During our history the church has had a number of names since its founding in 1810. Zion Chapel; West Street Evangelical Church; New Life Church and Jubilee Community Church. If you like history, have a look on Wikipedia and type in West Street Chapel, East Grinstead you will find it fascinating.
In 1968 it was West Street Evangelical Church and had a tiny congregation and its pastor had just moved on. David Dixon, who had just returned from the mission field overseas, was approached with this chilling invitation by the denominations trustees, “Turn it around in two years or we close the church down”. We will pay half your salary and the congregation will have to pay the other half.
The church had very little money but knew David was the man for the task ahead, and so the then church secretary Amy Lansley, another champion in our history, decided to privately pay the other half from her earnings as a school teacher. And so began a new chapter in our history that is continuing today.
David was a very gentle man, the son of a famous preacher, until he was in the pulpit. Then he became a preaching giant who was skilled in opening up scripture that not many could match. In all forms of evangelical churches across the world, the baptism of the Spirit was not preached as we understand it, except in Pentecostal churches. In fact it was vigorously opposed in many places. David, with his expository gifts, taught in a manner that disarmed opposition and instead began not only to change the congregations’ lives, but the church slowly started to grow. Some were new converts, and others choosing to move into the area.
By the early 70’s our church was viable again and across the country the teaching around the Holy Spirit was now called The Charismatic Movement. It initiated the Capel Bible Week and people and leaders of every flavour, from Catholic, to Pentecostal and house churches were there. And David was quietly there in the mix, never an extrovert but definitely an influencer.
Back at home our church instituted a number of new initiatives where David was at the helm. We had a tent crusade with Don Double of the Good News Crusade, which really emphasized the work of the Holy Spirit. We had monthly meetings entitled The Fellowship of Renewal where speakers from across the world came and shared. What is harder to believe is that for a short while East Grinstead became the place for Christians around the South of England and beyond came, just to encounter what Jesus was doing. Our church rented the accommodation of the Eastbourne catering college and we had house parties for young and old throughout August.
Under David’s ministry our church had been transformed; but the best example has been saved for last. The church prayer meeting was on Friday night each week and Friday was argument day. Couples genuinely argued about who was going and who was staying to look after the children, because both wanted to go and not miss the worship, prayer and teaching.
By the mid 70’s the wear and tear of pastoral ministry was taking its toll and David thought it time to move on, having laid a very good and, as it has turned out, a lasting foundation on what we are now built. Always remembering that it is the Lord that builds His house and He does not share His glory with any man.
On Monday the 10th of August, days before his 89th birthday, with his family around him, David Dixon went to be with the Lord, and we are indebted to him for his amazing ministry, which began with a two year deadline. I would like to finish with a quote given me by someone else.
A giant oak has fallen in the forest, yet is still visible for all to see.
Chris Woolley
