Opendoor Church began in 1994 when a small group of Christians felt stirred by God to leave Brickhill Baptist Church in Bedford and start a new work in St Neots. For the first few months the group met in St Neots during the week and in Bedford on Sundays. As God added people from St Neots to the group the church was officially launched in February 1995.
Over the next few years the Opendoor Church saw wonderful growth with many people becoming Christians, and being baptised and added to the church community. By 2000 the Sunday attendance had reached well over 220 adults and children with about 35 of these travelling from the St Ives/Huntingdon area.
God then spoke to the leaders of the church about planting a new church that would serve the St Ives/Huntingdon area. So in February 2001 a group were sent from St Neots to start The Bridge Church. Soon after this the leader of The Open Door Church, Tony Thompson, felt called by God to return to his home town of Luton to start a new church. Tony gathered a team from St Neots and other churches in the Newfrontiers family and in February 2002 Hope Church was planted in Luton. After more promptings from God, another church (New Life Church) was planted into Biggleswade in September 2006.
Following a period of much church planting activity, God brought OpenDoor into a season of building strong local church here in St Neots, leading to a move in venue into the centre of St Neots; the establishing of a number of community projects; and a renewed focus on discipleship. During this period, OpenDoor was given a significant prophetic word about what it was going to look like in the coming season. You can read the main emphases of that word here.
Well, God is SO faithful and has blessed us with much fruit. We have seen many lives significantly impacted by Jesus - a number of people have attended Alpha and been added into church; there has been much growth in small groups; an increased number of people worshipping with us on Sundays; many mature leaders added to our number; people saved and baptised; people healed. Wow. More Lord! We are currently in a new and exciting season of change. Read more about that here.
Watch this space for the next chapter in the life of OpenDoor church!
