as the results of an online poll indicate that 70% of people are opposed to the idea of redefining marriage.

When Tarzan lived in his glorious garden at Hallow

A 2006 study showed that a quarter of all searches on the internet, about 68m requests, were for pornographic material. Understand what actions were taken in response to identified concerns and the extent of compliance with organisational policy, legislation and guidance, and safeguarding best practice. The miracles of Jesus not only showed forth His glory but as the June 1999 Evangelical Times [in their article on the ‘gold fillings phenomena’] put it ‘were not an end in themselves but a divine authentication that the one who performed them had been sent by God’ and they wisely added ‘These biblical miracles continue to serve the same purpose and do not need to be repeated’. True disciples today need no such ‘SIGNS’ to comfort them on their Christian pilgrimage. They have a blessed “comforter” the One promised by the Lord in John 16:7. 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.